Orlando (4)

Here is another question I get asked a lot, is it hard to purchase a short sale home. Well my answer to that is what do you consider hard? In Orlando Florida the vast majority of homes on the market now are short sales. Here are a few tips I give potential home-buyers before they decided to purchase a short sale not necessarily in this order.•1. A home may not really be a short sale ( lender approval is needed)•2. Just because they are advertising a certain price, it may not sell for that price.•3. Be aware of homes priced to low, remember if it seems to good to be true it is•4. Be prepared to submit an offer higher than the lowball short sale offer; I educate my customer to submit an offer that is close to the market value.•5. An educated Realtor, there are multiple things that need to be done (check and see if their are multiple liens, how much is actually owed on the house, make sure the listing agent has everything need so it does not delay the closing. etc).•6. Be PATIENT, most (not all) short sales take 4 to 6 months to close, just because you submit an offer, you should be aware you could be outbid.Buying a short sale in Orlando, Florida can be a bit overwhelming, it will require a lot of patience, but in the end you could own a piece of the American dream at a reduced price!If you are interested in purchasing real estate in the Greater Orlando, Florida area contact me .Yvonne Long, RealtorCell# 321-217-4321Innovative Realty Solutions Group, IncYvonnel.long@gmail.com
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LETS PLAY THE NAME GAME

How in the world do people come up with clever and catchy business names? For months now I have been trying to come up with a name for my new business. Next to doing my business plan (which I am still working on) this has got to be one of the most frustrating things to do. Well for me anyway. I thought this would be the easiest part of it all. But who was I kidding.I have tried different variations of things. I tried using my name (which just may be my best option) but it is not original enough, nor is it that catchy. I tried to think of some sort of catchy name that has to do with events and entertainment but everything that I can think of, is already being used. ; Anything that is worth using, anyway. And if it is not already being used, it has too many words and syllables in it. No one wants to say a mouthful just to say a business’s name. I tried to get some advice from friends and family members but they don’t take my business seriously enough to give me a name worth a second thought. What is a girl to do?I really can’t make any steps forward with out finalizing my name first. I cannot get incorporated. I can’t do a logo or a slogan. I can’t make flyers or build a website. I can’t build advertising banners or anything that needs to be done to make my business successful. I will not even be able to do something as simple as get business cards.Now I started using the name Black Dress Entertainment. The first time I said the name, immediately I thought of a funeral engagement. Other than that initial thought, I really do like the name. It has a classy feel to it but I am not sure if it is what I really want. When I Google the name I get a million responses. It’s only when I put quotation marks around it like “black dress entertainment” I get about 30 responses back. Which is good, right? Honestly this is the name that I am leaning towards but I want to be sure. I need to make sure of it before I have all my business cards and logo designed and decide not to use it again. That would be killer.I also looked at calling the company Word of Mouth Events, but that name or saying is in everyone’s mouth and they wouldn’t only be talking about my company. They would be talking about any and everything worth talking about. And that Google search brings up even more responses. HOLY COW! I want my name to stand out and only get about maybe 150 responses (still a lot but a whole lot better than a million).I just don’t know what to do. I want a name that when you hear it, you know exactly what we are about. But I also don’t want it to be to long or complicated where people get frustrated just saying it or try to make up their own acronyms for it. I want something that is happy and brings thoughts of joy and excitement to every ones minds. Not something that is dark and gloomy and may have you thinking about anything else but happy times. I look at all the businesses on my favorite sites, BBWO (black business women online) and SUN (start up nation), and just about everyone has a catchy business name that suites their company. The only ones that don’t are the ones named after the business owners.Everyone keeps saying just relax and let the name come to you. It has been months now and it hasn’t come to me yet. How long am I to wait for a name to come to me? Seven months, 12 months, 2 years, who knows? And what if it comes to me in a dream? Being that I am not the kind of person who remembers any of my dreams, that wouldn’t help me at all either.I am being patient though and considering all my options so that I can have the best possible name. Hopefully it will not be before long that I would have a company name…HOPEFULLY. Keep your fingers crossed!!!!Any suggestions?
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The Beginning

For years now I have wanted to start my own business. I started out as wanting to open my very own upscale night club. What was I thinking? After looking into what it all entailed, I was like, HELZ NO. Then I wanted to start a home for girls, but it didn’t seem very feasible. After going thru idea after idea, I finally settled on exactly what I would LOVE to do…..Who would have thought.My name is Roberta and I live in sunny Orlando Florida. Everyone outside of Orlando thinks that there is so much to do in the land of Disney. But for those of us who live here 365 days a year we know better. There is only so many times that you can go to Disney, Sea World, Universal Studios, Island of Adventures and so on without getting tired of it all. And if you have lived here over 10 years, like I have, you don’t even want to think about those places, unless you have kids. Other than the theme parks and an occasional concert every five months, there is nothing to do in the “Land of Dreams”. For those of us around my age, 26, your only options for a night out on the town with your significant other or just friends are the dreaded NIGHT CLUBS, Bars/ Lounges, and of course the Movies. Now if I lived in New York City, Los Angeles, or even Miami, I would always have something to do. Some musician or socialite would be throwing a party somewhere in the city. There would be fashion shows, comedy shows; album release parties so on and so forth. But not here in Orlando.One night after I had my second daughter I really wanted to go out. I got all dolled up, put on my best new outfit and my pretty face. My girlfriends and I spent almost 3 hours shopping and planning for a great girl’s night out. I was all ready to go. After consider all our limited choices, we realized that we were all dressed up with nothing to do and nowhere to go. I was sooooo disappointed. Keep in mind this was after the birth of my second daughter and my first, I had had only a year before. So in reality, it was going to be my first night on the town after being pregnant for two long years. Boy was I devastated. That’s when the light bulbs started going off in my head.What if I could put together a number of events each month catering to people around my age? What if I could provide live music and entertainment, food, and great opportunity to socialize with new people? Then I started to think, I could definitely do this. It is done all the time in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Its only here in Orlando that we are behind the times.That’s when I had my aah haa moment that Donny (from the Big Idea) always talked about. I AM GOING TO START AN EVENT PLANNING / CONCERT PROMOTIONS COMPANY. I would cater to your adults who are interested in a night out with more to do than to just go to the club or the movies. People who would love to surround them selves with energetic people but not have to worry about someone stepping on their feet. So I started on my journey to make it happen.I ran the idea by a couple of my friends and colleagues and they were like no way, that will never work, but I asked to myself WHY NOT. Why must my only choices of entertainment here in Orlando be the same choices that I had when I was just turning 18 and 21? I am looking for something new. I know if I feel this way, there has got to be many people out there that feel the same way I do.Now I have done my research and the need is there it’s just up to me to fulfill the wants of my people. Here is where you come in! Please tell me what you want and what you like. Who would you like to see perform (keep in mind this would be a small intimate performance for at most 1500 people) what kid of food would you like to be served? How much would you pay to be entertained? Please take the time to fill out my short survey so that I can give you exactly what you are looking for. If I were filling out this survey, it would go something like this. I would love to see Carrin Bailey, Ayo, Tori Amos, John Legend, Eric Bennet, Heather Headley, Avante, Athony Hamilton, Leona Lewis, Mary J. Blidge, Syleena Johnson, Keke Wyatt, One Republic, Lyfe Jennings, and so much more. Just to name a few. I would be willing to spend any where up to $65 per person for such an event. Now being that I am a lover of food, anything would be to my satisfaction, as long as you are not giving me something to extravagant and I cant pronounce, I will eat just about anything. I just love food. So you know what I want, now tell me what you want. Help me to bring better entertainment to our sunny city of Orlando. Help me to help you have something to do when you have a little extra cash or a babysitter for the night. Help me to help you have an opportunity to meet new people and create new fabulous memories.
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Where is everyone traveling in USA in "2008"?

Hello Everyone. Wanted to share with you the TOP destinations where folks are traveling in the United States in "2008". Out of this list of destinations, Walt Disney World is the feature for this BLOG.Walt Disney World

Disney WorldDisney World is a huge resort complexWalt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is not just a theme park, but a huge resort complex covering 47 square miles. The resort contains four separate theme parks, three water parks and 99 holes of golf on several different courses. Miles of outdoor recreation are available including hiking, biking, boating and swimming. It has three separate areas containing shopping, dining and entertainment facilities as well as a fourth area with nightclubs. A fairly new addition to the resort is the state of the art sports complex where Disney hosts a wide variety of sporting events. Finally, there are about 18 Disney owned and operated hotels and several non-Disney hotels in the resort. All this combined with many other attractions in the Orlando and central Florida area can be quite overwhelming.Cinderella's CastleNo other Disney Park equals Disney World in FloridaNo other Disney resort comes close to the size and diversity of Disney World Florida. If you have previously visited one of the other Disney resorts such as Disneyland California, Disneyland Paris or the new Disneyland Tokyo, you should still visit Disney World in Orlando, Florida. All other Disney resorts consist of a single theme park and are quite small compared to the massive resort complex in Florida. Each of the other parks are no larger than the Magic Kingdom theme park in Disney World, which is only one small part of the complex. Remember, that only the resort in Orlando, Florida is referred to as Disney World or Walt Disney World. The other parks are usually called Disneyland. The size and diversity of the Disney World resort ensures that it will probably remain the number one vacation destination in the world for years to come.DWTickets is your discount source for all central Florida attractions, including Disney World Tickets, Sea World tickets, Orlando Dinner Shows, Pirates Adventure, Arabian Nights, and Park Hopper Tickets. Buy your Disney Tickets today at DWTickets.com.The main attractions at the resort are divided into four theme-parksMagic Kingdom, the first theme park built at the resort, has rides, shows and attractions divided among seven fantasy areas. This is the place to find all your favorite Disney characters and attractions.Epcot, the second theme park built at the resort, is divided into two areas: Future World and World Showcase. The attractions in Future World are based on modern and futuristic advances in communication, transportation, energy, agriculture and much more. World Showcase allows you to explore culture, cuisine, shopping and entertainment from many countries including Canada, UK, France, Japan, Morocco, US, Italy, Germany, China, Norway and Mexico.Light ParadeThe Disney-MGM Studios offers behind-the-scenes looks at the making of movies and popular TV shows and provides live original shows. There are also a number of thrilling rides or attractions based on blockbuster movies, which provide exciting stunts and amazing special effects.Animal Kingdom is the newest and largest theme park to open in the Disney World resort. This 500-acre park is divided into three areas: The Real, The Mythical and The Extinct. The Real area features live animals in exotic landscapes and provides a safari-like experience. In The Mythical area, guests come face-to-face with magical and make believe creatures. In the Extinct Area, dinosaurs come to life.Disney TransportationThe Water Parks are a great way to cool offThe four theme parks are the heart of Disney World, but there are many other attractions including three full-sized water parks. Typhoon Lagoon is a tropically landscaped 56-acre water park based around a huge wave pool that covers 2.5 acres and holds 2.75 million gallons of water. At certain times the pool is even used for surfing. Blizzard Beach is Disney's newest and largest water park and the most interesting. It is made to look like a snow-covered ski-resort and offers the most slides and the most thrilling attractions. River Country, the first water park built at Disney World, is actually a roped-off section of Bay Lake and is designed to give the feeling of "an old swimming hole." It is the most tame and relaxing. Spending a day at one of the Disney World water parks can be a pleasant break from the theme parks as well as a great way to cool off from the hot Florida sun.There are many recreational activitiesDisney World offers lots of outdoor recreation. It has five challenging 18-hole golf courses as well as a 9-hole beginner's course and a 36-hole miniature golf course for family fun. If you prefer tennis there are many courts throughout the resort including Disney's Contemporary Resort Racquet Club. Water sports are plentiful including water-skiing, parasailing, fishing and many types of boat rental. For the extremely adventurous, there is the Richard Petty driving experience where you can drive an actual Nascar racing car. The car has about 600 hp and can attain speeds of up to 160 mph.Disney World even offers cruises and educationDisney World has still more vacation options such as the Disney Institute and the new Disney Cruise Line. The Disney Institute offers many great hands-on classes designed for fun and education. It is located in the Disney World resort so you are still close to all the other attractions as well. The Disney cruise line combines a Disney World resort vacation with a Caribbean cruise. You stay at the resort in Florida for several days, then board a Disney cruise ship and sail to Disney's own private-island resort in the Bahamas.The Official Ticket Center is Orlando's #1 discount attraction ticket broker agency, serving millions around the world. All prices are TAX INCLUDED with no hidden fees for Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, Sea World Orlando, and other World Famous Attraction Theme Parks. Discounted Dinner Show tickets also available for Arabian Nights, Sea World's Makahiki Luau, Sleuth's Mystery Dinner Show, Pirates Dinner Show Adventure and Medieval Times Save time and money without standing in line at the theme park ticket windows.Work at Disney and earn college creditsDisney World has a special college program for young adults. Students can earn college credits while working and living in the Disney World resort. This program is extremely popular with young adults from around the world. Several links are included for anyone wanting more information.As you can see, there is plenty to do at Walt Disney World, and there are many other attractions in the Orlando area and the rest of Florida. Some planning is required to get the most out of your Disney vacation but don't worry, the planning can be half the fun.Written by: Gerry LecoLas Vegas


On any given evening in Las Vegas, you will find hundreds of entertainment events such as the renown Las Vegas stage shows, world class sporting events, performances by world famous entertainers plus music, dance and comedy at large and small venues throughout the city. This city never seems to sleep. The frivolity continues long into the night and the serious gamblers continue their pursuit of riches until well after the morning sun has risen on a new day.Written by: Mike LecoLos Angeles


Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the second largest city in the United States of America. It is located on the southern coast of California about 75 miles (120km) north of the Mexican border and 400 miles (600km) south of San Francisco. The original name of the city was "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles" or "The Village of Our Lady the Queen of Angels", but the name was shortened for obvious reasons.Written by: Mike LecoTop Photo Credit: Mike Leco © USATourist.comPhoto Description: Downtown Los Angeles- San Francisco


San Francisco is on the coast of California about 400 miles north of Los Angeles. It is situated along the shore of a large bay sheltered behind the California Coastal Mountains. The city is renown for its steep streets with panoramic views of beautiful San Francisco Bay and the surrounding mountains. It has a very moderate climate with warm summers and chilly winters but without extremes. Constant breezes off of the Pacific Ocean keep the summers from becoming too hot and also prevent freezing winter weather. Take a sweater, as the evening breezes can be quite brisk all year round!Written by: Mike LecoTop Photo Credit: © J. Paul MeurantPhoto Description: Golden Gate BridgeOrlando


Orlando is located in central Florida 75 miles northeast of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beach. It is 50 miles due west of Cape Canaveral, the Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach. Best known as the home of Disney World, this city is also the center of the largest concentration of family entertainment attractions in the world.Written by: Mike LecoMiami


Miami is located on the Atlantic coast of Florida at the southern tip. It is warm year around and usually very hot and humid during the summer months. Most tourists prefer to visit during October through April. Outdoor sports and swimming are open all seasons, so be sure to take your swimming suit and plenty of cool clothing. A sun hat and a good sunscreen are essential even in the winter months. In Miami, dress is always casual, with sundresses, jeans or walking shorts appropriate during the day. A few higher-class restaurants require jackets and ties, but most do not.Hundreds of thousands of Hispanic immigrants from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Central America and South America have settled in Miami. Spanish is spoken almost everywhere in the city. Many signs are in both English and Spanish especially those near the Latin district known locally as "Little Havana". Cubans originally settled in the area around Calle Ocho Street (Southwest Eighth Street) more than 20 years ago. Today, this colorful area embraces immigrants from all over Latin America.Written by: JoaneNew York City


New York City is located on the eastern coast of the United States about 1000 miles north of Florida and 200 miles South of Boston. It is situated at the mouth of the Hudson River, and is divided into five districts called boroughs. Long Island stretches almost 100 miles to the east of New York City and the state of New Jersey lies just across the Hudson River to the west. The "Big Apple", as the city is often called, is the largest city in the US with over 7 million residents. It is filled with a diverse mixture of inhabitants including immigrants from many countries. Some of its many neighborhoods, such as Chinatown, Little Italy, and Spanish Harlem reflect the rich ethnic heritages of the resident's original homelands.Manhattan and Central ParkWritten by: Mike Leco
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