For first time home buyers, downpayment assistance is available through Hillsborough County and through the city of Tampa.  Funds are provided through the SHIP Program (State Housing Initiatives Partnership and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program).These are 0% interest, deferred payment loans.  If the house is located within the unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County, then the homebuyer who is eligible will go through Hillsborough County.  (Not within Tampa City limits).  Similarly, if it is located in Tampa, the homebuyer goes through Tampa's program.Total household income must be 120% and below the area median income and the applicant cannot have owned a home within the last three years with the exception of displaced spouses.  Special benefits are provided for teachers, nur... 12/04/2006

One of the deciding factors in determining what part of a city you may choose to live in is the average price of the homes in the area.  Average sales pricing by area only gives you an idea of the value of homes in an area.  Since we are dealing with averages, clearly some have sold for higher, and some have sold for lower than the average sales price.  Also, there may be some homes in the area that are higher priced or lower priced that didn't sell during the period analyzed.Given that explanation, I thought I would provide some average recent sales prices of homes sold by neighborhood/area in Tampa.  Note:  Not all neighborhoods/areas are reported here:Brandon:                $270,000.Carrollwood:           $378,000.Central Tampa:      $159,000.Lutz/North West:     $419,000.New Tampa:... 12/01/2006

Much has been reported about the decline in the housing market.  Tampa's housing market in terms of units sold, was super HOT from 2004 through 2006.  September of 2006 revealed the fourth best September in reported Tampa home sales ever!*We have now returned to a market that provides more inventory for prospective Buyers than the boom years.  While homes are typically not selling as soon as they hit the market, they are selling!  September of 2006 Tampa home sales show a 24% reduction in homes sold for September of 2006 compared to the previous year.  This was preceded by drops in monthly home sales compared to 2005 that were in the -35% range for four consecutive months. Homes that are priced right are selling.  Much has been reported on home "E"valuations that are offered on various ... 12/01/2006

Today I reviewed the number of active MLS listings for million dollar+ homes in New Tampa.  There were a total of 32 and 17 of them were in Tampa Palms.  This was certainly no surprise to me.The highest priced listing for $5,900,000. is in Tampa Palms.  The home offers seven bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms and is located on 1 to 2 acres of property.  The 13,300 square feet of living space is decorated in neutrals and the photographs are breathtaking!  Taxes on this luxury home for 2004 were $72,494.00.  11/26/2006

For the third quarter of 2006, sales of existing single family homes were down by 34% as compared to Q3 of 2005. Furthermore, the median price statewide remained about the same as it was for the third quarter of 2005. However, the median price of a Florida condo did decline by 3% with sales down by 41% for Q3. With so many new construction condos as well as condo conversions, this property type was primed for a price correction and I think this is just the start for them. Many speculative investors bought condos that were recently converted from apartments with the intent to flip them to buyers as the market marched forward. Many of these are sitting empty or looking for rental tenants. If you are in the market for a condo in Tampa, there are some good choices. When considering a condo... 11/20/2006

My team and I are expanding into Tampa, FL. If you are a realtor, mortgage broker or investor in this area and want to work with an investment team, please contact me. I have four people in the area wanting to work on the ground and one of my main associates from SW Florida heading there very soon. We have moved over $10 million in real estate the past 6 months in SW Florida with over 45 transactions. Would love to work with real estate people that are used to working with investors. Would also appreciate any comment on my choice of Tampa or what you think of the area.  Thanks! Ray Higdonhttp://www.buyahousefromray.com 11/19/2006

Someone asked me the other day if there are actual buyers of residential real estate active in this current market. With the negative spin that most media are spewing, many think that the market has come to a stand still. My answer was “Sure! There are buyers buying. Not as many as 18 months ago but a respectable amount none the less.” I like concrete numbers to back me up and there is nothing better than a quick visit to the MLS to get a more clear picture. So far in November there have been 494 properties go under contract in Hillsborough County. Pretty respectable considering we are only halfway through the month. By comparison, 1290 properties were sold (closed transactions) in October of 2006. The average price of these properties going under contract is just over $281k. The avera... 11/18/2006

CB Richard Ellis’ website has an interactive map that shows most, if not all of the projects that were planned in the downtown and Channel District areas of Tampa. And while many of these projects are now dead or delayed, the map gives a good overview of what the future of these areas may hold. Some of the projects, such as Parkside at One Bayshore, Parkcrest Harbour Island, Victory Lofts, Art Center Lofts and Channelside 212 Lofts have been completed. Others, such as Skypoint, Grand Central at Kennedy, The Towers at Channelside, The Place and The Plaza at Harbour Island are under construction, some to be soon completed. Many of the others are on hold or are just plain dead. One of the more active developers in the area, Ken Stoltenberg (Grand Central, The Martin), is still very bullis... 11/17/2006

The amount of available residential listings in Tampa continues to remain steady, a trend that began back in early October of 2006. Since April, the listings inventory had been on a fairly rapid climb, while the number of listings going under contract had been falling. These numbers began to stabilize in early October and have remained fairly flat since then. There was a slight downward tick in the number of listings available in Tampa as compared to a week ago. As of this morning there are 7547 residential properties listed in Tampa with another 1682 listings under contract and pending closing. Thirty year mortgage rates averaged 6.24% for the week just ended, the lowest we’ve seen since March of this year. Data used is from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS and does not include any “For Sa... 11/17/2006

   Great site.  I have been fighting with a company for about a year now.  So I found this site on the web where I was able to post my story and every time someone clicks on the link the owner gets an email.  I normally don't throw a company under the bus, but they ....well read my posting.    As you may be aware, I have had a bad experience with Akita Copy Products. In an effort to let others know about my experience I have posted a complaint at the following url: www.TheSqueakyWheel.com Please forward this e-mail to as many people as you know. Thanks for your support. Yours truly,Gary De Pury 11/01/2006

If you have been sitting on the fence, waiting and watching the market, now is the time to jump into the new home construction market.  Builders have been offering tremendous incentives to buyers:  premium lots, cosmetic upgrades such as granite countertops and upgraded cabinetry, reduced required deposits, cash back towards closing costs and some have even offered to pay your mortgage payments for the first 6 months!  It has been quite some time since we have seen builders wine and dine buyers to this extent.  Take advantage of the market.  If you have been intending to buy a new home and you plan on staying in this home for a few years, don't wait any longer.  10/26/2006

                                Tampa                                                         Tampa Downtown                                                             Tampa Downtown                                                          Bayshore BlvdTampa is the largest city in Hillsborough County and is the third most populous city in Florida.  It is located on the west coast, 20 miles northeast of St Petersburg.  Tampa's economy is founded on a diverse base that includes tourism, agriculture, construction, finance, health care, goverment, technology, and the port of Tampa, now the seventh largest in the nation.  Cruise itineraries to the Caribbean and Latin America are available from the Tampa Port.                                                     Tampa Convention CenterThe Tam... 10/24/2006

Yesterday I accidently spamed some individuals and would first and for most sorry for the misunderstanding. I have included in this blog a list of some frequently asked questions as to what "CASH NOTES" are. If there are any questions feel free to contact me. I look forward to building future relationships through this great website. Enjoy!  -Ryan Harring  813-965-6736 Cell#  813-654-4511 FAX#  CASHNOTESUSA.COM  ryanharring@cashnotesusa.com WHAT IS A NOTE? A written document that states a promise to pay, and the terms which include the amount, interest rate and length of time in which to fulfill this promise Why should I sell my mortgage note?When a promissory note is received in place of cash during a transaction, it will eventually pay off. This, however, can take a long period of tim... 10/12/2006

For general information about New Tampa, including planned malls, road construction, information about schools and local events, please visit my New Tampa Blog:  http://www.newtampahomes.blogspot.com/.Interested in a  virtual tour of new tampa ?  Just click on the link to the left!  I also have more info. on New Tampa on my website:  http://www.TampaHomesOnTheWeb.com/ Virtual Tours of Communities in New Tampa:  Tampa Palms, Arbor Greene, Cory Lake Isles, Heritage Isles, West Meadows, Seven Oaks, Grand Hampton.Note:  New Tampa, while mostly considered to be in Tampa, is now considered by many to include Southern Pasco County (Wesley Chapel).  In fact, this past year, the Taste of New Tampa, sponsored by the New Tampa Community Council was held in Wesley Chapel, Pasco County! 10/02/2006