Many real estate investors earn a living out of renovating run-down properties and reselling them, or holding onto them for rentals. Commonly known as the fixer-upper, it offers you two paths to real estate investment. Buy a Fixer-Upper and Sell Again In addition to offering a handsome profit, fixer-uppers can offer a true sense of satisfaction as you transform a dilapidated property into one with true appeal. But before you take the plunge, ask yourself three questions: 1.    Can I buy it far below market value? 2.    Can I do much of the work myself (or contract it out at reasonable rates)? 3.    Can I get the job done quickly? Remember, every month you add to the project is costing you in lost rental income, taxes, insurance, utilities and more. Buy, Raise the Rents, and Sell Again Q... 04/28/2008

)     Parade Of Homes #41 Standard Pacific Homes Shakespeare Crosby Crossing Valrico FloridaSearch all Tampa Homes for sale now Crosby Crossing Valrico FlSingle family homes priced from the $190's.Crosby Crossings is located just outside of Brandon in Valrico.  Crosby Crossings residents will enjoy the convenience of the Brandon's shopping and restaurants while enjoying a more laid back setting.Builder:  Standard Pacific Homes 04/22/2008

These are the customary closing costs for both buyers and sellers in the Tampa Bay Area.  Remember everything in a contract is negotiable.  This will help you estimate the amount of your closing costs for the sale or purchase of real estate in this area.  Other states may have different costs associated with a real estate closing. For a precise estimate contact your real estate professional or your title insurance company.  Buyers Customary Closing  Costs Fees Payable to the Clerk of the Circuit Court Recording the deed, $10.00. Recording the mortgage, $50.00 (estimate). Documentary stamps on mortgage are $0.35 per hundred based on loan amount, rounded up to the next highest hundred. Intangible tax on the mortgage is $0.20 per hundred based on loan amount. Recording miscellaneous docume... 04/16/2008

The first thing you should know about buying a Tampa Bay Area REO is that you have greater negotiating leverage if the property has been on the market for a while.  When an REO first goes on the market, the bank may be unwilling to negotiate down on its asking price as it wants to get as much of what was owed on the original loan back as possible.  However, once a home or condo has sat too long on the market with few bites, a bank becomes more willing to take what it can get since its primary goal is to get the asset off the books and increase shareholder value.  Banks have no desire to be in the real estate business. So, here are some tips on how to negotiate with a bank when buying a REO property. 1.  Make offers on Tampa Bay Area REO's only if they have been on the market for more th... 04/14/2008

Sixth in a Series for First Time Home Buyers Whether you are buying your home in the Tampa Bay Area or anywhere across the country, an important aspect of getting a home loan is saving money for your down payment. You have many choices to make your home more affordable to you. Lenders used to require a down payment of at least 20 percent of the home's price. These days, however, many lenders offer flexible home loan programs allowing you to put less down five percent or less of the home price. For some buyers it's possible to buy a home with no down payment at all, or to receive help from local down payment assistance programs. If you decide to make a down payment less than 20 percent, your lender may require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), which protects the lender in case you cannot... 04/02/2008

RiverHills is a gated, golf master-planned community with two entrances. One of RiverHills entrances is located off of Lithia Pinecrest, while the other is located at the end of Bloomingdale. RiverHills offers a wonderful lifestyle for its homeowners with a blend of open areas, creeks, lakes and abundant landscaping and wildlife. RiverHills has approximately 1,500 homes with prices starting the 100's and up. Lithia Springs Elementary School is conviently located just outside of the Lithia Pinecrest gate in River Hills. The RiverHills Country Club is a semi-private  club that offers golf, tennis, swimming and fine dining. The RiverHills Country Club is located in the center of RiverHills. The club house is 13,000 square feet that offers a majestic setting for meetings and social events. ... 03/03/2008

 USF History             The University of South Florida was founded in 1956 as the first public university established specifically to address the needs of Florida's rapidly emerging urban regions. State Rep. Sam Gibbons championed USF's creation, and John S. Allen, USF's first president, helped Gov. Leroy Collins break ground in September 1957. On September 26, 1960, nearly 2,000 students began classes in five buildings. USF was on its way. The university chose two words to guide its path: "Truth" and "Wisdom." USF developed rapidly. In 1965, the St. Petersburg campus opened, and USF was accredited, gaining additional academic respect. In 1967, enrollment passed 10,000. In 1968, USF was admitted to the National Collegiate Athletic Association. In the 1970s, the College of Medicine wa... 02/22/2008

The Mid Florida Regional MLS has released the Tampa real estate sales & inventory comparison of December 2006 and December 2007 as well as the comparison of January 2007 and January 2008. Everybody seems to know that the real estate market is depressed. It seems clear from the graph that the number of sales each month is down,  the Days On Market is up and the number of houses for sale (Current Inventory) and months it will take to sell that inventory at the current pace is up as well.  The only positive numbers of note are the average list price and the average sale price for December 2007, which spiked upward for some reason. The numbers that concern me the most are the current inventory, which has remained  high over the past 12 months, trending upward. These are the current existing... 02/19/2008

Valrico is in Hillsborough County, in the Tampa-Saint Petersburg metro area, its name means "valley of gold". Valrico is boarded by Brandon, Lithia, Durant and Riverview.  Valrico is approximately 13 miles east of Tampa.  Valrico has a large variety of homes from condos, townhomes, single family residence and luxury family estates. It also offers gated communities such as Riverhills, Canterbury Oaks, Eastmonte and Twin Lakes.  Valrico is growing. Many new subdivisions have been built and completed in the last several years. The surrounding areas of Brandon, Lithia, Riverview and Durant have also been growing. New developments have been built in the Bloomingdale area around the Bloomingdale Golf Course. Traveling south is the subdivisions of FishHawk, FishHawk Trails, and FishHawk Ranch ... 02/18/2008

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) second-home sales (for vacation homes and investment homes) accounted for four out of 10 homes sold in 2006. While vacation-home buyers purchase primarily for enjoyment, investment-home buyers are looking to generate income in the following five ways. 1.  Appreciation Returns of 10 percent and more are not uncommon if you select good real estate properties. It's a return rate you won't find on bank products or with most stocks. 2.  Cash Flow More than half of all investment-home buyers rent out their properties. Month in and month out these properties create income from renters AND gain long-term appreciation. 3.  Less Volatility While real estate cycles through periods of highs and lows, it doesn't change dramatically day-to-day l... 02/03/2008

Why Buy a Tampa Home?If you're thinking about buying your first home, it's essential for you to be confident in your decision to buy instead of rent. However, you may not know about the many great reasons to buy a home! Here are just a few of them: $mart Investment- When you invest in a home, it offers the possibility for appreciation in value. The equity becomes yours when you're still paying off your mortgage. You even get to live in it while your investment matures. Tax Advantages- Since both mortgage interest and property taxes are tax deductible, homeownership can save you significant amounts of money every year at tax time. Planned Housing Costs- You decide how much you to spend on your home, including repairs and improvements. Unlike renters, homeowners with a fixed-rate loan ca... 01/31/2008

A High Point in a Slow Real Estate Market Amongst all of the gloom and doom being put out by the media daily concerning the housing industry, there is one high point for consumers: Lower Housing Rents. It seems that foreclosures and the threat of foreclosure are pushing down rents in the areas hardest hit by the credit crunch. Additionally, rental apartments and homes are easier to find and sometimes cheaper than before the credit crunch. Landlords are finding that what should be a strong market for rentals to be weakened do to the increasing number of unsold condos and homes coming onto the rental market. While a negative for landlords, this is a positive thing for those looking for an apartment, condo or home to rent. According to REIS, Inc. Real Estate Market Research Co, the five l... 01/31/2008

TampaBayRealEstateSnapshot  Every Market is Different: Stay on Top of Tampa Bay Trends A snapshot is defined as, a fully usable copy or image of a defined collection of data that contains the data as it appeared at the point-in-time at which the copy was initiated. How can a snapshot help an observer? A snapshot will only tell you part of the story, it is a good starting point. When combined with more snapshots, over a period of time, you will have a panoramic view, not only of where the Tampa Bay area residential market is, but where it has come from as well as a pretty good idea as to where it's headed. As a real estate company in this market, we feel that it is incumbent upon us to not only keep up with this market information and trends, but to share it with our clients and potentia... 01/31/2008

    Riverhills Country Club Search all Tampa Homes for sale now If you're interested in buying a new home in Valrico. We can help your find new home builders that will show you communities, neighborhoods, and multiple home models in Valrico or throughout Hillsbough County.     Custom MLS Search all Tampa Homes for sale now     By combining their individual talents, knowledge, and expertise. Nappi Group will ensure you a professional service you will be happy with, whether it is buying or selling your home in the South Shore and Tampa area.   Below are our home listings. Click on the picture below to obtain more information on the home. We are able to gather information on any home or help you purchase any home you find on this Web site. Click here for all the Tampa FL listings.   Helpin... 01/07/2008

     Search all Tampa Homes for sale nowEnergy Star Certified CommunityNow Selling In the heart of Brandonthe homes planned for this community are nothing short of spectacular.Ever homes has a three car garage.In the kitchen you will find 42" upper cabinets with crown modeling and solid surface.don't miss out on the opportunity to get into small enclave of beautiful homes and home site.  SchoolsCimino ElemartyBurns Middle SchoolBloomingdale High School Please call Richard M Nappi 813-546-9725 Riverviewrichie@aol.comwww.riverviewrichie.com 12/27/2007

        Search all Tampa Homes for sale now Coming Soon! for more information , contact Richard M Nappi At 813-546-9735 The Reserve at Lake Hunter  Seffner Valrico road Brandon, Florida 33510 Schools Seffner Elemantary Mann Middle School Brandon High School Paragon Homes   Free service to buyers.   Richard M Nappi 813-546-9725 Cell Fallon & Associates 9127 Woodridge run Drive Tampa Florida 33647 If you're interested in buying a new home in Valrico. We can help your find new home builders that will show you communities, neighborhoods, and multiple home models in Valrico or throughout Hillsbough County.     Custom MLS Search all Tampa Homes for sale now     By combining their individual talents, knowledge, and expertise. Nappi Group will ensure you a professional service you will be happy... 12/27/2007

    Search all Tampa Homes for sale now   If you're interested in buying a new home in Tampa. We can help your find new home builders that will show you communities, neighborhoods, and multiple home models in  Tampa or throughout Hillsbough County.     Custom MLS Search all Tampa Homes for sale now     By combining their individual talents, knowledge, and expertise. Nappi Group will ensure you a professional service you will be happy with, whether it is buying or selling your home in the South Shore and Tampa area.   Below are our home listings. Click on the picture below to obtain more information on the home. We are able to gather information on any home or help you purchase any home you find on this Web site. Click here for all the Tampa FL listings.   Helping you locate Tampa Florid... 12/22/2007

    Fern Grove Balrico Florida Single Family homes Aston Woods Search All Riverwoods Homes For Sale Now   Search All Bloomingdale Homes For Sale Now   Searh All Winthrop Homes for sale now Search All Moss Landing Riverview For Sale Now Search All Panther Trace MLS Search For Sale Now Search All Rivercrest Homes For sale For Sale Now  Search All Moss Landing Homes For Sale Now  Search All Riverwalk Townhomes For Sale Now  Search All Lake St Charles Homes Riverview For Sale Now  Search All St charles Homes For Sale Now  Searh All Winthrop Homes For sale now  Call Today 813-546-9725 Richard M Nappi 813-546-9725 Fallon & Associates If you're interested in buying a new home in Brandon. We can help your find new home builders that will show you communities, neighborhoods, and multiple home mo... 12/11/2007

  Search all Tampa Homes for sale now  Abbey TraceHomes priced from the $250's to the mid $300's.Abbey Trace is a beautiful, gated community with spectacular views of nature. These exquisitely designed homes are adorned with luxurious features and graceful architectural details. Abbey Trace is conveniently located near excellent schools, shopping, and entertainment. It's just minutes from I-75, I-4, and the Brandon Mall, and less than 30 minutes from downtown Tampa. Call Richard M Nappi 813-546-9725Riverviewrichie@aol.com         12/01/2007

If you're looking for a home in or around Valrico, FL...here's some great information!  Homes are affordable, plentiful and available!  With great low prices, you can have The American Dream.  How long has it been since YOU talked to a skilled mortgage broker about the possibility of owning a home?  Mike Alea of Elite Mortgage Network makes it as easy as 1,2,3!  Call him and be ready for quick and efficient answers to your mortgage questions.  3 Bedrooms"SOLD" in OctoberActive ListingsSqare Feet HeatedPoolsUnder $150k051120-17765$151 - $175k337924-23653$176 - $200k563924-21399 4 Bedrooms"SOLD" in OctoberActive ListingsSquare Feet HeatedPoolsUnder $200k2231312-24984$200 - $225k1341342-21976$226 - $250k7591516-284117Check out last month's statistics:  Come Home To Valrico...Search the MLS... 11/12/2007