A rooftop view of Orlando’s real estate market, trends and neighborhoods

Archive for the ‘Orlando Neighborhoods’ Category

Spooktacular at Waterford Lakes Town Center

Tuesday, October 30th, 2007

trey-on-halloween.jpg

Every year the Town Center has been open for families to bring small children to Trick-or-Treat on Halloween.

This year the Town Center will be open for Trick-or-Treaters on Wednesday, October 31, from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Look for orange pumpkin signs outside participating stores and grab some candy from approximately 30 stores.

 

 

 

 

 

Rules and Regulations:

Participating stores will be designated with an orange pumpkin sig

Trick or Treat event is for children 12 years and younger

No toy weapons will be permitted

Masks will be permitted on children 12 years and younger only

Costumes will only be permitted during event hours

Hoods which cover the head or face are not permitted

Estate of the Week: La Belleza Dorata

Wednesday, October 10th, 2007

La Belleza Dorata is an absolutely stunning property available in Isleworth for $6 million.

La Belleza Dorata, Isleworth, Florida

La Belleza Dorata, Isleworth, Florida

This majestic Tuscan treasure is an inspired work of art including lavish finishes, imported stone and magnificent faux painting. This estate provides an unparalleled venue for indoor-outdoor entertaining. Dramatic arches, columns, Venetian plaster, ceilings with hand painted Italian designs are some of the extensive detailing found throughout this home.

A sweeping, freestanding staircase curves up to 3 bedroom suites. Beautiful Italian tile leads onto maple hardwood flooring inside the formal living, dining rooms, & private study. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room have lovely views of the outdoor living area.

The dining room & kitchen opens to a Venetian courtyard with Ramada fountain. The spacious chef’s kitchen is enhanced by copper ceiling & a fun hidden pantry. An inviting master suite with sitting room has gorgeous views of the outdoor living area.

Overlooking the 16th tee is the unique Gentlemen’s Private Retreat with its Northwest Territories decor, full sized bar & bath. The expansive golf front outdoor living includes a Jandy controled heated pool & spa with water features, summer kitchen, relaxing gazebo, & disappearing screened lanai with fireplace. Motor court separated by 6 oversized car garages.

Property Location: 9905 Lake Louise Drive, Windermere, FL 34786 (Map)
Listing is by Isleworth Realty, a part of the Tavistock Group

[editor’s note: I’m a sucker for great pictures. Send in your best property images and I’ll add them to Roofable.]

Lou Pearlman’s Home is Back on the Market

Wednesday, October 10th, 2007

The $7.1 million dollar house that was reportedly on contract is now back on the market. The Orlando Sentinel reports:

The sale of the 9,000-square-foot home near Windermere on Lake Butler last month to Orlando plastic surgeon John Choi fell through after he was unable to obtain financing, said Denise Dell-Powell, attorney for court-appointed bankruptcy trustee Soneet Kapila.

East Orlando’s Innovation Way

Thursday, October 4th, 2007

Innovation Way…AKA the Alafaya Extension. There’s been a lot of speculation about when they’re going to start and complete this project. Dawn Pratt, who writes “East Orlando Life” wrote to Commissioner, Linda Steward, and received a reply from her aide. This is what Dawn reported. For the whole response visit Dawn’s article.

  • The widening of Alafaya Trail will begin during 2009
  • Innovation Way will stop short 800ft north of the Beachline and will be complete December 2008
  • Innovation Way/Beachline Interchange is projected to begin 2009 and be complete in 2011
  • Innovation Way from the Beachline to the 417 is projected to be complete some time between 2012 and 2017

Quick Hits Around Orlando Real Estate

Tuesday, October 2nd, 2007

Dawn Pratt gets an update from Commissioner Linda Stewart on the time line for extending Alafaya Trail (Innovation Way) to the 528 (the Beachline).

Hojin Chang is showcasing some of the houses that famous people live(d) in SW Orlando. This week she covers the one that Payne Stewart and Tracy McGrady called home, and Shaq’s house.

Rob Arnold gives us 6 Tips to Selling in a Buyer’s Market. (Excellent Post!)

The Orlando Sentinel covers the College Park Leisure Homes (trailers) eviction saga. It’s an interesting case of squatters vs developers right in the middle of Orlando.


Linda Hutchinson
of Stirling Sotheby’s answers the question: What do the Rich Really Want?

BlogOrlando - Local Community Real Estate Bloggers Talk

Friday, September 28th, 2007

I’m attending an interesting local conference called BlogOrlando today, located at Rollins College in Winter Park. What’s interesting about this is that there are a number of local bloggers who talk about real estate and the local communities in Orlando.

Tim Welch - Colonialtown Blogger for Orlando Sentinel

So far I’ve been able to meet Tim Welch (pictured), who writes Colonialtown blog, and Chris Gent, who writes about the Conway area, for the Orlando Sentinel.

I also had the chance to have lunch with Debra Horowitz who is an expert in the Avalon Park real estate market in East Orlando.

Blogging about communities within Orlando is an area I hope to see increase greatly. The best news about an area is put out by the locals in that community - I see our job at Roofable as finding some of the best news and commentary from them and helping even more people find it.

$250 Million Tradition Towers is Back on Track

Thursday, September 27th, 2007

Tradition Towers in Downtown Orlando

Even with a cooling condo market, Tradition Towers overlooking Lake Eola is back on track. This time however, half of the building will be a new top end luxury hotel. Developer Steve Walsh claims that their hotel will be even more exclusive than Orlando’s Grand Bohemian. I’ll be interested to see if that is the case.

It’s a brave move to continue building into a slumping condo market. I certainly hope to see Orlando continue to grow though, so am glad that it’s happening.

(more at the Sentinel)

Orlando Real Estate Roundup

Tuesday, September 25th, 2007

Florida’s Super Homestead Tax Exemption

Florida Super Homestead Tax Exemption might be thrown out. (via Rob and Sentinel):

Choosing the “super” homestead exemption would mean the homeowner would forever lose the Save Our Homes cap. And as Orange County Property Appraiser Bill Donegan and others have shown, many people who stay in their homes more than four years would save more with Save Our Homes limiting future tax bills.

Maitland city council wants to make some big changes, but have their hands full with local citizens (via Orlando Sentinel):

The centerpiece of Maitland’s downtown makeover would be 675 condominiums and apartments, shops restaurants and offices built by the Brossier Co. Those buildings would rise on land that is now home to City Hall, the Police Department and other city offices, a shuttered Winn-Dixie supermarket and parking lots.

Real Estate Auctions Picking up in Orlando

Friday, September 21st, 2007

IDX Realty AuctionsIDX Realty is having an auction of $100 million worth of property on October 6, 2007 at the DoubleTree Suites Hotel in Orlando from 11am - 6pm. Find out more on their website, or on the Orlando Sentinel.

The properties for sale range from vacant land and commercial buildings to multimillion dollar estate homes.More than 60 properties, in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and New Jersey, are being sold by investors, builders with too much inventory, lenders with foreclosed-upon assets, Realtors, and regular homeowners who need to liquidate assets.

Lake Mary Real Estate Auction - condosCondo Metropolis reports 40 condos were sold at auction in the Lake Mary.

The day saw some great and some not so great deals. One lucky bidder was able to grab a town home which was left by accident on the offer board at a lower price, while one lady who couldn’t make up her mind fast enough on a bid and ended up paying $18,000 more simply on a time rule technicality. I don’t think she even realized what had happened.

Own Your an Inland Island Near Orlando

Monday, September 17th, 2007

You don’t see a 38 acre island on the market everyday around Orlando. Long Island is located within Lake Harris, in Tavares , Florida. Tavares lies about an hour to the Northwest of Orlando and is easily accessible via Florida’s Turnpike (map). The listing price is $13,000,000.


Long Island in Tavares Florida
An aerial view of Long Island, Florida

Long Island in Tavares Florida - Trees
A shot of the pristine “old Florida” vegetation

From the Coldwell Banker Islands & Resorts listing:

The best fishing in the lake exists off the island’s eastern side. And Lake Harris, being part of a chain of lakes and waterways, even enjoys boating access to the Atlantic Ocean.

A mainland parcel connecting the lake’s shoreline with a paved road provides an access link to Long Island, which remains a wondrously secluded, serene sanctuary whose sensitive use assures the preservation of its magnificent attributes for generations to come.

Quick Hits Around Orlando Real Estate

Saturday, September 15th, 2007

Hojin Chang’s excellent new Southwest Orlando Real Estate blog lambastes the misleading marketing of companies selling property on Lake Apopka in a post titled, “Lake Apopka: the New Florida Swampland Scam“. If you’re planning to buy there, consider this insider’s view as fair warning! A quote:

“You can’t swim there and the only wildlife that you’ll see is probably a mutant alligator.”

From another of Orlando’s new real estate blogs, Orlando Nest, Linda Hutchinson talks about the value of a good street name in, “What’s in a Name“.

“One client thought Harmony Lane was just too cute. I also had a customer who would only buy a house where the house numbers totaled seven. Fortunately, I found her a house with the numbers 421 and she bought it!”

Parking and Traffic for a Home UCF Game

Friday, September 14th, 2007

A word of warning should go out to anyone living in East Orlando - “You’re screwed” on UCF gamedays. Just get used to that idea and it will help you get over your frustrations for living on this side of town. The basic truth is that UCF cannot possibly handle the amount of traffic or parking for a University of Central Florida home football game at the new UCF stadium on campus.

I heard that they are planning to bus people from the Waterford Lakes Towncenter (I wonder if the property management company, Simon, knows about that?). What a goat-rope that is going to be. If you think it’s bad there, don’t even bother going towards Oviedo or anywhere around Alafaya Trail north of the 408.

Bill Couch from the Orlando Sentinel has created a really well done interactive map showing the traffic patterns and official parking areas around UCF for the game:


UCF Gameday Parking Map

First UCF Home Game in the New UCF Stadium

Thursday, September 13th, 2007

It’s been a LONG time coming, but the UCF Knights will be playing their first football game against Texas this weekend in the brand spanking new UCF Stadium. The game with the Longhorns will serve as the first contest at the 45,000-seat venue. 6 games will be played at the new stadium this year and you can still buy eason tickets by calling 407-UCF-1000.


UCF vs Texas

Habitat for Humanity to Build Pine Hills Condos

Tuesday, September 11th, 2007

Habitat for Humanity OrlandoHabitat for Humanity Orlando has put together a proposal to build a 58-unit, $6 million condo complex in Pine Hills, near Downtown Orlando. Interestingly, perspective owners would need to put in sweat equity of 300-500 hours, just like their “normal house” counterparts do on Habitat projects.

The project, called Staghorn Villas, will be built on 3.9 acres at Staghorn Drive and Silver Star Road. Plans call for 10 two-story buildings, each with four- to eight-unit townhouses, and green-space play areas. Habitat Orlando hopes to break ground in February 2008 and finish in spring 2011.

(read more at the Orlando Sentinel)

Estate of the Day in Windermere

Monday, September 10th, 2007

Luxist, a blog about luxury items, has listed the “Overjoy” as its Estate of the Day. Overjoy is located in the Windermere Reserve on Lake Butler Sound. $11,900,000 will get you this 10,155 sq/ft winner of six 2007 Aurora Awards in the Custom Home category.


Windermere Luxury Home - Overjoy

Luxury Living in Windermere Florida - the Overjoy Home

Listing - 11301 Bridge House Rd., Windermere, FL 34786 - MLS#o4771541 by Reeta Casey