Earlier this year, one of my buyers was so excited to close on their bank owned home.  The appraisal actually came in $20,000 above contract place.  I am so excited that they got instant equity. We moved quickly on their purchase of this home that was in an area they had been looking at for quite some time.  As soon as their mortgage letter was received, we immediately went to that home.  We made an offer $100 over list price and there had been multiple offers coming in at the same time.  The buyers put down $1000 earnest money deposit. The bank picked our offer.  The buyers were happy with the home inspection.  So happy for Ryan and Amanda..If you don’t like waiting for months for a response to your offer to purchase, Bank Owned Properties may be the way for you to purchase a home at a... 11/11/2015

How to Tell If You Are Ready to Buy Sunset Park Home in South Tampa There may be many reasons to buy a Sunset Park home for sale in South Tampa, but how do you know if you are ready? If you want to know whether you are ready for the American Dream of homeownership, read on and check if you have or are already doing the following:  1. You have been savingIf you have extra money saved up, then you may be ready to buy South Tampa homes for sale in Sunset Park. Normally you need at least 20% cash down payment ready if you plan to buy a home and your savings will come in handy. The bigger down payment you are able to make, the smaller your monthly payments will be. You will also pay a lower amount in interest over the lifetime of your mortgage. If you already have money saved for a down paym... 11/09/2015

   When you apply for a home loan, the buyer is asked if they are going to be living in the home.  Lenders want to know if the borrower is intending to actually live in the home that they are buying (primary residence) or whether it's an investment property or second home.  If the home isn't a primary residence, the borrower's chance of default tends to be higher.     Investment properties or second homes require a higher percentage down.  Owner occupied homes require a lower amount down, and you get a better interest rate.   Please let me know how I can help you in your home search in Tampa Bay Florida.   Loving my profession - helping others find the home of their dream - their just right home for them :)   My cell phone number is 813-624-3332 - would love to hear from you.Warmly,Step... 11/07/2015

Cute as they are, pets while the home is being shown can be a real distraction and can be a deterrent to those looking to buy the property.  Cat and dog hair and odors can be a real problem to those especially that have allergies; smells can make the home seem older, dirty and can immediately put into the buyer's mind that the carpet needs to be replaced. Now what else needs to be done to the home...?  Buyers are looking for a deal and move in ready does not include carpet replacement.  While out showing properties I've had buyers high tail it out of the home with just one whiff of the pet smell. Most buyers just can't get that smell out of their mind and are turned off by the smell thinking that it will just always be there.  Recently I was showing a home that had 3 beautiful cats ther... 11/05/2015

When considering Do-it-yourself projects, it can be so exciting, creating a better home environment and all the satisfaction that you will feel with each step of the project.  When you step back and take it all in - your completed masterpiece - there's nothing better. Enjoying living in your home each day even more, and increasing the value and of the home and its saleability when you decide to sell one day.Please try to look thru the eyes of the potential buyer of your house when you do sell. When it comes time to sell, if the buyers are turned off with the quality of the work done, it may be the reason that your house doesn't sell, unless you're willing to take quite a bit less for the sales price. No one wants that to happen.Some projects are worth the costs of hiring a contractor, i... 11/03/2015

Top 5 Steps to Make the Move to Your South Tampa Home Easy for Your Children Once you have bought the perfect property among the many homes for sale in South Tampa, your next step will include preparations for moving. Since many kids thrive in familiarity and routine, they might feel overwhelmed with the major change that is about to take place.  Here are some steps you can take to ease the transition for your children. 1. Research the new neighborhoodYour kids will have an easier transition to your new South Tampa home if you will try to learn as much as possible about the new neighborhood. Make sure to share what you find with your kids. You may also encourage your children to do their own research. You may get a copy of some local magazines and a weekend edition of the local paper. T... 11/02/2015

How to Avoid Seller's Remorse When Selling Real Estate in South Tampa You've probably heard of the term "buyer’s remorse," which happens when a homebuyer regrets his or her decision of buying a property right after settling in due to different reasons, but did you know that there's also such a thing as "seller's remorse?"This usually happens when sellers are not yet prepared to part with their homes in South Tampa or if they feel that it might be a bad decision to put their property on the market.  Here are five tips to help sellers of homes for sale in South Tampa area avoid seller’s remorse: 1. Research the marketIf you are seriously considering selling your home, it's best if you have information about the local market conditions. Knowing the different types of housing markets and th... 10/28/2015

I am a Broker Associate with Engel & Volkers, serving South Tampa and the Tampa Bay region. I am licensed in Florida and Virginia.  Prior to moving to Tampa Bay, I lived in the Metropolitan Washington DC area, where I successfully negotiated and closed Multi-million dollar transactions in Fairfax County, one of the most influential counties in the U.S.  I believe in continually educating myself to better service my clients and learn from top producers around the country. I have earned one of the highest designations in Real Estate, the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS). A CRS Realtor® is your assurance that you are working with one of the top professionals in the business. Approximately 3% of all Realtors® have earned the CRS designation.  I have also earned the Certified Luxury Ho... 10/22/2015

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Painting Your Palma Ceia Home for Sale Painting your home is a huge project, but it can certainly help in attracting buyers looking for Palma Ceia homes for sale in South Tampa. Keep in mind that the paint job is the first impression people will have of your home so it better look good. To get the best results, check out the common painting mistakes you ought to avoid. 1. Not having the right toolsWorking with the wrong tools will not only make the task more time consuming, it can also lead to sloppy paint job. If you want your property to stand out from the other homes for sale in Palma Ceia South Tampa, take an inventory first before you start the project. Make sure you have the right brushes, scrapers, caulk, and other materials needed.  2. Breathing the wron... 10/20/2015

Top 4 Common Reasons Why Your South Tampa Home Is Not Selling Are you wondering why your South Tampa home in Maryland Manor is still sitting on the market after weeks-or even months-of showings? As a seller, it is easy to get frustrated when you are having troubles with attracting buyers. However, being well informed can help you overcome some common obstacles to a home sale. Here are some chief reasons why some homes do not sell.1. You listed for a certain amount and then you put your price upThis kind of scenario is a major turn off for buyers looking for South Tampa Maryland Manor real estate for sale. Sometimes, sellers make the mistake of putting the price up when they start receiving high offers. Instead of getting more, changing the price can actually kill the sale. 2. You made a... 10/13/2015

We are back!Due to the changeover from trulia url's and such, SI Real Estate been absent on here for the past two months. We could not get logged into our account or even connect to the site without a bunch of security flags! As such, our blog posts were not able to be seen by our viewers unless they had our blogspot information. Happy to say that SIRE is back in action, and we are going to bring you the real estate updates we are known for. We love what we are seeing in the housing market and can't wait to share the great news and trends with you all. Thankfully, Active Rain customer service helped us out and were able to fix the problem. We have truly missed you all, and interacting on this site. Feels good to be back!Happy Thursday and hope you all are having a fantastic and producti... 10/08/2015

First-Time Home Buyer Tips1. Don't just focus on the monthly mortgage payment that you can afford each month. There are also other expenses that you need to think about, like property insurance, taxes, homeowner association dues, utility bills, and maintenance. There are going to be other expenses as a new home owner that you will need to budget for.  Make sure you have a realistic budget. 2. When you are looking at mortgage programs and the amount that you want to put down towards your home purchase, be careful not to completely empty your bank accounts for the down payment.  For example if you are wanting to go with conventional financing with 20% down so that you can avoid mortgage insurance, keep in mind a rainy day comes to everyone. You need to keep a good padding in your account ... 10/07/2015

Top 4 Major Considerations before Buying Sunset Park Homes in South Tampa Before you make any decisions about buying Sunset Park homes for sale in South Tampa, you should take time to consider whether it is the right choice for you. Since this is probably one of the biggest financial transactions that you will undertake, it is important to know the many factors that come into play and what to consider when buying a home. Read on for some major considerations that you should think about. 1. Your emotional stateThe emotional state of a buyer is one of the most important considerations during the process or purchasing South Tampa homes for sale in Sunset Park. Although this factor may sound so simple, the truth is homeownership is not for everyone. Buying a home is a major financial commit... 10/06/2015

   It’s no secret by now that Florida is pushing past the recession this year in 2015. Economists and experts have been optimistic all year, and the data is continuing to back them up. Sean Snaith, a highly respected economist at UCF says Florida’s GDP will continue to climb at least through 2018. Could we really see economic growth lasting that long? Snaith fully believes so, citing average housing prices up, payroll being up and real gross state product steadily rising for a while now. The SI Real Estate team fully agrees, as we are seeing rising home prices as well as increasing rents here in Tampa, Florida. After all, our state boasts sunshine, beaches, palm trees, sand, and year-round weather which are all basically recession proof.     The desire for people to own homes in Florida... 10/06/2015

3 Common South Tampa Real Estate Myths You Should Know Real estate myths are often passed around among buyers and sellers. While some of them have some truth, there are others that are outright false. These tall tales and outdated assumptions can affect your home selling experience. If you are planning to put your Sunset Park homes for sale in South Tampa on the market, you need to educate yourself so that you can make the smartest choice. Here are some commonly heard and misconstrued by the general population.1. Your home does not need to be prepared for saleThis real estate myth can cost a seller thousands of dollars. It is extremely important that you do not list your home before it is ready. If you want your South Tampa home for sale in Sunset Park to sell fast, you need to properly... 09/29/2015

Updated Home for Sale in Town and Country Tampa FL | 10228 Oslin St Create wonderful memories in this gorgeous 2 bedroom home for sale in Tampa FL which features newly updated granite countertops, ceramic tile flooring all throughout the home, a separate utility area, an open floor plan, and a large outdoor deck that’s perfect for entertaining family and friends.Located in Town and Country in Hillsborough county,  this home sits on 0.28 acres of land that offers a lot of parking for RVs, boats, utility vehicles, and more. Built in 1991, it’s conveniently located nearby a Walmart neighborhood market, dozens of restaurants, schools, boutique stores, and more.Step inside and be instantly amazed with ceramic tile floors all throughout this updated home. Fill the living room with your choice... 09/25/2015

4 Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Selling South Tampa Homes Finding the right buyer for homes for sale in South Tampa area demands a great deal of your time and your effort. After all, selling a home is a challenging undertaking. Sometimes, despite the seller’s desire of seeing their property sell quickly at a high profit, many properties still languish on the market for months without any offer. This may be due to the common mistakes on the part of the home seller. Read on to avoid common home selling pitfalls.1. Selling your home on your ownAvoid making the mistake of selling your own home just to be able to save the fees associated with a real estate agent. For most of the time, going solo can end up being a costly mistake. It may be difficult to begin and push through with the home bu... 09/22/2015

Best Dining Options near Palma Ceia Homes for Sale in South Tampa FL If you are in the area to view Palma Ceia homes for sale in South Tampa FL, you should also grab the opportunity to check out the amazing array of dining destinations in the community. These must-try dining spots will make your South Tampa experience worth your time and effort. Read on for the best dining options in the area. 1. Yoko’s Japanese RestaurantAddress: 3217 S MacDill Avenue Tampa, FL 33629Phone:  813-835-4311 If you want a taste of classic Japanese cuisine near homes for sale in Palma Ceia South Tampa, come and visit Yoko’s Japanese Restaurant. The place has friendly staff who provides excellent service. The sushi menu contains a description of each roll so no need to guess what was in each roll. Although yo... 09/14/2015

How to Save Down Payment for South Tampa Homes in Maryland Manor Buying your own home is a major milestone in many people’s lifetime to-do lists. However, homeownership can also cause financial fear, especially if you are not prepared. To help you with the home buying process, here are some ways to help you boost your savings in order to attain that coveted 20 percent down payment for South Tampa Homes in Maryland Manor.How to Save Down Payment for South Tampa Homes in Maryland Manor Buying your own home is a major milestone in many people’s lifetime to-do lists. However, homeownership can also cause financial fear, especially if you are not prepared. To help you with the home buying process, here are some ways to help you boost your savings in order to attain that coveted 20 percent do... 09/09/2015

4 Ways to Update the Exterior of Your Sunset Park Home for Sale Your home’s exterior deserves the same care and interest as the interior. Paying careful attention to the exterior of your Sunset Park home for sale in South Tampa can increase its neighborhood appeal and market value. If you’re working with a small budget, here are some ideas that you can use on your property.1. Check your curb appealTake a good look at your yard, landscaping, sidewalk, and front entryway. Tidying up these areas can go a long way. Make sure to cut and trim grass, rake leaves, and clear fallen tree debris around the yard.  Give your exterior a good power wash, touch up paint trim, mow your lawn and spread fresh mulch over flower and plant beds. Try to conceal trash cans and recycle bins out of sight. These ... 09/01/2015