Forbes rates Tampa Bay Third Best Area to retire to.

http://tinyurl.com/yh9tlte (for full article)

Third-ranked Tampa-St. Pete also offers double-digit projected growth in both median price and employment. With a median monthly living cost of $975, 10th best among the country’s 40 largest metros and a current median home price of $133,000, Tampa is also very affordable.

2010 Census Cautions

2010 Census Cautions
   by Susan Johnson – August 3, 2009 12:07 pm
Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers
  With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data. The big question is – how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice: ** If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home. ** Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census. While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations. Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home.  However, they will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau. For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org. ________________________________________

HVCC – An Explanation

The attached is a link to an article by appraiser Frank Gregoire – http://tinyurl.com/lt6ycg - which is the most accurate explanation that I have seen.  He has given the background along with suggestions in dealing with the issue of appraisals and mortgages.  Instead of helping to move inventory, it has effectively slowed down the time from contract to closing by approximately an additional 30 days.

I don’t want an appraiser and/or firm from a distant area appraising the properties in my location - South Hillsborough County.  What can they possibly know about the valuations in this area other than what they read on a profile sheet of the property and will they do the homework necessary to understand the HOA requirements which differ from subdivision to subdivision plus the intricacies of 55+ communities. 

It just won’t happen – the appraisal will most likely harm both the buyer and the seller and the seller stands to lose a sale and the buyer will be unable to purchase the home of their choosing.

At this rate, the housing market will take even longer to recover and the real estate industry will lose even more licensees because they can’t earn a living.

Why Live in Tampa Bay … Business Climate

“The Tampa Bay area is devoted to helping you grow your business.  The Tampa Bay Partnership, a seven-county oganization that brings business, political and community leaders together, was created to spark regional economic development and smooth the way.  Does it work?  The Partnership has been named one of the top 10 Economic Development Organizations in the South.”

The Climate is Right For Business in Tampa Bay!

Need real estate information?  Contact Lynn Mooney, Broker, SouthShore Homes & Properties
Lynn@LynnMooney.com

No Pets – Condos – Sun City Center, FL

  While searching the MLS for condominiums in Sun City Center ($0 to $100,000, 2 Bedrooms and 2 Baths) that permit pets, I found the following
109 Listings Displayed with the majority being in the Kings Point Subdivision.  However, only 33 permitted pets (according to the listing agent) and of the 33, 4 are short sales, 2 have right of first refusal contracts on them and 2 need major mold remediation, plus 6 more are “handy man” specials.
  When a client needs a home (paying cash and in 30 days and pet friendly), there really isn’t a lot of inventory available.

Tampa Bay – New Listing – Riverview Executive Home

Upgraded executive home that shows like a model-low maintenance. 2,877 sq. ft. Year Built – 2004. 4 Bedrooms. 2.5 Baths. 2 Car Garage. Inground Sports Pool. Pre-wired for surround sound and security system. Rounded corners. Custom paint. 18″ Porcelain Tile and Berber Carpet flooring. Window Treatments-Verticals and Cherry Wood Blinds. 42″ Cherry cabinets. 7 Smoke Detectors. Natural Bamboo Wall covering-downstairs. Natural Seagrass wall covering-upstairs. Washer-Dryer Hook-ups. Plumbed for water softener and solar for pool. Double paned windows. 13 SEER A/C. 10′ ceilings. Upgraded Black appliances include Dishwasher, Microwave, Stove, Refrigerator. Upgraded kitchen sink and faucets. Island workstation. Upgraded mirrors in bathrooms. 4 Paddle fans. Special order lighting fixtures. St. Augustine Grass. Irrigation System. Maintenance Free Fence. Pool deck has pavers as well as additional walk. Custom landscaping with stone concrete curbing. Pool has salt generator for low maintenance. Insulated cover panel for portion of screened pool. Gutters over entry. Sports pool with Volley Ball pre drilled holes with 2″ sheer descent waterfall. Living Room 22×18. Kitchen 15×12. Breakfast Bar. Closet Pantry. Master Bedroom 24×13. Master Bath has double sinks plus garden tub and separate shower. 2nd Bedroom 14×11. 3rd Bedroom 13×11. 4th Bedroom 11×10. Dining Room 17×14. Central Heat and Air. HOA Fee – $148.00 Quarterly, Cable and Ground Mantenance. Pets Permitted. 3% Seller contribution toward closing costs. Shown by Appointment Only. Call Lynn Mooney, Broker, SouthShore Homes & Properties. 813.641.2204 or 813.918.0380. Boyette Creek Boulevard at Boyette Creek   google map   yahoo map.  Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

           

             

Virtual Tour ~ http://www.guruhomevisions.com/main/virtual-tour.aspx?property=6379

FREE Online Loan Calculators – for real estate, mortgage, auto

  Compare the following in your zip code – Mortgage, Home Equity, Auto and CDs & Investments. 

  Calculators – Refinance, Mortgage payment, Auto Loan, Certificates of Deposit, FICO score estimator plus more.  Don’t overlook  news, tips and advice to compare mortgage rates, home equity loans, CDs, car loans, credit cards and money market accounts. 

  Other information tabs include Retirement, Credit Cards, Checking & Savings, College Finance, Taxes and Insurance. 

  All FREE at http://www.bankrate.com. 

  Ready for information on relocating to the Tampa Bay area, call Lynn Mooney, Broker, SouthShore Homes & Properties, 813-641-2204. 
E-mail: Lynn@LynnMooney.com.

Florida Condo Sellers – Must provide prospective buyers a Governance disclosure.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, condo sellers (who are not developers) must provide prospective buyers a disclosure from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) which details the rights and responsibilities of condominium boards and unit owners, voting rights, meeting notices and other governance matters. This disclosure is known as the Condominium Governance Form.  The acutal disclosure is contained in a SEPARATE form that must be provided by the seller. Please note:  this is a five page disclosure form. Page one appears to be a title page but actually contains mandatory disclosure language that sellers must provide. 

Blind Ads – A Message from Florida DBPR re Craigslist

The following text was taken directly from a message from a Supervisor at the Florida DBPR, please take note:

 

“We have gotten numerous (over 80) complaints recently concerning blind ads under Craigslist. These ads typically will say something like “Call Jim or call Flo”, etc. After going through all these ads, we found two that were unlicensed activity.  All the rest were placed by Current, Active Brokers or Sales Associates. These ads do not identify the Florida Real Estate Company, Brokerage Office and/or the last name of the licensee as required by 61J2 10.025 (1) and (2).”

 

Bottom Line is that all Florida real estate postings on Craig’s list and all Florida real estate advertisements must contain the identity of the Real Estate Company, Brokerage Office and/or the last name of the licensee.