Welcome to the Unique Lifestyle of Waterchase

    Imagine yourself living in a resort-style community close to Gulf beaches, challenging golf courses, the Tampa International Airport and all the excitement of the downtown Tampa shopping, dining, cultural and sports venues. Some of Tampa's best-known upscale homebuilders, among them Arthur Rutenberg, Marc Marconi, David Weekly, Morrison, Standard Pacific and Ryland Homes have developed Watercahse, a gated master-planned community located on approximately 475 acres in the northwest area of Hillsborough County, in the Citrus Park area, off RaceTrack Road.

    As you enter the community on Waterchase Boulevard, past its manned gatehouse, you’ll notice the charming European-style street lamps and follow meandering streets wandering through the community where you will find every amenity you and your family might desire.

    The centerpiece of the community is the 6,400 sq. ft. Caribbean-themed clubhouse with state-of-the-art fitness center, aerobics studio, lighted tennis courts, a junior Olympic-sized lap pool and another with a two-story waterslide and splash pool, a multi-use athletic field, basketball courts and a kid-friendly playground. In addition, Waterchase includes wetland preserves to view and nature trails for family-friendly strolls. Golf carts are the way many get around in this delightful community and golf is frequently the topic of conversation at the clubhouse since Waterchase is located right next to the two 18-hole public courses at the Eagles Golf Club and the 18-hole semi-private Westchase Golf Club.

    Waterchase offers homes in six distinct villages, each offering its own unique architectural style, including Aberdeen, Alicante, Ashton, Baleares Village, Mar Azul and Savona plus toenhomes in Provence. Within these well-planned lushly landscaped “villages”, you’ll find over 600 4 and 5 bedroom single-family and estate homes, many with water views ,priced from #400,000 to over $1 million.. These homes are situated on lots ranging in size from 45 x 120 feet up to 90 x 200 feet. Town homes for sale among the 130 or so 2 and 3 bedroom townhomes in Provence are priced from under $200,000 to about $300,000.

    Students in Waterchase are served by some of the top-rated schools in Hillsborough County school district; Bryant Elementary, Farnell Middle School, and Sickles High School.

    The Waterchase community is truly far from ordinary, yet close to everything. What could be more appealing. If you think you might be interested in learning more about Waterchase or any other Tampa Bay community, I'd be happy to answer your questions and introduce you to homes in whatever price range and lifestyle you find most appealing. Feel free to E-Mail Me or call me for more immediate service at 813-263-6806.

Tampa Bay Homes - Popular and Now Becoming Even More Popular

    Tampa Bay continued to be one of the most popular Florida real estate markets in the first half of 2012. The Tampa Bay counties, Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco continued to be among the most popular places to buy a home, condominium or town home in Florida.

    Hillsborough and Pinellas County were both in the top 10 in home sales for the first six months of 2012 with Pinellas County ranking fifth and Hillsborough County ranking seventh among 67 Florida counties tracked by the Florida Association of Realtors.

    But Tampa Bay does not appeal only to citizens of the United States. An interesting fact is that, based upon a study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the state of Florida again topped all other U.S. states in sales of homes to international buyers. Florida accounted for 26% of all U.S. home sales to the international market during the first quarter of 2012 surpassing the second most popular market, California, by 15 percentage points.

    Canadians, accounting for 24% of all foreign-resident home sales, prefer Florida because of its warmth, sunshine and delightful beaches, Residents of China were the second most popular source of buyers accounting for 11% of sales, while an increasing number of Germans are also investing in properties in Southwest Florida. Interestingly, the average price of homes bought by international buyers was $400,000, considerably higher than the average price of homes sold to residents of the United States.

    The three top reasons why international buyers purchased a home in Florida this year, as in previous years, has been first, to use the home as their primary residence, second, as a vacation property, or third, as a investment/rental property.

    Specifically, In June 2012, 3,751 homes were sold in Tampa Bay with a median price of $125,000 compared to 3,404 homes sold during the same period in 2011, a 10% increase. At the current rate of sales, there were only 13,897 homes for sale in Tampa Bay compared to 21,350 at this point last year, a 35% decrease in the number of homes available. When the inventory of homes on the market is more than a 6 month supply, it is considered a “buyer’s market” where the buyer has more leverage. But, when, as is the case now, the inventory of unsold homes falls below a 6 month supply (it’s currently at a 4 month supply) , the market is considered to be trending toward a “seller’s market where prices will begin to rise. As happens in a seller’s market, attractive homes, attractively priced are beginning to receive multiple offers.

    What does all this mean to you as a person or family considering investing in a home in Florida? It means simply that thanks to both domestic and international buyers, the Florida real estate market, and Tampa Bay in particular, is finally recovering and is returning to its status as one of the most popular places in Florida to buy a home. It means that those who fail to act quickly, will be facing increasing prices on that home or condominium that you’ve pictured as being “Your Little Piece of Paradise” in Florida.

    I would be delighted to show you Tampa Bay homes and condos that meet your specific needs, wishes and dreams. I would also be happy to answer any questions you may have about Tampa Bay if you'll complete my brief Request for Tampa Bay real estate information form. You may also E-Mail Me. For more immediate action, call me at 813-263-6806. I'd be delighted to hear from you today.

South Tampa Neighborhoods - Bayshore & Hyde Park

    Two of the most interesting South Tampa neighborhoods lying side by side are the Hyde Park and Bayshore neighborhoods. This is an upscale area of Tampa with most of it facing Hillsborough Bay. These two neighborhoods are in close proximity Tampa General Hospital, the University of Tampa and all of downtown Tampa. It’s also close to the sports, entertainment, dining and night life of the popular Channelside district. Because of this, the Hyde Park and Bayshore neighborhoods are very popular places for business executives, financial and medical professionals and college professors, among others, to live. For those who travel frequently, these neighborhoods are ideal because of their proximity to the Tampa International Airport.

    The Hyde Park and Bayshore neighborhoods are roughly defined as the area bounded by West Swann Avenue on the north, the LeeRoy Selmon Expressway to the west, Bay to Bay Boulevard to the south, and Bayshore Boulevard to the east and southeast

    Hyde Park is a historic neighborhood that includes the upscale Hyde Park Village shopping and dining area and the “SoHo” (South Howard Avenue) collection of restaurants, shopping venues and nightclubs. These are intermixed with “Old Florida” style bungalows and condominiums. A number of older Hyde Park homes have been torn down and replaced by more modern homes built as replicas of the original bungalow-style homes of an earlier time.

    Bayshore is home to low-rise 2 to 4 bedroom condominiums, townhomes, and high rise condos, as well as charming, historic and traditional style homes. What sets Bayshore apart is some of the most prestigious, and architecturally interesting homes in Tampa. Homes prices range widely in Bayshore from the smallest condos and town homes in the high $100,000’s to multi-million dollar prices on the most elegant and expansive mansions on the most prestigious lots.

    One of the most scenic attractions of the Hyde Park and Bayshore area is the sidewalk along Bayshore Boulevard running along the seawall bordering Hillsborough Bay. It is reportedly the longest continuous sidewalk in the world extending from downtown Tampa all the way to Ballast Point and the Tampa Yacht and Country Club.

    In the Hyde Park and Bayshore neighborhoods, you'll frequently find people rollerblading, biking, enjoying a morning jog or an evening stroll along Bayshore Boulevard, itself, and on the miles of sidewalks in this scenic area of Tampa. The landscaping in this part of Tampa is immaculately maintained and there are parks where families can enjoy outdoor activities.

    Bayshore Boulevard is also the scene of the annual Gasparilla Parade. Parade goers line the boulevard to see Jose Gaspar, a mythical Spanish pirate captain who supposedly operated in this area, as he and his band of unruly pirates sail into Tampa Bay in late January each year, invade the city and take to the streets in a gigantic street party.

    If you'd be interested in learning more about these two South Tampa neighborhoods, I'd be happy to answer your questions and introduce you to these lovely parts of Tampa Bay. Feel free to E-Mail Me or call me for more immediate service at 813-263-6806.