We do our best to be different. With so many Realtors in Orlando, it's easy to be overlooked. You can call us trendy, you can call us odd, but don't ever call us ordinary! I was reading a few Orlando real estate blogs and became frustrated with the lack of unique content. Most posts were news reports copied and pasted into the blog. If you want the news, you'll go to a news site. You read blogs for a more personal look at an area, or interesting commentary on the situations facing the community. We fight daily with the struggle of finding a "different" way to approach real estate, and I found this video on YouTube of an Apple ad that explains our feelings perfectly.

Tags: orlando real estate, orlando realtor

Have you been watching TV lately? Dateline has been doing their thing with identity theft lately, so I started doing some research on what's available to protect us. I stumbled across Lifelock, and was surprised at what I saw. I a big fan of great marketing, and think the CEO of Lifelock has nailed it! Here's his ad:



WTF? Is that really his social security number?

LifeLock doesn't just report unauthorized use of your credit information, we prevent it by working with the top four credit bureaus to make sure you're contacted to approve any credit transaction before it takes place. We also remove your name from pre-approved credit card offers and junk-mail lists, where identity theft often gets started.

I was so impressed by the marketing that I am considering enrolling. Thing I wonder is, will his identity not be stolen because of their product, or because he has now launched himself into such a high profile?

If you haven't noticed, our site has a commercials page. I just like messing around with Final Cut Pro on my Mac, and these are an easy way for me to try new things while marketing my site at the same time. My latest commercial is a spoof on the trailer for the movie "The Blair Witch Project." Let me know what you think in the comments. Here's the youtube version:

Something I hear on a daily basis from other agents is that there isn't the industry in Florida to support the increase in home prices we've seen over the past few years.

Turns out, a company called Pollina Corporate Real Estate Inc, ranked Florida VERY high - 3rd to be exact. Virginia and South Carolina were 1st and 2nd. The results were based on 28 measurements including taxes, human resources, right-to-work legislation, energy costs and jobs lost or gained.

States ranked high on the list understand that they must be very pro-active in the international battle to keep and attract jobs

according to the company.

Pretty good stuff. Now I'd like to see how central Florida ranks compared to the rest of the state. I'll keep digging and see if I can find more information. If you have the info, feel free to leave it in the comments section.

Thanks to 10best.com, we now have a list of Orlando's Top Rated restaurants! I'm just going to list the top 5. If you've eaten at any of these, leave your thoughts in the comments. Do you agree with with these rankings?

#1 - Chez Vincent

533 W New England Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789 · 407-599-2929
website

An intimate bistro set in Hannibal Square, this charming place courts diners with classic, if not unusual, dishes and a handful of inventive choices. Although not everyone adores escargot or frog's legs, most will take pleasure in lamb, venison, or salmon. Entrees generally come with a rich sauce that enhances but doesn't overpower the flavor of the meat; examples include cherries and port wine or cream and vermouth. Taking this idea to its next level are signature plates which feature several different meat selections, each accompanied by a particular sauce. For a special treat, try the rich, creamy mashed potatoes. Reservations recommended. Business dressy attire.

#2 - Samba Room

7468 W Sand Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819 · 407-226-0550
website

Live with abandon at this sensual cafe, where spicy aromas float through the air and hip-swaying rhythms entice you to dance. Upscale and hip, the restaurant tempts diners with a Latin-inspired menu, culled from the cuisines of Cuba, Brazil, and the Caribbean. Light, fresh cocktails are served at the bar; a cigar lounge and outdoor dining are available. Smart casual attire; dinner reservations recommended.

#3 - Black Bean Deli

325 S Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789-3608 · 407-628-0294

Simple styling and uncomplicated service are the hallmarks of this small place, which serves up fantastic Cuban food. Especially good for takeout, the Deli offers traditional dishes like empanadas and tamales, supplementing them with sandwiches featuring pork, ham and more. As you might expect, the attention given to everything is first-rate, and it shows in the flavor. The black beans and rice, for which the place was named, are particularly good. If it's busy, don't be put off – just order quickly and be ready to eat. Reservations not accepted. Smart casual dress.

#4 - Habana Grill

937 W State Rd 436, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714-2927 · 407-682-6834
website

Festive and fun, Don Pepe's is a master at doing well what it knows best. Although they've broadened their approach to Cuban cuisine by incorporating dishes from other Latin countries, they maintain a sure hand with empanadas, papas rellenos and slow-roasted beef and pork. Foods are tender, savory and have a zest that patrons crave when they're away too long. The restaurant also has a substantial collection of Spanish wines that complement the robust flavors of the cuisine. Priority seating accepted. Smart casual dress.

#5 - Emeril's Orlando

6000 Universal Blvd, Universal Studios Escape's CityWalk, Orlando, FL 32819 · 407-224-2424
website

Renowned chef Emeril works his customary magic at this celebrated restaurant that bears his name. Master of Cajun and Creole cuisine, Emeril takes an innovative approach with traditional ingredients, crafting dishes such as lobster cheesecake and crabmeat strudel. He also presents grilled veal chops, quail stuffed with oyster dressing and a duck extravaganza that boasts foie gras, confit and duck breast. Pizzas and desserts also benefit from his exuberant love of food and good living. A wine cellar of more than 12,000 selections pairs with premium cigars to complete the sensory experience. Jackets are recommended, and reservations well in advance are necessary.


Now it's up to you. Go out and try a few of these restaurants. I've been to two of them and agree with them being in the top 5. If you know of a place you think would be more appropriate in the list, let us know.

I haven't mentioned this (although, I thought I did), but I'm currently attending my mandatory Broker License Post Licensing Continuing Education class. The state requires 60 hours - broken up into two 30 hour classes. I'm in a bit of a bind because I need to complete them before the end of this month....no sweat, but had no idea I was already due. I'm in class Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week for the "managing a Real Estate Office" course, and taking an Investment class online.
Why do you care? Well, with all the web 2.0 goodness going around, I thought I'd open this up to everyone. Have any questions about the courses? If I can't answer it, I'll ask in class. Far stretch for a social aspect to my blog, but thought I'd try. Leave any questions in the comment section.
The class starts at 8am, I live an hour away, and that darn daylight savings thing - must get sleep.

Men's Health magazine examined the most recent data on levels of arsenic, lead, halocetic acids and total trihalomethanes (linked to cancer), and total coliform bacteria, plus the number of EPA water system violations from 1995 to 2005. They graded cities on the results. How did Florida do you ask? Well, not too bad, although Orlando ranked the worst city, but only with a "C" rating. Here are the results for FL:

80. Orlando - C
74. Jacksonville - C
66. Tampa - C
48. Miami - C
8. St. Petersburg - A

Curious about the best and worst? Here are those results:

Worst Cities

100. Phoenix, AZ - F
99. Indianapolis, IN - F
98. Charlotte, NC - F
97. Los Angeles, CA - F
96. Charleston, WV - D

Best Cities

5. Memphis, TN - A
4. Norfolk, VA - A
3. Kansas City, MO - A
2. Baton Rouge, LA - A
1. Denver, CO - A

Dirty Tricks

Last year, the Better Business Bureau took nearly 1,200 consumer complaints about water-testing companies. The most common scenario: A door-to-door salesperson performs a free water test, claims you're drinking sewage, and then sells you thousands of dollars in filtration equipment.
Of course, in reality, your water may be just fine. "In most cases, you're pretty much guaranteed it's a scam," says Steve Cox, a spokesman for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. To double-check a dire warning, contact your local water company. (Go to drinktap.org/consumerdnn/ and click on "Find it Here!" to locate your provider.)

Source: Men's Health, March 2007, Pg 80

There are lots of things you can do to make your home less of a target for thieves, according to this article from DoItYourself.com. Among their suggestions:

• Upgrade your locks by removing what's there and installing dead bolt locks. Even better, double dead bolts locks (that need a key to be unlocked from the inside) provide the best security.
  
• You don't need to do anything very fancy to stop windows and doors from being slid open. The old reliable idea of a "stick in the track" effectively blocks them from being slid open.
  
• Burglars don't like to be seen, so install lights that will light up the outside of your home.

Any other ideas? We'd love to hear 'em.

Make Your Home Unattractive to thieves (doityourself.com)

If you missed the International Builders Show - open only to industry professionals - don't worry. The Orange County Convention Center is making last-minute preperations for the upcoming Home & Garden show, and this year promises to be the largest yet! This event is open to consumers.

This year, there are plans for over 600 exhibitors, and is schedule for March 9-11 in Hall North B, according to show spokeswoman Jennifer Bisbee. Tim Luke, of HGTV's "Cash in the Attic" and formerly of public television's Antiques Roadshow, is one of the featured personalities at the show this year. He will be offering tips for determining the value of collectibles, meeting with guests and signing autographs during appearances at noon and 6 p.m. on Friday, March 9; noon, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 10; and 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 11.

Another feature this year is more than 6,000 square feet of gardens designed by six local landscaping companies.

Regular admission is $9 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. There are a variety of discount deals, including $2 off adult admission for those who bring a nonperishable food item to the ticket window. Parking at the center is $6.

For additional information, or to buy tickets online, visit floridahomeshows.com.

I want to welcome everyone to our blog. Soon it will be filled with tons of information related to central Florida real estate. Whether you're looking to buy or sell a home, or just trying to keep an eye on the market, you will find everything you're looking for here. Make sure to subscribe to our RSS feed, and check it frequently. Thanks for visiting!