Universal Design - A Housing Option Appealing to Seniors &Young Families Too

The term "Universal Design" refers to a wide range of architectural and construction ideas and products meant to produce buildings, products and environments that are inherently accessible to both the able-bodied and the physically disabled.

Universal design elements include such things as

• No-step entry
  
• One-story living without stairs
  
• Wide doorways (32-36 inches) and hallways (36-42 inches)
  
• Pull handles instead of knobs on cabinetry
  
• Under-cabinet lighting
  
• Adjustable rods and pullout shelving in closets
  
• Lever handles on doors instead of knobs
  
• Walk-in showers and bathtubs
  

The "universal design" concept evolved from earlier "barrier-free" concepts, the broader accessibility movement, and adaptive and assistive technology. Universal design seeks to blend aesthetics as well as functionality into products.

As life expectancy increases and modern medicine increases the survival rate of those with significant injuries, illnesses, and birth defects, there is a growing interest in universal design by many forward-thinking architects and builders. There are many industries in which universal design has had strong market penetration but there are others in which it has not yet been adopted to any great extent. For example, while curb cuts or sidewalk ramps, essential for people in wheelchairs but also used by all, are a common example, the home building industry has just recently become interested in the concept.

More Tampa Florida area homes are now being built with "universal design" features that will help boomers stay in their homes as they age. Interestingly, these features no longer evoke images of a hospital or nursing home room so they are beginning to appeal to younger demographic groups as well as seniors and the disabled.

In addition to kitchen and bathroom cabinets with pull-out shelves, kitchen counters at several heights to accommodate different tasks and postures, and walk-in bathtubs, there are now color-contrast dishware with steep sides that assist those with visual or dexterity problems. There is also growing use of lever door handles in place of the standard doorknob making it much easier for people with disabilities (as well as moms carrying a baby or bags of groceries) to open a door.

Perhaps the most interesting facet of the "universal design" concept is how quickly younger families are beginning to ask for such "ease-of-use" features in the homes they are considering building or buying.

For those interested in pursuing this further, there is a Universal Design video available for purchase that provides a lot of information about building and remodeling with universal design concepts.

As a Tampa Bay real estate agent, I have experience showing and selling homes which incorporate universal design concepts.

I would be delighted to help those who may be considering buying a home in the Tampa Bay Florida area identify builders employing "universal design" concepts in their new homes. I invite you to E-Mail Me or call me at 813-263-6806.

Helpful Guide for Our "Snowbird" Friends

This is the time of year when our friends from up North start coming to Tampa Bay, Florida to enjoy our fair weather and our casual sun-soaked lifestyle. Every year, more than a million Canadians and U.S. citizens from our more northern states migrate to Florida. Some are seasonal visitors while others consider becoming permanent citizens of Florida.

Some of these "snowbirds," as we like to call them, consider buying a home or condo here in Tampa Bay. Some of these "Snowbirds" also seriously consider taking the additional step of becoming residents of the state of Florida.

In both cases, these folks often wish they had better and more comprehensive sources of information to help them make good decisions about either buying a home or condo here in Florida or becoming Florida residents. While as a real estate agent, I can be very helpful, there is still much more one might wish to to learn before "taking the plunge."

There are two paperback books currently available for purchase that I think can be very helpful to those considering purchasing real estate in Florida and/or becoming residents of the state of Florida. I would like to point them out to my readers:

•"The Canadian Snowbird Guide" by Douglas Gray
•"The Official Snowbird's Guide to Becoming a Florida Resident" by Dean Hanewinckel, Attorney

Each of these books can be purchased from Amazon.com so we have included below direct links to the Amazon.com pages on which they are advertised.








For those of you with an E-Reader device such as an IPad or Kindle, it is noteworthy that these two paperbacks are also available to be downloaded to your E-Reader.

These two books are also available from other Internet sites such as buy.com and books.Google.com and from from many local bookstores such as Borders and Barnes and Noble. We encourage you to consider taking at look at these books either before you come to Florida this year, or, if you are already here in Florida, at one of our local bookstores.

For a permanent home, vacation getaway or an investment property, the Tampa Bay real estate market, after our recent price corrections, is hard to beat. I invite you to request my free Tampa Bay Real Estate Information Package or, for immediate assistance, I invite you to call me directly on my cell phone at 813-263-6806 for more immediate service.

Westchase - One of Tampa Bay's Premier Communities

One of Tampa’s premier communities that offers something for everyone is award-winning Westchase. It is a master-planned, deed restricted community encompassing over 2,000 acres located on the west side of Tampa in Hillsborough County near the Pinellas County line. It is conveniently located a 20 minute drive to the Tampa International Airport, the Westshore Business District and only 25-35 minutes to St. Petersburg and the some of the best beaches in all of Florida.

There are over 3,500 single-family homes, town homes and condos in 29 separate "neighborhoods." Each distinct neighborhood offers a different style of living including condominium, town home, villas, neo-traditional, porch style townhomes and single family homes as well as traditional Florida-style homes. Prices in Westchase range from the mid-$100's to approximately $850,000. There are also several gated neighborhoods and neo-traditional neighborhoods that feature alleys. In keeping with the planned unit development concept, Westchase also offers apartment living in West Park Village.

Each neighborhood has its own hub of activity all of which come together at the two Swim and Tennis Centers, two playgrounds, sport fields, picnic pavilions and the two Westchase Town Centers. The community includes hundreds of acres of preserved land, playgrounds, clubhouse, an 18-hole golf course, parks, nature trails, a soccer field and two swim and tennis centers, and most importantly for families, an A-rated school district.

The Westchase Golf Club, opened in 1992 as the centerpiece of the Westchase master-planned community. The club is a premium daily-fee facility recognized by the National Golf Foundation for its outstanding course conditions, service and value. The 6,710-yard, par 72 course winds through natural wetlands, wooden bridges and bulkheads. Called "one of the most beautiful public-access courses in the Tampa Bsy area," Westchase has earned a high rating from Golf Digest. The club has a beautiful 9,500 square foot clubhouse used by residents and others for a wide variety of events, group outings and weddings.

While Westchase was designed to be pedestrian-friendly, it is also close to three major malls, Westfield Citrus Park, International Plaza, and Westfield Westshore Plaza as well as a wide variety of theaters, retail shops, cafes, banks, professional offices, pre-schools, coffee shops and gyms.

While there are several other master-planned communities in Tampa Bay, Florida, residents of Westchase feel there are none quite as nice and quite as complete as Westchase. Here you will find a lifestyle and a housing option perfectly suited for young professionals, retirees and young families.

You deserve the best possible representation on the largest investment you may ever make, your new home in Tampa Bay Florida. I would be happy to introduce you to the many amenities of Westchase as well as other golf course communities and Tampa homes for sale.

I invite you to request my free Tampa Florida Information Package including information on Westchase and other communities or E-Mail Me or call me at any time.

For outstanding Tampa Bay real estate service, you cannot do better than selecting Tampa Bay real estate broker, Cheryl Stimac of Red Shoe Realty, Inc. You may contact Cheryl by E-Mail or for more immediate assistance, call her cellphone at (813) 263-6806

The U.S. Economy Is In Better Shape Than is Being Reported

Although the U.S. economy is still soft and consumer confidence remains low, new data from several sources including the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the Bureau of Economic Research (BER) and others exhibit positive signs for the future of Americans, in general, and Tampa Bay Florida home buyers in particular.

Some of the biggest names in business have said recently that they see a bright future for the U.S. economy. Famed investor Warren Buffett declared recently that the country and the world clearly will not fall back into another recessionary dip. "I am a huge bull on this country. We are not going to have a double-dip recession at all," said Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. "I see our businesses coming back across the board."

Others agree. Steve Ballmer of Microsoft says, "I am very enthusiastic about what the future holds for our industry and what our industry will mean for growth in other industries."

Jeffrey Immelt, General Electric CEO says business at GE, one of the world's largest companies, is improving. "General Electric," he said, "is now finding it more profitable to build manufacturing and service centers in the United States rather than overseas, because it is more competitive."

U.S.-based CEOs have begun to notice that shipping costs, inefficiencies, and the longer lead times associated with building products overseas are eating up the higher profitability that was forecast a few years ago. U.S. corporations are beginning to favor manufacturing here creating American jobs. An example may be the start-up of brand new lithium-ion battery manufacturing plants in Michigan focused on taking America's participation in worldwide battery production used for hybrid and electric vehicles from its current level of 2% to 40% over the next 5 years.

Some of the key economic facts published by NAR, BER and other economic analysis sources include the following:

• The U.S. economy is growing, though slowly. The private sector is finally creating jobs, 700,000 so far this year.
  
• While consumer confidence remains low, it is clearly up from its lowest point.
  
• 30-year mortgage rates are at their lowest point in decades. 30-year mortgages are available at close to 4%.
  
• Personal income increased in July, 2010 by $30.0 billion, or 0.2%. Disposable personal income increased by $17.6 billion, or 0.2% according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
  
• Although bad mortgage loans during overly-loose lending practice periods are still causing foreclosures and short sales, recent home price-to-income ratios indicate that people are now buying homes they can actually afford to own.
  
• Consumers in all income brackets are paying down their credit card balances and starting to save more.
  
• Median home prices across the U.S. are stabilizing and economists expect modest home price increases in the 2011-2014 period.
  
• Real estate speculators have been driven out of the market removing a huge source of instability.
  

So why does the American public still express so little confidence in the economic recovery? To a large extent, the 7 day/24 hour cable TV news networks and Internet bloggers focus far too much attention, in my judgement, on the latest outrageous or pessimistic statement or action by someone with an agenda, rather than someone with positive news or a constructive opinion. They have painted an economic picture that is much less positive than current underlying economic indicators and the CEOs of major U.S. corporations suggest is the case.

What does all this mean for you as a potential buyer of a home on condo. particularly here in Tampa Bay? It means that the U.S. economy is finding its footing and slowly but surely beginning to rebound - not as quickly as anyone would hope but, in fact, at a faster pace than occurred in either of the past two recessions.

So if you have been delaying a decision on when to buy that Tampa Florida area home, now is the time to come to Tampa / St Petersburg, work with a professional Buyer's Agent Realtor like Cheryl Stimac, and buy that permanent, retirement or seasonal get-away dream home you've been wanting before home and condo prices start climbing again.

If you would like to know more about Tampa Bay communities, schools, and cultural amenities, request my free Tampa Bay Florida Information Package or call me directly at 813.263.6806.

Brandon Florida - A Popular Tampa Bay Community

Located in the southeastern corner of Hillsborough County, Brandon is one of the most popular suburbs of Tampa Bay with easy access via I-75 and I-4 to both Tampa and Orlando,

In 1858, John Brandon purchased 40 acres in the New Hope (the former name of Tampa) area and another 160 acres later on and then named his land Brandon. In 1890, the Florida Central and Peninsula Railroad came through the area and John's wife, Victoria, convinced a civil engineer for the railroad to survey the area and lay out a "town".

Growing rapidly from its origins as a rural area, Brandon has become a place of refuge for families seeking a peaceful and convenient location. The population of Brandon stood at 90,470 as of 2007 up by 16.1% since the 2000 census.

Known for being one of Tampa's premier bedroom community, Brandon has the usual population of strip malls but it also has one of the largest and nicest regional malls in Florida. Quality schools also make Brandon a favorite community for families with children.

There is a wide variety of nerighborhoods - something to suit every taste and lifestyle. New and resale homes are for sale in neighborhoods such as Brentwood Hills, Heather Lakes, Hickory Lakes, Providence Lakes, and Sterling Ranch. Home prices appeal to a wide range of housing needs and lifestyles, and are range from the mid $100's to over $1 Million.

You deserve the best representation available to you on what may be the largest single investment you ever make, whether it is in one of our Brandon neighborhoods or elsewhere in Tampa Bay, Florida.

I invite you to request my free Tampa Florida Information Package or E-Mail Me or call me at (813) 263-6806 at your convenience.

For outstanding Tampa Bay real estate service, you cannot do better than selecting a competent and experienced Tampa Broker like Cheryl Stimac of Red Shoe Realty, Inc.

Consider Wesley Chapel for Your New Home

Many people have moved into Tampa Bay Florida over the past couple decades yearning for the warmer climate and lower cost-of-living offered by Florida. As metropolitan Tampa and Hillsborough County have expanded, more and more people are finding it more convenient and pleasant to live just over the border into Pasco County in the town of Wesley Chapel.

Wesley Chapel's location has helped spur its growth. It is bordered on the south by the city of Tampa, on the east by Zephyrhills, and on the west by Land O'Lakes. To the north are the smaller communities of San Antonio and St. Leo, and Dade City, the county seat. Wesley Chapel's proximity to Interstates 75 and I-275 provides convenient access to other Tampa Bay communities, the Gulf beaches, and the Central Florida/Orlando tourist attractions.

Wesley Chapel has evolved from its early days, when cash crop farming, logging, citrus and cattle ranching were the principal activities. Today, it is a haven for residents who want the benefits of the big city and the bay area without being directly in the center of it. Wesley Chapel has established itself as an extremely desirable place to live, work, shop and play.

With about 45,000 residents today, Wesley Chapel offers a wide range of home choices from custom homes and single family homes to condos and townhomes. Saddlebrook is a stand-out Wesley Chapel community on 480 acres of wildlife, two 18-hole golf courses, tennis and a heated community pool as well as a health club, three restaurants and two bars.

Seven Oaks, Quail Hollow, Lexington Oaks, Meadow Pointe and Chapel Pines are among the many other communities offering homes from the modest single-family homes to executive mansions. Pasco County tax rates are reasonable, offering another incentive for prospective home buyers to settle here rather than within Hillsborough County.

For children, the school system features seven different schools (two private): Saddlebrook Preparatory, Sand Pine Elementary, Wesley Chapel Elementary, Seven Oaks Elementary, Victorious Life Academy, Weightman Middle School, and Wesley Chapel High School.

Right in Wesley Chapel residents have major shopping centers, a multiplex movie theater, and many casual and fine dining establishments. The community even has its own private airport, the Tampa North Flight Center, convenient for those traveling by private plane. The 143-acre District Park is the pride of the community for recreation.

A new hospital has been approved to be built in Wesley Chapel. The 52-acre campus will include office buildings and an 80-bed hospital. Nearby in Tampa, several health-care facilities including the Moffitt Cancer Center, University Community Hospital and the St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital assure that every possible medical need can be addressed locally.

Residents of Wesley Chapel also enjoy professional sports with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (the 2002 World Champions), Tampa Bay Lightning (the 2004 Stanley Cup Winners), and the Tampa Bay Rays (the 2008 American League Champions) all playing in venues just a short drive away. Tampa's Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, Lowry Park Zoo, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa International Airport, and the bustling Channelside and Ybor City areas of Tampa are all within a 30-45 minute ride.

Amid the natural beauty of west-central Florida, Wesley Chapel offers prospective residents both the opportunity to enjoy a more suburban lifestyle yet with easy access to the major-city arts, cultural and sporting venues in Tampa right next door.

The Gasparilla Invasion of Tampa is Imminent

On Saturday, January 30th, the world’s only fully-rigged pirate ship, the Jose Gasparilla, will magically appear at the south end of Hillsborough Bay. A multitude of pleasure crafts, all determined to defend the city, will boldly sail forth to meet the ship. But upon quickly seeing the error of their ways, they will join forces with the Captain and his Krewe’s flotilla. The tall-masted a 165' long Jose Gasparilla pirate ship with cannons booming will then sail across Hillsborough Bay and and attack the defenseless city of Tampa.

The colorful Tampa Bay "Gasparilla Invasion" will have begun.

In this annual re-enactment of Tampa’s historic pirate invasion, the Gasparilla Flotilla, led by the pirate ship Jose Gasparilla will dock at the Tampa Convention Center where the Mayor will surrender the Key to the City of Tampa into the hands of the Captain of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.

Shortly thereafter, the jolly Krewe will launch a victory celebration in the "Parade of the Pirates" down beautiful Bayshore Boulevard. During the lavish parade, the captain and krewes will toss beads, coins and other items from their floats while shooting blank pistols as they proceed along bayshore Boulevard.

Average attendance for the parade event exceeds 400,000, so if you plan to attend go early to find a parking space, or better yet, take advantage of the many alternative ways to get to the event.

A week before the "Invasion" and the main parade, Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla sponsors a family-oriented Children's Parade and "Piratechnic Extravaganza," with fireworks over Tampa Bay..

Shortly after the invasion celebration, a more adults-oriented Sant'Yago Knight Parade is held in the Ybor City district of Tampa running well into the early morning.

The annual Gasparilla celebration is just one of the many high-spirited events that make Tampa Florida amd its suburbs in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties such fun places for families of all ages to live.

Another popular Tampa celebration is "Guavaween," held at the end of October. During the day, the family Fun Fest features live music, food, activities, and a children's costume contest. Other Tampa events include the annual Climb Tampa event, Race for Sight, the Gasparilla Distance Classic Marathon, the Bloom & Garden Festival and the USF Botanical Gardens Spring Plant Festival. There is an also almost constant flow of arts and cultural performances and events, many free to the public.

If you'd like to learn more about why Tampa and Tampa Bay may be just right for your next home, E-Mail Me or call me directly at 813-263-6806.

You Don't Have to be a First-Timer to Take Advantage of the New Home Buyer Tax Credit

The first-time home buyer tax credit, that Realtors have reported jump-started home sales this Summer and Fall, but due to expire at the end of this month, has been extended through April 30, 2010 by Congress and is on its way to President Obama for his promised signature.

The extension expands eligibility for the home buyer tax credit to people with higher incomes as well as to people who have already owned a home for at least the past five years. In either case, the buyer must sign a purchase contract on or before April 30, 2010 and close on the purchase by June 30, 2010. The $8,000 maximum first-time buyer tax credit will continue but will now be available to individuals with incomes up to $125,000 and joint filers with annual incomes up to $225,000. Home buyers with incomes up to $145,000 and couples with incomes up to $245,000 will be eligible for somewhat reduced tax credits.

Under similar income limits, a $6,500 maximum tax credit will be available to people who already own a home and want to move up to a larger home.

Under the new income limits, two-thirds of all American families owning a home today may be eligible to buy a new home. While buyers will not be required to sell their current home to qualify, the tax credit must be used to buy a new "primary residence", not a vacation home or investment property.

To keep speculators out of the program, people who claim the credit but then sell the home or no longer use it as their primary residence within three years will be required to repay the credit. The intent is to exclude from the program speculators who might purchase a home intending to flip it for a fast profit, according to Max Baucus, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

Here's a "heads-up" to those who may have considered buying a first home under the prior program but didn't quite get around to it.

"Contact a Realtor and get started now. You only have until April 30, 2010."

Congressional legislators in both houses have indicated that this costly part of the stimulus program will not be extended a second time. Critics point out that only about one-fourth of the homes purchased under the prior program would not have been bought anyway without the costly tax-credit program. There are also concerns that the previous tax credit program encompassed high numbers of fraudulent transactions. In this version of the program, the Internal Revenue Service has been given much wider authority to oversee the process to root out fraud.

If you are considering buying a first home or moving up to a larger home in the Tampa Bay Florida area I invite you visit my Tampa Real Estate website or for more immediate service, contact me by phone at 813-263-6806. I would be delighted to answer any questions you have.

Tampa September Home Sales Statistics Are Encouraging

The following update on Tampa area real estate sales was recently issued as a news release by the Greater Tampa Association of REALTORS® (GTAR)

"With negative news emanating from virtually every area of the economy, September real estate statistics in Hillsborough County offer encouragement for the local market.

"In statistics released by the Greater Tampa Association of REALTORS® (GTAR) and the Mid-Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service, two important figures, total home sales and inventory of homes on the market, improved in September over the previous month. Sales rose to 1,345 last month, up slightly from the 1,327 sold in August. The number represents the highest monthly sales in the county since June, when 1,394 homes sold.

"The inventory of homes on the market in Hillsborough County dipped to 14.21 months, down from 14.68 months in August, the lowest inventory figure since June of this
year, but more significantly, the second lowest figure since December, 2006, when the
figure stood at 9.04 months.

“Most economists believe our recovery will be slow and steady,” says Carol Austin, CEO of GTAR, “and these latest figures, while not dramatic, reflect that forecast.” Deborah Farmer, President of the REALTOR® association, believes the latest statistics offer more hope for the real estate market in the future. “The fact that inventory levels are down significantly since the beginning of 2008 is a number that should not be overlooked,” she noted. “The January 2008 inventory stood at nearly 26 months. To see that figure at its current level is more than encouraging,” Farmer said."

My belief is in line with these thoughts. The Tampa and Tampa Bay real estate market is beginning to show real signs of life again. The $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit has helped drive this upturn and it seems likely to me that Congress will extend, and may even expand, that program in 2010.

As it starts getting colder up North, it's time to start looking for that primary or seasonal home you've been wanting here in warm, sunny and inviting Tampa Bay Florida. Don't miss out on the current very attrative price levels. Prices will inevitably start moving up again as the economy improves and the inventory of unsold homes on the market contiues to fall.

Are Home Mortgages Really Available Right Now ?

The simple answer to that question is is "yes" but the mortgage you might get today will be way different from the one you might have gotten away with as recently as a year or two ago. There are at least four mortgage sources you might want to consider if you are hoping to buy a home in the Sarasota area while prices are still low.

Before the big "mortgage meltdown," people were able to qualify for a mortgage without even having to prove their actual income, among other things. Today, you'll not only have to be able to document your famly income, but you'll also have to provide information on other assets and liabilities that you have. Mortgage lenders also now want to accurately measure your "debt-to-income ratio", that is, what percentage of you total and take-home pay will be consumed by this mortgage if it is approved. And, there are now few, if any, no-down payment or ridiculously-low down payment loans.

If you meet these qualifications, there is mortgage money available. Mortgage approvals are now based on the more reasonable bases on which mortgages were granted before all the foolishness began a few years ago and the mortgage business eventually crashed and burned when the housing bubble burst. Mortgages being provided today "have to make-sense" in terms of the borrower's ability to repay the loan over time. No longer can you and/or the mortgage provider bet on housing prices going up and up forever so regardless of how silly the situation was at mortgage origination, there would be endless increases in the value of the home
to "bail both the buyer and the mortgage company out the ridiculous mortgage granted." Nonetheless, there are mortgages available today to those who can qualify for them.

FHA-insured mortgages

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) -insured mortgages have been available for decades, focused predominantly on low-to moderate-income families who may not meet
requirements for a conventional loan with a 20% down-payment required. FHA-insured mortgages can require as little as 3.5% down payment with no pre-payment penalty. Credit scores and debt-to-income ratios have been relaxed somewhat to allow more families to buy one of the many homes on the market right now.

Of course, there is always, "good news" and "not so good news" in situations like this. First the "not so good news." With the lower down-payment on an FHA mortgage comes an upfront "mortgage insurance fee" that must be paid at closing plus a monthly mortgage insurance premium (MIP) that essentially adds a half-percentage point to your interest rate.

But the "good news" is that your Realtor, working with the seller and mortgage provider, can structure your loan so that the home seller pays all or nearly all of your closing costs, other than the 3.5% down payment. In the current market environment, many home sellers are willing to participate in this type of arrangement to get their home sold.

FHA-insured mortgages with the lowest interest rates will go only to buyers with a debt-to-income ratio of less 33% or less where your "debt" is the total monthly cost of the home, including principal, interest, property taxes and insurance (PITI) plus any other monthly debt you owe like auto payments, credit card debt, student loans, etc.

Under the stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama last month, more American families will now be eligible to purchase or refinance their homes using affordable FHA-insured mortgages. This act allows increases for the year 2009, in the maximum loan limits for FHA, Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae loans. These
limits are equal to the greater of 125% of the 2008 local area median home price or $271,050 for FHA, and $417,000 for Fannie and Freddie, with an overall maximum cap of $729,750.

Credit Union Loans
While they tend to issue mortgages only to their own members, the credit union you may participate in at work or in your community may also be a source of an attractive mortgage. Most credit unions avoided the mortgage melt-down because they stuck to solidly-based mortgage underwriting principles. As not-for-profit firms, credit unions had no incentive to get involved in the "make a quick buck on closing fees and sell it off the same day" sub-prime mortgage schemes and scams.

Credit union fixed and adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) are often written at lower interest rates than are available at conventional banks.

"Hope for Homeowners" Mortgages
The "Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008" created "Hope For Homeowners" (H4H) program which allows troubled mortgage holders to avoid facing foreclosure by refinancing their existing mortgage into a more affordable, FHA Secure mortgage, provided the federal government participates in any increase in the value of the home over time and the holder of the existing mortgage agrees to go along with the re-financing. This program increases the allowable loan to value ratio (LTV) to 96.5% for some H4H loans and allows lenders to extend mortgage terms from 30 to 40 years further reducing the monthly payment. More information on H4H loan programs is available on the HUD Hope for Homeowners website.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
The ARRA offers assistance to first-time home buyers by providing an $8,000 tax credit for the purchase of a principal residence between January 1, 2009 and December 1, 2009. The tax credit is claimed on your tax return reducing the purchaser's income tax. Two bonus features of this program are:

• The tax credit does not have to be paid back


• If any credit amount is unused, that amount will be refunded as a check to the purchaser.
  

Local and State Programs in Your Own Area
If you are a first-time homebuyer or a low-to-moderate income family, you should investigate whether ther are local or state housing assistance programs that can be helpful. Some programs offer very low-interest loans or even grants to families these agencies want to attract into their communities.  These programs are also sometimes aimed at municipal employees, police officers, firefighters and other first-responders the local area has difficulty recruiting.

So...are mortgages available right now? The answer is definitely "yes. Mortgages are definitely available" and you should contact your Realtor today to see if you can qualify for one of these programs.

I would be delighted to help you find both the right home and the right mortgage for your circumstances. Vist my Tampa Bay Florida real estate website or call me at 813-263-6806.

Tampa Bay Real Estate Market Poised for Recovery

I read a very intriguing article this morning which was written by James A. Crumbaugh III, CEO of Allison James Estates & Homes. I am copying the content of that article here because I believe Mr Crumbaugh is absolutely right in his understanding of WHY the Tampa Bay real estate market is poised to have a much better year in 2009 than 2008 has been.
==================================
RISMEDIA, Dec. 10, 2008- I’m always accused of being overly optimistic about the real estate market. You have to understand that after 35 + years in the business, everything is just a cycle to me and when we go through a cycle like we’ve been going through, then my thoughts become “How long will the cycle last?”

You may have read my previous article titled The Perfect Storm, where I discussed the reasons that I thought this real estate market was poised to turn around. We are seeing the market improve almost on a daily basis recently. Is it the facts that I stated in my article that is causing the turn around? Absolutely that’s part of the turnaround.

However, there is another dynamic at work here. I’ll call it the "Obama Effect." I voted for John McCain, but I’m sensing an optimism starting to build in this country. I will give President Elect Obama credit where credit is due, and I will be the first to admit that at this point he is being very proactive at turning around the financial crisis in this country.

As the optimism improves, and I think it will, from here to the inauguration, and for the honeymoon period following the inauguration, we will continue to see an improvement in the optimism in this country.

With the automotive bailout, real estate is bound to improve in the Michigan area and probably the entire rust belt, therefore improving Florida real estate. The retirees will be able to sell their homes in Michigan and retire to Florida or other states popular among retirees.

The public works project will put hundreds of thousands of workers back to work and at good wages. I still believe we have a pent up demand for the last three years of buyers wanting to buy. Once these buyers are employed again and flush with income, the market will start to improve.

Then you have very low fuel prices that allow the consumer more discretionary income to spend.

Then we have the potential for mortgage rates as low as 4½% .

When you start to take a hard look at where we are poised as an industry, no matter how pessimistic you are, you have got to believe we are in for a return of a good real estate market in Florida, if not an excellent real estate market.

The stars are lining up:

- An improved automotive market
- Low fuel prices
- Workers going back to work
- Good wages
- Low real estate prices
- Low mortgage rates

I’m becoming more optimistic just writing this article. I don’t believe you can argue the facts as I just them pointed out. Things are looking up for the Florida real estate industry..........

James A. Crumbaugh III is CEO of Allison James Estates & Homes.
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If you are a retiree, a real estate investor, or a broker or realtor, better times are coming in 2009 because the bear market in housing is about to turn around and it will turn around soon.

If you are ready to learn why, if you are going to invest in Florida real estate, Tampa Bay Florida is the right place to do it, contact me by E-Mail or complete my Tampa Florida Information Request Form. In a hurry ? Then call me directly at 813-263-6806.

Go "Green" for the Holidays

With our economy faltering and the new awareness of a more eco-friendly approach to living, we're all more focused on being "green" these days - with respect to both our wallets and the environment. The holiday season can be a challenge for both of these interests with gifts to buy and wrap, decorating to do, holiday parties to throw and on and on.

It has been estimated that during every week between Thanksgiving and the New Year, an extra one million tons of waste will be generated in the U.S. alone. It's been estimated that 38,000 miles of Christmas ribbon are tossed away each year - enough to ribbon more than once around the Earth!

Rather than waiting for New Year's Resolution time to bcome more "green," try a few of these eco-conscious tips to help you and your family live, give and save green this holiday season.

Go with the Glow
The holidays just wouldn't be the same without the twinkly glow of strings of lights along rooftops, eaves and in trees and shrubs. But those holiday lights are a real drain on your energy bill. LED lights use less than 10% of the electricity consumed by traditional filament bulbs and can save you close to 95% on your electricity bill.

Stay Home for the Holidays
Save time, money and stress. Stay home for the holidays this year saving money for gas and reducing pollution. use-less-stuff.com reports that if every American family reduced holiday gas consumption by just one gallon, that would mean driving just about 20 miles less, we would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one million tons. So think about enjoying the holidays this year at home.

Get Creative with Wrapping
Mass-produced wrapping paper generally is not recyclable and ends up in landfills. Instead, get creative. Wrap presents in old maps, the comics section of a newspaper, or in your children's artwork. The Sierra Club estimatges that if every family wrapped just three gifts this way, it would save enough wrapping paper to cover 45,000 football fields. And, does that pre-formed bow actually make the present all that much more attractive? Think about leaving those off your presents this year.

Give the Gift of Giving
Upgrading your electronic toys and computers this year? Do you have electronics, toys, appliances or clothes that your family no longer needs or uses? Donate those items to a local charity or shelter. You'll get rid of clutter, and, you'll keep all that stuff you donate from ending up in a landfill. Are you a neat-nik with nothing extra lying around the house? Think about making modest cash donations to local charities or food items to a local food bank and telling the folks you'd normally give some silly (and probably unwanted) gift to, that you've made a donation instead. If you know your friends' favorite charities, your donations may be even more appreciated. You'll be helping to reduce waste and at the same time, you'll be making someone's holiday a little brighter than it might have been.

Save A Shoppng Bag and a Tree
Instead of coming home with 15 shopping bags, all of which will end up in the trash, bring your own eco-friendly bags to the store. If you're afraid of being stopped for shoplifting, Danny Seo, author of "Simply Green Giving," fastens receipts to the outside of his bags with a binder clip he brings with him, clearly indicating that what is indisde was ought and paid for.

For your Christmas tree, go "real." Fake trees are petroleum-based and they are not biodegradable." One answer, depending on where you live, is to buy a live tree and plant it in your yard next Spring. Or get a fresh-cut tree and, after the holidays, take it to a recycling facility, where it can be turned into mulch.

Give Green, Live Green and Save Green
Make this your holiday slogan. These simple steps make it easy to bring a little more "green" to the Earth and save a little "green" in your wallet this holiday season. Have ideas of your own ? Write us a comment with your suggestions.

Happy Holidays to You and Yours

Are You Ready For Hurricane Season ?

Well, It's June 1st and the start of hurricane season not only in Florida but all over the Southeastern coast of the United States.

Are you prepared to protect yourself and your family in case of any serious incident ? It's always better to be safe than sorry. You may want to take a few minutes now and read this Hurricane Readiness Article.

If you are interested in moving your family to the Tampa Florida or Tampa Bay area, or if you need to sell a property anywhere in Hillsborough or Pasco County, Florida, I invite you to visit my Tampa Florida real estate website.

Selling Your Tampa Bay Home Now Might Be A Smart Move

At first it might sound odd, but right now might be the best time to sell your Tampa Bay, Florida home.

Every home has things about it that you wish you could change. You may or may not have noticed these issues when you bought the home but you can't fix them now for various reasons. Maybe the cost would drive your investment in the home beyond what the local neighborhood would support. Or, maybe your home cannot be changed to suit your current needs and desires because of its physical structure, the lot size, it's locale, or changes in youe own personal circumstances. Maybe it was near a great school when you bought it, but now the kids are grown and that school nearby is just a source of noise and traffic congestion. Realtors call these home problems, it's "unchangeables."

"But why is right now a good time to sell when prices have dropped as much as 20%," you ask. Here's why. While the price you can get for your current home may be down, so is the price of a home that doesn't have it's drawbacks, or "unchangeables." With recent home price declines and interest rates at historically low levels, NOW may be the right time to step up to the home you originally wanted but just couldn't afford.

Let's take an example. Supposing you bought your home three or four years ago for $300,000, but it has lost 20% of its value and can now be sold for closer to $240.000 -- down $60,000. But, the home you originally wanted that sold then for $425,000 is now down by that same 20% to $340,000, a drop of $85,000, almost one and a half times the reduction your own current home took.

And with so many homes currently on the market, if the seller of that $425,000 home that's now worth only $340,000 needs to sell, it is very possible that, with the help of an aggressive Realtor, you can negotiate that price down even lower. Chances are that if you could afford the home you paid $300,000 for 3 or 4 years ago, you can probably afford the home you always wanted if you buy it now that prices are so depressed.

As a bonus, when home prices start to rebound, you'll not only have the nicer home, but that new home's price will rise even faster than your old one with those troublesome "unchangeables."

For help in finding the right Tampa Bay Florida home for you and your family, visit Cheryl Stimac's Tampa Florida Real Estate website. For more immediate help, call Cheryl at Red Shoe Realty, LLC on her cell phone at 813-263-6806 or E-Mail her today. You'll be glad you did.

New Hillsborough County Tax Exemption Calculator

The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s website has a great tool that homeowner’s can use to gauge the benefits (or lack thereof) of the so-called Super Exemption that will be on the ballot come next January.

Should the Super Exemption get the required 60% of the voter’s approval, which is iffy at best at this point, homeowners will have the option to stick with their current "Save Our Homes" exemption, or accept the new "Super Exemption" instead.

The current Save Our Homes program reduces the taxable assessment of your residence by $25,000 and adds a 3% cap on annual assessment increases. The Super Exemption has a much larger exemption off of the assessed value, (75% on the first $200k of assessed value plus 15% on the remaining assessed value.) But it's annual cap will be tied tied to personal income growth which averages about 4% per year in Florida.

So, assuming the "Super Exemption" gets the required 60% or more approval in the January, 2008 voting, which option should you choose ? Confusing isn't it.

The Hillsborough County Appraiser's Office has developed a tool to help Florida residents make the decision. To use that calculator, go to http://www.hcpafl.org/www/search/index.shtml . Input your last name to access your property record, then click on "Super Exemption Calculator".

These exemptions apply only to a Florida resident's primary residence, not to a second home, or investment or commercial property. Remember, also, that if you give up your "Save Our Homes" tax benefit for the "Super Exemption" when the time comes, you will not be allowed to change your mind later on.


For more information on this or any Tampa Bay real estate topic, feel free to call me at 813-263-6806 or visit my website at http://www.tampafloridahomes.net/

Selling Tampa Real Estate More Quickly

There are really 3 main factors that affect Tampa Bay real estate selling time:
- price
- condition
- terms

Price is the single biggest factor. If the condition of your property is equal to others for sale in your neighborhood, and you're offering comparable terms, it will sell in about the average amount of time your Realtor can suggest. If you want or need it sell it more quickly, you may want to adjust your price down slightly to present "a better value" to prospective buyers.

Terms offered are another factor which can be used to attract buyers. You may offer to pay a portion of the buyer's closing costs, therby reducing the amount of cash a buyer needs and that will attract more first-time buyers. Consider including some major appliances if they are in excellent condition. Again, you'll be assisting first-time buyers. As your Realtor, I can also suggest other "terms" which will attract buyers in your locale or even a whole new group of potential buyers.

Condition of your home alone can prompt a faster buying decision by an anxious buyer, fearing that your home will be "snapped up" because it is so desirable. Consider investing in attractive, popular upgrades and cosmetic improvements. Start with your home's "curb appeal" - fresh paint, a flawless roof and landscaping. Inside, the biggest payoffs are in the kitchen and baths. Think about replacing "tired looking" appliances, faucets, countertops and flooring. Make your tubs and showers sparkle. Here again, I can tell you which improvements offer the best payback.

While Price, Condition and Terms aren't the only factors, they are surely among the most important. Vist my website or call me for advice if a quicker than average sale is your goal

Welcome to Our Tampa Real Estate Blog

Welcome to my blog. I encourage your participation so that this may become a useful communications tool. If you are interested in buying or selling residential or investment real estate property in Hillsborough or Pasco County Florida, I invite you to join in the conversation and to visit our website at tampafloridahomes.net or redshoerealty.com where you'll find lots of useful information about the Tampa Bay locale, its amenities, its communities and its real estate market.