This Weeks Featured Listings – Barcelona Way, Winter Park

MLS ID: o4812385
Price: $1,050,000
Address: 1623 Barcelona Way
City: Winter Park
State: FL
Subdivision: Sevilla
County: Orange
Size: 5,551
Bedrooms: 5
Baths: 5/1
Pool: Inground Pool
Lot Size: 70×177
Garage: 2 car garage
Year Built: 1974
Construction: Brick two story

 In the world of real estate, location is everything and this home is perfect in so many ways.This beautiful five bedroom, five and one half bathroom Winter Park home is located within walking distance of Park Avenue and is one of the best buys in Winter Park at this price per square foot.Located on a cul-de-sac and overlooking Howell Creek and Mead Gardens, this manor-style home offers so much for such an affordable price. With oversized rooms and dramatic spaces, this home is one of a kind. As you enter the estate through the antique Belgian doors into the grand foyer, you are greeted by the custom wrought iron staircase, which is a work of art in and of itself. Visually unique, this home would be perfect for any homeowner who wants to make a striking statement. The house has great open spaces as well as intimate rooms allowing the buyer with vision and an apprecation for sophistication to manipulate the interior space. The walls of this home are perfect for the art collector as evidenced by the current owners’ judicious use of outstanding artwork. The beamed ceilings in the family room transport you to another country. This home is full of drama and style and the gourmet kitchen which features commerical grade appliances has been updated to reflect just that. The oversized laundry room has room to roam and plenty of storage including a large work station. Privacy abounds with the water and garden views from the back of this home. For those who have been looking for a great home, at a great price… now is the time and this is the home!

For more information, please call Linda at 407-925-7721 or Taylor at 407-232-0688 or visit www.1623Barcelona.com.

Information on Orlando

The city of Orlando is the county seat of Orange County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 185,951 (metropolitan area 1,644,561). A 2005 U.S. Census Estimates population count gave the city population was 213,223 (metropolitan area 1,933,255), making it the sixth largest city in Florida. It is also at the head of the Orlando-Kissimmee, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Orlando-Kissimmee MSA is Florida’s third-largest metropolitan area, behind Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater. Additionally, Orlando is home to the second largest university in Florida, the University of Central Florida.

The city is best known for the many tourist attractions in the area, particularly the nearby Walt Disney World Resort, which is in the Reedy Creek Improvement District (outside Orlando city limits). Other area attractions include SeaWorld and Universal Orlando Resort. Despite being far from the main tourist attractions, 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. Orlando is also known for its wide array of golf courses, with numerous courses available for any level of golfer.

The city’s nickname is “The City Beautiful”, though plans are underway to change this title through a local contest . Its symbol is the fountain of Lake Eola. The current mayor is Buddy Dyer.

Orlando Metro Area Stats

Population – 1,066,394

Average Home Price – $240,000

Average Rental Price – $1,195

Average Cost of Living – +7%

Male / Female – 50%50%

Married / Single – 30%70%

Age Bands : 20-24 – 10%

Age Bands : 25-34 -21%

Age Bands : 35-49 – 32%

Age Bands : 50-64 – 24%

Age Bands : 65+ – 13%

Realtors® vote “YES” on Amendment 1

“Amendment 1 is the historic property tax amendment that doubles the homestead exemption and allows Floridians to take their Save Our Homes tax saving them when they purchase a new home.” Although Amendment 1 will not cure the problems of the current real estate market, it will certainly help many homeowners who might not otherwise be able to afford a step-up into a larger more expensive home.

“Amendment 1 will be on the presidential preference primary ballot (voting takes place on January 29); Realtor® organizations support the amendment and encourage both members and customers to vote “YES.” For more information on Amendment 1, visit www.yeson1florida.com.”

Stirling Sotheby’s News

LAKE MARY, Fla. — Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, which opened its new $4.5 million world marketing center, the Global Gallery in downtown Orlando earlier this year and operates Real Estate Galleries throughout central Florida, will host “This Week in Real Estate,” a weekly half-hour television program that will air at 11 a.m. Sundays on WRDQ-TV Channel 27 (Brighthouse Channel 10) beginning Jan. 20. Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said “This Week in Real Estate” has been booked for a 52 week run. Produced by Oregon-based Lush Productions and hosted by Megan Clifton, each weekly broadcast will feature four entertaining and informative segments that range from interior design to chefs preparing food in major restaurants in addition to luxury homes and communities in Central Florida and around the world, Soderstrom said. Select commercial opportunities will also be showcased. “Real estate and housing ranked as the number one business news story in 2007 and will likely rank as one of the most important news stories in 2008 as well,” said Soderstrom. “There is a substantial market for real estate news and information, especially the sort of information that helps buyers and sellers make the wisest decisions,” Soderstrom said. The weekly show will also be featured on Stirling Sotheby’s website and linked for distribution through the Internet.

Winter Park Community Events

The 49th Annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival will be held March, 14, 15 & 16 right down the street from the Stirling Sotheby’s Winter Park Gallery.

“The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is one of the nation’s most prestigious outdoor art festivals, consistently rated among the top shows by Sunshine Artist and American Style magazines. Each year more than 350,000 visitors enjoy the show. This year about 1,100 artists from around the world applied for entry and an independent panel of judges selected 225 national and international artists to attend the show. The National Endowment for the Arts, The White House, Congress and many others have lauded the Festival for promoting art and art education in Central Florida. An all volunteer board of directors runs the annual Festival, now celebrating its 48th year.

ART CATEGORIES: There is a wide variety of outstanding artwork. Categories include: Clay, Digital Art, Drawing and Graphics, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Leather, Metal, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Watercolor and Wood.

AWARDS: Artists compete for 62 awards totaling $67,500. Best of Show is $10,000. The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival Committee purchases the Best of Show art and donates it to the City of Winter Park. (All previous Best of Show winners are on permanent display at the Winter Park Public Library.) There are also 10 Awards of Excellence; each is $2,000. There are 20 Awards of Distinction; each is $1,000 and there are 30 Awards of Merit; each is $500. In addition, a $2,500 Award for a Distinguished Work of Art is presented through the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art.”

For more information, please visit the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival website.