Daytona Beach Real Estate Blog: December 2008

Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath house for sale in Country Club community with security guards, golf courses, clubhouse, restaurant and more. Home is located on corner lot and canal, immaculate, with many fantastic features. You must see this great place to call home!

Priced reduced to $219,900.

From Lisa Hill, your Daytona Beach area REALTOR®; some real estate stories to entertain you. And a few other various real estate blogs. Why? So you can get to know more about Lisa =)

If you live in Daytona Beach, Port Orange, Ponce Inlet, Ormond Beach, New Smyrna Beach, any of the cities in between... or even a couple around the edges, Lisa Hill with Adams Cameron & Co. REALTORS® is the Smart Choice for all your real estate needs.

OK. So that intro sounds kind of boring. But if you click on the links below, you'll be a lot less bored. As a matter of fact, I think you'll be very interested... and sometimes entertained!  The truth is, as I was planning one blog, with the intention of inserting a few links, I ended up with so many links, I decided that they alone were way more than enough for a blog post! So click any of the links below to learn all about real estate in the cities I mentioned, the others nearby, and the ones you'll find in the links below. I hope you enjoy what you read! You'll certainly learn how Lisa Hill will work for you in any of your real estate transactions; and you'll be impressed with Lisa's real estate business practices... so much so that you'll never again want to do business with any REALTOR® but Lisa =)

Daytona Beach and Volusia County, Commercial Real Estate Changes

REALTORS® selling For Sale By Owner (FSBO) listings, and the Daytona Beach Real Estate Market

The Long and Winding Road to A Real Estate Closing

Smell This

Real Estate: Buying, Selling, Pre-Qualifying and Communicating

How Do You Get Your House or Condo To Sell Faster?

Strange REALTOR® Experiences

The Relationship Between REALTORS® and their Clients

ALL REALTORS® ARE NOT CREATED EQUALLY!

The Impact of Real Estate Photos/Listing Real Estate to Sell!

Buy or Sell Real Estate with Lisa Hill, A Daytona Beach Native

My Real Estate Buyer Presentation

Being Sensitive To Your Clients Needs: A REALTORS® Perspective

Choose Wisely When Selecting Your REALTOR®

Choosing a Good Listing Agent when selling real estate

The Greatest Real Estate Seller I've Ever Met

The Glamorous Real Estate Life!

Connecting Real Estate Sellers with Marketing Technology

And that brings us to the end of my simple little post. I know it would be incredibly difficult to read through all these posts in one sitting, so I recommend you bookmark (favorite) this page so you can read at your leisure, and/or refer back to the information you need, when you have any applicable questions. But the best way to get just the right answer to your real estate questions is to contact Lisa Hill for all your real estate needs.

Visit my web site at www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateSales.com

View real estate MLS listing videos at www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateVideos.com

I'm going to step on some toes with this one, but when I read a recent bit of advice by Jeffrey Gitomer, I was in such complete agreement, I knew I had to blog it! If you're not familiar with Jeffrey Gitomer and you're in any type of sales, you need to get familiar with Mr. Gitomer. His no-nonsense approach to sales training and advice is always on target. But sometimes when the arrow hits that target, it can make you want to strangle him, while at other times, it can make you want to grab the nearest phone so you can call him and say "thank you, thank you, thank you"!

Here in Port Orange (and the entire Daytona Beach area, all the way to Flagler), we get a small periodical that is amazingly chock-full of useful information. It's called the Volusia/Flagler Business Report. And the one thing I always look for ASAP, is the half-page article by Jeffrey Gitomer. And that's what brings me to this post.

I frequently get requests from other agents, for me to please update my personal information for their records. These requests are always via e-mail, and are usually wanting me to fill out some type of online form for what I assume is the individual's personal, online database. Now I want to make this crystal clear, to anyone who has ever sent, or plans to send me one of these requests. I will never fill out the form!

If you need to know why I will never fill out these requests for my personal information, it's because I don't trust an online database. You may think it's only for you, and that nobody else has access to this information; and you may be correct. But I'm not convinced. And I do not want anyone else to have my e-mail address.

(Warning - Mini Rant coming!) I despise spam! And since I'm already stepping on toes, I may as well drive it home. My definition of spam is ANY e-mail which I did not specifically request, coming from someone who is trying to obtain business from me. Is that clear enough? Because I've certainly received plenty of these types of e-mail from other Rainers with whom I am NOT familiar! And yes, it ticks me off. And so I can make this crystal clear, I automatically send all spam (by my description) to my Outlook Junk Mail Folder. I don't even look at it, no matter what it is. (*Adding this line after some of your comments: I do look in the folder just to make sure it's not holding anything that is not actually spam.) And if it goes from one spam message, to repeated abuse, I reveal the headers and send it to the Federal Trade Commission. I know I'll never be able to stop all the spam, but I get a little bit of pleasure out of knowing that due to the Can the Spam Act, the law is on my side, and has the ability to charge a fine to the spammers. But I digress. Obviously, I feel very strongly about spam!

But back to the subject at hand... The e-mail requests for me to "update my information" via online databases. In Jeffrey Gitomer's latest column in the Volusia/Flagler Business Report, Jeffry titled his article "Don't ask customers to do your work - do it yourself!" In this article, Jeffrey addressed these e-mail requests for information updates. As I read it, I wanted to jump up and down and yell "YES!" over and over again.

Here are a few quotes from Jeffrey, regarding the requesting of information via e-mail...

• "Stop the stupidity, stop the rudeness, stop the laziness. Update your own records."
• "How do you think your customers perceive you as a sales professional when you do this?"
• "Where's the value? Where's the professionalism?"
• "What kind of an image of yourself and your work ethic are you sending to your customers and prospects?"
• "Every action you take as a salesperson exposes you and how you conduct yourself as a sales professional."

In the remainder of Mr. Gitomer's article, he suggested that anyone in sales should come up with some ideas that would leave positive impressions on their customers, rather than "pathetic" ones. He also suggested that we pick up the phone and make personal contact with our clients, customers, friends and family. After all, updating our databases is a valid and a really good opportunity to reconnect with many people that we need to talk to, if for no other reason than to let them know that we're still in the real estate business. Let's face it. In the last couple of years, many agents have been forced to find other jobs. The fact that we're still selling real estate deserves accolades... from those who are in our Contact Managers! So why not call and give them the opportunity to pat us on the back ;) We should call them just to chat for a while, and make sure they know we're still available for any of their real estate needs.

Jeffrey is right. Asking our clients to do a job that we should do is like announcing that we're lazy. So to finalize this post, I'll just use a couple more words from Jeffrey Gitomer. This is not a direct quote, but I did like his wrap-up. As we go into the new year, why don't we update our Contact Managers by making personal contact with everyone we know. This way, instead of a "delete", we just might leave them with a feeling of "delight".

Many of the newly renovated condos at Surfside Villas in Daytona Beach FL have already been rented. But a few of them have come back on the market. Availability changes frequently, but we have plenty of units available. And now the prices are better than ever. And the one thing you requested most often... shorter leases... is now being offered for a short time.

Don't wait. If you want to lease a condo in Daytona Beach, within walking distance to the ocean, river, restaurants, shopping, banks and more, you won't want to miss these fully remodeled units.

1 and 2 bedroom units available. All have 1 bathroom. 3 days til Christmas.... YES! You can move in before Christmas! Or have a happy new year in your Daytona Beach condo.

These are available to buy or lease. But the low lease prices are for 6 month leases only! $499 deposit. $40 fee for background and credit check. $499 per month. One small pet under 20 pounds is allowed.

Buyers get one assigned parking space. Guest parking is also available. This 3 story building has an elevator, and a laundry room on the premises. View videos of this condo at www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateVideos.com.

Lisa C. Hill | Adams Cameron & Co. REALTORS | 386-212-5357 101 S. Peninsula, Daytona Beach, FL Completely Remodeled Condo-Conversion Apartments, For Sale or Lease. Buy for $99,900 2BR/1BA Apartment   $499/month, 6 month lease only Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Sq Footage 768 Parking 1 dedicated Pet Policy Cats, Small dogs (< 25lbs) Deposit $499 DESCRIPTION Buy or lease your own Daytona Beach condo with Florida's signature tropical landscaping. Walk to the beach and boardwalk from this newly remodeled 2 bedroom condo. Entire building has been updated. Kitchens have granite counters, brand new Frigidaire appliances and beautiful maple cabinets. This unit has sliding glass doors to a double-sized balcony. Each unit has 16 inch tile throughout. Property has newly remodeled laundry room. Water and Sewer are included in monthly maintenance fees. Parking space will be assigned at closing. Guest parking is also available. (Investor's: ask which units already have tenants! Make extra money on your investment.) Every unit has 16 inch tile throughout. Bathroom has brand new cabinets, tiled showers with decorative tile insets, new sinks, new toilets. Exterior has tall foxtail palm trees, tropical landscaping and guest parking.   see additional photos below RENTAL FEATURES Air conditioning Central heat High/Vaulted ceiling Tile floor Living room Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Granite countertop Yard   COMMUNITY FEATURES Laundry on-site Elevator Small building   LEASE TERMS $40 fee for background and credit check. $499 deposit, $499 per month with 6 month lease only! One small pet under 40 pounds is allowed. Rental amounts will be reevaluated after 6 months. MUST have appointment! Serious renters only.   ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Renter contact info: Lisa C. Hill Adams Cameron & Co. REALTORS 386-212-5357 Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Dec 21, 2008, 4:32pm PST

For all of you who live in the Daytona Beach area, and for all of you who plan to buy real estate in Daytona Beach, this blog's for you. As I was preparing to write a post about a fun, new event in Daytona Beach, I was looking through my many past blog posts of things to do in and around the Daytona Beach area. And I ended up with a change of plan. I've written so many posts about the many things to do in East Volusia County, I decided that instead of writing another post with more information about Daytona Beach, it was time for an annual review!

Daytona Beach has so much to offer.  So let's take a look at some of the events of the past year, as well as some ongoing attractions...

• America's Got Talent Winner, Terry Fator performed at the Peabody Auditorium.

• The 21st Annual Daytona Beach Boat Show at the Ocean Center. 

• The Daytona Beach Resort and Conference Center presented the "Boards and Waves Expo".

• The Backyardigans performed at the Peabody Auditorium.

• On a regular basis, you can join the Halifax River Audubon Society on their frequent adventures in bird-watching.

• Shop at one of America's 5th Largest Flea and Farmer's Markets!

• Catch a baseball game with the Daytona Beach Cubs at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

• Every October, there's always Biketoberfest!

• Enjoy one of our many Spas and Resorts, found all over Volusia County.

• The Daytona 500! Look at the winners, over the last 50 years!

I have many more posts about things to do in the Daytona Beach area. As you can see, it's a great place to live, so why not buy your next house or condo in Daytona Beach. Whether you'd be a full-time resident, or only spend time with us in the winter, we'd love to call you "neighbor".

If you need to sell a house or condo in the Daytona Beach area, I sell real estate from Ormond-by-the-Sea to Edgewater. So make a Smart Choice today and contact Lisa Hill for all your real estate needs.

If you'd like to buy or sell real estate in the Daytona Beach area, you may be interested in South Daytona.

The city of South Daytona butts up to the south side of the Daytona Beach boundary, and the north side of the Port Orange border. So far, for the real estate listings and sales data for the 3rd quarter of 2008, for East Volusia County, I've covered...

• The total for the county, at Volusia County Real Estate Report; 3rd quarter 2008, listings vs sales.

• Ormond Beach Real Estate, 3rd Quarter Listings vs Sales Report.

• Daytona Beach Real Estate, 3rd Quarter Listings vs Sales Report.

• New Smyrna Beach Real Estate 3rd Quarter Listings vs Sales Report.

• Port Orange Real Estate 3rd Quarter Listings vs Sales Report.

• Ponce Inlet Real Estate, 3rd Quarter Listings vs Sales Report.

• Daytona Beach Shores Real Estate 3rd Quarter Listings vs Sales Report.

South Daytona is a relativelly small city, conveniently positioned between Daytona Beach and Port Orange. A few nice features about South Daytona are... slightly lower taxes than other Volusia County cities, the convenience of being able to choose if you want to spend an evening on the town in the tourist-geared activities of Daytona Beach, or enjoy the hometown family-style events in Port Orange. (Both Daytona Beach and Port Orange are just a few minutes away from anywhere in South Daytona.)

Here's a fun way to spend an afternoon at the Riverfront Veterans Memorial Park in South Daytona. It's a beautiful park located directly on the Intracoastal Waterway. There are swing-sets, picnic tables, clean facilities, a boat launch, a large fishing dock, and kayak launches. The quaint, almost hidden location of this park makes it one of my favorites. When my daughter was younger, we lived in South Daytona for a few years, and even held one of her birthday parties here =)

Now for the 3rd quarter 2008, listings vs sales report for South Daytona.

The number of real estate listings that were entered into the greater Daytona Beach area Multiple Listings Service (MLS) is 73. As I've stated in the previous quarterly reports for each city, this does not mean that there were 73 new listings placed on the market. There's a high probability that many of these listings had not sold, and were placed back on the market as a new listing.

Now the real estate sales for the same time period, for the city of South Daytona were 34. Overall, South Daytona fared much better than many of the other cities in east Volusia County, when comparing the listings vs the sales.

If you're a real estate buyer, or a real estate seller, for South Daytona, make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill with Adams Cameron & Co., REALTORS®.

As a REALTOR® in the Daytona Beach area, I know first-hand how difficult this Christmas is going to be for most people. Let's face it; Everything is difficult right now. The country is still facing a mortgage crisis and although there is a reprieve in the foreclosures until after the holidays, many home owners will soon be forced to rent a home for their families.

But it could be so much worse. What about those who already don't have a home?

I'm a native of Daytona Beach, and I can't recall the last time we had a winter that started in October, with temperatures in the 40s (like this year). Our average winter season doesn't typically start until mid-December. And we only get a handful of days per year when the weather is actually cold while it's still daylight. But this year has remained consistently chilly, rainy and cold. (We Floridians don't know how to handle this weather.)

So one day last week, I was checking on one of my vacant condo listings, and taking photos and video of a new one, all the while noticing that it was getting colder and colder...fast! So I packed everything up and headed for my home office. As I stopped at a red light on U.S. 1 (aka Ridgewood Ave.), I looked over and saw a homeless man huddled beside a convenience store. My heart went out to this man. But I didn't know what I could do for him.

So I quickly drove home ...   then turned up the heat since it was a little chilly inside the house ...    then I went online using my fast-acess DSL internet connection ...    through just one of our home computers...    (is anyone else starting to see the big picture?) to research the statistics on the homeless population in the Daytona Beach area. Rather than searching just Daytona Beach, I searched Port Orange, Ormond Beach, New Smyrna Beach, then expanded to all of Volusia and Flagler counties.

How did I end up expanding my search a little further? It was with the help of one web site. The STAR Center Homeless Assistance Corporation. According to the Star Center, there are 3,000 homeless people in Volusia and Flagler Counties. Now look at the other statistics for these people...

• 1,000 homeless children are in local schools
• 23% of the homeless are Veterans and they more frequently have health needs
• 16% are over the age of 50
• 43% are homeless for more than a year
• 77% Florida Natives lived here before becoming homeless, or have family here
• 29% have physical/medical problems
• 65% have mental health needs and/or substance abuse needs
• 35% are working

At this point, I hope I'm not the only one wondering what I can do to help.

As I continued to click on the different links on the Star site, I found the answer to this question.... Many Things! On the web site of the Star Center, I found a page full of items they need, that are inexpensive, and easy to provide. Due to the Christmas season, the Star Center is calling this page of items, the Wish List.

Obviously I'm hoping that those of you who are reading this, no matter how tight your finances may be, might be able to find just a few dollars to spare. Did you read the Wish List? A few dollars will go a long way!

Or perhaps you'd rather donate your time. Look at these other services the Star Center provides...

• A Daily Hot Meal, in conjunction with Halifax Urban Ministries
  
• Help Finding a Job
• Prescription Assistance
• Help Finding Medical Assistance
• And many other services. Just read the list. You can easily find a small way to help, that makes a big difference to them.
  

I realize that we sell real estate to make a living. And obviously a homeless person is not in the position to buy a house. If that's what you're thinking, I ask you, "so what?" Have you ever heard of paying it forward? Or doing unto others, as you would have them do unto you? Or to quote Jesus... "as you do unto the least of these (children, widows, and those in need), you have done it unto me." (yes, I paraphrased.)

So as you're rushing about, trying to find the perfect gifts for your family and friends, why not stop for a moment and consider those who are homeless? Or maybe they're not homeless, but they can't afford these basic necessities? I'm sure you'll have to go to the grocery store in the next few days. Why not buy an extra toothbrush, a tube of toothpaste, a hair brush, a box of bandaids.... and the "wish list" goes on. Think of how inconsequential these items are to most of us. We just take them for granted, as we feel sorry for ourselves because we had to cancel our satellite TV service to save money. (that's my own selfish pity party)

I'm not trying to put a guilt-trip on anyone. But we (humans) have a tendency to get set in our ways to the point that we can become selfish, self-centered, and even worse... apathetic. I refuse to allow apathy to cloud what I know is the right thing to do.

Is my Christmas going to be very lean this year? Absolutely! But have you grasped the big picture? Wow! I'll add my own name to the self-centered list. And then I'm going to remove it, right away. Because even with all the cutbacks, if we're really honest with ourselves, our thoughts are still thinking " me, me, me". It's time to change our thinking. And the best way to change unwanted thinking is to replace those thoughts with the right ones. =) Why not set an example... be a leader... put someone else's needs before your own... be proud of the person you are... be an example that others want to follow. Consider just a few of the greatest leaders in history. Mother Theresa; Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Ghandi... Jesus. Their greatest strengths were found in humbling themselves, to serve others.

What kind of person do you want to be? When nobody else is looking, what kind of person are you? Your greatest strength should be to have the heart of a servant. (There's an awesome book called "The Servant Leader") In our industry, as we "lead" our clients through a transaction, we "serve" them to the best of our abilities... or at least that's how it should be done!

If you live in the Daytona Beach area and would like to help and/or serve those in need, you can follow the links embedded in the post, to view the Star Center web site. If you'd like to drop off items from the Wish List, the Star Center address is 340 North Street Daytona Beach, FL 32114-2612.

Let's show them that REALTORS® care.

www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateSales.com

Let's do a little extra this year. I'm in the process of typing another post to help needy people as well. It seems there are just too many people in need.

If you'd like to buy or sell real estate in Ponce Inlet FL, you'll be interested in this information. So far, for the real estate listings and sales data for the 3rd quarter of 2008, for East Volusia County, I've covered...

• The total for the county, at Volusia County Real Estate Report; 3rd quarter 2008, listings vs sales.

• Ormond Beach Real Estate, 3rd Quarter Listings vs Sales Report.

• Daytona Beach Real Estate, 3rd Quarter Listings vs Sales Report.

• New Smyrna Beach Real Estate 3rd Quarter Listings vs Sales Report.

• Port Orange Real Estate 3rd Quarter Listings vs Sales Report.

• Daytona Beach Shores Real Estate, 3rd Quarter Listings vs Sales Report.

Now for some information about Ponce Inlet FL. If you're looking for some fun things to do in Ponce Inlet, how about a visit to the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse which includes a park, museum and you can walk out to the jetty.

Also near the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is the Marine Science Center which includes a Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Facility, and a Seabird Rehabilitation Sanctuary.

And don't miss the children's activities at the Marine Explorer's Camp. You can even adopt your own sea turtle nest. One of the coolest events of the Ponce Inlet Marine Science Center's Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Facility is when they release a rehabilitated turtle back into the wild. Just last year they released a 175 lb Loggerhead named Old Boots.

Now for those of you who would like to buy real estate in Ponce Inlet, you can find a beautiful condo or house, with ocean or river views, and even own your own boat dock in Harbour Village Golf and Yacht Club.

For the 3rd quarter of 2008, there were 78 new listings entered into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for Ponce Inlet. Some of these listings were actually houses or condos that had not sold, and when their previous listing agreements had expired, they were re-entered into the MLS as new listings. So although there were 78 houses and condos entered into the Daytona Beach Area MLS in the 3rd quarter, not all of them were new listings.

For the same time period of 2008, there were 31 real estate closings recorded in the Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTORS®, for the city of Ponce Inlet.

To compare Ponce Inlet to each of the other cities in East Volusia County, as I've covered them so far, here's one more link to the Volusia County Real Estate Report.

For all your real estate needs, contact Lisa C. Hill with Adams Cameron & Co., REALTORS®.

www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateSales.com

www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateVideos.com

If you'd like to buy or sell real estate in Daytona Beach Shores FL, you'll be interested in this information.

So far, for the real estate listings and sales data for the 3rd quarter of 2008, for East Volusia County, I've covered

• The total for the county, at Volusia County Real Estate Report; 3rd quarter 2008, listings vs sales.

• Ormond Beach real estate listings vs sales, 3rd quarter 2008.

• Daytona Beach real estate listings vs sales, 3rd quarter 2008.

• New Smyrna Beach real estate listings vs sales, 3rd quarter 2008.

• Port Orange real estate listings vs sales, 3rd quarter 2008.

Now for the 3rd quarter real estate listing vs sales data for Daytona Beach Shores.

For the 3rd quarter of 2008, there were 199 new listings entered into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for Daytona Beach Shores. Some of these listings were actually houses or condos that had not sold, and when their previous listing agreements had expired, they were re-entered into the MLS as new listings. So although there were 199 houses and condos entered into the New Smyrna Beach Area MLS in the 3rd quarter, not all of them were new listings.

For the same time period of 2008, there were 51 real estate closings recorded in the Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTORS®, for the city of Daytona Beach Shores.

If you refer to the 3rd quarter real estate listings vs sales for all of Volusia County (the first link), you'll notice that Daytona Beach Shores fared pretty well, when compared against the other cities in East Volusia County. In my opinion, a great deal of that is due to it's location.

Daytona Beach Shores in located only on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway, occupying a 3 mile lenth of land on the peninsula, between the Halifax River and the Atlantic Ocean. This gives home owners in Daytona Beach Shores the convenience of being able to participate in the special events and the activities of greater Daytona Beach, without being in the center of the noise and traffic of special events. Daytona Beach Shores is also a smaller city than some of the others, and if a house or condo is not directly on the ocean, it's definitely within walking distance! There's even a public, oceanfront park for all to enjoy.

If you'd like to buy or sell a house or condo in Daytona Beach Shores, make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill with Adams Cameron & Co., REALTORS®.

Real estate Buyer Info

Real estate Seller Info

If you're one of my regular blog readers, you know that many times, when providing you with information about a particular city in which you might like to buy real estate, rather than present you with just facts and figures, or straight real estate data about that city (although I sometimes do that too, since some of you like those posts as well) I often like to present you with fun things to do in that area. That's what this post will be; for the city of New Smyrna Beach.

If you currently live in New Smyrna Beach FL and are trying to sell your house or condo, this is some information you might want to present to any potential buyers. Obviously, your first objective is to sell your house or condo. But many times we have real estate buyers here from out of state. Providing them with additional information about your city, just might be the extra incentive they need to make a decision. And according to the 3rd quarter real estate reports for Volusia County, New Smyrna Beach real estate listings can use this extra push.

We're trying to keep this post fun, so if you want to depress yourself with the New Smyrna Beach 3rd quarter real estate listings vs sales data, just follow the link, then hurry back here! 

Now let's lighten the mood with some fun, lighthearted things to do in New Smyrna Beach. One of the most important things I've learned in my years of experience in the real estate industry is that you can never be sure of where you'll find your next real estate buyer. So I try as many methods as possible. And most people don't buy a house with plans to never leave it again. So let's offer them some things to do in New Smyrna Beach as we finish out the year. (Can you believe this year is almost over!?!) ....

• East Coast Cruiser Night, Dec 13, 4:00-8:00 p.m. Historic Downtown Canal Street is the focal point again. There will be food, fun, and entertainment in the form of street rods and antique cars. And the best part is, it's FREE!

• Art Walk on Flagler, Dec 20, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. This is a regular event for all too enjoy. But the December Art Walk is special because Santa will be there for a Christmas Celebration.

• Family Motorcycle Show & Stroll, Dec 20, 5:00-9:00 p.m. In case you didn't get enough of Bike Week and Biketoberfest, on this stroll you can take a look at V-twins, V-8 and metric bikes, customs and antiques. Now that's a lot of fun for our Biker fans.

• Chases on the Beach, anytime. I had to add this one. You'll always enjoy great food, drinks, fun and entertainment at Chases!

If you're interested in buying or selling real estate in New Smyrna Beach, visit my web site for extensive real estate data.

View my real estate listings from the Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTORS and MLS, and the New Smyrna Beach REALTOR Association and MLS on my web site.

Contact Lisa Hill for all your real estate needs.

If you'd like to buy or sell real estate in New Smyrna Beach FL, you'll be interested in this post.

I recently posted the 3rd quarter 2008 real estate listings and sales for all of Volusia County, followed by the...

• 3rd quarter real estate listings and sales data for Daytona Beach

• 3rd quarter real estate listings and sales data for Port Orange

• 3rd quarter real estate listings and sales data for Ormond Beach
  

This post is my continuance of the 3rd quarter real estate market reports for each city in Volusia county; this one is for New Smyrna Beach. I've previously written many blog posts of a more casual nature, about the city of New Smyrna Beach. A few of those posts are...

• New Smyrna Beach: New Construction and Native Plants

• Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach areas, Mark Your Calendars

• Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach

I have many more posts about things to do in New Smyrna Beach, but they're each about things to do at a specific time, and those times have past. Now although New Smyrna Beach is a beautiful city with the most unique, quaint little beach shops, and the downtown area has remained appealing without needing major overhauls like you find in many other cities. But even with all of it's unique,

So, for the 3rd quarter of 2008, there were 382 new listings entered into the New Smyrna Beach area Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for that city. Some of these listings were actually houses or condos that had not sold, and when their previous listing agreements had expired, they were re-entered into the MLS as new listings. So although there were 382 houses and condos entered into the New Smyrna Beach Area MLS in the 3rd quarter, not all of them were new listings.

For the same time period of 2008, there were 10 real estate closings in New Smyrna Beach.

I know this is alarming. Of all the cities in East Volusia County, New Smyrna has taken the biggest hit this quarter. So if you want to buy or sell real estate in New Smyrna Beach, be sure to read my next blog post: "Why Should You Buy Real Estate in New Smyrna Beach?" Hopefully, it will soften the blow of this bad news.

For all your real estate needs, make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill with Adams Cameron & Co., REALTORS®.

For the latest real estate news, and links to relevant blog posts, visit my web site.

Watch real estate MLS listing videos for sale

This beautiful Daytona Beach condo is completely remodeled. This unit is light, bright and roomy with 2 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and a gorgeous view of the Intracoastal Waterway. You can own this affordable condo with soaring ceilings and peaceful river views. Don't wait! Buy now while real estate prices are still low.

www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateSales.com

www.DaytonaBeachRealEstateVideos.com

I've recently posted a couple of blog articles about helping those in need. The first one was when I wrote about how the many people who are losing their homes, and abandoning their pets. The shelters are now overwhelmed with the many homeless pets. In that post, I incuded a link to The Animal Rescue Site where you could just click a button, and at no cost to you, by clicking that button, one of the site's sponsors will provide FREE food and care to a rescued animal.

After my blog post about the animals, I soon followed with a post about Protecting Endangered Habitats. Like The Animal Rescue Site (they're linked together), you can click a button, and sponsors will pay to protect the habitats of these endangered habitats.

This post is about helping another part of society who needs help. This one is actually the most important blog post of all. This post is about helping people. On The Child Health Site, you'll find extensive information about helping impoverished and needy children, and as on the other sites, you'll be able to click a button, and at no cost to you, a sponsor will provide FREE child healthcare. Absolutely 100% of all sponsor donations go to the charity you choose.

I spent some time clicking around the site(s), and researching the sponsors. I discovered exactly how and why we're able to just click and button, and in doing so, the needy are helped, at no cost to us. Look at some of these impressive sponsor names and sites...

• The Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

• Helen Keller International.

• Mercy Corps.

• Prosthetics Outreach Foundation.

• Save Darfur.

I was amazed at how many people are willing to give so selflessly for the needs of others... even animals. These foundations have some big money backers. I thank God for them, and pray that many more... anyone with the means to help, will step forward to continue the work of the causes. For all the help that is given, there is always more needed.

All it takes is the click of a button. You can visit these sites every day, just to click and help. It's free and easy for you to help. So please don't neglect to do so. Many of us spend hours of our time online. But it takes only seconds to visit this site, click the different tab for each need, and click the button to help. We have no excuse to not do so. But we are to blame for the conditions of each of these groups, if we can't do something this simple to help them.

Daytona Beach condo. This two bedroom unit is for sale for only $99,000. Walk to ocean, boardwalk, restaurants, bars and more. These beautifully remodeled condos are back on the market with the prices slashed in half! These are a must-see! If you've seen my blog post for the 3rd quarter 2008, Daytona Beach real estate listings vs sales data, you already know the Daytona Beach real estate market is improving.

(Follow this link if you only need a one bedroom Daytona Beach condo)

Lisa C. Hill | Adams Cameron & Co. | 386-212-5357 101 S. Peninsula, Daytona Beach, FL Completely Remodeled Condo-Conversion For Sale 2BR/1BA Condo   Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Sq Footage 768 Parking 1 dedicated Pet Policy Cats, Small dogs (< 25lbs) DESCRIPTION Buy your own Daytona Beach condo with Florida's signature tropical landscaping. Walk to the beach and boardwalk from this newly remodeled 2 bedroom condo. Entire building has been updated. Kitchens have granite counters, brand new Frigidaire appliances and beautiful maple cabinets. This unit has sliding glass doors to a double-sized balcony. Each unit has 16 inch tile throughout. Property has newly remodeled laundry room. Water and Sewer are included in monthly maintenance fees. Parking space will be assigned at closing. Guest parking is also available. (Investor's: ask which units already have tenants! Make extra money on your investment.) Every unit has 16 inch tile throughout. Bathroom has brand new cabinets, tiled showers with decorative tile insets, new sinks, new toilets. Exterior has tall foxtail palm trees, tropical landscaping and guest parking.   see additional photos below FEATURES Air conditioning Central heat High/Vaulted ceiling Tile floor Living room Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Granite countertop Yard   COMMUNITY FEATURES Laundry on-site Elevator Small building ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Renter contact info: Lisa C. Hill Adams Cameron & Co. 386-212-5357 Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Dec 4, 2008, 10:50pm PST

Make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa C. Hill for all your Daytona Beach real estate needs. Click here to view more photos of this 2 bedroom Daytona Beach condo for sale. Even though the economy is struggling, the Daytona Beach real estate market is looking better.

Daytona Beach condo. This one bedroom unit is for sale for only $79,000. Walk to ocean, boardwalk, restaurants, bars and more. These beautifully remodeled condos are back on the market with the prices slashed in half! These are a must-see! If you've seen my blog post for the 3rd quarter 2008, Daytona Beach real estate listings vs sales data, you already know the Daytona Beach real estate market is improving.

(Follow this link if you need a 2 bedroom Daytona Beach condo.)

Lisa C. Hill | Adams Cameron & Co. | 386-212-5357 101 S. Peninsula Drive, Daytona Beach, FL 1BR/1BA Condo   offered at $79,000 Year Built 1974 Sq Footage 595 Bedrooms 1 Bathrooms 1 full, 0 partial Floors Unspecified Parking 1 Uncovered spaces Lot Size Unspecified HOA/Maint $132 per month DESCRIPTION Newly remodeled condo on the BEACHSIDE! This 1st floor unit has brand new stainless steel appliances, new maple cabinetry and 16 inch tile throughout. Building is located only a few short blocks from the beach and nearby entertainment, shopping, and restaurants! Students, own your very own condominium just minutes from ERAU, UCF, Bethune Cookman, or DSC! Investors, this property is located right in the heart of Daytona Beach on the Beachside! Enjoy everything the World's Most Famous Beach has to offer, from the comfort of this beautiful condo-home! One small domesticated pet permitted, weighing no more than 20 lbs. Enjoy Florida's signature tropical landscaping. Walk to the beach and boardwalk. Property has private laundry room. Water and Sewer are included in monthly maintenance fees. Parking space will be assigned at closing. Guest parking is also available. There are many more units available. Investors: ask which units already have tenants and make extra money on your investment. All information recorded in the MLS is intended to be accurate but can not be guaranteed.   see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES Central A/C Central heat Living room Dishwasher Refrigerator Stove/Oven Microwave Granite countertop Yard COMMUNITY FEATURES Guest parking Laundry on-site     OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES Brand new kitchen with maple cabinets and counters Brand new appliances! Bathroom has new, tiled tub and shower and new vanity 16 inch tile throughout! Ground floor unit has patio and yard Small pet is allowed Laundry room on the premises Elevator for upper floors Lush, Tropical Landscaping Assigned Parking Space and Guest Parking Available Walk to the Ocean, Intracoastal, Restaurants, Shopping   ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Seller contact info: Lisa C. Hill Adams Cameron & Co. 386-212-5357 For sale by agent/broker Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Dec 4, 2008, 9:39pm PST

Make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa C. Hill for all your Daytona Beach real estate needs. Click here to view more photos of this Daytona Beach condo for sale. Even though the economy is struggling, the Daytona Beach real estate market is looking better.

If you'd like to buy or sell real estate in Ormond Beach FL, you'll be interested in this post.

I recently posted the 3rd quarter 2008 real estate listings and sales for all of Volusia County, followed by the 3rd quarter real estate listings and sales data for Daytona Beach, the 3rd quarter real estate listings and sales data for Port Orange, and the 3rd quarter real estate listings and sales data for New Smyrna Beach. This post is my continuance of the 3rd quarter real estate market reports for each city in Volusia county; this one is for Ormond Beach.

I've previously written many blog posts about the beautiful city of Ormond Beach. There is much history to be enjoyed in Ormond Beach. For instance, Ormond Beach holds the former winter home of John D. Rockefeller.The Anderson-Price Memorial Building, meeting place of The Ormond Beach Women's Club was deeded to the Ormond Beach Historical Trust. And Ormond Beach holds Tomoka State Park and Campground where I personally spent time when I was a child. And there are frequent family events, year round.

But back to the 2008 3rd quarter Ormond Beach real estate market report. In the 3rd quarter of 2008, 437 new listings went on the market in Ormond Beach. As I stated in the previous reports, many of these listings were actually expired listings from the Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTORS Multiple Listing Service (MLS). These listings are frequently placed back on the market until they sell.

For the same time frame, there were 166 properties sold in Ormond Beach, leaving us with a remainder of 271 houses and condos that had not sold at the end of the 3rd quarter.

To compare the Volusia County 3rd quarter listings vs sales with the 1st and 2nd quarters, just click the following links.

Volusia County 1st quarter real estate listings vs sales report.

Volusia County 2nd quarter real estate listings vs sales report.

And here is the chart for the preceding, 3rd quarter real estate data, for Ormond Beach.

Want to know more about Volusia County? Follow this link --> for a compilation of my most popular blog posts about the Volusia County area.

And click here if you'd like to learn more about Lisa C. Hill, a Daytona Beach native and real estate agent with Adams Cameron & Co. REALTORS®.

View Volusia County real estate MLS listings here.

Buying real estate?  Selling real estate?  Make a Smart Choice and contact Lisa Hill with Adams Cameron REALTORS today.

Real estate buyers and real estate sellers... If you don't own real estate in the Daytona Beach area, you won't realize how rare it is to find someone who's a native of Volusia County. But I am a real, live Daytona Beach native. And I sell real estate in the same county in which I was born.

So what's the big deal? Well, since I'm a native of this area, real estate sellers can rest confidently in my ability to market and sell their real estate listing. They know that I'm already familiar with their neighborhood and city, and will be able to explain all the fabulous qualities that will appeal to real estate buyers.

And when a real estate buyer calls me, I don't waste their time (or mine), trying to decide which cities or communities they'll prefer. As a real estate buyer tells me what they like, I can quickly narrow down their search regarding where they'll most likely want to buy real estate.

I've intentionally kept this blog post short and to-the-point. Let's face it. If you've been reading real estate blogs for a while, you've already discovered that REALTORS® can ramble a bit; myself included. So this blog post is a simple request for your business, with the assurance of my years of real estate expertise, combined with my lifetime of area knowledge.

So if you're interested in buying or selling real estate in...

• Daytona Beach
• South Daytona
• Port Orange
• Ponce Inlet
• Daytona Beach Shores
• Ormond Beach
• Ormond by the Sea
• Holly Hill
• Wilbur by the Sea
• New Smyrna Beach
• Edgewater/Florida Shores

make a Smart Choice today and contact Lisa Hill, a Daytona Beach native, for all your real estate needs. You'll enjoy working with a REALTOR® who is an award-winner in the real estate industry.

View Daytona Beach area real estate MLS listings here.

View Daytona Beach area real estate ML listing videos here.