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.

Those native to central Florida will no doubt have heard of the future plans to link UCF with the Orlando International Airport (OIA). Southeast Orlando has suffered traffic problems and development due to the notorious "world's largest cul-de-sac" for years, but Mayor Richard Crotty seems to be finally getting plans underway. Here's how it all started - courtesy of orangecountyfl.net

In his 2005 State of the County address, Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty revealed a new strategy for Southeast Orange County. Calling this region "Innovation Way," the Mayor plans to create a corridor linking the University of Central Florida to the Orlando International Airport.The northern half of this area already contains high-quality residential communities, academic institutions, and commercial developments. However, the southern portion of Innovation Way is largely undeveloped.Mayor Crotty, Commissioner Linda Stewart, the University of Central Florida, the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, and other important partners in the Innovation Way project hope to retain and enhance high-value jobs and businesses into this region's economy, which will help Orange County continue to lead Central Florida into the 21st century.

The project is moving ahead, in part, because of a $12 million state grant received by the Transportation Regional Incentive Program, or TRIP, which was created last year when the state's new growth management law was enacted.

TRIP funding is providing $12 million -- or half -- of the estimated sum needed for the road project, which involves a 5.5-mile stretch from Avalon Park Boulevard to the Beachline Expressway (State Road 528).

Orange County is picking up the rest of the construction tab.

This isn't really news, unless of course you haven't heard about it. The Sembler Company is building a new open-air mall in Winter Garden. Originally planned as an alternative shopping area for the residents of Windermere, this project has gone through many changes, and is now starting to really take shape. Check out the official update page HERE. Working with many of the residents near the new mall, there seems to be strong mixed reviews. I tend to think it will be a nice addition to an area that desperately needs an alternative for the West Oaks mall. If you look at how well the Winter Park Village, and Waterford Lakes Towne Center have done, you can only assume the Winter Garden Village will do the same. I'll keep you posted as construction continues. If you have any questions, type them in the comments, and I will do my best to answer them.

Florida voters would be able to abolish property taxes on primary homes and put caps on government revenues in exchange for adopting the nation’s highest statewide sales tax under a plan proposed Wednesday by House Republican leaders.

A second part of the proposal is designed to reduce taxes by an average of nearly 20 percent for all property owners, although most of those savings would go to businesses. It would not require voter approval but could go into effect sooner.

House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-Miami, said a proposed constitutional amendment that would raise the statewide sales tax by 2.5 percentage points – from 6 percent to 8.5 percent – could go on the ballot later this year or at the 2008 general election.

California has the highest statewide sales tax at 7.25 percent including 1 percent that goes to local governments.

Rubio called the proposal “innovative and bold” and said GOP leaders “didn’t just think outside the box but, quite frankly, built new boxes.”

The amendment would eliminate all property taxes on homesteads – a homeowner’s primary residence. Average savings are estimated at $2,283 per house, but the actual amount would depend upon a home’s current tax value.

Florida’s sales tax increase also would be set aside for local governments, but it would be insufficient to offset losses from the amendment’s tax cap. Cities, counties and other taxing bodies would face a net loss of nearly $5.8 billion annually regardless of which part of the House plan is in effect.

That prospect immediately drew opposition.

“They are substituting state government for local government, and it’s been proven years ago that they can’t govern from the state Capitol,” said Polk County Commissioner Bob English. “It’s going to be a disaster. ... I think it’s dumb.”

Cities and counties have warned they barely have enough to make their budgets now, and capping how much they can collect could force service cuts.

“This is going to have to be a really, really good idea to have to stand up to a political campaign statewide in order to pass,” Rubio acknowledged at a news conference. “We’re comfortable with that.”

Rubio said he believes voters would have to approve the amendment by nearly 67 percent under a constitutional provision that requires a two-thirds vote to impose a new tax.

House Democratic Leader Dan Gelber of Miami Beach called the proposal “interesting” and worth looking at.

“But we really do have to look at it carefully because what we don’t want to do is replace one group’s pain with another group’s pain,” Gelber said.

Senate Finance and Tax Committee Chairman Mike Haridopolos, R-Indialantic, said the House proposal was intriguing and a bold idea that would add to the Legislature’s tax reform discussion. Senate staffers, though, were still crunching numbers to get a better idea of how it would affect all Floridians, he said.

“We want to be fair,” Haridopolos said, noting the Senate wants to conclude public hearings before making any decisions.

Florida Retail Federation President Rick McAllister said the proposal that can be enacted by law was “a reasonable and balanced solution,” but that the amendment needed more evaluation.

AARP state director Lori Parham said the retiree group opposes the idea of putting spending limits in the constitution because that might hamper the ability of the state and local governments to respond to emergencies, terrorism and even new requirements from the federal government.

Parham also questioned linking budget caps to cost increases for consumer items such as housing, transportation and food while major government spending includes a much different shopping list including health care, education and public safety.

Critics also say raising sales tax to lower property tax would hurt the poor who either don’t own real estate or have cheaper homes, yet still have expenses for everyday items that would be taxed at the higher rate.

“What would be the tax increase for the people who don’t own homes?” asked Bill Newton, executive director of the Florida Consumer Action Network. “I don’t think this thing really is going to have that much traction in the Senate.”

Rubio rejected that complaint. He said renters indirectly pay property tax through higher rents and noted food and medicine are exempt from sales tax. He argued many renters would be able to buy homes under the proposal because of the tax savings.

He also pointed out sales tax is exempt from federal income tax. That exemption is set to expire this year, but Rubio said Florida is an important state that should be able to persuade Congress to continue it.

Taxes still would be paid on vacation or second homes and rental and business property. Those non-homestead properties, though, would see their tax bills decline.

That’s because the amendment would roll back taxing rates – except for school districts – to their 2000-01 levels but allow for population- and inflation-based increases. Local government bodies would be able to exceed the resulting caps only by a unanimous vote.

School taxes would remain at present levels but future revenues also would be limited according to population growth and inflation.

Commercial property owners could be expected to save an average of $3,353. Landlords and owners of second homes would save an estimated $767 per unit. Lawmakers, though, may require landlords to pass on some or all of those savings to tenants.

The amendment includes a similar rollback and inflation-growth cap on state revenues. The state now is within that cap, so no spending cuts are expected, Rubio said. The Legislature could exceed the cap with a two-thirds vote in each chamber.

The second part of the plan can be adopted by the Legislature. It would be superseded by the amendment if voters approve.

Under the second part, all non-school property taxes, including those paid by homeowners, would be rolled back to 2000-01 with an inflation-growth cap.

Estimated average tax savings would be the same as for the amendment for non-homestead properties. Homestead savings, though, would average only $433 – about a fifth of the estimate for the amendment.

Rubio called the proposal a “starting point” aimed at giving Floridians relief from increasing tax bills driven largely by huge increases in property values.

There also has been a shift of tax burden to non-homestead properties due to the Save Our Homes Amendment that already caps increases on primary homes.

Both parts of the proposal would also need Senate approval and Gov. Charlie Crist would have veto authority over the statutory measure. His signature wouldn’t be needed to put the amendment before voters.

Crist favors cutting property taxes and has called for lawmakers to move quickly to address the rising cost of owning a home.

“I think that’s what you’re seeing people reacting to, is the literal screaming in many instances that citizens across the state have expressed in regard to their concern about the affordability of Florida,” Crist said.

Source: The Associated Press

In 2005, Orlando was one of the hottest real estate markets in the country. This year business isn’t so brisk.

The Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association reports that only 1,314 homes sold in January, making it the weakest month since January 2002.

The inventory in the core Orlando market, Orange and Seminole counties, rose by 1,729 to a near-record 21,266 – and at January's slow sales pace, that was the equivalent of a 16.18-month supply.

There hasn’t been this much inventory since February 1995, when only 649 homes out of 10,527 listings, resulting in 16.22 months worth of inventory.

Average time on the market has reached 90 days in the core market, which is the longest wait since February 2004.

The median price for all types of homes and condos held relatively steady in January at $249,700. That was up 3.6 percent from January 2006 but about even with the median reported for each of the previous nine months.

Source: www.realtor.org

Looking to buy or build a new home? You'll be happy to know that reports have shown that with the favorable mortgage rates, low energy costs and increased employment rates, new home construction is looking up. The housing market is starting to stabilize and some of the surplus inventory of new homes for sale is starting to move. The National Association of Homebuilders and Wells Fargo Market Index jumped from 35 to 40 in January, the highest recorded since June 2006 when it was at 42. Readings below 50 typically mean that builders see real estate market conditions as unfavorable rather than positive.

Spring is looking good for new homes currently for sale or coming on the market. We have noticed an increase in showings and open house activity in the past month and it looks to only be getting better from here. Stay positive and competitive when trying to sell your new construction. Offer great buyer incentives and show pride in your work. Everyone can appreciate a beautiful and quality home. Keep up with the market trends and inventory of homes for sale in your town. Know what is selling and what isn't. Be sure to know your competition inside and out and do your best to always offer a little more for a little less $$$. Do not settle for buyers that will come in and offer you a low amount for your home if you know your home is priced at or below market value. We predict that you will not need to "dump" your home that has been for sale for an unfavorable amount of time because the spring is looking great and homes are selling. You have the power, not the buyer, so use it to your advantage. It is only a matter of time now, your patience has paid off and your hard work will be rewarded.

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!