Even though we all now live in Florida most of us have moved here over the years from different parts of the UK and we all still have lots and friends and family back home.
With the Olylmpics, the Soccer and the Jubilee this year our Facebooks have been very busy!
We hope everyone has had a great Jubilee month and congratulations to our wonderful Queen.
We thought you might enjoy these pictures of her with all of these US Presidents!
If you here visiting on holiday and want something to do this Saturday, Brazil and Britian are playing in a friendly soccer match in Keene Park, near Windermere!
Here for the 4th of July Celebrations?
Florida’s full of fabulous Fourth of July festivities!
July 4 lands, sort of inconveniently, on a Wednesday this year, but are you nonetheless hoping to declare your independence and exercise your right to enjoy a fabulous Fourth? A getaway to a fun Florida spot may be the ticket. Here are just some suggestions from the myriad festive opportunities including fireworks, parades and other special events taking place throughout the state:
Cocoa — The City of Cocoa’s Riverfront Independence Celebration includes children’s activities, a performance by the Brevard Symphony Orchestra and tons of fireworks over the Indian River Lagoon on July 4. Admission is free. For details, log on to www.cocoafl.org.
Jacksonville — The July 4 Fireworks Spectacular over the St. Johns River wishes Happy Birthday to America and is choreographed to a patriotic soundtrack in the Jacksonville Downtown Riverfront. Fireworks will be visible from both banks of the river. Time of the display is TBA. For information, visit www.makeascenedowntown.com.
Key Largo — The 37th Annual Fourth of July Parade: America Yesterday, Today and Forever, kicks off at 10 a.m. from the parking lot of Anthony’s Clothing Store at Mile Marker 98.2 and ends at Mile Marker 100. An old-fashioned community picnic is set for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Murray Nelson Government & Cultural Center on Mile Marker 102. A fireworks display on Blackwater Sound in Key Largo’s Bayfront is scheduled for 10 p.m. For details, visit www.fla-keys.com.
Mexico Beach — The July 4 Independence Celebration begins with the Sandy Shoes 5K Race/Walk at Under The Palms Park off Seventh Street on Mexico Beach. Other highlights include a Kids Fishing Tournament with no entry fee along the seawall at Canal Park (food, beverages and prizes will be given to children who participate). The Best Blast On The Beach fireworks display is the celebration’s grand finale after dark. For details, visit www.mexico-beach.com.
Mount Dora — This quaint Central Florida town puts on a July 4 celebration with a parade through downtown at 10 a.m. and food and live music at Gilbert Park from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. A fireworks display begins at approximately 9 p.m. For information, visit www.mountdora.com.
Orlando — sometimes known as “Theme Park Central” also offers several July 4 celebrations at its theme parks including the following:
Independence Day at SeaWorld Orlando features a special Fourth of July Reflections show featuring an expanded fireworks spectacular timed to patriotic music. The festivities are included in regular park admission. Visit www.seaworldorlando.com.
Independence Day at Walt Disney World Resort features Disney’s Celebrate America! — A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky at the Magic Kingdom starting at 9 p.m. At Epcot, the holiday-inspired IllumiNations: Reflections of the Earth beings at 10 p.m., and a soecial July 4 fireworks presentation at Disney’s Hollywood Studios starts at 10 p.m. Festivities are included in regular park admission. Visit www.disneyworld.com.
St. Petersburg — Music, entertainers, characters, dancing and more are on the agenda during The July 4 Extravaganza at the Pier and all activities are free except for face painting (nominal charge, depending on design). At 9 p.m. there will be a fireworks display to top the night off. Visit www.stpetepier.com.
Enjoy!
Bill Cowie
WESTRIDGE, DAVENPORT – New Listing!
Spacious 4 Bedroom 2 Bathroom Villa with Private Pool
Priced at only $169,900!
Financing available!
Close to Disney in Popular Gated Community
Fully-Furnished “Move-In” Ready!
This lovely property offers;
Two Living Areas
Formal Dining Room and a
Large Kitchen open to the spacious Family Room
Currently used for Short-Term Holiday Lets
A Games Room has been set up in the large garage and the oversized Pool is perfect for a day of sun and relaxation
Located minutes from Disney and the other world-famous “Attractions”, very close to a convenient publix Supermarket Plaza and right next door to a great golf course!
Yet again – this one won’t last long (our last two “Featured Properties” sold in days)!
Let us know if we can help.
Good luck!
Bill Cowie
President
Request more information on Florida homes or submit a Custom Property Search Request
The BRITISH HOMES GROUP Florida
2960 Vineland Road | Info@britishhomesgroup.com or (+1) 407 396 9914
From yesterday’s US CNN Money about international buyers
Cheap US homes lure foreign buyers
A Russian billionaire paid $88 million for a Manhattan condo earlier this year.
Lured by bargain home prices, foreign buyers stepped up their purchases of U.S. homes by 24% over the past year, according to an industry trade group.
The National Association of Realtors reported Monday that $82.4 billion worth of homes were sold to international buyers in the 12 months that ended in March, up from $66.4 billion the year before.
“Today’s advantageous market conditions have drawn more and more foreign buyers to the U.S.,” said NAR President Moe Veissi, who owns a real estate firm in Miami.
U.S. prices have fallen by about a third from their 2006 peak and are at their lowest level since 2002, and foreign sales were especially strong in states where prices dropped even more sharply. Of the four states cited in the report as tops for foreign buyers — Florida, California, Texas and Arizona — only Texas has not recorded a severe home price correction.
Meanwhile, currency exchange rates grew more favorable for many foreign nationals. The currencies of both Mexico and Brazil have gained 20% or more against the dollar over the past year, giving buyers additional discounts on U.S. purchases.
Foreigners participated in some of the year’s biggest home buys.
A British buyer bought the Spelling mansion in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles last summer for $85 million. And in December, Russian billionaire businessman Dmitry Rybolovlev purchased an $88 million Manhattan condo for his 22-year-old college student daughter.
Holmby Hills and New York City are, of course, pricey markets — but a bargain for the super rich compared to some foreign markets. For example, real estate in Hong Kong and London is about 50% more expensive, noted Edward Mermelstein, a New York-based real estate attorney.
Canada, China, Mexico, India and the United Kingdom accounted for 55% of international sales, according to the NAR survey.
The trend might have been even stronger except for the difficulties some international buyers had in obtaining financing. Many real estate agent reported that deals fell through because buyers lacked U.S. credit history.
Most completed deals involving foreign buyers were all-cash, accounting for 62% of foreign sales.
And now, we are delighted to announce, British Home Loans Florida, Inc., our Orlando-based mortgage brokerage arm, can arrange “Foreign National” low-interest rate mortgage financing for UK home-buyers in Florida once again!
Exciting and most timely news!
Sincerely,
Bill Cowie
President
Thinking about buying or selling vacation or 2nd home property around Orlando and the Disney World Area? Contact us, in confidence, and see what we can do to help you fulfill your Florida dream!
Request more information on Florida homes or submit a Custom Property Search Request
The BRITISH HOMES GROUP Florida
2960 Vineland Road | Info@britishhomesgroup.com or (+1) 407 396 9914
According to a recent article in the Orlando Business Journal…Orlando is first destination to top 55 million visitors!
Orlando is the first destination in the country to welcome more than 55 million visitors in one year, Visit Orlando announced Tuesday.
The City Beautiful had 55.1 million visitors in 2011 – a 7.2 percent increase from 2010′s record of 51.4 million visitors.
Total domestic visitation, including business and leisure, accounted for 51.3 million visitors, 7.5 percent more than 2010 and a record for any U.S. destination, according to Visit Orlando.
Worldwide, Orlando had 3.8 million international visitors, a 3.5 percent increase from 2010.
“We have seen a strong rebound in our visitation numbers over the past two years led by increases in domestic and international travel and we continue to be optimistic about the future of the destination,” said Paul Tang, chairman of Visit Orlando. “We are known worldwide as the top family destination and we continue to be a top choice for inspiring meetings. Breaking the 55 million total visitation mark shows the strength of the Orlando brand.”
Other highlights for Orlando tourism includes:
Canada continues to be Orlando’s No.1 international market, with 1,015,000 travelers in 2011, up 5.7 percent from 2010 and visitors from the UK almost hit 800,000!
Hotel room occupancy was up 5.8 percent to 67.6 percent in 2011.
Bill’s Bit:
55,000,000 visitors!
That’s almost like the entire UK visiting Orlando this year!
Make sure you’ve got your place in the Florida Sun?
The time is perfect!
Best!
Bill Cowie
Thinking about buying or selling vacation or 2nd home property around Orlando and the Disney World Area? Contact us, in confidence, and see what we can do to help you fulfill your Florida dream!
Request more information on Florida homes or submit a Custom Property Search Request
The BRITISH HOMES GROUP Florida
2960 Vineland Road | Info@britishhomesgroup.com or (+1) 407 396 9914
BRITISH HOMES GROUP Florida ~ Specialising in Florida Real Estate
Orlando | Kissimmee | Davenport | Windermere | Bay Hill | Clermont
Residential Luxury ~ Vacation Paradise
New British Homes “Best Buy” Listing!
Three bedroom, 2 bathroom, furnished, rental home for $130,000!
Furnished home in a popular gated community. This home is currently used as a short term rental villa and has no rear neighbours. There is also a large screen enclosed pool which faces west so in the evenings you can watch the sun go down. The development is also close to theme parks, shops, restaurants etc.
Contact us, in confidence, and see what we can do to help you fulfill your Florida dream!
Request more information on Florida homes or submit a Custom Property Search Request
The BRITISH HOMES GROUP Florida
2960 Vineland Road | Info@britishhomesgroup.com or (+1) 407 396 9914