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Your friendly Davenport, FL Realtor®. Specializing in short term rentals and vacation homes in the Davenport area. Call me: 407-870-3581

Bimini Bay, Davenport, FL; A Tale Of Two Communities

Bimini Bay in Davenport, FLBimini Bay in Davenport, FL was supposed to be a one of a kind vacation home community located near Disney World. The community was supposed to rival the likes of Regal Palms and other such vacation communities. However the reality is far from the dream unfortunately.

Bimini Bay now stands in the middle of controversy and alleged mismanagement. The community has received some bad press of late as well. This Orlando Sentinel article about the troubles Bimini Bay is going through was written on December 3, 2011. Many residents are quite upset about how their community has been managed by the developer, Mr David Meadows. Mr. Meadows company still controls the home owner’s association.

This last summer I had a few investors who were curious about the available deals in Bimini Bay. So I personally called the management team at Bimini Bay this last summer to ask about expected improvements to the community. I was told at that time that the HOA had plans to rebuild the clubhouse, which burned down earlier this year. They also told me that they still had plans to build the water park that residents expected when they purchased their homes. From the flowery language they gave me, it sounded like things were on the mend and they would soon be transforming the community into the vacation hot spot is should be.

As of this writing the clubhouse is still just a shell, there is no security, maintenance has suffered, and there is most certainly no water park.

However, there is a silver lining. A 4 bedroom townhouse can be bought for less than $50,000 in Bimini Bay right now. Now, where else are you going to buy a 4 bedroom townhome 3 miles from Disney World for $50k? Nowhere, that's where. Investors know that the time to get in is while the market is down. This community will recover, and when it does the investors who bought into it now will be sitting pretty. The community is located less than 3 miles from the gates of Disney World and within a half hour drive from almost every attraction in Central Florida. There's nowhere to go but up for Bimini Bay in my opinion.

Homes For Sale In Bimini Bay Davenport, FL

 

Photo courtesy of Merfam at Flickr

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Why Won’t The Media Report The Good News?!

This is something that has always bothered me. Have you ever noticed that no matter what news channel you turn on it’s always negative stuff? I can’t remember the last time I saw a news story about Habitat For Humanity helping a family in need. I sure haven’t seen any news stories about the Toys for Tots program that will give out thousands of toys this year. Why is that?

Poinciana, FL Home Values Are Up

On to the focus of this post...why won’t the media report on the real estate recovery as passionately as they did about the recession? I believe the media as a whole damaged our country. They reported on everything negative there was to find that could raise their ratings and they piled on needlessly. Now the housing market is recovering and you don’t hear a peep. I think they owe it to the American public to help undue some of the damage they caused.

Poinciana, FL was one of the worst hit communities in America with thousands of foreclosures and market values falling almost 70% between 2006-2010. Over the last year home values have been stable and over the last 3 months home values have even begun to rise. But you wouldn’t know that if you left it up to the media to tell you.

So how about it media types? Do you have the balls to start reporting the truth for a change? We’d all love to hear what’s REALLY going on in the world for once....Here’s what we want...the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!

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One Act Of Kindness, That’s All It Takes

Lake Marion Golf ResortI recently wrote an article about the Lake Marion Golf Resort community. It was essentially just an informational post about the community and how to get in touch with the HOA. A few weeks after I wrote the post I got a call from a lady who was planning to stay there on vacation. The community is located in the country and she wondered what the easiest way to get there was from the airport.

So of course I gave her directions and a few helpful tips about the community itself. We talked for a few minutes and then I wished her a safe trip and vacation. I really didn’t think much of it at the time. I was just trying to be nice and give some directions.

Three weeks later I received an email from that same vacation goer telling me what a great time she had at Lake Marion Golf Resort during her stay. The amenities are top notch. The community has multiple community pools, a playground, a cookout and BBQ area, tennis and basketball courts, a boat ramp and access to Lake Marion, and a beautiful clubhouse. She wanted to know if there were any condo’s or townhomes available for sale and for what price.

I just happen to be in the process of listing a nice condo down the street from where she stayed so we discussed that as well as other possibilities. We discussed the home owner’s association and what the HOA fees covers along with the amenities. We discussed the trends in prices over the last year in the community. Good news there, property values in Lake Marion Golf Resort have made a strong come back over the last year.

So it looks like I have a buyer for the listing that I’m about to put on the market and it all came from one small act of kindness. Never forget...you never know who you are talking to. So best to put your best foot forward and be kind.

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An Attitude Of Gratitude: Meet Mr. Keith Laytham

Poinciana Residents For Smart ChangeMr. Laytham formed a group called Poinciana Residents For Smart Change in 2008. He formed the group initially to help oppose a planned development that would have overwhelmed Poinciana’s already struggling road system. However, since 2008 Mr. Laytham has spent his time and energy on being an advocate for Poinciana’s youth and pushing for changes in Poinciana that would make it a better place to live. He and his group have pushed local, county, and state governments toward providing adequate youth programs and facilities in Poinciana. They have also advocated for major road improvements, to include the proposed Poinciana Parkway which would connect Poinciana residents to Interstate 4.

Pocket Park in Village 7, is another of Mr. Laytham’s success’s in moving the group’s agenda forward. A few months ago Polk County also approved a 20 acre youth sports facility that will be located in Village 7 as well. Village 7 is missing the infrastructure and commercial services that the rest of Poinciana has access to and Mr. Laytham is helping to change that.

I’d like to personally and publicly thank Mr. Keith Laytham  for the hard work he and his group are doing to make Poinciana a better place to live and work. I think we all owe him a round of applause.

For more info about the good work that Mr. Laytham is doing for our community please visit these links:

http://www.ongo.com/v/1044054/-1/DC43BF3576E46F63/ex-ibm-executive-pushes-change-in-poinciana

http://poincianasmartchange.org/

http://www.theledger.com/article/20110602/NEWS/110609868

http://www.theledger.com/article/20110930/reporter/109305011?tc=ar

Image courtesy of Tatters at Flickr

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Davenport, FL Homes For Sale By Neighborhood

I Would Like To Thank Those Who Thanked Me!

My Marine Corps DaysI woke up this morning to a great surprise. I had 15 facebook messages, 6 emails, and even a few phone calls from friends and family thanking me for my service in the Marine Corps. I have honestly never felt so appreciated as I do today. For that I wanted to thank all of you who thanked me.

Looking back on my 14 years in the Marine Corps I can tell you it made me the man I am today. When I went in I was just like thousands of other young men who join the military, naive and wet behind the ears. I learned quite a few basic behaviors that still serve me well today. I learned discipline, hard work, self sacrifice, courage, and compassion just to name a few.

When people thank me for my service I always think to myself “thanks, but it was no big deal, I did what I wanted and needed to do”. But you know what, it is a big deal and I’m proud of the fact that I did it. I thank everyone who has served in the armed forced; past, present, and future. There is no higher calling and I have the utmost respect for the men and women who are still serving. Have a great Veteran’s Day everyone. I know I already have!

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With My 3 Extra Hours I Took My Kids To The Movies; Thanks Docusign

When I was a kid I didn’t get a chance to go to the movies very often. But when I did it was a magical time. I can still remember going to see The Never Ending Story and wishing Falcor was real. It was a huge part of my life as a child. It was also some of the best times I had with my Mom and Dad. There is nothing like going to the theater with the whole family and being engrossed in a movie to the point where you just don’t want it to be over...ever.

I signed up with Docusign about a month ago and boy has it saved me a lot of time and trouble. A couple clicks and BAM! your contract is signed and sent back. It literally saves me at least a half hour every time I write up an offer. So what to do with all that saved time? Why take the family to the movies of course!

This time we saw The Thing, which is a remake of a classic horror movie. It’s just dark enough to scare the older kids. That’s always fun! I’m really hoping it is as much fun and as engrossing for my kids as it was for me when I was growing up. I probably won’t know for sure until they are a little older. But in the mean time I can’t think of a better thing to do with the 3 hours a week Docusign saves me. So thanks Docusign!!!

***This post is a submission to the DocuSign/ActiveRain Thankful Contest. It's possible I will win a prize for writing this post. You could win a prize too by going to the Contest Announcement and sharing your own story.***

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I Would Hate For Someone To Think I'm Unprofessional Because I'm A Good Dad...

Me and my little buddyI saw a question on Zillow yesterday where a first time home buyer was asking whether it was a good idea to fire her real estate agent and find someone new. The short version is: the buyer is using financing, they are in a pretty low price range (60k-85k) where the competition is mostly cash buyers and they keep getting outbid, the buyer wants the realtor to show them homes as they come on the market immediately, as in: at 7pm with 10 minutes of advance notice. The buyer is upset that their offers keep getting out-bid and that their agent can’t show them homes immediately when they pop up on the market.

Both of these things are unrealistic expectations. The fact that they need financing to buy a home is not something that their agent can control. The fact that their competition is made up of cash buyers who’s offers are more attractive to sellers is also something their agent can not control. The fact that their agent can’t just show up at a seller’s home is, again, not something their agent can control. Agents normally have to make appointments to show homes to a buyer. The seller may not want someone tromping through their home during their dinner meal. Or the buyer’s agent might have a family and already have plans for the evening.

The buyer called the agent out for being unprofessional because their offers weren’t being accepted and they couldn’t go immediately to see homes when they popped up in the MLS. All in all it sounds like there is likely a failure to communicate somewhere in this situation. It’s a team effort and for a team to function all of the team members need to be communicating.

It sounds like the agent is doing a good job to me. Please keep in mind that your Realtor may have a family, other commitments, other appointments etc. We all try to be as available as we can. But we do also have a life outside of real estate. I'm the father of 4 beautiful kids and the husband of a wonderful wife. If at all possible, I try to spend my evenings with them. I would hate to think someone thought I was unprofessional because I do my best to be a good husband and dad. Just something to think about....

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The 9 Cheapest Home For Sale In Poinciana, FL

Many investors all over the world know that Poinciana, FL is home to some of the best deals on homes anywhere. This market was hard hit by the housing and mortgage collapse. What you might not know is that the Poinciana real estate market is on the mend and there are still some awesome deals on homes available.

So without further ado here is a link to the 9 cheapest homes for sale in Poinciana, FL:

9 Cheapest Homes For Sale In Poinciana, FL

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Homes For Sale in Sandy Ridge Davenport, FL

Homes For Sale In Sandy Ridge Davenport, FLHomes for sale in Sandy Ridge in Davenport, FL range in price from $109,900 to $265,000. Sandy Ridge is one of the premier vacation communities in Davenport. Surrounded on three sides by conservation and forest views, it has some of the most beautiful nature views of any community in Davenport.

The Homes For Sale In Sandy Ridge Davenport, FL are located just 5 minutes south of I-4 and less than 15 minutes from Walt Disney World Resorts, it is also a perfect choice for a vacation home. You can reach almost every major attraction in Central Florida in less than 30 minutes from this community.

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Homes For Sale In Sandy Ridge Davenport, FL


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