Tampa Homes For Sale « Smith and Associates Blog

Featured Property: 5121 S Nichol Street May 5, 2011
By Alexis Bentivegna

Today’s featured home is located at 5121 S Nichol Street. Situated in one of South Tampa‘s most desirable neighborhoods, this 3 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom townhome is absolutely filled with elegance! Tampa Realtor Lesley Dobbins took a few minutes to boast more about this incredible property.

Q: What distinctive features set this home apart?

A: This lovely red brick Georgian style townhome is located in a small complex a block from the bay nestled between moss-draped old oaks and winding brick streets. Enjoy the privacy of a park-like setting while only minutes from Tampa‘s downtown area.

Q: Have there been any recent renovations or upgrades?

A: Recent renovations include gleaming hardwood floors, custom built-ins, crown mouldings and his and her master suite baths. Unbelievable storage, an elevator and whole house generator are the final components for worry-free living.

Q: What are the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A: South Tampa‘s spectacular Bayshore Boulevard is only a moment away from this property. Enjoy the scenic seven mile stretch of waterfront while walking, running or biking.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about the home?

A: Many of the residents have pets and the townhome’s location is perfect for taking them outdoors. Fido will look forward to his trip to the nearby park!

With the unbelievable renovations and fabulous location, this Tampa home for sale is an incredible value! Call Lesley Dobbins today to schedule a tour of 5121 S Nichol Street, Tampa, FL 33611.

About Lesley:

Adding value in important situations such as your home move is a one line summary of Tampa realtor Lesley Dobbins’ professional career. A fourth generation Floridian, Lesley knows the Tampa area like few others. Her real estate experience bridges from complex family rural land transactions to South Tampa condos.

Comments (0)

Featured Property: 16401 Dunlindale Drive April 27, 2011
By Alexis Bentivegna

Today’s featured home is located at 16401 Dunlindale Drive. This spectacular 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom residence is located in the exclusive gated Dunlinwood section of FishHawk Ranch. Tampa realtor Charlene Cobelo took a few moments to share some more details on this outstanding property.

Q: What distinctive features set this home apart?

A: This is a custom-built John C Fowke home, distinctive of other homes in Dunlinwood. It features “gas coach lanterns” at the entryway, along with solid wood and iron 8 foot arched doors, Mosaic accents throughout the home and upgrades even the most discriminating buyer would find impressive.

Q: What are the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A: FishHawk Ranch features incredible amenities from an Aquatic Center with lagoon-style waterfalls and 32′ waterslide, Park Square Center with outdoor concerts in the park, wine cellar and bistro, spa and access to some of the top ranked schools not only in Hillsborough County, but in the state of Florida.

Q: Have there been any recent renovations or upgrades?

A: The new summer kitchen that the owner recently built features stacked stone, granite, and tumbled marble accents. The summer kitchen is conveniently housed in the completely covered “outdoor living room” section of the lanai, overlooking the pool and spa area.

Q: What makes the price of this home so great?

A: Dunlinwood offers homes well into the $1 million dollar plus price range. This home in particular is the most competitively priced residence in Dunlinwood.

Wow! Between the unbelievable community amenities, the location and the price, 16401 Dunlindale Drive, Lithia, FL 33547 is a sensational property! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to view this spectacular home and schedule a private tour with Charlene today.

About Charlene:

Originally from Long Island, Tampa Realtor, Charlene Cobelo was raised the daughter of a real estate broker. Specializing in the Lithia, Brandon, Valrico area, Charlene has built valuable relationships with local builders and has been recognized for outstanding sales in the FishHawk community.

Comments (0)

Featured Property: 10114 Kingsbridge Avenue April 15, 2011
By Alexis Bentivegna

Today’s featured home, 10114 Kingsbridge Avenue, is located in the highly sought after Fords neighborhood of Westchase. This well-maintained 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom pool home looks and feels brand new! Tampa Realtor Amanda Siftar sat down to explain a little more about this home:

Q: What distinctive features set this home apart?

A: This Tampa home for sale was designed for entertaining family and friends. It features 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, a heated saltwater pool with spa and waterfall, patio and covered lanai. The family room offers vaulted ceilings and opens into the kitchen and pool area. The kitchen boasts granite countertops, white cabinetry, and center island with breakfast bar.

Q: What are the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A: Located in the Fords neighborhood in Westchase, this area is so popular because it is located within walking distance of Westchase Elementary and Davidsen Middle School. It is also one of the few Westchase neighborhoods that are close enough to walk to The West Park Village Town Center which offers retail shops, village markets, restaurants, bars, professional offices, salons, dry cleaners, coffee shops and gyms. If you have children’s or pets, or enjoy exercising Baybridge Park also just a steps away from this home.

Q: Does the community have any amenities we should know about?

A: Westchase is known for their great A-rated school system and tons of community events. There are many daycares and preschools within walking distance of the neighborhoods. Westchase encompasses over 2000 acres and offers a distinct urban feel in a suburban area. There are two Swim & Tennis Centers, two playgrounds, sport fields and picnic pavilions, plus the Town Centers. Westchase offers an award winning, 18-hole public golf course.

Q: What makes the price of this home so great?

A: This is one of the best priced pool homes in the Fords. This home also has the option for the buyer to assume the mortgage, which could be a fantastic option for a buyer putting less than 20% down. The buyer closing costs to assume this loan are estimated at $1,800 which would save the buyer thousands on a traditional mortgage today. The rate is fixed at 5% for the life of the loan.

With the incredible location and unbeatable price, this Tampa home for sale is a fantastic steal! Call Amanda Siftar today to schedule a tour of 10114 Kingsbridge Avenue, Tampa, FL 33626.

About Amanda:

Having closed over $27 million in real estate, Tampa realtor Amanda Siftar successfully applied over 10 years of extensive marketing and sales experience to assist buyers and sellers with their residential real estate needs. Amanda is committed in providing her clients’ satisfaction above all else. Her ability to organize and attention to detail allows her clients to be aware of all stages of the process from negotiation to closing.

Comments (0)

Featured Property: 3435 Bayshore Boulevard #501S April 6, 2011
By Alexis Bentivegna

Today’s featured home for sale in Tampa is a lovely unit in The Bayshore Regency. 3435 Bayshore Boulevard #501S is an elegant 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath condominium with gorgeous open bay panoramic views that will take your breath away! Tampa Realtor Robert Keppel stopped by for a few minutes to tell us a little more about this South Tampa residence:

Q: What distinctive features set this home apart?

A: This particular Bayshore Regency unit is 2,442 square feet featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 ½ baths, with beautiful marble flooring extending through the entry, great room, dining room, and kitchen. The living room features an attractive fireplace and mantle along with a striking full wet bar offering extensive seating and amenities for delightful entertaining!

Q: What are the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A: The Bayshore Regency offers adjacency to: Bayshore Boulevard, nearby shopping along MacDill Avenue and Bay to Bay Boulevard, and the very close proximity to “one-of-a-kind” South Tampa restaurants such as: Pane Rustica, Café Paradisio, Mad Dogs and Englishmen, The Brunchery, Pinky’s Café, Biblo’s, and many others.

Q: Does the community have any amenities we should know about?

A: This high rise community offers a spectacular pool and spa, fully equipped fitness center, 24 hour security and covered parking, guest suites, and a recently resurfaced tennis court. The magnificent grand lobby entrance offers an extensive library area and meeting areas designed to impress a demanding guest.

Q: What amazing views will the new homeowner be able to enjoy?

A: As a “South” unit it offers vast open bay panoramic views extending from downtown Tampa across the open Bay to the Ballast Point Pier which can be viewed from 4 separate personal balconies. Homeowners can view the cruise ships coming and going daily, the Davis Island Yacht Club sailboat races on Thursday nights, or see the magnificent night views of the soaring high rises in downtown Tampa.

Sounds like 3435 Bayshore Boulevard #501S, Tampa, FL 33629 is quite a gem! Contact Robert Keppel for a personal tour of this exceptional property before it is off the market!

About Robert:

From his constant attention to details to his strong desire to provide the highest level of customer satisfaction, Tampa Realtor Robert Keppel brings a confident approach to helping customers achieve their dreams. Robert has consistently achieved multimillion dollar production by maintaining a high degree of integrity, extensive knowledge of local market trends and opportunities, and a talent for turning a “real estate customer” into a lifelong friend!

Comments (0)

Spring Cleaning Tips March 31, 2011
By Alexis Bentivegna

It’s that time of year again to break out of the winter blues and into the colors of spring! Spring cleaning is more than just dusting and planting flowers. You can use this time to de-clutter and organize your home, especially if you are in the market to sell it. At Smith and Associates Real Estate, we have collected several spring cleaning tips from our agents and clients to help make this an easy process!

BG Holmberg is a veteran Tampa real estate agent who recently sold a home to the first buyer that viewed his listing. Some of his spring cleaning tips that helped sell the Tampa home included painting the pool deck, pressure washing the wood fence and removing overgrown flower beds and replacing it with sod.

St. Pete real estate agent Tia Hockensmith knows the importance of making your outdoor living space just as inviting as your indoor living space. Fill up container planters with vibrant annuals and freshen flower beds with new mulch. Make a great first impression with a great front porch by replacing your tired welcome mat and consider a new color for your front door. You might even enjoy your own homecoming each day!

Spring cleaning on the inside of a home needs the same amount of detail as the outside. When selling Tampa real estate, one of our associates, Carrie Smith, suggests getting the boxes and items stored in the garage off the floor and onto shelves inside storage containers. For a small investment, it can add a great deal of appeal to potential buyers, especially those who used to have basements. Closets systems can also add a great deal of appeal to buyers.

Laura Blackwell had the owners of her listing at 948 Lake Placido Court organize their walk-in pantry. Both the owners and Laura feel that this made a big difference. Not only did they get rid of food items that were expired but they found many duplicate items. It now showcases the size of the walk-in pantry and appeals to buyers that are looking for storage space in the kitchen.

Isabel Caruso, who has been selling St. Pete real estate for many years, offers a great household cleaning tip for owners thinking about selling their home. A solution of 3 cups water, 1 cup vodka and 25-30 drops of eucalyptus oil will help rid your home of dust mites. Lightly mist the areas and let it air dry. If you have scuffs on walls or doors, water marks, hard water stains, try the sponge product called Magic Erasers. They are very effective and can save you a lot of time and effort on cleaning.

Last, if you have a busy work and family life and don’t have the time to clean, hire a cleaning service. Let them do the heavy spring cleaning chores like moving furniture and cleaning all windows inside and out. This might help kick start your spring cleaning and motivate you to take care of other chores. A clean, de-cluttered home will you’re your home for sale a lot more attractive to prospective buyers!

Comments (0)

Featured Property: 4212 W Leona Street March 28, 2011
By Alexis Bentivegna

Today’s featured home for sale in Tampa is quite the charmer! Located on a cozy family street, 4212 W Leona S treet is a completely renovated 3 bedroom, 2 bath single-story home with upgrades galore. Tampa Realtor Barbara “B” Armstrong took some time to tell us a little more about this South Tampa home:

Q: What distinctive features set this home apart?

A: This Tam pa home for sale boasts a wonderful single story split bedroom floor plan with a gorgeous new kitchen centrally located for entertaining. It enjoys all new landscaping both front and back, plus an oversized fenced brick patio surrounded by lush low maintenance plantings.

Q: What are the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A: Located in highly desirable South Tampa, this home enjoys well rated schools including Plant High School, and is in a very active neighborhood with a wonderful cross section of ages from young families to retirees. The location is a short distance to all conveniences needed: i.e. grocery stores, pharmacies, eateries, parks, bridge access to the beaches and general shopping.

Q: Have there been any recent renovations or upgrades?

A: The home touts all new flooring from cherry hardwoods in the formal living room/dining room and master bedroom, to handsome 12’” brick colored terra-cotta type tile throughout the traffic areas, kitchen and family room. Beautiful neutral limestone tile graces the all new master bath, in addition to a beautiful marble double sink vanity and a hi-tech glassed in shower appointed by brushed pewter fixtures.

Q: What makes the price of this home so great?

A: Based on almost everything in the home being new in the past 6 years, including lighting, state of the art remote fans, amazing storage system and rubber puzzle flooring in the oversized one-car garage, new crown molding throughout most rooms, lovely sized living spaces and bedrooms all connected by a wonderful hall system, the new owner has little left to do to enjoy a home that looks and feels brand new. Seller is offering a home buyers warranty with acceptable offer.

4212 W Leona Street, Tampa, FL 33629 is surely not going to last long on the market! Do not hesitate to contact B for a personal tour of this home.

About B:

Previously a primary school teacher, Tampa Realtor, B Armstrong has always had an intense interest in representing people as they seek to find their living quarters. B’s roots are embedded in the bluegrass area of Kentucky, where genuine interest in human-kind is a way of life. B is heavily involved with several community organizations including The Junior League of Tampa.

Comments (0)

Still Standing March 8, 2011
By Alexis Bentivegna

If you know anyone who was in the real estate business five years ago, chances are they may be doing something different today. The wave of folks with little experience and lots of high hopes for turning a quick profit in real estate has come and gone. Not the case when it comes to two Tampa real estate developers and their real estate agent wives. This team is here to stay.

Both Brooks Byrd and Greg Minder have done their part to change the landscape of urban living in Tampa Bay real estate. Byrd completed the 20 story condo The Grand View on Harbour Island, Mangrove Cay, a condo tower along the Gandy corridor, as well as several other town home and condo projects across Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.

Minder’s group, InTown Group, brought downtown Tampa living to reality with the development of three successful condominium projects, Skypoint and Element in downtown Tampa and The Meridian in Channelside.

So when the condo boom came to a screeching halt, both vertical developers stuck it out and took a long hard look at the market place. These days they each are continuing to work in different aspects of real estate with ongoing projects in medical development, retail office space and apartment housing. And now they’re adding another notch to their real estate resume – the single family home market. A two story home under construction in Sunset Park, the first of what they say will be many, is concrete proof that these real estate professionals are putting their money where their heart is.

But not only are the husbands investing their skills in the Tampa Bay real estate market; their wives are backing them up. Tampa Realtors Leslie Minder and Mary Beth Byrd are longtime friends and now real estate partners with Smith & Associates Real Estate. Their sign is the one hanging in the front of their husbands’ newest venture. Both real estate agents say they believe in the longevity of an investment in real estate, and their clients do too. Their positive attitude about the turnaround happening in the local real estate market is infectious.

When it comes to gambling, this dual set of partners may claim to be risk adverse…but there’s no doubt… they’re still doubling down on real estate and they’re betting on Tampa!

Comments (0)

Featured Property: 3418 W. Tacon Street February 3, 2011
By Stephanie Streeter

Today we’re featuring a wonderful Tampa home for sale located at 3418 W. Tacon Street. This 5 bedroom, 4 bath home still under construction is almost complete and ready for its new owners! B-G Holmberg stopped by for a few minutes to tell us a little more about this fantastic opportunity to purchase a new construction home in South Tampa.

Q. What distinctive features set this home apart?

A. This Tampa home for sale was built on a spacious home site (75x 100 feet), with space for a family with kids – inside as well as outside. There are four great bedrooms upstairs and a full bedroom suite on first level that can accommodate a second generation or guests.

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

A. This home features very clean lines and an open layout between the kitchen and family room.

Q. What are the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A. Located in the heart of South Tampa, with easy access to Bayshore, SoHo, shopping and entertainment. Close to Roosevelt Elementary, and within Plant High School district as well.

Q. Have there been any recent renovations or upgrades?

A. The home is brand new and ready for its new owners in March of 2011!

Q. Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about the home?

A. This is the 7th home built by M. RYAN HOMES in South Tampa in the last 12 months. Five are already sold to very happy customers!

Working as a Tampa realtor allows B-G to know a great opportunity when he sees one, and this is it! Contact us for a showing on 3418 W. Tacon Street Tampa FL 33629 today!

About B-G:

B-G has been a successful Tampa realtor since 1997, and his co-workers at Smith & Associates awarded him the 2010 Mary Smith Conover Award for outstanding service and dedication.

Comments (0)

Moving Real Estate January 28, 2011
By Robert Glaser

As 2010 has now come to a close, Smith & Associates Real Estate can report that our sales volume increased 40% over 2009 with a 36% increase in residential units sold. This stacked up to $483,000,000 in closed volume. These impressive figures are the results of a team of dedicated professionals who exceed company goals and outperform the competition in the market share areas that the company dominates. The luxury market, a specialty of Smith & Associates Real Estate, has also seen a 40% increase with 38 homes selling above $1,000,000 in 2010. In addition, the company was fortunate to participate in the highest sale in Pinellas County at $8,000,000.

Through its participation in a staggering amount of transactions involving South Tampa homes for sale, our brokerage and its team of 150 agents has gathered historically high market shares. An analysis of South Tampa homes for sale which closed in 2010 shows a 40% plus market share in the $400,000 price range and above, reaching a 50% share over $1,000,000. In all of Hillsborough County, Smith & Associates Real Estate has a 20% market share in properties over $400,000, which rises to 40% at the $2,000,000 price level. This growth is attributed to our expertise in the luxury real estate market.

Our office at Beach Drive serves the metro St. Petersburg real estate markets in Pinellas County, where our market share is 45% at the $500,000 price range and increases up to the record high of 87% in other price ranges. The company acknowledges that all this momentum is attributed to the activities of an experienced real estate team, who work diligently in educating all parties in the changing economy to facilitate accurate and timely decisions. Because of their hard work Smith & Associates Real Estate closed 1,166 residential units in 2010 with an average sales price of $429,000, selling in some cases 35% of our own listings due to the approach of our associates. Agents meet weekly to preview and discuss recent listings and then “caravan” together to personally view them.

At the company’s annual meeting the associates with the help of national expert Steve Harney, we discussed the “Big Picture” of the current economic situation. The information discussed will be used to translate to the individual sub-markets that the associates serve. We do not expect the market to be any less challenging for our sellers to determine timing and price, as it is for the buyers. Smith & Associates Real Estate has identified sub-markets throughout Tampa Bay, as well as trends in sales and pricing. An individual can view these current market statistics by zip code by visiting SmithAndAssociates.com to assist them in their 2011 decisions regarding real estate.

Marking our 41st year of expertise in the Bay area real estate industry, Smith & Associates Real Estate will be opening a new office in Belleair. The new office location is planned to open in February 2011, and those agents will assist clients not only with the sale and purchase of Belleair real estate, but also in the areas of Dunedin, Clearwater, and the North Beaches.

We are grateful for the 150 agents, at Smith & Associates Real Estate for their level of performance, cooperation and camaraderie that results in this success. But more importantly, we are grateful for their dedication to their customers and communities, and to seeing to the real estate recovery in their own neighborhoods!

Comments (0)

Featured Property: 3917 Snapper Pointe Drive January 19, 2011
By Stephanie Streeter

Today’s featured property is proudly offered by Tampa realtor Jeffrie van Loveren. Located in the private, gated community of Bridgeview Estates, 3917 Snapper Pointe Drive is a 4 bedroom, 5.5 bath home with almost 4,500 square feet of well-appointed living area. We asked Jeffrie to share with us some of the special features that make this south Tampa gem such an exceptional value.

Q. What makes this home such a great value?

A. The owners of 3917 Snapper Pointe Drive recently secured a professional appraisal that confirms this Tampa home for sale is now priced $50,000 below its estimated market value! With waterfront access and open bay view, this south Tampa property is an amazing value for such a spacious, custom-built home.

Q. What are the advantages of the location and the neighborhood?

A. Snapper Pointe is a private drive connecting a small collection of custom homes in the enclave of Bridgeview Estates. This secluded gated community is one of south Tampa’s best kept secrets…offering residents the privileges of a waterfront lifestyle, open bay views, and the luxury of easy access to downtown Tampa, the Westshore business district, exclusive shopping, and Tampa International Airport.

Q. What distinctive features set this home apart?

A. This is a home built for entertaining! Spacious conversation areas flow easily into the gourmet kitchen and an intimate dining room, and overnight guests will appreciate the private suite with kitchenette and walk-in closet. In addition to the formal living room and home office, there is also a terrific bonus room that offers the perfect space for a billiards table or home gym.

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

A. This Tampa home for sale is a classic example of a Mediterranean Villa with elevated ceilings, handsome balustrades, and a breezy arcade between the main home and the private guest suite. Custom-built in 1997 by Soleil Design Build, this home was uniquely designed with a 200-year old Moroccan fortress entry door and a cozy sunroom with a wood burning fireplace and sweeping views of Tampa Bay.

Q. Does the community have any amenities we should know about?

A. All residents of Bridgeview Estates are entitled to enjoy the best of a waterfront lifestyle, regardless of whether or not their homes are directly on the water. An extensive dock (rumored to be the longest in Florida!) provides the perfect venue for accessing Tampa Bay with kayaks or just watching the sun set or the dolphins play. Residents with boats are welcome to install their own personal boatlifts along the community dock (subject to local permitting requirements), and saltwater enthusiasts are quick to report that the waters surrounding Bridgeview Estates offer some of the best fly-fishing in Florida!

With so much to offer, this special listing will not be available for purchase very long. Why not call for a showing today? Ask for Jeffrie, and let her know you’re ready to tour your future home at 3917 Snapper Pointe Drive Tampa, FL 33611!

About Jeffrie:
Tampa realtor Jeffrie van Loveren has served as a licensed real estate broker in Florida for more than two decades. A specialist in south Tampa waterfront properties, Mrs. van Loveren is committed to providing her clients with exceptional service and informed, thoughtful guidance through every transaction.