Tampa,Fl June 20,2007.I'm writing this blog post to ask other agents if they have started running into the same problem when they are working with buyers looking for homes in the Northwest part of the Tampa Bay area priced in the $500,000 to $1,000,000 price range. With all the bad press reports and Realtor Organization Reports coming out showing a record number of listings, where are they when I take buyers out looking. I'm currently working with over 20 buyers looking for houses and everyone of them is amazed at what little to choose from in their respective price ranges. This is especially true in South Tampa, Westchase, Waterchase and with waterfront homes over 5000 sq.ft. For an example, I currently have about 5-7 buyers looking for a one story 4/3/3 home in the Waterchase/Westchas... 06/20/2007

Babe Zaharias Golf Coarse is a natural Tampa Beauty.  Sure to delight anyone with a fabulous day of golf regardless of your golfing skills.  (or in my case LACK of~).This delightful plush green golf coarse, also greets you with some of the most mature oak trees that will have you in admiration to its sheer beauty.  Mother nature at is finest.... Here is another photo, I couldn't help but post for your viewing pleasure.Hard to believe this is merely the PARKING area of this magnificent coarse! Here are some photos of the actual coarse, the photos aren't near as nice as the actual view.  what's NOT to love....I can remember riding my bike around the fairways...Enjoying the flattering views of the well manicured greens.Forest Hills (a Tampa, FLorida Community).One last little tid bit...A L... 06/19/2007

My family has lived in the Forest Hills area of TAMPA since the mid 50's, and has golfed at "the babe"  for over 20 years.   Growing up in the Forest Hills area, the rolling hills and beautifully green landscaped greens at Babe Zaharias are a hidden little gem in Tampa, tucked back in forest hills.  The Mayor of Tampa, Pam Iorio, allowed for improvements to the golf coarse in recent years and the coarse has grown in popularity in vast numbers.  When I picked up a gift certificate for fathers day, I admired it's fairlined beauty.  Here is a bit of history behind "the babe"In 1926 the golf course that is now affectionately known as "The Babe" was opened in northwest Tampa as Forest Hills Golf and Country Club.  There were riding stables located on the south end of the property and a magni... 06/19/2007

Tampa Bay Florida ~ Commercial offices will have some unexpected guests this Friday, June 22, 2007 - Our commercial Tampa Bay real estate will go to the dogs because Friday is the 9th Annual Take Your Dog to Work Day in Tampa Bay Florida.Take Your Dog to Work Day was started 9 years ago by Pet Sitters International to "celebrate canine companionship" - they wanted to show co-workers that don't own dogs the joy a dog can bring into your life.Historically, Pet Sitters International's goal has been to take the day and have fun while putting the focus on the benefits of owning a dog and helping to motivate people to take action and adopt many of the dogs currently in Tampa Bay area shelters or Humane Societies. Our shelters are typically fuller in the summer months.    If you still want to ... 06/19/2007

Live Oak Preserve reporte de mercadoReporte de mercado para la semana del 06/11/2007 hasta /6/17/2007Casas a la venta que entraron esta semana   =5Casas que entraron bajo contrato esta semana   =0Casas que expiraron del mercado esta semana   =0Casas que se vendieron esta semana(cierres) =0Total de casas a la venta = 82Total de casas bajo contrato = 4Si desea un anlysis de mercado gratuito llame a Katerina Villa-Garcia 813-476-1059 Remax Refelctions                        www.casasennewtampa.com 06/19/2007

LIVE OAK PRESERVE MARKET REPORTMarket Report for the week of 06/11/2007 thru 06/17/2007New Listings this week 5Pending Sales this week (under contract)  0Expired Listings this week  0Sold Listings  this week  0 Total Active listings as of 06/17/2007=  82Total Pending sale(under contract) as of 06/17/2007= 4If you would like a free Market analysis of your property call Katerina  Villa-Garcia 813-476-1059 Re/max reflections                                               www.housesinnewtampa.com 06/19/2007

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has a $120 million expansion underway, which will make the casino 50% larger and it will be the largest casino in Florida.  Additionally, a 1250 space parking garage is being added.  This enormously successful Tampa casino has seen increased growth in each of its three years since being built.  It is anticipated that an additional 300 employees will be hired and a job fair is planned for July.Russ Perlowski:  Tampa Real Estate--Selling homes in Tampa, Land O Lakes, and Wesley Chapel, FL 06/16/2007

Congratulations to Principal Donna Ares for winning Hillsborough County  Council of PTAs/PTSAs' for 2006-2007 Principal Of the Year. Ares is the principal of the new Turner elementary in New Tampa and this is the second time she recieves this honor. I had my two kids in her school and I have to say she really deserves it!! 06/16/2007

MOSI (Museium of Science and Industry), features a new exibit called GROSSOLOGY.  This exibit is the kid related version of science and the human body at work! MOSI will unveil the everyday slimy, mushy, stinky, gross yet scientific occurrences in the human body during Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body. Based upon the "best-selling children's book" GROSSOLOGY by Sylvia Branzei, Grossology (the exhibition) presents all the "gross stuff" kids enjoy complete with interactive stations and scientific explanations to help teach the "not-so-flattering" components of the human body.Mrs. Sylvia Branzei, a former science teacher, is the innovator of Grossology or the "idea of teaching science through gross things." To date, the GROSSOLOGY book series has been translated into fi... 06/16/2007

Only a few years ago I  was being told by Builders that they had waiting lists of over 100 names and that they basically were able to sell their own homes.  Today is a different story, many of those same builders have several inventory homes on their books and they want to make a deal.  So, for those looking to buy new construction townhouses in the New Tampa area, now is the time.  It doesn't matter if you are a first time home-buyer, looking to downsize, looking to upgrade, there are some great deals out there for you right now.See more information on the townhouse communities in New Tampa area right now 06/15/2007

I want to share a story with you.  It fits in perfectly with the current market and the outrageous number of homeowners who are facing the reality of adjusting mortgage rates and increasing payment.Back in May 2005, I had a customer referred to me by another customer.  He was a first time homebuyer and going through the mortgage process for the first time.  We sat down together and discussed mortgage financing and what type of mortgage would be the best fit for his situation.  I set up a mortgage option for him offering him a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.125%.  It was my best recommendation,as he was planning on staying in this home for at least the next 10-years.  We discussed ARM's and how it wasn't really the best option because he would have to refinance and loose equity when he was ... 06/14/2007

                          18910 Pebble Run Way                        JUST REDUCED to $310,000  Fall in love with this beautiful home in the heart of   tranquil Pebble Creek.  Tucked away on a quite street, enjoy the pool in this fabulous golf community, you will enjoy  the  privacy of your new castle!5 bedrooms 3 bathrooms Pool Fireplace Formal Living and Dining Rooms Three way split bedroom plan 2634 square feet To view this home...click here.                                     If you would like more information about this property or one like it, please contact me at 813.453.7883 or via email Lori@YourCastleYourHome.com.Thank you!Lori Hakeemhttp://www.yourcastleyourhome.com/Click here to see one of my other listings.  06/14/2007

Meadow Pointe resident, Karoline Byler, is about to become a mother again....to six new babies, sextuplets!!  Married since 1998, Karoline and Ben, have one daughter, Zoe, who is four years old.  Last year she made a request for a new baby brother or sister...well, guess what!!!  She's getting five new brothers and one sister!!!Karoline's story came to my attention through a mutual friend, Eva Lobel.  Once Eva heard of the situation, she felt compelled to help.  Because having some many children at once will obviously cause significant financial strain on the family, Eva and a few ladies from her "Mom's Club" are putting together a fund raising event / super baby shower.  Families of multiple births are aware of the higher health risks of the babies and the mother, possible birth defect... 06/14/2007

Tampa Beaches National Clean Beaches Week this year is the week of June 29th - July 5th, 2007. Everyone's getting in on the action. The goal is to focus on our beaches and help keep them beautiful by encouraging local residents to get involved and make a difference. Mayor Pam Iorio has made this week  - Clean Beaches Week for the City of Tampa in Hillsborough County. Locals are invited to join the City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department and the Mayor's Beautification Program for planned beach clean up projects.  Tampa Florida Beach Clean-UpThey will be working at the following Tampa beaches from 8:30am-10:30am on Thursday July 5th:Ben T. Davis Beach located at 1701 Courtney Campbell Causeway Tampa, FloridaPicnic Island Beach located at 7409 Picnic Island Blvd, Tampa Florida Gloves... 06/13/2007

 Tampa Palms Real Estate Update  (week of 6/6/07 - 6/12/07) Properties Listed = 7 Properties Sold = 2 Properties Expired from the market (EXPIRED) = 1 Properties under contract (TOTAL PENDING) = 18Looking for more information on Tampa Palms???Contact me at Lori@yourcastleyourhome.com or 813.453.7883.  Is customer service important to you?  Please review my client testimonials to see what kind of service I provide.  Why hire a Realtor? Let me help you find Your Castle, Your Home!http://www.yourcastleyourhome.com/ 06/13/2007

Hunter's Green Real Estate Update  (week of 6/6/07 - 6/12/07) Properties Listed = 2 Properties Sold = 0 Properties Expired from the market (EXPIRED) = 2 Properties under contract (TOTAL PENDING) = 9Looking for more information on Hunter's Green???Contact me at Lori@yourcastleyourhome.com or 813.453.7883.  Is customer service important to you?  Please review my client testimonials to see what kind of service I provide.  Why hire a Realtor? Let me help you find Your Castle, Your Home!http://www.yourcastleyourhome.com/ 06/13/2007

Grand Hampton Real Estate Update  (week of 6/6/07 - 6/12/07) Properties Listed = 4 Properties Sold = 1Properties Expired from the market (EXPIRED) = 0 Properties under contract (TOTAL PENDING) = 8Looking for more information on Grand Hampton???Contact me at Lori@yourcastleyourhome.com or 813.453.7883.  Is customer service important to you?  Please review my client testimonials to see what kind of service I provide.  Why hire a Realtor?  Let me help you find Your Castle, Your Home!http://www.yourcastleyourhome.com/  06/13/2007

Due to the higher than normal inventory of new construction homes from various builders in the Tampa Bay area, I've been contacted by many local new home builders who are offering great incentives for buyers.  I've seen everything from "no homeowner association dues for 2 years" to "we'll pay your property taxes for the first year" to "no closing costs" and more.  Not to mention, several builders are offering thousands off the original price of the home and many free upgrades!It's a great time to buy if you are a first time homebuyer, or if you are simply looking to buy that brand new dream home!  Contact me for a list of builders in your area so we can find your dream house today! 06/13/2007

OK, so today the baby (Adaleesa) and I did our mommy baby (parent-tot) swim lessons again this morning, and they took the under water pictures today of the kids!   Have you ever seen a little baby swim under water from an under water view?  It is SO cool! The only thing I was a little disappointed by was that we don't get the pictures of the kids until next week, :o(   ...so sad! This is not Adaleesa, but I had to show you how cool it looks!! Anyway, it was a great day and my little fish... she jumps right into the pool (at only 15 months old) and swims for me, the wall, the stairs.  The instructor asked me if I was re-enrolling her into private lessons?  She seemed so "in Awe" by how well the baby holds her breath and LOVES the water!Seal Swim School can be reached on-line here.  Make ... 06/11/2007

Tampa Bay Florida  Community News If you have an accident in the Tampa Bay area- who should law enforcment call? Susie Roscoe or Brandon, Florida explained not too long ago how to store your Emergency Contact person's info on your cell phone in her article: I.C.E. - In Case of Emergency. Now The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has now enhanced their website to allow anyone with a Florida Driver's License or Florida Identification Card to designate an Emergency Contact, whose info will be stored on their website- so it can be quickly accessed in an emergency.To register for this service just go to their website: www.hsmv.state.fl.us and then Click on Emergency Contact Information Link. Seems like something we should make a priority and take the time to do and as w... 06/11/2007