In Downtown Orlando, we began feeling the effects of the record-breaking 400-mile wide Hurricane Irma at 8:00pm on Sunday night. By this point the once Category 5 Hurricane had been downgraded to a Category 2 with sustained winds of 105 mph as it made its way to Ft. Myers. But 135 miles Northeast of the eye, Central Floridians were getting gusts of 76 mph. Read more
Best Downtown Orlando Condos for Families
Whether you’re a Downtown Orlando resident looking to start a family or a veteran parent interested in making the move to the city, Downtown Orlando has the ideal home for you. With over 22 condos and apartments in the immediate downtown area, it can be a bit overwhelming choosing the right one. Downtown Orlando offers something for just about everyone. We will focus our attention on the condominiums that are the best for families and children. Read more
Is Downtown Orlando Family-Friendly?
There’s a lot of debate as to the proper environment to raise children. The general consensus for years has been that the suburbs are ideal and downtown/city centers are not. But times are changing and younger parents are redefining what is socially acceptable.
First, let’s break down the criteria. The ideal environment to raise children has the following:
- A solid school system
- Safe community / Low crime
- Kid-friendly areas, like parks and pools
- Other children and families
Now we can take a look at how Downtown Orlando stacks up. Read more
Affordable Living in Downtown Orlando
If price is your biggest obstacle when it comes to finding a place to live in Downtown Orlando, there are two residences that deserve your attention – The Metropolitan at Lake Eola and The Grande Downtown. These condominiums have 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom units that are the best value in the immediate Downtown Orlando area. Both are located in the Central Business District, just a few blocks from everything Downtown. Read more
Downtown Living – Savings Worth Considering
As the popularity of living in Downtown Orlando has continued to grow, so too have the prices for buying and renting homes. The vast majority of residences right in the Downtown area are priced outside the affordability limits for the middle class. But before you give up on your dream of living within walking distance of your Downtown job, here are a few things to consider. Read more
Osceola Brownstones – Review
If you think your only option for living Downtown consists of high-rise towers with hundreds of units, rowdy neighbors, strict rules, treacherous parking garages, and outrageous fees, then rest assured… there is another option! The Osceola Brownstones consist of 26, 2-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom townhouses along Osceola Avenue between Jackson Street and South Street. This small community in the South Eola District is right across the street from Star Tower. Once you step through the front gate and into the beautifully landscaped courtyard, you’ll feel like you’re in a small-town suburb rather than right in the middle of Downtown Orlando. Read more
Star Tower – Review
If you’re familiar with Downtown Orlando, then you’re well-aware that the Star Tower Condominium is at the top of the list for high-class residences in the area. Developer, Steve Kodsi, took what he learned from his experience developing the neighboring condo, The Sanctuary, and applied it to the Star Tower. Both buildings feature luxury finishes, top-of-the-line appliances and spacious floor plans. But that’s where their similarities end.
Built in 2007, Star Tower is an 18-story luxury high-rise condominium in Downtown Orlando’s South Eola District. Star Tower’s 100 units consist primarily of 2-bedroom floor plans with a few one-bedroom units scattered throughout. Four penthouses make up the entirety of the 17th floor. Read more
Why Are HOA Fees So High?
Are you looking to buy a condo in the downtown area but can’t seem to justify forking over the equivalent of half your mortgage payment for Homeowner’s Association Fees? Homeowners living in single-family homes rarely pay more than $150/month. So why is it that living in a smaller 2 bedroom condo can cost you over $500/month in HOA Fees? Read more
Renting in Downtown Orlando
Whether you’ve decided to move to Downtown Orlando for convenience or pleasure, you’d better be prepared to pay a premium for housing. Rent prices in the City Beautiful are on the rise and will probably continue escalating until the supply of apartments catches up to the demand. Read more
How To Find Your Condo Docs – Alternate Method
- Go to your local property appraiser’s website. If you live in Downtown Orlando, here’s the link: http://www.ocpafl.org/
- Look for a link to the “Record Search” page, usually listed as a Quick Link or under the Property Searches Tab.
- Type in the Building Name in the “Subdivision/Condo/Timeshare Name” Search Field, or alternatively you can do a search based on the Building Address.
- Select any of the Records that show up in the Results for the Building you are interested in.
- You are now looking at the Property Record Card which contains information on School Zoning, Census Demographics, Utility Providers, Elected Officials, and Market Statistics.
- Now Click on the “View Plat” Link located on the Property Features Tab. This will redirect you to the Comptroller’s Document Search Results Page.
- From here you can either click on the links in the left-hand pane that say “Condo Related” OR Perform a new Document Search using either the Grantor or Grantee Name that was on the Plat Document Information Page.