A 2005 U.S. Census Estimates population count gave the city population was 213,233 (metropolitan area over 1.8 million).
The city is best known for the many tourist attractions in the area, particularly the nearby Walt Disney World Resort. Other area attractions include SeaWorld and Universal Orlando Resort.
Downtown Orlando has recently seen much redevelopment, with many more projects currently under construction or planned. Orlando sees an estimated 52 million tourists a year. Orlando is the 2nd largest city in the country for number of hotel rooms. It is a leader in medical care and research, especially at Orlando Regional Medical Center.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orlando,_Florida
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Orlando Trends
The year 2006 has begun with a strong start for the Orlando Tourism Bureau, with a dedicated UK marketing campaign.
Targeting the mass consumer family audience, the Orlando Tourism Bureau has launched a national TV advertisement campaign showcasing the destination, which is currently on air through February. As in previous years, this has proven to be the most effective time for reaching prospective holidaymakers. In addition, the Orlando Tourism Bureau has updated its consumer literature – a comprehensive visitor guide full of advice and the latest news from the destination. Also a freestanding insert was inserted into the News Of The World and the Express earlier this month.
Targeting the mass consumer family audience, the Orlando Tourism Bureau has launched a national TV advertisement campaign showcasing the destination, which is currently on air through February. As in previous years, this has proven to be the most effective time for reaching prospective holidaymakers. In addition, the Orlando Tourism Bureau has updated its consumer literature – a comprehensive visitor guide full of advice and the latest news from the destination. Also a freestanding insert was inserted into the News Of The World and the Express earlier this month.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Real Estate Smarts Buy Low Rent High
To Redbrick Partners, slow real estate markets mean a fast path to profits by acquiring cheap homes and turning them into rental properties.
By Paul Sloan, Business 2.0 Magazine editor-at-large
October 26 2006: 10:56 AM EDT
By Paul Sloan, Business 2.0 Magazine editor-at-large
October 26 2006: 10:56 AM EDT
(Business 2.0 Magazine) -- Jonas Lee spends most days driving slowly through unfamiliar neighborhoods. He may look lost - constantly leaning out the window, craning his head in contorted ways - but don't be fooled. He's doing the most critical part of his job: scoping out homes for his Washington, D.C., investment firm, Redbrick Partners, to add to its growing stable of rental properties.
Lee is doing more drive-bys than ever these days. A handful of housing markets, such as southern Florida and certain neighborhoods of Washington, D.C., are wildly overbuilt. Prices are dropping. And developers who raced to build new houses and condos during the boom are likely to soon be begging for buyers. "There's going to be blood in the water," Lee says. "A big pileup."
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Bubble-Proof Markets
BOSTON
Population: 575,000
Median home price: $421,000
It's the intellectual character of Boston that has, more than anything else, enabled it to achieve its bubble-proof status. Boston has the greatest concentration of top universities and colleges in the country. It also boasts world-class cultural institutions, such as the Boston Fine Arts Museum and the Boston Ballet, and a deep sense of history that's reflected in its architecture and neighborhoods.And, more recently, a robust mutual fund industry has boosted the city's share of high-income individuals.
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Population: 575,000
Median home price: $421,000
It's the intellectual character of Boston that has, more than anything else, enabled it to achieve its bubble-proof status. Boston has the greatest concentration of top universities and colleges in the country. It also boasts world-class cultural institutions, such as the Boston Fine Arts Museum and the Boston Ballet, and a deep sense of history that's reflected in its architecture and neighborhoods.And, more recently, a robust mutual fund industry has boosted the city's share of high-income individuals.
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Top 10 Foreclosure Markets
Miami, FL
Median home price: $349,900
Portion of households in foreclosure: 0.37%
Change since January: 91.2%
A cooling economy, plus rises in property insurance premiums, energy prices and interest rates have made it tougher for home owners, especially for those who bought in at recent high prices.
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Median home price: $349,900
Portion of households in foreclosure: 0.37%
Change since January: 91.2%
A cooling economy, plus rises in property insurance premiums, energy prices and interest rates have made it tougher for home owners, especially for those who bought in at recent high prices.
To see other cities click title
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Is housing out of the woods?
Planet Realtor > Florida > News > Daily
Is housing out of the woods?
WASHINGTON -- Oct. 24, 2006 -- Depending on whom you ask, the winds may already be shifting for the housing market. All year, economists have warned of a bursting housing bubble and its potential impact on economic growth. However, a recent stream of encouraging data has some prominent prognosticators changing their tune.
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Is housing out of the woods?
WASHINGTON -- Oct. 24, 2006 -- Depending on whom you ask, the winds may already be shifting for the housing market. All year, economists have warned of a bursting housing bubble and its potential impact on economic growth. However, a recent stream of encouraging data has some prominent prognosticators changing their tune.
To read more click title.
Two New Studies Look at Homebuying Patterns of Older Americans
Forty-two percent of survey respondents would prefer to retire in the South, 32 percent in the West, 15 percent in the Midwest, and 12 percent in the Northeast. "This tells us that the Sunbelt will remain a traditional draw for retirees," Lehreah said.
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Top 10 Cities Where to Buy Now
1. Panama City, FL
72% Projected gain in home prices (5-year)
Median home price2006: $223,0002011: $383,000
Population2006: 166,0002011: 187,000
Per capita income2006: $31,0002011: $40,200
72% Projected gain in home prices (5-year)
Median home price2006: $223,0002011: $383,000
Population2006: 166,0002011: 187,000
Per capita income2006: $31,0002011: $40,200
A small city needs one of two things to jack up housing demand: more people or wealthier people. Unlike the rest of Florida, Panama City hasn't really attracted either, mainly because it's isolated on Florida's panhandle.The interstate highway system bypasses it, and the runway at the local airport isn't long enough to support anything beyond regional jets. But now Panama City is poised to host big airliners, more visitors - and a lot more buyers.State and local governments and a top regional developer, St. Joe Co., are planning to build a new airport by 2008 at a cost of more than $300 million. Locals expect the new facility to open up the region the way Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers helped drive a housing boom along Florida's southwestern coast in the 1980s."Panama City is an economy waiting to break out," says Steven Cochrane, chief regional economist for Moody's Economy.com. Other factors increasing demand: Property prices are still low by Florida standards, and the local market has already absorbed a price correction after peaking last year.Janet Roan, a Century 21 agent in Panama City, notes that two-bedroom beachfront condos are going for as little as $330,000 - down by more than $100,000 from 2005.CAUTION: Local politicians, notoriously cozy with builders, have green-lighted several master-plan communities for future development. If supply gets out of hand, prices will stall.
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Monday, October 23, 2006
U.S. population now 300 million and growing
POSTED: 11:50 a.m. EDT, October 17, 2006
(CNN) -- The United States became a nation of 300 million people Tuesday morning, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Fueled by an estimated net gain of one person every 11 seconds, America -- the world's third most populous country -- joined China and India with populations greater than 300 million.
The main reason is simple: Births outnumber deaths. According to the Census Bureau, a child is born every seven seconds, but a death occurs every 13 seconds.
But immigration also plays a role. The Census Bureau estimates that a migrant enters the country every 31 seconds.
America claimed 100 million people in 1915 but didn't reach 200 million until 1967. The 400 millionth person is likely to arrive in 2043, according to the Census Bureau.
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Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Grubb & Ellis Commercial Overview
According to Grubb & Ellis commercial real estate should fare well in the coming year, but there will be some mid-course adjustments necessary for tenants, landlords, buyers and sellers.
Click title to read rest of report
Click title to read rest of report
On the decline
Moody's Economy.com looks at the 100 largest markets and predicts their tops, their bottoms - and total price drops.
October 6 2006: 11:42 AM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The housing market will get worse before it gets better - that's the finding of an analysis by Moody's Economy.com.
In the survey of 379 metro areas, the study's authors project that nearly 20 areas eventually could experience a "crash," or a decline of more than 10 percent from peak to trough. The most hard-hit areas will be in California, the Southwest coast of Florida, and in Arizona and Nevada.
Nationwide, the study forecasts a 3.6 percent decline in the sales price of existing homes.
The table below shows only those markets among the 100 largest by population that are forecast to have declines. In an analysis that considered mortgage rates, the local job market and other factors, the study makes projections on when those markets would peak, when they would hit their worst point, and what the total decline would be.
To view markets predicted to decline click title
October 6 2006: 11:42 AM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The housing market will get worse before it gets better - that's the finding of an analysis by Moody's Economy.com.
In the survey of 379 metro areas, the study's authors project that nearly 20 areas eventually could experience a "crash," or a decline of more than 10 percent from peak to trough. The most hard-hit areas will be in California, the Southwest coast of Florida, and in Arizona and Nevada.
Nationwide, the study forecasts a 3.6 percent decline in the sales price of existing homes.
The table below shows only those markets among the 100 largest by population that are forecast to have declines. In an analysis that considered mortgage rates, the local job market and other factors, the study makes projections on when those markets would peak, when they would hit their worst point, and what the total decline would be.
To view markets predicted to decline click title
Friday, October 13, 2006
Existing home sales could start bouncing back in 6 months in South Florida
Existing home sales across South Florida could rebound in the next three to six months, but demand for new homes probably won't pick up until 2008, a real estate analyst said Wednesday."The Realtors will get happy before the builders," Brad Hunter told more than 400 people attending an Urban Land Institute conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach.
The Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale
BROWARD COUNTY HOME PRICES APPEAR TO BE STABILIZING ACCORDING TO THE REALTOR® ASSOCIATION OF GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE
Average/Median Prices for Single Family Homes and Condo-TownhomesFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - (October 4, 2006) - The REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale (RAGFL) reports prices for existing single family homes and condo-townhomes in Broward County appear to be stabilizing. RAGFL's just-released September home sales survey reveals the average sales price of condominiums-townhomes across Broward County was $250,532 in September, up slightly more than $7,000, or 3%, from August's figure of $243,468. This figure is nearly even with the average price one year ago of $251,078 and just $3,000 under 2005's record high of $253,621. The median price of a condo-townhome was $205,000 last month, exactly the same as in August and September 2005
Click Title for More Information
Average/Median Prices for Single Family Homes and Condo-TownhomesFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - (October 4, 2006) - The REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale (RAGFL) reports prices for existing single family homes and condo-townhomes in Broward County appear to be stabilizing. RAGFL's just-released September home sales survey reveals the average sales price of condominiums-townhomes across Broward County was $250,532 in September, up slightly more than $7,000, or 3%, from August's figure of $243,468. This figure is nearly even with the average price one year ago of $251,078 and just $3,000 under 2005's record high of $253,621. The median price of a condo-townhome was $205,000 last month, exactly the same as in August and September 2005
Click Title for More Information
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Shipping Container Houses are Coming
Could America's record balance of payments deficit with China be the solution to low cost housing?
Might it even be an unprecedented opportunity to be environmentally responsible?
America is buying so much merchandise from other countries, primarily China, and selling so little back to them that shipping containers are actually becoming an environmental hazard. Apparently, it is cheaper to manufacture new containers on the other side of the world than to transport them empty back to where they originated.
For more information please click title.
Might it even be an unprecedented opportunity to be environmentally responsible?
America is buying so much merchandise from other countries, primarily China, and selling so little back to them that shipping containers are actually becoming an environmental hazard. Apparently, it is cheaper to manufacture new containers on the other side of the world than to transport them empty back to where they originated.
For more information please click title.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Home Price Comparison State by State
What it costs to buy a typical four-bedroom home in 342 cities.
Click on title to see more.
Top 10 Most Expensive Places to Live
State/City/Metro
2006 Sale Price
CA Beverly Hills $1,800,000
CA Santa Monica $1,766,666
CA La Jolla $1,762,500
CA Santa Barbara $1,700,000
CA Palo Alto $1,652,042
CA Newport Beach $1,566,250
CA San Jose $1,410,662
CT Greenwich $1,403,750
CA San Mateo $1,366,139
CA San Francisco $1,363,750
Top 10 least expensive places to live
State City/Metro 2006 Sale Price
ND Minot $132,333
TX Killeen $140,310
TX Arlington $140,975
MI Grayling $144,250
KS Topeka $148,050
OH Canton $148,333
OK Tulsa $148,575
MT Billings $150,141
TX Fort Worth $151,250
MI Cadillac $151,530
Click on title to see more.
Top 10 Most Expensive Places to Live
State/City/Metro
2006 Sale Price
CA Beverly Hills $1,800,000
CA Santa Monica $1,766,666
CA La Jolla $1,762,500
CA Santa Barbara $1,700,000
CA Palo Alto $1,652,042
CA Newport Beach $1,566,250
CA San Jose $1,410,662
CT Greenwich $1,403,750
CA San Mateo $1,366,139
CA San Francisco $1,363,750
Top 10 least expensive places to live
State City/Metro 2006 Sale Price
ND Minot $132,333
TX Killeen $140,310
TX Arlington $140,975
MI Grayling $144,250
KS Topeka $148,050
OH Canton $148,333
OK Tulsa $148,575
MT Billings $150,141
TX Fort Worth $151,250
MI Cadillac $151,530
Biggest Housing Inventories in US
Last year the housing market was so strong that new listings were in short supply. Today, as demand sags, inventories are way up.
BusinessWeek.com examines 10 markets in the country that have recently shouldered the burden of a huge increase in housing supply and looks at how quickly they have reacted with price drops.
Click on title to read more.
BusinessWeek.com examines 10 markets in the country that have recently shouldered the burden of a huge increase in housing supply and looks at how quickly they have reacted with price drops.
Click on title to read more.
America's Most Affordable Housing Markets
There is probably nothing that drives the average homeowner crazier than thinking he could have bought his house for less. Click on the title to read the 50 most affordable housing markets.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Smart Growth
Fifty-five percent of households in a smart-growth study NAR commissioned in late 2004 say they prefer to live in what was described as a smart-growth community—public transit options, sidewalks, mixed-housing styles, among other things—rather than a traditional suburban setting far out from the metropolitan core.
To read more click title for link.
To read more click title for link.
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