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Featured Property: 1200 1st Street N July 20, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Today we’d like to feature a gem among homes for sale in St. Pete.  This adorable 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath home located at 1200 1st Street N offers 1,140 square feet of living space and a whole lot of character in a gorgeous historic neighborhood.  We asked St. Petersburg realtors Connie Lancaster & Cynthia Serra to sit down with us and spill some more details.

Q. Cynthia, what distinctive features set this home apart?

A. This home is fabulous for entertaining and in fact has been on several Historic Old NE Home tours.  The landscaping is absolutely beautiful and has been featured on the garden tour.

Q. Can you describe the architectural style of the home?

A. This home is a quintessential example Bungalow!   As with  bungalow style this home includes a pergola that eases the transition between the building and the out-of-doors. The bungalow interior design, both in plan and detail, is forthright, direct and functional.  The beautiful front door opens directly into the living room featuring a fireplace, which in turn is connected to the dining areas and then to the kitchen.

Q. Connie, can you tell us about the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A. This home is nestled in the heart of the much sought after Historic Old Northeast of St Petersburg.  Much of Old Northeast was built up between the 1920′s up to the 1950′s with quality in mind. Most of the homes are situated along red brick roads with ample use of 20′s influences. You will notice special octagon “pavers” used to build some of the older sidewalks, Spanish moss hanging from the mature trees, and an assortment of proud home owners flying college and neighborhood flags.  Old Northeast St. Petersburg is situated along side Tampa Bay and the lovely Coffee Pot Bayou. Parks and sidewalks line the water front property as well as amenities such as dog walks, tennis courts, and public swimming pools. Many owners in the area enjoy an active lifestyle and the many activities of the active Historic Old NE Association like porch parties, Halloween like nowhere else, Christmas tours, Garden tours, and much more. It is just a quick walk or bike ride from Old Northeast to downtown markets, pubs, awesome world renown museums, great restaurants, and public events.

Q. Have there been any recent renovations or upgrades?

A. In 2004 the current owner rescued this fabulous home and brought it back to life and created an awesome “new-old” home. Along with a new roof, new electric, and a new central HVAC, the home was gutted and a new kitchen and bath renovation was done, as well as  powder bath and inside utility additions.  The floor plan was opened up and it created a wonderful space for day to day living and  entertaining.  Separate guest quarters were added across the paved lit courtyard that features a hot tub and a water feature.

To view more details on this great home for sale in Old Northeast, view the property’s website.

About Connie:

With vast knowledge of the real estate business, Connie Lancaster is invaluable in her role as a St. Petersburg realtor.  Originally from the Carolinas, she is now a resident of Historic Old Northeast.

About Cynthia:

Cynthia’s love affair with the business started after purchasing and restoring her first home to its original condition.  As a long time resident, she has developed expertise in the market and is a wonderful asset to buyers and sellers in her role as a St. Pete realtor.

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Understanding The Federal Tax Credit March 11, 2010
By Smith & Associates
 

Government programs can be a little tricky to grasp at first. Sometimes our suspicions rise because programs read like an auctioneer spouting random fine print.  Since we often get leery about the vague subject matter we may choose not to pluck the proverbial fruits of a given program. This article is meant to dispel any illusions about the Federal Tax Credit. It’s actually quite a simple program once you know who can receive the benefits.

St Pete Beach home

There are two forms of the Federal Tax Credit: the $8k and $6.5k.  We’ll use some sample scenarios involving a St Pete Beach home to help illustrate.

The first option:

Let’s start with the $8k option. This is a tax credit for FIRST-TIME BUYERS ONLY. However, the way the IRS defines “first-time buyers” is this: “a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.” This means that if you have owned before, but not in the last three years, you are again a first-time buyer. The credit amount is 10% of the total cost of the home, up to $8,000, and it only applies to homes that are less than $800k. This offer began January 1st, 2009 and will expire April 30th, 2010.

For example - A sample of the simplest scenario.  You’ve been renting for years and have finally decided to take the plunge – now is the time to buy!  You’ve found a fantastic St Pete Beach home in the form of a condo on Gulf Boulevard.  Your offer has been accepted and you’re under contract to close on April 5th for $249,000.  You qualify!

Another example – You owned your St Pete Beach home until 2005, when it was sold due to your relocation.  Upon relocating, you rented for a few years instead of purchasing.  Now back in the area, you’ve found a great opportunity to purchase a waterfront property in Yacht Club Estates.  The contract has been finalized and you’re closing on April 19th at $699,000.  You qualify!

The second option:

The other form of Federal Tax Credit is the $6.5k. This credit applies to those who currently own a home, and have lived in that home as a primary residence for at least 5 of the last 8 years. Like the $8k form of credit, it also only applies to houses which cost less than $800k, and is calculated as being 10% of that total cost. The only difference is the ceiling on this policy is $6,500. This offer began November 6th, 2009, and will expire April 20th, 2010.

For example - You purchased your St Pete beach home in 2001.  It was your primary residence from 2001 to 2004, when you purchased another property in Old Northeast which then became your primary residence.  Ownership of the residence in St Pete Beach was maintained while it was rented for a few years.  In 2006, you moved back into the beach home as your primary residence.  You’ve now found a fantastic new opportunity to purchase the home of your dreams on Snell Isle which you have under contract to close on April 12th at $725,00.  Despite the fact that you currently own a home, you still qualify!

In order to claim this credit, make sure you do so when filing your income tax returns. Both the $8k and $6.5k versions of the credit require IRS Form 5405, which will aid in determining the amount of tax credit to be received. In order to be eligible the property must close before July 1st.