This was one of our introductions to Celebration. We found this guy crawling along the sidewalk right outside our condo.

You know you live in Florida when…

The outdoor thermometer is showing 55 degrees outside which, in Exton, Pennsylvania (where we moved from) would be a balmy autumn evening, is definitely noteworthy for early to mid-November in Florida.

To those snowbirds who are just arriving, I bid you welcome. We tried to keep the place fairly clean and hurricane and oil-free for you. For those who have been here for the duration, congrats. We made it.

One a personal note, my wallet is also thankful cooler weather has arrived.

Another successful Celebration event with the Art Stroll. Celebration, just south and east of Walt Disney World, always does a terrific job with hosting outdoor events for residents and visitors. We had a great time. Thanks to all the vendors and the jazz band!

Article: New York Times: Retirement Haven Hunts Youthful Violators

An interesting article. The restricting of children in 55+ communities isn’t just for the peace and benefit of those who live there. It’s also the law. Failure to enforce a No Children policy now could threaten the ability for the community to restrict who live there later.

When considering a 55+ community, pay close attention to the covenants and conditions you’ll be asked to abide by.

Image courtesy alancleaver_2000

The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage dropped to 4.36% this week from 4.42% last week, mortgage finance giant Freddie Mac said yesterday. That’s the lowest since 1971, when the company began tracking rates.

It’s never been a better time to refinance or purchase a new home.

Not to repeat myself, but each quarter point reduction in your mortgage interest rate can mean thousands or even tens of thousands off your mortgage interest paid over the life of the loan. Couple that with the unparalleled real estate opportunities in Central Florida right now, and there are some great deals to be found.

We just received notification that the Del Webb Orlando e-brochure is now available. This is a fantastic way to learn more about the community in a rich-media format in the comfort of your own home.

To request the e-brochure, navigate over to our Del Webb Orlando page and fill out the form.

As you’re suffering through the sweltering summer heat (and eye-popping electric bills), remember this: for the last 30 years, the average March high temperature for Kissimmee was 79 degrees, with an average low of 55. For November, the average high was 79 with an average low of 57.

It gets better from here, I promise!

Courtesy flickr user rcbodden

Article: AP (via FloridaRealtors.org): Mortgage rates remain at lowest level in decades

From the article:

Government-sponsored mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday the average rate for 30-year fixed loans this week was 4.57 percent. That’s the same as a week earlier and the lowest since Freddie Mac began tracking rates in 1971.

Each quarter point reduction in your mortgage interest rate can mean thousands or even tens of thousands off your mortgage interest paid over the life of the loan. Now is a terrific time to lock in at record low levels!

Article: WSJ.com: A Walker’s Guide to Home Buying

For a few years in the early 2000′s, I lived in South Tampa and worked in central New Jersey (Somerset County). Monday mornings I woke up bright (well…) and early, hopped on a plane, and was to my cube in Raritan by lunchtime. On Fridays I’d head to Newark around lunchtime, catch the 2:50 to Tampa, and be back home in time for happy hour. Rinse, repeat. During the week I was staying in a rented room in Stewartsville, about 35 miles from work, which took anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour each way. Point is, there was a lot of time spent in cars and planes. Enough time to know that I didn’t want to do it any more.

When presented with the opportunity to move to either Tampa or Orlando, there wasn’t much debate. We chose Celebration. Within a 25 minute walk, or 10 minute bike ride, I can visit my choice of banks, grab a Starbucks coffee, drop the son off at the K-8 school, work on an MBA, drop off drycleaning, check my PO box, get a haircut, have pad thai or sushi, see a movie, or visit a friend at our hospital. And most Celebration residents live closer to the downtown than we do.

I’ve lived in Florida for 30+ years, cumulatively. This degree of walkability is not easy to come by. Yes, it’s factored into the real estate prices here in Celebration, but to some degree that investment has been recouped in the form of fewer fillups (and lower dependence on oil), lower auto insurance premiums, reduced chances of getting in an accident, and improved health through increased exercise.

And if it means I spend more time enjoying the outdoors with my family, then it’s priceless. Hopefully others will discover this, too.

Ridgewood Lakes is offering a special golf deal for tomorrow.

Come play Ridgewood Lakes Wednesday, June 30th

One day only!

Play for $18.00 + Tax per person
Please call the Golf Shop at 863-424-8688 to set up your tee time. It’s just a short drive from Celebration!

Ridgewood Lakes Golf & Country Club
200 Eagle Ridge Drive
Davenport, FL 33837
“Home of Golf for the Fun of it”

Ridgewood lakes is located approximately 2.5 miles south of I-4 on Highway 27 in Davenport. Mention that you saw it on FloridaOver55.com.