I guess we could all ask ourselves how bad the local economy can get. Here in Orlando we think sometimes we are immune to outside factors because we have the tourism business. But, even good ole Mickey Mouse is feeling the pinch. How so? Well Mickey Mouse just celebrated his 80^th birthday without so much as even a card. When Disney Officials were questioned they had no explanation for the oversight. (Orlando Business Journal, Nov. 21-27, 2008)

I guess things are pretty bad when poor Mickey does not even get a card huh? I’m getting ready to celebrate my birthday this week. I wonder how I am going to suffer with the economy and the meltdown we have experienced. But, wait a minute! The market has been up 900 points in the last 2 days on the great news of what? Who the economic team of the upcoming administration is going to be? It just goes to show you what kind of thin ice we are treading on in our market. It is very reminiscent of 99’-00’ when the slightest of news events good or bad could send the world markets into big spins or vice versa.

How do these things affect us in our States, counties, or even our cities like Orlando? Well if you go by my Disney citation you would say to yourself, Not good…not good at all. But, for every Disney story you can find a positive story. At least about Orlando.

In the same publication, The Orlando Business Journal (Nov-21-27, 2008), a story ran about how Orlando was the 14th fastest growing Metro area in the Nation. That would not be the greatest stat if the survey was among 14 metros, but it was not. The survey was of 100 metro areas. Incidentally, Orlando was the 2^nd fastest in the state, only behind Fort Meyers.

Which leads to my conclusion. I think when it comes to real estate in Florida, Good News or Bad News; I think you are in good shape with your investment. Are we in some rough waters? Heck yeah. But, is it better to be homeless in Orlando Florida or Detroit Michigan? Maybe the analogy is a little drastic, but you get my drift. Central Florida was the place to be economically during the downturn of 00-03’ and it is the place to be in the recession of 08’-?

Want to know more about Central Florida and Orlando commercial real estate? Go to www.streetwiseinvestmentsinc.com for all your commercial and single tenant NNN questions.