Archive for August, 2007
Tuesday, August 21st, 2007
I just read an interesting article by a local Orlando real estate agent Gitta Urbainczyk on her blog. It’s not encouraging.
In speaking with many agents across the country, I have found that the general consensus is this. Unelss you are in one of those ‘luxury pockets’ where the homes are selling and buyers are buying, this real estate market represents an eerie feeling of a directionless downward trend unlike anything we have seen. The market is adrift without a rudder, flowing in no particularly general direction. The outlook is grim at best. Reports are not encouraging, specifically on national and international online news sites.
We are seeing an evolutionary process that is a complete reversal of what we witnessed in the 2004/ 2005 ‘anything goes’ real estate cycle. Major lenders are shutting their doors or ceasing to fund projects on the closing table. If you think you have your home sold, don’t count on it until you have the money in your hands. Mortgage rules are changing and guidelines are tightening to the point of hurting the market in the long run.
That’s pretty bleak. Gitta ran the numbers late last week on the Orlando area (in another post) and it was a mixed bag. Only a few neighborhoods, like Heathrow and Lake Mary, continue to see growth. However, most areas are decreasing as the supply continues to increase and the difficulty in getting a mortgage also increases, thus shutting out more potential buyers.
The silver lining in our city is this - there are more businesses (large ones) that are starting to move into the area. Orlando also enjoys a tourism base that won’t disappear even in downturns.
Posted in Market Analysis, Orlando | 1 Comment »
Monday, August 20th, 2007
Outback recently opened a franchise in East Orlando. If you have never had their Kookaburra Wings, take advantage of the Curbside Takeaway and give them a try. You can call in our order (or order online), and then go pick the wings up 15 minutes later. They even bring the order out to your car. No waiting for a table or for your food, now just pick up the wings and take them home. Delicious!!!
Other Outback locations in Orlando include:
Image courtesy of PerryW on Flickr.
Posted in Commercial, East Orlando, Orlando | No Comments »
Saturday, August 18th, 2007
I don’t know about you but I’d never heard of this chain of pubs until I saw one being built in my Waterford Lakes neighborhood. This establishment is being built on the corner of Woodbury Road and Waterford Lakes Parkway (you know, that little back street going to the Waterford Town Center).
For months I had been wondering what this huge building was going to be. I thought maybe it was a Baby’s-R-Us or another fitness center. Finally, the anticipated “Coming Soon” sign appeared. I craned my neck as I drove by, nearly hit the guy in front of me, and read “Firkin and Kegler…something…something…pub…something… something.” What!?
So, for your reading delight, I present my research titled, “What in the World is Firkin and Kegler?”…minimal though it is. At least you don’t have to go research it, right?
Founded in 1987 by Stanley Adelson and Ian Fisher, experienced restauranteurs and South African ex-patriots, The Firkin Group of Pubs is a chain of full service restaurants modeled after the traditional neighbourhood British pub. Canada’s largest pub chain with 33 locations, the Firkin has expanded to the US with units (only 8 so far) open in locations ranging from Florida, Michigan, Virginia, New York, Illinois and Texas. Another 120 are in development and scheduled to open over the next few years.
The concept for the franchise is based on generating an inviting pub environment; combining an individual name, such as that of an animal, with Firkin - a nine-gallon wooden barrel used for storing ale; and lastly, creating individual Firkins where “Everyone’s a little different, ones just right for you.”
Each Firkin location has its own individual identity and is best known as a casual and comfortable neighbourhood establishment serving an extensive lunch and dinner menu, a brunch menu on the weekend at select locations and a late night menu. Each Firkin location offers eight different specials daily with set menu fare ranging from traditional British pub dishes such as Shepherd’s Pie and Bangers, Beans & Mash to signature items as the Firkin Steak Sandwich and Cajun Greek Salad.
The average size of a Firkin is between 2,500 – 4,500 square feet with average seating ranging from 80-100 plus bar seating. The average check is between $12 - $14 per person.
The origins of the Firkin are rooted in Toronto, Ontario, Canada where in 1986 Adelson and Fisher became franchisees of Toronto’s Empire Pubs, opening up the Fox and The Firkin. Adelson and Fisher soon purchased the location from Empire and with no copyright on the name, the Firkin Group of Pubs was established.
For more information visit www.firkinpubs.com
Posted in Commercial, East Orlando, Orlando | 15 Comments »
Friday, August 17th, 2007
Location: Lake Underhill Road and Waterford Chase Blvd.
Time: Approximately 6:00pm Monday through Friday
Those Impacted: Anyone who lives in Avalon, Timber Springs, and Waterford Chase.
Those Unfairly Impacted: Anyone who lives in Waterford Lakes past the stop sign.
State of Traffic: Backed up on Lake Underhill with the intent of turning right onto Waterford Chase
State of Mind: Irritated, borderline road rage
Events of interest: Drivers intentionally blocking the merge lane so other drivers can’t cut in line. Drivers speeding down the left turn lane to the front of the line then making a quick cut across two lanes of traffic to turn right onto Waterford Chase. A lot of tailgating.
Latest Road-Rage-Prevention Method: A stoplight! It’s been a long time coming but I’m hopeful it will alleviate the massive congestion on Lake Underhill.
This intersection and the first Stoneybrook exit onto Alafaya Trail are my two pet peeves in the Waterford area.
What are your intersection nightmares?
Posted in East Orlando, Orlando | No Comments »
Thursday, August 16th, 2007
In East Orlando, because of the sudden growth over the last 10 years, you’ll often see large well-built houses, farms or distinctive properties nestled up against suburban sprawl. When one of those larger-than-every-one-else houses comes on the market, everyone is naturally curious on both the price and how it will sell.
The property shown above, 11135 Lokanotosa Trl, Orlando, FL 32817, is being listed at just over $700,000. What it has going for it is that it’s walking distance to an elementary school and University High School. It’s near UCF and quite close to the Waterford Lakes Town Center. The problem is that it’s kind of like an ugly duckling - it’s not ugly at all, but it stick out so much from the surrounding area that it doesn’t fit in.
The home is being sold by the owner, not handled by any real estate agent.
Posted in East Orlando, Real Estate for Sale | 5 Comments »
