Is a Tampa Bay Condominium the Right Next Step For You?

    Many baby-boomers, as they transition from raising a family to the “empty-nester phase or from a full-time career into a somewhat slower-paced retiree lifestyle also relocate to a place with a warmer climate like here in Tampa Bay, Many of those people would also like to reduce and simplify the work associated with home ownership. Yet, these folks do not want to give up the pride and sense of stability that comes with owning your own home.

   The option of renting may be appealing to some, but most of us still want to “own our own home.” In the Tampa Bay real estate market today, there are options to meet the needs and desires of everyone, and many people are finding that the condominium lifestyle offers many of the benefits of home ownership without all the drudgery that comes with a single-family home.

   Condos in Tampa Bay come in all shapes and sizes, in all sorts of locations from urban living spaces close to the arts and cultural and sporting venues of downtown Tampa like those at The Place at Channelside or on the waterfront on Harbour Island, Davis Island or along Bayshore Boulevard. Other condos are set in more suburban areas, like Westchase or Wesley Chapel, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown and closer to regional shopping malls, parks, nature trails and such.

   There are high-rise towers, two and three-story townhomes and single story villas. Some single story villas and patio homes are attached while others are free-standing. Many offer garages,while some provide community swimming pools, spas and fitness centers. There are one, two and three bedroom units, some even have four bedrooms. There are condos with one, two and three baths. Some are relatively simple in layout while others can be truly opulent. Some have simple views of the surrounding units while others have scenic views of golf courses or of the waters of Tampa Bay or the Gulf of Mexico. They range in size from less than 650 square feet to well over 2,000 square feet of living space.

   Regardless of which type or style of condo you buy, the condominium lifestyle relieves you of the responsibility for lawn and garden work, exterior building maintenance, and, if there is a pool, maintenance of that facility as well. You can go about your life knowing that the yard in front and around your home will always look well cared for, that exterior building maintenance is being done by licensed and bonded professionals, and that your property will always be in compliance with all local ordinances.

   Depending on the style of condo you buy, the condominium association may also take care of other common amenities such as a well-appointed lobby, access security, libraries, fitness centers, and meeting rooms, all facilities you’ll get to use without the effort involved in having one of your own.

   Another significant benefit of living in a condominium is your personal sense of safety and security. Just the fact that you live in a building with others gives you a sense of security knowing that there is likely someone else watching what’s going on most of the time including when you come home after dark from an evening out. Most condominium properties are well lighted and some are gated; some even have full-time security personnel on site. You do need to understand that such amenities aren’t free.

   Your condominium association fee will, of course, be higher as you add extra layers of convenience and security, but for many of us, those extra services are provided to you in a condominium setting at a much lower cost than you could provide the same services on your own in a single family home.

   If you are moving to Tampa Bay, or considering downsizing and/or simplifying your life, don’t rule out the condominium lifestyle option until you’ve let me introduce you to one of more of the many condominium options available to you at attractive prices today in Tampa Bay Florida.

   I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about Tampa Bay condominiums if you'll complete my brief Request for Tampa Bay real estate information form. You may also E-Mail Me at your convenience. For more immediate action, call me at 813-263-6806. I'd be delighted to chat with you today.

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.

Mistakes Home Buyers Make as the Tampa Bay Real Estate Market Recovers

Tampa Bay Florida home buyers have had an unusual advantage over sellers since the real estate bust crushed the price of homes in 2007-2008. While the housing industry still has a ways to go to fully recover, there are signs beginning to emerge that as the inventory of unsold short-sale and bank-owned properties dwindles, sellers are beginning to have a little more leverageover buyers.

Some prospective home buyers don’t seem to have realized that the Tampa real estate market is changing and recovering. Those people seem to think that all home sellers (including owners of short sale and bank-owned properties) are "desperate." But owners of homes in good condition in attractive neighborhoods are not nearly as desperate (or not desperate at all) as those prospective home buyers would like to believe. "At this point, prospective buyers," says Cheryl Stimac, a Tampa Bay real estate broker at Red Shoe Realty, Inc., “need to start being more realistic in the offers they make."

Here's are some common mistakes made by buyers that too frequently result in the buyer not getting the short sale or bank-owned home they fell in love with:

• Failing to communicate honestly with your Realtor about your willingness (or lack of willingness) to wait for approval:
  One of the biggest problems Realtors face these days is prospective buyers who want to tour many bank-owned and short sale homes, find the one they want, and then walk away before their offer is accepted by the bank.
  
  No Realtor wants to show one home after another to a prospective buyer who is just too impatient to be buying a short sale or bank-owned property. If you need a quick approval of your offer, a short sale or bank-owned home is not the way for you to buy a home.
  
  Although it is possible to receive an approval from a bank within 3 to 4 weeks, many banks take 6 to 8 week (sometimes more) to approve or reject an offer. As a buyer, you should be prepared to wait as much as 12 to 15 weeks, but be prepared to close quickly when the approval is finally given. Demanding a bank approval within 30 days will likely get your offer rejected.
  
  
• Taking too long to “sleep on it”:
  A prospective buyer may feel their Realtor is being "pushy" when he or she suggests making an offer immediately after finding the home the buyer falls in love with. Taking too long to "think about it" now that the real estate market is starting to recover can mean someone else gets the home you wanted.
  
  According to the National Association of Realtors, the number of homes listed for sale has fallen by more than a third since the peak in July 2007. Inventories of Tampa Bay homes for sale may swell a bit later this year as more bank-owned homes hit the market, but homes priced reasonably in attractive neighborhoods will still be "under contract" within a week or two. Some newly listed homes are back to being sold at the first open house showing.
  
  
• Making a low-ball offer:
  Even at the bottom of the market, banks had a pretty good idea of the value of the homes they were selling and not only didn't accept "low-ball" offers; they didn't even make counteroffers on ridiculously low offers. Can buyers offer something less than the asking price? Of course, but don't make offers 15% to 20% below the asking price on a short sale or bank-owned property.
  
  And remember, the bank may set a price (called the reserve price) on a home being sold or auctioned off and will keep the home in their inventory rather than sell it below that reserve price. Banks do want to sell their short sale and bank-owned homes, but you are very unlikely to be able to "steal a home." It just doesn't happen. It's that simple.
  
  It's also a good idea to ask your Realtor to contact the bank or the listing agent to see if there are outstanding offers already on the home. That will provide you with a good idea of whether it is worth the time to make the offer you were considering making.
  
  
• Making too many contingency demands in your offer:
  Typical Tampa area real estate contracts include stipulations such as the buyer qualifying for a mortgage, and the right to a termite inspection and a professional inspection.
  
  But, some buyers also insist on an unnecessarily lengthy inspection periods of 30 days or more instead of the ususal 10. They may also demand the seller pay virtually all closing costs, sometimes on top of a low-ball price offer, demand that a bank respond to their offer within 30 days, or a silliness like making the contract contingent upon a family member touring the property and approving of it.
  
  If the prospective buyer is adult enough to buy a home, he or she ought to be mature enough to make the decision without "waiting for Mommy or Daddy to say OK."
  
• Expecting a bank-owned or short sale home to be in perfect condition:
  As a general rule, bank-owned and short sale properties are not in pristine condition, seldom even close to it. The home may have been unoccupied for a considerable period of time or the persons living in the home as the process dragged on had little incentive to keep it is pristine condition.
  
  If you want a "move in ready" home that needs no work of any kind, a bank-owned or short sale is unlikely to be the right avenue for you to use to find the home you want
  

I would be more than happy to show you Tampa Bay homes and condos and to answer your questions 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.

Introducing South Tampa and its Two “Island Communities”

    South Tampa encompasses the southernmost portions of the city of Tampa, Florida. Some folks describe it as everything south of Hillsborough Avenue down to MacDill Air Force base. Others think of South Tampa as being just that which is south of Kennedy Boulevard. In fact, the folks most proud of their South Tampa roots comment that everything north of Kennedy Boulevard should be identified as part of “South Georgia.”

    South Tampa consists of many individual neighborhoods each with its own attributes and attractions. There is a wide variety of home styles and prices from Old Florida bungalows, villas and town homes to stately mansions and high-rise condominiums. Many older homes have been beautifully restored. In other cases, one or more small homes have been torn down and replaced by a large elegant executive home. We’ll discover here two of those South Tampa neighborhoods. Harbour Island and Davis Islands, two very different types of South Tampa island communities .

    Harbour Island is the 177 acre island home of a private, gated, master-planned community in South Tampa. The island is linked to downtown Tampa by two bridges. The island overlooks downtown Tampa, the waters of Hillsborough Bay and the entrance to the Hillsborough River. In addition to single family homes, condos and town homes, Harbour Island has a marina, shopping areas, casual and formal restaurants and the Harbour Island Athletic Club and Spa. One of the main attractions of living on Harbour Island is the ability to walk to your job in the Class A office space on the island, itself, or in downtown Tampa.

    The upscale Westin Tampa Harbour Island hotel is on the island. The Bayshore and Hyde Park neighborhoods and the Channelside area where the Florida Aquarium, the Tampa Bay Times Forum arena, home to the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey and Tampa Bay Storm Arena Football teams, an IMAX theater, and much more are all within comfortable walking distances from Harbour Island.

    Harbour Island homes range from the low $200,000s for a 2-bedroom condominium to more than $5.5 million for the most elegant waterside single-family homes.

    In its own way, secluded away from the stress of your day job, Harbour Island offers an upscale island paradise right in the heart of the city of Tampa.

    Davis Islands is a Tampa neighborhood that was originally built upon two small natural islands at the mouth of the Hillsborough River, known as Little Grassy Key and Big Grassy Key. Today there are still techincially two islands divided by a canal; thus the name Davis Island(s). The islands were built from mud dredged from the bottom of Tampa Bay in the 1920s. Davis Islands is named after its original developer, D. P. Davis, who planned to build a resort community with 3 hotels, a 9-hole golf course, and an airport. His plan was to develop the 834 acres with over 11 miles of water frontage and seawalls and 27 miles of winding streets. Many of Davis' dreams were realized, such as the golf course, the airport, a business district, hotels, apartments, canals and parks.

    Davis’s development stalled with the end of the Florida Land Boom in the late 1920’s, but some of the original Mediterranean-style buildings still stand and have been given local and national historic designations. Others including the tennis club, the golf course and the Coleseum are no longer in place. Davis Islands includes the Peter O. Knight Airport and the Davis Island Yacht Club. There is also a municipal yacht basin and a seaplane facility next to the Knight Airport.

    Davis Islands is now a mixed retail and residential area with a wide range of home styles and price points. Its location close to downtown Tampa, its water views, and its boating and general aviation aviation facilities have made it a popular place to call home for those who love boating, sailing and flying. Homes range widely in price from modest homes in the $150,000 to $200,000 range to historically significant and elegant homes priced in the millions. In the retail district of Davis Islands, there are numerous casual and upscale restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops and the entire island is very pet-friendly.

    Professionals, families and retirees who enjoy the lifestyle found only in a “walk-about neighborhood” close to a major city may find Davis Islands a convenient and enjoyable place to find the home they’re looking for.

    You can learn about more Tampa area communities on my Tampa Florida real estate website.

    I would be more than happy to show you homes and condominiums in either of these two very different downtown Tampa neighborhoods. I'd be delighted to answer your questions if you'll complete my brief Request for Tampa Bay Information form or E-Mail Me. For more immediate action, call me at 813-263-6806. I'd be delighted to hear from you.

Living the Golfing Lifestyle in Tampa Bay Florida

    Have you ever imagined living either now or when you’re ready to retire nestled in a community that lives and breathes the game of golf. Do you know how many golf course communities exist right here in the greater Tampa Florida area? Can you imagine living in a spacious home overlooking a well-tended golf course fairway or right off the 18th green?

    The Tampa area is home to at least nine golf course communities, each with its own set of amenities, many with elementary schools right within its borders. Some are private courses while others are semi-private or open to the public. There is a Tampa area golf community with a golf course that matches your level of play from the duffer to the most accomplished competitive player. And, of course, there are homes from fairly modest and priced in the low $100’s to private gated communities with estates priced in the million dollar range.

    We’ll present here just a sampling of the variety of golf communities available including both private and public courses:

    Tampa Palms is a master-planned mixed use community north of the University of South Florida campus along the Bruce B Downs corridor. This golf community includes homes, shops, office spaces, churches, recreational facilities, and restaurants. Schools within its boundaries include elementary, middle and high schools. Tampa Palms was named “the top master-planned community in the US for 1987.” Home prices range from fairly modest single-family homes priced from mid $100,000’s to larger homes priced in the $400,00-$500,000’s in the gated Ashington Reserve section and executive estates in the gated Tampa Palms Reserve section priced up to $2 million. \

    The Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club is a private members-only club offering a Arthur Hill designed 18-hole course as well as a hotel with luxury guest suites, a full-service restaurant, fitness center, junior Olympic swimming pool, tennis courts and spa. Members enjoy benefits at four golf courses in the Tampa Bay Area including Tampa Palms,itself, nearby Hunter's Green, as well as the Eastlake Woodlands and Countryside courses in neighboring Pinellas County as well as other country clubs and resorts across the country.

    Hunter's Green is another master-planned golf community located just over a mile north of Tampa Palms on the Bruce B. Downs corridor. Beyond its gated entrance, you'll find a private, unspoiled natural environment where over half of its nearly 1,400 acres have been reserved for conservation and recreation. Shimmering lakes, peaceful parks, and nature are among its natural highlights. Homes in Hunter’s Green range from single family homes for just under $200,000 to executive homes in the secure, double-gated Heritage Oaks area priced as high as $2 million.

    The Hunter's Green County Club with its 35,000 square foot elegant, yet casual clubhouse and its Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole golf course designed specifically to emphasize environmental integrity. The club includes a premium tennis courts, athletic and swim club, and an outstanding dining and social club. Membership includes access to the other 3 courses at nearby Tampa Palms and the Eastlake Woodlands, and Countryside courses in Pinellas County.

    Heritage Harbor is located in Lutz, an unincorporated area northwest of the city of Tampa. Heritage Harbor's location is one of its best features with easy access to the Carrollwood section of Tampa with its excellent selection of schools, shopping, dining and health care facilities. The community includes about 400 homes among conservation areas, lakes and ponds. Community amenities include a fitness and aerobics center, two resort-style swimming pools, waterslide, tot pool and playground, volleyball, basketball, racquetball, a roller hockey rink. Homes in Heritage Harbor range in price from the high $100,000's to over $400,000.

    The well-equipped Harbor Towne Clubhouse includes a fitness room, Olympic size pool, and lighted tennis courts. The public 18-hole, par 72 course includes a well-equipped pro shop. Along the fairways, you’re likely to spot hawks, ospreys, loons, ibis, herons and kingfishers. The course is a paradise for birds as well as for golfers, but it was created to give golfers a challenge.

    Westchase is another of Tampa’s master-planned communities located on over 2,000 acres on the west side of Tampa near the Pinellas County line. It is conveniently located with just a 20 minute drive to the Tampa International Airport, the Westshore Business District and only 30 minutes to St. Petersburg and the some of the best beaches in Florida.

    There are over 3,500 residences in 29 separate neighborhoods, each offering a different lifestyle including condos, townhomes, villas, and single family homes and apartments. Prices in Westchase range from the mid-$100,000's to approximately $750,000. There are also several private, gated neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has its own hub of activity all of which come together at the two Town Centers with swimming pools and tennis courts, playgrounds, sport fields, and picnic pavilions. The community includes hundreds of acres of preserved land, playgrounds, parks, nature trails, and soccer fields, Westcahjse has a top-rated school district.

    The Westchase Golf Club is a public course. The 18-hole, par 72 course winds through natural wetlands, wooden bridges and bulkheads. The club has a beautiful 9,500 square foot clubhouse used by residents and others for a wide variety of events.

    Cheval is a prestigious, gated community located in the unincorporated Lutz area of Hillsborough County north of the city of Tampa, offering the best of golf and equestrian country club lifestyles. Homes are situated in cypress conservation areas surrounded by all the amenities of 5-star resort. Amenities in this golf and equestrian community include golf, tennis swimming, fine dining, and 24 hour manned security. The community includes 2,000 acres of lakes, conservation areas and wildlife reserves. Homes range in price from the mid-to high $200’s to over $2 million.

    The private Cheval Golf and Country Club sits in a cypress forest, much of which is set aside as conservation areas for wildlife. In the words of one prominent Sarasota FL real estate agent and avid golfer, "even considering all the wonderful golf courses we have in Sarasota, the 18-hole, par 72 golf course at Cheval is clearly one of the finest in all of Tampa Bay and its especially pleasant in that it meanders through the community itself." The Cheval Athletic Club houses nine lighted Har-Tru tennis courts and has recently undergone a complete renovation which added a junior-olympic size pool, an enlarged pro shop and a fine dining facility to already upscale amenities. Most members of the country club are residents of Cheval although it is not a prerequisite for membership.

    Saddlebrook Resort, situated about 40 minutes north of Tampa in the town of Wesley Chapel, is an award-winning golf and tennis academy/resort with facilities for corporate events and conferences. As a resort, Saddlebrook offers hotel rooms and suites, but residential properties are also available. Housing options at Saddlebrook include 1, 2 & 3 bedroom condos and townhomes, and larger single-family homes. The homes are situated into “villages” in secluded wooded and lakefront settings minutes by golf-cart to the main resort. Many families own properties at Saddlebrook as second homes adjacent to the Saddlebrook golf and tennis training facility. Homes vary in price from condos for the low to mid $100,000’s to executive homes priced in the $700,000s.

    Saddlebrook offers 2 Arnold Palmer designed courses; the 18-hole, par 71 Palmer Course and the 18-hole, par 70 Saddlebrook Course as well as 45 tennis courts, a European-style spa, and 7 restaurants.

    Over 100 students from 20 different countries attend an intensive training program and study together at the Saddlebrook Preparatory School offering grades 3 through 12.

    Other golf course communities in the Tampa area include Pebble Creek and Heritage Isles in the New Tampa area, Lexington Oaks in Wesley Chapel, Lake Bernadette in Zephyrhills, and Lake Jovita in Dade City. Each of them will be profiled here in future updates.

    I would be delighted to show you homes and condominiums in any of the many Tampa Bay golf course communities in Hillsborough and Pasco County. For more information, please use my brief Request for Tampa Bay Information form or E-Mail Me today. For more immediate action, call me at 813-263-6806. I'd be delighted to hear from you.

Tampa Real Estate Statistics Show the Market Continues to Move in a Positive Direction

    The Tampa Florida real estate market continued to trend toward stabilization and improvement. Significantly, the percentage of home sales which were of distressed properties (short sales and foreclosures) fell from 31% in March to 28% in April, down from 35% just six months ago.

    As of the most recent report from the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors (GTAR), 1,967 homes and condos were sold in Tampa Bay in March compared to February when 1,694 homes and condos sold. While sales volume fell slightly from the volume a year ago at this point, the average sale price this year was up from the level one year ago.

    Indicative of the real estate recovery that seems to have taken hold, the average sold price in March was $153,750, up from $150,100 ,the prior month and $139,850 a year ago. As expected, homes in the low to medium price ranges are selling faster than the highest priced homes. In fact, homes in the more modest price ranges are being snapped up at an increasing pace. Homes below $300,000 are on the market for an average of 120 days or less while homes priced over $700,000 are remaining on the market closer to 200 days .

    Further evidence of a recovering real estate market is the fact that the median list price of homes and condos coming onto the market as of the end of April was $162,8590, up from $157,800 the previous month and $147,800 one year ago, another significant positive trend.

    The inventory of unsold homes and condominiums on the market fell to 8,135 from 9,371 in the prior month and 14,909 one year ago. At the current rate of sales, the current inventory of unsold homes stands at only 4.1 months, well below the traditional 6.0 months of inventory level considered to represent a “balanced market” where neither buyers nor sellers have any substantial advantage. The reduced inventory of homes for sale, along with the reduction in the percentage of distressed sales, will very likely portend a continuation of rising prices in the future.

    From a buyer’s point of view, however, it should be noted that home prices today are still lower than they have been in past years, so there are still good prices available to those considering buying a permanent or seasonal home, townhome or condominium here in Tampa Bay.

    I would be delighted to show you new and resale homes in any of the many Hillsborough and Pasco County communities at a time convenient for you. For more information, please use my brief Request for Tampa Bay Information form or E-Mail Me today. For more immediate action, call me at 813-263-6806. I'd be delighted to hear from you.