Agent Contact * (click to email)

Marie Becklund: 727-410-6229

Theresa Townsend: 727-239-2536

Admin

Apr

22

Exisiting home sales bottom still elusive

Filed Under Economy, Finance, First Time Home Buyers | 3 Comments

NAR released their March 2008 report and the picture is still not very pretty.

Resale homes continued to drop and now stand at 19.3 percent off of March 2007 numbers. In addition, the media resale home price continued it’s spiral and fell another 7.7 percent compared to the same month in 2007. The median price in 2007 was $217,400. and as of March 31, 2008 it now stands at $200,700.

According to NAR “Regionally, sales rose in the Northeast and West but fell in the Midwest and South.”

So how does the picture differ her in the Tampa Real Estate Market ?

Well according to recent report by the West Pasco Board of Realtors, the Pasco County market has actually had two very good months back to back that prove while the bottom is still elusive in most places it appears to be settling some in other areas. It does appear that their is still more room for prices to drop before the national average stabilizes though.

What is interesting in the Pasco County scenario is that a Florida Economist “Hank” Fishkind, had predicted that areas within the Tampa Bay would recover before others in the state. It may be a bit optimistic at this point to say he his right only more time will tell.

If you are a regular reader to this Blog, then you might recall this post back in February “Florida’s indifferent real estate market in Tampa…huh ? The significance of this post is the comments made by Mr. Fishkind, with specific reference to Pasco County Real Estate he said”

1. HOME SALES: Pasco and Hernando counties’ housing markets have hit bottom and are most likely to start the the turn around ?.this will be seen later in the year. Hillsborough County is close to the bottom, but Pinellas County has a few more months in this downturn before home sales and prices will stabilize.

You can down-load a copy of Dr. Hank Fishkinds Power Point report in PDF format entitled **Economic Outlook U.S. and Tampa Bay/Bay Area Real Estate Council.

** Be sure to check out pages 28 to 63 of the PDF for Tampa Counties (158 to 197 as listed on the lower right corner of the presentation).

Buy your home in Florida NOW

1 in 3 Home Owners with Negative Equity according to Zillow

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. If you would like to receive new articles in your email box Subscribe to Greater Tampa Bay Real Estate BLOG by Email. Thanks for visiting!

Jan

10

Central Florida First Time Home Buyers Workshops

Filed Under Buyers Tips, First Time Home Buyers, Helpful Information | 3 Comments

First Time Home buyer Workshops?Updated Calendar for 2008

FHB011008

I have noticed quite a few in-bound links lately from those looking for more information about First Time Home Buyers programs and classes in Florida. Our post last year had a very good response and I had been planning on making an update but was waiting for the CCCS to update their list and it looks like they just recently did.

Your local community has tailor made programs to help ensure you have all the pertinent information that you will need as you make one of the biggest decisions of your life, that of becoming a home owner.

They will take you step-by-step, from contract to closing, through the home buying process. You will learn what it takes to qualify for a mortgage, how to save for a down payment and even provide information regarding down payment assistance.

Should you have additional questions or when you are ready to start your search after completing the classes. please be sure to email either Theresa or Marie and they can give you some one on one coaching and personal advice that will take you on the next step of your journey to home ownership.

Here is the link to the work shops offered by the Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Central Florida

Right now I don?t see a schedule update on their site for Hillsboro County, but they do have dates for Pasco and Pinellas Counties?just click on the associated links

Pasco County Schedule for 2008
Pinellas County Schedule for 2008

Be sure to check back for tomorrows post covering ? why now is the best time to buy your first home in Florida !

Is now the right time to buy your Florida home ?

Home appraisals - Realtors vs. Lenders what?s the deal ?

Dec

4

Deerpath home in Oldsmar sells fast -SOLD-

Filed Under Buyers Tips, First Time Home Buyers, Helpful Information, Marketing, Real Estate, Seller Tips | Leave a Comment

Future Home Realty and the Greater Tampa Bay Real Estate Team of Marie Becklund and Theresa Townsend announce the Sale of 20 Woodglenn Ct. a spectacular home in the Deerpath development within the East Lake Woodlands community of Oldsmar Florida.

We would like to say Congratulations and Thank You to our Proud New Owners of 20 Woodglen Court. Greater Tampa Bay Real Estate wants to Wish you many Happy and Memorable Years to come in your New Home.

ENJOY

MARIE BECKLUND & THERESA TOWNSEND

The beautiful Deerpath development is located inside the East Lake Woodlands community in Oldsmar, a quiet and scenic city located within Pinellas County Florida. It offers many exciting amenities. A private country club with two professional golf courses, swimming facility and tennis courts give residents a convenient place to play their favorite recreation close to home. Scenic walking trails are scattered throughout the community and are lined with many majestic trees and filled with the sounds of nature.

Should you know of anyone interested in a similar home in the Deerpath or East Lake Woodlands community please contact Marie or Theresa today at Greater Tampa Bay Real Estate.

Neighborhood OPEN HOUSE - 20 Woodglenn Ct, Oldsmar FL - Thursday October 25, 2007

New Listing - Contractors Dream Home ,Oldsmar Fl

Nov

22

Thanksgiving in Tampa - Home & Holiday Traditions

Filed Under First Time Home Buyers, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Thanksgiving Tampa 2007 Not sure how many folks will even turn on their computer today. But thought in the event that a few were scouring around looking for Holiday gift ideas, I thought I might take a moment to reflect on Thanksgiving here in Tampa Florida.

This is typically a day where most of us take the time to reflect on what we have to be thankful for and not about what we are trying to do to stay afloat or even get ahead, in this hectic life and times that we find ourselves in.

Today is no exception at the Townsend house hold. While the news continues to deluge us with all the housing woes, I find it ironic that what this entire housing thing is really about, is what we are celebrating today.

Oh it is about investments, but not the kind you often associate with home-ownership. It’s not about property or land when you really get down to it. It is about investments in our children’s and our families future and its about having a home to create and share family memories.

We have two small children and so our main focus is setting the family traditions that we hope will foster and nurture our children as they grow older. Some day they also will be home owners and will be sharing Thanksgiving memories with mom and dad and hopefully some grand children of our own.

Tampa Florida is a Great Place to be for Thanksgiving. Guess we could start a new tradition and celebrate with a Beach Picnic as today’s forecast is 80 degrees. Nah… think we will stick to the basics. It is nice to be able to open the window and enjoy the nice weather though.

I don’t want to droll on here, but I cannot end this without at least asking everyone to say a prayer for our Military serving abroad for our freedom here at home. Put aside your opinions and feelings for this one day about the war in the Middle East and just be Thankful that we have so many men and women that have volunteered to be away from their families and loved ones at this time, so that you and I can share this day in peace and tranquility.

While most of the press talks about the men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan, don’t forget we have military missions around the globe in far off places where these brave troops have gone in the name of democracy and freedom for all of us here at home in the U.S. They won’t have the great meal you will be enjoying today and many won’t have warm cozy beds to fall into at the end of the days celebrations. Some of them have some very meager living conditions, however they don’t complain. They do this for all of us, so we can continue to enjoy and pass down our family traditions. Remember that most of them also are sacrificing in the name of Tradition

This little sermon of mine is not for any political reason. It is because I have been there and know first hand what the men and women have sacrificed. I am blessed today to be able to share my Thanksgiving here in my Home in Tampa with Friends and Family, because of them.

We wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving and want to remind friends and family members that are not with us today, that we are thinking about you. We still have many memories of past Thanksgivings with our Mom and Dad and Brothers and Sisters, that will be part of the passing of the traditions today.

God-bless

Nov

21

Zillow Zindex indicates Floridians lost home equity

Filed Under Buyers Tips, Economy, Finance, First Time Home Buyers, Helpful Information, Mortgage, Seller Tips | Leave a Comment

Zillow on Tuesday released their quarterly report, referred to as a Zindex.

OK, so what’s a Zindex?

The Zindex home valuation index is the median Zestimate valuation for a given geographic area on a given day.

According to their report: Nearly 16% of Homeowners Who Bought in the Past Year Have Negative Equity as Home Values Decline for the Fourth Consecutive Quarter

Markets with the greatest proportion of homes with negative equity were those hit hardest by declining values. They make mention of those that purchased homes during the past year at the height of the market in California’s Central Valley, parts of Florida and Las Vegas. In these areas they report that double-digit depreciation and negative equity rates reach up to five times the national median.

So, basically they are not reporting any thing that most of us did not already know. If you bought at the top of the market and you did not put a lot of money down, more than likely your-house is worth less than what you owe on it. And even if you did put money down as we did. Well let’s just say, I won’t be taking out a very large home equity loan too soon.

What is interesting about this report is to look at the statistical data. For homeowners in the Greater Tampa Bay Area, you can actually drill down into the report and look at median values by county and even look into certain neighborhoods.

From this report it looks like the really big losers were home owners in the Clearwater zip area (33761) who saw their home valuations increase while at the same time home owners in Gibsonton zip area (33534) saw increased home valuations.

This may be of some value if you are an agent and have a seller that has some unrealistic goals, as far as what their median price point should be. For buyers, it is also a good look into how far the market has come and that this may actually be the right time to buy.

The report is broken down on an excel spreadsheet in the following format:

MSA Summary: This is a high level summary of the MSA’s Zindex (median Zestimate). It includes historical changes for all homes as well as a breakdown by home types

Counties: This is a high level summary of the county Zindex (median Zestimate). It includes historical changes for all homes as well as a breakdown by home types including condo and single family residences, as well as different home sizes.

Cities: This is a high level summary of the city Zindex (median Zestimate). It includes historical changes for all homes in a neighborhood as well as a breakdown by home types including condo and single family residences, as well as different home sizes.

Neighborhoods: This is a high level summary of the neighborhood Zindex (median Zestimate). It includes historical changes for all homes in a neighborhood as well as a breakdown by home types including condo and single family residences, as well as different home sizes.

Popularity: The popularity of real estate in a geography is know as the Zillow Interest Index or ZII. It is roughly the number of visitors divided by the number of homes in a given geography. We have ranked the ZIP Codes since launch to give you an idea of what regions are drawing more interest in the real estate markets. Highlighted the top year over year gainer(green) as well as the biggest year over year decliner(orange).

Rather than try to highlight specific areas I have included a link to the excel spreadsheet here for Tampa Markets.

If you are interested in other U.S market reports you can check out this link.