Chris Hounchell Announces Partnership with Keller Williams Realty

Chris Hounchell, of Chris Hounchell & Associates, has joined Keller Williams Realty in the downtown St. Petersburg office, and brings to the organization an impressive range of professional experience, entrepreneurial spirit and intense work ethic.

Chris consistently ranks in the Top 100 among all real estate agents and teams in the County, and has been a multi-million dollar producer in the Florida real estate market for many years. “We are thrilled about the opportunity to utilize the Keller Williams platform to deliver unparalleled service to our customers,” said Chris Hounchell, Team Lead of Chris Hounchell & Associates. “Fundamentally, Keller Williams provides us the transparency, infrastructure, leadership and training needed to enhance our ability to differentiate our team from the competition.”

“We are excited to welcome Chris to the Keller Williams Realty family,” said Rachel Sartain, Team Leader and Broker of the 80-agent office located in Downtown St. Petersburg. “This company succeeds through its people, and having Chris on our team is a huge win for us. We are excited to help him launch his real estate business to the next level.”

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 nations fastest growing independently owned and operated real estate group franchisees, with over 700 offices and more than 80,000 associates.

Chris’s team will operate from offices located throughout the Tampa Bay area, and will be headquartered at the Downtown St. Petersburg office located at 111 2^nd Ave NE. Suite 400, St. Petersburg, FL. 33701.

Contact Chris to find out how he can help you buy, sell or invest in the Tampa Bay area at 727-642-9107.

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Are You Ready For Some Florida Spring Training Baseball?

Welcome to springtime, and the annual pilgrimage of passionate fans to baseball’s Spring Training here on the Gulf Coast of Florida. In addition to the wealth of activities from which to choose in the St. Petersburg-Tampa area, spring is that special time when the Boys of Summer convene here under the sun to prepare for the long baseball season ahead.

Tampa Bay Rays To Field Best Team Ever

The Tampa Bay Rays play in the American League East, arguably baseball’s toughest division. Along with the big spending New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, the Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays, the Rays have managed an admiral record since the team began play in 1998. Despite finishing last in nine of their first ten seasons, the Rays won their division and the pennant in 2008. Since 2007, they’ve enjoyed four straight winning seasons and three playoff appearances, including two AL East championships and one trip to the 2008 World Series, where they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The 2012 season could be the best ever for the Rays with their blend of youth and experience, and they should compete well with the Yankees and Red Sox. Not only have the Rays boosted their payroll from about $42 million in 2010 to about $65 million this year, they’ve bolstered their already stellar lineup with the likes of free agents Luke Scott and Carlos Pena, the team’s career home run leader, who will return to the team after a brief hiatus with the Chicago Cubs. Add to the mix star players such as Evan Longoria, Ben Zobrist, B.J. Upton, Matt Joyce and Desmond Jennings, and the Rays could be the team to watch this year. As they have since being led by Manager Joe Madden, the Rays will enjoy one of the deepest pitching rotations in all of baseball.

The Rays play their home Spring Training games at the Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte. For tickets, click here. The Rays will begin their regular season with games against the World Champion New York Yankees April 6, 7 and 8 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

Here is a list of teams that play within easy driving distance from the St. Petersburg-Tampa area with links to their Spring Training schedules, compliments of Chris Hounchell & Associates:

Florida Gulf Coast Spring Training Schedule

Tampa Bay Rays (Port Charlotte)

New York Yankees (Tampa)

Philadelphia Phillies (Clearwater)

Toronto Blue Jays (Dunedin)

Baltimore Orioles (Sarasota)

Pittsburg Pirates (Bradenton)

Detroit Tigers (Lakeland)

Houston Astros (Kissimmee)

Atlanta Braves (Disney)

Minnesota Twins (Fort Myers)

Boston Red Sox (Fort Myers)

Get out there and support our Rays!

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Sawgrass Lake Park, St. Petersburg, FL

Pinellas County Parks – It’s A Family Affair

Pinellas County, Florida maintains over 20,000 acres of parks and preserves, and is one of the most densely populated counties in Florida. In recent years, efforts have been made to make the parks family and pet friendly, with miles of walking and jogging trails, dog parks, playgrounds, picnic shelters, boat ramps and even camping.

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

This is the second installment on area parks offered up by Chris Hounchell & Associates, whom specialize in St. Petersburg, Tampa and Clearwater, Florida residential real estate. View our first blog on area parks.

Lake Seminole Park
10015 Park Blvd. (74^th Ave. N.), Seminole

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Lake Seminole Park is a designated wildlife habitat and sanctuary conveniently located near St. Petersburg, Seminole, Largo and Pinellas Park and is adjacent to Lake Seminole. The park is home to raccoons, alligators, hawks, bald eagles, vultures, tortoises, snakes, etc. It’s also popular with joggers, runners, bikers, roller bladers, boaters, and water skiers.

Amenities:

• 2-Mile multi-use trail
• 13 Picnic shelters
• Ball field
• Boat ramp
• Fishing
• Restrooms
• Playgrounds
• Water fountains
• Wheelchair accessible

Sand Key Park
1060 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater

Download Map

Sand Key Park is great for families. There are picnic shelters, a playground, dog park, and viewing benches overlooking a salt marsh that is home to heron, roseate spoonbills and owls. It also houses base operations for the Artificial Reef Program, which is a popular nesting area for sea turtles.

Amenities:

• Concession area
• Boardwalk and nature trail
• Playground
• Dog park
• Outdoor showers
• Shelters with grills
• Swimming
• Kayak and bicycle rentals
• Lifeguard
• Wheelchair accessible

Sawgrass Lake Park
7400 25^th St. N., St. Petersburg

Download Map

Sawgrass Lake Park is one of St. Petersburg’s best-kept secrets. With over 400 acres, the park encompasses one of the largest maple swamps on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It’s also excellent habitat for herons, egrets, ibis, storks, butterflies, alligators and turtles. The National Audubon Society considers Sawgrass Lake Park one of the premier birding sites in Florida.

Amenities:

• Boardwalk and nature trail
• Education center
• Observation tower
• Picnic shelter with grill
• Restrooms

Chris Hounchell & Associates is the leader in general real estate, pre-foreclosure, short sale and foreclosure markets in the Pinellas County area. Contact Chris today at 727-642-9107.

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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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