blog/web-journal

Interesting to follow U.S. homeowner’s idea’s toward their home value for sure… particularly when nearly half of all homeowners did not think their values had declined over the past 12 months.

Zillow research data found the following:

• 32% believe their home’s value increased over the past 12 months.
• 17% believe their home’s value stayed the same.
• 51% believe their home’s value declined.

Contray to popular belief, the real story is that nearly 75% of all U.S homes did lose value over the last 12 months according to this online serivce.

- Zillow Q3 Data, 2008 -

TIERRA DEL SOL BUILDINGS

Pictured are the northern four buildings for this project.  Quite a change has taken place on  this development since we started covering it nearly a year ago.  The development has been steady and certainly of seemingly high quality.

It will be nice to see the water park come out of the ground as well in due time. 

The sales office is open for business on a daily basis.  Drop in for a preview of things to come… 

BONNET CREEK HILTON

Here’s a quick look at the scope of this project.  Looking back on our post of September 6 it’s easy to see significant changes.

Once completed, this 1,000 room property will truly be a gem in the inventory of this great hotel chain.

PRIVATE TENNIS INSTRUCTION

Tennis enthusiasts pay attention.  Behind this small private pasture, in an elegant natural setting, is one of Kissimmee’s finest private clay tennis courts.  Located on Princess Way just off U.S. #192 near Medieval Times, it is readily accessible to the Walt Disney World resort area. Visitors and local residents alike wishing to brush up on their tennis skills, or those interested in simply learning to play are welcome by reservation.

Private lessons are available with the owner who is a U.S.P.T.R. – USTA Certified Instructor and has been teaching for over 20 years.

Contact: Monica Martin – 407 922 7648  …and ‘Play The Clay’…

BELLA VIDA - NEW HOME

Look carefully…  With the sun going down, three tradesmen are finishing a long productive day on this new home in Bella Vida.  Shortly the barrel-tiled roof will go on and this villa will be one more in an outstanding collection of homes in this well situated gated community.

Price points begin in the lower $300′s for just over 1650 square feet, and range upward into the $400′s for villas near 3400 square feet mark.  This community has both nice conservation sites and water views.  Plus, the nearly 6,800 square foot clubhouse is a wonderful community amenity.

Stop in for a look when you’re in the area.  The location is immediately behind Medieval Times on Oren Brown Road.

Program eligibility will be determined by several factors:

1. Homeowners must be 90 days late or more with their mortgage payments.
2. Owe at least 90% of their home’s value.
3. Live in the home on which the mortgage was taken.
4. Have not filed for bankruptcy.

Mortgage payments would be adjusted through lower interest rates or longer repayment schedules with the goal to bring payments below 38% of monthly household income.

Also, interest rates could be lowered for 5 years, then raised to a predetermined level.  In addition, 40 year loan terms could become available.

Good first steps, though more may be needed.

26 Day Change

Fast moving progress is certainly under way on this new construction project.  Take a quick look back on our post on October 16. 

Quiet a difference…

Saturday, November 8, saw a small number of Ginn Resort properties go on the auction block at an event held in the Grand Bohemian Hotel in downtown Orlando. Included were both homes and lots in Reunion Resort, Bella Collina, and Hammock Beach.

Nearly two hundred people attended the live affair and a good number more joined via the Internet.

One 5BD/4BA property on Whitemarsh Way actually sold to an Internet buyer for $500,000 under the ‘absolute’ auction condition, and a number more sold for as high as $1,080,000 under ‘reserve’ conditions.  Not all of the advertised available homes and lots found buyers however.

All and all though, this auction was a seemingly productive event, and it was interesting to see that even in Florida’s down market situation buyers do exist.

SHINGLE CREEK RECREATIONAL AREA

Located on Babb Road, just off of Old Vineland Highway, this new passive recreational area east of Veranda Palms should ultimately prove popular with many residents and visitors alike once it is opened.

Well within the scope of the immediate resort area, yet slightly ‘off the beaten path’ so to speak,  provides for a small chance that it may remain somewhat of a quiet retreat.

For those of you who have not tried this course, here’s a great reason to do so on your next holiday.

This 7000-yard, 18-hole golf course with a championship layout was named late last month as one of the top best new golf courses in the United States.

- Golf Week Magazine, October 2008 -