Scholarship/Essay Contest for Florida High School Seniors -Sponsored by the Florida Assocation of REALTORS

In today’s New economy everyone is on a budget, especially students and their families who are considering higher education after high school.  The Florida Association of REALTORS has a wonderful scholarship opportunity for graduating seniors to write a 500-word essay based upon “How a REALTOR Professional Benefits the Community?”

This year each of the winners from the 13 Regional Districts will receive a $1,000 scholarship, the first-place district winners will compete for one of three state-level scholarship awards of $5,000.  The 2009 total scholarship funding from Florida Realtors will equal $28,000 of much needed support.

The essay contest application kits can be obtained from senior high school’s guidance offices or you can download a kit by visiting the Florida Association of REALTORS website.

I hope that we see a Lake Mary High School Senior as one of the winners!

Just a quick word from the Attorneys [The Rules]:  Florida Realtors’ statewide scholarship awards program is open only to high school seniors who reside in the state of Florida and plan on continuing their education at a college, university, technical school or other institution of higher learning. The college or institution of higher learning does not have to be located within the state of Florida. Children whose parents are licensed real estate practitioners are not eligible for contest entry; nor are children whose parents are employed by any local Realtor board/association or by the Florida Realtors.

The Facts about The St. Johns River Water Management District’s MANDATORY Lawn Watering Restrictions…

A “Hot Topic” in Central Florida is WATER!  From the dispute over Seminole County wanting to pull water from the river for the growing population to bottling companies pulling water from the aquifer to sell for a profit.  Water is a valuable resource, like it or not, we all have to conserve.

Changes Effective NOVEMBER 1, 2009

There are EXCEPTIONS TO THESE RULES and you can read them by clicking here.

For more information about the St. Johns River Water Management District click here.

For Tips on How To Save Water – Visit “Florida’s Water – It’s Worth Saving”

Free e-Updates from the City of Lake Mary, Florida

The City of Lake Mary is offering a FREE service to area residents to stay informed of local developments including:

• Missing Persons or Children Alerts
• Traffic Alerts
• Local Emergencies (Hurricane, Tornadoes, etc.)
• Boil Water Alerts
• Street Closures

This is a very valuable service from the City of Lake Mary, I’ve already signed up…  Now if I can only get them to start using Twitter my life would be complete!

The Lake Mary, FL Weekly Market Report

There were eight home sales in Lake Mary, Florida last week.  Fifty percent of the home sales last week were distressed properties.   This percentage is right in line with what we are seeing across Seminole County.

You can still see that many “traditional” home sellers continue to enter the market with their homes “overpriced”.  This only keeps the home on the market longer.

Lake Mary homeowners who are not in distress really do have to compete with the short sales and foreclosures when they sell their homes.  The majority of homes that are selling can’t be ignored.

Lake Mary Home Sales July 5, – July 11, 2009

Red = Foreclosure / Bank Owned Home

Orange  = Short Sale Home

Lake Mary, FL now has a Driver’s License & Tag Office…

Located at:

845 Primera Boulevard

Lake Mary, FL  32746

The new location offers these services:

• Renewal of Florida driver license or ID card.
• Transfer of an out-of state driver license to Florida.
• Transfer of an out of state CDL driver license to Florida.
• Driver license address change
• Lost/Stolen Florida Driver License or ID Card.
• Name Changes
• Vehicle Registration & Tag Renewal

If you need additional information about the services that are provided ast this location, please contact their office at (407) 665-1000.

I was very excited to hear that Lake Mary High School is going to finally be getting their swimming pool.  Even in the midst of budget cutbacks and statewide school funding woes, last night the Seminole County School board approved the long awaited Olympic size swimming pool for Lake Mary High School. 

The pool is to be used by Lake Mary High School’s swim team and the public.  The pool has been planned for years and was tabled by Superintendent Bill Vogel six months ago due to budget concerns and even though he recommended to shelve the project indefinitely last night the board agreed to move forward.

The site for the new pool is to be donated by the Seminole County commission along with $1.2 million in cash.  The City of Lake Mary is also participating with a contribution of $300,000.  The High School Booster club is contributing towards construction and annual maintenance.  Seminole County Schools will be providing funds for the construction fo the changing rooms and $50,000 a year towards the upkeep.

Lake Mary was recently voted the 4th best place to live in the U.S. and the#1 in the South by CNN/Money…  Community Development including the Events Center, Dog Park, Splash Park and swimming pool for the High School could just be what it takes to make it to #1.

It’s a very exciting time to live in Lake Mary, please subscribe in a reader to stay informed about what’s happening in the community.

Debbie Summers – Lake Mary REALTOR

Tails were wagging all across The City of Lake Mary last night as the City Commission voted unanimously to approve the off the leash dog park in Liberty Park.

Lake Mary is adding another feature to it’s already highly regarded Parks & Recreation Facilities.  Projects like the new Dog Park are just one of the reasons that Lake Mary was voted the #4 Place to Live in the Country by money magazine last year. 

The addition of the the dog park will enhance the lives of many Lake Mary residents and will continue to bolster the reasons that make Lake Mary the top choice for Seminole County home buyers.  If you have questions about Lake Mary or are interested in living in Seminole County, please contact me for more information.

Please click here for details about the Dog Park.

Lake Mary is the top choice for for many Seminole County home buyers and with the newly proposed Dog Park on the table at this week’s Lake Mary City Commissioner’s meeting tomorrow night, Lake Mary might also be the top place for Seminole County dog owners too.

Even though I’m not a dog owner right now, I’m supporting the proposed dog park for all of my K-9 friends in Lake Mary and Seminole County!  I think that it would be a real asset to our community.

Lake Mary, Florida “Off The Leash” Dog Park Information:

Liberty Park is located just North of Downtown Lake Mary on the shores of East Lake Crystal.  There is plenty of unused property within the park that would make a perfect playground for Lake Mary Pups. Read the rest of this entry

The New Hyatt Place Lake Mary is located in the “High Tech Corridor” along Interstate 4 in Seminole County. Hyatt Place Lake Mary is geared towards the High Tech Traveler and all of the gadgets and gizmos that go along with them.  This new “modern lifestyle”  hotel features the Hyatt Plug Panel that enables guests to connect their portable devices (laptops, MP3 players and DVD players) to the 42″ flat panel HD television that is in their room.  Each room is equiped with the Hyatt Grand Bed that ensures a good night sleep, a sleeper sofa, desk and ergonomic chair for those who can’t help but stay connected, if you think that its great… you’ll love the complimentary WiFi too.

The Hyatt Place Lake Mary is located just minutes from Interstate 4 and Lake Mary Boulevard.  The hotel is an ideal location for business meetings and events.  The 2,000 sq. ft. of function space can accommodate holiday gatherings or professional events.  There are two banquet/meeting rooms and an executive boardroom.  The highly trained Hyatt Place staff can plan your next event,  call the Hyatt Place Lake Mary today.

The Hyatt Place Lake Mary is offering a introductory special to guests who book between now and December 31, 2008.   Book two nights at the New Hyatt Place Lake Mary and receive the third night’s stay for FREE.