So you want to move to Daytona Beach?  That's great news! I'm proud to be a Daytona Beach native. If you spend just a little bit of time here, you'll find that I'm part of a rare breed. But this also means that I'm uniquely qualified to help you with all your real estate needs! To view my listings, go to www.RealEstatebyLisaHill.com.         Now let's get your started on learning the lay of the land. Many people are not aware of the fact that what they consider to be Daytona Beach, is actually several small cities, all grouped together. Daytona Beach is the tourist hot spot of the area. It will be up to you to decide which city and area you prefer, before you buy real estate here. And I am able to answer all your questions about the different cities, neighborhoods, schools and more.Read... 05/11/2007

OK it is official. I am losing my patience. I woke up this morning and couldn't believe it.For the last 3 weeks here, in Central Florida, we have experienced smoke that was coming all the way from Georgia. It's been crazy! Those 650,000 acres that were burning there were felt all of the way in Daytona Beach.Now we have "our own" brush fire in Flagler and Volusia counties. Click on the link to see news reports and pictures. You can feel the smoke in the air. The smell is unbelievable. All of you out there with allergies and asthma conditions, I feel for you. How to fix it? We need the RAIN. Simple things like air quality make such a big difference.How is your air quality? 05/03/2007

I didn't forget! Really! Just so much going on since our events that I've only had time to post a few things. TodayI'm going to pick up all the photo cds to look through them and see the shots our volunteer photographers took, then shoot the cd's up to our St. Jude rep so she can put them on a website. (There are 6 of them I'm sure) I took 700 photos this weekend, just imagine how many our volunteers took!I can't give you any stats from the Golf Classic, I have no clue who one. I do know one guy, about 25 almost Beat The Pro. At the end of the Classic we were busy printing up the photos of the teams with Mickey to offer to teams for a donation.   A pretty nasty thunder storm interrupted us at the 6th hole and we had to rush back to the "cart barn" to wait out the deluge.        So we ju... 04/29/2007

I just finished sending letters to our state representatives, regarding the upcoming legislative session, where our dire tax issues will be discussed. If you live in Florida, it's imperative that you contact your local representatives as soon as possible!I received this message from the Daytona Beach Area Association of Realtors.... With the 60 day session scheduled to conclude next week on May 4th, legislators need to hear that comprehensive property tax reform for commercial and residential real estate is needed NOW, during the regular session.The House continues to push for a property tax/sales tax swap but the idea is flatly opposed in the Senate. Governor Charlie Crist recently indicated he does not support a sales tax increase, but wants more relief than what the Senate proposes.A... 04/28/2007

Our Bikes and Blues VIP Party was held so that we could thank our sponsors personally, treat them to dinner and drink and meet our new St. Jude Representatives Virgina and Ginnywho brought DVD's on St. Jude to teach us just a little bit more about that fabulous hospital.The party was held at the Plaza in Daytona Beach run by our generous sponsors Bray & Gillespie & Ocean Waters, our dinner was supplied by Armando at Cancun Lagoon, Budweiser and Coca Cola supplied the drinks and our Bikes and Blues Committee members brought desert! We watched the DVDs, "My Hospital" and one from Marlo Thomas about how charity events like ours support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Did you know it costs 1.2 MILLION dollars a day to run St. Jude? Me either. Did you know St. Jude is working on findi... 04/19/2007

 HELLO EVERYONE! With all the negative reports from the media, I thought some good news was in order.  After a year of slow sales in 2006, market conditions in Volusia County seem to be improving. 2007 started with many more buyer inquiries, then progressed to more viewings, and I'm now seeing an increase in sales.There were many factors that contributed to the slowdown in Volusia County, the major one being large increases in our taxes. But with the changes that are now being made to remedy this situation, sales are already improving.  So far, in East Volusia County... Home values have NOT drastically fallen! The only prices that have fallen are the asking prices. What this means is, the homes were overpriced in the first place. Sellers had grown accustomed to quickly escalating values... 04/16/2007

After a steep drop in area sales, and an unprecedented listing inventory, 2007 is showing much desired improvement in market conditions in central Florida. In the summer of 2005, in the Daytona Beach area Association of Realtors, our MLS showed an average total inventory of approximately 1400 listings. We now have over 7000!  At the same time, at the peak of the market boom, the Daytona Beach MLS records showed monthly sales from between 500 and 800 per month. Since the summer of 2006, those numbers have been between 200 and 300. But thankfully, those sales transactions are slowly increasing; even if the inventory is increasing as well. In the midst of a troublesome market, I'm still glad that 7 years ago, I started my real estate career. Real estate has always had it's peaks and valley... 04/11/2007

It seems like everyone has an opinion on the market lately. I personally, in the Daytona Beach, Florida area, am experiencing quite a few more calls, appointments and sales recently; although our inventory continues to rise and hit new unprecedented levels. I realize that at this time, business is varying between agents, even within the same areas. Whereas we used to stay consistently busy (as much as this can happen in the real estate industry), it's now more sporadic.  I'm wondering what other areas are experiencing. Would anyone care to share what's going on in their home town right now?Move to Daytona Beach Florida             04/11/2007

As of today in our Daytona Beach Board MLS there are 9246 Active Listings. The buyers are out there, while taking their time and really shopping for their dream homes, sellers are getting impatient, some reducing prices while other's just sit and wait and wait!                        You see I am a firm believer NEVER take Overpriced Listings unless you have written a condition to the listing agreement that a market adjustment will take place by __/__/2007. I don't blame you Mr. and Mrs. Seller for the unrealistic prices and unsaleable house.  I blame the agent who put you in the mix with the other 9245 listings in the mls today.  That's right Mr. and Mrs. Seller, I am the type of agent that if I feel that I cannot market your property effectively, that would be my cue to wish you well ... 04/11/2007

Sine October our Bikes and Blues with Mickey Jones Committee has been meeting regularly at Cancun Lagun Bar and Grill located at 1735 W International Speedway Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL at least once a month. If your wondering exactly where 1735 W International Speedway Blvd. Daytona Beach is, it is the entrance to the Daytona Beach Airport, right next to the 4th turn of the Daytona Speedway! Our meetings are held in their conference/meeting room that holds up to I believe 40, possibly 50 people. The room is always prepared for us an hour before we arrive (I'm always early) with menu's and silverware out.They always try to have a sever that is familiar with our group. In other words, when I arrive, our server asks, "Unsweetened Ice Tea?" I just smile. He knows me well. I like to try differ... 04/11/2007

In the Greater Daytona Beach Area, real estate activity has improved.   While sales have increased, so has our real estate inventory.  For every one house that went under contract there are 30 active listings still on the market today, this information is pretty accurate due to the fact in January these were actual stat's based on MLS data.You can't tell me that our market is the only one suffering, I know better, its in the news every day!  Stop and think about this we have approximately 1740 members in our Daytona Beach Association of Realtors, seems to me there are some starving Realtors out there especially since only 249 properties closed in January.   How can we get seller's who NEED to sell to their destination?   Do you need a paycheck? Be a True Professional.  Can you say......... 04/01/2007

 Daytona Beach Real Estate Update for January 2007There are currently 8659 Listings in the Daytona Beach Association of Realtors. The breakdown is as follows: 4473 Single Family Homes 2215 Condominiums 1971 Vacant land/industrial/commercial/ agricultural Total number of new listings for January 2007 in the greater Daytona Beach area is 2320. The breakdown is as follows: 1336 Single Family Homes 583 Condominiums 401 Vacant land/industrial/commercial/ agricultural Total number of new sales (under contract) for January 2007 is 287. The breakdown is as follows: 195 Single Family Homes 56 Condominiums 36 Vacant land/industrial/commercial/ agricultural  Total number of new sales closed for January 2007 is 249. The breakdown is as follows: 188 Single Family Homes 34 Condominiums 27 Vacant land... 03/30/2007

Since I am a member of National Association of Realtors,I subscribe to Early Bird New through  Planet Realtor that I get everyday. Most of the topics discussed are up to date that are concern of many residents of the state of Florida. You won't believe how  much I get questioned on the daily basis by customers about what is going to happen to our property tax situation.Here is the recent update:Accoridng to Bill Kaczor, Associated Press Writer.Senate taking slow approach to property tax reform TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - March 15, 2007 - The first property tax reform proposal in the Senate surfaced Wednesday, but lawmakers took no action in committee, preferring a go-slow approach to one of the hottest issues facing the Legislature this year.The issue is on the fast track in the House, whe... 03/15/2007

In case you were wondering about Daytona Beach Real Estate here is the stats directly from the Daytona Beach board of Realtors for the month of December 2006MARKETING DATA REPORT DAYTONA BEACH AREA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, INC. Month/Year December / 2006 1. Listings in Associations MLS Current Total 8444 (a) Residential 4316 (b) Residential, condo 2030 (c) Other (vacant land/industrial/commercial/ agricultural) 2098 2. Number of new listings added this month Total 1441 (a) Residential 800 (b) Residential, condo 416 (c) Other 225 3. Number of sales this month (under contract) Total 223 (a) Residential, single family 171 (b) Residential, condo 21 (c) Other 31 3A. Number of sales this month (closed) Total 289 (a) Residential 218 (b) Residential, condo 44 (c) Other 27 4. Total dollar volum... 03/15/2007

The 2007 Mickey Jones Celebrity  Golf Classic ALL PROCEEDS TO BENIFIT ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL  Where: LPGA International Golf Course Daytona Beach Florida, Classic to be played on the Legends CourseWhen: April 15th, 2007Time: Registration at 7:00am, 8:30am Shot Gun StartEntry Fee: $100.00 Per PlayerContests Will include: Closest To The Pin, Hole In One, Beat The Pro, Putting Contest, Longest DriveMickey is doing things a bit different this year..  He wants to make sure he gets to play a hole with each team that signs up. He and I will be at an appointed hole and while he is playing that hole with your team, I'll be taking photos. The photos will be printed up and offered for a donation at the brunch following the classic. ALL proceeds from the Classic will be going to St. J... 03/09/2007

        Sunday March 11th, 2:00am to be exact........ Daylight Savings Time Begins.... 3 Weeks Early!!!                                                                                              Are you ready?All software and operating system patches must be on computers and PDA devices no later than March 10, 2007.  This will help prevent potential problems due to the time change.To download the patches for any Microsoft System or any other Microsoft software, go to Microsoft and click on the Daylight Savings Time link or go to microsoft support and follow the directions.  Updates for: Palm DevicesMicrosoft Windows Smart Phones      03/02/2007

Have you seen David Allen Coe about 10 times too many? Tired of Daytona Beach Politics? Not into the Destination scene? Pat Travers is playing both Thursday and Friday, go see him on Thursday and join BLACKFOOT at the White Eagle Lounge in Korona on Friday March 9th. BLACKFOOT will be taking the stage at 9PM following local favorites Out A Nowhere and Matanzas. There are many ways to get to The White Eagle Lounge from Volusia County, I'm going to give you the 2 easy ways:One route to take is follow US 1 North past the Iron Horse and Destination Daytona. Once you get through the traffic at Destination you will travel about 6 miles more and you will find The White Eagle Lounge on the corner of Old Dixie Hwy and US 1. If you have never rode "The Loop" I think you will like this route bette... 03/02/2007

I just wanted to clear up a couple Daytona Beach BIKE WEEK items that I read in the Daytona Beach News Journal over the weekend. The article was called: "Police: Bike Week DUI not as bad as people think"                         Lets start with: "Gone are the days of nudity, flashing, fights, Outlaws (biker gang), and general tearing up the town," said sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught. "Bike Week has evolved into a manageable event with a great number of attendees abiding by both law and community standards." I have a friend who told me the town was never torn up, nor did he ever see any "biker gangs" fighting, he's lived here now 11 years, he moved here after visiting for every Bike Week and Biketober Fest for years before His ex bartended locally here for a long time at an establishm... 02/28/2007

That's right, Blackfoot is making their first Bikeweek appearance Headlining at the White Eagle in Korona. Blackfoot will be taking the stage at 9pm on March 9th. Admission is Free! Couple great things about the White Eagle are the prices are reasonable, (Some places around here raise their beer and alcohol prices during the event) Dave and Kevin have vendors out there all week, there is plenty of parking and it's a nice ride from Ormond Beach about 10 minutes north of Destination Daytona on US 1 at the intersection of US 1 and Old Dixie Hwy in the small town of Korna in Flagler County. This will be Blackfoot's 3rd show in the area since they got back together, and the first two were awesome! Come on down to the White Eagle on March 9th and check them out. They're looking forward to see... 02/21/2007

Moving In Your New Home - Article From Daytona Beach Business News - Owned and Operated By Mike and Peggy LintonBy : Jonathon Hardcastle   Submitted 2007-02-16 15:53:41 Now that the paperwork belongs to the past and the movers have left leaving you alone to admire your new property, it is time to sit down and list all those things you will have to do before being able to relax on your couch or back yard and admire your new possession. - First of all, install new locks. Since you probably have no idea who has a copy of your current keys, it is best not to take any chances. Consider making an extra set of keys and giving the copy to your parents or best friend. - Of course, purchase a fire extinguisher for the kitchen and one for the garage and keep them handy. Check and replace if necess... 02/20/2007