Saturday, December 4, 2010

December Tampa Bay Fishing Report

Hello Anglers,

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. November was a good month on the water as we caught some nice Redfish and a few really nice Snook. I do expect to catch a few nice Redfish and Snook this month but the size of the Redfish will not be as big on average as what we have been catching. The Mackerel have hung around a little longer this year but I expect this last front will push them out. Trout are still out of season but will be back in on Jan. 1st. With the cooler water temps we have started to see bigger Trout being caught. It's important to handle them with care while releasing them as they are a very delicate fish. I did not get a chance to do any damage to the Grouper and that was just because I could not catch the weather and tides right. Hopefully that will all change in December. December should be a good bet for Grouper as they move closer with the water temps dropping. I try every year to have a couple of nice Grouper filets to go with the turkey and ham at Christmas. As the water gets cooler and we may get there this month I will start to explore up around the power plant and target Sharks and Cobia. Last year we caught a little bit of everything at the power plant but the shark fishing took center stage. We should also be on the brink of a good Sheephead bite. If you have the patience for these guys you can certainly have a good fish fry this time of year. December has a lot to offer as long as the weather holds. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and has all your needs met. If anyone is interested in a gift certificate for Christmas I have them available. Anyone buying a gift certificate for Christmas will receive a 10% discount. Until next time, good luck and be safe on the water. Remember: don't let your kid be the one that got away, take them fishing.

Thank you,
Ric


Captain Ric Liles
www.ReelSimpleFishing.com

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Florida Foreclosure Fight Could Be Bellwether

Florida Foreclosure Fight Could Be Bellwether

Michael D. Carlson recently filed a motion in Pinellas Circuit Court seeking to undo a foreclosure judgment against him from 2008, saying he never knew about the legal proceeding until it was over. As part of the motion, the 42-year-old divorced father of three also wants his home in Dunedin back. The problem is, Carlson's lender, Bank of America, sold it more than a year ago to another couple, who thought they had bought the foreclosed property free and clear. Legal experts say that in trying to reverse a foreclosure after the home has been sold to a third party, Carlson's case may be the first of its kind — but it's unlikely to be the last. Whether it's robo-signed documents, falsified affidavits or failure to properly notify defendants, as claimed in the Carlson case, shortcuts by lenders' law firms could prove to be land mines in the legal system. When triggered by homeowners who feel their cases were improperly handled, such issues could raise ownership questions for years to come.

Tuesday's Afternoon Update - from Florida Trend, Florida's Source For Business News

Tuesday's Afternoon Update - from Florida Trend, Florida's Source For Business News

Monday, November 1, 2010

November Fishing Report

Hello Anglers,

I'm not quite sure what to put in this months forecast. October was a hit and miss month and "The Screamin' Sea Weasel" had a few days that not many fish came over her sides. Atleast they were not days that met my standards. I certainly hope that November is a little different. The great thing about fishing this time of the year is the weather is usually nice and comfortable. November is normally a month that I spend a lot of time Snook fishing but not so much this year, I hope to focus more on some of the migrating fish found in the deeper waters around the bay. Trout season is closed until January 1st so I will not be doing a lot of Trout fishing. If Redfish or Flounder are on the agenda I will fish the skinny water but will mostly target Mackerel, Bonita, Kingfish, and Grouper until the water temps push them away. This all of course is subject to the weather. We will start to get a few fronts move in on us and that always shuffles the deck and changes fishing strategies. I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving. Until next time, good luck and be safe on the water.

Remember: don't let your kid be the one that got away, take them fishing.

Take care and tightlines,
Ric


Capt. Ric Liles
REEL SIMPLE FISHING ADVENTURES
www.ReelSimpleFishing.com
(813)601-2900
K9 FISHING RODS ~ feel the bite!
www.K9Fishing.com
(813)655-2800
CO-HOST - OUTDOOR FISHING ADVENTURES, ESPN Radio


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Sunday, October 24, 2010

Housing Affordability: A Possible Good Omen
by Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist

Amid all the media reports on how housing is still "in the tank," one piece of news seemed to have escaped many of the pundits. Housing affordability could possibly reach an all-time high of near 200 in the second half of this year. That is, a household making the median income would have twice the income necessary to buy a median-priced home in America. To date, NAR's housing affordability index reached an all-time high of 184 back in early 2009. It was only slightly above 100 during the housing bubble years, meaning that qualifying income barely met the requirements to buy a home even with a 20 percent down payment (if not using teaser-rate, funny/toxic mortgages). Historically over the past 40 years, the average affordability index was 118.

The principal reason for the expected record high housing affordability index reading is the rock bottom mortgage rates of 4.4 percent on a 30-year fixed rate. Add to that modest gains in the average wage rate, which rose 3 percent in 2009 and is up 1.2 percent this year-to-date in spite of the high unemployment rate. Consider now versus then when home prices were at their "bubble" peak in 2006.

Of course, like all things "real estate," affordability is local as well. There will be considerable local market variations in affordability conditions. Remember that one of the main components of NAR's affordability index is home prices. Some markets encountered only minimal price declines while others such as Las Vegas experienced a 60 percent nose dive. Still, on a nationwide basis, the affordability conditions have risen to compelling levels.

However, if a sizable number of people view - rightly or wrongly - that home prices will fall further and raise the affordability levels to even higher levels, then homebuying will continue to remain soft. That will lead to a further build up of inventory and thus hold back a true price recovery. The price decline potential was evident in July's housing data. Existing-home sales plunged 27 percent to 3.83 million seasonally adjusted annualized units - their lowest level since 1995. Even though there was little change in inventory (with 4 million homes available for sale), the actual months' supply of inventory rose sharply to 12.5. The sales decline reflected the aftermath of taking the stimulus medicine away. For nearly all of June, homebuyers knew they had to close the deal by the end of June to qualify for the tax credit. Therefore - and naturally - people rushed in to close in June and not wait till July. Qualitative REALTOR® member survey data about recent homebuyers suggest that investors, all-cash buyers, and buyers of expensive homes stayed in the market in July, but first-time buyers did not.

Going forward, home prices may fall, although I doubt in any meaningful way. Even if they do decline, there is no guarantee that affordability conditions will improve. Again, the principal reason for our current exceptionally high affordability conditions is lower mortgage rates. If prices were to fall 10 percent but mortgage rates creep up to 5.4 percent, then the affordability conditions could actually worsen.

As for home sales, there are far fewer people in the pipeline to buy a home in the immediate months after the tax credit expiration. Consequently, expect continuing low sales at least through autumn. But sales should slowly come back because of the high expected affordability conditions. Winter months are generally slow ones for home sales. If sales this coming winter matches up with past "normal" winters, then it would be a good sign that the housing market is getting back on track to normal sales levels. If sales this winter remain 20 to 30 percent lower than normal, then we are looking at trouble with high inventory stuck at a double-digit months' supply. Remember that the months-supply figure is also impacted by the raw count of homes listed for sale. Since inventory generally declines from summer to winter, the months' supply will steadily fall, hopefully to 8 or 9 months, and close to the level consistent with continuing price stabilization. For example, inventory fell by 600,000 to 800,000 from July to December in each of the past 3 years. If a similar decline occurs this year and home sales slowly bounce back to 4.5 million (annualized sales) then we can have continuing price stabilization.

A compelling argument can be made about the best affordability conditions, but it will be for naught if consumers lack confidence. Confidence in turn will be directly impacted by the general direction of the economy. Unfortunately, the economic recovery is coming to a virtual halt. GDP growth rates in the past three successive quarters were: 5.0%, 3.7%, and 1.6%. The upcoming GDP growth rates could be even lower figures. (If it turns negative for two straight quarters, then another fresh recession is at hand). At such tepid growth rate the unemployment rate could well reach 10 percent. GDP growth in a post-recessionary environment should be 5 percent or better, not only to start growing but to compensate for the recessionary downfall.

The weak economic expansion means that the job market will continue to look bleak and the unemployment rate could top 10 percent. This does not mean the country is necessary losing jobs on net right now. There have in fact been 763,000 private sector job creations from the beginning of the year to August. The soft economic expansion just means that the job creation pace is too slow to accommodate the rise in the labor force, particularly the recent high school and college graduates looking for work, aside from the need to fully re-hire the near 8 million job losses that occurred in the 2008 and 2009 recession. In a normal good year, there would be 2.5 to 3 million annual private sector job gains.

The homebuyer tax credit appears to have done its job in preventing home price over-correction. NAR prices show stabilizing pattern for the past 12 months while Case-Shiller price data show stabilizing patter for the past 18 months. We'll still need to wait several more months to get a definitive gauge on price stabilization. At this point, we'll see how the housing market behaves in the absence of the stimulus medicine. As with any sectors in the economy, it is very unhealthy to be dependent on government help for a long period. Compelling affordability conditions and some job creations are a move in the right direction and we have to just allow some time for these factors to work their way into the system. But an important question that will linger is of when consumer confidence will genuinely return to close on the deal.

Reprinted from REALTOR® Magazine September 2010 with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Friday, October 15, 2010

See What all the fuss is about

Frank Garcia Music
under the stars this SAT between 5 and 9 pm? Tedd Webb & other
stars singing fund raiser so that our Camp Bayou and Fossil museum
can continue to awe and excite the many thousands of children who have
been there to say:"THIS WAS MY FAVORITE FIELD TRIP MR GARCIA" 50,000
...kids can't be wrong.can ANY BAY AREA ATTRACTION TOP WHAT THE KIDS ARE
SAYING ABOUT PALEO PRESERVE ?

Friday, October 8, 2010

Real Estate Tip:Inspection Repairs
When you sell a house, the buyers will probably have a home inspection before they sign a contract to purchase the home. The inspector may turn up something that needs attention or repair, and after the inspection, the buyers may produce a list of items they want repaired as a condition for moving forward on the sale.

When you get the buyers' list, remember that some of the items may be negotiable. Sales contracts usually require that all the systems be in working condition. Some buyers may make requests that go beyond the normal obligations of the seller. They may ask for a new roof or certain structural repairs that you may not want to make. Your agent can help you to assess the risks of just saying "no" to buyers who are making demands you consider to be unreasonable. You may decide to decline the requests, but the buyers may also decide to back out of the deal as a result.

When you agree to make repairs, hire licensed professionals who will guarantee their work, and give copies of the reports to the buyers. Arrange to have the repairs made as far ahead of time to avoid last-minute complications which could compromise the transaction.

* See Bonnie's Feature Properties: www.TAMPACOASTALHOMES.COM/myhomes.asp
* Visit www.TAMPACOASTALHOMES.COM




Bonnie Fagoh
C21 Beggins
Phone: 813-658-1344
Email: bonniefagoh@NUMBER1EXPERT.com
Website: www.TAMPACOASTALHOMES.COM

Monday, October 4, 2010

Hello Anglers,

I have to start off by saying that this cool air that I have been feeling in the morning feels good but has brought back some bad memories concerning last years cold. I'll use that as the segway to pass along the information concerning the FWC ruling on Snook. The FWC has ruled that the Snook season be closed until September 2011. I applaud them and feel that this will be the best long term decision. With the water cooling a little, October should be fantastic. September was a pretty good month and we caught a lot of fish under the right conditions. October should be better. The Trout, Redfish, and Grouper bite will increase dramatically as the water temps drop into the 70's. We are also on the cusp of the King Mackerel migration. These fish will be heading south and will make a brief visit in our area. Along with them will be the bigger Spanish Mackerel and the Bonita (Little Tuny). If you have ever been on the other end of the line with a Bonita then you know the battle and the fun it produces. They are not good for eating but are great for catching. The Big Black Drum are under the bridges in the Bay and schooling up and will soon depart and head offshore when the water drops below their comfort zone. I have not taken a trip for them yet but have gotten good reports from my peers. Tarpon are still in a few places, but time for them is limited with the Fall season headed our way. I hope everyone has a Happy Halloween. Until next time, good luck and be safe on the water.

Remember: don't let your kid be the one that got away, take them fishing.

Thank you,
Ric

Capt. Ric Liles
REEL SIMPLE FISHING ADVENTURES
www.reelsimplecharters.com
www.reelsimplefishing.com
(813)601-2900
Co-Host - Outdoor Fishing Adventures, ESPN Radio


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Friday, October 1, 2010

ROCTOBER UPDATE

October Real Estate Update

One thing you can say it hasn't been boring!!

Rates Back Down
In Freddie Mac's results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.32 percent for the week ending September 30, 2010 - down from the previous week when it averaged 4.37 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.94 percent.
Confidence in the state of the economy fell among consumers and businesses, which led to a decline

Mortgage Rates

Source: Realty Times
U.S. averages as of September 30, 2010:

30 yr. fixed: 4.32%
15 yr. fixed: 3.75%
1 yr. adj: 3.48%

in long-term bond yields and brought many mortgage rates back to record setting lows this week.

What's New in New
Housing Design

Below are the products that are currently grabbing the most attention of the home building and remodeling industries:
Appliance Drawers. Small warming drawers, modest-sized dishwasher drawers for small loads, refrigerator drawers and microwave drawers.
Counter-depth refrigerators. Some are only 24 inches deep.
Motion-detecting faucets. Like you'd find in the restrooms of businesses.
LED lighting. These are used under cabinets and in ceiling fixtures as a longer-lasting, more efficient alternative to compact fluorescent lamps and incandescent bulbs.
Electric heated floors. A nice touch in bathrooms,
Showers with multiple heads and body sprays. Bathtubs are out.

Sellers Quickly Transform Property with Paint

The best way to update a property is to paint it. It's a job that many sellers can do themselves. Here are five suggestions for making the work go quickly.
Get as much furniture as possible out of the way, and cover what's left with plastic drop cloths.
Buy good paint. Top-quality latex interior paint will hide what's underneath.
Tape the edges. Taping the edges with painters tape will speed up the job and make the results more professional.
Paint the ceiling first, then the walls, then the windows and trim and finally the baseboards. This will cut down on time spent repairing drips.
Cut in the corners. Applying a three-inch band of paint around the edges will allow you to fill in the middle with a paint roller.


Four Tips for Setting the Right Sales Price
Sellers think their homes are worth more than their real estate professional recommends, and buyers think these same homes are worth less.
It's a difficult disconnect that makes selling properties a challenge. Successfully marketing a home requires that the price be set carefully -- or it will languish on the market.
Among the considerations:
How many homes are for sale in the neighborhood? The more homes on the market, the more important it is to list at the lower end of the scale. "I want buyers to ask why is this house priced so competitively," said NAR President-elect Ron Phipps. "I want the answer to be an offer."
Take short sales and foreclosures into consideration when pricing. If the competing properties are in lousy condition, they are less of an issue, but if they are well taken care of, yet priced 25 percent below market, they can be a serious factor.
Negotiate decisively. "Buyers are not interested in back-and-forth negotiations these days," Phipps said. "They are less emotional and more disciplined. They will walk away."
Cut the price when you have to. If no one shows up for an open house, if no one calls and if there are no offers, then the price is too high. That means it's time to make a meaningful price cut.
What You Should Do Now If You
Plan On Selling This Fall

By Michele Dawson

Home sales during the fall are traditionally a bit slower than the frenzied spring and summer months. But fall can be a good time to sell because there are (usually) fewer houses on the market - meaning less competition - and buyers typically want to buy quickly before winter and the holidays set in.
If you plan on selling this fall, you'll want to do everything in your power to attract would-be homebuyers.
One of the first things you should do is examine, and, if needed, repair any major structural systems. If you're unaware of any, you may want to hire a professional home inspector. Chances are a potential buyer will hire an inspector to examine the house, so you might as well save yourself any surprises.
The American Society of Home Inspectors says a typical home inspection includes drainage conditions, exterior surfaces, decks, chimney, the roof, windows, doors, plumbing fixtures, furnace, air conditioner, insulation, ventilation, electrical, heating, and plumbing systems.
Once that's done, you should make sure you don't have any loose shingles. Repair and paint your gutters, if needed. Once the structural systems are repaired or given the thumbs-up, then you should turn to appearance.
# And when it comes to looks, if you're selling in the fall, there are many things to consider, including: Curb appeal. In other words, the way your house looks from the street - the roof's condition, how the paint is holding up, whether the windows are sparkling, the lawn is mowed, the landscape is attractive and not buried beneath a peppering of fall leaves, and the driveway and walkways are free from toys and clutter.
# Entering the house. Your front door should be in good condition. Usually when the real estate professional is busy retrieving the key from the lock box, the potential buyers are standing by with nothing else to look at but the front door. Does it need painting or staining? Also,
# new hardware will make it stand out, and why not adorn it with a seasonal fall wreath? Once inside your house, the two things that immediately turn off prospective buyers are dingy walls and dirty, ill-colored, outdated, or shabby carpet. Sometimes it's hard to be objective about the condition of your own house because you see it every day, so ask a friend, neighbor, or your real estate agent to give it a look and give you their honest opinion. Fresh paint can do wonders. Keep the colors neutral. And while you can offer buyers a carpet allowance to compensate for bad carpet, replacing it before selling really boosts that first impression and makes the house more appealing and worth more in the buyer's mind.
# Clear the clutter. If you have too much furniture, put some of it in storage. Fewer pieces of furniture will make the room seem larger and more open. Also, clear counters in the kitchen and bathrooms. Make sure closets are clean. Pack up some of your clothes now. Fewer hanging clothes in the closet will make the closet appear bigger.
# Talk to the professionals. Now's also a good time to interview real estate professionals. Ask about their experience, find out how well they know the area you're eyeing, and talk to references. Once you have someone lined up you can follow his or her additional recommendations and begin the final phases of preparation before your house goes on the market.
Finally, you should be mindful of setting a competitive price. Your REALTOR® will begin by conducting a competitive market analysis of your house and give you an estimate of the fair market value of your home, which is a range that will fluctuate depending on the housing market in your area and how much similar homes in your neighborhood are selling for.
Don't insist on setting the price too high, especially if you're on a timeline. A house priced appropriately will be taken more seriously and will ultimately sell more quickly than one that's overpriced.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Just In {will not hit the market until next week!!}

Welcome to Apollo Beach!
What would you think if I told you that you could find a 3 bedroom 2 bath POOL HOME ON THE WATER with access to Tampa Bay for only $250k? Well, I just listed one that will hit the market on September 24th! It has been well cared for and is move in ready. Don't be one of those people who will later say "I wish I had bought in 2010....when prices AND interest rates were LOW."
Call me to set an appointment to see this one before it's gone!


World Class Waterfront Living:
An update on Bella Sol Luxury Villas at Apollo Beach on Tampa Bay.....I just put another waterfront penthouse under contract, so now we only have 2 waterfront penthouses and 2 waterfront lower units left (one is on the 2nd floor, the other on the 3rd floor). As for the off water building with water views, there are 3 penthouses available.
Call me to arrange your no obligation Free Boat Tour.

There are currently 327 listings in Apollo Beach. 209 listings have sold in the last 6 months, so that means we have about 9 months of inventory. Call me now for the best properties before they're gone!


For those needing to sell, please call me to go over your options. We have a system that works for those who need to do a short sale and we can offer a FREE consultation with a lawyer so you can find out what is best for you so you can make an informed decision.So to sum it up....great inventory, low prices, low interest rates, and fantastic weather make it the best time to BUY Florida Real Estate!!

Call Bonnie at (813) 390-7606 and schedule your complimentary boat tour of the Apollo Beach area. Come see why the dolphin and manatee love it here! Experience the waterfront lifestyle in this laid back community that is only a short 20 minute boat or car ride to the city of Tampa or 30 minutes to St Petersburg. Find out why the Tampa Sailing Squadron keeps their boats right here in Apollo Beach! We have a great central location with easy access to the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota, Fantastic Pro-Golf, NFL Football, Even Pro Hockey and Baseball!! Yes you can have it all only 76 miles from Walt Disney World in Orlando and the Space Coast.

Search all Tampa Bay properties at www.TampaCoastalHomes.com or better yet,
call me for a FREE boat tour! Bonnie (813) 390-7606

Friday, September 10, 2010

Get the List for "Diamonds in the Rough"

Real Estate Tip:Diamonds in the Rough
There are a lot of "diamonds in the rough" for sale. A property with incredible potential may be in a great location, have large sunny rooms and a big yard, but it may also have dated wall paper, worn carpeting, and uninspired bathrooms. If you can look beyond the surface, you may see a house that could be transformed by a little "elbow grease", paint, and new carpets.

A house that is structurally sound with all the systems in good condition may be only a few cosmetic repairs away from being fantastic! A home that does not show well is usually priced accordingly. If the price doesn't reflect the condition of the house, the seller may be more willing to negotiate than a seller who has made a considerable investment in preparing a home for the market.

Bring your imagination with you on your next house hunting trip! You may be pleasantly surprised to find a diamond in the rough.

* See Bonnie's Feature Properties: www.TAMPACOASTALHOMES.COM/myhomes.asp
* Visit www.TAMPACOASTALHOMES.COM

Diamond finder list get on the Tip List

Please enjoy the real estate tip included below. If you have any questions about this tip - or any other tips you may have heard elsewhere - please ask! There is no obligation and you'll hear back quickly!

Real Estate Tip:Your Principal Residence
The Federal Tax Code allows married taxpayers to exclude from capital gains taxes up to $500,000 in profits from selling a home (singles can exclude $250,000). In order to qualify for this exemption, you must prove that that the home has been your principal residence for at least two out of the last five years. The establishment of the home as a principal residence depends on the facts of each homeowner's circumstance. Here are two cases to consider.

Homeowner A has lived at 25 Pine Drive for 12 years. Although he stays at his vacation cottage in another town for up to three months out of each year (sometimes more), 25 Pine Drive is his principal residence, where he lives most of the time. When he sells the home, Homeowner A (filing as a single individual) can keep up to $250,000 in tax-free profit.

Homeowner B buys 108 Maple Street, intending to live there. He rents it out while waiting to sell his current home, where he has lived for six years. His principal residence sells at the end of two years. Homeowner B moves into his new house, lives there for three months, and then decides to travel. After a six-month trip, he regrets buying 108 Maple Street and sells it. Even though he has owned the house on Maple Street for over two years, it won't qualify as "owner-occupied", because he only lived in it for a few months. Thus Homeowner B is not eligible to claim the tax exemption when he sells the house on Maple Street.

Consult your tax advisor for advice about your particular circumstance.

* See Bonnie's Feature Properties: www.TAMPACOASTALHOMES.COM/myhomes.asp
* Visit www.TAMPACOASTALHOMES.COM




Bonnie Fagoh
C21 Beggins
Phone: 813-658-1344
Email: bonniefagoh@NUMBER1EXPERT.com
Website: www.TAMPACOASTALHOMES.COM

Thursday, September 9, 2010

At August Close: Rates hit all time low!!

August Round Up: Rates Hit All Time Low

In Freddie Mac's results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), the fixed-rate mortgages reached record lows, while the 5-year adjustable rate remained tied at its low for this survey.

30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.36 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending August 26, 2010, down from the previous week when it averaged 4.42 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.14 percent.

15-year FRM this week averaged a record low of 3.86 percent with an average 0.6 point, down from the previous week when it averaged 3.90 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.58 percent.

5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.56 percent this week, with an average 0.6 point, unchanged from the previous week when it also averaged 3.56 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 4.67 percent.

1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 3.52 percent this week with an average 0.7 point, down slightly from the previous week when it also averaged 3.53 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 4.69 percent. Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total cost of obtaining the mortgage. Quotes

Attributed to Amy Crews Cutts, deputy chief economist, Freddie Mac.

"Existing home sales plunged 27 percent in July, while new homes fell 12 percent to a new all-time record low, which led to some market concerns that the housing market may slow the economic recovery. As a result, long-term bond yields fell to the lowest levels since January 2009, allowing fixed mortgage rates to ease to new record lows this week.

"Much of the slowdown in sales, however, was expected due to the recently expired homebuyer tax programs, which pulled through future home purchases into the first half of the year. For instance, average existing home sales over the first seven months of 2010 were nearly 8 percent higher than over the same period a year ago.

"Moreover, house prices still appear to be stabilizing. Nationally, house prices rose 0.9 percent on a seasonally-adjusted basis during the second quarter of this year this year after 11 consecutive quarterly declines, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency's purchase only index. Eight of the nine census regions experienced positive gains, compared to none in the first quarter."

Contingent Offers Regaining Popularity

Offers contingent on buyers’ ability to sell their current residence are increasing in popularity. They were almost unheard of during the go-go early 2000s, but common 20 years before that.

Sellers generally don’t like these kinds of offers because it puts them in limbo. If their buyers’ home doesn’t sell, they can be back at square one. Also, once sellers accept a contingent sale offer, they must disclose this to other potential buyers, and that can discourage a buyer prepared to make a better offer.

Sellers who accept contingent-sale offers can include an escape clause in the contract. This clause allows the sellers to notify the contingent-sale buyers of a competing offer and they must remove the contingency in 72 hours (on average) or lose the home.

Three Reasons to Buy a Home Now

Stocks are up from the March 2009 bottom. Some commodities have risen dramatically. The only asset class left in the cellar is real estate, says Michael Murphy, editor of the New World Investor stock newsletter.

As a result, Murphy is advising investors to buy now for these three reasons:

# Anxious sellers: Both home owners and lenders are eager to unload a flood of foreclosed and underwater properties. Buyers with the patience to push through these complex deals can save a bundle.

# Little competition. Because most people don’t have what it takes to negotiate their way through short sales and REOs, patient investors are winners.

# Low rates. Mortgage rates are at their lowest level in 40 years. If you believe inflation is inevitable, lock in now.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Hello Anglers,

What a wonderful time of year it is! Football season is finally here and September usually marks the beginning of another Snook season. This year the Snook season will be a little different than any in the past as the FWC will make an announcement on September 16th concerning the state of the Snook fishery. My hopes are that they keep it closed until the Spring of 2012. Winning the lottery may be more probable. I look for September to be a lot like August with Trout, Spanish Mackerel, and Sharks being the easiest catches. When the weather conditions allowed August was a good month for these three species. I am also looking forward to the Redfish bite we are about to be on. I have already started seeing these big bruisers around the bay and have caught a few but not really given them a lot of attention yet. Recently it has seemed that when I get a good tide to Redfish, I have a group that wants to do something else and vise versa. Mangrove Snapper are finally starting to be on the agenda but they are not as plentiful as in the past few years. I'm not sure if that is part of the Cold weather we had last winter or just the fact that the last 3 years have been fantastic. Tarpon and Grouper are still here for the challenge and we might see an early arrival of King Mackerel and Bonita in the bay during the month of September.
On another note. The radio show that I cohost "Outdoor Fishing Adventures" on ESPN will have a booth at the Florida Sportsman show at the fairgrounds the last weekend of September. We would love to have you come by and visit with use while you are at the show.

Until next time, good luck and be safe on the water.

Remember: don't let your kid be the one that got away, take them fishing.

Take care and tightlines,
Ric


Capt. Ric Liles
REEL SIMPLE FISHING ADVENTURES
www.reelsimplecharters.com
www.reelsimplefishing.com
(813)601-2900
Co-Host - Outdoor Fishing Adventures, ESPN Radio

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Tampa Coastal Homes, Tampa Real Estate

Tampa Coastal Homes, Tampa Real Estate
Priced to Sell

It has long been a motto of real estate, and the saying goes, "location, location, location." It's what sells a property, they say. But recent times have brought to light that the real deciding factor on how fast, or even if, your home sells all comes down to price.

It's not that buyers are attracted by shiny, new things, but in a sense they are. When a home is newly listed it gathers a lot of interest. The listing agent may send out emails, webcasts, and virtual tours. They launch their entire marketing program. Even the MLS indicates the home as "newly listed." After a few weeks, however, if no momentum has been built, the home will then face a must steeper challenge on the road to selling.

First, homes that have been on the market a considerable time lose their competitive advantage. A buyer may see a home hasn't moved, and may come in with a low offer price. Depending on how desperate the seller is, they may feel obligated to take this offer.

Second, no one wants their home to sit on the market. It can interrupt plans to move and to buy. One of the best game plans is to price your home to sell.

This means taking a good, hard look at the area comparables. How much have homes been selling for in your area? How does your home compare in terms of amenities? Your real estate agent can be invaluable when it comes to correctly pricing your home. Sellers judgement can be easily prejudiced by emotional attachment to the home and hopes for certain profits.

If your area is experiencing a strong buyers market, that means you need to be even more competitive. You may need to price your home a little lower than you had hoped for. If you are in a sellers market, you can generally ask for a bit more in the asking price.

One tried a true method a realtor will use to snowball interest in a home is to actually underprice it. If your home is in a desirable location and you undercut the competition, you may find yourself fielding multiple offers. How does that work?

A group of buyers are all looking for a home in your lovely neighborhood. Comparable homes to your are priced around $250,000. So, you price your home at $220,000. Buyers jump at the chance to get such a bargain deal .... buyers being the operative word. This can create a bidding war between buyers who have fallen in love with your property. In many cases, the final sale price ends up being more than you would have gotten had you listed at a higher initial price.

Have your upgrades priced you out of the competition? Renovating your home with upgraded fixtures and granite counters can be very appealing. But if homes in your neighborhood are basic models with Formica counters and fewer fancy upgrades, you may have a hard time finding a buyer who will shell out more. This is one way location is very important. You must make sure you're aren't overpriced for your location. Depending on your area, you may have to eat the costs of some of your previous upgrades in order to get a sale.

And finally, are you being greedy? Sometimes people have a magic number in their head of the profit they'd like to make by selling their house. They already have that money spent on the upgrades and toys they'll buy for their next home. But selling is a time to be realistic.

Rely on your real estate agent to guide you in pricing your home. And good luck selling!


Written by Carla Hill

It is the Best time in History to buy waterfront properties in Florida -- Let me show you.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Mark your calendar..... August 27th for this rare occurrence. For those who have children, show them for they will never see this again. An interesting fact about AUGUST 2010. This AUGUST has 5 SUNDAYS, 5 MONDAYS and 5 TUESDAYS, ALL IN ONE MONTH. IT HAPPENS ONCE IN 823 YEARS. Two moons on August 27, 2010 the Whole World is waiting for............. Planet Mars will be the brightest in the night sky. It will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. This will culminate on Aug. 27 when Mars comes within 34.65M miles off earth. Be sure to watch the sky on Aug. 27 12:30 am. It will look like the earth has 2 moons. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287. Share this with your friends as NO ONE ALIVE TODAY will ever see it again.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Washington Federal Reserve Weighs In

Real Estate Outlook: Federal Reserve Weighs In

The U.S. Congress asked Federal Reserve Board chairman Ben Bernanke a key question the last week of July: Where do you and your colleagues believe we're headed in terms of the national economy?

Bernanke's reply: There are bumps and potholes on the road to recovery, but the Fed "expects continued moderate (economic) growth, a gradual decline in the unemployment rate (to about 7 percent) and subdued inflation" over the next couple of years.

No sooner had Bernanke delivered his testimony than some of those "bumps" in the road popped up: The Commerce Department reported new housing starts dropped by 5 percent in the latest month, and the National Association of Realtors reported existing home sales down by a similar percentage.

But keep in mind the central point Bernanke was making in his forecast: Troubled though it may look with any single statistical report, the fact is the national economy continues to grow - by about two and a half percent on an annual basis - and many elements of the economy are better off this year than the were the year before.

Take the Commerce Department's housing starts number: That five percent decline was mainly the result of a big drop in starts of new rental apartment units - not a drop in starts of new single family houses, which were stable.

In fact, the Commerce Department survey found that permits pulled by builders for future construction on single family homes were actually up in three out four of the major regions of the country.

Analyzing the government's data, Bernard Markstein, senior economist for the National Association of Home Builders, was encouraged - and predicted increases in both starts and sales over the coming several months.

The latest sales report for existing homes from the National Association of Realtors also had some bright spots: Sales in June were 10 percent higher than they were in the same month the year before.

Even median prices of all homes sold were up slightly, and that's despite the fact that one third of sales were "distressed" in some way - REOs, foreclosures or short sales.

And remember: virtually all economists - including those at the Fed - had forecast lower home sales for the months immediately following the expiration of the tax credit programs.

Meanwhile, hints of a rebound in future sales emerged in the latest report on new mortgage applications to buy homes.

The Mortgage Bankers Association found that purchase applications overall jumped by 3.4 percent - and by 8 percent for FHA loans to buy houses. Those transactions won't go to closing for two to three months … but they're a sign of where we're likely headed.


Written by Kenneth R. Harney

It is the Best time in History to buy waterfront properties in Florida -- Let me show you.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Monday's Afternoon Update - from Florida Trend, Florida's Source For Business News

Monday's Afternoon Update - from Florida Trend, Florida's Source For Business News

Tampa Coastal Homes, Tampa Real Estate

Tampa Coastal Homes, Tampa Real Estate
Last month I promised a new story (by the way, the family in last month's true story is LOVING their new home!). This month I want to tell you about a client who downsized from a single family home with LOTS of yard work, to a luxury waterfront villa at BellaSol in Apollo Beach. No more pulling weeds, and she coudn't be happier! Even though she "downsized" she didn't have to give up a lot of space. And now her free time is spent by the pool or working out in the fitness center which is what she truly likes to do. She may even be spending time looking for a new boat since her condo, which she purchased at almost HALF what they used to be, came with a boat slip too! With that in mind she actually bought at less than half price!! We only have 4 left that are waterfront (3 off water with views), so hurry before they are gone. Come live the resort lifestyle! ļ

World Class Waterfront Living

Enjoy Bella Sol Luxury Villas at Apollo Beach on Tampa Bay In Florida. Call me to arrange your no obligation Free Boat Tour of the Area with world class sunsets, fishing and year round sports.
Thanks to all of you who helped make it a tremendous 2009!! Despite global market conditions I ended up the top ranked Realtor at my office (which is #1 in the region), and I'm #5 in the region (out of 4,000 agents). I'm not saying that to toot my own horn, but to let you know that with daily market working experience.. savvy customers have beat down the door and voted with hard dollars as to the future in our Tampa Bay area..especially with luxury living at Bella Sol.

As the second quarter of 2010 has come to close sales at lovely Bella Sol Luxury Villas continue with 1 resale and one new construction closing and another penthouse going to contract. If there is Ever an indication right now is the time! I only have 4 Waterfront units left states Bonnie Fagoh. The developer is taking bids to complete the 2 off water buildings. We just lowered pricing on our smaller
(1950 sq ft) waterfront units - and I only have 2 remaining - down by $15,000! We also lowered the penthouses in the off water building by at least $30,000.
They range from 2700 to 3000 sq ft of luxury. Come see!
For those who don't feel BellaSol is a perfect fit, there are many other areas with desirable condos, townhomes and single family homes from which to choose in the Tampa Bay and surrounding areas. One of my clients wanted to be closer to the beach, so I helped them find a home just 10 minutes from the gulf for under $200k!
There are currently 313 listings in Apollo Beach. 204 listings have sold in the last 6 months, so that means we have about 9 months of inventory. Call me now for the best properties before they're gone!
For those needing to sell, please call me to go over your options. We have a system that works for those who need to do a short sale and we can offer a FREE consultation with a lawyer so you can find out what is best for you so you can make an informed decision.So to sum it up....great inventory, low prices, low interest rates, and fantastic weather make it the best time to BUY Florida Real Estate!!

Call Bonnie at (813) 390-7606 and schedule your complimentary boat tour of the Apollo Beach area. Come see why the dolphin and manatee love it here! Experience the waterfront lifestyle in this laid back community that is only a short 20 minute boat or car ride to the city of Tampa or 30 minutes to St Petersburg. Find out why the Tampa Sailing Squadron keeps their boats right here in Apollo Beach! We have a great central location with easy access to the Gulf of Mexico, Sarasota, Fantastic Pro-Golf, NFL Football, Even Pro Hockey and Baseball!! Yes you can have it all only 76 miles from Walt Disney World in Orlando and the Space Coast!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Five Keys To Successful Negotiations

Whether you're a buyer or a seller you want to succeed in the realty marketplace. That's natural and reasonable, but what are the steps you need to triumph?

Negotiations are a complex matter and all transactions are unique. Both sides -- buyer and seller -- want to feel that the outcome favors them, or at least represents a fair balance of interests. In the usual case there is a bit of bluff, some give-and-take, and neither party gets everything they want.

So how do you develop a strong bargaining position, one which will help you get the most from a transaction? Experience shows there are five basic keys which will determine who wins at the negotiating table.

1. What Does The Market Say?

At various times we're in a "buyer's" market, a "seller's" market, or a market where supply and demand are roughly equal. If possible, you want to be in the market at a time when it favors your position as a buyer or seller.

Because all properties are unique -- it is possible to buck general trends and have more leverage than the marketplace would seem to allow. For instance, if you have a property in a desirable neighborhood with few sales, you may be able to get a better deal than elsewhere. Or, if you're a buyer who can quickly close, that might be an important negotiating chip when dealing with an owner who just got a new job 500 miles away.

2. Who Has Leverage?

If you're on the front page of the local paper because your business went bust -- and the buyer knows it -- you have less clout in the bargaining process. Alternatively, if you're among six buyers clamoring for that one special property, forget about dictating an agreement -- the owner can sit back and pick the offer which represents the highest price and best terms.

3. What Are The Details?

A lot of attention in real estate is paid to transaction prices. This surely makes sense, but the key to a good deal may be more complex.

Consider two identical properties that each sell on the same day for $275,000. The houses are the same, the sale prices are the same, but are the deals the same? Maybe not. For instance, one owner may have agreed to paint the property, replace the roof, purchase a new kitchen refrigerator, and pay the first $5,000 of the buyer's closing costs. The second owner made no concessions.

In this example, the first house was actually sold at discount -- the $275,000 purchase price less the value of the roof repairs, closing credit, and other items. If you're a buyer, this is the deal you want. If you're a seller, you would prefer to be the second owner and give up nothing.

4. What About Financing?

Real estate transactions involve a trade -- houses for money. We know the house is there, but what about financing? There are several factors that impact the money issue:

# Has the buyer been pre-qualified or pre-approved by a lender? Meeting with a lender before looking at homes does not usually guarantee that financing is absolutely, unquestionably available -- a loan application can be declined because of appraisal problems, title issues, survey findings, and other reasons.

However, buyers who are "pre-qualified" or "pre-approved" (these terms do not have a standard meaning around the country) at least have some idea of their ability to finance a home and know that they are likely to qualify for certain loan programs.

The result is that pre-qualified buyers represent less risk to owners than a purchaser who has never met with a lender. If the seller accepts an offer from a buyer with unknown financial strength, it's possible that the transaction could fail because the buyer can't get a loan. Meanwhile, the owner may have lost the opportunity to sell to a qualified buyer.

# The lower the interest rate, the larger the pool of potential buyers. More buyers equal more potential demand, good news for sellers.

Alternatively, high rates or even rising rates may drive buyers from the marketplace -- and that's not good for anyone.

# It used to be that downpayments were a major financing hurdle -- but not anymore. For those with good credit, loans with 5 percent down or less are now widely available. In fact, 100 percent financing, mortgages with nothing down, are now being made by conventional lenders. Reduced downpayment requirements are good for both buyers and sellers.

5. Who Has Expertise?

Imagine you're in a fight. The other guy has black belts in 12 martial arts -- and you don't. Who's going to win?

Brokers have long represented sellers, and now buyer brokerage is entirely common. In a transaction where one side has representation and the other does not, who has the advantage at the bargaining table?


Written by Peter G. Miller

It is the Best time in History to buy waterfront properties in Florida -- Let me show you.

Monday, August 2, 2010

July- August Fishing Report

Hello Anglers,

I don't think I need to tell you that July was hot and was a great time to be in the A/C. The fishing in July was not bad despite the heat as we continued our assault on the Spanish Mackerel and the Sharks. The biggest problem in July was the bait. After the hatch is can be difficult to find baits big enough to fish with. Thank goodness they grow fast. The only outing of the month that was a disappointment was a Tarpon trip that turned into a Mackerel trip that later turned into a anything that would bite trip. I did appreciate the patience that Buster Doherty and his son displayed.Sorry guys that was a very tuff day on the pond. August should be another hot month with fishing early or fishing late the best idea. The Shark, Mackerel, And Trout bite should continue to to be good and I am already starting to see some schools of Redfish appear in places that I usually see them in September or October. Normally this time of year we have a good Mangrove Snapper bite but I have not had much success with them yet so if you want to fish deep you'll have to size up and fish for Grouper. If big is your game then you might want a dose of Tarpon fishing as the Tarpon are going to be with us for several more months. Below is this months fish recipe ( Pappi's Lemon Caper Fish) sent in by Ken Waldecker. Thanks Ken for sending in the recipe. Anyone sending in a fish recipe to share will get a 10% discount off your next outing.

*** August Special *** If anyone is interested I have worked out a deal with Pirates Pointe Resort here in Ruskin on the Little Manatee River that will give you 2 nights and 3 days stay if you book a full day charter. All you will be responsible for is the tax on the room, which is somewhere around $15. This offer is for 2 persons and is good Monday thru Thursday and has to be used in conjunction with the fishing trip. I will pick you up at the dock to start the day and bring you back to the dock when finished. If you want this deal with more than 2 persons Pirates Pointe will add a linen charge to the stay. I do not know those prices. Anyway, if your looking for a great getaway with a tropical feel check out their virtual tour online by going to www.Piratespointeresort.com

One last thing. The fishing rods that I have told so many of you about from the rod company that I am involved with "K9", are done and on the way. Those of you that were interested in purchasing one please email me and I will give you the particulars. Thank you for your patience.

Thanks again,

Ric



Capt. Ric Liles
REEL SIMPLE FISHING ADVENTURES
www.reelsimplecharters.com
www.reelsimplefishing.com
(813)601-2900
Co-Host - Outdoor Fishing Adventures, ESPN Radio


Pappi’s Lemon Caper Fish



Ingredients:

* 12 oz. Heavy Cream.
* 1 Stick of Butter or Butter Substitute.
* 3 Tble Spoons Real Lemon Juice.
* 1 Jar Approx 8 oz. Capers.
* 1 TeaSpoon Garlic Powder.
* 4 Tble Spoons Olive Oil.
* 2 Cups Flour.

2 to 4 Good Sized Filets (Trout, Red Fish or Mackerel Work Great)

After washing the filets, using only flour (No Eggs) lightly bread the fish. In a large non-stick frying pan, add the olive oil, and on medium high heat, lightly braise the filets approx. 3 minutes on each side until golden. PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES.

In a small sauce pan on low heat, wisp the Heavy Cream, Butter, Lemon Juice & Garlic Powder together to a low boil (You might want to add 1 tlbe spoon of flour to thicken sauce)

Place fish in baking dish, spaced slightly apart. Pour the lemon cream sauce over the braised filets, and top coated filets with Capers. (Extra sauce in the baking dish means more dipping sauce for the finished fish)

Bake uncovered @ 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes (Depending on the size of the filets)

Fantastic with mashed cauliflower or turnips.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

July Market Update for Tampa Bay, Apollo Beach Florida

In this month’s update I would like to share some real life stories rather than give you stats.We all like stories, don’t we? Especially when they are real and have “happy endings”. I recently listed a family’s 4 bedroom manufactured home in the Southshore area because they thought NOW was the time to BUY, and they are so right! We put the property under contract rather quickly (it was priced well) and fortunately the family had a home to move into until we found their new home. Over the course of several months they tried waiting on short sales to get approval from the bank, but found the waiting was too much for them. We tried negotiating with a seller on a non-short sale property,but felt the seller was not being realistic (he didn’t want to pay closing costs and actually wanted to offer a cheaper home warranty than the one requested). We were scheduled to go back and look
again at a short sale we heard was approved when I got a text from a NEW HOME sales rep about some special financing on their inventory homes. We went back into the short sale home and found it had an odor problem we didn’t notice the first time. Then we headed to the new home subdivision. They fell in love with a 2200 sq ft 4 bedroom 2 & ½ bath BRAND NEW HOME in a gated community with a pool, basketball court and playground! All this for only $1200 a month – and that includes principal, interest, taxes, insurance, HOA and CDD!!
They got a 4.25% 30 year fixed interest rate. LESS than RENT!! And the builder is paying $12,000 towards their closing costs and prepaids! Had they bought a short sale or bank owned property, they would buy “as-is”...no warranties, no repairs, and they would have to clean, paint and install new flooring (at least) in most we viewed. The non-short sale they considered had a 10 yr old roof, so in about 5 yrs they would have to replace that and the home had vinyl in the kitchen and baths. Their new home has 18” tile, laminate, granite in the kitchen (with an island and black appliances), brand new carpet and fresh paint. And they have full warranties for the first year, warranty less the appliances the second year, and a 10 year structural warranty. How is that for peace of mind? We even negotiated with the new home builder to include the refrigerator, washer & dryer, and blinds. And they can close in 30 days or less. So they ended up with much more house than they ever dreamed they could afford! I think I will end with this one story this month, and share the story next month of someone who “downsized” from an inland home with lots of yard work to a GORGEOUS WATERFRONT VILLA in Apollo Beach. No more mowing or pulling weeds! There is another happy ending. 

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Tampa Fl. Apollo Beach Home Market Report

Tampa Fl- Apollo Beach Housing Market Report, Apollo Beach

http://www.TampaCoastalHomes.com Real estate & housing markets have forever changed. Is your professional a specialist like a Cardiologist or a general practitioner? Why does it Matter ?? Your $$

With the time past for home purchase tax credits ending on June 30, This video has an excellent overview for you to gain insights about this law and home buying and selling facts for you to bookmark and save for future research.. Studies have shown that no matter the structure of the marketing that is now made for search engine results by using keywords as: ‘cheap’, " buy foreclosure homes", "foreclosure discount" or even "bank owned and bank owned reo".. Nothing replaces a professional negotiator looking out for your best interests.

Did you know that professional "real estate" "Investors" and short sale flippers are using what is termed as "Bandit" signs that are plain signs made to look like they are made with a majic marker stating "foreclosure home must sell"??? These companies make offers on hundreds of properties a month and have honed their skills…Most consumers trying to find and purchase their one retirement home or dream home/first home for their families have a distinct disadvantage from these businesses and their law teams.

No the real indicator is how did the professional you are dealing with do in this most difficult time in history?? How was this professionals 2007, 2008 and especially 2009 results??

There is a new market that has enveloped the world markets and turned it on its ear..just ask the newspaper companies.. the television companies and the magazine companies really ANY Major Media company.. You have to have a pro working for your interests My Name is Bonnie Fagoh and I am applying for the job to represent your interests!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

New Home Builders pricing with Foreclosed Homes!!

By Jim Cramer

Forget the crummy quarter that KB Home just reported. Forget that they still have plenty of liquidity, so, unfortunately for the housing market, they can still pump out new homes just when we want them to cut back.

The real takeaway of the conference call was the housing bottom that they saw in Southern California. It's huge. They said sales are up by hundreds of percent -- that's the term they used -- because the affordability is the best in 20 years, and rates are the best in 47 years.

Two years ago, KBH's Southern California (KBH- commentary- Cramers Take) home business hit a retaining wall going 200 miles an hour. It has seen nothing but price cuts and foreclosures and cancellations in its projects ever since ... UNTIL THIS QUARTER.

In this quarter, they saw month-to-month-to-month stronger sales, as housing prices are down as much as 45% in some of their sales areas (you can see all of them by going to their Web site).

I think the case can be made that it is time to buy there. You don't get a sense from the call that any other place in their network has bottomed. In fact, they almost all have further to go down.

But not Southern California, where they are selling out, particularly of the $200,000 homes. Oh, and they made very clear that there is ample FHA money available to buy there.

It's just a remarkably positive housing story within the house of gloom, and a perfect harbinger of what will happen later this year with price declines in the rest of the country.

Get this: KB Home is actually running out of inventory and selling new homes at the same price as foreclosed homes. Hence the fabulous affordability.

No wonder the stock is up!

At the time of publication, Cramer had no positions in the stocks mentioned.

Summer Buys

Plenty of Reasons to Buy a Home Even After the Tax Credit

Even though the home buyer tax credit expired on April 30 and won't be renewed, there may never be a better time to buy a home than today, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Many outstanding opportunities still exist for home buyers, but they may not be around forever.

"The home buyer tax credit was just one of many factors motivating Americans to buy homes," said NAHB Chairman Bob Jones, a builder and developer in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. "But buyers can still take advantage of today's low interest rates and competitive prices to get a home they may not have been able to purchase just a few years ago."

Besides mortgage interest rates that have been hovering at near-record lows, homes in many markets have become more affordable. Prices have moderated from the highs of the housing boom that occurred in most of the country, especially in major markets where they had increased significantly.

Today's new homes are also built to be much more energy efficient than homes constructed a generation ago, making them more affordable to operate. New homes are designed to support modern lifestyles with open floorplans, flexible spaces, improved safety features, and low-maintenance materials.

Consumers who are thinking about buying a home should not count on interest rates or prices staying at current levels, however. Mortgage rates are sensitive to market conditions, and even a slight increase can push monthly payments beyond a family's budget. As the country recovers from the recession and people stabilize their financial situations, NAHB economists expect that home prices will begin to increase by 2011.

NAHB's home buyer brochure "Opportunity Knocks for Home Buyers" describes many of the opportunities in today's market, as well as the long-term financial benefits of homeownership. It provides examples of how interest rates affect monthly mortgage payments and the typical federal tax savings over the first five years of homeownership. The brochure can be downloaded from NAHB's web site at: www.nahb.org/homebuyerbrochure.

The home buyer tax credit is still available for eligible home buyers who had a signed sales contract by the April 30 deadline and who close by June 30, 2010, as well as for qualified members of the military, foreign service and intelligence communities, who have until April 30, 2011, to sign a contract.


Written by Realty Times Staff

It is the Best time in History to buy waterfront properties in Florida -- Let me show you.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Hello Anglers,

It appears that we have rapidly gotten to our summer temps and I for one could not be happier. Every time I start to feel uncomfortable with the warmer temps I reflect back to January and it seems to feel better all of a sudden. May was a good month with the Mackerel and Trout bite continuing to be very strong. I look for June to continue to be a great month for Mackerel and Trout. In the past few days I have found a Shark bite that is almost non stop with 4-5 foot Black tips and Reef(sand) Sharks. I have not ran many Tarpon trips but I have been seeing them roll and anticipate a good bite in June. The Snook and Redfish bite should be fair during June but water temps will be high and they will be an early or late in the day target. If bottom fishing is your game you will like the summer as the Mangrove Snapper should be aggressive. Gag Grouper and Red Grouper are another option if bottom fishing is what you like. June is a great month to get out and enjoy the fun that Tampa Bay has to offer.
For those of you that keep up with Reel Simple Fishing Adventures thru the Laker or Lutz paper I will no longer be writing for them. Thanks for reading.

I would like to thank the ones that sent in a recipe for me to add to this forecast. I will be using them in the order that I get them and sending the submitter a discount coupon for their next outing. This month we have a recipe for Ceviche from Joe Postorino. Thanks Joe, your discount coupon is in the mail.

I have Fathers Day gift certificates available for anyone interested in giving their father a special day on the water. Anyone bringing their child and their father out on a trip will get a 10% discount on the trip.

Until next time, good luck and be safe on the water. Remember don't let your kid be the one that got away, take them fishing.

Thanks,
Ric



Capt. Ric Liles
REEL SIMPLE FISHING ADVENTURES
www.reelsimplecharters.com
www.reelsimplefishing.com
(813)601-2900
Co-Host - Outdoor Fishing Adventures, ESPN Radio

Friday, May 28, 2010

Happy Memorial Day thanks Congress!!

Below is an Important Message from John Sebree, Vice President of Public Policy, Florida REALTORS®:



Congress is still trying to avoid a lapse in the National Flood Insurance Program. The program will expire on May 31, 2010 unless Congress reaches an agreement on an extension before adjourning for the Memorial Day recess. The best information we have received from our Congressional allies is that it is likely an agreement WILL NOT BE REACHED before the expiration.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Apollo Beach Awesome Waterfront!!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Tampa to Host RNC after 4 Superbowls***

The official word: Tampa in 2012

RnscIMG_0112 OXON Hill, Md. -- Tampa has just been selected as the site of the 2012 Republican National Convention. The decision was unanimous.

"We're taking our place in history," said an exuberant Norwood Smith, vice president of sales for Tampa Bay & Co., among the Floridians who came here for the decision.

"The Tampa area boasts state-of-the-art facilities, exciting and vibrant downtowns, and a clear enthusiasm from the community to host our convention," said RNC Chairman Michael Steele.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

FANTASTIC COASTAL FLORIDA LIVING!!

FANTASTIC COASTAL FLORIDA LIVING!
http://vt.realbiz360.com/MLS-338620.html
Five Key Areas to Pay Attention to When Buying a Home

Looking for a new home can be exciting and frustrating. You can help alleviate the frustration by paying close attention to five key areas of the homes you're considering buying; it may save you money in the long run.

Don Walker is an inspector and owner of Ace Home Inspections. He says there are five areas in homes that he frequently reports problems with. They are electrical, foundation, plumbing, the attic, and landscaping.

Electrical

Walker says sometimes homeowners assume with newer homes that all will work just fine but that's often not the case. "I inspected a brand new house—four years old but the electrical was all done incorrectly," says Walker.

Having a complete home inspection will help to rule out any problems and point out any areas of concern. However, even as you're browsing homes, buyers can start to make note of the key areas that Walker mentioned, such as the foundation.

Foundation

Walker says a four-year-old home he inspected recently was already showing trouble signs which could result in a costly repair project. "It was a model home. What the homeowners did was plant trees for shade to make it look really nice, but they planted the wrong trees and they're going to crack the foundation and it's going to cut the property value down by $50,000," says Walker.

Walker says in the case of that home, the trees were causing micro-fractures in the tile in various locations of the home. "As you walk through the house, 21 feet in and 30 feet deep, there's just too much root invasion and it's going to ruin their tile," explains Walker.

He says some tell-tale signs with this home were the minor cracks in the foundation that were causing a lifting and separation of the foundation. Also, the windows were not opening and closing properly, "which means the foundation is moving."

However, just because you see cracks doesn't mean there is a foundation problem. "Most people don't understand that there are natural cracks in a house. That's why when we do an inspection report we have to look at it and say 'Okay, this is a typical crack and this one is an untypical crack,'" says Walker. He says some cracks may lead to other problems while others won't.

Plumbing

Walker says another big area of concern is the plumbing. It's an area that you can't always spot as easily but it can create expensive repairs if plumbing issues go either undetected or are not properly fixed. "Mold forms underneath sinks when people have a leak and they fix the pipe but they don't take care of the mold," says Walker.

He says things like caulking the sink can help prevent mold. "That's my number one thing I always find—bad sinks," says Walker.

He says that when you look at the sink, look behind it and most of the time you will discover a little crack. "What happens is, when you wash dishes or you wash your hands in the bathroom or the kitchen, the water gets in that crack and seeps down. Once the water gets behind the cabinet it's in a perfect position to create mold," says Walker. The dampness, humidity, and lack of light can turn that area beneath the sink into a mold-breeding ground.

Attic

"You can tell everything about the house by the attic," says Walker. He says other areas of the home can be covered up if a repair had occurred. For instance, if there was a leak and it damaged a wall, with the right contractors and repairs it can be made to look like new and, hopefully, function like new. But Walker says the attic is sort of the eyes to the soul of the home. "In the attic you can tell where all the damage has been," says Walker.

"If you're in a 20-year-old house and you see that the insulation is brand new, you know that there was a water leak because it had to be replaced," says Walker. He adds, "You can tell if the roof is good because you can look right at the wood."

Landscaping

"There should not be moisture or plants next to your house," says Walker. He says there should be a 12 inch barrier between the landscape and the house. Walker says otherwise you run the risk of having the foundation crack and affect the home. What happens is, as the landscape that is too close to the home is watered, the foundation and soil expand. Then, when no watering occurs, the foundation dries up and shrinks and this can cause it to crack.

Remember, knowledge is power, so learning about the home before you close the deal on it will keep you from making a mistake that may cost you extra out-of-pocket money later.


Written by Carla Davis

It is the Best time in History to buy waterfront properties in Florida -- Let me show you.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Hello Anglers,

What a month! April was fantastic and I look for good things to follow in May as well. The biggest catches in April came at the expense of Trout and Spanish Mackerel. When the winds allowed us to get to the fish the bite was steady. I think we were able to get a few junior anglers hooked on the sport of fishing with all the rod bending that we had. You gotta love that. I am looking forward to May as I know the Tarpon are on their way. There are a few Tarpon here now but the bulk has not arrived yet. Water temps are still below normal but I saw 80 degrees on Sunday. The Grouper bite should stay pretty good. April was good but May should be better. The Redfish bite has increased and that just adds another play to the playbook. After the bitter cold Winter I was a little concerned about the state of our fishery but I feel much better now and only have concerns about our Snook. We are catching Snook just not as many as normal. One of my main concerns was how the bait would be effected, no worries there. The bait seems to be plentiful and healthy. Until next time, good luck and be safe on the water. Remember: don't let your kid be the one that got away, take them fishing.

I want to start sending a nice fish recipe with each forecast in the future. If you have one that you would like to share send it to me and I will put it in the report.

Thanks,
Ric


Capt. Ric Liles
REEL SIMPLE FISHING ADVENTURES
www.reelsimplecharters.com
www.reelsimplefishing.com
(813)601-2900
Co-Host - Outdoor Fishing Adventures, ESPN Radio


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Luxury Waterfront, Waterfront Real Estate, Waterfront Home

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Remodeling a Home Built Before 1978 Requires a Certified Lead Contractor

Getting the lead out of your home may be tough to do, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). We've known for a long while now that lead paint is hazardous to our health. Lead paint can be very dangerous to children if they inhale or ingest it. It can cause damage to their brains and nervous systems. However, removing it may be difficult.

The NAHB says that a shortage of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accredited trainers may stall some remodeling projects in homes where lead is present. A new regulation by the U.S. EPA went into effect last month (April 22, 2010) that requires all contractors working in homes built before lead paint was banned in 1978 to be trained and certified under the Lead Paint: Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (LRRP).

"We've gotten the word out to our members and they understand the new requirements and are working hard to get certified by the deadline," said Donna Shirey, CGR, CAPS, CGP, president of Shirey Contracting in Issaquah, Wash., and 2010 chair of NAHB Remodelers in a recent press statement. The NAHB is doing its part to ensure that remodelers are ready, but it still might not be enough to meet the remodeling industry's needs. "Our local home building associations are offering certification classes to their members, but EPA hasn't approved enough trainers to enable our members and other contractors to be certified on time, and that's going to put remodelers and their customers in quite a bind."

The purpose of the regulation is to reduce the potential exposure to lead paint that may occur when a home that was built before 1978 is remodeled. The regulation isn't limited to just remodelers. Other contractors who must become certified include carpenters, plumbers, heating and air conditioning workers, and window installers. The NAHB is sending out a word of caution, since the EPA has approved only 135 training providers and certified about 14,000 renovators in lead-safe work practices. However, according to NAHB, the EPA's own estimates indicated that more than 200,000 contractors must be trained and certified.

NAHB writes in a press statement that the shortage of trainers can cause big problems for homeowners. "This will severely limit the number of remodelers able to work in older homes and will open the door to more fly-by-night contractors who will skip the training, skirt the law and put home owners at risk." "EPA must extend the deadline so that consumers can find trained and certified remodelers for their projects. I talked to a group of our West Virginia members who had to travel all the way to Atlanta to take the training sessions because there are no trainers in their own state," Shirey said.

The new regulation issued in 2008 is rapidly approaching the certification deadline for contractors. The regulation requires contractors to take an eight-hour training course which includes a PowerPoint presentation, hands-on training, and a 25-question quiz. The training is designed to show workers how to handle and contain hazardous lead-based debris. If lead-based debris/dust gets into the air and is breathed in or ingested, it can cause severe health issues.

According to the EPA, lead is more dangerous to children and can negatively impact their brains and nervous systems (which are more sensitive than adults). Also, children tend to absorb lead more easily because they frequently put their hands in their mouths.

Adults exposed to lead paint risk suffering from reproductive issues, nerve disorders, concentration problems, high blood pressure, joint pain, and more.

The EPA recommends that homeowners of homes built before 1978 have their homes inspected for any lead-based paint issues. Typically, lead-based paint that is not chipping and is in good condition is not hazardous to your health.


Written by Phoebe Chongchua

It is the Best time in History to buy waterfront properties in Florida -- Let me show you.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Click HERE for The Best Property Views**

FIND ALL Fantastic Homes and Properties in the Tampa, St. Pete, Clearwater and Apollo Beach**

Friday, April 2, 2010

First Quarter for New Decade 2010 Real Estate Update

First Quarter Update of the New Decade
April Real Estate Update

Mortgage Rates Inch Up

In Freddie Mac's results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.99 percent for the week ending March 25, 2010 - up from the previous week when it averaged 4.96 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.85 percent.

"Mortgage rates inched up slightly this week as bond yields rose even further," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief

Mortgage Rates
Source: Realty Times

U.S. averages as of March 25, 2010:

30 yr. fixed: 4.99%
15 yr. fixed: 4.34%
1 yr. adj: 4.20%

economist. "Interest rates on 30-year fixed mortgages, however, were still below 5 percent for the fourth consecutive week."

The Extended Home
Buyer Tax Credit

You've decided to purchase a home and take advantage of the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit. Here's what you have to do to get your benefit:
Close on your home purchase between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, or have a binding written contract in place by April 30, 2010 with a closing date no later than June 30, 2010.
Decide whether to: apply the credit to your 2009 tax return, filed on or before April 15, 2010; file an amended 2009 return; or, apply the credit on your 2010 return, filed on or before April 15, 2011.
Homeowners filing for the home buyer tax credit are not allowed to use electronic filing and must file hard copies due to special documentation requirements.

Mortgage Rates Inch Up

In Freddie Mac\'s results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.99 percent for the week ending March 25, 2010 - up from the previous week when it averaged 4.96 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.85 percent.

\"Mortgage rates inched up slightly this week as bond yields rose even further,\" said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief.

Real Estate Outlook:
Steady Growth Expected
Harsh weather conditions held back home sales in February -- leading to some renewed gloominess by Wall Street analysts.
But several new economic reports, including on employment, suggest that during the coming several months we're likely to see steady but unspectacular national economic growth, and some pretty good housing rebound numbers.
Even the February home sales numbers were nowhere near as negative as you might expect under the circumstances.
Existing home sales were down slightly for the month – by six tenths of a percent – but were still clicking along at more than 5 million on an annualized basis.
New home sales were harder hit – down by 2.2 percent for the month. But median prices on new homes sold for the month jumped by six percent over January and were up five percent year over year, according to the Commerce Department.
A new study by economists at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (or FDIC) also provides a positive take on where we're headed.
The United States housing market, according to the FDIC, is showing "tangible signs of improvement".
Affordability – which is obviously a crucial factor in whether households can buy or not – is at "historic high levels," says the report.



Equal Housing
Opportunity
Bonnie Fagoh
813-390-7606
bonniefagoh@gmail.com
http://www.TampaCoastalHomes.com

Century 21 Beggins Enterprises
813-658-1344
6542 U. S. Hwy. 41 N.
Apollo Beach, FL 33572
Bonnie Fagoh
Tampa Coastal Homes

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Tampa Fishing Report

Hello Anglers,

The weather is starting to warm up and so is the bite. We are starting to see things get back to normal after "Global Chilling 2010". March was much better than February and I know that April will be much better than March. We were able to catch our normal targets in March but not in the normal numbers. What March did give us was our yearly Black Drum bonanza. You gotta love 50lb. fish on light tackle. Whitebait is starting to show back up and that is going to change everything. We are just now starting to see fish where we usually do earlier in the year and I think that is due to the bait. April should be the start of the Spanish Mackerel season and we should also start to see the Tarpon show up this month. They were a little hurt by the cold, like the Snook, and time will tell on on their condition. I feel like a bear that's coming out of hibernation. April is finally here and it's my favorite time of the year. Until next time, good luck and be safe on the water. Remember: don't let your kid be the one that got away, take them fishing.

Other news: Some of you have requested "Reel Simple Fishing Adventure" t-shirts and hats. Well I have them on order and they will be available by the end of the month. There are 4 colors of t-shirts to choose from and are 100% cotton (white, tan, light blue, and light green) and one color hat (tan w/ blue logo). Shirts and hats are $12 each. Any 2 for $22 or 2 shirts and a hat for $30. All of this includes the shipping cost. Just let me know what size and color you want via email. In the future I will have sweatshirts and rain gear available.

Thanks,
Ric


Capt. Ric Liles
REEL SIMPLE FISHING ADVENTURES
www.reelsimplecharters.com
www.reelsimplefishing.com
(813)601-2900
Co-Host - Outdoor Fishing Adventures, ESPN Radio


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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Has Freddie Mac Eased Regs for ShortSale and REO "Flipping" ??

Has Freddie Mac eased regs for Short Sale Reo Flipping?

As spring fast approaches there is a phenomina occurring in the market that heeds notice! (kindly excuse typo\\\'s it is 1:30 a.m. but I wanted to get this info out as fast as possible!)

I am here to pass on information that Is important to the market. Recent actions

by some of our government institutions and rule makers has laid evidence to what is a tolerance

for \\\"invetors\\\" in short sale and REO
flipping.

In fact short sale and reo or \\\"bank owned\\\" flipping of properties are becoming more and more accepted by
the government and major lending institutions. This
is evidenced, among other things, by Freddie Mac\\\'s
recent bulletins, updated credit policies by major
lenders allowing for C buyer financing, and revised
title bulletins stating that the C purchase price does
not need to be revealed to the A lender as long as
certain disclosures are made.


Last Friday the FHA has rescinded its 90 anti-flipping
rule and will, for a period of 1 year, allow FHA buyers
to obtain loans on properties that have been recently
purchased by investors who intend to flip them for a
profit.

This "green light" by FHA means that if you've been on
the sidelines of property flipping, you need to educate
yourself as soon as possible, because investors will be
coming on strong for 2010 given this latest news.


Visit my site and blogs regularly as I am dedicated to informing you

on the latest market conditions..if this sounds like greek to you

hold on .. in the next few weeks as this unfolds I will update you

on these conditions

Have a Great Day/// Bonnie Fagoh

Monday, March 1, 2010

Taxpayers Seeking Homebuyer Tax Credits, Refunds Must File Paper

Homeowners filing for the home buyer tax credit are not allowed to use electronic filing and must file hard copies due to special documentation requirements.
Earlier this year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) deployed new home buyer tax credit forms and instructions requiring forms that will force taxpayers to file on paper, rather than electronically.
The new home buyer tax credit filing rules are to ward off a repeat of 90,000 taxpayers who fraudulently claimed the credit, according to the U.S. Treasury.
Under the new and expanded home buyer tax credit rule , the credit is worth up to $8,000 for first-time home buyers and up to $6,500 for qualifying existing home buyers, in both cases, who buy a primary residence or have one built. The tax credit is refundable. A credit that is larger than the taxes owed is returned to the taxpayer in the form of a refund.
The home can cost no more than $800,000 and qualifying income is limited to a maximum of $125,000 for single taxpayers and $225,000 for joint taxpayers.
Get the full scoop online from the IRS' "First-Time Homebuyer Credit" page online.
All taxpayers (first time and move up buyers) seeking a credit or refund, must use the new IRS Form 5405 "First-Time Homebuyer Credit and Repayment of the Credit" (Taxpayers must pay back the credit if they sell the home within three years). The instructions, which teach taxpayers what documents are required, are available on IRS FORM i5405.
# In addition to Form 5405, also include at least one of the following documents: A copy of the HUD-1, Settlement Statement, showing all parties' names and signatures, property address, sales price, and date of purchase.
# For mobile home buyers who don't get a settlement statement, a copy of the executed retail sales contract showing all parties' names and signatures, property address, purchase price and date of purchase.
# For new home buyers who don't get a settlement statement, a copy of the certificate of occupancy showing the owner’s name, property address and date of the certificate.
Existing home owners applying for the $6,500 maximum tax credit must additionally prove they lived in their old home for the required period.
To do so, options are:
# File IRS Form 1098, "Mortgage Interest Statement." IRS Form i1098 offers the instructions.
# Also, supply mortgage interest statements or property tax records or homeowner's insurance records.
Again, because some of the documents required are not standard tax forms, taxpayers seeking the credit cannot file electronically.
They can, however, use off-the-shelf tax software or the IRS Free File online software to prepare returns, but they must still print out the return and mail it in with the required documents.
In addition to accuracy and compliance, the only other way to speed up any refund is to request, with the return, that the home buyer tax credit refund be deposited directly into a bank account. By Broderick Perkins



Equal Housing
Opportunity
Bonnie Fagoh
813-390-7606
bonniefagoh@gmail.com
http://www.TampaCoastalHomes.com

Century 21 Beggins Enterprises
813-658-1344
6542 U. S. Hwy. 41 N.
Apollo Beach, FL 33572

Sunday, February 28, 2010

As Deadline fast approaches Homebuyer Tax Credit comprises %50 of Sales

As Homebuyers Tax Credit 60 day deadline approaches, Credit Lures %50
House prices up for the month, down for the year

S&P/Case-Shiller composite index of house prices in 20 metropolitan areas rose 1.6 percent in July from June — more than triple the estimate of a 0.5 percent rise found in a recent Reuters poll. The monthly price increases helped the annual rates, with the yearly pace of declines in home prices slowing to a 12.8% drop in the 10-city index and 13.3% downturn in the 20-city index. “These figures continue to support an indication of stabilization in national real estate values, but we do need to be cautious in coming months to assess whether the housing market will weather the expiration of the Federal First-Time Buyer’s Tax Credit in November, anticipated higher unemployment rates and a possible increase in foreclosures,” said David Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P. Despite the overall improvement, annual rates for all metro areas and the two composites remain in negative territory, with 14 of the 20 metro areas and both composites in double digits, S&P said.

Mortgage rates to rise?

The Fed has been buying mortgage-backed securities since late 2008. But next month it plans to finish its purchase of $1.25 trillion in mortgages, and that could be bad news. There is wide agreement that the removal of this support will mean higher mortgage rates, which could hit housing prices and sales hard. Some even worry that it could cause the broader economic recovery to stall. The program was the largest single injection of cash into the economy by the Fed during the financial crisis, and it will be the longest-lasting source of funds as well. Even though the Fed intends to stop buying mortgages, few people expect that the central bank will start selling them to private investors any time in the next few years. even if the Fed holds onto the mortgages it has already purchased, the act of no longer buying additional mortgages is likely to raise mortgage rates in the coming weeks.

Experts say a jump of at least a quarter to a half percentage point is likely. San Francisco Federal Reserve President Janet Yellen warned of higher rates in a speech Monday. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is likely to take questions about the Fed’s mortgage program when he testifies about economic conditions on Capitol Hill Wednesday and Thursday. The worries about the Fed pulling back support for housing are compounded by the end of up to $8,000 in tax credits for home buyers. To qualify, buyers face an April 30 deadline to sign a sales contract. Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, argues that the Fed’s program and tax credit for home buyers “ended the free fall in home prices.” But he thinks that the removal of this support could mean that home prices could start to drop by as much as 1% a month again. He also thinks mortgage rates could climb by as much as a percentage point in the coming months.

Fed raises discount rate

The Federal Reserve said yesterday it is raising the rate it charges banks that borrow from the central bank when they run short of funds by a quarter percentage point, or 25 basis points, to 0.75%. The central bank said in a statement it made the move in response to improving financial market conditions. Don’t everyone panic here, because the move is largely symbolic – banks do little borrowing at the discount window and the discount rate has no effect on the more widely watched federal funds rate, which measures the rate banks charge each other for overnight loans. That rate is expected to remain between 0% and 0.25% for the foreseeable future, given the slack in the labor market and the still fragile state of the economy. But raising the discount rate allows Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke to take another small step toward normal monetary policy, after the past two last years of financial firefight. The Fed also shortened the term of some discount window loans and raised the minimum bid in the term auction facilities it uses to supply overnight funds to banks. The central bank said Thursday’s increase should “encourage depository institutions to rely on private funding markets for short-term credit and to use the Federal Reserve’s primary credit facility only as a backup source of funds” and added that it will “assess over time whether further increases in the spread are appropriate.” It added: “The modifications are not expected to lead to tighter financial conditions for households and businesses and do not signal any change in the outlook for the economy or for monetary policy.”

Jobs bill passes

The Senate voted Monday to push forward a $15 billion jobs creation bill that would give businesses a tax break for hiring the unemployed. The 4-prong bill will: Exempt employers from Social Security payroll taxes on new hires who were unemployed; Fund highway and transit programs through 2010; Extend a tax break for business that spend money on capital investments like equipment purchases; and Expand the use of the Build America Bonds program, which helps states and municipalities fund capital construction projects. The final legislation is a scaled-down version of an $85 billion bipartisan draft bill that was crafted by Sens. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Charles Grassley, R-Iowa. However, the bill does not extend the deadline to apply for unemployment benefits and the COBRA health insurance subsidy. Some 1.2 million people will run out of benefits after Feb. 28 if the deadline is not extended. Lawmakers are looking to pass a separate, 15-day extension to give them time to enact a longer fix. And unlike the House’s bill, the Senate measure does not provide additional assistance for states. Many governors, who are holding their annual meeting in Washington, want the Obama administration to send more federal dollars their way so they can cope with yawning budget gaps. Labor leaders and left-leaning think tanks all say the Senate must do more to spur job creation – as if the Senate can fabricate jobs out of thin air somehow.

House prices up for the month, down for the year

S&P/Case-Shiller composite index of house prices in 20 metropolitan areas rose 1.6 percent in July from June — more than triple the estimate of a 0.5 percent rise found in a recent Reuters poll. The monthly price increases helped the annual rates, with the yearly pace of declines in home prices slowing to a 12.8% drop in the 10-city index and 13.3% downturn in the 20-city index. “These figures continue to support an indication of stabilization in national real estate values, but we do need to be cautious in coming months to assess whether the housing market will weather the expiration of the Federal First-Time Buyer’s Tax Credit in November, anticipated higher unemployment rates and a possible increase in foreclosures,” said David Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P. Despite the overall improvement, annual rates for all metro areas and the two composites remain in negative territory, with 14 of the 20 metro areas and both composites in double digits, S&P said.
Tax credit lures nearly half of all first-time buyers

According to a survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Zillow.com, 18% of prospective first-time homebuyers said extending the credit from Dec. 1, 2009 to Nov. 30, 2010 would be the “primary influence” in their decision to purchase a home. An additional 25% said it would be a “significant influence,” 27% said it would have “some influence,” and 31% said it would have “no influence.” Zillow projects 1.86m homebuyers stand to take advantage of the program if it is extended, and if all potential buyers took the full tax credit, extending the program could cost $14.86bn. Zillow.com chief economist Stan Humphries said of all homebuyers expected under the 12-month extension through 2010, only one in five homebuyers will enter the market specifically because of the extended tax credit. In other words, 334,000 mortgages will open because of the tax credit extension. “While 334,000 may seem like a small number relative to the total number of homebuyers who would claim the credit, their addition to the market next year could make the difference between a robust annual increase in home sales next year and a flat or negative change in home sales relative to this year,” Humphries said.
Tampa Coastal
Tampa Coastal Homes