Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Thinking About a Second Home or Retirement Home in Florida?

Thinking About a Second Home or Retirement Home in Florida?
Let me share with you where the last 2 couples I worked with started looking, and eventually ended up buying.
Clients #1 from Michigan, retiring soon and decided now is the time to buy. They have been looking online for a year or so and noticed that all the “good ones” were getting snapped up! Plus with rates so low (even though they could buy cash) it is a great time to lock in their rate. I had set them up with a Listing Book account that kept them up on current inventory. Many internet sites are simply not updated frequently enough. They had picked out quite a few properties they wanted to see and bought their plane tickets to come down for a week to find that home! We started out looking at resales in a 55 and over community. A water view was very important to them. What we found in their price range was older construction needing updating. They like an open plan, so some would require removing walls. Then we looked in the “any age” communities and found some that were newer, but still needed some work. I called ahead to many of the new home builders in the area (yes, they are building here again!) to find out what they had in inventory that was on a pond or lake. We found a few, but none of them were “the one” for one reason or the other….view not as pretty as they would like, too small, didn’t care for floor plan…. Finally, they had decided to build a home from scratch. After some back and forth on price, they were ready to go to contract when a home with the floor plan they wanted to build came back on the market when the family that had it built no longer qualified (their credit score dipped). Since I have a good relationship with the builder’s salesperson, she called me as soon as she found out that home was coming back to them. My buyers secured that home for $35,000 less than it was under contract for with the previous buyers! And the view from this home is gorgeous! 4 bedrooms 2 & ½ baths, granite throughout, 2600 sq ft for $174k!! This was such fun for me to help them get this great deal.
Clients #2 from Ohio, retiring in a year, came down just to look on a long weekend. They said if they found something too good to pass up they would buy now. I showed them what their money would buy in a resale, then took them to several new home builders. We have a nice selection of new homes in the Southshore area. They wanted a pool, or at least a community with a pool. What we found for them was a 2100 sq ft home on a large lot with an oversized 2 car garage (2 & ½ car) with tile everywhere except the bedrooms, granite in the kitchen, and a TILE ROOF, on a pond (where the white pelicans gather) for $183k in an upscale community with some awesome amenities. They are going to rent the home for a year until they are ready to move in. Again….FUN!
So come on down so I can have some more fun helping YOU find that great deal and secure your first home, second home, or retirement home while the prices and rates are low! Word is, in one nearby new home community the next lots the builders are going to purchase are going to be $20,000 more each. They will have to pass that on to the buyers. So don’t delay….come on down today!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Tampa Coastal Homes, Tampa Real Estate, Apollo Beach: Go Coastal Tampa Coastal Homes!!

Tampa Coastal Homes, Tampa Real Estate, Apollo Beach: Go Coastal Tampa Coastal Homes!!

Go Coastal Tampa Coastal Homes!!

Discover The Pleasure Of Tampa Bay Coastal Living

Imagine you are standing on miles of sandy white beaches, and the sun is shining brightly on your face. The breeze cools you as the surf crashes nearby. Later this afternoon you will hit the golf course, and this evening your entire family will visit The Florida Aquarium.... This enticing scenario may seem like a rare vacation to most people, but why can't everyday be lived this way? Well, it can! People who have learned about the joy of Tampa Bay coastal living already enjoy everyday in a beautiful paradise.

Where Is Tampa Bay?

Tampa Bay is a region on the west coast of Florida that includes seven different counties and boasts a wide diversity of culture. Are you looking for exciting city life in the heart of a bustling city? Or do you prefer a serene and peaceful golf course community? Would you rather live in an oceanfront condo or on a charming horse farm? All of these options (and more) are available to the residents of the Tampa Bay area.

The Tampa Bay metropolitan area is home to 2.7 million people, which makes it the second largest metropolitan area in Florida. Tampa Bay includes three of Florida's largest cities:

*Tampa (population 320,000)

*St. Petersburg (population 250,000)

*Clearwater (population 110,000)

Other communities in Tampa Bay include Lakeland, Bradenton, Sarasota, and Venice.

What's So Wonderful About Tampa Bay Coastal Living?

Tampa Bay is a blossoming region that has history, diversity, and industry, all surrounded by miles and miles of beautiful sandy beaches and clear blue ocean water. The number one beach in the United States? In 2005, it was Fort de Soto Park in St. Petersburg, and in 2008, it was Caladesi Island near Clearwater. Tampa Bay is also home to favorite tourist attractions such as Busch Gardens and The Florida Aquarium.

And don't forget the heavenly weather; you can count on bright sunny days that are cooled with gentle gulf breezes. The average annual temperature in Tampa Bay? A perfect 72 degrees!

The Ideal Setting For Sports Fans

Tampa Bay is the perfect region for all sports enthusiasts who are looking for excitement. In fact, in 2009, Tampa Bay hosted the Superbowl for the third time! And it's not just football; there are sports for every type of enthusiast:

*NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning (2004 Stanley Cup Champs)

*MLB: Tampa Bay Devil Rays

*AFL: Tampa Bay Storm (5-Time World Champs)

*NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002 SuperBowl Champs)

Also, during baseball's spring training season, a long list of professional baseball teams travel from northern states to come train in the temperate climate of the Tampa Bay area, including the New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Boston Red Sox.


Whatever your interests are, you can find them here in Tampa Bay, Florida. This area is one of the most diverse and pleasant regions you will find in the entire nation. And the population is growing every year as more and more people learn about the pleasures of Tampa Bay coastal living.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Got Top 10 Beaches??



Got Top 10 Beaches??? How about #1 and 2 others All within 30 Minutes!! Go Tampa Coastal & Live in the Dream call Bonnie 813 390-7606

Thursday, September 22, 2011

If You Must Sell Your Home in this Market

If You Must Sell Your Home in This Market
Most will agree this is NOT the time to sell your home. But what if you just got a job transfer? What if your family is growing and you need a bigger home? What should you do to get the most For your property?
First, make sure you choose a Realtor who knows the market in your area, someone from a large office That has market share in your community. You are not only hiring that agent, but the office, and it can make a big difference if they have a team they can share the listing with since each of those agents has active buyers. The agent should show you comparables that back up the price they suggest for your home.
Choose an agent who knows how to capitalize on internet marketing and knows how to get your property noticed by the masses. Of course, you will want professional photos and slide shows or virtual tours but don’t forget the strength of video when it comes to search engine optimization.
You will also want to have your home put its “best face forward”…..spruce up the landscaping for curb appeal (you can’t sell it if no one will even go through your door). And speaking of that front door, how about a fresh coat of paint? You may never use that door since you come in through the garage, so go out front and take a good look. Imagine you are that buyer seeing your home for the first time. Some bright flowers will go a long way. Declutter so they will see the house and not your “stuff”, wash windows to let that sun shine in! No one likes a dark home….pull those drapes back. And I have been known to say “if you can smell it, you can’t sell it”. Have a friend come by and be brutally honest and let you know if they notice any odors (pets?). You may not notice it because your nose has become accustomed to it!
The real winners in the market are those who can take advantage of the tremendous deals that are available. If you are upsizing, you come out way ahead. You may get 20% less on your current home (for example $40k less on a home that was previously $200k), but if you save 20% on the bigger one ($60k on a $300k home!) you come out on the plus side. Many of my clients have been amazed at what they could buy today. They are living in homes nicer than they ever imagined they could own. Let me help YOU too….call Bonnie today (813) 390-7606.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Luxury RARE ShorSAle!! Pearl on this Ocean!!

The Pearl in the Oyster
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http://TampaCoastalHomes.com/ One of a kind pearl in a small ocean. Luxury short sale, have your answer in 10 days!! Call Bonnie Fagoh @813 390-7606 ask about...