In search of a place where you can sit back and enjoy a nice cup of joe, while working on your passion? As most coffee shop lovers know, it’s not only about the coffee, it’s also about the atmosphere itself. Recently, we’ve started following the @CoffeeNRealEstate Instagram account and we are in awe. Realtors or real estate professionals can take pictures of themselves and their coffee in unique coffee shops, and the account will regram them. Following this account has introduced us to many different coffee shops with great atmospheres. After looking through the hashtag #coffeenrealestate, the Ole group decided to dig and do our own research on local coffee shops in the downtown Orlando area. We found that Orlando has several coffee houses that will make anyone second-guess their usual Starbucks routine.

 

Le Gourmet Break- A French bakery located right in downtown Orlando’s central business district. Owned by a French family who moved from France. They offer a variety of different coffee drinks as wells as tea and mimosas. The staff brings bright smiles and provides  authentic French cuisine. They serve crepes, macarons, croissants and more.

 

Achilles Art Cafe- a cafe that you are bound to find downtown Orlando’s trendsetters in. The owner, Achille’s, brings his European (he is both German and Greek) roots to his cafe. The design and layout of the 1500 square foot cafe allows one to relax and enjoy the amazing art on display. Visitors can enjoy coffee, tea, and even wine or beer. The cafe also serves fresh pastries, and fresh smoothies. If you’re looking for an eclectic coffee shop to try, Achille’s Art Cafe is your spot!

 

Propagation- A family owned coffee shop that also sells mid-century furniture and antiques. With minimal decor and no wifi, it creates an authentic atmosphere. Propagation is perfect for reading a book and enjoying one of their cafe beverages.

 

The Drunken Monkey Coffee Bar– Drunken Monkey is the best spot for environmental and socially conscious individuals looking for a great experience! All coffee is purchased under fair trade policies, and with the rainforest alliance. There is even a menu specifically made for vegans! All coffee is freshly brewed, and cold drinks are served in mason jars! So precious!

 

Stardust Video & Coffee- This 16 year old coffee house was once a place to rent videos that transformed into a place with an array of things to do. At Stardust you can enjoy good food, read a book and enjoy the atmosphere. At night it transforms into a bar with full liquor and selection of craft beers. The inside is dimly lit with lights hanging over the bar which creates the perfect ambience to relax.

 

If you have any cool coffee shops that you enjoy, please do share because we’d love to know! For more inspiration of real estate and a cup of joe, be sure to follow @CoffeeNRealEstate along with @TheOleGroup on Instagram!

Looking for a fun way to spend your Fourth of July? Fireworks at the Fountain is just the event you and your family are looking for.

On Saturday, July 4 from 4pm until 10 pm at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando the annual Fireworks at the Fountain will be hosted. The Fourth of July festivities include basketball and tennis games, a kids’ play area, and of course, Lake Eola’s finest swan boats available for rental. The event will have over 25 food vendors, offering a variety of options from local restaurants. Along with great activities and food, there will also be live music at the amphitheater stage. Rock music will be performed from the Mellow Relics at 5 pm, and then there will be a concert of patriotic favorites performed by the Orlando Concert Band at 8 pm. In between the two concerts at the amphitheater stage, there will be country music played by Jimmy Stanley on the K92.3 stage at 6:30 pm. The night will conclude with the patriotic firework show beginning at 9:10 pm. Be sure to get to the event early to find the most optimal seating for this annual experience unless you will be watching from your very own balcony! 

There’s something for everyone in the family to do at Fireworks at the Fountain. So stop by and join the party this weekend to celebrate Fourth of July!

Photo Credits: Orlando Sentinel, My FOX Orlando

 

Father’s day is just a few days away and Downtown Orlando is the perfect place to celebrate dad. With a vibrant cultural scene and a plethora of restaurants, you should have no problem finding something to do. Just in case there might be too many options to choose from, we’ve decided to share a few fun places to go to honor the day.

 

We’ve compiled a small list of ideas:

 

 

Brunch- If your dad is a late starter, then brunch would be a really great option. Not to mention it’s at one of our favorite places downtown, Spice Steakhouse, located right in front of the beautiful Lake Eola. They are truly known for their delicious menu and great service.

 

 

Picnics- If you just want to spend quality time with dad and the family, arranging a nice picnic on the pretty green at Lake Eola is a quick and easy idea. You can also walk around the lake where you may just pick up a few snacks from the farmer’s market to add to your picnic.

 

 

Massages- Now who says moms only love to be pampered. If your dad is constantly on the grind like we are, maybe helping him relax would make for a great gift. Treat him to a nice massage at Poseidon Spa in The Grand Bohemian.

 

 

Grilling- Sometimes staying around your downtown condo and enjoying your amenities such as the pool and grill area makes for a perfect day to bond with dad. Just make sure to reserve the grill in advance, in order to enjoy good grub with dad and the family.

 

 

Steak or seafood dinner- After a day well spent at the beach, pool or picnic, a nice steak or seafood dinner at KASA is a great way to end Father’s Day. Don’t you think? Unless, you’re stuffed from our other ideas.

 

If you don’t live in the area, we also found a great resource that will point you and dad in the right direction at My Central Florida Family.

 

Whether you choose to celebrate dad by doing activities or just relaxing, we hope that a few of our ideas have helped. But remember it’s all about showing dad your appreciation and that’s what truly matters. Happy Father’s Day!

 

 

Featured in Orlando’s Magazine as a HOT 100 Realtor for a second year in a row, Jose ‘Olé’ Mussenden continues to provide top notch service with The Olé Group! The ‘Hot 100’ Orlando’s Realtor award is for those real estate professionals who pride themselves in getting results. According to Orlando’s Magazine, “Whether you’re trying to buy or sell real estate, getting the best deal means finding an agent who possesses savvy and know-how and gets results. Orlando magazine’s list of “Hot 100” real estate professionals are some Central Florida agents who have demonstrated those skills.” Jose, unsurprisingly, happens to be one of them.

 

Jose Mussenden, also known as Jose Olé, believes that because life is short, you should spend it doing something you love. For this entrepreneur, that ‘something’ is helping people find their dream homes. As Orlando becomes an increasingly vibrant and desirable place to live, work and play, he and The Olé Group is poised to help usher in this new era in the city.

 

By mastering the art of doing business in New York City, an incredibly competitive market, Jose gained the understanding of an urban area’s inner workings. Eventually, leading Jose to enjoy the opportunity to watch The City Beautiful grow and evolve as an exclusive REALTOR® for Star Tower. Star Tower condominiums are located in the highly coveted Thornton Park area, in which, Jose specializes in, as well as the luxury high-rise properties in the downtown area, Winter Park, Baldwin Park and other neighboring communities.

 

Honored to be a HOT 100 Realtor for a second time, Jose works with a dedicated team who knows that real estate is the art of becoming a valuable advisor, not a salesperson and The Olé Group, is just that…valuable advisors building lasting relationships with our clients.

 

Home staging is a term that homeowners must get acquainted with, in order to help their realtors sell their properties faster. Professional home staging is changing the way realtors are promoting homes and maximizing their selling opportunities in the market. It is a crucial concept for both homeowners and realtors understand.

 

Home staging, alone can be the catalyst for selling a home. A Coldwell Banker survey reported that a house with home staging sells twice as fast as one without it. It not only allows the prospective buyers to understand the space they are looking at, but it also has a welcoming effect. Duke University held a survey about the importance of home staging, in which the surveyors rated the importance of various components of home staging from a score of 1-7, one being the lowest, seven being the highest. According the the study, the top three important home staging components include removing personal items from the home, using the rooms for intended purposes, and the removal of evidence of pets. By completing such simple tasks, a prospective buyer can imagine the house as their own thus increasing the likelihood of the home selling.

 

 

Because of the importance of home staging in real estate, there is now a market for professional home stagers. This emergence allows the real estate agents and the homeowners to focus more upon the actual selling of the home, as opposed to the design of the interior. Although, we like to focus more on selling the home and creating valuable relationships, The Olé Group often likes to be involved in the home staging process as well. By working with contractors and collaborating with interior designers, we work on the project effectively before listing a property for sell or rent at a client’s request. This could be anywhere from interior styling homes to renovations. Below is a video of one of our featured projects.

 

 

For pointers on home staging and how effective it could be read more.

 

Central Florida has become a vibrant area with hundreds of units in new luxury apartment complexes under construction. Everywhere you see, a new complex is being built or inaugurated, catering to a variety of tastes and luxury lifestyles. Much of Metro Orlando can be seen undergoing construction for several new apartment complexes spanning from Downtown Orlando to Altamonte Springs.

 

These new complexes are the result of Central Florida’s prospering apartment market and expansive land for new development. The 4 downtown complexes will offer so much more than just living quarters. Pools, gyms, built-in retail stores, and beautiful views of the Orlando skyline are just a few of the amenities to be enjoyed by residents. A question one may pose is, are these amenities worth it or who is actually buying these luxury apartments? According to Anjali Funker, a columnist for the Orlando Business journal, there are a few reasons for investing in such real estate.

 

For one, building such luxurious apartment complexes prove a great investment return rate. This is due to Orlando having the second highest average monthly rent in the region. After investing in such apartments, the rate of return for investors is worth it. As to who is buying or renting these apartments? Many people are, actually! Currently there is a 93.7% occupancy rate, which is bound to increase with University of Central Florida’s upcoming downtown campus project (Read more).

 

The apartment market in Central Florida is still on the rise and has showed a steady growth for the last few years! Who hasn’t taken a walk around downtown Orlando and just gazed at all of the new buildings or on going construction? Now there’s just more luxury lifestyle options the area has to offer. If you haven’t already seen what’s on the rise, here’s what’s coming soon:

 

 

Artisan 420: Jefferson Apartment Group’s $42.7 million, 299-unit complex at 420 E. Church Street in downtown Orlando is expected to debut its first units in October

 

 

Crescent Central Station: Crescent Communities LLC’s $54 million, 280-unit community at 480 N. Orange Ave. next to Lynx Central Station will debut its first units in this year’s second quarter.

 

 

The Sevens: The Pizzuti Cos. LLC broke ground last November on the estimated $42.6 million, 333-unit apartments at 777 N. Orange Ave. in downtown Orlando.

 

 

520: Jefferson Apartment Group is submitting finalized plans next month for this new $102 million, 510-unit project that will be on Church and Mariposa Street in downtown Orlando’s Thornton Park neighborhood.

 

Read more for more apartment complexes in other areas of Central Florida…

 

Luxury Apartment Complexes via Orlando Business Journal

 

 

Project Downtown Orlando (Project DTO) is a great initiative that will redefine the next chapter of Downtown Orlando, with all of the things this vibrant area has to offer.

 

Project DTO is a long-term process that will emphasize heavy public and stakeholder outreach, including the use of unique tactics to gain insight into the community’s needs and interests. The process will engage the Mayor’s DTO Task Force and Executive Advisory Committee (EAC) groups to provide feet-on-the-ground information that will guide the development of the DTO Vision and subsequent detailed reports of the DTO Marketing Strategy and the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Plan.

 

The objective of this project is geared toward connecting people to Downtown Orlando and to differentiate it as a unique place for people to live, work, visit and even grow a business! The way people look at Downtown Orlando is evolving, and a part of this evolution is The Olé Group. So stay tuned for updates to our Group that will be soon underway!

 

Image credits via Bungalower

 

 

Orlando is such a diverse and culturally-rich city with something to offer for everyone and The Olé Group makes enjoying everything that the downtown area has to offer quite simple! Serving over eight different neighborhoods, The Olé Group has an incredible range of selection for prospective homeowners, sellers and even renters. The Orlando area features incredible architecture, shopping, dining, nightlife and is a major region for a wide range of arts.

 

The Olé Group real estate team wants to help you find the perfect home for your luxurious lifestyle! Whether you are looking for an exclusive residence or a luxury condo, the years of experience behind The Olé Group will help you find a place that fits your lifestyle. They are true experts who know everything there is to know about Downtown Orlando and surrounding neighborhoods, from the newest high-rise buildings on the market to the chicest restaurants for an afternoon drink or an intimate dinner. So make sure to look out for our updates on downtown living and more on The High-Riser!

This photo of Lake Eola Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor

 

Enjoying a Sunday Funday isn’t just for couples or groups of friends; families can also get in on the weekend action by taking advantage of the many easily accessible (and affordable!) activities downtown Orlando has to offer. Why brave the theme park zone of Disney and Universal when you’ve got family-friendly entertainment in your own backyard?

 

Here are our picks for downtown Orlando activities that both parents and kids will enjoy, many of which are in walking distance of the condos downtown.

 

DINING

 

Hungry for brunch? You don’t have to leave the kids at home to enjoy this weekend tradition. Dexter’s of Thornton Park is completely kid-friendly, with a thoughtful kids’ menu and killer Bloody Marys for the adults. Outdoor seating adds accessibility for strollers, and the overall vibe is neighborhoody and relaxed.

 

LEARNING

 

After everyone is fed, consider pushing the stroller up Central to Orange County Regional History Center. Take a tour of the museum’s regular exhibits, like the Pioneer Cracker House where you can churn butter or lay on a moss-filled mattress, or check out the special family activities that explore city and state history through crafts. Bonus: the History Center participates in the Museums on Us program, which grants free admission to Bank of America cardholders on the first full weekend of each month.

 

RECREATION

 

When the weather is nice (read: October through April), there’s no better way to charm everyone in your party than by spending an afternoon by Lake Eola. If the playground doesn’t entice your kids, the swans will; bring your own bread, but beware, as the bigger birds have been known to get aggressive with little fingers. Turtles nest all along the shoreline, and shady benches are plentiful if you want to take a rest. For a swan’s-eye view of the lake, take a paddleboat on to the water, then chill at the aptly named Relax Grill. Lake Eola Park is always BYOB (bring your own blanket), in case the kids want to run around while you engage in some prime people-watching.

 

LAUGHTER

 

When the sun goes down, Sak Comedy Lab’s lights come on. Since 1991, local kids have thrilled to the wackiness of Sak’s live improv. Actors use the audience’s suggestions to make up skits and songs on the spot; the earlier shows steer clear of adult material, and your kids are likely to leave humming a silly song or two, their pockets full of free Tootsie rolls.

 

So tell us in the comments: what’s your idea of a perfect downtown day with the kids? Give your fellow downtown denizens suggestions for what we missed!

 

Photo credit: Bucky Schwarzs

 

 

Downtown Orlando’s Best Happy Hours: Where To Go, What To Drink

 

When are you happiest? Do come alive after 5, or is late night more your style? Whatever your timing, downtown Orlando has happy hours to match all spirits. If you’re hungry, many of these bars offer food specials in case you’d like to stay for a bite. Here are our picks:

 

Shari Sushi Lounge

 

The deal: $4.25 for select drinks and sushi rolls, from 5-7 pm every day

 

The vibe: City chic

 

Fun feature: A glowingly lit patio deck

 

Shakai Sushi Lounge

 

The deal: $2 domestics, $3 sake, $5 saketinis; $3 appetizers, $4 sashimi, $5 rolls from 5-7 pm every day

 

The vibe: Sexy date night

 

Fun feature: A DJ often mixes it up in the lounge

 

DownTown PourHouse

 

The deal: $2 Bud Light drafts and mimosas, $3 moonshine and sangria, $3 Heineken & Yuengling, $3 wells, $4 calls from 11 am-8 pm every day

 

The vibe: Where everybody knows your name

 

Fun feature: Specials for Sunday Funday and live games make it a party 24/7

 

Graffiti Junktion

 

The deal: $2 drink specials and half-off appetizers from 4-7 pm and 10 pm-2 am

 

The vibe: Cutoffs and cornhole, in the best possible way

 

Fun feature: Specials run all day on Mondays

 

Dexter‘s

 

The deal: $1 off domestic bottles, $2.00 off everything else and $10 off bottles of wine (those sold by the glass), Monday from 3 pm-close and Tues-Fri from 3-7 pm

 

The vibe: Urban pub

 

Fun feature: Double up on the deals: Tuesday is $1 Burger Night, from 5 pm-close

 

Cityfish

 

The deal: Drink specials and half-priced oysters from 4-7 pm, Mon-Sat

 

The vibe: Upscale crab shack

 

Fun feature: The bloody mary bar available on Sundays

 

Eola Wine Co.

 

The deal: Free flatbread with purchase of a bottle of wine (which are all $10 off), from 4-7 pm Mon-Thurs

 

The vibe: Sidewalk bistro

 

Fun feature: Great gluten free food options

 

The Courtesy

 

The deal: $4 handcrafted punch, draft beers, premium wells, and featured wine, from 5-8 pm Mon-Fri

 

The vibe: Classic speakeasy

 

Fun feature: Free Sunday BBQ from Yellow Dog Eats, and drink specials from 3-8 pm

 

Therapy Brew Bar

 

The deal: Select draft and bottled beer for $3, select wines for $5 glass/$18 bottle, and $3.50 sake bombs, from 4-7 pm Mon-Fri and 11-4 pm Sat-Sun

 

The vibe: A friend’s loft

 

Fun feature: The verandah deck with a gorgeous view

 

 

A little farther afield (but still downtown!):

 

The Hammered Lamb

 

The deal: Two-for-one specials on calls, domestic beers, and wines, from 4-7 pm Mon-Fri

 

The vibe: Sitting on the dock on Lake Ivanhoe

 

Fun feature: Live music on Fridays from 5-8 pm

 

Santiago‘s Bodega

 

The deal: $3 sangria, half-priced wine, beer, and well drinks, and $5 tapas from 4-6 pm and 11-2 am

 

The vibe: Eclectic library

 

Fun feature: Free parking

 

Photo credit:
Tom Beard