Florida Real Estate Blog

One of the oldest courses in Central Florida was the site of this competition. It has just been refurbished and looks great. Greens are outstanding and fast. So today should be a true test for our four competitors. Yet there is something amiss and its not just the cloudy skies as our boys tee it up at Dubsdred 7:37 Am. A lengthy presentation by the Starter should have been a warning that this was going to be a long day. Yet we did get to tee off shortly after 7:45.

From the Back tees the first hole has a tunnel view and it allowed our boys to blast their shots all over the fairway. Yet Greg managed bogie to take the early lead. Next hole saw him come back to the field and then again with an OB on 3 followed by two OB's on 4. Greg was longing for his bed with the hopes that this was just a bad dream. By the time we left 4 Lou was up by two on Chuck. Chucks par on 5 provide him with a lead by himself until he strolled to the 6th tee box as he was leaving 6 green all he could be heard saying was give me a Ten....

Ranger Dan kept an eye on our boys the entire day. Seems these folks down here like to keep their Nines in two hour segments. Clearly they have never participated in a pressure cooker like the CW Cup. JR and Greg where having some major battles with the demons in their bags or was it between their ears. While Lou consistently drove the ball to the center of the fairway (attack the white post is what the starter said) and it was providing him with a nifty lead. Until the eight, there Greg hit the green in regulation and two putted for par to close on Lou. The 9th saw JR's driver woes take a whole new meaning as he found water twice. Lou, Greg and Chuck where strong in the middle of the fairway and Chuck would record pars to close on Lou. At the turn we have Lou in the lead Greg one back Chuck 2 back of him and JR trailing Chuck by one.

The 10th is a short par 4 and Lou Greg and Chuck hit great Tee shots. There was some concern that CW's 1st was in the drink so he tee'd up another and hit it in the same area. Not to be concerned he was dry. But much conversation could be heard on the Driving Range as they wonder aloud what the heck is Chuck doing. He walks clear across the fairway and up and down the hazard looking at his balls. Then as if just waking up he realizes he needs a club to hit the shot and has to trudge all the way back down the fairway (at least 100 yards) to get a club and then back to his ball. If Ranger Dan had seen it surely we would have been delegated to only the practice facility in the future. Pars where had by both Greg and Chuck bogie for Lou and JR had a snowman. Over the next 3 holes Lou put on a show off the tee and chipping. He was one over on that stretch and one got a since the last blog was right "Lou is Due" a battle was brewing for 2nd and 3rd between CW and Greg as they see sawed back and forth neither could shake the other. You could see Lou start to tighten up as he saw the finish line only 3 holes away. Muscles tighten and the fluid swing goes into protect mode. OB and a few grounders showed up and where enough to disturb what was shaping up to be a great round. Meanwhile Greg and Chuck are tied on the 18th tee box. Will we have our first chip off??? Drives are hit 2nd shots produce no one in a dominating position so CW pulls out his favorite 3 metal. Greg feels relief as CW nails one across the street OB and so it would end. Lou with a 98 Greg in 2nd CW 3rd and JR hosting Lou's first win Lunch. Congrats where shared by all.

Next week will be an off week as Our Champion will be traveling to the Island (me thinks for autograph signing) you know some people think he is Asian. The rest of the boys will be playing a skins game at some course near by. Enjoy your day.

It is amazing in a time of Banking melt down and Foreclosure blues a star that has been out there since 1999 is providing our Sellers with a way to separate their home from that of so many others with the same attributes.

The program is AmeriDream Down Payment Assistance and it has a Payment Protection Program that comes with it. 

The program provides 3% towards a buyers downpayment for an FHA loan and another 3% to help with the buyers closing costs.  If the closing cost are more than that I suggest finding another lender something is wrong.

The buyer can come it with just the fee to participate in the program. Usually no more than $750 and get all their other fees paid by the program.  This is not a loan, it is a gift.  So you asking your self where was this three years ago when I bought my home, right?  Well it was here but the sellers where not interested in participating.  See they have to pony up at the time of closing 6% to go to Ameridream.  That is to fund future gifts to other buyers.

So in a hot market Sellers do not support this.  That is why we keep saying now is the time to buy.  Its not just great prices.  It is great loan support and you will soon lose the other great thing. That is low interest rates.  Yep Maggie and I had a Mortgage back in 1981 that had an interest rate of 17.5%. Don't laugh it can happen again.  Anyway back to this program. 

What I love about it is something my seller mentioned to me tonight.  He was concerned about closing on his new home and then losing his job.  It is something we all have had to deal with.  We trust that we will stay employed. This program has a DreamKeeper Protection Program that will pay your entire Mortgage Payment for 4 months if you lose your job or become disabled. It even allows for that to occur more than once.  I have been preaching to my children that you need to have 4 months of expense saved in case of hard times and here this program comes along and provides this for their buyers.  I think it is great.   Please do not take my word on this.

Go to:  http://www.ameridream.org/Programs/DPA/Sellers/HowItWorks

Call or email us today and we will provide you with the limited homes that are participating in this great program.

Errol Estates Country Club - Highland and Grove both from the whites @ 7:55Am

Tardy by 7 minutes our gang tee it up on a new course (the Highland) and the track seems to work well with all of our games today as all contestants broke 50. Two holes saw all four of our competitors score par so let us acknowledge the fact that these boys are getting better.

The play was tight thru the fist 5 holes until Lou had to endure an ant bite that caused swelling in his ankle much has been made of JR’s free drop from an ant hill back in match 13 but that is why the USGA made the rule to protect the athlete but it does require the ball striker to ask for relief. Its almost like riding your Hog with out a Helmet. Well that explains that.

So on with the match as JR stepped out to a two stroke lead Greg attempted to real him in on the next but JR expanded the lead at the turn to 4 strokes. On to a more familiar venue The Grove where

Lou and JR pared the first hole, pars where had by Lou and Greg on the third and a battle was beginning. On we went as Lou was playing a strong back nine in hopes of his first win if he could just overtake JR. CW started the back off with some big numbers but then settled in playing bogie golf and found him self just one behind Greg after 7. JR 4 putted that green to provide Lou with a light at the end of the tunnel (yeh yeh I use this analogy to often but it is so appropriate when describing a Train Wreck) yet the next hole would find Lou attempting a downhill 3 metal across the hazard, a shot that no one should attempt. So in the drink he goes and ends up with a Snow Man (8 strokes for you non golfers) to JR's 5. So with one hole to play JR leads by 6 but what is interesting is Lou now finds himself tied with Greg for second and CW is only 2 back. Anything can happen on the 18th at Errol, just ask Chuck. All 4 competitors hit safe drives but CW is long and straight down the middle it seems that he may make up the 2 stokes. Greg and Lou leave 2nd shots short of the green while CW pulls one left into a green side bunker. Bunkers are not his friend but he does execute a decent shot and has a putt to tie Greg as Lou had two putted to secure 2nd. Have we told you about CW's dreaded putter? Well its back, coming in on the last two holes he leaves each putt short. He could have taken 3rd place but instead he treated JR to a wonderful lunch.

So, you may sit your children down this evening before bed and share with them that all is not lost in this world. Oil may be up the war may drag on but at least JR has beat the Mann and it is clear that Lou is DUE. CW on the other hand may reload the field next Year.

Rumor has it he is checking out the Kids camp at both Rolling Hills and Sweetwater for potential competitors. See you all at the new and improved Dubsdred this Thursday.

Great article in the July Florida Realtor magazine addressing how this all works and why folks should get off the fence and make the move to their new home.  Key to remember is to apply using Form DR-501T Transfer of Homestead Assessment Difference. It will not happen automatically.

Seminole county has all the information on the top right hand side of their home page Try the link below.

http://www.scpafl.org/

If you have moved from another county they explain what you must do.

Give us a call we would love to work with you on your dream home.

Rolling Hills Golf Club 6/26/08 7:24 AM

Our gang had secured the 1st Tee time and jumped off to a fine start with Chuck leading the way with a par all others had bogie. Off to the 2nd where 3 bogies recorded and one triple for the Mann. Third found Chuck long and down the middle followed by another nice approach shot and Chuck had 2 pars in 3 holes. There is a momentary time out on the 4th tee box as all contestants want to check his ID to assure Judi sent the correct competitor to the course this morning.

The 4th found Chuck another par and after 5 he is only 1 over par a feat that has never occurred before. The boys are now very concerned as Lou and JR are playing well but find themselves 3 strokes back. What do we need to do to clip this guys wings is the question of the hour. Well the golf gods provide the answer as a big 12 was recorded to send the name sake back into 3rd position. Greg is questioning why he came out today as he follows all others and is trying to get something going. Lou comes off 6 and makes par on the 7th. There are a few train wrecks on number 8 and Greg gets a birdie on the 9th so as we make the turn Lou Greg and Chuck are all square with JR in the lead by 6.

One would think that was a good thing but just when you think you are in a good position the wheels come off (remember Chucks 6th) well JR has a 9 on 10 and Lou feels it is his moving day as he comes within 2 of JR. They tie on 11 while Greg makes par. Then there was the 12th a hole that has cost many a competitor the match in years past. Today would be no different. As we said Lou was two back and feeling like it was his day. What hole did I say we where on? Yes 12th. That number became the score Lou would register (his version of Tin Cup) to fall way back as Greg birdied the hole to come to within 2 of JR. at 13 Greg would tie JR and move into a 5 stroke lead over Chuck and JR after 16. He continued the strong play through 17 and 18 to shoot a fine 92 and win by 9 over JR. Chuck was 1 back and Lou 3 back of Chuck. Greg's Lunch was provided by Lou. JR treated Chuck after his penalty in the hazard at 17. A note to the world, always know where the hazards are in the course of life.. Nuff said.

In honor of Lou and Gary's hog ride George and Tennessee the remaining competitors decide to tee it up at RHGC for a skins match. Much chatter was heard about the thrashing someone (named Chuck) would apply once we moved form the white tees to the MANLY blue tees so the game was joined at 7:30 Am on a lovely Florida morning.

Oh lest I forget a late day new flash has it that CW driver has been returned to him with a new Head placed on the ample shaft.  Seems it was not a stress fracture but a fractured head. Hmmm thumping on ground or hard concrete could generate this result.  So needless to say CW has to return the wonderful driver he has used for the past two weeks.  Or maybe not seems we have had a significant redistribution of wealth this past week as all the gammers have been purchasing improved ball striking equipment.  I mention this here so Lou will have an opportunity to prepare himself prior to the next event scheduled for June 26th at 8Am RHGC. To further prepare Lou, Mr. Mann has retooled all his Irons. Mr. Williams has a new bag and what he though was a new Driver is repaired.  Mr. Ruddy has new balls. The author is hoping they are BIG. Now back to the match.

The 1st tee at RHGC comes with a mulligan ( non golfers that is a do-over) and once the boys move back to the Blue tee the lake is a more intimidating factor so Mr Mulligan may become an important play.  Mulligan sounds great but it does come with some consideration.  Say you hit a ball that is low and to the left or right. Yes you can call for your mulligan but once it is hit it becomes your ball in play. Yep that means if it is in the water you go back to the tee and hit again.  Your first ball that was short and on the left has no meaning.   Today it was not an issue as our lads drove well across the lake.

Mr. Mann won the first hole ( stroke play is a hole by hole event, if any ties it is known as a carrie over).  JR won the 2nd. The next 2 holes where tied and carried over to the par 3 5th. Greg hit a great chip shot to within 10" of the hole and JR's put missed to give greg a 3 hole win. On it went with JR winning 6 and Greg the 7th. JR won 8 and 9th. 

At this time in this read you should hear Chuck yelling in the background WHAT ABOUT ME!  Because we all know in this small part of the universe we live in. It is always about Chuck. Sorry CW you have to perform to make the copy floor.  

So as competitors in the CW we never lose track of the score at the end of 9 it is JR in the scoring lead followed by 1 by Greg and CW is 12 back.  Yet Greg is leading in skins 5/4 over JR CW is looking for one.

On to the 10th. Who'd thunk.  Greg is in the water. Not to worry he pulls out a 7 and CW registers his first hole. Holes 11 and 12 have some great golf shots but in this game it does not matter they are tied so we press on. Number 13 had another group of great shots but it comes down to drive for show put for Doe, Greg did it and won 3 more holes. 14 has a large lake in front of the tee and it was a good day for it to be dry.  JR wins the hole and we are on to 15. CW hits a great drive followed by a short 2nd into the bunker, hits a great bunker shot followed by a great put to win his 2nd hole.

On to the 16th where CW is feeling his oats and attempts to fly the trees. Not so. Greg goes on to win the hole.  JR takes 17 and the 18th is won by Mr Mann. This group never gives up on the overall score as we have been taught by the CW. The Skins game was a win for Greg with a total of 10 JR had 6 and Chuck had 2. Yet as our players are always looking at score it was JR by 2 over Greg followed by 11 for CW. Drive on...

June 12th 8:15 Rock Springs Ridge

Our boys find themselves at the last course to be added to the rotation of the CW Cup. It has been many months since any of our competitors have tee'd it up out here so we are looking forward to a very good day. It begins on the West course with pars by Chuck JR and Greg at the first hole. Greg accomplishes the same feat at the par 3 number 2 to take a 2 stroke lead on Chuck. He continues to match low score on the next 3 holes and stands on the tee box at number 6 with a 4 stoke advantage over the next player. Then the wheels separate as he pushes a ball right and then attempts his Houdini escape but not this time as he records a six and JR roars back with a birdie to cut the lead to 1 and Chuck and Lou closed on the leader also. It also should be noted that Lou hit a towering 2nd shot on the previous hole to tie Greg with par on that hole. Bogies and Doubles where equally shared by the boys going home and we made the turn Greg up by 2 on JR with Chuck 6 back and Lou 7 back.

The North course would be the field of competition for the back nine today and it surrendered a par to long driver Chuck while the leader was having some issues on each of the next 3 holes and that placed JR as the new leader when we walk off the 12th. He adds to the lead on 13 as we have a battle in the 3rd and 4th position between Lou and Chuck it stays tight until there is a 4 stroke swing on 14. A long 5par that all of us struggled to double bogie except for Chuck.....Lou's ball did a disappearing act on 15 where JR recorded a snow man from off the green in 3. So Greg is the Mann again in the lead.

Then we step up to the 16th tee box and this is where all the discussion earlier today about what tee's our boys should play from hits the fan.

Here you have a 200 yard carry that just works on your eye. If we are playing the PROPER Tee's the intimidation is only if you have a tendency to push the ball left (none of the CW gang have that issue). For those of you, and you know who you are. That believe longer is better please reference About.com:Golf Q. Which Set of Tees on the Tee Box Should I Use. In the interest of all other players on the golf course you have a responsibility to play from the tee's that reflect you ability. The CW Participants can only be classed as High-handicappers and according to that article should be playing within a yardage of 5,600 to 6,100 yards. To the participants/dreamers who think we are mid-handicappers then we must score below 95 on a regular basis. Please reference Greg's timely spreadsheet that has tracked each round from the beginning. I rest my case. If we are going to get scores down we must be reaching par 4's in two as the article says. That is not a shot executed successfully from 180 yards out. Get my drit...

Ok, I am now stepping down off my soap box. Now where was I? Ok that's right 200 yard carry. Well JR and Greg are in the gulley as we love to call it, but it must be said with a British twang, that is if Brits have twang. JR out in one while Greg is plugged and must battle the elements and a host of flies that Lou brought down upon him. It was a heck of a hole and Lou was the only one to record a bogie. JR and Greg tied and headed to the 17th and Lou looks strong against Chuck for the third position. Remember Lunch for the Winner rule, there is no rest anywhere in this Cup race as he who is in 2nd must always watch for movement from the party in the third position. While Third must always stay above Chuck else we may have to break the time honored ceremony of Chucks lunch.

17th was played well by the Mann and he heads to the 18th tee box 1 up. Drivers where well hit by Chuck (long all day) Lou (booming ball flight) Greg (solid through the ball).... Lets get back to that discussion about Tee Box selection. No, No, I will proceed. JR is short off the tee and then short again into hazard. Hydration was definitely an issue as the humidity and temperature sapped the strength of all. The boys continue down the 18th with there standard play as no one could manage a bogie. So Greg does it again

He bests JR by 2 Lou by 6 and Chuck by 9. He leads the cup race by 5 over JR. A good lunch and fellowship after did re establish a since of world harmony.

Next week Lou is going on his Bike Tour de Georgia/Tennessee so the other competitors will be looking for a venue and a game to test their capabilities. I sense we have a win for the Founder/CEO/President/Grand PoBa/Offical Reflector/Rules maker/Tie Breaker decider/ (but not the "what tee's do we play from" guy). See ya out there...

Talked this morning with a group of individuals responsible for this massive construction project. They provided me with some info so I decide to share it in this blog. The 434 widening will be handled by 4 different companies working for Seminole county. So if you have a complaint go to Laurie Singleton at the county and she should be able to direct you depending on what section of 434 you are interested in.

I-4 contacts are Derek Hudson 407-571-6766 very helpful

Teshar Patel 386-943-5161

Jim Clark DOT acquisition 386-943-5099 james.clark@dot.state.fl.us

Brett great contact at the county 407-571-6766

The 434 part has reached a point that they are now going out and acquiring the land. They

Have updated the maps and they are now available from Brett at Seminole County.