Chris Hounchell REALTOR

Welcome Home!

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

Old Northeast Neighborhood in St. Pete

By Leave a Comment

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.

Things to Do to Settle Into Your New Home

By

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.

 

Is the Neighborhood Family Friendly? 4 Signs to Look For

By

If you’re on the hunt for a home to raise your family in, the idea of a “home with a great school district” can leave a lot to be desired. Great schools aren’t always the best indicator of a family friendly neighborhood. While a home may be in a highly rated school district it may not meet the needs of a family with children. What should you look for when searching for a home in a family friendly neighborhood?

Location

A family friendly neighborhood will be within close proximity to amenities such as playgrounds, sports fields, and schools. The neighborhood will also be close to things like grocery stores and child care options. While the neighborhood may be further away from parents’ jobs, it provides much of the needs of the family as a whole within a short distance.

Safety

Keeping your children safe and giving them the opportunity to enjoy their neighborhood is important. You’ll want to be mindful of the amount of traffic on the street you’ll live on and also near locations such as schools and playgrounds. While your children may be young at the time of your purchase, they’ll eventually grow older and will start to do things independently so sidewalks and street lighting are important. You’ll want to make sure their routes are as safe as possible. Crime statistics can be found through City-Data.com and Meghan’s Law reporters can be found through Florida’s searchable database.

Is the Neighborhood Family Friendly?

Community

It’s one thing to live in a neighborhood but it’s quite another to have a community. When you look for a house, you’ll want to get a feel for the neighborhood. Talk with the owners about their opinions and experiences but also reach out to those people who will continue to live nearby. If they’re willing to answer your questions, ask them what they love about the area and what they don’t like and if they feel it’s an overall family friendly neighborhood. Don’t take one person’s testimony as gold, talk to a few neighbors, if you can, to get a feel for things.

Schools

Earlier in this post we said great schools aren’t always a best indicator of a family friendly neighborhood but they should still be taking into account when deciding on a neighborhood and a home. There are multiple sources that “grade” schools with either a number or letter but don’t rest your whole decision on that one designation. You should investigate the school for the things that are a priority to you; whether that be diversity, test performance, or special curriculum offerings.

There’s a Zombie House In My Neighborhood What Do I Do?

By

While many experts talk about the recovery the real estate market is experiencing there is still an obvious sign of what happened following the mortgage crisis of 2008. Zombie houses, or houses that are abandoned and not yet foreclosed, still litter some neighborhoods. As recent as early 2016, the Tampa Bay area holds the unfortunate distinction of having the fourth largest number of zombie houses in the country.

The plague of the zombie house can be far reaching into the neighborhood. Lack of proper and regular maintenance can lead to unsafe conditions and even affect other properties, especially those sharing a common wall or other boundary. Abandoned and unsecured houses can attract a host of unauthorized people to enter the property for their activities. Wild animals can also find shelter in abandoned properties in or in the unkempt yards. In addition to the unsafe and undesirable conditions of a zombie house, it can also greatly reduce the value of your well maintained property. If a house in your neighborhood begins to show signs of becoming a zombie, what can you do about it?

Zombie House

Source: Craigh Clouter via Flickr

Investigate

In our post about neighbors affecting the sale of your home, we suggested that you talk with a neighbor who’s home was showing signs of disrepair or neglect. Not all unkempt houses are zombie houses. Reaching out to a neighbor can tell you if the house is vacant or if the owner is elderly or otherwise unable to perform the needed maintenance. From there, you can get a better idea of how to proceed. If the property is vacant, reach out to your local building or code enforcement office who most likely responds to these types of situations. If it’s simply a neighbor in need of some assistance, roll up your sleeves and lend a hand.

Report

In Tampa and many other local communities, property owners are required to register a vacant home. The idea is that officials will know who to hold responsible when repairs are required. If the municipality is forced to make the repairs the bill will be collected against the owner. One of the defining characteristics of a zombie house though is the failure for the mortgage company to have completed a foreclosure in a timely manner and transfer ownership into their name. A recent ruling by the state’s Appeals Court found that liens placed on a home prior to completing a foreclosure are not divested at the Sheriff’s Sale. This puts more pressure on banks to keep houses in good order no matter what stage of repossession they may be. If you learn about a zombie house in your neighborhood, advise your local municipality who will monitor the property and address any code violations.

Watch

An abandoned home is attractive to a number of people, from squatters to copper thieves to kids just looking to explore. It’s best to keep an eye out for suspicious activity in or near a zombie house. If you do notice people who should not be in the house, contact the police…do not confront anyone you don’t know. By helping to keep the property secure, you help ensure that the mortgage company does not need to spend more time repairing it before listing it for sale and lengthen the life of a zombie house.

Your options may seem limited and realistically they are when it comes to a zombie house. Staying aware of the status of your neighborhood and keeping in touch with the proper authorities can make a difference in how long a zombie house affects your neighborhood.

Neighbors Can Affect Your Sale and What To Do About It

By

In the past, we’ve talked about being a good neighbor and how it can benefit you but what if your neighbors don’t return the consideration? Worse, what if they’re the reason you’re moving? No matter how much you prep and stage your home, your neighbors can affect the sale of your home. Most neighborly offenses are annoying rather than illegal, so you’re left to your own devices for recourse.

Appearances Are Deceiving

You may have a meticulously manicured lawn but your neighbor may have embraced more of “natural” feel. If it’s not an untrimmed lawn, it could be a junked up yard or shabby looking exterior. Whatever the physical issue is, talk to your neighbor about your intentions to sell and offer to help resolve the issue. Maybe the home owner is elderly or impaired and these tasks are just too much for them to carry out. Not only is this tactic good for your karma, it can also help your appraisal values.

Neighbors Can Affect Your Sale and What You Can Do About Ita

The “Colorful” Personality

Every neighborhood is going to have an array of people and their accompanying personalities. However, sometimes that personality can be more “miserable” than “colorful”. A wise Buyer is going to talk with the neighbors, if they can, before they make an offer. As the Seller, you’ll want to avoid them talking with that grumpy neighbor who only focuses on the negatives. The best way around this is to suggest a neighbor who is more reasonable. If you have a nosy neighbor who insists on inserting themselves into every situation, try to schedule showings for when you know they won’t be home.

Zombies

No, not The Walking Dead kind rather foreclosed homes. These are still a huge issue in many communities. Zombie homes are usually houses that the owners have abandoned and the bank has yet to complete the foreclosure. In many municipalities, there are ordinances in place for the bank to maintain and secure the property if they have an open foreclosure action. If your local town doesn’t have similar rules in place, some calls to the mortgage company or their attorney can help get the issues addressed.

Whatever situation you find yourself facing, try to be diplomatic as possible. No one likes being criticized especially when it comes to their home. Being understanding to their situation and providing a few solutions that involve both of you can lead to a resolution faster than a demand to “fix it”.

4 Tips For Being a Good Neighbor

By

You’ve spent a lot of time, not to mention money, on finding the perfect house for you in your ideal neighborhood. You’re going to spend a large amount of time in the same area with the same people, namely your neighbors. Getting along with your neighbors can either make or break your living experience. We have four simple tips to make you a good neighbor.

Be Friendly.

Whether you’re the new face in the neighborhood or just saw a moving van pull up across the street, take a few minutes out of your day and say “hello” and introduce yourself. It doesn’t take much effort and it can go a long way to make a good impression on your new neighbor and set the foundation for an amicable relationship. Some neighbors will open up and you may end up developing a friendship, others may value their privacy. Read the situation and go from there.

Be Considerate.

Many neighbor related disputes arise because of inconsiderate behavior. Think before you act. Avoid allowing your dog to bark unchecked early in the morning or late at night. Same goes for doing lawn maintenance or construction. If you’re having a party, make an effort to leave some free parking spaces for your neighbors. If your property shares an amenity such as a fence or tree, talk with your neighbor about maintenance or replacing these things.

4 Tips For Being a Good Neighbor

Address Issues Head On.

If you’re on the receiving end of inconsiderate behavior, don’t immediately jump to complaining to the HOA or filing a grievance with the police. Approach the offending neighbor one-on-one don’t gang up on one person, even if it is a neighborhood-wide offense, and simply ask them to rectify the issue. While it may seem obvious to you, some people aren’t bothered by loud noises early in the morning or mind having to clean up after someone else’s dog.

Take Pride in the Neighborhood.

Everyone in the neighborhood has the right to enjoy a clean and safe place. If the garbage pickup isn’t until Monday, don’t set your garbage out on the front curb until Sunday evening. Make sure that your pets are secured at all times, either on a lease or behind a locked gate. Also make sure your pool is gated and locked to prevent curious kids from taking an unsupervised dip. Taking pride in your neighborhood also means keeping the exterior of your property tidy. Manicured lawns, clean flower beds, and exteriors in good condition will help maintain home values throughout the neighborhood, something that benefits everyone.

What tips do you have for being a good neighbor?

Hyde Park Tampa’s Upscale Neighborhood

By Leave a Comment

Where would you expect to find the world’s longest sidewalk? Monte Carlo? Paris? London perhaps? You might be surprised to find that it’s actually right here in the Tampa Bay area. Bayshore Boulevard holds the record. It is Tampa’s main waterfront thoroughfare running from the Hillsborough River just west of downtown and four and a half miles south to the east side of MacDill Air Force Base.

Bayshore Boulevard is a gently meandering urban greenway offering views of Tampa’s skyline, the waters of Tampa Bay, and also forms the eastern and southern boundaries of Hyde Park. Hyde Park is one of Tampa Bay’s most historic and much sought-after neighborhoods. This upscale residential neighborhood is home to Hyde Park Village, one of Florida’s most fashionable shopping, dining and nightlife destinations.

Hyde Park Neighborhood Tampa Bay

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

The neighborhood of Hyde Park, adjacent to the University of Tampa and the city’s bustling downtown area, got its start in the 1880s when railroad tycoon Henry Plant, builder of the Port of Tampa, financed the building of a bridge spanning the Hillsborough River where Kennedy Boulevard is today. The first house appeared in 1882 and rapid growth followed.

Large citrus groves covered originally covered the majority of the area. By 1910, the groves were gone, the area was subdivided and large revival-style homes were being built. The area flourished until the Stock Market Crash of 1929 when the entire country was plunged into the Great Depression.

Following World War II, Hyde Park underwent renewed growth, but at a much slower pace as a majority of the real estate development was to the western and northwestern “rural” areas. The 1970s and 1980s witnessed a renewed interest in more “urban” living, together with gaining popularity for architectural historic preservation. Since then, Hyde Park has enjoyed a reputation as one of the most desirable neighborhoods throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Hyde Park is the perfect place to live if you want to be in an established, historic neighborhood of distinctive homes, and be less than two miles from downtown Tampa where you’ll find the Tampa Bay Times Forum, home to the National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, The Florida Aquarium, The Convention Center and all that downtown Tampa has to offer. And just nearby are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Legend’s Field, winter home to the New York Yankees and Ybor City. It’s also one of Tampa’s leading shopping, dining and entertainment destinations, where you’ll find a diverse mix of both local original restaurants and leading national favorites. You’ll find the big names stores as well as an eclectic collection of boutiques and creative one-of-a-kinders.

A bit newer on the Hyde Park scene is the area known as SoHo, or south of Howard Avenue. SoHo has become one of Tampa’s leading entertainment destinations as well, and is home to the iconic Bern’s Steak House. Creative epicurean takes are also cropping up in some of SoHo’s new higher-end restaurants, and nightclubs offer an eclectic mix of music, cocktails and some great Hyde Park nightlife. Art galleries, cafes, cool boutiques round out the offerings, making SoHo a vibrant addition to Hyde Park’s unique character.

Hyde Park Preservation, Inc., the neighborhood’s recognized association of residents, is a strong advocate of historic preservation, and works closely with the City of Tampa to ensure that the area retains its character. They provide a Neighborhood Watch program, and help maintain many things like Hyde Park’s signature street signs.

Ready to make Hyde Park your home? Contact us at 727-642-9107.

Editor’s note: This post was original published in October 2013. It has since been updated to include current information and edited for clarity.

 

 

 

 

 

Davis Islands: Tampa Exclusive Real Estate

By

Like Hyde Park, Davis Islands is one of the most prestigious addresses in the Tampa Bay area but holds the distinction of being Tampa’s most sought after waterfront island community.

Davis Islands is a mature and eclectic collection of architectural styles, beautiful, well-established tree lined streets, impressive estates owned by leading national sports and business personalities, as well a sprinkling of bungalow-style homes, deep-water lots, lovely condominiums. The Davis Island Yacht Club, Peter O’Knight Airport, a seaplane basin and a “downtown” shopping area serving up restaurants, intimate cafes, lively bars and unique shopping opportunities all serve the many needs and desires of residents and visitors alike.

Minutes away from Davis Islands are downtown Tampa, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, the Convention Center, Tampa General Hospital, the St. Pete Times Forum, Florida Aquarium, Ybor City and virtually everything else Tampa has to offer both day and night. Tampa International Airport is conveniently and literally only 15-minutes away by car.

View of the downtown Tampa, Convention Center in foreground.
(Photo courtesy of By Robert Neff , via Wikimedia Commons)

Davis Islands is a dog friendly, walking neighborhood that offers a pedestrian trail spanning a majority of the island, and not one but two dog parks.

To reach Davis Islands from downtown Tampa, one must simply cross the Hillsborough River on the Kennedy Boulevard bridge, turn left (south) on Plant Avenue and cross the Davis Islands Causeway adjacent to Tampa General Hospital onto the islands.

From The Bottom of Tampa Bay To Exclusive Real Estate

Before there were Davis Islands, there were three small islands surrounded by mud flats at the mouth of the Hillsborough River where it flows into Hillsborough Bay and from there into Tampa Bay.

In the early 1920s, Tampa native D.P. Davis bankrolled some of the money he made as a Miami real estate developer to create a resort community complete with hotels, a nine-hole golf course, an airport and a swimming pool. Despite opposition from nearby neighbors, Davis dredged over 89 million cubic feet of sand from the bottom of Hillsborough Bay to create Davis Islands, which today encompasses 875 acres.

Davis Islands Florida | Hounchell & Associates

(Photo courtesy of Boston Public Library vis Flickr)

Every one of the initial 306 home lots that became available for purchase were bought within three hours after initially going on sale. A building frenzy ensued and many owners were encouraged to build Mediterranean Revival-style homes to help promote the “Venetian” ambiance of the new community. Many of these homes remain today.

In 1925, the Florida real estate development juggernaut came to a screeching halt and construction did not fully restart until after World War II. To help kick start sales, owners were able to build in any style they chose, which accounts for the eclectic mix of architectural styles seen today.

Since the 1980s, the Davis Islands Civic Association has been an active collection of homeowners whose goal it is to maintain the unique character of the islands, improve the quality of life throughout the community for the roughly 5,500 residents and promote projects such as the Seaplane Basin Park, Apex Park and Welcome Home Park. Membership is encouraged but not required.

If you’re considering a move to or near downtown Tampa and are looking for a community that offers an appealing mix of architectural styles, waterfront and bay access, world-class amenities, a marina facility, private airport and quiet, check out all that Davis Islands has to offer. We can help, call  727-642-9107 or email us.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in April 2014. It has been updated to reflect new information and edited for cohesiveness. 

 

 

Welcome the New Neighbors

By

It’s easy to spot a new addition to your neighborhood, the moving truck in the driveway and the flurry of people in and out with boxes are a dead giveaway.  You want to start things off on the right foot but it can be awkward to find the new owners and steal a few minutes with them to introduce yourself.  So how and when should you introduce yourself to your new neighbors?

When to say “Hi!”

Any time within the first week of moving in is the best time to ring the door bell and say “hello.”  Some buyers may have taken the initiative to talk to the existing owners in the neighborhood before purchasing their home so you may have had a few words with your new neighbors; even if this is the case you should still make the effort to welcome them “officially” to the neighborhood.  Moving day itself is always hectic and a bit chaotic but if you see the new owners with a little bit of down time you can make your introductions quickly and let them get back to their work.  If you stop by a day or two after the move, be mindful of the dinner hour or if they have small children, early afternoon which is prime nap time, before ringing the doorbell.  Don’t try to shy away from the introduction by leaving a note when you know they’re not home unless you’ve tried without success to meet them face-to-face.

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Make it short and sweet.

While you want to be welcoming and friendly to your new neighbor, you don’t want to burden them with the pressure to entertain you or take up their time while they’re still trying to settle their new home.  Make your visit brief enough to welcome them to the neighborhood, let them know where you live, and any helpful information about the neighborhood (trash pick up day, best pizza place that delivers).  Avoid talking badly about anyone in the neighborhood, unless you want to be labeled as the “gossipy” neighbor.

Don’t come empty handed.

We’ve all moved at least once in our lives and there was always that one thing we needed or wanted that would have made life a lot easier.  Think about that one thing and bring it with you when you introduce yourself.  Maybe it’s a few kitchen staples, cleaning products, or something particular to your area; when all else fails a perfectly good plate of cookies will always be welcomed.

It benefits you to be friendly.

While you don’t have to be friends with every one of your neighbors it definitely benefits everyone to know each other’s names.  There’s safety and security in numbers and it’s always comforting to know your neighbors will keep an eye on your home while you’re away.  It’s also reassuring to know the parents of the children your kids may play with daily.  And who knows, maybe you’ll hit things off with your new neighbor and gain a friend.