Summer in Daytona and Ormond Beach is back and better than ever!  If you can pry yourself from the gorgeous beach days this month, here are a few notable events happening in the area:

• June 8, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM, Trends in the Florida Real Estate Market and Local Real Estate Values educational forum sponsored by VCARD and Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce and located at the Halifax Plantation Clubhouse (3400 Clubhouse Drive, Ormond Beach, FL) – In this review of the University of Florida’s most recent survey of real estate market conditions in Florida.  This is a current and in-depth look at local property values also containing forecast information relevant to 37 of the state’s 67 counties.  The cost of admittance is $25, to make a reservation call Lindsey Sanders at 386-255-0981 ext. 225 or go to http://daytonachamber.com/
•  June 11, 5:00 PM Friday – 3:00 PM Sunday, “King Of The Inlet” King Mackerel Fishing Tournament located at the Hatch (4894 Front Street, Ponce Inlet, FL) – Each tournament can be fished as a stand-alone event or as part of the “King of the Inlet” series. There is a $4,200 grand prize (based on 80 boats) to be awarded to the “King of the Inlet” at the end of the final tournament.  Entry Fee $300 per Boat with dockage available through Sea Love Boat Works.  Contact Guy Beasley at (386) 212-5984 or Pete Richardson at (386) 804-2590 or go to http://www.kingoftheinlet.com/ for more information.
• June 19, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM and Sunday, June 20 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Ormond Beach Seafood Festival at Rockefeller Gardens (25 Riverside Drive) – The 2010 Ormond Beach Seafood (and Music) Festival will feature some of the finest restaurants in the Ormond Beach-Halifax Area, a Children’s Corner, vendors, exhibits, free prizes, and a gemstone mining experience presented by the Spruce Creek Mining Company.  Music performances featuring Terry Sylvester formerly with “The Hollies”, Zydeco, Jazz, Florida Folk, BlueGrass, Bahamian Showstoppers “Junkanoo,” and more.  Admission cost for the day is $3 for adults and children under 12 get in free.  For more information, go to http://www.ormondbeachseafoodfestival.com/ or call Maggie Sacks at (386) 451-2138.
• June 25-27, the American Music Festival comes to Daytona Beach, FL – The 2010 American Music Festival will feature amazing music and much more.  The London Symphony Orchestra has confirmed and other performers (not yet confirmed as of 5/21/10): Usher, Janet Jackson, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, the Jonas Brothers, Carrie Underwood, Demi Lovatto and Selena Gomez.  Tickets to go on sale soon, prices estimated to be at $39-$99.  For more information on this event, you can go to http://mysummerkickoff.com/.

Whether you decide to come to one event or all of them, we hope to see you there!

This blog brought to you by Daytona-Ormond Beach Real Estate.  If you are looking for a property in the Daytona/Ormond Beach area please contact Daytona-Ormond Real Estate today!

With Spring Break almost at an end, take the opportunity to check out these events in the Daytona/Ormond Beach area:

• May 8, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Salsa Fiesta Presented by UCF of East Central Florida and located at
  Rockefeller Gardens in Ormond Beach (25 Riverside Drive, Ormond Beach, FL 32176) – Salsa lessons, demonstrations, live music, dance contest, chips, salsa and beer.  For event details call 386-274-6474
• May 8, 9:30 AM – Noon, Eco-exploration Wetland Hike sponsored by the Lyonia Environmental Center (LEC) starting at the Deltona Regional Library complex (2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona, FL).  Join an environmental specialist for an in-depth look at the plants and animals that live in scrub habitat, a 360-acre scrub habitat adjacent to the LEC. Participants can test the LEC’s field equipment, which includes microscopes, bug boxes and 3D magnifiers on this exploration of Lyonia Preserve. The fee is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $4 for children. (386) 789-7207. For more information on this special event, you can go to www.lyoniapreserve.com.
• May 14-15, 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM, Daytona Beach Relay for Life at Manatee Island Park, 325 N. Beach St., (North end of Beach St) Daytona Beach. Participation is open to all ages. For more information please call (386) 274-3274 x 5858.  Please join us in this fun for the whole family event with your friends and relatives as we celebrate Life and Fight for a Cure.  This overnight outing has lots of fun and entertainment just for you, while supporting the “Relay for Life” to help others.  We look forward to seeing you there to “rock the house” with us while “We take care of Business” in our Tribute to Elvis Presley with Randy (Elvis) Walker & His Legendaries Band, Featuring Little Elvis (Gabriel Jarrett). 
• May 29-May 30, FishStock at Riverside Park in downtown New Smyrna Beach (105 S Riverside Dr, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168). This two-day event offers fishing tournaments, boat show, and kids’ activities, fishing seminars, music and food. For more information call (407) 571-4680.

Whether you decide to come to one event or all of them, we hope to see you there!

If you are looking for a property in the Daytona/Ormond Beach area please contact Daytona-Ormond Real Estate.

Thanks to the Real Estate Overview done by Trulia, Inc. we are able to see the statistics for the Daytona/Ormond Beach area and what we’re seeing is more than hopeful!  Even with listing prices up overall, the median sales prices of homes has gone down significantly averaging a 15.5% decrease between the two cities, but even with the decrease in home prices the number of sales has increased more than significantly, especially in Ormond Beach.

Daytona Beach:

-          Average Listing Price: $221,407, up 0.9% from last year

-          Median Sales Price: $85,000, down 18.4% from last year

-          Number of Sales: up 19.7% from last year

Ormond Beach:

-           Average Listing Price: $327,816, up 6.4% from last year

-          Median Sales Price: $152,000, down 13.1% from last year

-          Number of Sales: up 40.7% from last year

Want to take advantage of these lowered home prices in the Daytona/Ormond Beach area?  Then don’t wait, contact the friendly, informative professionals at Daytona-Ormond Real Estate today!

With Spring Break around the nation in full swing until the end of the month, take the opportunity to check out these events in your area:

• April 3, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM MOAS Easter Egg Hunts at the Museum of Arts and Sciences (352 S. Nova Rd. Daytona Beach).  Hunts will be held in intervals each being approximately 15 minutes.  Bring your camera and capture FREE pictures with the Easter Bunny from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  Special Features in the Planetarium at 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM.  This event is FREE for Museum Members or included with Paid Museum Admission.  You can also enjoy the Children’s Museum, Nature Trails, and ten galleries while you’re there!
• April 10, 3:00 PM to 7 PM Wild Game and Swamp Cabbage Festival at Destination Daytona, Coca-Cola Pavilion (1635 N. Highway 1, Ormond Beach).  Award winning chefs from the Daytona State College Culinary program will be preparing wild game dishes such as Elk, Venison, Gator Tail, Boar, and Wild Turkey!  There will also be live music, a petting zoo, pony rides, vendors and exhibits.  Proceeds go to benefit the Daytona State College Foundation and the Rotary Club of Flagler County.  Ticket Prices: Adult $50, Student $25, Children (under age of 12) $10.  For tickets call the Daytona State College Foundation at (386) 506-3148 or Feast Master North at (386) 597-3706; Email: loperi@DaytonaState.edu.
• April 12, 7:30 PM Comedian Ralphie May comes to the Peabody Auditorium (600 Auditorium Blvd., Daytona Beach).  Ralphie May exploded onto the scene after his success on the first season of “Last Comic Standing,” NBC’s hit reality series.  His hip-hop flare, Southern, down-home charm and quick wit will have you rolling with laughter in no time!  You can also join the procession at the Rose Room or on the new patio for a light bite menu 1 ½ hours before showtime (wine and cocktails are also available).  Price of entry is $25 and $35 for advanced tickets and $27 and $37 at the door.  For tickets call (386) 671-3462, the Box Office at (386) 671-3460 or go to TicketMaster.
• April 16, National Cheerleading Association College Nationals at the Band Shell/Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, FL.  The NCA/NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship offers teams the opportunity to compete for the national title while enjoying all of the attractions, sun, and surf Daytona Beach has to offer!  Last year over 200 teams competed in 15 divisions!
• April 21, 2:00 PM “All About Eve” will be playing at the Southeast Museum of Photography’s Madorsky Theater (1200 International Speedway Blvd., Building 1200, Daytona Beach).  Enjoy lunch at the Daytona State College’s Café 101 and follow up by grabbing a comfy seat in the theater the movie.  There will be an audience question and answer period at the end of the film.  Admission by donation only, movie and meal at Café 101 available separately.  Call (386) 506-3859 for Café 101 reservations and (386) 506-4475 for the movie.

Whether you decide to come to one event or all of them, we hope to see you there!

If you are looking for a property in the Daytona Beach area please contact Daytona-Ormond Real Estate.

In this month of March, the very first month typically of spring, new growth and spring flowers aren’t the only things coming to Daytona Beach.  Aside from the many, normal things to do in Daytona Beach, such as walking down the beach, surfing, and sunning, this month starts off with the roar of engines as Bike Week 2010 officially kicks off!  Some important events that you won’t want to miss are:

• Feb 26, 2010 – Mar 7, 2010 – The world’s largest motorcycle event begins.  At this 69^th anniversary of Bike Week there are several things to do including joining in on one of the numerous promotions including buffets, music, beer gardens, bon fires, cabbage patch wrestling, demo rides, The Clydesdale parade, Bikerpalooza, swap meets, and other motor sport exhibitions.  To find out the specific events going on in Daytona Beach and the surrounding areas, you can go to the Official Bike Week website.
• Mar 6, 2010 – Supercross by Honda (Daytona International Speedway, 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL) America’s top riders battle on the course as they attempt to put their name on the map. A $5 discount on tickets is available to members of the American Motorcyclist Association.  Tickets for the Daytona Supercross by Honda are on sale through 1-800-PITSHOP or by visiting the Daytona International Speedway website. 
• March 8 – May 26, 2010 – Spring Family Beach Break – After such a cold winter it’s about time to thaw out with a spring break filled with plenty of sun and fun in Daytona Beach.  Temperatures average 80 F through the spring season. Meaning there’s plenty of sunshine for you, your family, and your friends to get out of the house and enjoy some of the many activities Daytona Beach has to offer!  Enjoy an unforgettable day filled with beach time, which can include parasailing, surfing lessons, or simply building a sandcastle. Spend an afternoon kayaking, canoeing or pontoon boating and really explore the area.  

Whether you decide to come to one event or all of them, we hope to see you there!

If you are looking for a property in the Daytona Beach area please contact Daytona-Ormond Real Estate.

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• Just let me know what you are looking for and I will “plug” it into our email system.
• Then you will receive emails with everything that fits your criteria.
• Many people love to be on it;
• If they are ready to buy, they can narrow down which ones they want to make an appointment and look at.
• And people that are not ready to buy yet, like to be on it, so that when they are ready to buy, they will already have the knowledge of what the market here is like, what is available, what they look like and what the going prices are.
• It gives you the bonus of advance knowledge and sometimes it is just fun to look at the pictures.
• You are the 1st to get new listings or price changes as they happen.

REMEMBER – Please feel free to contact me for any Daytona-Ormond property you see for sale. No matter who the listing office, I can get you the information, let me do all the legwork and make all the calls for you. That way you are only working with one Realtor and don’t have to explain your information and what you are looking for to several different agents. I will already know what you are looking for and will not waste your time on properties that don’t match your wants and needs.

Email me at: info@DaytonaOrmondRealEstate.com and ask to be put on the email list.

Or: Call me:  Carol Bigelow – Daytona-Ormond Real Estate – 386-214-6267

In Daytona Beach, where sun meets sand and the waves of the ocean can lull you to sleep as well as wake you up to a bright new day, this week in events is kicking off to a glorious start.  Aside from the obvious things to do here in Daytona, like snorkeling, surfing, and sunning, this week marks only the beginning to what Daytona has to offer to the exciting world of sporting events!  Two very important sporting events you won’t want to miss are:

1. Feb 01, 2010
   5:30 p.m. (Women) and 7:30 p.m. (Men); The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (B-CU) break out their A-game when they play the Winston-Salem State University Rams in basketball at the arena.  This match will feature the Mid-eastern Athletic Conference Division 1 men and women’s teams at the Volusia County Ocean Center (101 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach)
2. Feb 06, 2010
   1:00 p.m. The Daytona 500 Qualifying event, presented by Kroger, is where the esteemed front row for the 52nd annual Daytona 500 will be up for grabs.  The Daytona 500 Qualifying will also to be aired at the same time on Fox and will be held at the Daytona International Speedway (1801 W. International Speedway Blvd. Daytona Beach)   

Heading out Saturday to the see the Daytona 500 Qualifying?  Here are some related events you won’t want to miss:

• The 2010 ARCA Autograph session from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the ARCA garage
• The Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200, where the future stars of racing face off in a 80-lap, 200-mile race

• The Budweiser Shootout, an All-Star race featuring the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Hope to see you there whether you come to one event or are there for all of them!

If you are looking for a property in the Daytona Beach area please contact Daytona-Ormond Real Estate.

Living in Daytona Beach certainly has its perks. The sun, sand, beautiful beachside condos and of course being close to the action of speed week, the official start of the NASCAR season. Daytona Beach residents appreciate being close to the action for different reasons. Being able to smell the burning rubber from their balcony, hearing the roar of the engines as they speed across the track, or hearing the shouts of the crowd as they cheer their favorite drivers.

This year speed week kicks off on January 30th and 31st. The action continues from February 7th and continues until February 14th.

• The popular events include Rolex 24 and ARCA events.
• Budweiser Shootout starts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
• Don’t miss the biggest event of the entire week the Daytona 500

Another draw of speed week are the activities. If you haven’t before you have to try out them out.

• Interactive fan forum
• An online auction
• Show cars on display

Hope to see you there whether you come to one event or are there for all of them.

If you are looking for a property in the Daytona Beach area please contact Daytona Ormond Real Estate.

http://www.daytona-ormondrealestate.com

Now is the time to buy a new home because prices are at the lowest they have been in years, but experts predict they will not continue to drop. According to a report from Radar Logic, a real estate data and analytics company, housing values could significantly recover in the spring of 2010 as low prices attract a blend of owner-occupiers and investors. Heated bidding pushes up prices at foreclosure auctions, and the supply of new and existing homes is declining, according to the report. So there is little fear of your home investment losing value.

 In the mean time congress has extended the tax credit for first time home buyers into 2010. Now is the best time to take advantage of this tax credit because if the housing market goes into recovery next year as expected the government will not continue to extend the tax credit. Many Americans have already taken advantage of this tax credit. Forty-one percent of recent home buyers were first time home owners. Many of these buyers were motivated to buy because of the tax credit.

Good news for those who are looking to buy a home using an FHA loan. You can now use this loan towards home improvement costs if you buy a foreclosed home that needs works. This is good news for homebuyers because foreclosed homes are usually sold below market value, but often times they need work because they were left vacant. Remodeling a home usually adds more value to it than it costs you. Ask your realtor about this program. It is called Funds for Handyman-Specials and Fixer Uppers.

Thanks to our friends at Housing Wire for supplying the research information.

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us!

http://www.daytona-ormondrealestate.com

There has been a lot of talk lately about the opportunity to get rich quick in real estate by purchasing foreclosed homes at an insanely low price and then turning around and reselling it for a huge profit. While most of this hype is exaggerated, there is opportunity for homebuyers to get a great deal if they know what they are doing and where to look. That’s why we have put together this list of things to keep in mind when considering purchasing a foreclosed home.

• Keep in mind when bidding at an auction you will be competing against professional real estate investors. If they aren’t bidding there has to be a good reason.
• So how do you know if you are getting a good deal? If the price is within your budget, you like the neighborhood, and the property meets your condition standards, you can consider it a safe investment.
• Be patient. Before you decide to make a purchase do comparisons and seek professional guidance.

The better option to foreclosure is buying a home through a short sale. You can save up to 40% this way because you get to bid on the property before it goes into foreclosure. Foreclosures are very expensive for banks so often times the banks will let the properties go for much less to avoid the costs associated with a foreclosure.

Short sale listings are not always available to the public and are hard to sort through if you are inexperienced. Daytona Ormond Beach can help you through the process. Remember the buyer does not pay the commission for the realtor.

If you have any questions about a foreclosed home don’t hesitate to call us!

http://www.daytona-ormondrealestate.com/