Who Says There’s Nothing to do in Orlando? – Spring Weekend

As we head into the Spring, there are more and more outdoor events in the Orlando and Winter Park area.  This weekend is no exception!  Whether you are looking for something to spruce up your exterior or interior there is a place for you this weekend.

If you want to get your front yard ready for spring, stop by the Leu Gardens annual plant sale this weekend near Audubon Park.  I have personally purchased many things and it is a great way to spend a spring day!  Bring a cart if you plan on buying anything so you can transport the plant back to you car.

Saturday, March 16 & Sunday March 17
9:00 am – 5:00 pm

If you are in the mood to change things up in your house, stop by the Annual Winter Park sidewalk Art Festival.  ”The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is one of the nation’s oldest, largest and most prestigious juried outdoor art festivals, consistently rated among the top shows by Sunshine Artist and American Style magazines.”  Each year more than 350,000 visitors enjoy the show.  It’s a great place to find some inspiration for an interior space.

Friday, March 15th, 9 AM to 6 PM
Saturday, March 16th, 9 AM to 6 PM
Sunday, March 17th, 9 AM to 5 PM

Do you have any weekend plans?

Image credit:  personal

 

Market Report – Back on Track

I am super excited to be hosting an event this Thursday morning for the business members of the Mills 50 District at our office on Colonial Dr.   Mills 50 is a city of Orlando  Main Street district which supports local businesses in the area.   I live and work in the Mills 50 district so I support it to the fullest extent and am extremely excited to be hosting an event to discuss the Mills 50 real estate market in the area.

We presented to the group in September of 2011 when we started to see some signs of recovery for home values.  It’s been a bumpy road for the industry for the past 7 years or so; but things are looking up these days!  There are several signs that the recovery is on track and I will be discussing these things this Thursday.

You may have started to hear the buzz about prices being on the rise or low inventory levels; but we will dig a little deeper into why the market is shifting on a local level.   After all, what is happening in our neighborhood is much more important than what’s happening in the entire state of Florida or the entire United States for that matter.

What I said back in 2011 still remains true, there are big factors that affect overall consumer confidence or interest rates, etc.  However, your home value is largely determined by what’s happening within a mile from your home – a street over from your home – or even right next door.

To get a brief look at your “local” data, visit our website ThinkDowntownHomes.com and become a Market Insider.  When you enter your zip code you are provided with a ton of information about your personal real estate market and that’s how you determine if now is the right time to sell or buy!

Mills 50 members please  RSVP to director@mills50.org and don’t forget parking is in the back on Hillcrest St!

 

Who Says There’s Nothing to do in Orlando? – Baldwin Park Food and Wine Festival

The Food & Wine Festival at Baldwin Park
is this Saturday March 2nd from 6-9 pm!  The festival benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and we at Keller Williams at The Parks had the honor of helping gather donations for the Silent Auction this year.

Your ticket includes food, drinks (beer, wine, champagne, water, and signature drinks), desserts, and entertainment for the evening.  Please stop by the silent auction and bid on one of the items!  This is for a great cause and we have had so many generous people donate for the event.   

Purchase your tickets today! 

A special thank you to these businesses who contributed an item or several for the auction:

Mucho Tequila and Tacos Thornton Park main street district

Jenn Lenos at Bonne Vie Salon in Winter Park

XL Gallery in Thornton Park main street district

Mother Falcon in Thornton Park main street district

M2 Enterprises in Winter Park

Briana Dunning at Lambs Eat Ivy Salon in Thornton Park

Fish Out of Water food truck

Fatica Designs graphic design (P.S. one of Orlando’s 20 coolest people!)

 

 

Go Local Wednesdays – Manicures and Mimosas in Thornton Park

This weekend you can enjoy a mimosa, get a manicure, and people watch in Downtown Orlando’s favorite neighborhood for locals!  Lambs Eat Ivy Salon located at 804 E Washington St  will be featuring Manicures and Mimosas on their front patio from 11:30 am – 3 pm.  The weather is just right to enjoy a manicure alfresco in Thornton Park!

Stop by this Saturday from 11:30 am – 3 pm and enjoy a relaxing weekend in Downtown Orlando.  First come first serve!  For more info visit their Facebook page or call  (407) 245-7006.

The Thornton Park area is full of small businesses to check out – make a day of it!

 

Who Says There’s Nothing to do in Orlando? – Outdoor Fun

The weather outside is gorgeous for this time of year!  Tomorrow the high is 70 and sunny!  It is a perfect Saturday to get outside and enjoy living in Orlando.  I don’t know if you have seen the street banners in Winter Park lately; but there is a website address posted on them called FindActiveFun.org.  I checked out the website and it is pretty neat.  You select your zip code, date, neighborhood, budget, environment, and whether or not you want to include pets.  Then the site filters active events in Orlando for you based on your criteria!

There are plenty of great ways to get active and/or enjoy the outdoors in the Central Florida area.  Get out and have some fun this weekend!  There are plenty of local farmer’s markets in Orlando to check out.

In full disclosure, for those adverse to cold weather, it’s supposed to be pretty chilly on Sunday but a nice jacket and you’ll be just fine.

Enjoy your weekend!

 

Image credit:  photo taken by Jessica Ruthardt in Downtown Orlando 

 

 

Go Local Wednesdays – Valentine’s Day Ideas

What are your plans for Valentines Day?  I’m not a huge fan of the holiday myself.  It might be the worst night of the year to make dinner plans so I think my significant other and I will order a yummy stuffed pizza TO GO.

If you aren’t a home body like me, here are a few ideas to enjoy Valentine’s Day in Orlando!

Winter Park:  A movie under the stars sounds like a romantic date for v-day.  Enzian’s Popcorn Flicks in the Park will start at 7 pm tomorrow at Central Park in Winter Park.  The movie of the night is a classic From here to Eternity.

Downtown Orlando:  Thornton Park’s 2nd Thursday wine walk is a pretty inexpensive date and sure to be enjoyable.  You can stroll through the new Thornton Park Main Street district from 6:30 – 10 pm and stop at various shops, restaurants and bars.  For only $10/person you complimentary wine/beer/little bites at various stops.

If you’re recently single or just hate Valentine’s Day, the Love Stinks Party at Neighborhood Rogue sounds interesting.  Stop by the fire pit and burn pics of your exes.  Check out more info on the Facebook event page.  This is just around the corner from the wine walk so there are discounts available for wine walk participants.

Hope you have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

image credit:  The finished product via Creative Commons

 

Go Local Wednesdays – Hammered in Ivanhoe Village

I tried to post this last week after I visited the new bar in Ivanhoe Village last week; but I got busy with selling homes.  The blog takes the back seat sometimes.

The new hot spot in Ivanhoe Village is called The Hammered Lamb.  They had a soft opening early last week and then officially opened the doors on Friday.  The location is perfect with beautiful views of  Lake Ivanhoe from the large outdoor patio bar.  Inside there are video games, tons of TVs, plenty of spots to sit and chat or listen to the awesome 90′s set-list.  It’s a relaxed neighborhood bar vibe that is just right for the area.

They will be serving light dishes in the future but for now it’s a great place to have a drink and enjoy the Florida weather on the outdoor patio.

Thinking of moving to the area?  Search nearby homes for sale in Lake Highland, Colonialtown North , Eola Heights, and College Park or call me to learn more about Downtown Orlando real estate at 407-494-2820.

 

Image Credit:  from window from Hammered Lamb instagram