5 Tips to Get the Full Asking Price for South Tampa Homes for Sale   With the current housing market condition, many home sellers are facing a difficult time. With fewer buyers looking for properties, you need to come up with strategies that will set your home for sale in South Tampa area apart from the rest. And with the tips listed below, you will not only attract many potential buyers, you will also have the opportunity to get the best price for your property. 1. Prepare your property for sale To get the best price, you will need to show your property in its prime condition. Do little maintenance jobs and keep your home clean at all times. Make sure that the exterior looks superb to create a great first impression.   2. Set the right asking price Be realistic about the price of your ... 03/24/2015

                                        WHY NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO BUY     INTEREST RATES ARE STILL LOW. WITH THE INTEREST RATE INCREASE, YOUR BUYING POWER WILL DECREASE. CONTACT ME TO FIND YOUR DREAM HOME TODAY! 03/24/2015

How to Increase the Value of Your South Tampa Home for Sale   The road to closing the deal for your home for sale in South Tampa area may be a long one. But the journey can become easier if you know how to improve the value of your home.  Set your property apart from others and get it sold by following these tips:   Consult with a pro. Invite a REALTOR® to check out your home. An expert can give you smart ideas for needed improvements. Improving the look and feel of your home may come through furniture replacement or new paint colors. Clean and De-clutter. Do a basic cleaning of your South Tampa home for sale. A cleaner house will look more appealing and inviting. Update Kitchen Appliances. One of the most sought after rooms in your house is the kitchen. If your kitchen appliances are m... 03/17/2015

Most Florida first time buyers don't have the means for the large down payments required by most mortgage programs today.  The good news is the 100% USDA 502 Guarantee home mortgage loans are offered to help lower to moderate income households purchase homes in Florida's rural areas and in some cases on the outskirts of larger cities like Tampa with NO DOWNPAYMENT requirement! USDA home mortgage loans offer many advantages to qualified borrowers looking to buy or refinance including: 100% financing Low monthly mortgage insurance No asset requirements Gifts allowed for closing costs Required property improvements can be financed into the loan up to 102% of the “improved” value, which can be completed after closing.  Eligible USDA property types include single family homes and condominium... 03/10/2015

How to Prepare your South Tampa Home for Spring Sale   Now that the winter months are coming to an end, it’s time to open the windows and usher in the fresh spring air into your homes for sale in South Tampa area.  Indeed, spring is a rejuvenating season, and your home will be more enhanced with these exciting ideas on how to celebrate the rebirth of nature.  With these tips, you will surely attract more buyers to your property.   Open your windows and air out your South Tampa home for sale. The mustiness left over from the cold and chilly months of winter will be swept away by the clean, fresh air of spring. It’s time to store your winter accessories. Dust them off before storing them. Decorate your rooms with crystal or clear glass objects to flicker light onto surfaces. One of the af... 03/10/2015

  Almost everyone over the age of 20 has said the phrase “that’s it, I’m moving to Florida” at some point during their life. Usually it is said out of frustration with the weather, or another popular reason being high taxes elsewhere. In the 90’s and early 2000’s, Florida was an incredibly popular destination to move to. The younger crowds flocked to Miami or Tampa, the wealthy to Miami and Fort Lauderdale, and then the retirees to Naples or Fort Myers.   Since 2007 though we have been lagging behind…. Until recently. Sean Snaith, director of the Institute for Economic Competitiveness at the University of Central Florida, says Florida's economy is now solidly passing the Nation’s. Not only are we recovering fully, but we are about to start leading the pack again. Tourism is back to ful... 03/09/2015

Fannie Mae now offers the My Community Mortgage. The program has been rolled out as an affordable financing option to serve low to moderate income borrowers. The program is for first time home buyers. Fannie Mae defines first time home buyers as anyone who has not owned a home in the last 3 years. The program has reduced mortgage insurance and is a great alternative to FHA. Here are some highlights 3% Down - Can be all gift funds Must meet income requirements First time home buyers Must complete home buyer conseling Credit Scores as low as 620 Much lower mortgage insurance than FHA No FHA 90 flip rule 3% seller paid closing costs with 3% down payment 6% seller paid closing costs with 10% down payment 9% seller paid closing costs with 25% down payment If you are looking for an experience... 03/06/2015

Top 5 Ways to Attract Potential Buyers to Your South Tampa Home   Putting up your home for sale in South Tampa area is not an easy undertaking, especially with the current economic state. If you want to sell your home successfully, the first thing that you have to do is to attract potential buyers and make a good impression on them. Here are some tips that you can use to turn your property into a buyer magnet. 1. Clean and get rid of the clutter Though it may seem trivial, cleaning can actually increase the value of your South Tampa waterfront homes for sale by emphasizing the aesthetic appearance. When cleaning, make sure to cover every area of the house such as the walls, lawn, and flooring. Get rid of all clutter that you have before putting up your home for sale. Avoid storing old n... 03/02/2015

Tampa is a warm and beautiful city.   I hope you enjoy some recent photos I shot with my Iphone 4 near Tampa General Hospital and Davis Island Yacht Club.   Jeff :)       03/01/2015

I went to Cuban Breezes on Hillsborough Avenue in Oldsmar Florida yesterday and had some GREAT food! Ronnie had been there before but it was a first for me and he hadn't been there in years. We had Empanadas and I had their Pan con Lechon (pulled pork on Cuban bread with sauteed onions) while Ronnie had their Philly Steak on Cuban bread. I love Cuban food and will be back there again soon! If you are looking for informal dining and good Cuban food, check out Cuban Breezes on Hillsborough Avenue in Oldsmar Florida. 03/01/2015

What is the Status of the New Tampa, FL Real Estate Market?  There were 337 active listings in New Tampa in January 2015. This was a decrease of 11.8% from January 2014. There were 72 closed contracts in January 2015 after an average of 71 days on the market.  The median sales price of the homes was $200,000, with an average sale price of $194,667.  While the number of closed contracts decreased from the prior month of December, 2014, the 72 closed contracts in January represent an increase of 12.5% from January 2014. Inventory                                                  Jan-2015          Jan-2014         % Change Active Listings                        337                   382                     -11.78% New Listings                           105                   141             ... 02/24/2015

Top 6 Best Attractions Near South Tampa FL   Owning homes for sale in South Tampa area does not only entitle you to a new property. It also opens the door to an amazing place where you can experience great and exciting adventures.   Here are the top attractions in Tampa, Florida that you shouldn’t miss. 1. Big Cat Rescue If you’re into hiking through a rainforest like environment, listening to tropical birds, and spotting leopards and ocelots, then this is the place well suited for you. Visit this place and be closer to the exotic cats. Check out the world’s largest accredited big cat rescue facility, only in Tampa, Florida.   2. Lettuce Lake Park This 240-acre site opened in 1982 and instantly became popular for its various activities. It has a 1.25 mile bicycle path/ jogging trail, co... 02/24/2015

Longboat Landing Home for Sale with Jacuzzi | 16517 Cayman DR   Enjoy captivating views of Lake LeClare in this totally breathtaking lakefront Longboat Landing home for sale with jacuzzi. This is an excellent deal you wouldn’t want to miss! This 2-story home in Longboat Landing at the beautiful Tampa Florida exudes comfort and style with its 4 bedrooms and 2 baths, with a sizeable and definitely inviting jacuzzi in its updated master bath. It is nestled in an expansive 21,779 sq ft of land with a terrific curb appeal and ample parking.     This splendid home offers the serenity of a lakefront home but is also close to dining and entertaining, schools, and other establishments that would make for an ideal private and comfortable living. It’s fabulously designed interior and stylish exter... 02/20/2015

Tampa FL Lakefront Home for Sale with a Pool | 16517 Cayman DR   Your dream Tampa FL lakefront home is ready for you! Grab this rare chance of owning a Tampa FL lakefront home for sale with a pool. This spacious 2-story home sits on 21,779 sq. ft. of land in Longboat Landing, with schools, businesses and expressway access in close proximity. It’s interior is everything you ever wanted - great views of Lake LeClare from each of the 4 bedrooms, including 2 bathrooms with a jacuzzi tub in the huge master bath. Great views also from the living room, dining room, dinette, kitchen, expansive family room with wood burning fireplace.  Only the laundry room doesn’t have a view of the lake. The French doors that open to the pool and lanai, along with the Bruce hardwood floors are just some of th... 02/19/2015

New Luxury Homes Coming to Wiregrass Ranch Wesley Chapel GL Homes, Florida’s leading homebuilder, is raising the bar and breaking ground on an incredible new luxury community coming soon to Wesley Chapel – The Ridge at Wiregrass Ranch. Renowned for creating master-planned, luxury communities in Florida’s most desirable locations, GL Homes is bringing inventive home designs, world-class amenities, and the ultimate resort lifestyle to this exciting area.The residences at The Ridge will exceed your every expectation. A distinctive selection of single-family home designs span 1,700 to more than 5,000 sq. ft. of opulence with 3 to 6 bedrooms, up to 5 1/2 bathrooms, and 2- to 3-car garages. Gorgeous standard features and resort-style amenities are included. The spectacular clubhouse and lifes... 02/18/2015

5 Tips in Preparing Your South Tampa Home for Showing   When selling a home, generating interest and getting the best price possible do not happen by sheer luck alone. If you want your home to be one of the best homes for sale in South Tampa area, you will need careful planning and the basic knowledge in staging and enhancing your home’s attractiveness. When you show your home, your goal is to draw the attention of your buyers to your home’s positive attributes. Read on for some tips on how to prep your home and increase the odds in getting it sold.   1. Start with a Warm Welcome       Although they are guests, buyers need to envision themselves as the owners of the luxury homes for sale in South Tampa.   Do not linger around when the clients arrive to preview the home. The buyers might... 02/17/2015

5 Reasons Why Your Offer on South Tampa Homes for Sale Was Rejected   Anyone who was dead set at buying homes for sale in South Tampa area would get disappointed if their offer was rejected. Although this little hurdle won’t mean you can’t ultimately succeed in home buying, it is important to understand what went wrong. Knowing the reasons why your offer for a home was rejected can help you in preparing a better offer the next time around. There are numerous reasons for a rejection, but these are the most common ones: It did not meet the seller’s requirement It is common that a seller of a luxury home for sale in South Tampa has a list of conditions upon negotiation. It is the duty of your agent to find out what these things are so you can consider them in your offer. Sometimes an offer... 02/10/2015

Valencia Lakes Top Rated Retirement Community In Tampa Bay!   Active adults and retirees from all over America are choosing Valencia Lakes on Florida’s tranquil west coast because of its incredible resort lifestyle and great values on new homes. G.L. Homes designed Valencia Lakes' waterfront recreation complex with a magnificent 27,000-total-square-foot clubhouse that offers a complete fitness center, massive swimming pool with a separate exercise pool, spa, cabana bath, aerobics/yoga studio, art studio and gallery, festive wine bar, majestic social hall with stage and dance floor, gaming room, multi-purpose room, internet cafe, locker facilities with steam room, saunas and so much more! The Valencia Lakes Retirement Community in Tampa has a full-time Lifestyle Director to organize a wi... 02/09/2015

Mortgage Brokers Can Ease the Strain of Getting a Home Loan There was a time when reverse mortgages could be taken out at the local branch of the bank you've trusted with your money for years. However, after the boom and bust, more and more banks bowed out of originating reverse mortgages. And while many lenders have also closed their reverse mortgage departments, there have been many changes to the reverse mortgage program as well as the landscape for homeowners. Presently, according to an article published by The Guardian, a little over 60% of all home loans are taken out through a broker. This information is not surprising, given the amount of changes to various mortgage programs, including reverse mortgages, have gone through the years. It's no longer enough to fill out a form, hand... 02/09/2015

4 Roles of Tampa FL REALTORSⓇ in Home Buying   Despite the huge amount of information found on the internet about home buying, more than 80 percent of homebuyers still choose to work with Tampa FL REALTORSⓇ. If there’s anything at all this fact proves, it’s that the real estate agents are still highly indispensable in the market, and for good reasons. They are performing a lot of crucial tasks, the most important of which can be found below. 1. Walks buyers through the process Home buying isn’t like purchasing a product in the grocery store where people come in, pick their item, pay, and then go out. Yes, South Tampa waterfront homes for sale are commodities which we buy, but it is a big investment. It could even be the biggest financial decision most people would make. And given all th... 02/05/2015