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Real Estate Update: Zip Code 33606 August 27, 2010
By Robert Glaser
 

Today we’d like to give you a snapshot of sales statistics in Tampa zip code 33606, which contains South Tampa neighborhoods like Hyde Park and Davis Islands. Currently the most active properties, those having the lowest average days on market, are homes in the $230,000 – $300,000 price range (median square footage of 2,016).  The median price of homes listed continues to remain essentially flat, which is a stable sign for those looking to purchase Tampa homes for sale in this area.

The price per square foot has continued to trend downward as the homes with larger square footage have sold at an adjusted value.  The overall inventory has remained constant, because the absorption of Tampa homes for sale in 33606 has been at an even level with new listings entering the market.  The average days on the market has continued a downward trend to its current overall average of 100 days.  As this zip code includes some very high end luxury homes, it possesses an inventory in a number of price ranges.  This inventory is more than adequate to fit all buyers needs in the months ahead.

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Enjoy Florida’s Largest Home Show
By Stephanie Streeter
 

It’s bFlorida's Largest Home Show in Tampaack!  Florida’s Largest Home Show is back in town and opening its exhibition at Tampa’s Convention Center starting on September 3rd.  Running until the 6th, it’s the perfect opportunity indulge and get your home improvement fix.  From building to remodeling, and decorating to landscaping, the show has it all for your Tampa home!  Local, national, and international vendors will all be on hand showcasing the latest in products, gadgets, and services.  Need advice?  Ask one of the many experts who will be on hand.  Need ideas?  Stroll through the showcase display to decide what you just have to have in your Tampa home.  Adult admission is $8, seniors $7, children under 12 are free.

Show dates & hours: Friday, Sept 3 from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm;  Saturday, Sept 4 11:00 am – 8:00 pm;  Sunday, Sept 5 11:00 am – 6:00 pm;  Monday, Sept 6 11:00 am – 6:00 pm.

Unable to visit on these dates?  No problem.  You can catch it at the Florida State Fairgrounds November 5-7!

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Creating An Emergency Kit August 9, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Hurricane season is upon us, and the storms are starting to appear.  As Florida residents, it’s something we all need to be prepared for.  Of course, we all also hope that they won’t be needed.  In this case, better to be safe than sorry.  If you haven’t already prepared an emergency kit for this year’s storm season, here are some helpful tips.

THE PREP WORK:

Paper, paper everywhere. Should your home face the treat of flooding or damage, it’s important to know where to find your important documents quickly.  The deed to your home, your family’s medical records, birth certificates, social security cards, passports, and insurance documents may all be needed in case of an emergency.  Keeping all these documents together in a protective portable case will make transporting the items easy if your family is forced to evacuate.  If your home is damaged, a protective case will help to ensure the documents inside aren’t unusable.  Keeping a copy of these documents off-site in a safe place is also a great idea, and will help with your peace of mind.

Get personal. Every household is unique, and so are the needs of the people that inhabit it.  While government aid agencies offer great guidelines for creating a kit, it’s important to also include items that they may not have thought of.

Safety first. Not only is it important that your family members are safe, but consider the safety of your home as well.  Identify where the main electrical, gas, and water shutoff valves are in or around your home, and have the correct wrench needed on standby.  Should a storm strike, you’ll be ready to both prepare your home and evacuate quickly.

CREATING YOUR KIT:

The Basics. Here’s a quick review of what every basic disaster kit should include, whether evacuating or staying put.

Water: One gallon per day for each person is recommended for drinking and sanitary needs.  In hot climates, doubling that number is suggested.  Also, don’t forget the needs of your pets.

Food: Experts suggest that there be a 3-day supply of food, non-perishables.  Include the essentials like protein, fruit, and vegetables.  Throwing in some dry goods that don’t need to be cooked (granola bars, trail mix) is also recommended.  Pack things you like – the potential of not having access to grocery stores or restaurants is bad enough, so don’t torture yourself with inedible foods. The most important thing? Don’t forget the can opener!

Flashlights and extra batteries: In a world without electricity, things can be tough.  Make sure you’ve got flashlights available for all family members, along with an extra.  Keep batteries on hand for the flashlights and any other devices you’ll have a need to use.

First-aid supplies: Keep the basics on hand in order to be prepared for minor injuries.  Band-aids, bandages and dressings, cleansers, and antibiotics should all be part of your kit.  Also consider adding items like scissors and tweezers.  Pain relievers are a must, and analgesics like Tums and Pepto-Bismol are also a good idea.  Always make sure to be prepared with prescriptions medications that may be required as well.

Sanitation & hygiene items: Hand wipes and moist towelettes, toilet paper, paper towels, and garbage bags are all necessities.  Also, pack toiletries you’ll need such as soap, shampoos, toothbrushes & toothpaste, deodorant, and other must-haves.

Radio or TV: Keep a portable radio or television on hand that doesn’t require electricity.  Whether it’s crank operated or runs on batteries, it’s an essential to remain connected and receive critical information when the power goes out. Good emergency radios are available for purchase online from the Red Cross

Plastic sheeting, duct tape, and dust masks: It’s always a good idea to have these items on hand just in case your need to seal your home after damage, or protect your family members from airborne contaminants after a storm.

Extra items: A favorite toy or other comforting items for the kids should be considered as well.  Cash should be available in your kit – credit and debit cards won’t do much good in a storm damaged area without electricity.  Also, remember that along with Florida summers come the mosquitos – don’t forget your repellent!

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Key West Style Tampa Home Sells Quickly July 23, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Tampa Bay Area Days On MarketThe average days on market for homes for sale in the Tampa Bay area continue to fall, with the current level sitting at just over 120 days.  While this is a vast improvement over last year, we would all like to see that number continue to drop.  When sales occur after being on the market by far fewer days than the average, it’s important to take a look at why these homes sell more quickly than the rest.  By taking a closer look, we can help the owners of other Tampa homes for sale learn more about what makes these homes sell faster.

A gorgeous Key West style home located on Gordon Avenue in South Tampa sold this week after only 2.5 months on the market.  We decided to talk to the agents involved in this transaction about what lead to such a quick sale.  The 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home was constructed in 2001 by a custom home builder who created it for his own residence.  Two stories enclose 2,964 square feet of custom designer finishes, which certainly this home stand out from the competition.

Shell Point home for sale“The neighborhood the home is located in had a lot to do with the sale,” said Tampa realtor Tricia Smedley, who listed the property.  “Located in Shell Point, it’s in a quiet area and the neighborhood is known as a tropical paradise. The home also showed beautifully on the inside.  It’s full of custom features and beautiful woodwork.”

Tampa real estate agent Rick Miller represented the buyer, a recent transplant from Ohio.  “She appreciated the lush tropical setting of the neighborhood,” Miller said, “and the home’s beautiful design and custom features made this one stand out from the rest.”

“She’s really thrilled,” says Miller of his client.  “She was ready to buy and we found her the perfect home at the right price.  It was meant to be.”

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What You Can Buy For $250,000 In Hyde Park Village July 15, 2010
By David B Moyer
 

Think finding affordable real estate in the popular Hyde Park area of South Tampa is impossible? Think again! Here are some great options located just steps from the popular Village and all the restaurants, shopping, and entertainment it has to offer.

So for those of you who are on the hunt for affordable homes for sale in trendy areas like Hyde Park, make sure you take a look before assuming what you desire is unaffordable. There are always fantastic options available!

Hyde Park Walk

Hyde Park Walk Condominium

3/3.5 – 1860 sf – 1 car garage

This beautiful condominium lays out much more like a townhouse with attached garage and includes all the amenities of the community. The property has multiple levels, and a front porch to relax on. The offering is a short sale which allows a lower price in an amazing location in the heart of the Village.

Seybold LoftsSeybold Lofts

2/1 – 1267 sf – 1 carport

This historic renovated bread factory is now a developer discounted inventory home. Stainless steel appliances, wood floors, and never lived in. The community includes a roof top deck with views of Downtown Tampa, and the building is located just 2 blocks north of Hyde Park Village.

Hyde Park CloisterHyde Park Cloister Condominium

2/2.5 – 1312 sf – 1 carport

This townhouse style condo is closer to Bayshore, and just a few blocks south of the Village. The home offers a front porch, balcony, and the community shares a courtyard for 6 other homes. This residence is full of upgrades from the owner with plantation shutters, hardwood floors, and granite.

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St. Petersburg Coast: Oil Spill Update June 21, 2010
By David B Moyer
 

What a tragic time for the Gulf of Mexico. The oil spill has started affecting all of us in this nation. As Louisiana & the Florida Panhandle start seeing the sad visuals of what has now become a reality, we wonder how this will affect our Pinellas County beaches. Smith & Associates Real Estate is not the expert in this part of the equation, but often we do have waterfront home owners and buyers who want to know how this disaster affects them in Tampa Bay. We did a lot of research, and we do hope you all do the same when it comes to this subject. The oil spill currently is impacting the Louisiana coastline and a few Florida beaches in the Panhandle, as identified in the map areas.

All of Florida’s beaches remain open. At this time, there are no beach closures and Florida’s state waters remain open to recreational fishing. Florida’s 825 miles of beaches, 1,260 miles of coastline and 14 seaports (including cruise ships), remain open for business. Now just because things seem “fine” today on the Tampa Bay beaches, does not mean the area will not see any effects. Only time will tell, but as for today, “our beaches are beautiful, and the water is blue”, according to Sheila Cole of the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce. The water current system seems to play in Tampa’s favor, with the current taking water flow from destination south/west. The good news for us in Florida is that the weather continues to cooperate. The winds continue out of the south/southeast and the current continues to push the oil slightly to the west. This should limit any onshore impact. Please use the NY Times Oil Spill Water Current Map to help track this disaster. Following this link will give you all the tools to offer assistance in this time of need.

Gulf Coast Oil Spill

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Do-It-Yourself The Best Way To Go? June 18, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Before getting started on a project, Hillsborough County home owners should take a good look at what they’d like to tackle and consider all their options.  Small projects are great for weekend warriors who are familiar with the basics of home improvement.  Larger projects, like a kitchen or bathroom remodel should be thoroughly considered before tackling without the help of a professional due to the more complicated structural and design elements that are involved.  When trying to determine whether to go DIY or with a professional, consider the basic aspects of any home improvement project; design, quality, time & money, and warranty.

Design is an important aspect of any home improvement effort – no matter how large or how small the project.  It can often mean the success or failure of a venture.  If you aren’t blessed with ‘vision’, get ideas out of magazines or consider hiring someone to create it for you.

Quality is also important.  The quality of a professional job vs. a standard homeowner version of the same will in most cases be very different.  Weekend warriors and DIY experts can do a fantastic job, especially when it’s something they’ve done before.  However, if they’re tackling something new and quality is an important factor for this element if their Hillsborough County home, professional assistance can be a great help.

Time is, as we all realize, valuable.  Time is money, and it can also be a frustration.  In most cases, a professional is required to complete a project by the completion date included in their signed contract.  Keeping them on track is sometimes much easier than ourselves, with all the day-to-day distractions that come along with our lives.  If your project is large and timeline is important, hiring a professional may be the way to go.

Last but certainly not least, consider the warranty on work that professionals will offer along with their services.  While the new kitchen faucet you purchased from Home Depot and installed yourself will of course be under warranty for a period, the new pipes you also connected yourself below the sink will not be.  If something should leak and cause damage in your Hillsborough County home, you’ll have no recourse if you completed the work yourself.  However, if a plumber who provides a warranty period had completed the work, you’d have someone to rely on to help you fix the issue.  Also, consider that improper installation methods may void manufacturer’s warranties on products, leaving you without help if something goes awry.

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Everyday Solar Power Possibilities June 16, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Solar power is unfortunately often thought of as something that’s not practical for mainstream usage.  But, there’s good news!  Companies like Lennox Industries are creating attainable everyday systems for harnessing this free green energy source.  The creation of practical systems for average home owners will assist in bridging the gap between green-friendly and green-affordable.

Lennox Industries has introduced a solar powered central heating and cooling system called SunSource.  The main platform of the system consists of a solar ready air conditioning system, heat pump, and roof-installed solar modules.  The best news regarding SunSoure is that the system can be phased into an existing home gradually.  Anywhere from 1 to 15 solar modules can be installed, and both the panels and A/C or heat systems can be added separately.  This will allow St Petersburg home owners to convert to the system at their own pace and, more importantly, according to their own budget.

In addition to powering heating and cooling, SunSource also has the potential to provide electricity to power appliances and the lights in your St Petersburg home.  The more panels added, the more power available.   Another great feature of the product is the communication panel, which allows a home owner to view the performance of the system and its various elements.  A curious home owner can easily track home much energy their solar panels are producing with 24/7 access, and also see carbon offsets.

Interesting in learning more about SunSource for your St Petersburg home?  See a sample home setup and view an informational video from Lennox here.

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Find Homes With Potential June 15, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

If you’re looking for a deal on a Pinellas County home, most likely what you find isn’t going to be picture perfect.  However, that doesn’t mean that it can’t be.  Like anything else, a home is what you make it.  All you need in order to make it wonderful is potential.  So, what is it that gives a home potential?

Location. Have you ever heard it said that you get a better deal when you buy the worst house in a great neighborhood than you do when you buy the best house in a not-so-great neighborhood?  It all comes down to one thought – location, location, location!

Age. In homes, age can be good or bad.  In the case of a well-maintained historic bungalow, age is a good thing.  In the case of a home where age means old wiring, shoddy plumbing, and a foundation that’s sagging, you’re in a whole different realm.  As a general rule, homes that are 50 years or older will need major repairs if they haven’t had them already, or good upkeep along the way.

Floor Plan. Unless you’re planning a major overhaul, purchasing a home with a basic design that can be lived with is always the best way to go.  Don’t make a floor plan sacrifice you’re not completely sure you can live with your decision.  Once you start deciding you need to move some walls, your wallet will feel the pain.  When looking for your new Pinellas County home keep floor plan in mind.

Light. The homes with the most light also have the most potential – especially when considering resale value.  A home with a good quantity of well-placed windows can make a world of difference in the feel of the place.

Storage. It’s always smart to consider your storage needs when purchasing a new home.  Adding additional space isn’t exactly inexpensive, so consider how much and where you’ll need it.

Of course, everyone is different so this list may not incorporate that workshop in the backyard or loft space that you can use for an art studio.  This will however, give you a place to start when looking for your new Pinellas County home.

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Great Tool For Homeowners June 14, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Tampa real estate

The National Association of Realtors recently launched a new consumer website called Houselogic.  The free and very easy to navigate site was created to both educate and assist consumers in regards to all aspects of owning a home.  The site is a great resource for both current and potential owners of Tampa real estate, with a wide array of informational articles and news from home finance to home improvement.  Houselogic also features a great project planner, where property owners can organize, plan, and schedule improvements to their home. Buying guides are also available, allowing for owners  of Tampa real estate to make the best decisions when purchasing appliances and more.

Get the most out of your real estate investment, and check out this great free resource!