Chris Hounchell REALTOR

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Award-winning Florida real estate Broker PROUDLY SELLING IN PINELLAS, HILLSBOROUGH, PASCO, MANATEE & SARASOTA COUNTIES since 2004.

Hounchell Shopping Tip Brocante Opens

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Visit the debut of the Brocante Vintage Market on August 3 & 4.

Hounchell & Associates Shopping Tip:
Brocante To Offer Unique Vintage Shopping Experience in St. Pete Two Days Each Month

An interesting new twist in shopping for vintage goods is coming to the St. Petersburg-Tampa area Brocante Vintage Market is a 15,000 square foot indoor “street” market featuring multiple vendors, each with their own style and panache. What’s unique is that Brocante (pronounced Broh-cahnt) will only be open two days on the first weekend of each month!

Brocante is French for “secondhand,” but its promoters advise shoppers to forget what they know about run of the mill flea markets and expect instead a unique shopping destination, and a refreshing, fun monthly vintage shopping experience.

Brocante’s Debuts August 3 & 4 Downtown St. Pete

Brocante is located in a former piano warehouse in downtown St. Petersburg’s Warehouse District at 2200 2nd Ave. S. Doors will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days each month. Those needing an antique shopping fix the other days of the month are advised by organizers to shop their sister store, Paper Street Market, located in downtown St. Petersburg at 915 Central Avenue. Paper Street is open seven days each week.

Vendors actually run the market at Brocante. Each of the dozens of vendors taking part are hand selected for the quality and variety of the vintage items they have for sale, offering a wealth of choices for the public. Vendors also run the cash registers, wrap and bag goods, assist customers searching for something specific and help load larger items at the pick up station. Their goal is to create a smoothly running operation and a cohesive shopping experience.

Vendors interested in becoming part of Brocante need to fill out a Brocanteurs form to be considered.

Happy shopping everyone!

Home Security While On Summer Vacation

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Home Security Systems Provide Theft Deterrence And Peace Of Mind While You Are Away On Summer VacationHome security systems provide theft deterrence and peace of mind so secure your home while you are on summer vacation.

In a recent blog post we discussed steps you can take to have home security while you’re off on summer vacation. The most important point is to make your home look lived in and active by following the suggestions we outlined:

  • Have work done while you’re away
  • Install motion detectors and timers on exterior and interior lights
  • Put your mail and newspapers on hold
  • Don’t tell Facebook and Twitter readers you’re out of town
  • Have someone house sit your home.

One additional item deserving of its own blog is installing a security system, which is our topic today

Research indicates that a burglary is committed in the United States every 10 seconds. One in every 20 homes gets broken into. Barcley Estates, for example, is a St. Petersburg-Tampa neighborhood of about 283 households. If the previous statistic is applied, 15 of those homes will be burglarized. And if you purchased a home in the past two to four years, your chances of getting ripped off increase. Don’t become a statistic. Security systems can provide theft deterrence AND peace of mind.

 Choosing The Right Home Security System:

  • Determine the number of doors and windows you need to protect from potential intrusion.
  • Decide where you’d like to have control panels and keypads installed.
  • Consider your family’s daily, and nightly, habits – is anyone up and about during the night? Does Fido roam the house while you’re sleeping? Answers to these questions will help decide whether and where to install motion detectors.
  • Do you require professional 24-hour monitoring, or can you self-monitor your system by phone and Internet?
  • Do you prefer a wireless or hardwired system?

With this information in hand, it’s time to choose whether to install a security system your self or hire a professional alarm company.

Assuming you’ll be hiring a professional, consider checking with your local police department to see how much time it takes them to respond to an alert from a monitoring company and [Read more…]

Fourth of July events Pinellas County

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Fourth of July events in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties for 2013.Happy Fourth of July!

Fly Your Flags Pinellas & Hillsborough Counties

Get out the bunting and fly your flags. Clean the grill. Make sure the pool is ready. Cut the grass, dig out your red, white and blue outfits and make plans to enjoy one of the best holidays of the year. July 4 is almost upon us and you want to be ready.

To help make the most of the upcoming July 4 holiday throughout the St. Petersburg – Tampa area and, for some, a well deserved long weekend, here is the lowdown on what’s happening throughout the Bay Area.

Pinellas County Fourth Of July Events:

St. Petersburg’s fireworks are set to go off at 9 p.m. from Spa Beach, 615 Second Ave., N, adjacent to The Pier. The waterfront parks will be perfect viewing areas, as will the approach to The Pier. For additional information, please call (727) 893-7465.

Gulfport will hold their Waterfront Arts celebration, including a fishing derby for kids, a family sand sculpting contest and a wealth of arts and crafts. Activities begin at 2 p.m. in Gulfport’s historic Waterfront Arts District, 3129 Beach Blvd. S. For more info, call (727) 322-5217. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.

Clearwater plans to Celebrate America with a live concert, games for kids of all ages and a variety of vendors. Activities will begin at 4 p.m. at Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., and fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m.

On Treasure Island, The Fourth’s fun begins at noon and features food and crafts, a variety of kid’s activities and live music. Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. at Sloppy Joe’s, 10650 Gulf Blvd. For more info, please call (727) 367-1600.

In Tarpon Springs, July 4 festivities kick off at 10 a.m. and will feature a hot dog eating contest, watermelon-seed spitting contests, potato sack races, live music and fireworks off Sunset Beach at dusk. Best viewing will be from Fred Howard Beach. For more information, call (727) 942-5628.

Celebrate in Hillsborough County:

Downtown Tampa will be lit from above with Fireworks at Channelside. Best viewing will be over the Garrison Channel from Channelside Bay Plaza, The Florida Aquarium, the American Victory Ship, Yacht Starship, Cotanchobee Park, the Marriott Waterside, the Forum and Harbour Island beginning at 9 p.m. For more information, please call (813) 223-4250.

The Tampa Bay History Center will offer free admission and extra hours on July 4. Authentic Civil War, Seminole War, Spanish-American War and World War II re-enactors will be on hand beginning at 10 a.m. The Center is located at 801 Old Water St. For more information, call (813) 228-0097.

Temple Terrace’s July 4 celebration will begin at 10 a.m. with a traditional parade starting at Gillette and Whiteway roads and ending on Ridgedale near the Little League fields. Fireworks at 9 p.m. from the Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club, entertainment included. Call (813) 935-8552.

Brandon presents its Fourth of July Blast featuring live music, kid’s entertainment and fireworks at Westfield Brandon, 459 Brandon Town Center.

In Plant City, a full evening of entertainment begins at 6 p.m. at the Plant City Stadium, 1810 East Park Rd. Fireworks light off at 9:15 p.m. Call (813) 659-4200 for additional info.

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

 

 

MartinisforMoffitt2013

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Enjoy A Martini – Fund A Cancer Cure, Saturday, July 20

The Annual Martinis For Moffitt Benefit 

Martinis for Moffitt, an annual event to be held July 20, raises money to finding a find a cure for prostate cancer for Tampa's Moffitt Cancer Research Center.

Tampa’s Moffitt Cancer Research Center wants to retire the axiom, “everyone has been touched by cancer.”

Since 2006, Martinis For Moffitt has raised nearly half a million dollars to help them find a cure for prostate cancer so this adage can be put to rest.

Each year, the exceptional staff at the Moffitt Cancer Research Center treat hundreds of prostate cancer sufferers from throughout St. Petersburg and Tampa, Florida and from across the United States. While they provide incomparable care for their patients, they’re also working tirelessly to find a cure for a disease that takes the lives of over 27,000 people each year. So, each year, Chris Hounchell & Associates and Bay Area Advisors join forces to raise funds to aid Moffitt’s cancer research. JCIII & Associates will serve again as the 2013 Presenting Sponsor.

Join us for the 8th annual Martinis For Moffitt Benefit. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold!

Martinis For Moffitt is an elegant, annual event rich in Tampa tradition combining opportunities to socialize, network, bid on fabulous auction items, enjoy delicious martinis, mouthwatering hors d’oevres and dancing into the wee hours. Eighty percent of the gross charitable donations from Martinis for Moffitt will benefit the Moffitt Cancer Center directly.

Individual tickets cost $100.00 ($125 after July 1st), and must be purchased online. Wanna know more?

Helping in a Large Way – Honoring a Survivor 

Wanna help more? Check out the individual and business sponsorship opportunities available.

Whether you sponsor a table or attend by yourself, you are helping a tremendous cause –  Martinis For Moffitt, Saturday, July 20. Be there!

 

Celebrate Father’s Day on June 16

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Celebrate Happy Fathers Day on June 16, 2013Celebrate Father’s Day on Sun, June 16

It’s tradition that we honor our dads each year on Father’s Day, which this year falls on Sunday, June 16. We give them meaningful cards and gifts, attempt to make them breakfast in bed or perhaps take them out for a special dinner. It’s the one day each year devoted to letting dads know just how special they are, and how much they’ve affected our lives. For a dad, it’s great reaping the rewards of our hard work.

Yet, Father’s Day need not be a spectator sport for dads. It’s also a day for us, us dads that is, to reflect on what it means to be a dad, and what we can do to make our single most important job in life that much more rewarding and meaningful for our children. We have a tremendous responsibility, but the rewards can be awesome and inspiring.

Thoughts on fatherhood and being the best dad you can be, everyday:

  • Your most important job is getting them ready to become adults and leave. Teach them well and know when to let them go.
  • Plant the trees so your children can enjoy the shade.
  • Enjoy the fact that the gray hairs your children give you make you look distinguished. Keep in mind their mother feels just the opposite.
  • Pay attention to the fear of becoming a parent, and revel in the accomplishment of actually being one.
  • Think of ways to become a better dad and implement them.
  • Make sure your kids feel loved, supported and understood.
  • Steer with a steady hand. Be consistent.
  • Your children will judge you just as you judged your father. Be the best one you can be.
  •  If you want to be your kid’s hero, responsibilities come with it. Make sure your image matches reality.
  • Never lose the connection between the dad you are and the child you were. Let your child out.
  • There’s no better job in the world. Enjoy it.

I’m fortunate to have two dads, and I love you both. Happy Father’s Day.

 

Tampa Bay Waterfront Real Estate

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New Listing!

Spectacular Bahamas Shores Waterfront Estate in

St. Petersburg, FL With Tampa Bay Access

Bahama Shores Waterfront Real Estate
Homes in the “Old Florida” Bahama Shores neighborhood rarely come on the market. This remarkable two-story, four-bedroom, three-bath, 3,260 square foot single-family waterfront estate complete with panoramic views of Tampa Bay offers the best of Florida living and is sure to sell quickly.

Situated on a sprawling, lushly landscaped 2/3-acre lot with 135 feet of water frontage, this elegant retreat is only minutes south of downtown St. Petersburg, and all the restaurants, museums, shopping, nightlife and parks for which the city has become well known. Tampa International Airport, beautiful Gulf beaches, a wealth of golfing choices, municipal parks, Fort DeSoto Park and excellent schools are all minutes away.

Boaters will revel in the access they have to the waters of Tampa Bay and just beyond to the Gulf of Mexico. The property features a dock off the seawall, complete with “sailboat water,” and a 10,000 lb. boatlift to keep your watercraft high, dry and safe.

Tampa Bay Waterfront Amenities Galore!

Amenities include mature, lush, lighted and in-ground irrigated landscaping, heated pool with an in-ground spill-over Jacuzzi spa, an oversized master suite with spacious walk-in closet, dual sinks, tub, shower and California storage systems, expansive kitchen with a built-in desk, wine cooler, double ovens and maple-glazed wooden cabinets, in-law quarters, wood-burning fireplace in the living room, formal dining room, tree-canopied travertine tile patio, utility room with sink, lots of storage, dual-zoned air conditioning, Terracotta tile floors, decorative lighting and fans, outdoor bar, new tile roof in 2012, covered lanai, surround sound an a two-car garage with plenty of room for a workshop.

Bahamas Shores is one of the most desirable waterfront neighborhoods in the St. Petersburg – Tampa area. Most homes were built in the late 1940s or early 1950s along tree-lined avenues paved with historic Augusta brick. For those without direct waterfront access, the very active neighborhood association owns a waterfront lot that does double duty as a park and is used for water access.

The home was recently listed by Chris Hounchell & Associates and is priced at $1.5 million.

Is this the house for you? Contact us today, at 727-642-9107.

Get Flood Insurance Coverage

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Hurricane Season starts June 1 make sure you have flood insurance coverage.Hurricane Season Is Here…

Make Sure Your Home & Your Contents Are Covered By Flood Insurance Before It’s Too Late

The 2013 Hurricane Season officially gets underway Saturday, June 1 and lasts through the end of November. A great majority of homes in the St. Petersburg-Tampa area lie within a flood zone. Make sure you get flood insurance coverage before it’s too late.

More homes are damaged by floods in the United States than by any other natural disaster.

Superstorm Sandy, which in October of 2012 tore through the Caribbean, the Bahamas and along the United States’ east coast, resulted in nearly 150 deaths and damage totaling nearly $20 billion, not to mention $10 to $30 billion in lost business. Sandy was one of the most costly natural disasters in the United States. Winds topped 80 mph in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Tides were 20 percent higher than normal. Sandy brought flooding, downed trees and power lines, stranded residents, fires and about 8.5 million people were without power across 15 states.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), roughly 33 percent of homeowners believe that flood damage is covered by a standard homeowners policy. Many of those in the path of Sandy now know better. You should, too.

Important Facts About Flood Insurance

♦ Flood insurance can only be purchased through an insurance agent. Rates are set by the federal government and are the same from agent to agent. To find an agent in your area, call the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) at 888-379-9531.

♦ Flooding can be due to hurricanes and tropical storms, rising river waters, and flash flooding from heavy rainstorms anytime of the year. The west coast of Florida is renown for its heavy rainstorms any time during the year.

♦ Homeowners living in a flood-prone area are four times more likely to experience a flood during their 30-year mortgage than those in higher lying areas.

♦ There is a 30-day waiting period from the time flood insurance is purchased until it goes into effect. If you live in a flood-prone area, buy your flood insurance now. Do not wait until a storm approaches.

♦ Homes and businesses in high-risk flood areas with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders are required to have flood insurance.

♦ Even if you live [Read more…]

Thank you soldiers

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Thank you Soldiers!

Remember The Men And Women Who Died Serving Our Country –Memorial Day is Monday, May 27, 2013

American flag over coffins in plane

Thank you soldiers, remember the men and women who have served us.

During the Civil War, loved ones on the last Monday in May began placing flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers to honor the sacrifices they made for their respective side. Following World War I, the holiday that had formerly been known as Decoration Day was renamed Memorial Day to honor Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day is also regarded as the semi-official beginning of summer.

Honor all those who gave their lives so that we are able to enjoy the freedoms that set our country apart.

THANK YOU SOLDIERS!

 

Celebrate Mothers Day May 12 – Moms Rule

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 Celebrate Mothers Day on Sunday, May 12, 2012Celebrate Your Mom On Mother’s Day, May 12

The Greeks had Cybele, a celebration of their exotic earth goddess, a deity who was believed to have arrived in Athens riding a chariot pulled by lions to the accompaniment of boisterous music and serious, drunken partying.

The Romans had Hilaria to honor the mother of their gods. Lustful rejoicing and sacrifices topped the weeklong celebration program, but also featured were parades, abstinence from certain foods, a day of mourning, bloody whippings and finally, a day to wash up. Good that whippings are no longer a part of our celebration of moms!

Christians had Mothering Sunday, a day dating back to the 16th century when families reunited to visit their area’s central, or mother, church, usually with their moms. Workers got the day off to be with their families, and we’re sure there was a great sharing of casseroles. By the 1950s, people started to recognize the commercial potential of what had become known as Mothers Day. Now there’s no looking back.

Mothers Day in U.S. Becomes Official:

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day an official U. S. holiday, which is celebrated on the second Sunday of May. Here in the St. Petersburg-Tampa area this year, Mother’s Day is May 12.  Norway toasted its moms February 10, the UK on March 10, Hungary is coming up May 5 and Indonesia is holding off until December 8.

Our special day for moms is among the most commercially successful holidays here in the U.S., which certainly has had an enormous effect on the longevity of the occasion. Not so Children’s Day and, thankfully, Temperance Sunday.

In a nod to the Christian contribution of Mothering Sunday, churches report Mother’s Day attendance levels that are only surpassed by Christmas Eve and Easter. MOMS RULE!

Moms do life’s most important job. Be thankful. Let mom know in your own way how much you love her, and how appreciative you are for all she’s done for you. Kiss your mom!

 

 

 

 

Spring Home-Buying Season is Here

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Spring home-buying season is here in Florida, 10 tips for showing your house's WOW factor.Spring Home-Buying Season Is Here – Clean Your House and Put Your Best Clean-Face Forward!

With warmer than normal temperatures already here, it may feel more like summer is upon us, but rest assured it’s still spring. This is the time of the year most homeowners tackle spring-cleaning chores, and buyers set out all over the St. Petersburg-Tampa area looking for a new home. So, if you’re selling your home, here are some handy and compelling tips on making it as enticing, attractive and sale ready as possible.

10 Tips To Give Your House The “Wow-WOW” Factor:

We’ve written before about how important curb appeal is to helping a prospective buyer get a great first impression of your house. We can’t stress enough how critical it is to create a “wow” factor right off the bat.

  1. Start with the landscaping. The winter “browns” are over; rake then fertilize and cut your lawn, prune the bushes, pull the weeds and plant colorful flowers to give the front of your home some pizazz. Remove leaves from your flowerbeds, bushes and shrubs, and replace with a light covering of mulch to give areas a finished, well-maintained look. Remove and replace anything that didn’t make it through the long, cold west coast Florida winter.

2. Pressure wash the exterior. Florida’s state flowers may sometimes feel like mold and mildew, but they have no place residing on your house. Rent a pressure washer, and thoroughly clean everything from the fascia down. Buyers will think the inside is a mess if the outside looks like a biology experiment, and they will probably drive away without parking the car.

3. Identify repairs. In the process of pressure washing, you’re sure to find areas that need repainting and repairs that need to be completed. Make note of what they are, and take care of them as quickly as possible. Clogged gutters can become garden boxes. Clean them out before you have a Sequoia popping out of your roofline. You want your home to be in the best condition possible, not a state forest.

4. Paint your front door. Your home needs to be inviting. What better way than to give your entry a fresh new coat of paint, preferably in a color that contrasts and compliments the rest of the home’s color scheme. It shouldn’t take more than an hour to remove and paint the door, so no excuses. While you’re at it, replace or refresh any missing house numbers, put down a new welcome mat and remove any clutter from the entryway.

5. Shutter the clutter. You like all your stuff, your knick-knacks, your bobble head collection, your wall of stacked beer cans, but you’re alone on this one, trust us. No one else wants to see all that stuff. So get rid of it. Toss whatever you no longer want, [Read more…]