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Enjoy Florida’s Largest Home Show August 27, 2010
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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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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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!

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Sweeten The Deal For A Quicker Sale June 9, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Tampa Homes For SaleWe all like deals.  A freebie when we buy a product.  A sale.  We also all like guarantees and warranties.  Something that makes us feel like there’s something backing up our purchase – if something goes wrong, there’s someone to help.

If you’ve been unsuccessfully attempting to get a contract on your Tampa home for sale, maybe it’s time to apply the same concept to your home.  Sweetening the deal for a potential buyer could possibly mean the difference between making a sale or not.  How about offering a home warranty with the deal?

If the property you’re selling isn’t brand new or recently completely redone, a potential buyer who tours the home may look at some of the older features a little warily.  An older dishwasher, water heater, A/C unit, or other item that’s older may make a buyer feel uncomfortable with the home.  By offering a home warranty a seller can counteract that problem, because if under warranty a older feature of the Tampa home for sale can be repaired or replaced if necessary.

If this sounds like an option for you, consider speaking to your Realtor® about offering a warranty with the sale of your home.  Unfortunately, all home warranties are not equal, and there are plenty of options available right now.  In order to make sure you end up with the right choice, doing research is always the best option.  Warranties vary greatly in cost as well as reliability and coverage.  So what do you need to know before choosing?

First, don’t get a home warranty confused with insurance – they’re two very different things.  While a home owner’s policy covers damage and loss due to accidents and other situations, a home warranty covers mechanical failures for appliances and other household systems.   The typical warranty gives coverage for up to one year. Again, each warranty will differ in regards to what they cover – some will cover A/C, others will not.

If you’re having trouble finalizing a contract on your Tampa home for sale that may not be as updated as those for sale down the block, adding a buyer incentive like a home warranty may be worth a try.  But remember, whether purchasing a home warranty for a potential buyer or yourself always make sure you comparison shop to find the correct choice.

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5 Reasons Why You Still Need a Realtor June 8, 2010
By David B Moyer
 

Face it, everyone is looking to save money. Maybe your way to do it is driving less to save gas, buying generic brand food, or limiting the designer clothes. Whatever your cost saving techniques might be, they should stop when it comes to buying or selling a house. Buying or selling real estate is a major financial and emotional undertaking, and a transaction that should not be made when flying solo.

1. Access & Convenience to More Homes

Licensed Realtors (Real Estate Agents) act as a liaison between buyers and sellers full-time. They have easy communication lines between other agents, and all Tampa homes for sale. If you are a buyer they will find properties that meet your criteria and schedule appointments. For home sellers, you have to solicit and market your own home, field phone calls, and get back to prospective buyers quickly. You may make an appointment during your work hours and rush home, just to have the person not show up.

2. Negotiating

Have you ever purchased something that someone else owns when they are emotionally and financially attached to the object? It usually does not work out easily for both parties. Sometimes the seller resists selling, or the buyer is not willing enough to pay for it.  An agent serves as a referee between parties and can help to prevent bad blood between parties and negotiate with other agents to get the deal done. The seller’s agent can explain why the owner of the Tampa home for sale is asking for a certain price and research comparative sales, and the buyer’s agent can defend and make strong points about a lower offer.

3. Contracts

The offer/purchase contract has language that can protect both a buyer and a seller.  A skilled professional can easily navigate contracts and ensure the right language is there to protect you from any issues that may occur during a transaction. Whether this is a financing contingency, inspection clause, or other language that can be an “out” for a buyer or seller, a licensed professional is always available to assist if a situation does come up.

4. Professional Obligations

Realtors work under various organizations.  These can include an MLS Board, their Broker, the National Association of Realtors, and so on.  Realtors are held to a code of ethics, laws, and practices. This means if something does go sour with a transaction based on Realtor negligence, there is accountability. Without a Realtor, you are unprotected against a seller/buyer who may just lie in order to get what they want in a transaction.

5. Skipping A Realtor Won’t Necessarily Save You Money

For a Buyer, it usually costs $0 to work with an agent. The commission is typically paid by the Seller. On the Seller side, the exposure and market knowledge gained by working with a Realtor makes a transaction very efficient. Most buyers in the market work with an agent, and an easy way for your home to be missed among all the Tampa homes for sale is to not have it listed with an agent. The extra time the home sits on the market delays the ability to move to your next home, while you continue to pay your existing fees. The effort of fielding phone calls, meeting appointments, and trying to market the home are all time spent – and we all know time is money. In this declining price market, the longer the home does not sell the more the home price may fall.

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Get The Price Right June 7, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

One of the biggest problems sellers in today’s Tampa real estate market face is pricing.  Many sellers don’t see any harm in asking a higher price when first listing their home.  “I can always reduce it later” seems to be the most common response.  The problem is that such a price is based on what that individuals desires to get for the home, rather than what the market has determined the actual price should be.  The end result will be price reduction after price reduction, and a waste of valuable time on the market.

Today’s buyers are well educated about the market.  The state of real estate is constantly in the news, and it’s impossible to avoid.  Buyers out in the market are justifiably nervous, very cost-conscious, and do much more research on a potential purchase than they would have a few years ago.  High prices are often a signal for unrealistic or unmotivated sellers, and buyers in today’s market don’t want to waste their time on such a situation.  There is no longer the urgency to buy Tampa real estate that there was a few years ago, which means that potential home owners will not overpay.

“The savvy buyer has done research is very aware and cautious when they see a property on the market for an extended period of time,” says Dave Traynor of Smith & Associates Real Estate.  “They will also know that the extended time on the market is a result of the home being over priced.”

If you’re going to be listing your home for sale, make the most of the market from the beginning.  Price competitively.  The old strategy of padding the list price of a home to leave room for negotiating no longer works.  The home should look its best, and be priced competitively in order to catch a buyer’s eye and entice them enough to make an offer. “Many agents have a list of buyers anxiously waiting for new homes to hit the market,” says Traynor.  “When they are priced right initially, those homes have been seen to go under contract within the first week.”  So, take the best advantage of the Tampa real estate market possible, and get your home priced right from the start.

Want a professional analysis of what the right price is for your home?  We would be happy to provide a free market analysis for you.  Please request one here.

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Things To Know Before You Hire A Stager June 3, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

When owners list their Tampa homes for sale,  they become a commodity – merchandise for someone to purchase.  Like any retailer, making sure that your home is displayed in the best manner will assist you in getting that product sold.  Think of the products displayed in your favorite store or boutique.  Most likely things are displayed in an organized, uncluttered fashion and they’re placed in a way to make them look like their best.  The same rules should be applied when selling your home, and staging is a definite way to accomplish it.

A stager’s job involves rearranging, or possibly adding or removing, furniture and decor in your home in order to play up its best features and get it sold.  They can be an absolute asset in the process of marketing Tampa homes for sale, but there are things you should know before hiring one to stage your home.  Staging is at this point an unregulated profession, which means that what you get when you hire one can very greatly from the next.  It does not require a degree or any specific training, which means that individuals can come from any variety of backgrounds, training, and experience.   Similarly, what you get for the fees you pay will very greatly too.

Although professional training is not required to become a stager, most in the field have a background in design, decorating, real estate, or a related field.  Some who are very successful in the field have work experience in merchandising.  Not all those working as stagers are without training in the field, it’s just not required.  Courses are offered across the country in both online and in-person formats, and typically last a few days in duration.  Most of the courses however, focus more on the aspects of running a business successfully than they do on the aesthetics and principles of what will help a home sell.  When hiring a home stager, make sure to investigate their qualifications and experience before making a final decision.  Ask to see samples of their work to make sure you feel comfortable that they are the right fit for you.

When it comes to charging for services, some will complete work on an hourly basis while others charge by the job.  In most cases, a stager will offer a free consultation which allows them to get a look at the home and formulate a bid.  How much such a project will cost will vary greatly depending on the state of the home.  For instance, if a vacant home is being staged there will be a cost involved for rental furniture.  Another project may involve a fully furnished two story home that more than anything else is in need of a reduction in furnishings and ‘stuff’.  Since each of the Tampa homes for sale are unique, every home will need to be seen before a price can be agreed upon.

The best way to track down a great stager is by asking friends and professionals you know.  Referrals are often the best source of business for those in the field, and we all feel more comfortable going with someone who’s been recommended by another.  So, ask around!  Also, interview at least three to get a good picture of what’s available in regards to services and then make the choice that’s right for you.

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Making Moves Easier May 28, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Hillsborough County HomeNo matter how little or how much ‘stuff’ you’ve actually got, moving isn’t ever at the top of the list of fun things to do.  Once the initial excitement of gaining access to your new Hillsborough County home wears off, the reality of packing, moving, and unpacking soon sets in. It can be a source of aggravation for months if you let it.  To help ease the process, here a some quick tips for simplifying the process.

Plan Ahead. Having a schedule will help to avoid last minute panic. Interview movers early, to ensure that they’re able to work with your schedule and that the prices are inline with your budget.  For long distance moves whether traveling by road or airline, make any necessary reservations for hotels and tickets at least a month in advance to help avoid stress.

Reduce, reduce, reduce! We all seem to accumulate items that have no use, but we end up keeping them anyway.  From old books to clothing to children’s toys – it all starts to pile up.  Prior to a move, it’s best to clean house – it’ll save you both time (when unpacking) and money.  If you haven’t used something in over a year, and it has no sentimental value, consider getting rid of it.   If you’re not going to use it, what’s the point in moving it to your new Hillsborough County home?  Also, keep in mind that donating such items to your local Salvation Army is not only good for your community – it’s also beneficial to the bottom line of your taxes next year.

Change the address. For the month before you move, keep track of the mail you’re getting and make sure to change your address on all your bills, contracts, insurance, financial institutions, etc.  It’s easier to keep track ahead of time, rather than realize too late who’ve you’ve forgotten.

Know It All. Research your mover and read the fine print of the contract.  It’s easier to know ahead of time what they are (and possibly, are not) responsible for.  Also, undertsanding the contract will help you to avoid any unexpected charges.  Most importantly, always make sure your mover is insured.  It’s pretty typical for at least one item to be broken during transit from your old Hillsborough County home to the new one – make sure you’re covered if it should happen to you.

For more tips & tricks on moving visit the FMCSA’s website, ProtectYourMove.gov.

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Quick Tips For Aspiring Green Thumbs May 21, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Hillsborough County HomeWe’ve all seen them…Those houses that you drive by and just say, “Wow.”  What you’ve seen is a house with great curb appeal.  It could be a tiny cottage or a huge custom built masterpiece.  Either way, it makes you stop and take notice.  Though part of curb appeal of course depends on the home itself, a large factor is the landscaping.   A great way to improve the landscaping of your home with a few small, easy projects is to start adding some containers or window boxes.  It’s an easy way to add a wow factor to your front yard without having to be a professional green thumb.  Here are some great tips for creating beautiful and easy to manage container gardens or window boxes for your Hillsborough County home.

Great combinations. Combining plants in a container that need the same amount of water and fertilizer will make your life much easier when it comes to caring for your plants.

Size matters. When planning which plants will go in what type of container, keep in mind how large they’ll become as they grow.  Putting a plant which will grow to be 2′ tall would probably best be placed in a larger pot, instead of a window box.

Shop smart. To make sure you’ll get the most out of the plants you purchase for your Hillsborough County home, choices should look healthy from the start and be growing in good-size pots.  Plants that have outgrown their pots while still at the store can possibly be root bound and not grow well without some extra assistance.  If a plant looks unhealthy at the store, it may be in need of more than just a good watering – may be best to move on to another if you’re looking for quick & easy options.

Choose wisely. The container you place the plants in should always have good drainage – typically in the form of holes on the bottom.  If using it for a window box, your choice should be lightweight.  Also keep in mind where water will go when draining from the container (for instance, don’t place a container with holes directly on wood which will become discolored).

Quality first. Good soil can make or break any landscaping project, no matter how large or small.  Your soil should be fast draining and of good quality.  Soil that has a water-holding agent, while more expensive, can be more practical in the long run by reducing watering frequency.

Avoid growing pains. In planning your planting, make sure you allow room for your new babies to grow.  Cramming them in too tightly to start off with won’t allow your plants to thrive in our beautiful Florida sunshine.

Feeling competitive?  Lots of local communities have local garden clubs where you can put your newly gained skills to the test.  Great little neighborhoods all over the Tampa Bay area have organizations for like-minded folks!  For example, check out neighborhoods like Hyde Park and Davis Islands which have Garden Clubs for their local green-thumbs.  One will surely be easy to find that’s close to your Hillsborough County home.

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Save The Date! National Open House Event April 5, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

National Open House Day

This weekend, April 10th & 11th has been designated National Open House Weekend!  The event is aimed to increase awareness of the benefits of homeownership.  All across the country individual realtors as well as brokerages are planning open houses – and of course, Smith & Associates is too!

We have coordinated our monthly open house event for April to fall on the national weekend, and are exciting to be holding a large quantity of homes open all across Tampa Bay!

To view the Tampa Bay area homes for sale which Smith will have open this Sunday, please visit www.smithhometour.com in order to plan your tour.