Land O Lakes - A Quiet Respite for Busy Peope

Land O Lakes is a rapidly expanding town within Pasco County situated among over 100 lakes, hence the name "Land O' Lakes". The town offers a wide variety of homes from established communities built in the 1970s and 1980’s to newer gated communities, some of which are still being built out today.

Land O Lakes is located near the Pasco / Hillsborough county line making “New Tampa” area shopping, dining and other cservices and necessities an easy 8 mile trip. Interstate I-75 runs north to south through Land O Lakes making trips to downtown Tampa or Brandon convenient, And, the SunCoast Parkway running through the town makes access to St. Petersburg and Clearwater beaches equally convenient. Young fdamilies, professionals and retirees all find Land O Lakes an appealing place to live.

The community’s growth has been powered by two forces. Several nearby topwns have been absorbed into Land O' Lakes and, as the suburbs of Tampa spread northward into Pasco County, new neighborhoods, shopping centers, and schools have been built continuously. As of the 2010 census, Land O Lakes had about 31,000 residents spread over almost 20 separate communities with more communities being developed all the time.

Two of the more established communities in Land O Lakes are Lake Padgett and Lake Padgett Estates, planned development communities developed from the 1970’s through 2008.

Lake Padgett has three scenic lakes for water skiing and fishing plus another smaller lake where water skiing is prohibited. The community also offers a recreation center offering baseball, tennis, swimming and basketball facilities, Many of the homes in Lake Padgett are situated on lots of 1-acre or more; many with their own boat docks

The Lake Padgett Estates subdivision of 105 homes even includes a 30-stall horse stable and riding club manned by volunteers and a residents-only private park with cabanas.

Homes in Lake Padgett and Lake Padgett Estates vary widely from homes available for less than $100,000 to much more expensive homes situated directly on the larger lakes.

Among the newer Land O Lakes communities, currently under development are The Preserve at Lake Thomas, Lake Thomas Pointe and Wilderness Lake Preserve. These secluded neighborhoods provide a peaceful, relaxing lifestyle amidst natural settings of woodlands and ponds. One feels “tucked away” in these communities far from the hustle and bustle of the cities of Tampa and St Petersburg. And yet, all that those cities have to offer is less than a 30-minute drive away.

The Preserve at Lake Thomas is a neighborhood set among pristine ponds and a 167 acre lake and offers residents a natural setting for a truly Old Florida lifestyle. There is direct dock access and a white sandy beach. Many of the homes are actually on a canal or pond and have direct access to the water. Others are on wooded lots. Homes range from 2,000 to over 5,000 square feet and from under $200,000 to over $500,000.

Lake Thomas Pointe, on the southern shore of Lake Thomas, offers estate-sized homes in an exclusive neighborhood setting with abundant amenities and facilities. New estate-sized homes in Lake Thomas Pointe range from the $400's to over $700,000.

New homes in Wilderness Lake Preserve sit within a 600-acre master-planned community surrounding a crystal-clear, spring-fed lake amidst gorgeous landscaping and natural wetlands. The “Wilderness Lodge”, activities center, nature center, bath house & spa, swimming pool, boardwalk & fishing pier, tennis & basketball courts, children's playground, verandahs & fire pits, and walking & biking trails all add up to a distinctly unique and relaxing lifestyle. Homes in this community range in size from 2,500 to over 4,000 square feet and are priced from the high $200’s to about $600,000.

I would be delighted to show you new and resale homes in any of the many Land O Lakes communities at a time convenient for you. 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.

It's Time to "Make Your Move"

    Adding to the impact of increasing Tampa Bay home sales volumes, mortgage interest rates saw a significant increase in the past week after the Fed's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) suggested in their post-meeting report said that that because of the U.S. economy is doing better than expected, that inflation may be more of an near-term economic concern than previously thought.

    Although the FOMC voted to leave the Fed Funds Rate unchanged in its current range near 0.0%, their comments after the meeting led almost immediately to a significant increse in morgtage rates. Conforming 30-year fixed mortgage rates across Florida rose sharply immediately after the FOMC report. Freddie Mac’s weekly mortgage rate survey, which has shown 30-year fixed-rate conforming mortgage rates close to 3.90% for most of the past year, now shows average 30-year fixed rate mortgages clost to or at 4.25%. That is the highest interest rate level in over a year.

    Mortgage rates can be expected to rise even further in coming weeks on any reported strength in the housing sector of the economy. As an example, The Housing Starts Report issued last week showed housing starts falling slightly by 1.1% to 698,000 in February. However, that was more than offset by an upward revision to January's report up to 706,000 and a 26.2% increase in multi-family starts. Furhter, new building permits jumped 5.1% to 717,000, the highest level since October 2008.

    On March 26th, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported that "Pending Home Sales", while down slightly in February, remain notably above the pattern in the first half of 2011. Pending home sales is the number of home sales under contract, but not yet closed, providing a look-ahead of closed sales volumes to be reported in the next month or two.

    Locally, the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors (GTAR) reported that the supply of unsold single-family homes on the Tampa real estate market fell from 8.2 months in February, 2010 and 8.4 months in 2011 to only 4.5 months of supply in February, 2012. Even more impressive, the supply of condominiums fell from 10.9 months in February,2010, and 7.7 months in February, 2011 to just 3.6 months this February. Both single-family and condo supplies have trended downward consistently since the end of 2008. A supply of less than about 6.0 months is considered a “seller’s market” where prices stabilize and begin to rise.

    So, while there is still some uncertainty in the housing market, one thing is clear. In addition to the fact that housing prices and sales volumes have definitely bottomed out and are stabilizing, there is nothing to suggest that home prices and mortgage interest rates in the popular Tampa Bay Florida area are going anywhere but up from here.

    If you are one of those who has been considering buying a seasonal or permanent home or condo here in Tampa Bay, it is clear that prices are about as low as they are likely to go -- and, interest rates have nowhere to go from here but up.

    "In fact," said Cheryl Stimac, a respected Tampa Florida real estate broker, "if you’ve been considering buying a home or condominium in the Tanpa Bay area in the near-term, you would be wise to lock-in a mortgage committment as soon as possible, even before you find that perfect home you're looking for. "Mortgage interest rates are unlikely to go down from here, and very much more likely to continue to creep upward," she added.

    If you have questions about any facet of relocating your family to Tampa Bay or even if you are just looking for general information right now, you casn reach Cheryl Stimacd by E-Mail, by phone at 813-263-6806 or request Tampa Bay and Tampa real estate information on her website.

There's Always Family-Oriented Fun in Tampa Bay

Newcomers to Tampa Bay are always surprised at how many fun things there are to do with their families ight here in Tampa and Tampa Bay. There's no need to drive to Orlando to have a fun-filled day with the family. Here are just two of the many family-oriented attractions in Tampa.

Busch Gardens

Here you can experience up-close encounters with amazing animals. At the "Edge of Africa" exhibit area, you can take a walking safari and encounter exotic African animals in natural habitats including hippos, lions, hyenas, lemurs, meerkats, crocodiles and vultures.

At Jungala, a 4-acre lush Congo jungle setting, you and the kids will be face-to-face with Bengal tigers and orangutans. Then you can test your strength in a game of tug-of-war with a tiger or explore the jungle in a 3-story play area of mazes, ropes and crawl tubes.

After an enjoyable lunch, settle into a spacious open-air vehicle for a Serengeti Safari across a 65-acre African plain where you'll see hundreds of fascinating animals and get up-close to some. You can even feed some of them by hand. You’ll meet zebras, giraffes and ostriches and learn about other exotic animal species.

If your family is into thrills, Busch Gardens has more roller coaster and other rides than you can take in one visit. so plan on coming back many times to one of Florida's most enjoyable and at the same time, educational attractions.

While the park is open 365 days a year, hours vary by season. Opening and closing times are available on-line.

The Florida Aquarium

One of the top aquariums in the world, the Florida Aquarium offers a truly unigue family experience. Your tour will follow the path a single drop of water flowing from a spring in the heart of Florida, experiencing everything that drop of water passes as it finds its way to the ocean. More than 20,000 aquatic plants, birds, animals, fish and alligators are exhibited in open tanks and spaces where you are less than a foot or two away from them in an air-conditioned space.

Guests 6 years old and older can "Swim with the Fishes," or the whole family can enjoy a "Dolphin Cruise" and view some of the 500 wild dolphins that call Tampa Bay home.

Kids can also "Explore a Shore" at a 2-acre outdoor water adventure zone where water canons, geysers and a climbing pirate ship await them. They'll cool off while parents relax under the shade of the Cantina bar and grill.

The Aquarium is open daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM and closed only on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. It is located in downtown Tampa at 701 Channelside Drive. Call for more information at 813-273-4000.

In addition, Tampa hosts a constant flow of family-fun events ranging from the annual Gasparilla pirate invasion and holiday boat parades to things like the annual Chalk Walk Festival when over 40 chalk artists create art right on the streets of Hyde Park.

No matter what your interests, Tampa and Tampa Bay have activities and events to keep your family occupied every weekend of the year.

If Tmpa sounds like your kind of town, request my Tampa Florida Information package or E-Mail Me. For more immediate attention, call me at (813) 263-6806. I would be delighted to answer your questions.

Historically Low Mortgage Rates & Home Prices - A Perfect Time to Buy

Mortgage interest rates in Tampa Bay, Florida are at the lowest levels since record keeping began.  These attractive mortgage rates make that home you've been wanting even more affordable than ever.

Zillow Mortgage Marketplace shows that, for buyers with 20% down and excellent credit scores (740 - 850), the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage can be as low as 3.69% for the week ending February 26, 2012.  15-year rates are even lower falling this week to as low as an APR of 3.0%.

Similarly, Bankrate shows 20% down/excellent credit 30-year mortgages available at an APR of 3.67% and 15-year fixed rates for the same qualifiers available as low as an APR of 2.96%.  30-year FHA mortgages requiring only 3 - 5% down payments are shown to be available for an APR as low as 3.85%.

Those with less than excellent credit scores will, of course, be required to pay somewhat higher interest rates but, in any case, home mortgage rates have never been lower than they are right now. And, they cannot be expected to fall much further.

Combine these home mortgage interest rates with the fact that Tampa Bay home prices haven't been as low as they are right now in over a decade and you see the opportunity lying before you.

"But," you ask, "what is the outlook for the rest of 2012 and beyond?" The U.S. economy continues to grow at a slower rate than one might hope for, but it is continuing to improve. With the lower value of the dollar and maybe even just a touch of patriotism by corporate executives, manufacturing jobs are beginning to come back to America. Consumers are beginning to feel more confident. The predominant things holding back the economy right now, in our judgment, are the concerns about the fate of European country debts and, of course, the uncertain outcome of the 2012 elections here in the U.S. Both will be resolved within the next 6 to 12 months.

Economists are more optimistic about the outlook for 2012 for housing starts, employment and business spending than just three months ago according to the National Association of Business Economics' latest survey. Housing industry forecasters and home builders similarly expect the housing industry to be on a gradual road to recovery across the U.S., and in Tampa Bay particularly, because of unusually affordable financing options and historically low home prices.

Clear Capital, a California-based home valuation firm reported last month that, after years of falling home prices, Tampa Bay is one of large metropolitan areas predicted to show home price increases in 2012. Tampa ranked sixth in the nation for predicted home value increases

These forces will have two effects over the next couple of years:

• Home prices will begin to rise as demand for homes increases with more prospective buyers in the market and as the current large overhang of foreclosure and short-sale properties are cleared from the market by increased demand from both investors and single-family home buyers.
• While the Fed continues to forecast interest rates remaining low, it is inevitable that mortgage interest rates will begin to creep upward as the economy recovers.

If you are one of those astute enough to have maintained an excellent credit score inspite of the tough economic times of the past 3 years, or, even if you have a few points shaved off your credit score, this is the right time to meet with a licensed real estate broker like Cheryl Stimac and begin the process of qualifying for a mortgage and looking for your first home, the larger home you've been wanting for your family, your second or seasonal-getaway home, or your retirement home.

Stop collecting rent receipts and start moving toward one of the most important investment decisions you'll make during the coming decade - buying a home. DO IT NOW while both home prices and mortgage rates are at all time lows. Don't be caught next year wishing you'd made the commitment. I'd be delighted to help you get started. Call me at 813-263-6806 or visit my website and fill out my brief Request For Tampa Real Estate Information.

Are Your Familiar with Pasco County, Florida

How familiar are you with Pasco County, the county just north of Tampa, Florida?

Pasco County stretches across the northern edges of Pinellas County (the home of Clearwater and St. Petersburg) and Hillsborough County, (the home of Tampa) between those two counties and Hernando County to its north. Pasco County has a land area of approximately 745 square miles. The county is a high-growth area having grown as as the suburbs of Tampa Bay spread northward. Pasco County includes over twenty-five golf courses, three State of Florida designated canoe trails and enormous areas set aside for outdoor recreation.

Mostly residential, the Pasco County lifestyle puts you within an easy commute of all that the Tampa Bay has to offer including Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, the Lowry Park Zoo, historic Ybor City, the Straz Performing Arts Center and countless museums and galleries in Hillsborough and Pinellas County, but without the traffic and congestion generated by the crowds of tourists attracted to those cities during the “snowbird” season.

The county seat of Pasco County is Dade City. Other cities and towns within Pasco County include Holiday, Land O’Lakes, Lutz, New Port Richey, Odessa, Port Richey, Trinity, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills. Getting around the county is convenient due to Interstate I-75 and the Suncoast Parkway running north to south providimg easy commuting to the Tampa International Airport, downtown Tampa and MacDill Air Force base. Crossing the county from east to west are recently expanded roadways including State Roads 52, 54 and 56.

Many builders offer new homes in Pasco County. New construction homes start in the low $100’s although larger and more luxurious homes in gated golf and waterfront communities are available in price ranges up to $850,000 ,to $900,000 and more. Existing home sales cover the entire price range depending on their size, location and amenities provided.

High quality education is offered at Pasco County’s 48 elementary schools, 16 middle schools and 18 high school and education centers. Visit the Pasco County Schools website for more information. Post-secondary education is also readily available through nearby Pasco Hernando County Community College and Hillsborough Community College. University-level studies are available at the University of South Florida in northeastern Tampa and the University of Tampa as well as several vocational and-technical schools. Further information on this most attractive place to find your new home is available on the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners website.

Think of Pasco County as having all the desirable traits and amenities of Tampa Bay in a more affordable and more relaxed atmosphere.

I would be delighted to introduce you to Pasco County and its many attractive communities; one of which is bound to fit you and your family’s need and desires perfectly. Call me at (813) 263-6806, E-Mail Me with your questions or visit my Tampa Bay real estate website to review profiles of several of my favorite Hillsborough and Pasco County communities.

Carrollwood - A Very Attractiive Tampa Bay Community

Carrollwood is a unincorporated planned community in northwest section of Hillsborough County, Like other suburban communities around Tampa, Carrollwood was built in the early 1960s and remains today one of the more popular residential areas being only about 7 miles from downtown Tampa and an even shorter drive to the Tampa International Airport.

It was one of the first planned communities within the State of Florida and the first in Hillsborough County. The community spread westward during the 1970′s and 80′s and the subdivisions of Fairway Village and Carrollwood Village were created.

The boundarties of the Carrollwood include Lake Magdalene to the north, the city of Tampa to the east, Egypt Lake on the south, and Carrollwood Village to the west. The community occupies areas to both the east and west of Dale Mabry Highway, the major north-south thoroughfare connecting Carrollwood to the metropolitan and downtown areas of Tampa.  

Carrollwood includes homes and maintenance-free townhomes and condominiums in many styles, sizes and price ranges, some with golf course and lake views. Children living in Carrollwood go to school in the Hillsborough County School District. There are also several private schools in the area.

Carrollwood Village is the heart of Carrollwood and includes about every sort of shopping and dining venue you might want.

Golfers will appreciate the presence of several golf courses and country clubs in the area. Right within Carrollwood Village there is the Emerald Greens Golf and Country Club, a 27-hole course. Nearby is the Northdale Golf and Country Club, a 18-hole, par-72 course.

For professional singles, families and seniors alike, Carrollwood is an attractive place to live and enjoy the amenities so abundant in the Tampa and Tampa Bay area.

If you find Carrollwood as attractive as I do, I invite you to visit my Tampa Bay real estate website. Or, for more immediate assistance, call me at 813-263-6806 or E-Mail Me today. I would be delighted to answer your questions and show you just how attractively priced Tampa Bay homes are right now.

Tampa Home Sales Continue Improving

According to the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors,1,523 properties sold during November, 2011. The average sale price of homes sold in November was $146,436, down slightly from $151,329 in October.

In 10 of the past 12 months home sales in the Tampa area have increased. The November sales total was an increase of 7% from the same month in 2010. At 9,800 homes of the market at the end of November, there is only a 6.4 month supply of homes and condos on the market. At the worst point in December, 2007, there were over 21,000 housing units on the market. Six months of inventory is the point at which buying and selling pressure are considered equal. If you add in the homes already under contract for sale, but not yet closed, the supply of homes and condos available drops even further. When the inventory of homes for sale drops below 6.0 months, the market is considered to be a "seller's market" where prices may begin to rise.

Another important market statistic, the average number of Days of the Market dropped consistently during 2011 to an average of only 103 days in November. As this number drops, it means that homes are no longer sitting on the market awaiting buyers. They are beginning to sell more quickly.

On the most attractive and attractively-priced homes, buyers in Tampa Bay are beginning to confront multiple competing offers, something that hasn't happened in a long time. Even real estate investors are finding they can no longer make ridiculously low-ball offers with any hope of success. They are finding that if they want to buy the property, they need to make an offer at or real close to what the properties are actually worth, a healthy sign.

Local Realtor Cheryl Stimac noted that, given the improving market condition price-wise, banks are increasing the pace at which they are putting their distressed properties on the market as short sales but these are expected to be bought up reasonably quickly by the increasing number of prospective buyers here during the snowbird months.

Overall, several positive forces seem to be coming together in the Tampa real estate market. The lower inventory of homes for sale is stabilizing, and will eventually put upward pressure, on prices. Banks are moving more quickly to get their inventoried properties on the market rather than letting them go into foreclosure where the condition of the home frequently degrades quickly. People are more upbeat than they have been in 3 years according to the consumer confidence index. And, with the arrival of our “snowbird” friends, there are more buyers in the Tampa Bat real estate market who are looking to buy now at these historically low prices and interest rates.

If you are visiting Tampa Bay now or planning to come here in the near future, I encourage you to call me at 813-263-6806, E-Mail Me, or visit my Tampa Florida real estate website to learn more about the many attractive golf course and other communities in our area. I would be delighted to answer your questions and offer suggestions on where to find exactly the type of home in the price range you are looking for.

Single Females - A Growing Segment of Tampa Bay Home Buyers

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently reported that single women are quickly becoming a significant percentage of the total number of home buyers in real estate markets all across the United States. In 2011, over 20% of all home buyers were single women.

According to the NAR, single women aren’t just purchasing more homes. And it is not just young single professional women, the range of single female home buyers varies from young singles to post-retirement women. Builders report that women have become much more savvy about the whole home buying process than many male buyers. And, they are more likely to ask piercing questions and demand straight answers.

Due to the increasing number of single women buying homes, Tampa Bay builders and real estate agents are altering their advertising and marketing approaches to appeal to this large new segment of Tampa Florida home buyers. Builders in Hillsborough and Pasco County are increasingly offering new homes with more extensive security features, low- or no-maintenance yards, gourmet kitchens, more spacious bathrooms and softer color schemes - all features that appeal much more to female than to male buyers.

“When a woman is shopping for a home with a man, she may tend to defer to the man's interest in things like a large garage, a place to put the barbecue grill or a spacious den to be used as a "man-cave. Men don't mind a home that needs some "projects" to be completed," says a noted Tampa area Realtor, Cheryl Stimac. "Conversely," she says, "when a woman is buying a home for herself, she tends to be very interested in the functionality, completeness and appeal of the kitchen and baths. Focus groups have also shown that she would like an extensive security system. And, unlike the man, she will focus heavily on how many major and minor changes she will need to make to adjust the home to her personal lifestyle, interests and needs,"

As the Tampa real estate market continues a slow process of improvement, it behooves everyone involved in the real estate business, including those trying to sell a home, to pay attention to trends like this and tailor their plans and actions appropriately.

For example, we all know how important "curb appeal" - the first view from the street - is in successfully marketing a home. If, for example, you were attempting to sell a home or condo in Tampa Bay right now, it would be worth considering what exterior and interior changes will make the home more attractive to single female buyers.

Outside, the home should be extra appealing. The paint and trim should be near-perfect, the roof should not need work, shrubs and gardens should have a low-maintenance look. Inside, she will want to see more neutral and warmer colors. The kitchen should be spotless and uncluttered. Baths should sparkle andf have fresh, coordinated-color towels. Things like this can make a big difference in the appeal of a home to a single female buyer.

If you have a home or condo to sell in the Tampa Bay real estate market, I'd be happy to help make your home more "female-friendly." Call me at your convenience 813-263-6806 or E-Mail Me.