Tom Lundy - Orlando

It's a Seller's Market - Really it is.

2011-10-25T19:31:00.001-04:00

When the amount of houses for sale can be sold in less than six months, at the current rate of sales, it's a seller's market.
The Central Florida area does indeed have less than six months of inventory for sale.
That is because the supply of homes for sale has dropped by 39% from Sept 2010 to Sept 2011.
See the numbers from the Orlando Area Board of Realtors here.

With all the foreclosures and short sales, how can that be?

Robo-signing.

During the boom the banks packaged, sold and re-sold thousands of mortgages at a time.
And then the bottom fell out.
Millions of people were being foreclosed on but come to find out the banks could not prove who actually owned the mortgage.
The banks then hired a company that magically was able to find the mortgage paper work.
Busted.
The company that the banks hired was involved in a massive fraud.
The banks had to yank many of their properties off the market.
That is why we have 39% less houses for sale in Central Florida.
60 Minutes did a story on the robo-signing fraud here.

Just in the last week, I had two buyers that didn't act fast enough, believing we were in a buyers market, and they lost their homes.

If you are thinking of buying and find a house that you want, don't wait.
The demand has gone down slightly, but the supply is way down.

Plus interest rates are just off their all time low of 3.99%
That's right, a 30 year fixed loan (with 20% down) last week was 3.99%

Curious? Take a look at what is for sale in Central Florida at my website www.TomLundy.com

Thinking of buying or selling?
I'll get you there.
Call or email for a free, confidential consultation.

407-392-1875
Tom@TomLundy.com

New nanoparticle fights cardiovascular plaque

2009-06-11T14:39:00.001-04:00

(Nanowerk News) Scientists and engineers at UC Santa Barbara and the Burnham Institute for Medical Research have developed a nanoparticle that can attack plaque—a major cause of cardiovascular disease. The new development is described in a recent issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Targeting atherosclerosis by using modular, multifunctional micelles).

Read the rest of the article here

Fractals 101

2009-05-30T01:40:00.002-04:00

From the best pop CD ever recorded

2009-04-06T17:04:00.001-04:00

A live version of the title track from the best pop CD ever recorded.

A New Flame by Simply Red.

Nutritional Supplements for Optimum Health by Donald W. Miller, Jr., MD

2009-03-27T15:48:00.004-04:00

I guess a hat tip justifies a blatant theft of content.
From one of the best web sites on the web, www.lewrockwell.com

The whole shooting match, where to get them and all.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/miller/miller28.html

Avoid Flu Shots, Take Vitamin D Instead

2009-01-04T17:10:00.002-05:00

Good reads on vitamin D, which, come to find out, is not really a vitamin at all.

Avoid Flu Shots, Take Vitamin D Instead
by Donald W. Miller, Jr., MD
http://www.lewrockwell.com/miller/miller27.html

Vitamin D in a New Light
by Donald W. Miller, Jr., MD
http://www.lewrockwell.com/miller/miller25.html

A great audio interview of Dr. Miller covering several topics is here.
http://www.lewrockwell.com/podcast/?p=episode&name=2008-11-09_063_vicious_vaccines.mp3

Dr. Donald Miller is a cardiac surgeon and Professor of Surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Clint Black w/ Steve Wariner

2008-12-08T00:54:00.001-05:00

Game 7 ALCS

2008-10-20T21:08:00.002-04:00

On to the World Series!

What a Game!

2008-10-13T19:19:00.006-04:00

Game 3 ALCS - Red Sox vs Rays.
Rock concert loud for 5 1/2 hours.
We make it to the World Series, I'm taking ear plugs.
Click on picture to enlarge.

Our Travel Map

2008-10-12T16:45:00.003-04:00

Kobe, Japan

Mito, Japan

View my profile

Create your own travel map or travel blog

Travel Info at TripAdvisor

Cut your A/C Costs by 10% - 15%

2008-10-11T15:01:00.001-04:00

Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima

2008-10-04T12:49:00.003-04:00

I've lost my muse.

This is our second trip to Japan. See our first trip here.

House to hotel ... 30 hours.
Because of the hurricane we went through Newark instead of Houston. We flew a couple of hours over Russian air space and saved a little time. One world.
Two pluses about the long flight from Newark, no one in the seat between us and each seat had had its’ own video screen. I watched the first five episodes of “Entourage”, 3 episodes of “Pushing up Daisies” or something to that effect and 3 movies.
The wife watched four chick flicks.
We purchased a 14 day Japan Rail Pass and rode the shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Kobe. About 3 hours. There is something exciting about riding a train going 150-175 mph.
We arrived after dark at the hotel and stayed in the room that night.

The next day we explored Kobe.
Kobe. 1.5 million people and they're all out and about.
Americans have been criticized for being a shallow consumer driven society.
We’re just a bunch of pikers.
Granted most of the criticism comes from the anti achievement crowd but I’ll use any excuse to slam them.
Japan is supposed to be in a recession that has lasted for years. I saw exactly zero evidence of a recession. From what I could tell the place was booming.
It is amazing how much of the country is underground. Tokyo station has 5 levels underground.

Day 1 - Kobe

2008-10-04T12:43:00.008-04:00

Kobe is a long thin city, sandwiched between Osaka Bay and the mountains.
At the edge of the horizon is a man made island made for the Kobe airport.
Just how many loads of fill is that?
Click on the picture to enlarge.

The Fixx

2008-07-14T21:42:00.006-04:00

Another great concert by The Fixx last month. We ran into Laurel, who joined the wife and me.
A great concert, free specialty drinks and then we ate at The Kitchen, downstairs at the hotel.
A good time was had by all and the good wife had to drive home.

Just a fun video

2008-06-16T20:26:00.003-04:00

Close to the Edge and Back

2008-04-17T21:36:00.006-04:00

The great band YES will be in Orlando on August 2nd and I will be there!

Hangin’ Twenty

2008-04-03T20:45:00.002-04:00

More From my Favorite Band, or ex-Band… Simply Red

2008-03-29T16:22:00.003-04:00

They do great ska too.
And I thought I was a stiff neck white boy.
Mick is an embarrassingly bad dancer.
"Model" live from Germany.

Stem cells develop new organs in mice

2008-03-14T20:46:00.002-04:00

A potential application of this technique in the future includes reproducing, in reprogrammed swine, the pancreas of a diabetic patient using stem cells produced from the patient's skin tissue, researchers said.

A Real Sliced and Diced Human Body

2008-03-14T15:20:00.009-04:00

If you didn’t see the Chinese exhibit of real human bodies, when it was in Orlando, you’re a knucklehead.
This picture is from the German exhibit called Body Worlds that we saw in LA.

Click on picture to enlarge.

Top 6 Antiaging Breakthroughs of 2007

2008-03-13T21:30:00.006-04:00

Fractional CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing
The New Wrinkle Injections
Antioxidants
Peptides
Vitamin A
Antiaging Sunscreens
The article is here.

It’s All About the Free Radicals and Antioxidants

2008-03-13T21:04:00.002-04:00

A good short primer from Rice University.

Eat Less, Live Longer

2008-03-13T21:01:00.006-04:00

There is currently only one proven way to extend your life, Calorie Restriction (CR)
We have known for almost seventy years it works and here is the latest research on it.
Go to bed hungry. The first few days will be tough but after that, you’ll thank me.
A Google search for calorie restriction is here.
Another good reason to eat Atkins. Atkins is not only low carb but low calorie too. Atkins is the diet we evolved on, which is why it works.

For Trouble Free Gums and Teeth

2008-03-13T20:54:00.003-04:00

Everyone should use this daily. This is not a normal water pick.
It was invented by a civil engineer.
CE’s learned a long time ago that if they put magnets, every so often, on the outside of a pipe that is carrying water; the amount of buildup on the inside of the pipe will be greatly reduced.
The magnets polarize the water molecules and reduce the attraction between the impurities in the water and the inside of the pipe.
It has the same effect on your teeth/gums.
It eliminates the attraction between your teeth/gums and the cavity/infection causing food you just ate. It works great.
You can get this from several Dentists in Orlando.
I know both DDS’ Gary Cook and Timothy Chatterley have it.

A Dead Rat’s Heart Starts to Beat Again

2008-03-12T22:46:00.005-04:00

The process is amazing.
Video opens in a new window.

UCF Gets on the Medical Breakthrough Map

2008-03-12T21:19:00.008-04:00

A team of UCF researchers have ID’ed a new family of proteins that the body uses to fight inflammations.
There is a school of thought that believes that the majority of ailments and causes of death are related to some sort of inflammation and/or our bodies response to it.
I'm in that camp.

Avoid white sugar and white flour.

Night Time Shuttle Launch

2008-03-11T19:55:00.006-04:00

If you’ve never seen a shuttle launch at night, you are missing something.
We figured it would be a perfect time, middle of the week, middle of the night, not many tourists in town, perfect weather.
Right on all but one of the counts.
The shuttle was only visible for the first 20-30 seconds after launch.
Once it got past the clouds, you could not even see the light from the engines. Very odd.
It made for a couple of great pictures.

Click on the pictures to enlarge.

You’ll Never Guess who Wrote or Performed this Song

2008-03-10T23:33:00.001-04:00

The winner gets a gift of my choice…

Update... Kurt Amesbury correctly identified the composer, Monty Python.
No one indentified the performer, Clint Black.
The prize? Sushi and beer at Bangkok Square.

Things Have Changed … Bob Dylan

2008-03-10T23:21:00.001-04:00

People are crazy and times are strange.
I’m locked in tight, I’m out of range.
I used to care but … things have changed.

One of the best CDs ever Recorded

2008-03-10T21:54:00.003-04:00

The Nightfly by Donald Fagen.
He's half of a very famous band. Do you know which band?

Everybody wants somebody who doesn’t want them…

2008-03-10T21:13:00.003-04:00

That’s life. Ruby Ruby ...
more Donald Fagen
Video opens in a new window

Word of the Day

2008-03-02T17:19:00.002-05:00

Luddite \LUH-dyte\ noun
: one of a group of early 19th century English workmen destroying laborsaving machinery as a protest; broadly : one who is opposed to especially technological change

Did you know? Luddites could be considered the first victims of corporate downsizing. The Luddite movement began in the vicinity of Nottingham, England, toward the end of 1811 when textile mill workers rioted for the destruction of the new machinery that was slowly replacing them. Their name is of uncertain origin, but it may be connected to a (probably mythical) person known as Ned Ludd. According to an unsubstantiated account in George Pellew's Life of Lord Sidmouth (1847), Ned Ludd was a Leicestershire villager of the late 1700s who, in a fit of insane rage, rushed into a stocking weaver's house and destroyed his equipment; subsequently, his name was proverbially connected with machinery destruction. With the onset of the information age, "Luddite" gained a broader sense describing anyone who shuns new technology.
From www.m-w.com

Gambling in Biloxi

2008-03-01T20:40:00.010-05:00

We flew nonstop from the Sanford airport and stayed at the Imperial Palace (IP).

Julia, (Kathy and Blanca's mother), Blanca and Bill (Blanca's husband).
Julia doesn’t speak any English. Her life has been an unbelievable story.

The Blogmiester and Kathy aka Julia Jr.

The Teranskis

For those who play craps, The IP had an unheard of limit of 20 times odds.
Of course I didn’t have the cahonas to bet anything more that 5 times odds but that is still twice what Vegas allows.

2 plus years after Katrina, Biloxi still has a lot of rebuilding to do.
The demographics of the Biloxi gambler was an odd mix of obese rednecks, middle aged nouveau riche, young brothas and the Vietnamese locals.
It is defiantly part of the red neck Riviera.
Biloxi is in Hamilton County. Hamilton County has the highest average income and education levels in Mississippi. Scary.

After we made our reservations, I found out that The Gypsy Kings were playing the Hard Rock in Biloxi tonight. I would have loved to see them. They are one of my all time favorites.
Here is their website.

Oh yeah, and I only lost a little over $200. Bill came out ahead about $100.
Julia had a great time. She always wanted to play roulette.

Aviation Firsts

2008-02-26T23:06:00.003-05:00

First successful heavier-than-air machine flight - 1903.
First multi-engined aircraft - 1913.
First successful helicopter flight - 1937.
First nonstop transcontinental flight - 1923.
The world's longest nonstop commercial flight. London to Hong Kong - 22 hrs, 43 min.
Etc,

We’re flying to Biloxi tomorrow for a few days of gambling away some of our hard earned money.

The Nokia developed Morph

2008-02-26T18:49:00.000-05:00

A nanotechnology cell phone was demonstrated today. Its release is a few years away but this is what they have in mind.

Super Charge your Immune System.

2008-02-26T18:38:00.000-05:00

Artifically developed cells using already FDA approved biomaterials.

A Good Article on Argentinean Tourism

2008-02-26T18:18:00.003-05:00

I would say the meals are a little more expensive and the hotels a little cheaper than they quote in the article.

Go see Iguazu Falls if you can

Everything has its Price

2008-02-26T18:16:00.002-05:00

Those energy saving compact florescent light bulbs contain toxic mercury.

Road of Death

2008-02-25T21:20:00.004-05:00

A mostly single lane, dirt road, with no guard rails, 43 miles long, high up in the Bolivian Andes.
Road trip, anyone? We can go at night while it’s raining.

Are you a dog person or a cat person?

2008-02-25T20:59:00.003-05:00

Cheaper than eating right, easier than exercising and you can keep it outside if it pisses you off.
A cat, can cut your risk of heart attack by 30%.

My own personal cardiologist, Claudy.
Click on the picture to get a close up view of my cardiologist hard at work.

Justice for Shysters

2008-02-25T20:56:00.002-05:00

A judge overturned a verdict and made the lawyers pay the defendant’s lawyer fees, in the millions.

Man Up

2008-02-20T23:56:00.005-05:00

Lately I’ve been muttering to myself, one of the great lines in movie history,
“… a generation of men raised by women.”

More men, especially young men, are behaving in a manner that has traditionally been associated with women;
gossip, manipulation, innuendo and playing dumb.

Speak directly.
Ask direct questions.

Happy Valentines Day

2008-02-20T21:56:00.001-05:00

In the Grand Scheme of Things

2008-02-20T20:51:00.006-05:00

Do you want to feel insignificant?
We got here 6 minutes ago.

This was first published as the first chapter of Carl Sagan’s book, “The Dragons of Eden: Speculations on the Evolution of Human Intelligence”

How's that for a highfalutin title?

The 10 Emerging Technologies of 2008

2008-02-19T23:01:00.002-05:00

From the best high tech site on the web. Technology Review

Username - bugme
Password - bugmenot

Checking their track record…

The 10 Emerging Technologies of 2007

The 10 Emerging Technologies of 2006

The 10 Emerging Technologies of 2005

The 10 Emerging Technologies of 2004

The 10 Emerging Technologies of 2003

The US Dollar vs the Euro and the Argentinean Peso

2008-02-19T13:55:00.010-05:00

U.S. Dollar to Euro Exchange Rate - 5 Years.

U.S. Dollar to Argentine Peso Exchange Rate - 5 Years.

That makes Argentina a great place to vacation.
A steak dinner for two with a bottle of fine Argentinean wine is $30-$35.
Taxis are cheap and the people are friendly.

Got to love a city that has ads on the street
featuring topless women

The Barrio Norte section of BA.

Live Love Long Time

2008-02-18T21:03:00.006-05:00

If we are able to live another 10-15 years, we're going to live a long time.
The breakthroughs are here or right around the corner.
Make and program your own stem cells.

Username - bugme
Password - bugmenot

It’s Getting Much Worse

2008-02-18T20:51:00.005-05:00

Countywide is the largest mortgage company in the country. Countrywide had a terrible 2007. They had HUGE losses, in the Billions.
The 1st month of this year was even worse.
Countrywide reported last week, that the number of properties in foreclosures doubled last month and the number of delinquent loans almost doubled.

What I don’t understand is, why would one of the largest banks in the country pay $4 Billion dollars for a company that had already lost 80% of its market cap?
Something’s going on there and I think it involves my hard earned money.

Mussolini got the trains to run on time too

2008-02-17T14:06:00.002-05:00

SEOUL, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- A group of North Korean fishermen who drifted into South Korean waters were reportedly executed upon their return home.

Two boats carrying 22 North Koreans fishing for clams and oysters without North Korean permission wandered into South Korean waters Feb. 8. South Korean officials returned them when they found they weren't seeking asylum or spying.

The North Korean National Security Agency had the men killed immediately upon their return, a source told South Korea's Yonhap news agency.

The South Korean government said it had no knowledge of the execution.

Florida has the Best Sunsets

2008-02-17T12:32:00.013-05:00

Those are true colors. The sky had shades of pink.
From in front of the house.

Battery Breakthrough?

2008-02-17T12:15:00.003-05:00

10 times the punch of lead-acid batteries at half the cost and without the need for toxic materials or chemicals, according to the company.

The above link takes you to a MIT site, called Technology Review, register or use the following from www.BugMeNot.com
Username - bugme
Password - bugmenot

US Foreign Aid Explained

2008-02-17T10:45:00.005-05:00

President Bush just gave $700 Million to Tanzania

Politicians and bureaucrats take money from your paycheck, in Florida, and send it to Politicians and bureaucrats in Washington who will then send it to Politicians and bureaucrats in Tanzania who will then spend your money helping people that need it in Tanzania.
If you believe that happens, PLEASE call me, I have some Florida beach property to sell you.

HD DVD concedes defeat to Blu-ray

2008-02-17T01:47:00.003-05:00

If you bought Betamax and HD DVD, you’re a two time loser.

The Birthday Girl

2008-02-16T23:39:00.004-05:00

This is the 21st year in a row that big brother has taken little sister out for dinner for her birthday.
At my new fav resturant of course

Off with her Head

2008-02-15T19:32:00.003-05:00

One of our closest allies is about to murder a woman for being a witch.
Didn’t we used to do that, 200+ years ago?

What is the most Populated County in the USA?

2008-02-15T19:04:00.007-05:00

It's almost twice as big as the 2nd place county.
10 Million people in one County.
More people in this one county than all but 8 of the states.

Bug Me Not

2008-02-14T20:00:00.005-05:00

Don’t want to register on every freakin’ site on the web just to read an article.
Here is the solution.
You’ll need it below.

My New Favorite Restaurant

2008-02-14T19:34:00.004-05:00

It’s only been open a few months and we just happened upon it.
Great food and free valet parking.
It's on Orange Ave in Winter Park
Try the duck breast.

The best pop band of the last 15 years has called it quits.

2008-02-14T00:12:00.010-05:00

Simply Red was simply the best.
They were one of the top bands in Europe, South America and Japan for years but never did catch on here.
Their “A New Flame” was the best pop CD ever recorded.
What a voice. Mick lives on as a solo.

This is their last single.
"I'm Still Not Over You"

It's become a full fledged Simply Red tribute.
Just because he can sing doesn't mean he can dance.
"More" live from Hamburg.

This is it, unless I find another good one.
"Something Got Me Started"

One of the best to play the 88

2008-02-13T23:34:00.004-05:00

Oscar Peterson died in December.
Not the best sound and it is a little out of sync but as always a very tight band.
You can hear his vocalizations while he was playing. That always struck me as funny.

Innovation of the Year

2008-02-13T22:37:00.003-05:00

After years of promise and millions in investment, nanotechnology is starting to come to the market.
Popular Science’s innovation of the year.
The free market delivers again.

Do you want to drop off the grid?

2008-02-13T22:04:00.005-05:00

This man tried to live completely anonymously for a week.

Poetic Justice

2008-02-13T22:00:00.003-05:00

Pfizer, the pharmaceutical giant that used the eminent domain powers of New London, CT to take the homes of homeowners that refused to sell is facing their own property seizure via eminent domain.

Sometimes We Lose Perspective.

2008-02-12T22:29:00.011-05:00

If the MSM is so wrong, so often, you have to question everything they say including the current state of our economic affairs.
From the libertarian Reason Foundation.

The Orlando Housing Market Continues to Suffer

2008-02-10T16:30:00.003-05:00

For sellers the news is not good.
For bottom feeders the news is good.

The following graphs are from the Orlando Regional Realtor Association.

The worst month for 2007 was December.
It is continuing to get worse for sellers.