Florida Real Estate, Tourism and Immigration News

After the delay on Thursday, Space Shuttle Atlantis was set for a launch on Saturday. However the technical issue that scrubbed the launch on Thursday was again the cause of the delay yet again.

The rescheduled launch is said to happen no earlier than January 2nd 2008 at 5.41am.

The delay should give a significant amount of time for NASA Engineers to investigate the problem.

Space Shuttle Atlantis was orginally scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida this last thursday but a technical issue with Fuel Sensors pushed back the launch which is now scheduled for Saturday December 8th 2007 at 3.43pm.

Florida tourists and residents alike all enjoy seeing this spectacular sight of a shuttle launch. Each launch is precious as the Shuttle Fleet is due to be retired in 2010 and has no immediate replacement. There are a scheduled 13 missions still planned.

The shuttle is carrying another section of the International Space Station – the section is names Columbus and is built by the European Space Agency at a cost of over $2.1 billion. The section has been in development since the early 1990′s.

So check out the launch either from Florida or online on www.nasa.gov

Bank of England Cuts Rates!: This very welcome news to UK homeowners has a knock on effect to Florida in many ways: UK Buyers have more disposable income, UK Buyers can take advantage of our Multi-Currency mortgage – which when the loan is in pounds sterling, tracks the Bank of England Base Rate and a rate cut is aimed at boosting the economy! A boost in the economy in the long term means an advantageous exchange rate for British Buyers looking to buy property in Dollars!

Florida property is a fantastic investment opportunity at the moment, the the exchange rate over $2 to £1 and low prices it is a great time to buy.

Please contact us using our free online form right now if you are thinking of Refinancing or Purchasing a Florida property. 

Orlando is the City Beautiful right? Or is it Coral Gables? Not sure? Well neither are they!

Disagreement began when Coral Gables tried to federally trademark the slogan which would mean that Orlando would have to cease using the phrase.

Coral Gables argues that is has its gorgeous location nestled amongst a leafy setting whilst moments from the hustle and bustle of Miami proper whilst Orlando boasts that its famous Lake Eola park earns it the right to continue using the phrase.

Whilst both cities have been using the phrase for many years they both accepted the status quo which is what Orlando officials want to keep so that any city can use the slogan.

Check out the Orlando Sentinel article for the full story as well as a stunning view of Lake Eola park in beautiful Downtown Orlando.

In the last few years the US "Greenback" has seen some substantial changes. The notes have been redesigned and -whilst keeping a certain amount of green on the back – now come in a whole host of colours.

However, the $5 and $100 bills have yet to be changed. All this will change when early next year a new $5 bill will be unveiled and the $100 bill is scheduled to be redesigned late 2008.

The new $5 incorporates purple and grey colouring and has new security features. The $100 bill which makes up 70% of the $776 billion of currency in circulation (2/3′s of which is held overseas) is getting an extra effort in the redesign process which will include 650,000 microlenses which give the appearance of the note shimmering in the opposite direction when moved.

All of this may be exciting to notaphilists but it is important for tourists to accustom theirselves with the new note designs. At present the $1 bill will not be changing design as it is not a target for fraudsters – it has had the same design since 1963.

Check out the links below to the new pastel coloured US notes!

Foreign investors are snapping up US Real Estate like there is no tomorrow! Investors from Canada are benefiting from a dollar worth more than the US at the moment and UK buyers are experiencing 26 year highs for their Pound. Not to mention the Europeans who have a strong Euro – they are all in it to purchase a slice of the American Dream!

Florida naturally is high up on the list of hot spots, – from a villa near Disney to a condo on South Beach! New York is also a desirable location for Brits who at the exchange rate can easily afford a small apartment on 5th avenue! Southern California also is desirable with investors looking to San Francisco and LA for properties for them to sink their cash into.

ABC News reports – see link below.

After phenomenal success in the gorgeous planned town of Celebration, Sherlocks – the British owned tea room, wine seller and purveyor of british goods is opening in more locations in Central Florida!

A branch in Cagan’s Crossings off highway 27 just north of US 192 is now open with another branch planned to open in Lake Buena Vista soon.

All of this exciting activity is great news for British Expats and tourists alike who love the atmosphere and curios sold at Sherlocks – it is a slice of British charm in the sunshine state!

The ambiance of the new location, as at the original Celebration location is one of relaxation and is achieved by soft lighting and well chosen furnishings and objet d’art.

When on the look out for afternoon tea visit Sherlocks at Celebration and Cagan Crossing to satisfy the urge!

In Ocala in Northern-Central Florida as in the Orlando metro area, the Real Estate market is moving.

As national and state press lump together statistics it is hard not to get depressed hearing negative publicity about Florida Real Estate.

However, as Ocala.com reports Marion County has reported an increase in the average price over 2006 and that what is driving the growth in the older residential areas as well as newer subdivisions is senior citizens relocating to the area.

Like the rest of central Florida the area is not untouched by the British pound. Although there is no vacation rental in the area as it is way over an hour away from the attractions some Brits like the idea of a horse ranch or simply a family home to get away from it all near to the Ocala National Forest.

In line with the rest of Central Florida it represents excellent value for money!

A Central Florida developer is drawing up plans for a community designed around the needs of people with disabilities. In the last few years access in places such as airports and theme parks access has improved considerably, however there are still many barriers to complete access.

Bountiful Lands, the Lake Wales company planning to build Monticelli at Tower Lake south of U.S. Highway 192 in Polk County sees that is is necessary to built a community which caters for those needs.

The Monticelli community would from the exterior look like any other vacation community, however on the inside the 59 units are designed for those with diabilities.

Read the attached Orlando Sentinel Article which gives more details on this community and the idea.

Universal Studios in Orlando Florida had a bumper summer with an attendance level topping 3.1 million visitors! A 12% Increase over Sumer 2006 and the first summer increase since 2004.

Similarly Walt Disney World posted year on year increases! Similarly SeaWorld are expecting to post record numbers.

Universal are not only posting bumper numbers but the visitors are also spending more! They believe that the increase is due to the publicity of the blue man group as well as the coming Simpsons ride and the long anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter in just over a year!

The figures are great for the tourist industry as a whole in the Orlando area.