Florida Realtors: Free Downloadable Forms Available From Chris Hounchell & Associates

I’m often asked where to find important Florida real estate forms needed in the contract, contract addendum, and disclosure phases of a Florida real estate transaction.

As a professional courtesy, I’ve created a page on my website that contains a comprehensive collection of free downloadable real estate forms. Anyone needing these forms, including forms for short sales, can download them free of charge at the Chris Hounchell & Associates website. Our goal is to become the area’s leading real estate resource for complete, up-to-date information on the St. Petersburg, Tampa and Clearwater, Florida real estate market.

The Florida Realtors® and the Florida Bar have approved all posted forms. While Chris Hounchell & Associates has made every effort to post the most current versions of these forms, they are subject to change without notice.

If you have any feedback on these forms, or if there is a form not listed that is important to you, contact us, or, 727-642-9107, and we’ll see if we can include it on our webpage.

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But don't forget the chocolate!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” – Charles M. Schulz

Perhaps if Lucy van Pelt, Schulz’s fictional leading lady in his hugely popular Peanuts comic strip, had followed her creator’s advice she would have finally won the heart of Schroder, her unrequited love interest. But knowing Schroeder, perhaps not.

Still, it’s not bad advice.

Valentine’s Day is Tuesday, February 14. Be sure to tell your special someone you love them. Kicking in a bit of chocolate can’t hurt.

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A final walk-through within 24 hours of closing is recommended.

Homebuyers: Final Walk-Through Essential Before Real Estate Closing

The first thing you want to find when you walk into your new home after the closing is that the house you just bought is in exactly the condition you expected. A final walk-through within 24 hours prior to signing the papers and handing over the checks will help ensure that nothing has changed, that all required repairs have been completed and the home is clean and ready for its new owners. Always insist on a final walk-through.

12 Tips  on the all-important homebuyers final walk-through

1. Have your real estate agent accompany you; it’s always best to have another pair of knowledgeable eyes along to pick-up on things you might miss in your excitement. Chris Hounchell & Associates of Keller Williams Realty is expertly qualified to make every step of your closing a smooth success.
2. Ask the seller to accompany you; they know about all the house’s little peculiarities and can answer any last minute questions you might have. It’s also a good idea to have a good relationship with the seller as you may have questions for them later.
3. Turn on all the lights and faucets, flush the toilets and check that the appliances you purchased are all there and are working properly. Take the time to run the dishwasher, turn on the ceiling fans, ring the doorbell, make sure the hot water heater works, test the security system, etc.
4. Test the heating and air conditioning system regardless of the time of year.
5. Open and close all doors and windows. Are they working right? Is there any breakage? Are all the screens in place?
6. Does the garage door opener work and do you have all the remotes? Continue reading “Final Walk-Through Essential” »

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Aerial View of Tierra Verde

Tierra Verde, St. Petersburg Florida’s Crown Jewel

Native Americans considered the 15 islands that make up Tierra Verde at the southernmost tip of Pinellas County, Florida to be sacred ground. Rumors persist that the pirates Jose Gaspar, Juan Gomez and Jean Lafitte frequented the area, and may have left behind buried treasure. Today, Tierra Verde, or “Green Land,” is considered to be one of the crown jewels of St. Petersburg Florida Real Estate.

Surrounded by Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico

Surrounded by Boca Ciega Bay to the north, Tampa Bay to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Tierra Verde is a 667-acre enclave of high-end single-family homes and condominiums that encompass the subdivisions of Entrada, Monte Cristo, Pinellas Bayway, Sands Point, East Shore and West Shore.

Tierra Verde is also the gateway to Pinellas County’s recreational gem and historical landmark, Fort DeSoto Park, with its popular beaches, canoe trails, swimming centers, playgrounds, nature trails and dog park.

In the early 1960’s, Tierra Verde’s developers dredged the bottom of Tampa Bay, and deposited thousands of cubic yards of fill throughout the area. An extensive system of waterways was then created, and today Tierra Verde offers boaters unrestricted access to the area’s waters. This deed-restricted community boasts extra-wide Continue reading “Tierra Verde, Real Estate for Sale” »

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First-time homebuyers look at options in Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL

Relocating DC Newlyweds Tour Tampa/St. Petersburg Neighborhoods With Chris Hounchell

I was fortunate to spend my childhood growing up on one of the barrier islands off Sarasota. My family lives there still and I miss them. My husband grew up in Miami and has a sister in St. Pete. He’d like to see her and his folks more often. Our careers have moved us up and down the east coast over the past seven years. We were recently married and plan to return to the west coast of Florida soon to settle into a permanent home and start a family of our own.

First-Time Home Buyers Start Looking For Home

While visiting over the holidays, we contacted Chris Hounchell of Chris Hounchell & Associates at the advice of a friend who knew Chris as an expert in all aspects of the Tampa/St. Petersburg real estate market. We want to work with a seasoned professional who is close to our age and is a native who knows all the ins and outs about the various neighborhoods that make up the area. We couldn’t have been more pleased to begin our search for our first home with Chris.

Before meeting, we spent time on the phone with him to discuss our priorities, our timing, our price range and our vision of what we were looking for in a home and a community. Our first impression was that we had found the Realtor® we were looking for. Chris was knowledgeable, friendly, and a good listener who quickly understood our needs. He also had some great suggestions.

We met late one morning on a Wednesday and Chris took us on a tour of several Continue reading “Relocating Newlyweds Tour Neighborhoods” »

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Tebow shocks Steelers in OT.

TEBOW!!!!!

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8 Tips For Buying A Second Home In Florida

Thinking about buying a second home? Does the lure of owning a Florida or mountain getaway have you planning your vacation around looking at beachfront bungalows, log cabins or potential rental properties? Here are some tips on how to approach the process and make the decisions with which you’ll be faced.

1. Why buy a second home? If you’re thinking of buying a rental property, your motivation is income and appreciation. If you’re thinking of buying a vacation property, your motivation will revolve around the fun you and your family can have now and in the future. Or, you can combine your motivations, and purchase a rental property that will eventually become your family’s vacation hideaway. But be sure to evaluate how much time you’ll spend in your new home away from home, and whether you’ll want to keep returning time after time.
2. Go in with your eyes open. A second home comes with additional, initial expenses as well as ongoing expenses. Be sure you know what all your acquisition costs will be, and get a good feel for what it will cost on a monthly basis before pulling the trigger. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating what the real cost of owning and maintaining a second home will be. Florida’s Homestead Exemption reduces property taxes on primary residences, but not second homes. Know what your taxes will be. And be sure to consult with an accountant to determine how owning a second home will affect your income taxes.
   
3. Location, location, location. You’ve heard it before, but when it comes to buying a second home, whether it’s for income or fun, location really is the key. You already own your first home, so when you’re looking for your second you can take your time, relax and wait Continue reading “8 tips for buying second home in Florida” »

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Chris Hounchell Joins Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Chris Hounchell, Team Leader of Chris Hounchell & Associates, has joined the 80-agent downtown St. Petersburg, FL office of Keller Williams Realty, Inc.

Chris, a multi-million dollar producer who ranks among the Top 100 real estate agents in the country, brings to Keller Williams Realty his wealth of professional experience, a high-energy, entrepreneurial spirit and an intense work ethic, all of which has earned him a reputation for excellence and leadership in the greater St. Petersburg/Tampa real estate market.

Chris will be headquartered in Keller Williams Realty’s downtown St. Petersburg office located at 111 2^nd Ave. NE, Suite 400.

Keller Williams Realty, Inc., is the second-largest real estate franchise in the United States, and was founded in 1983 in Austin, Texas. Keller Williams is also one of the nation’s fastest growing independently owned and operated real estate group franchises, with over 700 offices and more than 80,000 associates.

Chris Hounchell & Associates is the leader in general real estate, pre-foreclosure, short sale and foreclosure markets in the Pinellas County, Florida area. Contact Chris Hounchell today at 727-642-9107 or email him at chris@chrishounchell.com.

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Florida snowbirds enjoying Gulf of Mexico beaches near St. Petersburg, FL

8 Tips For Planning Your Snowbird Winter Stay in Florida

It’s that time of year when our northern seasonal visitors, aka Florida Snowbirds, begin to flock south to enjoy our warmer weather, abundant Florida sunshine, beautiful Gulf of Mexico beaches and worry-free winter. But, before y’all leave your homes in Des Moines, Oshkosh, Ottawa and South Bend, here are a few things to keep in mind before you lock the door and walk away.

Hounchell Real Estate looks forward to having you here, and remind you that there’s never been a better time to buy that second home or vacation condo in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Spend the Winter in St. Petersburg, Florida

1. Plan ahead. If you’ve never left your home behind in search for Florida’s winter warmth, keep in mind that November through April are the busiest times of year for traffic, restaurants, shows, actually pretty much anything where you may have to wait. They’re also the best weather months. They’re a big part of why we live here. So now, put some thought to where you want to go and how long you want to stay. If you’ve never spent time in Florida you might consider splitting your time between two locations to taste the differences. We’re a bit partial to the west coast, especially the greater Tampa/St. Petersburg area.
2. Get a checkup. Be sure you’re in good enough health to make the drive south. Also, be sure to bring enough of your medications to last through your stay. If you must get your medications while here, be sure to bring your prescriptions. And make sure you’re up to date on any immunizations you may need. Consider getting a flu shot before you head out.
3. Get your paperwork in order. Make sure your important documents, i.e. investment reports, wills, etc., are updated and secure, Continue reading “tips for Florida winter stay” »

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Boca Ciega Millennium Park Boardwalk

Visit Florida’s Pinellas County Parks            Get Out There!

Hounchell Real Estate recommends a few of our family’s favorite local Pinellas County parks.

One of the many things that make Florida’s Pinellas County a great place to call home is the wealth of parks and preserves that dot our area. The county’s Parks and Conservation Resource department maintains over 20,000 acres of parkland and preserves, many of which include picnic shelters, camping, playgrounds, boat ramps, hiking and biking trails, all of which are open to the public.

Here are just three of the over 20 Pinellas County parks to check out with your family. We’ll detail other county parks in future posts.

Boca Ciega Millennium Park
12410 74^th Ave. N. (Old Oakhurst Rd.), Seminole

Download Map

Boca Ciega Millennium Park in Seminole has something for everyone. Be sure to check out the 35-foot observation tower for excellent views of Boca Ciega Bay. The park is known for its birding, its use of native plants in landscaping, and fossils dating back to the Pleistocene Age.

Amenities:

• Bay fishing access
• Canoe launch
• 1.5 acre dog park
• 35-foot observation tower
• .25-mile nature trail
• Boardwalks
• Playgrounds
• Restrooms
• Picnic shelters
• Bicycle/Walking paths

Eagle Lake Park in Largo, Florida

Eagle Lake Park
1800 Keene Road, Largo

Download Map

Eagle Lake Park in Largo was once utilized for cattle grazing and growing citrus. Today, the 163-acre park has been restored to its natural habitat using 100 percent native plants and is home to fox squirrels, a variety of bird species, gopher tortoises and water turtles.

Amenities:

• Picnic shelters
• Restrooms
• Playground
• Dog park
• Paved recreation trail
• Shelled walking paths
• 2,000 feet of boardwalks over restored wetlands
• Fishing

Fort DeSoto Beach, Pinellas County, Florida

Fort De Soto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde

Download Map

No parks and preserves discussion would be complete without a mention of Fort De Soto Park, Pinellas County’s largest park. This 1,136-acre collection of five interconnected islands is a diverse ecosystem offering pristine beaches, nearly 300 species of birds, nesting grounds for loggerhead turtles, an abundance of sea life, historic Fort De Soto and it was named America’s Top Beach in 2009 by Trip Advisor.

Amenities:

• Historic Fort De Soto
• 7+ miles of waterfront
• White sandy beaches
• Boat launching and docks
• Camping
• Picnic Shelters
• Restrooms
• Playgrounds
• Two public swimming centers
• Fishing piers
• Ferry service to Egmont Key
• Concessions
• 6.8 mile recreation trail
• 2.25 mile canoe trail
• Nature trails
• Dog Park

Hounchell Real Estate-RE/MAX Metro is the leader in general real estate, pre-foreclosure, short sale and foreclosure markets in the Pinellas County area. Contact Chris Hounchell today at 727-642-9107.

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