FANNIE MAE'S RESPONSE TO COVID-19

In a statement released earlier today, Fannie Mae stated that they continue to be fully operational and will continue to provide liquidity to the market to minimize risk.

Full Statement Below:

This statement should help to answer questions many current buyers and homeowners had about the ability to close on the purchase of their home under contract or to refinance their current home in this favorable rate martket.

Fannie Mae's Risk Management Plan

HURRICANE DORIAN

NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER TRACKING

Hurricane Dorian looks to be a very strong and potentially devistating storm for the central Florida area.  We have put this page together as a resource for our fellow residents, and hope you find it useful.  Prepare and be safe.

Resources

Tracking The Storm

NOAA National Hurricane Center

Orlando Sentinel Hurricane Center

Spectrum News 13

Getting Ready

Florida Realtors® Essential Guide to Hurricane Preparedness

National Association of REALTORS® House Logic Emergency Survival Kit Guide

American Red Cross

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Ready.gov

FloridaDisaster.org

City of Orlando

Orlando Utility Company

Orange County

Seminole County

Recovering

Florida Realtors® Disaster Relief Fund

American Red Cross

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Duke Energy

Florida Power and Light

Orlando Utility Company

Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday 2019

As August approaches, we are reminded that school in Central Florida is right around the corner.   This year both Seminole and Orange County start on August 12, 2019

Orange County School Calender                          

Seminole County School Calender

Florida Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday

To help off set the cost of school supplies Florida designates a tax holiday period.  This year, from August 2nd thru August 6th, you can purchase all your back-to-school supplies without paying the state sales tax.

During the sales tax holiday period the following are exempt:

• Clothing, footwear, and certain accessories selling for $60 or less per item
• Certain schol supplies selling for $15 or less per item, and
• Personal computers and certain computer-related accessories selling for $1000 or less per item, when purchased for noncommercial home or personal use.

This sales tax holiday does not apply to:

• Any item of clothing selling for more than $60;
• Any school supply item selling for more than $15;
• Books that are other wise exempt
• Repairs or alterations of any eligible items; or
• Sales of any eligible itmes in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment, or airport

Click Here For A Complete List Of Items

Or

List Of Frequently Asked Questions For The Sales Tax Holiday

Supply List For Each School District

Seminole County Pulbic Schools Elementary Supply List

Orange County Public Schools Elementary Supply List

K thru 3rd Grades

4th and 5th Grades

Back-To-School Events

Back 2 School Bash

Saturday, August 3, 10am – 2pm

Orlando Fashion Square Mall

This free event supplies many of the items and services you need to get ready for another year including free back packs, dental & health screenings, haircuts and school supplies.

Back to School Fest

Saturday, August 3, 10am – 3pm

Seminole Towne Center

Free event while you shop during the tax-free weekend. Enjoy games and fun activities for the kids. Special visitors include representatives from Orlando Magic, Orlando City, and animals from the Central Florida Zoo.

Back 2 School

Saturday, August 3, 10am – 4pm

Oviedo Mall

Avalon Back to School Bash

Saturday, August 3, 10am – noon

Avalon Park Foundation

Free backpacks and supplies will be distributed to the community.

Back to School Expo Community Expo

Saturday, August 10, 10am – 2pm

Florida Technical College

Free event featuring live music, fun activities, free medical check-ups, and free backpacks (limited quantities).

Florida Kids & Family Expo

Saturday, August 17, 10am – 5pm

Orange County Convention Center

$6 tickets for a full-day of indoor fun discovering family-friendly products, vendors, and entertainment.

Additional Fuctions And Free Back To School Events Click Here

Orlando Housing Market Report [June 2019]

Orlando's sales stumble a bit during peak homebuying months

Orlando home sales took a tiny tumble in June, slipping 2% compared to June 2018 during what is traditionally near the peak of our homebuying season.

“We are expecting June’s sales decline to reverse itself in the coming months as families seek to close on their new homes before the start of the school year,” says ORRA President Jeffrey M. Fagan. “In addition, we anticipate an eagerness to take advantage of favorable conditions such as small-but-steady increases in the inventory of homes available for purchase in the Orlando area and falling mortgage rates.”

According to the latest monthly report from ORRA, Orlando area homebuyers secured an average interest rate of 3.93% in June. That’s down from 4.15% in May and a high this year in February of 4.34%.

ORRA members were involved in 3,399 property transactions during June. Sales of townhomes dropped by a whopping 22%, which was enough to drag the overall sales comparison down by 2 percent. Sales of single-family homes actually improved by about half a percent over last year, while condos rose by more than 3 percent.

Speaking of condos, this home type is leading Orlando’s eight-month string of inventory increases. The number of condos available for purchase in June expanded by 24%, to 1,135. Single-family homes had 5% more availability than in June 2018, bringing our overall inventory up by 7 percent.

Despite inventory gains, Orlando is still clearly a seller’s market as it has only 2.37 months of supply (six months is considered by economists to indicate a market that is balanced between buyers and sellers). However, the balance shifts when you consider price categories for single-family homes, with the lower price categories firmly favoring sellers and the higher price categories ($700,000 and above) favoring buyers. Those in the market for a home priced between $2 million and $5 million currently enjoy 26 months of supply. FYI, there is a 15-month supply of home priced above $5 million.

ORRA’s report also shows that the overall median price is securely back its years-long upward track. After a brief derailment into the red in April, the Orlando median price — the figure at which half of the homes sold for more and half sold for less — rose 5 percent in June to $250,000.

June Market Indicator Comparison

Single-family Home Update

Single-family home sales bumped up 0.5% in June, with 2,685 units sold throughout the Orlando area versus 2,673 a year earlier. Compared to last month, single-family sales are down 11 percent.

The median price for single-family homes increased by 3% to $270,000 in June. The inventory of this home type improved by 5% over June 2018, and there are currently 6,289 single-family homes available for purchase through the multiple listing service.

Condo Update

Condo sales are up by 3% (406); condo inventory is up by 24% (1,135), and condo median price is up by 7% ($134,350,500).

MSA Numbers 

Sales of existing homes within the entire Orlando MSA (Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties) in June were down by 2.7% when compared to June of 2018. To date, sales are down 6.9%. 

Each individual county’s sales comparisons are as follows: 

*Lake: 8.3% above June 2018; 

*Orange: 2.8% below June 2018; 

*Osceola: 8.5% below June 2018; and 

*Seminole: 5.9% below June 2018.

This representation is based in whole or in part on data supplied by the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association and the My Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service. Neither the association nor MFRMLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the association or MFRMLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. Due to late closings, an adjustment is necessary to record those closings posted after our reporting date.

ORRA REALTOR® sales represent sales involving Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association members, who are primarily – but not exclusively - located in Orange and Seminole counties. Note that statistics released each month may be revised in the future as new data is received. 

Orlando MSA numbers reflect sales of homes located in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties by members of any REALTOR® association, not just members of ORRA.Orlando Area Market 10-year History (Orlando 10-Year History) (link to pdf) interest rate, sales, median price, average price, list/sell difference, pending, days on market, inventory, and months of supply for each of the last 10 years.

4th Of July Orlando Events 2019

Without spending a lot of money you can enjoy 4th of July events and shows in Orlando and the surrounding area.

Besides the amazing fireworks shows that will be exploding all around the Orlando area, many Central Florida communities will be hosting afternoons filled with games, food, music. 

Plan ahead and bring chairs, blankets, bug spray, and sprarklers.  And leave time for traffic and crowds.  Most fireworks shows will be starting just after sundown (roughly 9pm)

July 2nd

Light Up The Lake

Tuesday, July 2 starting at 5pm (fireworks at 9:15pm)

Grills Lakeside: 4315 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando

Get the party started early at this popular lakeside restaurant with live music, activities for the entire family, and kayak or paddle board rentals available. Bonus for the little ones: there’s a playground on property.

JULY 3

Red Hot & Boom

Wednesday, July 3, 4pm – 11pm

Cranes Roost in Altamonte Springs

The City of Altamonte Springs always blows it out of the park to celebrate our nation’s independence. Enjoy a free day of music from the hottest artists, family fun, and of course, one of the best firework displays. This is a very popular event. You can find adequate viewing spots on the opposite side of the water/amphitheater. 

Freedom on the Waterfront

Wednesday, July 3, 5pm – 9:30pm

Downtown Mount Dora, Elizabeth Evans Park

Join us at 5 p.m. for live music and a spectacular fireworks show after sun down.  Event Cost: Free

Baldwin Park Independence Bash

Wednesday, July 3, 6pm – 11pm (fireworks at 9:15pm)

4801 New Broad Street

This FREE event will kick off with a festival in the Village Center of Baldwin Park hosted by Baldwin Park Joint Committee and Presented by Advent Health. At 9:15pm*, view a spectacular choreographed fireworks show over Lake Baldwin.   

The Village center will come alive with nearly 100 participants and sponsors of all kinds offering lots of fun including; shopping, a showcase of artisans and craftsman with works for sale, festival snacks/food trucks, a beer garden, face painting, balloon art, interactive activities, and more. 

Walt Disney World 4th Of July 

Wednesday, July 3, 9:15 pm

The Magic Kingdom celebrates the 4th of July with a fireworks show on both July 3rd and July 4th. Fireworks at the Magic Kingdom begin at 9:15 pm with patriotic music. Epcot add’s a special 4th of July tribute to Illuminations at 9pm.

JULY 4

Fireworks at the Fountain

Thursday, July 4, 4pm – 10pm

Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando

Orlando Mayor, Buddy Dyer, invites the community to celebrate our nation’s freedom with a spectacular fireworks show, free entertainment, a kids’ play area, live music, and beverages for purchase. The City recommends finding alternative modes of transportation because of street closures and limited on-street parking.

Star Spangled Sanford

Thursday, July 4, 4pm – 10pm

Fort Mellon Park on Sanford Riverwalk

Star Spangled Sanford is Central Florida’s premier summer celebration and the best value for vending anywhere. With over fifty thousand spectators expected to file in for the great concert and fireworks, your business can be front and center for the show. This fun, family celebration brings in visitors from around the Central Florida to enjoy the beautiful lakefront setting on Lake Monroe.

Winter Springs Celebration of Freedom

Thursday, July 4, 5pm – 9:30pm

Central Winds Park

Wear your red, white and blue because this city hosts an evening filled with fun: live entertainment, kid’s area and a variety of vendors. As the night wraps up the sky will fill with world-class fireworks.

The City of Oviedo 4th Of July Celebration

Thursday, July 4, 5pm – 9pm (fireworks at 9pm)

Oviedo Mall

Enjoy live music, carnival rides and games. Entry is free but there is an extra charge for a wristband ($5 in advance or $7 day of) for unlimited inflatables. There’s a cash bar too.

4th of July Celebration at Avalon Park

Thursday, July 4, 5pm – 9pm (fireworks 9pm)

Downtown Avalon Park

Celebrate with an apple pie bake-off, bike parade, bounce park, vendors, live performances and music.

Party In The Park | Winter Garden

Thursday, July 4, 6pm – 9:30pm (fireworks 9:15pm)

Newton Park, Winter Garden

Bring a chair, blanket or have a seat in the grass for this annual Winter Garden tradition! Keep your eyes on the sky for one of the best firework displays in West Orange County. Live music, family activities, food and more keep the evening fun for all ages! Festivities begin at 6:00 pm. Fireworks show at 9:15 pm.

Red, White and Boom | Clearmont

Waterfront Park in Clermont

4th of July celebration at Waterfront Park filled with traditional Americana-type activities for all ages and ending with fireworks over Lake Minneola.

SeaWorld 4th Of July

Thursday, July 4th (fireworks 9:15pm)

This 4th of July, families and friends can enjoy one of Orlando’s most magnificent fireworks displays.

The night sky will light up with fireworks, pyrotechnics and lasers during a one-of-a-kind, patriotic finale to “Ignite,” SeaWorld’s new end-of-day spectacle.

Fireworks are included with park admission and can best be viewed from Bayside Stadium.

Parades And Community Events

Celebration Independence Day Parade

Wednesday, July 4 at 9 a.m.

This year’s Star Spangled Spectacular Independence Day parade will kick-off at 9 a.m. from Town Hall, following a route along Celebration Avenue to Market Street and eventually concluding at the entrance to Lakeside Park

Mount Dora's 4th Of July Parade

Thursday, July 4 at 10am

Donnelly Street in downtown Mt. Dora. Free traditional parade throughout the streets of the quaint town.

Winter Park’s 24th Annual 4th of July Celebration

Thursday, July 4, 9am – noon

Central Park, Winter Park

Free hot dogs, watermelon and water (while supplies last). Live music, kids’ zone with carnival games, train rides and slides. Bicycle parade at 11:30am. Children can bring their bicycles already decorated or decorate them at the old bus stop on the corner of Park Avenue and Morse Boulevard.

Free Museum admission on July 4th

Winter Park

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art will celebrate 24 years on Park Avenue with its Independence Day Open House. The museum, which is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of work by American artist Louis Comfort Tiffany, will provide FREE admission to its galleries from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Also, in downtown Winter Park, The Winter Park History Museum, located at 200 W. New England Ave. (north end of the Farmers’ Market building), will be open with FREE admission, as always, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you know of any other events please let us know.

Seminole County Housing Update

There are 701 new properties, 524 price changes, 520 under contract and 443 sold properties in Seminole County for the week of May 20, 2019

New Active Listings:
Saved Search: Seminole High School - 53 new properties 
Saved Search: Oviedo High School - 12 new properties 
Saved Search: Lyman High School - 37 new properties 
Saved Search: Lake Mary High School - 30 new properties 
Saved Search: Lake Howell High School - 34 new properties 
Saved Search: lake brantley high school - 24 new properties 
Saved Search: Hagerty High School - 18 new properties 
Saved Search: Volusia County All Condos For Sale | Newest Search - 20 new properties 
Saved Search: Volusia County Map Search | Newest Listings - 208 new properties 
Saved Search: Volusia County All Homes For Sale | Newest Search - 188 new properties 
Saved Search: Volusia County All Townhomes For Sale | Newest Search - 3 new properties 
Saved Search: Deltona Map Search - 65 new properties 
Saved Search: Deltona All Condos Search - 1 new property 
Saved Search: Condo in Altamonte Springs Under $150,000 - 8 new properties 

Price Changes:
Saved Search: Seminole High School - 40 price changes 
Saved Search: Oviedo High School - 14 price changes 
Saved Search: Lyman High School - 26 price changes 
Saved Search: Lake Mary High School - 14 price changes 
Saved Search: Lake Howell High School - 26 price changes 
Saved Search: lake brantley high school - 21 price changes 
Saved Search: Hagerty High School - 13 price changes 
Saved Search: Volusia County All Condos For Sale | Newest Search - 21 price changes 
Saved Search: Volusia County Map Search | Newest Listings - 158 price changes 
Saved Search: Volusia County All Homes For Sale | Newest Search - 137 price changes 
Saved Search: Volusia County All Townhomes For Sale | Newest Search - 2 price changes 
Saved Search: Deltona Map Search - 45 price changes 
Saved Search: Deltona All Condos Search - 1 price change 
Saved Search: Condo in Altamonte Springs Under $150,000 - 6 price changes 

Under Contract Listings:
Saved Search: Seminole High School - 36 new under contract properties 
Saved Search: Oviedo High School - 19 new under contract properties 
Saved Search: Lyman High School - 35 new under contract properties 
Saved Search: Lake Mary High School - 19 new under contract properties 
Saved Search: Lake Howell High School - 29 new under contract properties 
Saved Search: lake brantley high school - 17 new under contract properties 
Saved Search: Hagerty High School - 7 new under contract properties 
Saved Search: Volusia County All Condos For Sale | Newest Search - 7 new under contract properties 
Saved Search: Volusia County Map Search | Newest Listings - 147 new under contract properties 
Saved Search: Volusia County All Homes For Sale | Newest Search - 140 new under contract properties 
Saved Search: Deltona Map Search - 49 new under contract properties 
Saved Search: Deltona All Condos Search - 1 new under contract property 
Saved Search: Condo in Altamonte Springs Under $150,000 - 14 new under contract properties 

Sold Listings:
Saved Search: Seminole High School - 33 new sold properties 
Saved Search: Oviedo High School - 14 new sold properties 
Saved Search: Lyman High School - 16 new sold properties 
Saved Search: Lake Mary High School - 17 new sold properties 
Saved Search: Lake Howell High School - 23 new sold properties 
Saved Search: lake brantley high school - 20 new sold properties 
Saved Search: Hagerty High School - 9 new sold properties 
Saved Search: Volusia County All Condos For Sale | Newest Search - 11 new sold properties 
Saved Search: Volusia County Map Search | Newest Listings - 130 new sold properties 
Saved Search: Volusia County All Homes For Sale | Newest Search - 119 new sold properties 
Saved Search: Volusia County All Townhomes For Sale | Newest Search - 3 new sold properties 
Saved Search: Deltona Map Search - 39 new sold properties 
Saved Search: Deltona All Condos Search - 2 new sold properties 
Saved Search: Condo in Altamonte Springs Under $150,000 - 7 new sold properties 

Easter Egg Hunts And Easter Events Orlando [2019]

Easter, this year, falls on Sunday, April 2019, so get ready to find the eggs the Bunny has been hiding all over Orlando area.  Here is a list of fun egg hunts, special events and sunrise service worship events throughout the greater Orlando community.

EASTER EGG HUNTS

Sanford Easter Eggstravaganza | Saturday, April 20th at 10 am

• All children ages 12 and under are invited to bring their baskets to collect goodies and meet the Easter Bunny at Fort Mellon Park

City of Ocoee Annual Easter Eggstravaganza |   Saturday, April 20th  

• From 10 am To 12 pm

• Hunt begins at 10:30 am

• Ages: Infant - 12 years

• Download your Coloring Contest Picture

• Enjoy arts and crafts, face painting and bounce houses at the Jim Beech Recreation Center.  

Magic 107.7 Easter Egg Hunt | Saturday, April 20th 

• From 9:30 am To 12 pm

• Multiple Egg Hunts

  • Continuous Hunt for children under the age of 2 and for those with special needs--9:45--11:45

  • 2 year old hunt--9:45

  • 3 year old hunt--10:00

  • 4 year old hunt--10:15

  • 5 year old/K hunt--10:30

  • 1st grade hunt--10:45

  • 2nd grade hunt--11:00

  • 3rd grade hunt--11:15

  • 4th & 5th grade hunt--11:30

• Bunny Breakfest

• Enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, and games at Reiter Park behind South Seminole Hospital

Oviedo City Helicopter Marshmallow Drop | Saturday April 20th 

• From 9:30 to 12 pm

• Ticket sales begin April 8, 2019

  • $3.00 before Wednesday, April 17th

  • $5.00 day of event (CASH ONLY)

  • Pre-sale tickets will be available at Riverside Park, 1600 Lockwood Boulevard, and the Gymnasium and Aquatic Facility, 148 Oviedo Boulevard.

• All children require wristbands.

• Children (ages 5 to 10) will collect marshmallows dropped from a helicopter to redeem for goodies. The kiddos will also enjoy bounce houses and other activities beginning at 9:30am. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

• Children (ages 0-4) will enjoy bounce houses, photo ops with the Easter Bunny, and receive a free bag to fill with goodies from the vendor tents only. There will not be an egg hunt or marshmallow drop for this age bracket.

Winter Park Easter Egg Hunt - 65th Annual | Saturday, April 20th

• Starts at 10 am
• Over 14,000 stuffed eggs will be placed throughout the Central Park West Meadow

ST. Luke's Lutheran Church Easter Eggstravaganza | Sunday, April 14th

• From 12:30 pm to 2 pm
• Accepting Donations: Individual Packages of : Cereal, Granola/Ceral Bars, Oatmeal, Canned Chef Boyardee, Macaroni and Cheese, Fruit Cups of Applesauce, Fruit Snacks, Juice Boxes

Randall R. Tuten Orlando Fire Museum Easter Egg Hunt | Saturday, April 13th 

• From 10 am To 11:30 am  
• Kids 4 and Under - 10:15 am
• Kids 5 and Up - 10:20 am

Egg Ocoee Helicoptor Drop | Saturday, April 20th

• From 9am to 12 pm

• 3 seperate egg drops with over 20,000 egg

• 4 age appropriate zones

  • ages 1-2

  • ages 3-4

  • ages 5-7

  • ages 8-11

• Drop Times

  • 9:30 am Drop

  • 10:30 am Drop

  • 11:15 am Drop

• Located at Glad Tidings Church

St. Luke's UMC Easterfest | Saturday, April 14th  

• From 3 pm To 5:30 pm

• 4 age appropriate groups

  • ages 0-2

  • ages 3-5

  • K-3rd Graders

  • 4th-5th Graders

• Carnival Area

• Concessions

• Click to Pre-Register

Baldwin Park Spring Egg Hunt | Saturday, April 20th

• Start at 10 am

• Golden Egg Winners

• Photos with Easter Bunny

• Join us at Morgan Park and Barnes Park in Baldwin Park

Maitland Hop To It | Saturday, April 20th

• From 9 am To 12 pm

• Games

• Egg Hunt

• Pictures with Easter Bunny

• Join us at Maitland Community Park

SUNRISE EASTER SERVICES

Easter Sunrise Service At Bok Tower Gardens | Sunday, April 21st At 7am

• It is always workt the drive for the 93rd annual sunrise service in the beautiful Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales.  Easter worshippers are offered free admission from 7am to 8am to experience a sunrise servie with a choir and live carillion performances

Easter Sunrise Service At Seaworld | Sunday, April 21st, 6:30am

• This is a free family-friendly event hosted by Z88.3.

• We hope you will consider joining your Z family on Easter morning for this service.  Doors open at 5:30am

Easter Community Sunrise Service in Altamonte Springs | Sunday, April 21st, 7am

• Cranes Roost | Eddie Rose Amphitheater

• Continental Breakfest

Sanford Community Easter Sunrise Service | Sunday, April 21st, 7am

• The Annual Sanford Christian Sunrise Worship Service to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is an open-air lake-side ecumenical worship service in the park. The service will be lead by several pastors all from different churches in Sanford.

  Limited seating will be provided. It is recommended that you being lawn chairs or a blanket. The wearing of jackets is advisable because there is often a breeze coming from the lake. Children are welcome to attend with their parents.

Zillow spends $1M Trying To Improve its 'Zestimates'

In a recent article from © 2019 The Seattle Times, Mike Rosenberg. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC., they discuss how the inaccuracy of Zestimate is forcing Zillow to rebuild its system.

Sometimes Zillow is really off – the median error rate of 4.5 percent nationally means half of home values are wrong by more than 4.5 percent.

Click to read full article:

Mortgage rates may not be quite as low as they were on January 31st, but they nonetheless managed to end at the lowest levels of this week.  Unlike January 31st, we can still say we're at the lowest levels in more than a year (yesterday was the first official day for that distinction). 

Read The Full Article:

Mortgage Rates End Week at Lows

Today's Most Prevalent Rates

• 30YR FIXED - 4.375 - 4.5%
• FHA/VA - 4.125 - 4.25%
• 15 YEAR FIXED - 4.0 - 4.125%
• 5 YEAR ARMS -  4.25 - 4.625% depending on the lender

Leu Gardens Family Fun Night

January 11, 2019 6-9:30 pm

Are you starting to make plans going into the New Year? Is spending more time with the family on the list? 

This is a great event that checks both of those boxes! 

Leu Gardens is having a Family Night on Jan 11th 2019!

Let's get back to Nature and have fun outdoors! Night hike the beautiful 50 acre gardens that Leu Gardens has to offer. 

Along with hike, they will have learning stations, a bug house, craft station with SuperAwesomeCool Pottery, The Central Florida Zoo's Nocturnal Animals on display as well as telescopes from The Central Florida Astronomical Society!

Whew!!! What an evening to build memories!

Cost:

Non Members adults- $10

Members adults and children-$5

Non Member children-$5

Click on the link below for more information on the event as well as the membership page if you are also interested in becoming a member!

Leu Gardens Family Fun Night

Leu Gardens Membership