Chris Hounchell REALTOR

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Chris Hounchell is an award-winning Florida real estate Broker that has earned a reputation for providing expert, professional representation to his customers, unparalleled market knowledge, dedicated service and complete transparency throughout the entire buying and selling process.

4 Parks and Preserves in Tampa Bay You Need to Visit

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In addition to all of the attractions that the cities of the Tampa Bay region offer, the area is also home to numerous national and state parks and preserves. With pleasant weather almost year round, any time is a good time to visit the parks and preserves in Tampa Bay. Here are four that we think you should check out sooner rather than later.

DeSoto National Memorial

The National Park system is turning 100 years old this year and national parks are hosting events all year to mark the occasion. This memorial is located in Bradenton and commemorates the quest to settle Florida by Spanish Conquistador Hernando de Soto and the indigenous people who defended their homeland. The park features reenactments, walking tours, and kayaking excursions. | Website | Bradenton, FL

Hillsborough River State Park

This park became one of Florida’s first state parks when it opened in 1938. The park is home to a replica of an original Second Seminole War military fort called Fort Foster. The park features structures that are quintessential of the Civilian Conservation Corps who built many parks and natural preserves during the Great Depression. In addition to enjoying the history of the park, visitors can camp, hike, swim, bike, canoe, and kayak in the park. | Website | Thonotosassa, FL

4 Parks and Preserves in Tampa Bay You Need to Visit

via Flickr user Diane Bourgault

Little Manatee River State Park

The park is home to several unique ecosystems and can be enjoyed by hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, and camping. It highlights the Little Manatee River that is one of the few rivers in Florida that has not be altered by dredging or canals. The park boasts six and a half miles of hiking trails and fifteen miles of equestrian trails. | Website | Wimauma, FL

Egmont Key State Park

This state park is mainly a wildlife preserve and is only accessible by boat as it is an island located in the mouth of the Tampa Bay, southwest of the DeSoto National Memorial. In addition to the natural attractions, the park also highlights the history of the Seminole Indian tribe and activity of the U.S. Navy during the Civil War and Spanish – American War. The lighthouse on the island has stood since 1858. Visitors are reminded that the island is remote and they should bring their own supplies such as water, food, and sunscreen. | Website | St. Petersburg, FL

Editor’s note: This post was originally published April 2016. It has since been updated with the most recent information and edited for clarity & cohesiveness. 

Planning a Pet Friendly Move

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Moving can be a stressful and exhausting event. There’s so much to do before the move and so much to do during. It affects all the members of your family, including your pet. We have some tips to help you plan a pet friendly move, whether it’s across town or across the country.

Get a Checkup

Amid all the the other tasks you need to do to prepare for a move, taking your pet to the vet seems like a low priority. Having a checkup before the move can help identify any health issues that may turn into big problems in the following weeks. If you’re moving away from the area it’s also the perfect time to get your pets vaccinations up to date and request a copy of its health records. If your pet suffers from anxiety, your veterinarian will also be able to provide you with specific strategies to keep your pet as calm as possible.

Pet Proof

Just like you would baby proof a house, you should ensure that it’s also safe for your pet. If you intend to allow your pet outside, you need to make sure the area is secure and there are no hazards such as poisonous or irritating plants or other materials accessible to your animal.

Planning a Pet Friendly Move

Find a Safe Space

During loading and unloading, there will be lots of people in and out of your house. This means there are plenty of chances for your pet to run out an open door or get caught under foot. It’s best to find a friend or relative who can take your pet for the day. If that isn’t an option, assigning a secure area, such as a bedroom or a gated backyard, with plenty of food and water will help keep your pet safe.

Go For a Ride

Regardless if your move is local or across the country, you need to take the proper steps to ensure your pet’s safety during travel. If you’ll be traveling by care, a hard sided carrier is the best way to transport small dogs and cats and a car harness for larger dogs. Make sure your furry friend has plenty of opportunities to walk around at stops and fresh food and water available during their ride. Never leave an animal alone in the car.

Settling In

Give your pet time to adjust to your new home and don’t introduce additional changes until your pet has had sufficient time to acclimate. Make sure your pet receives extra attention and activity to help prevent anxiety from building up and to enforce the idea that your new home is a safe and loving place.

Tampa Bay Relocation Guide

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Whether you’re moving to the Tampa Bay area due to a job transfer, military assignment, or personal choice, we’ve put together a relocation guide to help assist you.  The Tampa Bay has something to offer everyone and we’ll be happy to help you call it “home”.

The Area

Tampa Bay isn’t actually a city but the name of the communities surrounding the actual Tampa Bay.  Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Bradenton are the largest municipalities.  Tampa is home to MacDill Air Force Base, home of CENTCOM.  The area is full of history dating back to the nineteenth century, much of it deeply ingrained in the history of the Seminole Tribe.  It boasts a large arts culture, waterfront activities, numerous parks, festivals, and sports teams.

Tampa Bay Relocation Guide

The Climate

The warm weather is what draws many people to the Tampa Bay area.  Situated on the west coast of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa experiences subtropical weather the majority of the year.  Temperatures range from the mid-70’s to the 90’s during the summers and winter temperatures don’t get much below 50 with the exception of rare freezes.  Thunderstorms pop up frequently during the summer months but pass quickly.  Hurricane season runs from June to November and every resident of the area should prepare evacuation routes and have an emergency kit prepared at all times, but especially during this time period.

Employment

The Tampa Bay area is a leader in job creation in Florida.  The largest industries include technology/communications, healthcare, and banking/finance.  Read our extensive list of employers in the Tampa Bay area for more information.

Schools

In the City of Tampa, the schools are run by the School District of Hillsborough County.  St. Petersburg and Clearwater are overseen by the Pinellas County Schools and Bradenton schools are managed by Manatee County Public Schools.  In addition to the public school systems, the area is home to higher education institutions as well including University of South Florida, University of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College, and St. Petersburg College.

Residency

You have ten days from the date you begin working in Florida or register a child in a Florida school to register your car with the DMV.  You have thirty days to update your out of state driver’s license.  For information on what documentation you need to present in order to register and obtain a license you can visit the Florida Divisions of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

And of course, when searching for your new home in the Tampa Bay area contact our team to help you.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published March 2015. It has since been updated to reflect current information and edited for clarity and cohesiveness.

What’s In a Name: Common Florida Property Styles

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When looking for a new home, the terminology used to describes properties can be overwhelming. While some terms like “condo” and “single family” are fairly self-explanatory, others like “bungalow” and “mid-century” can leave a lot of room for interpretation. We’re here to shine a light on what the most common property style terms actually mean.

Ranch Style

Florida’s favorite style of home is the ranch. In fact, it’s the most popular style across the country for homes built between 1950 and 1979. A ranch style house is identified as a one level floor plan. Often it is sprawling with just as many rooms as you would find in a two-story house. In Florida, many of these house also feature large windows, sliding doors, and outdoor living areas such as lanais and pools.

Bungalow Style

Another popular style of home in Florida is the bungalow. These homes were often built at the beginning of the 20th century. Traditionally they are rectangular and often narrow with two to three bedrooms, a living area, and a kitchen. The feature a gabled roof and covered front entry or porch. Many homes incorporate brick or stone in the front exterior in addition to wood frames and siding.

Split Level Style

Similar to the Ranch Style, the split level is typically one and a half story floor plan. The idea of the split level design was to segregate social areas from sleeping areas. Often, the bedrooms and bathrooms will be towards the back of the house and/or over the garage area while the living and dining areas are in the front of the home.

Spanish / Mediterranean Style

Another popular trend in home styles in the Florida region is the Spanish or Mediterranean Style. This design features stucco exterior walls, tiled roofs, arches inside and outside, wrought iron work, decorative tile, and earth color palettes. This style can be applied to both one and two story homes.

McMansion Style

Lacking another term, this style of home is often associated with new construction from the 1990’s through today. The primary identifier of this type of house is it’s shear size. Often these types of home borrow from other styles including Regency, Shingle, and Spanish to create a complex structure that includes multiple entrances, multiple garages, and multiple exterior elements. Inside the home bedrooms are large and many feature an open floor plan with a focus on the kitchen and living area.

 

Chihuly Collection Downtown St. Petersburg

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When you think of priceless collections of art, many people think of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York or the Louvre in Paris but Tampa Bay has it’s own center of culture and arts right in St. Petersburg thanks in part to museums such as the Morean Arts Center.

The Morean Arts Center features contemporary art from local artists and a 10,000 square foot permanent collection of blown glass from artist Dale Chihuly.

Since it’s  July 2010 unveiling in downtown St. Petersburg, the Chihuly Collection has attained star status in a city rapidly turning into a cultural mecca. The St. Petersburg installation is the only permanent collection of Chihuly’s work, anywhere.

Chihuly Collection

Part of Chihuly’s “Sealife Stoppers” series, resemble fragile, finely sculpted marine creatures made from hand-blown glass bursting with lustrous color and texture. Sea flora and fauna are recurring themes in many of Chihuly’s creations, and seem very much at home in the Collection’s downtown, bayfront Beach Drive location.

Be sure to include a stop at the Chihuly Collection the next time you’re looking to boost your cultural quotient. The Collection recently moved and is now located at 720 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg. They’re open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Call them at 727-896-4527 or visit them online at moreanartscenter.org.

After your visit to the Chihuly Collection, take a stroll of less than a mile to the Glass Shop & Hot Shop, and witness resident glass artists creating unique pieces while a narrator explains each step of the process from vision to completion. The Hot Shop is located at 719 Central Avenue (on the corner of 1st Ave N & 7th St). For more information call them at 727.822.7872.

This is another reason why we love living in St. Petersburg, FL.  Are you ready to make your move?

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in March 2013. It has since been updated and edited for clarity and cohesiveness.

 

Easy Ways to Save for a Down Payment

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Whether you’re planning on putting down twenty percent or as little as possible, when buying a home there will still be a down payment upfront costs that every Buyer needs to save for. It can seem like an insurmountable task but it is possible to save a solid chunk of change in as little as year.

Keep Track

Can you account for every penny you spend? If you’re not tracking your spending you’ll have no idea how you can save a little extra. Invest in a budgeting app link Mint to track your income and your expenses. Once you’ve have the scope of your regular spending you can begin to see what areas you can trim and stash in savings.

Save Automatically

Make your savings account a bill and pay it first. If you’re able to set up an automatic allocation from your employer even better.

Ask For Discounts

Are you a military service member, a first responder, teacher, or a student? Many establishments offer discounts for these careers, all you need to do is ask. Many other companies offer discounts depending on your employer. Ask your insurance provider if they can provide a discount for bundled policies as well. Those savings add up every month and you can easily roll them into your savings account.

Easy Ways to Save For a Down Payment

BYOL

Want to add to your savings account every week? Bring your own lunch and brew your own coffee. Not only is it saving your $10-15 per day, you’ll also make healthier choices.

Snowball

Have your recently paid off a credit card or other debt (also a good goal when planning to buy a house)? Take that payment amount and apply it to your savings. Your budget was able to handle the payment so make it continue work towards your goal.

Ask For Money

There are a multitude of home buyer programs out there. Some local and non-profit organizations also provide no interest loans or grants to first time home buyers, veterans, and disabled people. Take the time to research if any of these options are available to you.

 

Home Buyer Misconceptions

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The road to homeownership is a straight line from start to finish, right? It’s hire a Realtor, find a house, get a mortgage, and close. Not so fast. While the major stepping stones are almost always the same for everyone, the steps in between can be different from Buyer to Buyer.  We bust the misconceptions many home buyers, new and seasoned, have when it comes to finding their next home.

Home Buyer Misconceptions

You Need a Big Down Payment

Many people immediately count themselves out of owning a home because they can’t come up with a 20% down payment. While a larger down payment can save you from additional costs such as PMI, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t purchase a home. In addition to PMI, there are programs available through the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) that require as little as 3.5% or the Veteran’s Administration (VA) that may have no down payment requirement.

Your Credit Score Isn’t Perfect

Your credit score is not the end all, be all to securing a mortgage. A mortgage underwriter will review much more than the number to ascertain a full picture of your financial health. If you hit a few bumps along the way due to an unexpected illness or unemployment, your underwriter will look at your recent payment history to see if you’ve made any late payments or have any unpaid liens or judgments.

Don’t Talk To Too Many Lenders

People are still laboring under the idea that multiple lenders reviewing your credit report hurts your credit score. FICO, the credit score authority, allows for consumers to shop around for best rates. As long as credit inquiries are all within a 30 day time period, the inquiries show are all counted as 1 inquiry. This is great news that gives potential Buyers the power to find the best interest rate.

You Should Make a Low Offer and Negotiate

Making a low ball offer to “kick things off” is never a good approach. Depending on the market conditions, you may automatically exclude yourself from consideration because the Seller received other, more realistic offers. If the market isn’t super hot, it may give the Seller pause to think you may not be a strong Buyer, which could mean a delayed closing causing them additional months of mortgage payments and taxes. Instead, making your second best offer is often the best practice and provides you with room to negotiate should the Seller counter your offer.

When you decide you’re ready to become a home owner, do your research and contact our team to help you through each step of the process from pre-approval to sold.

Spring Training in the Tampa Bay Area

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February is upon us and that means baseball spring training camps are opening up once again.  Pitchers and catchers report February 14, 2018 (for the 2nd year in a row, sorry baseball wives & girlfriends) and the full squads will follow a few days later.  The Tampa Bay area is rife with camps representing both American League and National League teams.  We’ve compiled a list of training camps that are within an hour’s drive.  Tickets are still available for training sessions and games and make for a great day with friends or your family.

Spring Training in the Tampa Bay Area

Baltimore Orioles –  Ed Smith Stadium | 2700 12th Street Sarasota, FL | Spring Training website

Detriot Tigers – Joker Merchant Stadium | 2125 North Lake Avenue Lakeland, FL | Spring Training website

New York Yankees – George Steinbrenner Stadium | One Steinbrenner Drive Tampa, FL | Spring Training website

Philadelphia Phillies – Bright House Field | 601 N. Old Coachman Road Clearwater, FL | Spring Training website

Pittsburgh Pirates – McKenchie Field | 1611 Ninth Street West Bradenton, FL | Spring Training website (This year marks 50 years of spring training in Bradenton.)

Toronto Blue Jays – Florida Auto Exchange Stadium | 373 Douglas Avenue Dunedin, FL | Spring Training website

Our own Tampa Bay Rays train further south in Port Charlotte about an hour and a half away, but we couldn’t keep them off the list!

Tampa Bay Rays – Charlotte Sports Park | 2300 El Jobean Road Port Charlotte, FL | Spring Training website

You can find the full training and exhibition schedule for all of your favorite teams here: Spring Training & Exhibition Games Schedule.

Will you be cheering on any of the teams listed above?

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published February 2015. It has since been updated with current information and edited for clarity and cohesiveness. 

FAQ: Homeowner’s Insurance

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Owning a home is part of the American dream for many of people in this country. It’s a milestone that many use to measure success or an accomplishment. It’s also a huge investment. When totaled, the down payment, closing costs, mortgage payments & interest, and personal belongings are of significant value. You wouldn’t want to leave your investment up to chance and neither does a mortgage company, who also has a stake in your investment. That’s why homeowner’s insurance is a must for every homeowner.

What’s the standard policy cover?

A typical homeowner’s insurance policy covers the repair or rebuilding of your property in the event of damage or total destruction due to fire, wind, hail, theft, or accidents. The insurance company relies on multiple pieces of information to determine how much it would cost to repair or rebuild the property and these pieces of data can change with market conditions so don’t be surprised by an increase in rates from one year to the next. In addition to the actual structure, a policy will typically cover a stated value of personal belongings that are damaged or destroyed. Finally, personal liability is also covered in a homeowner’s policy. Should a person become injured on your property, your policy will bear the financial burden up to the stated amount in the policy.

FAQ: Homeowner's Insurance

What’s not covered in a homeowner’s policy?

The two biggest events not covered in a standard homeowner’s insurance policy are earthquakes and floods. Both of these events require separate policies and homeowner’s may be required to carry coverage by their mortgage company. Some insurance companies may be able to add a rider for earthquakes or floods while other may not offer the coverage at all. If the property is located within a designated flood zone, the homeowner is required by law to carry flood insurance. Floodsmart.gov is a good place to start searching for flood coverage.

Other coverage to consider when shopping for a policy is additional living expenses and riders for high price belongings such as art or jewelry. Additional living expenses will provide the insured with money should they need to reside elsewhere due to a covered event. Read through all of the details on this rider and take note of the maximum amount paid out and the time frame allotted. For high priced items, the insurance company will most likely require an appraisal and proof of payment for the piece in question.

What about deductibles?

Like with any insurance policy, homeowner’s policies have a deductible. This is the amount the insured is required to payout prior to the insurance company covering costs. The higher the deductible the lower the yearly premiums will be. When it comes to filing a claim, it’s best to evaluate whether the total cost of the claim well exceeds the deductible.

As each property and homeowner are unique so too are insurance policies and often insurance companies. We recommend you shop around and compare policies before purchasing coverage.

How to Make a Rental Feel Like Home

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There are more renters in the United States than there has been in the last five decades. There are numerous reasons why people rent; millennials just getting their adult lives started, a military family with a short term assignment, or just someone who simply doesn’t want the responsibilities of being a home owner. Whatever the reason for renting, you want to feel at home and that can be difficult to achieve that feeling if you’re living in a place with bland off-white walls. It’s important to feel at home where you’re living and it can be done.

Get the Okay

Have a discussion with your landlord and find out what changes he or she will allow to the property and which they won’t. Some landlords may be willing to allow a tenant to paint as long as the landlord has the final decision on paint colors or if the tenant returns the property with the original paint color. It’s best to get the approved changes in writing before proceeding.

Decorate With Purpose

Working with bland basic like beige walls or carpet can actually be a perk. Design each room or the entire home with a theme. If you need your bedroom to be restorative, choose bedding and curtains in calming shades and don’t skip on the blackout variety. You can turn your bathroom into a spa with lush towels, candles, and an updated shower head. Make mindful choices that you will enjoy instead of just making do.

How to Make a Rental Feel Like Home

Disguise Problem Areas

No property is ever picture perfect but when you’re a renter it’s not an easy fix. To hide or improve the less desirable features of your rented home don’t be afraid to use accessories. If a room makes you feel claustrophobic use a mirror to give the illusion of more space. Lamps with bright bulbs can light up dark corners and area rugs can hide the ugly shade of carpet.

Home isn’t just the place you rest your head at night; it’s also your neighborhood. Get out and explore your new neighborhood. Introduce yourself to the neighbors and find what makes the area special.