Tampa Bay Real Estate Market Has Improved - Does That Mean You're Too Late

    As 2012 came to a close, Tampa Bay real estate continued on its upward path back toward a stable market. In fact, as of the end of 2012, the market has actually tilted to slightly favoring sellers. In the month of December, 3,387 homes were sold in the Tampa Bay area with a median price of $126,000. This compares with 3,216 homes sold during the same period last year, a 5% increase in the number of homes closed and, more importantly as a healthy sign of a recovering market, a 15% increase in the median price (from $110,000 up to $126,000).

    At the end of December, there were only 13,884 homes for sale in the Tampa Bay market which includes all of Hillsborough County, Pasco County and Pinellas County. This represents a 23% decrease in the supply of homes available for purchase a year ago at the end of 2011 when there were 18,086 homes and condos on the market. At the current selling rate, the current inventory of unsold homes represents a 4 month supply. A real estate market is considered to be in equilibrium favoring neither buyers nor sellers when there is about a 6 month supply of homes on the market. Thus, the Tampa Bay real estate market can be described for the first time in several year as beginning to move into a seller’s market.

    In large part, the improvement in the Tampa Bay real estate market, particularly in the improving median selling price, reflects the dramatic reduction in the number of foreclosure properties that had been holding back prices for the past 2 or 3 years.

    What does all this mean to “snowbirds” now arriving in our area? It means that the time for making a “low-ball” offers or trying to "bag a real bargain" is over. If, while you are here this year, you see a home or condominium you really like and, you are working with experienced Tampa Bay Realtor who tells you that the home is attractively priced, you should make an offer pretty close to the asking price if you really want the home. Otherwise, you’re likely to find to your disappointment that someone else has just bought that seasonal or permanent Tampa Bay home you wanted.

    Does this mean that you’ve missed your chance to snap up a good deal? The simple answer is “no.” With very few exceptions, foreclosure properties are not the gems they’ve been touted by some to be. Buying a foreclosure or short-sale property is not a straight-forward process. At best, you’ll spend months not knowing when, or even if, the bank will accept your offer. Worse, over 90% of foreclosure properties, especially those still sitting on the market, need a lot of work that you may not be prepared to do yourself or want to spend the time and money to have done for you.

    If you are a snowbird or a retiree who doesn’t have the interest or the months and months to mess around and you’re not a professional fixer-upper, what you more likely want here on the Florida's warm and sunny Sun Coast is a “move-in-ready” home or condo you'll be able to enjoy for many years to come. And, that is exactly what you’ll get, not by opting for a foreclosure or dealing with an amateur "for sale by owner," but by working with a professional Realtor to purchase either a brand new or a resale home that has been properly cared for by the previous owner in a great neighborhood. If it’s a condominium, you want it to be in an established and successful condominium development that has an active condominium association that will protect your investment in the future.

    Cheryl Stimac would be delighted to help you find that one home or condo in a neighborhood or condo development you’ll be proud to be a part of – a home and a neighborhood that perfectly fits your needs and desires at a price you'll know to be a fair value. Feel free to call her for immediate answers to any of your questions at 813-263-6806.

Finally Some Protection for Home Buyers

The recently set up Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has just issued a new rule which spells out the steps home mortgage lenders must follow to offer a mortgage if they want that mortgage to be a “qualified mortgage.”

What is a “qualified mortgage?” A “qualified mortgage” assures the lender that, if a borrower defaults on the loan, there will be little, if any, recourse for the borrower in a future foreclosure on the home to claim that the lender sold them a mortgage the lender should have known they couldn’t afford. In effect a qualified mortgage protects the lender from future borrower lawsuits. But, more importantly, the rule is intended to assure that borrowers can actually afford the home mortgages they sign up for.

Previously, there have been no rules preventing home mortgage providers from talking unsophisticated borrowers, frequently first-time home buyers, into mortgages which sounded “too good to be true” and, in fact, really were “too good to be true.” For example, mortgasges offering "interest-only" payments for the first few years let home buyers think they could afford a certain priced home only to find out a few years later that when the "interest-plus-principal" payments kicked in, they could not afford the mortgage payments. So, they lost the home to foreclosure along with whatever down payment they had invested and their good credit rating.

Other so-called "risky" mortgages included negative amortization. Negative amortization means the borrower’s monthly payment not only is not paying down the balance over time, but, in fact, is allowing the balance due to increase because the monthly payment isn’t even large enough to cover the interst due for that month. This is short of like being in a hole and trying to get out by keeping on digging.

A third type of "risky" mortgage kept payments seemingly affordable by being set up for very long terms like 40 or 50 years instead to the traditional 15 or 30-years. It seemed like an attractive way to make a home affordable but, in fact, the borrower was paying nothing, or almost nothing, each month on the principal amount so that after even 15 or 20 years, the borrower would still owe almost as much as when they bought the home. In effect, instead of the American dream of slowly building up "equity in your home," by making mortgage payments, the borrowers were accumulating little or no equity in the home. They just help make mortgage brokers, who got a commission for talking them into this bad loan, rich. The buyers were accumulating no, or at best, a negligible equity in the home.

The new CFPB rule, scheduled to become effective next year, defines that to be a “qualified mortgage,” the mortgage terms cannot include “risky” features like

• terms over 30 years
• interest-only payments
• negative amortization
• fees and points in excess of 3% of the mortgage amount, or
• result in the borrower spending over 43% of their monthly income on their total debt

Some real estate professionals believe this new rule is still too lenient providing too much protection to lenders from lawsuits but too little protection to unsophisticated borrowers. Low income borrowers, these professionals believe, should not be allowed to get a home mortgage that will increase their total debt payments to as high as 43% of thier income. If these people get such a mortgage, they are very likely to default on it eventually and then have no legal recourse against the shady mortgage brokers who profited by talking them into it.

Conversely, at least now there will be clear rules under which lenders know when they are going out on a limb risking potential future lawsuits when making a loan.

It is not clear that this new rule will loosen credit immediately. Cheryl Stimac, a Tampa Bay real estate professional believes credit needs to be relaxed somewhat to speed up the real estate market recovery. And, it is expected that with this clarification in place, mortgage providers will begin to loosen credit at least somewhat. While many builders and real estate professionals wish for some easing of currrent credit restrictions, no one believes that credit should ever be allowed to get as loose as it was before the “housing bust” of 2008 – 2009. No one wants a reoccurrence of that economic disaster.

If you have qustions about how to qualify for a home mortgage, E-Mail Me or call me directly at 813.163.6806. I'd be happy to answer your questions.

A New Year - And a Stress-Relief Prescription

    Enough Already !! Now that we’re past the “fiscal cliff” and before we get all riled up again about the “debt ceiling,” let’s all take a few moments to calm down and think about something that will both reduce our blood pressure and provide a long-lasting source of stress relief.

    Doctors know that every once in a while, our good health (and perhaps our very sanity), depends upon our ability to “get away from it all” in an environment conducive to a more relaxing and reflective lifestyle.

    Whether you’re up North shivering after shoveling the driveway or in a warmer place but exhausted by the stress of both the Holidays and the foolishness in Washington, DC, wouldn't it be a good idea to take a trip to Tampa Bay, Florida, one of the most beautiful, sunny, warm, and refreshing cities in the United States? This is the perfect time and Tampa Bay is the perfect place to play a round of golf with friends, visit the Florida Aquarium or Busch Gardens, go boating or fishing on Tampa Bay, or watch a sunset over the Gulf of Mexico with someone you love.

    As you visualize these calming thoughts, consider also how easy it would be to translate these thoughts into a more permanent stress-relieving antidote. Purchasing a waterfront, downtown, or golf course condo, villa or patio home in Tampa Bay could be exactly “what the doctor ordered.”

    All of these second home options move almost all of those pesky responsibilities of a second home from your shoulders to an Association which will do all the exterior maintenance including maintaining the lawn and landscaping, keeping the place looking pristine, and even maintaining a heated pool and Jacuzzi for your enjoyment.

    Tampa Bay is a vibrant area with arts and cultural events at the renowned Straz Performing Arts Center in Tampa and the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg as well as professional sports like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football, the Tampa Bay Rays baseball and the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey and New York Yankee Spring training camp plus thoroughbred horse racing at Tampa Bay Downs. In addition to some of the finest golf courses in the South, it’s also home to interesting and relaxing venues ranging from historic Ybor City in Tampa to some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida on the coastline from Clearwater down to St Petersburg.

    There is every conceivable style of home here in Tampa Bay from multi-million dollar downtown high-rise and waterfront condominiums to quite modest villa homes and condos downtown, in the suburbs, and surrounding our many golf courses.

    One final thought. Once you’ve invested in a second home here in Tampa Bay, when it’s time to retire, you'll already know your way around one of the most attractive cities in the United States to live in. And, you’ll be in a community known for both its excellent health care facilities and an wide range of activities focused specifically on our senior citizens.

    I would be delighted to introduce you to all of the housing options available here in Tampa Bay. Visit my Tampa Bay real estate website, or, for a more immediate response to your questions, call me at 813-263-6806 and let’s get started today developing you own personal, and permanent, “stress relief” program.

Hurricane Season is Over. Time to Take Stock of Your Preparedness for any Emergency

    November 30th, was the official "end of the 2012 Hurricane Season.” Thank heavens. It is highly unlikely that from this point until next Summerwe’ll see any strong hurricane-force storms come through Tampa Bay. The waters in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico are cooler at this point and adolescent hurricanes need warm waters to increase in strength and become dangerous.

    On the positive side, during hurricane season 2012, we did have numerous rainy days that helped to replenish our underground aquifers upon which we depend for most of our drinking water.

    Now that we were lucky enough not to have to endure a hurricane this season, it would be a good idea to make sure now, while the topic is still fresh in our minds, that we are prepared for any emergency event, hurricane or otherwise. Yes, it’s time to review your emergency preparedness.

    Having a disaster plan and a disaster supply kit ready will improve immeasurably the likelihood of your and your family remaining safe during any serious incident. Included here are the steps you need to take to assure that your family is ready for any serious natural disaster or other incident regardless of where you live; in Florida or elsewhere.

# 1. Develop a Family Disaster Plan
    A family disaster plan includes a checklist of things to do before, during and after a natural disaster of any kind. It includes important information that will help you survive the storm in good shape.

    The first thing to do is to learn how vulnerable your home is and to consider making changes where necessary to minimize those risks. Your plan should include a list of activities or improvements you’re going to make during this hurricane off-season. For example, would installing hurricane blinds over your windows be an affordable option? Do you have a “safe room’? Do all memebrs of your family know which room that is? Does it need to be further reinforced?

    If you have the time to evacuate, where are you going to go? You should identify a place outside the home in your neighborhood where you’ll try to gather immediately after an event and a second location far enough away so it is unlikely to be affected by the same event that destroys your own home – a relative living out of state may be the simplest answer. What route will you take to get to both spots ? Does every member of the family know where these two evacuation sites are and, if they’re able to travel on their own should you get separated, do they know how to get there?

    Have you checked your homeowner’s insurance to know what would be covered and what would not? You standard homeowner policy won't usually cover flood damage, so check your current policy and consider a separate flood policy if you live in a vulnerable area. Even if you are not in a vulnerable area, check with your insurance company to see what is covered. Is rain damage from a missing roof or broken windows covered? If a tree falls on your home because it was blown down by wind is that covered?

    Take a Red Cross or other emergency response function course in basic first aid including how to splint a broken arm or leg, stop heavy bleeding and hbow to do CPR.

    If you have pets, decide what you’ll do with them. The good news is that since Hurricane Katrina, FEMA and other disaster recovery agencies are much more accommodating of family pets.

    Finally, never let your car’s gas tank get below half-full to assure you can travel if roads are clear. We’ve all seen those awful lines waiting for gas at the few gas stations open after a storm.

# 2. Make or, if you already have one, check your Disaster Supply Kit
    A disaster supply kit is something you must have while hoping you never need it. The kit should contain items you’ll need if a storm hits and does enough damage to cut off your electricity or temporarily isolate you and your family from the outside world. Assume that, in the worst case, this kit may be all you’ll have for up to 72 hours (even more is better) after the storm passes if you weren’t able to evacuate in time.

    Make sure everything you put in the kit stays there. Don’t remove items and use them when you run short of something. It's too easy to forget to replace those items which you may be need desperately when an emergency hits. Finally, keep your disaster supply Kit in your safe room. It’s worthless if you can’t get to it.

    Your kit should include at least the following:
1. At least 1 gallon of water per member of your family per day, with enough for at least 3 days (more is better).

2. A 3-4 day supply of canned or dehydrated, non-perishable food, implements including a can opener, plastic utensils and paper plates. If you want to be able to cook food, include a simple form of cooking equipment and fuel (e.g. a sterno stove or compact propane-fueled stove.

3. If you have a pet, food and extra water, a leash for dogs, and a cage or carrier for cats and other small animals. This is a good time to make sure your dog has an identification tag, or even better, has the embedded identification chip.

4. A first-aid kit, clothing, toiletries, and personal care items. You’ll have to add any prescription drugs you take regularly to the kit whenever a hurricane or tornado watch is issued. Left in the kit too long, they’ll become inactive.

5. A battery-operated flashlight (preferably more than one), radio, and spare batteries. Remember that batteries need to be inspected and replaced from time to time.

6. Copies of important documents, including insurance policies at least the insurance company’;s phone number, social security numbers, bank account numbers, wedding and birth certificates secured in a waterproof pouch. Another way to keep this info today is to write it all to a “flash drive.”

7. Simple small tools like a hammer, screwdriver, pliers, hatchet, etc, so when a disaster recovery team reaches you, you can use these tools and the supplies they bring to protect at least some of your belongings from further damage. • A reasonable amount of cash. If the power is out, ATM cards and credit cards won’t do you any good.

    Make sure every member of your family knows where the disaster supply kit is and not to remove anything from it under any circumstances. – repeat, not under any circumstances.

    Taking these steps may mean the difference between an emergency event that your family comes through in reasonably good shape, ready to move on with your lives versus and a gut-wrenchingly horrible experience that may haunt you for many years knowing that, had you just “been prepared,” things might have turned out much better than they did.

    Hurricanes, earthquakes and such can occur anywhere so being prepared is a smart thing to do regardless of where you live today. I am happy to provide you with this information and hope you find it useful.

    Whether you already live in Tampa Bay and are considering moving to another perhaps larger home or down-sizing as you approach retirement or if you live elsewhere today and are considering moving to our area, I invite you to visit my Tampa Bay Florida real estate website for lots of information on why Tampa Bay is so attractive to so many people.

    If you have questions about any facet of the warm, sunny lifestyle available to you here in Tampa Bay, E-Mail Me or, for a more immediate response, call me at 813-263-6806.

Tampa Bay Real Estate Market Growing Stronger Every Month

    The Greater Tampa Association of Realtors (GTAR) continues to report higher volumes of home and condo sales each month across Tampa and Tampa Bay. Nearly 2,900 homes sold in October, a 35% jump over the same month last year, And, the median sales prices rose by 9%.

    In the first 10 months of 2012, in both Hillsborough and Pinellas County, 9% more homes were sold than for the same period in 2011. In Pasco County there were 11% more homes sold this year, and in Hernando County, 2012 sales for the first 10 months are ahead of the 2011 rate by 17%.

    As reported here earlier, there was no real seasonal drop-off this summer. Local Realtors have been reporting that traffic at open houses continues to be heavy with lots of serious buyers. Part of the reason for this level of activity is the continuing decline in the number of properties for sale in the Tampa Bay real estate market. In Hillsborough County, for example, the inventory of homes available for sale dropped to 7,000 listings in October, fully 5,000 fewer than a year ago according to GTAR statistics.

    At the current rate of sales, those 7,000 listings in Hillsborough County would be sold in less than four months. In a real estate market considered to be in equilibrium where neither buyers or sellers have an advantage, there is usually about a 6 month supply of homes on the market. Comparing the current less than a 4 month supply with the bottom of the housing bust when the inventory surpassed a 20-month supply and it becomes clear that the Tampa and Tampa Bay real estate market has become a seller’s market once again.. S

    ellers in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando have seen their homes sold and closed quicker than at any time in several years and they are selling at higher prices than just a few months ago. On attractive homes, attaractively priced, multiple competing offers have once again become the norm.

    And, it's not all distressed properties (foreclosures and short sales) being sold for less than the homeowner owes on a mortgage, that are accounting for the home and condo sales volumes. Currently, Only about40% of sales in 2012 year to date have been "distressed" home sales and that percentage is sdropping consistently.

    Across the United States, home prices are continuing to strengthen, according to the CoreLogic Home Price Index (HPI). The index showed that home prices increased by 4.6% last month, the biggest year-over-year increase since July 2006. Tampa Bay Florida, being one of the most attractive places to live, work and retire, is simply leading the way back to a healthy real estate market.

    In summary, the Tampa Bay real estate market has recovered and is no longer a "buyer's market" where prospective buyers are at an advantage. There are still attractive homes attractively priced in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas County but they are being snapped up quickly. There is admittedly still a slightly higher than equilibrium number of condominiums on the market, but those, too, will be bought up soon at the current rate.

    The message about the Tampa Bay real estate market news is unambiguous and clear. "If you have been thinking about investing in a Florida home or condo, especially in the Tampa Bay - St Petersburg - Sarasota Sun Coast area, the time for consideration is at an end. It’s time for action," says one Sarasota real estate agent. Whether you are considering a seasonal or a permanent home, a modest home or condo in a traditional or golf course neighborhood, or a luxurious golf course or waterfront home or condominium, Tampa Bay includes that dream home you are looking for, today, but not for much longer, at a price you’ll appreciate. I would be delighted to show you homes and condominiums that fit your needs and desires anywhere in the Tampa Bay area.

    Visit my Tampa Bay Florida real estate website for even more information on why Tampa and Tampa Bay is so attractive to so many. If you'd like to know more about any facet of the warm and sunny lifestyle offered here in Tampa Bay, feel free to E-Mail Me or for more immediate service, call me at 813-263-6806.

Historic Ybor City - An "Old World Gem" in Tampa Bay Gem

    Once known as Tampa’s Latin Quarter, Ybor City is today an exotic blend of aromas, flavors, sights and sounds. From the scent of roasting Cuban coffee in the morning to the rhythms of Latin music late into the night, Ybor City is a feast for the senses reminiscent of an ancient European city.

    For lunch or dinner, you can choose from an extremely broad array of cuisines - Spanish, Cuban, Italian, Greek and French or share authentic tapas and a pitcher of Spanish sangria in a café atmosphere reminiscent of a Mediterranean village. All this can be done on a single stroll down La Setima, the main street of this Historic District of the city of Tampa Florida.

    Ybor City was originally established by Vicente Martinez-Ybor in the 1880’s as a cigar-manufacturing center. It was soon populated by thousands of immigrants from Spain, Cuba and Italy who for the next 50 years rolled millions of cigars each year.

    Ybor City is one of only two National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida. Red brick buildings, wrought iron balconies and narrow brick streets provide an atmosphere of Old World Charm. In 2010 the Ybor City Columbia Restaurant was named a "Top 50 All-American Icon.” Ybor City today is a refreshing change of pace from the typical Florida beach town, golf community and those all-too-present regional malls.

    Here you'll find a lively 24/7 live, work and play community. Ybor City is becoming the “creative hub” of the Tampa Bay area where businesses as diverse as advertising, architecture, interior design, community planning, engineering services, technology transfer and media production are all part of the fabric of the community. And, to meet the needs of its new residents, new low-rise condos are springing-up all through the historic neighborhood.

    You must actually"come and explore" Ybor City to really appreciate its magic. No plastic mall directory, no strip mall signs, no big-box retail stores; just a walkable community with vintage fashion, funky retail shops and restaurants that have been operated by the same families for generations. It captures just the right amount of “Old World Charm” in a “New Age” cache.

    If you're relocating to the Tampa Bay area of Florida and would like more information on my Tampa Bay real estate services for homes buyers, request my Tampa Bay Information and Real Estate Package. Or, E-Mail Me or call me directly on my cell phone at (813) 263-6806.

Wondering Where in Florida to Move To?

Tampa Bay Should Clearly be on Your List

    If you have been considering relocating to Florida, there are many reasons to consider Tampa and the Tampa Bay area as your primary destination. The city of Tampa and Tampa Bay has been ranked:

• #8 among the “Top 10 Cleanest Cities” by Forbers magazine among the "Best Sports Cities in North America" by- Sporting News Magazine
• among "Top Spots in the Country for Business" by Forbes Magazine
• # 4 among the "Top 20 Cities for Golf" by Golf Digest
• #4 among the "Top 5 of America's Most Popular Big Cities" by Pew Research Center
• Tampa ranked #2 right behind St Petersburg which was #1 among the "Top 25 Mid-sized Cities for Arts" by American Style Magazine
• among the "10 Great Cities in the U.S. to Start a Business" by Kiplinger
• #7 among the “Top Cities in the U.S. Where the Jobs Will Be in 2012 " at #7 by Forbes Magazine
• #4 among the "Best American Cities to Do Business"by- KPMG"
• and, the Tampa International Airport was ranked the 3rd "Best U.S. Airport" by Condé Nast

    Intriguing, isn't it ? But how much do you actually know about Tampa and Tampa Bay. Here are some interesting facts for you to evaluate and consider:

    Tampa is at the heart of Hillsborough County although as it has grown, some of the fastest growing communities are springing up over the border into Pasco County. Across Tampa Bay, Pinellas County includes the larger cities of Clearwater and St. Petersburg as well as several smaller towns like Dunedin, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs plus the several barrier island keys which stretch from Clearwater down the coast to St Perersburg. The metropolitan area has a total population of 2,780,000 and its population has grown by just over 17$ since 2000.

    Tampa Bay offers a very pleasant year-round climate. Holding the Guinness World Record for most consecutive sunny days at an amazing 768, the area averages 361 sunny days per year. The average year-round temperature is 73 degrees. The coldest month is usually January when the average dips to the mid 50’s and the warmest months are typically July and August when the highest average temperature reaches the mid 80’s. The temperature in Tampa Bay almost never reaches 90 degrees.

    Compared to the rest of the United States, the cost of living in Tampa Bay is 9.0% below the national average according to BestPlaces.com

    The Hillsborough County School District is the 3rd largest district in Florida and the 8th largest in the U.nited Satets with with a very active and well-regarded magnet school program. The area also offer a wide range of charter and private religious-affiliated schools. The Pinellas County School District is the 7th largest district in Florida and the 24th largest in the United States.

    Tampa Bay has excellent health care facilities. The 1,018 bed Tampa General Hospital in downtown Tampa is one of the largest hospitals in Florida and is is affiliated with the University of South Florida - College of Medicine. In addition Tampa is the home of the world-renowned Moffit Cancer Center. Across Tampa Bay in Pinellas County, there are several more well-regarded hospitals and health care facilities in Clearwater, St Petersburg and Tarpon Springs

    And don’t forget about those beaches. No matter where you live in Tampa Bay, you'rew never more than a 30 minute drive to some of the finest beaches in Florida stretching from Clearwater Beach to Pass-A-Grille Beach at the southern tip of St Petersburg.

    For lovers of watercraft, you can go boating, sailing and fishing 12 months a year in Tampa Bay on both the protected Tampa Bay and out on the Gulf of Mexico.

    For arts and cultural buffs, Tampa’s award as one of the Top Arts Destinations comes as no surprise to locals. From the stellar Broadway Series of performances at the Starz Center for the Performing Arts to opera and ballet to the surreal masterworks of Salvador Dali at the Dali Museum in St Petersburg, there is an eclectic collage of arts and cultural venues.

    As a place to start a business, Tampa was rated by Kiplinger as a” nascent start-up scene.” Local governments are business-feiendly and Tampa’s small-business owners benefit from the state’s lack of personal income tax and its low 5.5% corporate income tax.

    So you see, whether you are a young family looking for a place to raise your kids, an entrepreneur thinking about starting a new company or retirees looking for a warm and comfortable place to call home, Tampa Bay should definitely be on your list of “must see” places before you choose a Florida location.

    And, no matter what type of residence you may be dreaming of in your new destination, whether its a seasonal or a permanent home, a modest home or condo in a traditional or golf course neighborhood, a home in a historic neighborhood, a luxurious golf course mansion or an elegant waterfront home or condominium, Tampa Bay includes what you are looking for at a price point today that makes this area even more attractive than it has ever been before. Visit my Tampa Bay Florida real estate website for even more information on why Tampa Bay is so attractive to so many.

    If you'd like to know more about any facet of the warm and sunny lifestyle offered here in Tampa Bay, feel free to E-Mail Me or call me for more immediate service at 813-263-6806.

That Pesky "Heath Care Issue" in Choosing a Retirement Destination

As people consider where to move as they approach retirement age, and are looking for a warmer climate, one of the things I most often hear discussed is the availability of good health care facilities. This article will review just briefly the wide variety and the excellence of the health care facilities available to you in Tampa and Tampa Bay Florida.

For starters, Tampa is blessed with two great hospitals right within the city of Tampa, itself. The 1,018 bed Tampa General Hospital in downtown Tampa is one of the largest hospitals in Florida. Tampa General (TGH) is affiliated with the University of South Florida - College of Medicine. In addition, there is Tampa Memorial Hospital, a 183-bed, state-of-the-art hospital also in downtown Tampa.

In addition as you move into suburban areas, Florida Hospital – Tampa Bay Division operates 6 separate facilities located strategically around the Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco County. Florida Hospital – Tampa and the Pepin Heart Institute are on Fletcher Avenue in Tampa and the Florida Hospital – Carrollwood serving the northwestern suburbs of Tampa and Hillsborough County is located on North Dale Mabry Highway. For more suburban areas, Florida Hospital operates a 154 bed hospital in Zephyrhills in Pasco County. The Florida Hospital - Long Term Acute Care unit is located in Land O’ Lakes.

Finally, there is the Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, which achieved its National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation in 1998, located in north Tampa on the campus of the University of South Florida. Cancer research at Moffitt includes more than 135 investigators organized around six scientific programs. The Moffit Cancer Center has rapidly become well-known for its expertise and sensitivity in handling the wide array of physical, spiritual or emotional needs of its patients.

Across Tampa Bay in Pinellas County, there are several more well-regarded hospitals and health care facilities including St Petersburg General, St Anthonys Hospital and All Children's Hospital in St Petersburg, Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Mease Hospital in Dunedin and the Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital in Tarpon Springs among others.

As one considers the many factors that lead to a decision on where to live during your retirement years, health care, while a very important factor, isn’t the only reason why people move to Tampa Bay Florida.

Tampa is the "heart" of Tampa Bay. The warm, sunny climate and bright blue skies, the low cost of living and a wide variety of activities and events that go on almost constantly in Tampa make it an ideal location for young families and retirees alike. The average year-round temperature of 72°, a refreshing 60° in January and a warm average of 82° in August make living here delightful.

The almost-always pleasant weather fosters a lifestyle which includes lots of “outdoor living” activities. The Hillsborough River, which meanders for 56 miles, offers endless activities including canoeing, fishing, camping and hiking. There are almost 200 parks, 136 picnic areas and 80 playgrounds in Tampa and its surrounding communities. For the athletic among us, there are swimming pools, tennis and racquet ball courts, golf courses and playing fields. For those more into spectating, there are professional baseball, hockey, football and arena football teams, including the Super Bowl winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Spring training camp for the New York Yankees. Tampa Bay is home to all sorts of boating and sailing opportunities, and the gorgeous Gulf Coast beaches in Clearwater and St Petersburg are no more than 30 to 45 minutes away from anywhere in Tampa Bay.

Lowry Park Zoo entertains seniors and young families alike. The Florida Aquarium is a unique and exciting place for visitors of all ages. Art, music, dance and theater devotees find a wealth of galleries and museums such as the Tampa Museum of Art, Museum of Science & Industry and USF's Contemporary Art Museum. There are Broadway plays, operas and dance recitals that excite thousands of patrons in community theaters as well as at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Housing in Tampa and throughout Tampa Bay is abundant and affordable.

Throughout Tampa and Tampa Bay, there are single-family homes, patio homes, townhomes and condominiums from the most luxurious to the most affordable from in-town and waterfront high-rise condominiums to suburban golf course communities and retirement communities.

Regardless of all the other amenities, as you approach your senior years, there is still that “health care issue” to consider. You can rest assured, if that is a concern in your choice of where to retire, the health care facilities of Tampa Florida will meet your every need and assuage any concern you may have had.

I'd be pleased to help you find that one home, townhome or condominium in a traditional neighborhood, a downtown high-rise, or a retirement community of patio homes and villas here in Tampa Bay that fits your needs and desires perfectly.

If you'd care to comment on this article or any other facet of Tampa Bay living, please E-Mail Me or visit my Tampa real estate website. For a more immediate response, call me directly at 813-263-6806.