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

Benefits of Selling During the Off Season

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School is back in sessions, the temperatures are cooling down (slightly), this time of year is known as the “off season” in real estate. Traditionally, real estate’s busy season is April through July, with many closings wrapping up by August. But what if you need or want to sell your home at a different time of year? Are you bound to accept a lower price? Maybe not. Let’s look at the benefits of selling during the off season.

The Competition

One of the very first things you’ll notice during the off season is the lack of inventory in the real estate market. That’s a great thing for any Seller. Fewer homes for sale means your listing will be shown to more often to potential Buyers. There will be fewer listings to distract Buyers and fewer options for them to choose from when it’s time to make an offer.

The Buyers

People searching for a home during the off season are serious and motivated Buyers. Maybe they’re moving because of a job or a life-changing event, whatever the case they are decided on purchasing a home now instead of waiting for their “dream” home, which may not even exist, to appear on the market. These types of Buyers may also mean you’ll have less showings, indecision, and demands on the Buyers’ part since they’re on a deadline. They’ll also be more willing to get to the closing table on time than a Buyer who may have all summer to sort things out.

Benefits to Selling During the Off Season

Your House Looks Great

The off season also ushers in the busy holiday season and many homeowner decorate according. Go ahead and decorate with a gentle touch. (Griwswolds need not apply.) Holiday decorations usually take the place of your every day items, such as photos and other personal items; which homestagers recommend you remove anyway when you list your home for sale. Fall colors or twinkling holiday lights can make your home even more warm and inviting than it already is.

More Time With Your Realtor

While every good Realtor will attempt to give your home undivided attention, the busy season and a packed listing inventory can make that more difficult. Now that the market has slowed down, your Realtor will have more time to create a customized marketing plan for your property and host more events like open houses and agent previews before the listing hits the market.

Have you ever sold a home during the “off season”? Would you do it again?

Benefits of Buying During the Off Season

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Want in on a secret? There’s no bad time to buy a house. Spring and summer offer a wild range of options but fall and winter, the “off season”, offer advantages of their own.

Benefits of Buying During the Off Season

Time Is On Your Side

A Seller willing to list during the off season may be one on a deadline so you’re more than likely to have a counterpart that is ready to make decisions quickly. The Seller isn’t the only person motivated to get to the closing table. Realtors, mortgage lenders, and other parties all have lighter case loads during the off season. This means underwriters are able to get your loan approved faster and inspectors can get out to the property sooner. Realtors are also more available for inspection appointments and running down last minute details they may not otherwise have time for during the busy season.

Tax Benefits

There’s almost always a slight increase in closings right before the end of the year. Why? Because the purchase of a home can be written off for the current tax year. What better way to ease the shift in your budget than decreasing your tax liability and hopefully increasing your tax return. You don’t need to wait until December to make your purchase though, you’ll still reap the benefits sooner than someone who bought earlier in the year.

The Competition

We talked about competition in our post about selling during the off season but it also applies to Buyers. If the housing market in your area is hot, chances are you’ll end up priced into a less desirable home or you’ll find yourself engaged in a bidding war if you shop during peak season. But if you can wait until the off season you’ll have less Buyers vying for the same inventory.

Smooth Move

Are you planning on repainting before you move in or hiring the professionals to move your possessions? Many home improvements vendors and moving companies see their business decrease during the fall and winter months. This is good news for Buyers since you’ll be able to hire the vendors of your choice and take advantage of their open schedules. Some also offer off season rates or discounts to drum up business.

If you can put off your home buying until the off season you may have some added gains but it shouldn’t be the only reason to jump into the real estate market. If you’re thinking about buying check out our post to see if you’re really ready.

Old Northeast Neighborhood in St. Pete

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Old Northeast sign for neighborhood in St. Petersburg, FL

Old Northeast neighborhood in the center of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida

If a centrally located, historically significant and architecturally diverse neighborhood of active, involved residents is what you’re looking for smack dab in the center of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, you need to look no further than Old Northeast. The Old NE, as some call it, has heart, soul, a rich tradition and a location that has never and never will be duplicated.

Bounded on the north by 30th Avenue North, on the west by 4th Street North, on the south by 5th Avenue North/Northeast and on the entire east side by North Shore Park and the entrance to Tampa Bay, Old NE is simply one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the greater Tampa-St. Petersburg area.

Currently home to approximately nine thousand residents, Old NE is the result of visionary developer C. Perry Snell, for whom nearby Snell Isle is named. Old NE has the distinction of being the first established neighborhood in the City of St. Petersburg.

History of Old Northeast

Home construction began in 1911 and hit “build-out” by the late 50’s. Building slowed dramatically in the late 1920’s and 1930’s due to the Great Depression, and the area continued to experience tough times until the 80’s when buyers were once again lured by its central downtown location and rich architectural heritage. Today, Old NE is thriving and real estate values are on the rise.

Old Northeast Today

The City of St. Petersburg named the Grenada Terrace subdivision a Local Historic District in 1988 to help preserve it’s unique architecture. Old Northeast was named to the National Register of Historic Places on February 20, 2003. Preservation efforts in the 1990’s led to the restoration and reopening of the Vinoy Hotel and other local points of interests led to the designation.

Some call Old NE “influential,” due to the who’s who of once and current residents. Others simply call it “charming,” due to its brick streets, lush, mature vegetation and an eclectic mixture of homes ranging from Mediterranean Revival to bungalow-style. You’ll find nothing quite like Old NE anywhere else in the entire Tampa-St. Petersburg area.

 

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in September 2011. It has since been updated and edited for clarity and cohesiveness.

Avoid Contractor Scams With These Tips

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The road to recovery from storm damage can be a long one and one that you can’t travel alone. Whether you lack the skills to make the necessary repairs or the scope of the project is just too big, there are times when you will need a professional contractor to handle the work. While the majority of contractors are honest, hard working, and deliver the promised results, there is a minority who don’t measure up. Clean up from events such as hurricanes and floods gives these less-than honest perpetrators a large population to take advantage of. So how do you avoid getting caught up in a contractor scam?

Knock, Knock.

Most contractors don’t go door-to-door soliciting work. All to often when scams are reported in the news, the story begins with the scammer knocking on the door of an unspecting homeowner. There are several different hooks with the most common being they were doing work on a neighbor’s home and have extra materials they can offer for a discounted rate or they’re looking to do one big job with several different homes in one time frame. If the offer is good only for that moment it’s most likely too good to be true and you should decline.

No license, no permits, no problem.

If a contractor says their rates are lower than the competition because they don’t have a license to operate a business in your area or they won’t be requesting the proper permits from the local municipality…run. There’s a reason why this person or company doesn’t have a license and it doesn’t bode well for you and your home at all. Not seeking the proper permits can also cause headaches for you later resulting in hefty fines or having to remove the work and add it back with the proper permits and inspections.

Avoid Contractor Scams With These Tips

Write it down.

No work should be done on your home without a written contract. The contract should state the start date and the expected completion date, detail the work that should be done, the materials to be used, who will request the permits, and a payment schedule. If a contractor isn’t willing to put their work in writing, chances are they won’t be willing to honor any verbal agreement you make.

Money talks.

If a contractor provides you a “discount” for paying in cash without a receipt instead of with check or credit card ask the contractor (and yourself) “Why?” There are a multitude of reasons why the contractor wants to circumvent a paper trail and none of these reasons are good for you. If work is being done as part of an insurance claim, you as the homeowner should have most if not all of the communication with the insurance company and payment should be made to you as the insured, not the contractor. Also, any contractor who is looking to “pad” an estimate to provide to an insurance company with the promise of giving you the difference between the actual cost of the work and the estimate is committing insurance fraud and asking you to be a party to it.

Payment in full upfront is another red flag that should warn you that the contractor either doesn’t have a stable business or that they are looking to cut and run. There’s nothing wrong with providing a down payment but it should be detailed in the contract and you should be provided with a receipt.

Word of mouth.

The best way to find a reliable contractor is through friends and family who have had similar work done to their homes. Asking for references from reliable people provides you will a good starting off point. After you have names, research their business reviews through sites like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Angie’s List. You can also search to verify a contractor has a license through the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation. And of course meet with multiple contractors and obtain their written estimates before you make the final decisions.

Hurricane Recovery

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The Tampa Bay area dodged a direct landfall from Hurricane Irma this past week but it didn’t spare the area from feeling the effects. Now that the storm is passed it’s time to clean up the mess the hurricane left behind. Read below for important safety, insurance, and clean up tips that will make the recovery process go as smooth as possible.

Follow Instructions

As we’ve said in previous posts about flood and hurricane safety, do not return to your home until you’ve been cleared by local authorities. If you do not heed their warnings, you run the risk of encounter live electrical lines, displaced wildlife, and other dangerous or hazardous situations. If you have been allowed back to your home to collect belongings and assess damage, continue to monitor the instructions of local officials; flooding and storm situations are ever changing even after the initial storm is passed. The CDC recommends using safety equipment such as hard hats, gloves, waterproof boots, and eye protection when you return to a damaged property.

Document Everything

While it’s a good practice to have pre-storm documentation of your home’s condition and your personal effects, you’ll need to document the things that the storm and/or flood waters have done to your property. Your best bet it to take pictures with a digital camera that time-stamps the photos. Contact your insurance company and begin the claims process as soon as possible. Resist the urge to throw out damaged items until after your insurance adjuster has seen the damage first hand or you’ve been instructed to do so by your insurance agent. Some insurance policies include reimbursement for displaced lodging and meals so be sure to keep all of your receipts.

Hurricane Recovery

Proceed With Caution

Set the stage for an organized and safe clean out. Make plans to secure valuables and other personal property that were not affected in a separate location. Once the water has receded or been removed from your home, use high powered fans to begin drying. Carpet and dry wall may need to be removed in order to prevent mold growth. Use bleach diluted in clean water to scrub surfaces that may have come in contact with flood water.

Remove downed trees and limbs in a safe manner. If any part of a tree or limb is resting on or near a power line, consider the line live and contact utility workers to assist in the removal. Clear gutters, drain spots, and drains of any debris that may have collected during the storm. If siding was damaged or removed during the storm, check to to ensure the walls and insulation were not damaged before replacing the siding. Hose off any remaining debris from exterior walls, driveways, and sidewalks. Check to make sure fences are secure and sidewalks are in good condition.

If any part of your home looks to be sagging or feels weak, contact a structural engineer to evaluate the issue and determine how best to repair it.

Take Care of Yourself

Experiencing an event such as a hurricane or flood is extremely stressful. It’s understandable to be upset when you see the damage done to your home. Make sure you take proper precautions to protect your physical safety. Be sure to take adequate breaks while working, eat healthy meals and snacks, and get enough sleep each night. If you find yourself struggling mentally with the stress of the situation, don’t be afraid to reach out to a counselor for some help.

Buying a Home With a Significant Other

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Domestic bliss looks a lot different today than it did even ten and twenty years ago. It’s no secret it’s been the norm for many couples to live together before they were married but now there are more couples who have no intentions of ever saying “I do”. While society is changing, laws are slow to catch up and that can leave many non-married people in a precarious position when it comes to their homes. If you’re thinking of buying a home with a significant other we have some things you should consider before you go house hunting.

Buying a Home With a Significant Other

Balance the Budget

Like any other perspective home buyer, we recommend you and your significant other analyze your financial situations and draft a budget. This should include how much each party will put towards the down payment, the mortgage payment, utilities, and home maintenance. You should also consider how much of a mortgage to take out. Should one of you get hurt or lose a job, will one person’s salary be enough to cover monthly payments, utilities, and basic necessities? These considerations will be helpful to your Realtor as well.

Ownership

Unlike a married couple, unmarried couples need to consider how they will title the home. There are three options:

  • Sole ownership: this is not recommended for a domestic partnership as it vest all of the ownership and equity into just one person’s name. If qualifying for financing is a concern for one party, we recommend speaking with an attorney and your mortgage representative to come up with a resolution to protect both parties;
  • Tenants in common: this form of ownership allows each party to hold an equal interest in the property (unless otherwise agreed upon and stated on the deed); each party has the ability to sell or lease their interest in the property without approval from the remaining party; it also means should one owner pass away their interest would be divested to their legal heirs not the remaining homeowner;
  • Joint tenants with the right of survivorship: holding title in this manner is most often used for couples who want the benefits of survivorship, meaning should one owner die by law their shares and interests in the property would be divested to the surviving owner.

Protect Yourselves

While Florida laws has specific statutes in place for divesting property during a divorce, domestic partnerships (different from civil unions) do not have the same precedence. With that in mind, we recommend partners with the help of an attorney, draft a cohabitation agreement and a property agreement. A cohabitation agreement will state each person’s obligations when it comes to the home. Some couples go so far as to list out not only financial obligations but also tasks necessary to keep the home in good order. A cohabitation agreement may also cover plans for who would move out should a breakup occur and a timeline for said plan. A property agreement will spell out what each person brings to the property and how the property and items within it will be divested should the relationship come to an end.

In the end, with these tips we hope you and your partner will find home sweet home.

Buying a Foreclosure: 3 Things You Should Know

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While the real estate market in Florida is continuing to recover from the recession, there are still some foreclosed properties on the market. Historically the foreclosure rate in the entire state of Florida hovers right around five percent, which means there will always been foreclosed houses on the market. While buying a foreclosure can be a great way to get into a the real estate market at a lower price there are other points to consider.

As-Is

The most important thing Buyers should be aware of when buying a foreclosed property is that it is almost always an “as-is” property. Not all properties will be ramshackled or falling down but the average foreclosure house sits empty for at least a year before the mortgage company is able to take possession and list it for sale. While many municipalities have enacted laws that require mortgage companies to perform basic maintenance on a property, there is still the possibility that the interior or housing systems may have fallen into disrepair.  While you may save money on the purchase price, it may be used to resolve any existing issue after closing.

Buying a Foreclosure: 3 Things You Should Know

Negotiations

It’s no secret that mortgage companies are motivated to sell their foreclosed home, also known as REOs (real estate owned). That doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll walk away the owner of a home for pennies on the dollar. In fact, most REOs sell for within 5% of the fair market value of a similar property. When considering your options for negotiations, you and your Realtor need to evaluate the absorption rate and sale price of similar properties. If the absorption rate, the rate at which a house sells, is high and the sale price is comparable you may want to come in with your first and best offer.

It Takes Time

In a traditional transaction, a Buyer will make an offer to the Seller and a deal will be struck or decline within 72 hours. That’s not always the case for foreclosed properties. Depending on the volume of properties the mortgage company is handling may determine how fast or slow an offer is reviewed and approved, denied, or countered. At the height of the foreclosure crisis it wasn’t unheard of to wait several weeks for a response to an offer. Now that volume is decreasing, response times average a few days to a week. That may not be the only hang up though. When the title insurance company begins to review the property’s title report, there may still be open claims, liens, and taxes. While most of these items should have been taken care of at the time of foreclosure, the title company will need to investigate each of them before allowing closing to proceed.

Purchasing a foreclosure doesn’t have to be a nightmare experience or one you should immediately discredit. If you’re aware of the market, do your due diligence, and have a bit of patience you can take that foreclosed house to home.

Brightwaters Boulevard the Gem of Snell Isle

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Brightwaters Boulevard: the gem of Snell Isle in St. Pete, FL

Aerial view of Snell Island and Brightwaters Boulevard, the gem of Snell Isle in St. Petersburg, FL.

Snell Isle is widely regarded as one of St. Petersburg-Tampa’s most desirable waterfront neighborhoods. But for those seeking the most prestigious addresses on Snell Isle, Brightwaters Boulevard is the street on which to buy.

Elegance and grace are the norm in this enclave of custom-built estate homes. Today, many belong to celebrities, sports legends, and captains of Florida industry. Despite its somewhat high profile, the Brightwaters neighborhood remains a balanced mix of elegant, casual, and private.

Most homes had their beginnings in the 1950s, but some still date back to the mid-1920s when C. Perry Snell’s dream of creating a community for St. Petersburg-Tampa’s most elite residents first took hold. Extravagant renovations over the years have helped modernize many homes while retaining the unique character that makes Brightwaters the crème de la crème of Tampa Bay area addresses.

Brightwaters Boulevard Wraps Around Snell Isle Harbor in St. Pete

Snell Isle’s boundaries start at St. Petersburg’s Snell Isle Bridge, which extends easterly along the shoreline to the Shore Acres Bridge, then along the shorelines of Eden Isle and Snell Isle Estates, 34th Avenue and Locust Street to Coffee Pot Bayou. Brightwaters Boulevard is located in the southeastern, most Tampa Bay-facing section of Snell Isle and wraps around Snell Isle Harbor. No shortage of deep-water access here.

Brightwater Boulevard Highlights

Nearby Bay and Gulf beaches are some of the finest found in all of Florida. A five-minute drive takes one to downtown St. Petersburg, which in recent years has transformed itself into a lively and vibrant center for the visual and performing arts, world-class shopping, lush family-friendly parks, professional sporting events and a plethora of dining opportunities. Tampa’s international airport is an easy 30-minute drive across the bay.

The Snell Isle Property Owner’s Association is a hands-on nonprofit organization that includes those residing on Brightwaters Boulevard. The Association carries on C. Perry Snell’s vision, and protects the heritage of the area by guiding improvements and maintaining its unique way of life. The Association is responsible for restoring Snell Isle Park Plaza, complete with meandering walkways, original European statuary and artwork Snell brought back from Europe at a cost of over $1 million in 1920s dollars.

The Community of Bridgetwater Boulevard

Despite the area’s changes over the years, Snell Isle and Brightwaters Boulevard continue to offer buyers a wide spectrum of styles, price ranges and strong long-term real estate value.

Brightwaters is located within the Pinellas County School District with the closest school being St. Raphael Catholic School. It is also home to two churches. The site of today’s St. Petersburg Women’s Club was donated by Snell in 1928, and continues to be an active community organization dedicated to preserving the character of the area. The Snell Isle Marina is a very active center for boaters, and a popular destination for west coast Florida cruisers.

If your desire is to live in St. Petersburg’s finest waterfront neighborhood, be sure to take a long look at Snell Isle’s Brightwaters Boulevard. Then give us a call  at 727-642-9107 to see what is available. We are the residential real estate leader in the Pinellas County area.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in August 2013. It has since been edited to reflect updated information and for cohesiveness. 

Things to Do to Settle Into Your New Home

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You’ve signed the papers, received the keys, and unpacked your boxes. That house is now your home but you’re not done yet. To really settle into your new home you need to think outside the box.

Meet the Neighbors

We’ve talked about the importance of and the effects your neighbors can have. You’re going to live next to these strangers for quite a long time. Why not make the effort to get to know them? Established neighbors can give you the scoop on traffic and hidden gems in the area. Knowing your neighbors can also increase the safety of the neighborhood. You also may find a great friend or two who lives next door or across the street.

Explore the Neighborhood

During your house search, you probably researched the neighborhood but you’ll never learn the ins and outs unless you’re actually out there. Become a tourist and explore all the amenities that your new area has to offer. These things were desirable to you when you were looking to move, now is the time to take advantage of them.

settle-into-your-new-home

Try Something New

Change is good and exciting. Sure you may have a favorite restaurant near your former home but why not try something new closer to you? You may be pleasantly surprised and end up supporting a local business. Even if it’s a flop, you tried and have a story to tell. Your kids will love finding new parks and playgrounds to run around in and make new friends.

Give It Time

The boxes may be gone and everything may have a place but it still may not feel like home. That’s okay! Give your new home, both the house and the area, time to grow on you. You need to learn the quirks and nuances. Before you know it, it won’t be your “new home” anymore, just home.

 

Breweries in Tampa Bay

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In addition to the amazing beaches, entertainment, history, and culture, the Tampa Bay region is also home to some world class beer. In fact, Tampa and the surrounding area was named the “Best Beer City” by SeriousEats.com in 2016. There are over eighty breweries in the region, each with their own unique and locally crafted brews. Best of all many of these breweries are pet-friendly, kid-friendly, offer foods and tours. We’ve created a quick guide that will help you decide which brewery to stop by and enjoy a cold one.

Kid-Friendly Breweries

Looking to make it a family affair? Try one of these breweries that welcome kids.

3 Daughters Brewing | 222 22nd Street South, St. Petersburg

7venth Sun Brewery | 1012 Broadway, Dunedin

Bells Tap and Tavern | 8552 Gunn Highway, Odessa

Coppertail Brewing Company | 2601 E 2nd Avenue, Ybor City

Motorworks Brewing | 1014 9th Street W, Bradenton

Southern Brewing & Winemaking | 4500 N Nebraska Avenue, Tampa

Pet-Friendly Breweries

If your best friend is of the four legged variety, these breweries encourage you to bring him or her along.

Cage Brewing | 2001 1st Avenue South, St. Petersburg

Crooked Thumb Brewery | 555 10th Avenue S, Safety Harbor

Cycle Brewery | 534 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg

Dunedin Brewery | 937 Doughlas Avenue, Dunedin

In the Loop Brewing | 3338 Land O’ Lakes Blvd, Land O’ Lakes

Six Ten Brewing | 7052 Benjamin Road, Tampa

Tampa Bay Brewing Company | 13933 Monroes Business Park, Westchase

Breweries in Tampa Bay

Tour a Brewery

Want to learn how the beer is made? These breweries will take you behind the scenes.

Big Top Brewing Company | 6111 B Porter Way, Sarasota

Brasserie Saint Somewhere Brewing Company | 312 E Tarpon Avenue, Tarpon Springs

Brew Bus Brewing | 4101 N Florida Avenue, Seminole Heights

Cigar City Brewing | 3924 W Spruce Street, Tampa

Mastry’s Brewing Company | 7701 Blind Pass Road, St. Petersburg

Pair O’ Dice Brewing | 4400 118th Avenue N, Clearwater

Sarasota Brewing Company | 6607 Gateway Avenue, Sarasota

Two Henrys Brewing Company | 5210 W Thonotosassa Road, Plant City

Grab a Beer and Bite

There’s nothing better than a good beer paired with some good food.

3 Keys Brewing & Eatery | 2505 Manatee Avenue E, Bradenton

Brew Hub | 3900 Frontage Road S, Lakeland

Brewer’s Tasting Room | 11270 4th Street N, St Petersburg

Carrollwood Brewing Company | 10019 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa

Darwin Brewing Company | 803 W 17th Avenue, Bradenton

LagerHaus Brewery and Grill | 3438 East Lake Road South, Palm Harbor

Mr. Dunderbak’s Beirgarten and Brewery | 14929 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa

R Bar | 245 108th Avenue, Treasure Island

What’s your favorite local brewery?