Chris – Page 12

Feather Sound: Small Town Feel in Metro Tampa-St. Pete

November 24, 2015 By Chris Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for a community with a small town feel, but want all the amenities that come with living in a city, then maybe you should consider Feather Sound. Located on the eastern edge of Pinellas County, but still smack dab in the middle of the Tampa Bay metro area, Feather Sound is perfect for outdoor-loving young families, retirees, and those looking for a second home in Florida alike, and just may be the kind of community you’re searching for.

The Tampa-St. Petersburg area is replete with beautiful parks, world-class cultural offerings, a colorful history, fabulous restaurants and shopping, professional sports and access to some of the finest beaches in the world. While secluded and secure, Feather Sound is centrally located, and has convenient access to all that makes this part of Florida’s Gulf Coast one of the most sought after areas in the state.

Since its initial development in the late 1970’s and early 1980s, Feather Sound has grown into a diverse collection of businesses, single-family homes, condominiums, and town houses. Despite its residential focus and urban location, it shelters a verdant and thriving bird sanctuary on its northern and eastern boundaries. Within the confines of its various neighborhoods, residents take full advantage of Feather Sound’s collection of walking and biking trails.

For professionals needing proximity to major transportation hubs, the area is conveniently located minutes off I-275 and has easy access to Tampa International Airport and Clearwater International Airport. Its central location also makes it easy to take full advantage of all that Tampa and St. Petersburg have to offer. For golfing enthusiasts, Feather Sound is also home to the Feather Sound Country Club, one of Tampa-St. Petersburg’s most prestigious private golf and country clubs.

If living Florida’s outdoor lifestyle while enjoying the unique Tampa-St. Petersburg area is your desire, we’re confident you’ll find Feather Sound to your liking.

For more information or a tour of homes in the Feather Sound community, contact our team at (727) 642-9107.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in October 2012. It’s been updated with the latest information and edited for cohesiveness.

5 Thanksgiving Entertaining Tips

November 17, 2015 By Chris

Whether you’re hosting your first Thanksgiving celebration or you’ve lost count how many times you’ve opened your door and table to family and friends, one thing is for certain…without a good plan in place Thanksgiving dinner can get away from you in a hurry. We have some excellent Thanksgiving entertaining tips to keep your kitchen running smoothly and allow you to mingle with your guests and enjoy the day.

Plan your menu. Figuring out what dishes and how much food you’ll need is the first step in planning a great Thanksgiving celebration. Whole Foods recommends that you’ll need about one and a quarter pounds of turkey per person, one starch, one vegetable, and one dessert each per every five people.

Get ahead. Do the majority of your prep work and basic cooking the day before. Things like stuffing, potatoes, soups, and casseroles can all be made ahead of time and reheated about thirty to forty minutes before you’re ready to serve. Use bag, pre-washed greens to easily prepare your salads. To ensure your turkey is complete thawed before cooking, set it in the refrigerator at least forty-eight hours before cooking.

Outsource. Your guests will most likely want to contribute to the meal so take them up on the offer. Ask guests to bring their favorite side dish, dessert, or beverage. Contributions from your guests can really help bring the spirit of the first Thanksgiving to your table.

Keep it simple. Sure you could go all out with beautiful, hand craft tablescapes but who has time for that? Keep your decorations simple and understated. If you don’t want to spend hour over the kitchen sink hand wash dishes, skip the fine china and go for dishwasher safe dishes or if you dare, disposable plates and flatware.

Entertain your guests. Some families enjoy eating their turkey meals in front of the big screen watching football while others enjoy soft music playing in the background. Whatever your guests enjoy, make sure there is plenty of it. If the weather is cooperative spread the festivities out so your guests aren’t crammed and you have plenty of room to work in the kitchen. And don’t forget the kids, provide them with a space of their own and some activities to keep them busy.

We wish you and your family a safe and festive Thanksgiving Day celebration!

8 Tips For Planning Your Winter Stay in Florida

November 10, 2015 By Chris Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year when our northern seasonal visitors, aka 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.

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.
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.
Get your paperwork in order. Make sure your important documents, i.e. investment reports, wills, etc., are updated and secure,
and have a close friend or family member who knows where to find them in case they’re needed at a moment’s notice.
Copy your travel documents. My wife and I always make two photocopies of all our travel documents, passports (make sure they’re up to date), credit cards (check expiration dates), etc. We keep one copy with us, and leave the other copy with a close friend or family member in case something is lost or stolen.
Travel insurance. For real peace of mind, travel insurance can’t be beat. It’s relatively inexpensive, and it provides you with coverage for cancellations or sickness. Most plans also cover irritating things like lost bags, and even a helicopter rescue if you’re planning on climbing Mt. Dora.
Pack smart. Remember, you’re coming to the tropics, so you don’t need that much. Chances are you’ll also be staying where there are laundry facilities. You can do a load or two on the ride down if need be. Keep in mind that you don’t need to buy all your shampoo, razor blades and Comet cleanser before you leave. Buy that stuff here; our local businesses will appreciate it.
Prepare your home. Have your mail forwarded, or arrange for it to be picked up and sent to you. Put your newspaper delivery on vacation. Clean out your refrigerator. Unplug your appliances and install light timers. If you’re home security system needs a check up, have it done now in case something needs to be done.
Share your plans. Make sure your friends and family know where you’re going (if indeed you want them to know), where you’ll be staying and how to get in touch with you in case of an emergency. At the very least, telling your friends in Buffalo that you’re “wintering” in Florida will make them turn purple with envy.

While you are here and are interested in seeing what is available within the St. Petersburg, Tampa real estate market, contact us. Hounchell Real Estate looks forward to having you here and reminds you that there’s never been a better time to buy that second home or vacation condo in St. Petersburg, Florida. We are the area’s leader in general real estate, pre-foreclosure, short sale and foreclosure markets throughout the Tampa/St. Petersburg area.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published December 2011. It has since been updated with the latest information and edited for clarity.

Holiday Volunteer Opportunities with the Salvation Army in St. Petersburg

November 3, 2015 By Chris

The holiday season is fast approaching and it’s this time of year that we our team and our families like to take some time out to reflect on how thankful we our for our health, family, friends, and the comforts of a home. Others in our area aren’t as fortunate as we are though.

The Salvation Army St.Petersburg/Pinellas County is gearing up to help support those less fortunate in our area have a happy holiday season. They have multiple holiday volunteer opportunities. As in years past their volunteers will be collecting food, clothing, toys, and monetary donations. In addition to actual donations, the Salvation Army will also need additional volunteers to help sort the items receive and prepare them for recipients.

The season kicks off November 13 with red kettles setting up out front of local stores and other high traffic areas. Donated trucks, drivers, and volunteers to load and unload trucks will be needed to assist with the Pinellas County School District Food truck from November 16 through November 20 and November 30 through December 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas Eve Dinner are two of the biggest holiday events organized by the Salvation Army for those less fortunate. Volunteers are needed to help prepare, set-up, serve, and clean-up for each event. The meals are served throughout the day on Thanksgiving, Thursday November 26, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Christmas Eve, Thursday December 24, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

These are just a few of the volunteer options sponsored by the Salvation Army. We hope you take the time out of your holiday season to give back to others by helping members of our community.

Click here for more information related to The Salvation Army’s need for holiday season volunteers in the St. Petersburg area.

Halloween Safety Tips

October 27, 2015 By Chris

If you think about it, Halloween is a crazy holiday. Kids dress up in costumes, knock on their neighbors’ doors, and demand candy. It’s difficult to resist those adorable and creative kids. While kids are concerned with the excitement of dressing up and collecting candy, you as a homeowner should be concerned with the safety of the trick-o-treaters. We have some easy and common sense Halloween safety tips to make the holiday fun and safe for everyone.

Keep a light on. If you’re planning on handing out treats, turn on your porch lights. Not only will trick-o-treaters know you’re handing out candy but you’ll provide them a lighted path to your front door.
Clear a path. Make sure garden hoses, lawn furniture and decorations, leaves and other debris are out of the way of walking paths and porches. You should also make sure any pavers or sidewalks that aren’t even should be clearly marked or illuminated to avoid tripping.
Decorate safely. Jack-o-laterns are the quintessential Halloween decoration but they also pose a hazard when candles are used to illuminate them. If you do use candles, make sure the pumpkins are placed on a sturdy surface away from steps and other high traffic areas. Instead of using candles, consider glow sticks, battery operated candles, or even flashlights. If you have lawn decorations or lights decorating your house be sure that the electrical cords aren’t stretched across any walking paths.
Not everyone is an animal lover. This is one night that your beloved pets should stay in the house. Even if Kujo is well trained and docile, not everyone is comfortable around animals. Keeping your dog or cat inside will also reduce the risk of them getting caught up in the excitement and running off.
The goods. Don’t let your hard work in the kitchen (and money) go to waste; save the homemade treats for another event or only give them to those neighbors or trick-o-treaters you know personally. For all other trick-o-treaters, hand out commercially prepared and individually wrapped.
Party time. If you’re hosting a Halloween party, the above tips should also apply to your party. Make sure you party area is clear of obstacles and furniture that could pose a hazard, especially to someone in costume. All candles should be up off the floor and away from drapes and tablecloths. If you’re serving alcohol, keep an eye on your guests intake, keep alcoholic beverages away from underage guests, and never let anyone who appears to be inebriated drive themselves home.

It’s our hope with these few Halloween safety tips you enjoy the holiday safely and to the fullest!

Pool Popping Out of Ground

October 20, 2015 By Chris Leave a Comment

A pool popping out of the ground is one of the most horrendous events that can befall a homeowner or contractor. Pool-Popping-Out-of-Ground

Several years ago a St. Petersburg client called to say that their pool had popped out of the ground while they were in the process of having it drained and cleaned. We had heard stories of this happening before but until you’ve seen it for yourself, you can’t imagine the extent of the damage a popped pool can cause.

The fiberglass pool shell lifted close to two feet out of the ground. As it rose, the surrounding dirt and sand caved in, partly filling the resulting hole and making resettling the pool impossible. Heavy rains soon followed and pushed even more dirt into the whole. PVC piping carrying water to and from the filter was damaged. Most of the coping cracked off and fell to the bottom. Hundreds of paver blocks that once created a delightful outdoor seating area were ripped up; many ended up in the hole. The backyard and the pool were a disaster.

Luckily, the contractor with whom they were working was fully insured.

This is not a DIY project. Hire a professional.

There was essentially no way our clients, or any unskilled person, would have been able to repair the pool themselves. Insurance companies, equipment acquisitions and an exceptionally rainy summer all conspired to delay repairs for our clients; but once work started it moved quickly.

First, a crane came through the backyard to lift the shell out of the hole and place it on the lawn. Then a backhoe came through the front yard to re-excavate the hole and pile the spare dirt and sand on the patio, the lawn, in the flowerbeds, basically everywhere they could store huge piles of dirt in an already tight backyard. Once all the pipes had been reset, and the hole was prepped, the crane returned to lift the shell back into the hole. The job of backfilling all the dirt is still going on.

In the process of removing, re-digging, repairing and replacing the pool, irrigation lines were crushed, bushes and trees were uprooted, fences had to be moved and replaced. The lawns were smothered by dirt and filled with deep ruts from the heavy machinery. The contractor had assured the homeowners that all will be repaired satisfactorily.

On top of that, the pool they had so looked forward to enjoying all summer was out of commission. It’s safe to say it was a complete nightmare for our clients and would have been an even larger one if they had attempted the repairs themselves.

So how did this happen and how can you avoid having this happening to your pool?

Concrete (or gunite), vinyl-lined and fiberglass pools are subject to popping. High groundwater areas are common throughout the St. Petersburg-Tampa area; especially with the heavy rains the area receives in the summer. Pool popping occurs when the pressure of the groundwater exceeds the pressure of the pool. This is normally not an issue when the pool is full because the pressure from the water in the pool is equal or greater than the groundwater. If you need to repair or clean the pool, you may have to drain the pool partially or completely thus changing the downward pressure. There are steps to take to decrease the chances of the pool popping.

First, you should remove the surrounding groundwater before draining the pool. You can use a dewatering system included in the swimming pool system or use an external one. You can also drill small holes in the pool starting at the shallow end and continuing across the break. These holes can allow pressure from the ground water room to escape and not push against the shell. The holes can always be patched before refilling the pool.

Our best advice: Draining and pool repairs should be left to experienced, licensed, and insured contractors.

Editor’s note: This post was first published in September 2013. It’s been updated with new information and edited for cohesiveness.

8 Tips For Buying a Second Home in Florida

October 14, 2015 By Chris Leave a Comment

Thinking about buying a second home? Does the lure of owning a Florida have you planning your vacation around looking at beachfront bungalows, condos, or potential rental properties? If you’ve ever considered making your vacation plans a permanent fixture in your, you should consider buying a second home in Florida. Here are some tips on how to approach the process and make the decisions with which you’ll be faced.

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. You can combine your motivations and purchase property that will vacillates between a rental property and your family’s vacation hideaway. 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.
Go in with your eyes open. A second home comes with initial closing expenses similar to those you had to pay when closing on your primary residence 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.
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
until the right location comes along. Don’t be in a hurry; the pressure is off. You still want your new home to appreciate, so consider buying in popular areas, perhaps near the beach, a lake or a waterway.
Choose a professional Realtor®. We can’t stress this strongly enough. You need a Realtor® who will listen and understand what your priorities are, the budget within which you need to work and someone who has established professional relationships with the people you’ll be working with. (i.e. appraisers, lenders, insurance brokers, etc.) You also want a Realtor® who knows the area, its neighborhoods, their weak and strong points, and where the market is moving.
Insurance. Before you buy, make sure you’re able to purchase the insurance you need, especially if you’re thinking of a home near the water. If you take out a mortgage, title insurance will likely be required. You may also want to consider liability insurance if you will be renting your second home.
Find a lender. Keep in mind that not all lenders are alike, and some have different rules when it comes to mortgaging second homes. Rates are still low and the rate you end up paying for a mortgage on your second home should be about the same as what you pay for your primary residence. However, some lenders may charge an additional one-half to full-point fee for loans on investment properties. You may want to consider using the equity in your first home through a refinance or a home equity line of credit for a down payment if you don’t have the cash readily available.
Revisit why you’re buying that second property. If it’s for income, your path is clear. You’ll become a landlord, which comes with all its rights and responsibilities. Is that something you really want to be? If it’s a vacation home, how much time do you really think you’ll spend there? Be honest with yourself when asking these important questions, or they’ll come back to haunt you later.
Make an offer. Great homes aren’t sitting on the market a terribly long time but that doesn’t mean it’s a Seller’s market either, there are still great deals to be had. When you make an offer, make the strongest one you can. Your Realtor will be able to advise you what constitutes a strong offer while still leaving some wiggle room if negotiations are necessary. And remember this isn’t a zero sum situation, you don’t need a second home immediately so if negotiations don’t go the way you’d hope make peace with walking away.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in December 2011. It has since been updated with the latest information and edited for comprehensiveness.

Fixtures and Personal Property

October 6, 2015 By Chris

A common surprise for many Buyers when they complete their walk-through or move into their new home is what isn’t there. Buyers many find that the curtains that matched the living room perfectly are nowhere in sight and be further disappointed when the ornate chandelier that was hanging in the dining room during the showing is replaced by a standard brass one. The confusion and expectations are due to not understanding the difference between fixtures and personal property, the Seller’s failure to prepare the house properly, and/or miscommunication when the listing agreement and sales contract were prepared.

Fixtures

Fixtures are anything that is affixed to the property. Things like doorknobs, scones, chandeliers are all examples of fixtures. There are other items that are integral to the operation and living conditions that are also considered fixtures; such as refrigerators, stoves, sprinkler systems, and pool equipment. All of the items must stay with the home unless otherwise negotiated.

Personal Property

Personal property is fairly self-explanatory. It is all the possessions of the Seller such as furniture, decorations, pictures, and maintenance equipment. All of the personal items are not considered part of the sale of a home and the Seller is expected to move all of these items out upon completion of the sale.

Some Sellers have sentimental or other reasons they may want to take a fixture, such a chandelier, with them when they move. Before listing a property for sale, Sellers should advise their Realtor what they intend to take with them, remove the item(s), and replace the items before the house goes on the market. Replacing the item before listing leaves no room or misunderstanding of what is and isn’t included in the sale.

While viewing a house, a Buyer may fall in love with a dining room set or the draperies in a particular room. Buyers should ask that the items be left in the house or offer to purchase the items, the negotiation and payment for such an agreement can be included in the sales contract or handled separately. Not all Sellers are willing to part with their personal effects however and Buyers should avoid making it a sticking point of their offer.

When there is real confusion about what is or isn’t a part of the house they best advice for both sides of the deal is to ask.

Short Sale 101

September 29, 2015 By Chris

Since the mortgage and real estate market melt down in 2008, foreclosures have become common place. As we’ve previously discussed, there are other options to foreclosures that can help satisfy the debt owed to the mortgage company and assist the home owner to get out from under a financial burden. One option is a short sale.

What is a short sale?

A home that is “upside-down”, in other words has a mortgage lien that is more than the current market value, is a candidate for a short sale. Most short sale properties are in foreclosure but not all lenders require foreclosure proceedings to begin before considering a short sale. Unlike traditional real estate transactions, the seller will not leave the closing table with any type of proceeds, typically there will still be an unpaid amount of mortgage remaining after the sale that will be forgiven by the mortgage company. The mortgage company must also approve the terms of the sales contract, specifically the prices and any repairs or repair credits, before it can proceed to closing.

Is a short sale a better option than foreclosure?

There are benefits of working out a short sale with the mortgage company. For the seller, if a short sale is successful it will put a stop to all foreclosure Court proceedings. Also, mortgage companies vary on how they report short sales to the credit reporting bureaus but it won’t affect a person’s credit score as much as a foreclosure would. For buyers, it may allow them to gain access to a more desirable area than they could afford through a traditional purchase. For the mortgage company, it allows them to collect more on the debt than they would have if the foreclosure was completed and then selling the home, which saves them money in legal fees, maintenance costs, and real estate taxes.

What are the drawbacks to a short sale?

Due to the high volume of foreclosures in many states, mortgage companies are notoriously slow when it comes to approving individual short sales. For the seller, this could mean that foreclosure proceedings are still ongoing. A slow approval process could also risk the security of having buyers. For the buyer, a delay in approval can affect their mortgage approval, their proposed mortgage interest rate can fluctuate, even their living arrangements if their prior home is sold before buying the new one. Buyers should also be aware of what is and isn’t going to be repaired by the seller. May short sales are listed “as-is” and some go so far as to require the buyer to obtain all the necessary certifications and inspections at their own cost.

Are there any long term implications?

Aside from credit reporting, a short sale seller will be issued a 1099 form at the end of the year. The seller will be responsible for any taxes owed on the debt left behind after the sale of the property, the difference between the mortgage balance at closing and the actual sales prices. Further, some lenders may attempt to collect on that amount through an action called a deficiency judgment. The only way to avoid a deficiency judgment in the state of Florida is to negotiate that with the mortgage company prior to closing and get an written and signed waiver from an authorized representative.

Just like any other real estate transaction, you should work with licensed and experienced professionals to make the process as smooth and hassle-free as possible. Chris is a Certified Distressed Property Expert having earned his designation from the Distressed Property Institute in Boca Raton, Florida.

What We Sold During Summer 2015

September 22, 2015 By Chris

Summer is almost over and it was a busy season for our team. We worked with so many great Buyers and Sellers and helped them make some amazing houses “home”. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites to share with you. Let’s take a look at what sold during the summer. You can click on each of the main pictures for the full listing.

First up is this home in the Brighton Bay Community in St. Petersburg. It features 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, light and airy decor and wood floors. The kitchen is just one of the highlights with lots of countertop space and a breakfast bar.

This house screams “Americana” with its tradition outdoor style. Inside the home is resort-like with a master bedroom suite that caught the attention of a lot of buyers but only one walked away with the keys.

If these walls could talk! A piece of history nestled in the Greater Woodlawn section of St. Petersburg. The house was built in 1922 and featured 4 bedrooms, hardwood floors, and even a claw foot tub. It needed some work to bring it back to it’s original splendor but that didn’t stop one lucky buyer. This house went from listing to closing in just three weeks!

The house defined “turn-key” ready. The open floor plan house was freshly painted, had updated windows, a bright and airy kitchen, large backyard ready for outdoor entertainment and a neutral decor that was easy for any buyer to put their stamp on.

Waterfront living never looked so beautiful. This five bedroom home seemed almost too good to be true with a new roof, private dock leading to Lake Armistead, a boat lift, swimming pool, gourmet kitchen, and large areas for entertaining guests. It was truly a one of a kind home.

We wish all the best to our Buyers and Sellers! If you’re looking to buy or sell a home, contact our team today at (727) 642-9107.

Welcome Home!

This is not a DIY project. Hire a professional.

So how did this happen and how can you avoid having this happening to your pool?