Ten of the highest performing major market metros are expected to improve their performance over the first half of the year, with five of the top 10 even expected to see modest gains, reports Clear Capital in its latest monthly Home Data Index.

While housing prices in the first half of the year were mostly negative among the metro areas, Clear Capital says the market is showing signs of stabilizing.

Top Performers
The following are the highest performing major markets based on first half 2011 data (January through June) and second half forecast, according to Clear Capital.

1. Washington, D.C.-Arlington, Va.
2. New York-Long Island, N.Y.-No. New Jersey, N.J.
3. Orlando
4. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas
5. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Calif.
6. Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, Mass.
7. Honolulu
8. San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, Calif.
9. Rochester, N.Y.
10. Memphis, Tenn.

Yet, only five of these markets are expected to boast home price gains in the second half of 2011: Washington, D.C., New York, Orlando, Dallas, and San Francisco, according to Clear Capital.

While most individual markets are also projected to post losses for the year, it is clear prices have begun to level off and are not exhibiting as much volatility as we’ve seen since the downturn began,” says Alex Villacorta, director of research and analytics at Clear Capital.

Orlando is ranked as one of the 10 Best Cities To Buy Rental Property according to Local Market Monitor. Here’s what they have to say about our fair city…

Average home price (2011): $165,200

The real estate market in Orlando — home to Disney and a slew of other theme parks — has been anything but magical lately. Prices have plummeted 43% since 2006, according to Local Market Monitor.

Winzer projects little in the way home price gains Orlando over the next three years. Rents, on the other hand, are expected to climb by a healthy 17% clip, he said.

The area’s ties to tourism should help as the economic recovery gains traction, he said. Visitors keep coming to the theme parks here, despite the lukewarm national job picture. If employment ever heats up, the area will attract even more visitors and that means more jobs for local residents.

He expects that real estate investors will net about 3% above the national average.

Enjoy the distinctive taste of the East at Amura Japanese Stake House and Hi Definition Sushi.  Amura has been rated the best sushi in Orlando by Zagat three years in a row.  Wondering what it means to eat Hi Definition sushi, while it’s describes the entire experience of eating sushi at Amura, from the color of your dish, the wonderful aromas and the fantastic taste.  The wonderful chefs at Amura are all professionally trained the proper technique of cutting and arranging the fresh ingredients to intrigue your taste buds. 

They offer an extensive sushi menu that includes Salmon, Orange Caviar, Grilled Shitake, and many different times of rolls just to name a few.  If sushi isn’t for you, don’t worry you can enjoy eating at the hibachi grill and watching your chef prepare your dinner right in front of your eyes.

Is your mouth watering yet?  If so then head to Downtown Orlando and experience sushi in Hi Definition. 

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This information is brought to you buy Teri Isner and the Orlando Avenue Top Team. Teri Isner has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando real estate market.

Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando homes for sale, having become the Best Listing Agent in Orlando. You can reach Teri by filling out the online contact form or give her a call.  

Apartments.com has just named a local Orlando-arearesident as a finalist in the third annual nationwide Roommate of the Year Contest. After reviewing entries from around the country and selecting 12 finalists, Apartments.com is now inviting America to weigh in on the video entry submitted by Casselberry resident William Sherrod, entitled The Roommate You Wish Your Roommate Could Be. Sherrod’s video was entered in the All-Star Roomie category. The voting stage is open now through July 31, 2011 when the votes will be tabulated, narrowing down the competition to five fabulous roomies, one of whom will be named the Apartments.com Roommate of the Year and win the grand prize of free rent for one year plus $10,000 and a one year membership to freecreditscore.com. The four runner-up winners
will each receive $500.

When casting their vote, the public is asked to judge the finalists’ videos with equal weight on originality and creativity, overall wow factor, persuasive argument and style and production. “The judging panel narrowed down the entries to 12 finalists and now it’s America’s turn to tell us who they think should be named Roommate of the Year. With free rent for a year plus $10,000 up for grabs, we’re certain our finalists are going to be out there drumming up support for their video,” states Tammy Kotula, public relations and promotions manager for Apartments.com.

“Due to socio-economic factors, finding and being a good roommate is a concept that’s really important to renters today. This year the videos we received across the board featured more creativity and higher production values. Choosing 12 finalists was not an easy task, and selecting just one winner will be even more difficult.” The public can view videos and vote for their favorite roommate now through July 31, 2011 at http://www.roommateoftheyear.com. Visitors to the website can vote for their favorite video once a day every day until the voting stage ends.

Meet Your Local Finalist: All-Star Roomie This category celebrates all-around roommate greatness for those roomies
whose special qualities don’t fit into just one category. Title of Entry Description,
http://www.roommateoftheyear.com/videos/26/the-roommate-you-wish-your-roommate-could-be, The Roommate You Wish Your Roommate Could Be Look at your roommate, now back to William, now back to your roommate. Sadly, he isn’t William. Step into William Sherrod’s spotless apartment, courtesy of the roommate you wish your roommate could be, filled with fresh linens, a state-of-the-art home theater, a five- star meal with the dessert
you love AND a present for your mom when you forget her birthday! Log on and vote today! Submitted by William Sherrod of Casselberry, FL.

Sherrod is vying for the grand prize and the coveted title that is currently held by Andrew Prestler of Kokomo, Indiana and a student at Ball State. Last year, Prestler beat out stiff competition to be named the 2010 Roommate of
the Year by composing an original rap and creating an eye-catching video, singling him out as “Da Best.” “As our 2010 Roommate of the Year can attest, this contest can be life changing,” Kotula continues. “Andrew Prestler made appearances on national TV as well as on more than 40 different TV stations across the country during his tenure. Our 2009 winner Keaton Davis leveraged his award-winning video and production skills to attain a summer internship at a national television network. Being Roommate of the Year has so many benefits beyond the valuable free rent for a year and $10,000 cash prize.”

To view the finalists’ videos and cast a vote for the Apartments.com Roommate of the Year Contest, visit http://www.roommateoftheyear.com. 

Get ready to celebrate July 4^th in Orlando with some exciting events going on around the area.  The town of St. Cloud is hosting Lakefest Celebration, a fun day starting at noon at the Lakefront Amphitheatre.  There will be live music by Corban Keene Band, and Dixieland Brass Quartet.  There will even be a reading of the Declaration of Independence.  There will be lots of fun things for the kids to do.

The Town of Celebration will be going back in time with their Flashback 4^th of July.  Pull out your best clothes from the 80’s and enter the costume contest that will be held at 7:30pm.  You will be able to dance the night away to the 80’s band “Flock of Seagulls”.  The fireworks display will even be set to the best loved music from the 80’s.  This will be a fun evening that everyone will enjoy.

The parks are getting into the July 4^th sprit with fireworks and activities for the whole family.  Universal will hosting Rock & Roll Hall of Fame artist The O’Jays, along with a spectacular fireworks display.  Seaworld will be hosting a fun celebration that will include a show on a giant projection screen featuring some of America’s greatest historical moments along with a fireworks show.  Even Mickey is getting in on the celebrating at Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom with their Main Street Electric Parade and fireworks.

Enjoy July 4^th at one of these wonderful events in the Orlando area with your family.

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This information is brought to you buy Teri Isner and the Orlando Avenue Top Team. Teri Isner has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando real estate market.

Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando homes for sale, having become the Best Listing Agent in Orlando.

Homebuyers have been gradually chipping away at Orlandoreal estate’s once-towering inventory and have reduced it down to 11,480 homes available for purchase, reports the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association. That’s an inventory level not seen since the end of the red-hot housing market in 2005.

Orlando real estate sales in April of 2011 are down by 9.68 percent compared to April of 2010, with 2,388 homes changing hands last month. To date, sales in 2011 are 1.82 percent above sales in 2010.

Orlando’s median price experienced its third month-over-month gain, with area homes selling for a median of $105,000. That median price is 8.70 percent lower than April 2010’s median price of $115,000.

The lower median price of foreclosures and short sales — which at 65.49 percent of all sales in April actually represents a 5 percent drop from last month — continues to drag down the overall median price.The median price for bank-owned sales in April is $80,000 and the median price for short sales is $91,000. The median price for “normal” existing homes sold in April is $160,000.

Teri Isner has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home shopping website.

Don’t forget to bring your glove out to Osceola County Stadium so you can try and catch a fly ball hit by one of minor league players.  Orlando is home to the Houston Astros Gulf Coast League Minor League Baseball, which is a minor league baseball team.  This team is made up of newly drafted players and players who are rehabbing from an injury. 

Baseball is American’s past time and we can enjoy it right here in Orlando.  The Osceola County Stadium was renovated in 2003 it is now a 5,300 seat stadium with armchair seating.  Don’t forget to grab a hot dog at the concession stand.  This is a family fun evening that everyone will enjoy. 

Free mobile app to search all homes right from your phone!

This information is brought to you buy Teri Isner and the Orlando Avenue Top Team. Teri Isner has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando real estate market.

Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando homes for sale, having become the Best Listing Agent in Orlando.

Bring out your inter Cajun and let loose at the Cajun Crawfish Festival this Saturday June 11^th starting at 7pm.  Take a break from the Orlando heat and enjoy summer fare at this wonderful event in downtown St. Cloud.  Vendors will be selling crawfish and all the wonderful fixings that go along with this Cajun delicacy. 

Dance to the beat of the live music as you stroll trough this lively street fair.  Don’t miss the wonderful vendors set up along the way.  There is something for everyone at this fun street fair even other food vendors incase crawfish isn’t really your thing.  So step out of Orlando this weekend and enjoy a little Cajun flair.

Free mobile app to search all homes right from your phone!

This information is brought to you buy Teri Isner and the Orlando Avenue Top Team. Teri Isner has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando real estate market.

Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando homes for sale, having become the Best Listing Agent in Orlando. You can reach Teri by email or give her a call.  

Experience the Stomping of the Grapes at Lakeridge Winery near Orlando, without having to go to wine country.  The winery most popular festival will be held the weekend of June 17^th – 19^th.  You will be able to stomp grapes in a barrel and watch as you fill up your jug.  Who will fill theirs fastest?  This is a fun family event with activities everyone will enjoy.  Spend some time strolling through the local vendors of arts & craft goods.

After you have stomped and strolled pick up lunch and spread out your blanket to enjoy live music that will be playing through out the weekend.  They will also be offering complimentary Winery tours and tasting.  Spend a family fun weekend near Orlando at the Lakeridge Winery Harvest Festival. 

Free mobile app to search all homes right from your phone!

This information is brought to you buy Teri Isner and the Orlando Avenue Top Team. Teri Isner has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando real estate market.

Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando homes for sale, having become the Best Listing Agent in Orlando. You can reach Teri by email or phone.  

The force will be strong in Orlando this weekend with the beginning of Star Wars weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Your young jedi warrior will not want to miss out on the exciting events that will be held each weekend, starting with the return of Star Tours.  This weekend the exciting 3-D Star Tours will return to take you on an adventure from Tatooine to Coruscant, there are several different missions so you don’t know which one you will be on, let the force lead you on your way. 

Each day their will be Celebrity autograph sessions, make you get your FASTPASS early because there is only a limited amount.  Some of the characters you may meet are C-3PO, Captain Rex, Darth Maul, Boba Fett and Anakin. 

Your young jedi will need to improve their lightsaber skills and the best way to prepare for battle is at the Jedi Training Academy. 

Don’t miss the end of day festivities with the Hyperspace Hoopla, where Ewoks, Wookies, Stormtroopers and other creatures have a little fun w/music and dancing.  Young and old Jedi will enjoy this fun event in Orlando at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Free mobile app to search all homes right from your phone!                       

 

This information is brought to you buy Teri Isner and the Orlando Avenue Top Team. Teri Isner has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando real estate market.

Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando homes for sale. You can reach Teri by filling out the online contact form or give her a call.