Small real estate company needs a simple yet classic logo designed!

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This customer received 72 logo designs from 18 designers. They chose this logo design from emptyboxgraphics as the winning design.
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I need a logo design for a small real estate company that I purchased named Carnival Real Estate Corporation. Currently the logo is a clown like mask as the icon. I want to keep the name for now, but would like to change the icon as I have had many clients mention they don't like it. See both links below for examples.
Here are my 2 websites you can look at the google site shows the black and white current logo.
http://carnivalrealty.com/
https://sites.google.com/site/carnivalrealty/
I would like to stick with the carnival theme, but do something retro (or old school carnival) and simple for business cards.
Here are some things on Pinterest that I have used and like. The first one was a simple icon on a business card I thought was nice and minimal (the Van Fletcher business card). The second shows some of the retro like ideas I was thinking about. a balloon, carousel horse, any other idea...something..simple..classy..memorable..
I don't want lots of color. A strong red, blue, gold, or some combination. Also should translate well to black and white or an outline (the van fletcher card is a good example).
http://www.pinterest.com/packtramp/business-cards/
http://www.pinterest.com/packtramp/creative-simple-icons/
There will most likely be follow on work if interested to build a business card template; sign templates; and maybe help with graphics, layout, and design on my webpage.
The file should have just the logo/icon and also a version using the included "Carnival" font. However, feel free to change the font to something custom if you have a great idea!
I have also loaded some of the files (current logo, carnival psd, etc.) below.
Thanks for your time!
Updates
Project Deadline Extended
Reason: I have a number of fantastic designs. I want to give a little more opportunity to refine a few of them and to get feedback from my friends and family.
Added Tuesday, October 07, 2014
Target Market(s)
Young marrieds, young professionals, middle aged business folks, with higher income based in North Alabama (The South) looking to purchase investment property or their own homes.
Industry/Entity Type
Real Estate
Logo Text
Carnival Real Estate
Logo styles of interest
Pictorial/Combination Logo
A real-world object (optional text)



Abstract Logo
Conceptual / symbolic (optional text)



Font styles to use
Other font styles liked:
- See attached files
Look and feel
Each slider illustrates characteristics of the customer's brand and the style your logo design should communicate.
Elegant
Bold
Playful
Serious
Traditional
Modern
Personable
Professional
Feminine
Masculine
Colorful
Conservative
Economical
Upmarket
Requirements
Must have
- logo/symbol/icon - simple yet memorable
Some examples I have thought of:
Old fashioned carnival tent
A regular old balloon outlined like you would see at a carnival.
A carousel style horse outlined
Or something else you think of when you think of a carnival....I am definitely open to other ideas, which is why I came here.
Nice to have
- you could redo the Carnival Real Estate font, or keep it.
Should not have
- too much color and I really don't want the design to be too busy. I don't want the current carnival clown-type mask.