Great News for Tampa Area Renters  Last week’s “Moneywatch” article on CBSNews.com was a surefire attention grabber. It promised to reveal a single “must do” tip for first-time homebuyers. The main point covered familiar ground but within the supporting information were some facts that could nudge some Tampa renters into becoming first-time homebuyers.Although the headlined “Don’t Buy a Home Without Doing This First” tip was good enough advice (“build your budget”), the details for how to accomplish that were hardly groundbreakers: Experts advise holding mortgage payments to a maximum of 28% of gross income.   Budget for more than just the mortgage amount: allow for upkeep and extras, remembering that “rent is the most you will pay, but the mortgage payment is the least.” Budget no mor... 12/29/2017

After All of the Excitement of the Christmas Holidays we all need to rest up. Even Santa needs some help finding the right place.  Merry Christmas and to All a Good Night.Search Tampa Homes For Sale 12/22/2017

Beware of Fake Home AdsWith ever-rising rents, scammers are targeting desperate would-be renters through the popular classified ad website, Craigslist.There are many variations of the scam, but they all have the same goal: to separate unsuspecting people from their money. Here are a few of the most common:Credit report scam: The would-be tenant is asked to pay for a credit report, but the advertised property is bogus. It’s either not an available rental, or the scammer has no connection to the property. They make their money from the credit reports.Rent-to-own services: The scammer collects an “enrollment fee” and a monthly “service fee” to get lists of properties where the owners will rent with an option to buy. Aside from the fact that lease options (“rent-to-own”) deals seldom pan ou... 08/27/2017

Fed Raises Interest Rates For Second Time In 2017The Fed did what was widely expected, increased the federal funds rate by 0.25% to a range of 1% to 1.25%. As is the usually the case, the analysis is running wild from economists. The policy statement was more data than normal, the question of course is, is the Fed on track with reality? It is the Fed, so not many are willing to step out and argue with it, especially with the optimistic outlook presented. Currently, the Fed expects another increase this year, three next year and three more in 2019; be careful here, that may be the reality over time, but we don’t believe the Fed or any other analytic body can look out three years with any degree of confidence...more wishful thinking.Here are some key highlights of their announcement: Econ... 07/31/2017

3 bedroom 2 bath 1804 sq ft beautiful Tampa conservation home for sale. $249,9005943 Birchwood Drive Tampa FL  33625*******Welcome Home ******* Great pride of ownership shines through in this one owner home. Upgrades throughout. New (top of line Sherwin Williams) paint in and out.  Insulated high impact windows and sliding doors. High end laminate flooring. Granite counters and 42 inch solid wood cabinets in kitchen. All LED lighting. Soft close drawers and cabinets. Quartz countertops in baths. New 10 x 30 ft screened porch with Trex floor and insulated roof. Peaceful view of conservation. 5 yr old Carrier Infiniti HVAC system.  Garage has hurricane reinforced door and opener as well as extra space for workbench and storage. Aluminum fascia. Vinyl soffits.New 8x10 storage shed in backy... 05/12/2017

With Spring comes new trends and fresh real estate concepts. If you’re looking for an innovative addition to your existing home and living space – here’s your answer!Introducing ‘Shedquarters’!  This new real estate trend is now emerging and offers your outdoor space a new twist.  You’ve heard of the ever-popular ‘Man Cave’, maybe you’ve even created the ultimate lounge area in your own home, but now it’s time to clean out the lonely  forgotten shed in your backyard, or bring in a new shed and start from scratch!   Here we will imagine the endless possibilities that your own personal ‘Shedquarters’ could provide for you… and your family! We all need an escape from time to time; a distraction-free room to relax and rejuvenate. Design a She Shed to include all of your favorite hobbies & l... 05/03/2017

Been a while since posting.  Nearly 18 months ago I struck out own my own after sitting for my Broker's License and aquiring an office in the heart of Seminole Heights.  The new office is on Nebraska Ave. just down the street from Ella's Folkart cafe (very popular neighborhood restaurant).  Started out with 2 agents in addition to myself.  As I move halfway through my 2nd year, I have an agent who has been here about 6 months and another semi-retired agent coming onboard.  Our focus is as our name says but like most brokerages we go where our clients need us to go.    04/23/2017

As spring flourishes around us, the real estate market blooms as well! Are you considering making a move this year? Now is the perfect time to prepare for this home selling season! Keeping in mind a few simple marketing tricks to make your home stand out from the competition!First and foremost, jump on the spring cleaning bandwagon! Sometimes the small details of cleaning the inside of closets and clearing away clutter are forgotten, but these particulars are noticeable to potential home buyers. As articulated by Michele Lerner of Realtor.com, “While everyone has clutter, buyers want to see a fantasy version of your house in which they can envision living”. You can do it!While cleaning, take notice that all of the small repairs that have fallen by the wayside have now become more appare... 04/10/2017

Welcome to Tampa, Florida! Home of the Buccaneers, the Lightning, the Rays and Florida’s powerhouse of business and economic development.Lifetime locals and newcomers alike, have been the beneficiaries of Tampa’s expansive business, entertainment and real estate advancements. Making the list yet again, Tampa ranks #8 on Forbes’ list of Fastest-Growing American Cities. A major player in Tampa’s growth over the past couple of years has been the ever-expanding Tampa International Airport. Not only has this project enhanced the Tampa traveler experience, but it has also created thousands of local jobs, contributing to Forbes’ 2.43% projected job growth for the Tampa Bay area in 2017. The construction of new terminals and shops combined with the employees to be hired for these new facilities... 03/30/2017

By and large, we saw a healthy housing market last year – but what should we expect as we embark on a new real estate journey in 2017? For home buyers, this is your que to strike while the iron is hot! If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy your new home – your wait is over! Increase your buying power by taking advantage of these lower mortgage rates before we see an increase between 2017 and 2018. As Bill Dallas, CEO at Cloudvirga explains, “We expect GDP [gross domestic product] to increase 2.1% in 2017 and 2.0% in 2018, which in turn would cast an upward pressure on mortgage rates”.Alternatively, sellers are also at an advantage. For those with changing household sizes, moving up or downsizing may be a motivating factor for selling your home. Our current seller’s market, co... 03/02/2017

Building will begin soon in Reserve at West Park Village, luxury townhomes located within sought-after Westchase 33626. Join a community that's home to an 18-hole public golf course, multiple parks, playgrounds, picnic pavilions and nature trails.   *Award-winning, three-story townhomes *Hillsborough County Public Schools, including Westchase Elementary and Davidsen Middle School  *Close to dining and shopping at West Park Village Town Center, West Park Village and Westfield *Citrus Park mall *Nearby Costco Wholesale coming soon *Easy access to Tampa International Airport, Veterans Expressway, Linebaugh Avenue and Racetrack   Road  *Proximity to St. Petersburg and some of Florida’s most beautiful beaches Contact Tiffany Accattato today to learn more about this community at 813-285-0654 01/31/2017

Now twelve months into 2016, we’ve had a big year in real estate! Between the Olympics, the elections and of course, real estate, many changes and trends have emerged.Rent Vs Buy: Always a hot topic! Typically, consumers have assumed that renting is more affordable than buying a home. But, numerous factors have changed home buying in 2016, including credit reporting!Have you checked your credit score lately? You may have seen an increase thanks to the new FICO 9 reporting system. Historically, the weight of medical bills negatively impacted consumer credit reports, but now, “A person’s credit score, with medical conditions, will increase on average of 25 points under the new system,” says John T. McElya, Senior VP of Amarillo National Bank. “That is very significant. It is the differenc... 12/16/2016

This impressive and luxurious villa is situated in a secure gated neighborhood, conveniently located in the Citrus Park area close to expressways and amenities. This popular split floor plan boasts stylish architectural features including dental crown moulding, upgraded light fixtures, extra high ceilings, arched display niches, and an expansive open floor plan. The gourmet kitchen showcases 42" cabinets with custom hardware and crown moulding, sun filled breakfast room, and designer lighting. Just off the kitchen is a bonus room that is perfect for a den or office. The expansive 20x10 screened in lanai offers spectacular views of the premium conservation lot and overlooks the serene lake. This intimate neighborhood offers maintenance free living, quiet streets, and a resort like commun... 12/06/2016

WELCOME TO A NEW PATH TO HOMEOWNERSHIP Are you close to being able to buy a home but aren’t quite ready? Did you just move to the Tampa Bay area and aren’t sure where you want to live? Do you need to rent right now but really want to buy a home in a couple years? This Lease with a Right to Purchase Program may be right for you. How the Program Works:A group of investors buy a home you choose in an approved community (A Rated Schools) and you lease it for up to 5 years. This is a great program giving those with bad credit and a bad history another chance at the American dream of homeownership! The future price as well as the rent amount is all agreed upon at the beginning.  You can walk away after your lease - NO OBLIGATION TO PURCHASE!  To get started visit: NOWpartnership.com Pricing a... 12/05/2016

Searching for a home to purchase? You’ve probably noticed the increasing inventory of new construction homes available. Builders are developing new communities all over Florida, especially in the greater Tampa Bay area. If you’re ready to start exploring the option of purchasing a model or builder home, don’t go it alone! There are countless advantages of having an agent with connections to builders and the community, along with new construction experience, by your side for a new home purchase… Always use a Realtor ®As you admire the freshly built model home, you may be surprised to learn that the “new home sales consultant” greeting you might not actually be a Realtor. Builders employ sales agents and staff to sell their homes, but these individuals are not necessarily required to have... 11/18/2016

It’s time to take the next step and buy your first home. Where to begin, you ask? By and large we find ourselves scouring the internet for real estate listings and then driving by potential homes only to find that it’s been sold, or doesn’t live up to those beautiful online photos.Here’s the good news! Before getting too wrapped up in the home searching process, there are a few steps you should take to save yourself time, money and lots of disappointment.First and foremost: Prepare Your Credit for Mortgage Approval.  Now that you’ve decided to turn those rent payments into mortgage payments, the natural tendency may be to start looking for your dream home. But taking a step back to analyze your finances will be of absolute benefit to you when it comes to the mortgage approval part of th... 10/18/2016

Traveling back to the 1960s, homeowners were just beginning to enjoy the luxury of having a television in the home.  The families of the 1990s experienced the convenience of owning their very own computer. Fast forward to 2016, and not only has technology advanced in the way of entertainment, but it has become a part of our everyday lifestyle.  For years, technology has filled our homes – now our homes have become an integral part of new age technology.  While the definition of a smart home is debatable, most consider a smart home a house that has remotely controlled systems including temperature, lighting and electronic devices. Once considered a luxury for the wealthy, smart homes have become a mainstream component of homeownership. Combining security with convenience, smart homes off... 10/03/2016

Hyde Park Village in South Tampa has long been the place to meet and eat in the Tampa Bay area - and now more so than ever! Clearly becoming one of the most exciting restaurant destinations around, it continues to be an integral part in the thriving SoHo area of South Tampa as it plays host to a slew of new restaurants in the coming months. The newly revitalized Goody Goody - an iconic Tampa restaurant formerly located on Florida Avenue - just opened at 1601 Swann Ave in Hyde Park Village. Also coming this month - The Blind Tiger - a hip cafe, will be opening their third location at 910 N Rome Ave in North Hyde Park. Chef Inspired Popcorn Company is moving from it's Town "N Country location to 927 S Howard Ave the first week of September. Better Byrd, a new dine-in/takeout concept from ... 09/23/2016

Our newest listing here in New Tampa 33647. Beautifully prepared for a new owner, this low maintenance 2BR+den/2BA with a 2 car garage villa is a must see! See details here  09/05/2016

How to Save for a Down Payment on a Home in Maryland Manor South Tampa Buying a South Tampa home in Maryland Manor should be a well-planned process. You must do your research, build your resources, and shop around for loans. Being financially ready and having the right people on your team can help prepare you for the home buying process. If you are a not sure how to begin in saving up for a down payment, look at the list below to see how you can get started. 1. Sell some of your assetsYou can save more money for your down payment by selling some of your belongings. Take an inventory of everything you have in your home. Check the stuff you have accumulated through the years and find out if there are items that you can sell, especially if you do not need them anymore. Liquidating your ass... 08/23/2016