Beautiful Tampa homes are available for sale throughout and for much less. Are you currently in the market to purchase a home or real estate property? Well, it seems that the existing Tampa real estate market is not as clear-cut, nor the answer is as simple as it may sound. Yes, there may be an over abundance of Tampa homes for sale, but many qualified home purchasing prospects may be heavily weighed towards their other alternative, to rent.

Tampa rentals are on the rise, can you blame them?

I understand how people may feel renting is a safe alternative to purchasing in this volatile real estate environment, however is it the wisest decision? As Tampa foreclosures continue to develop, it is easy to assume that home prices or values will also continue to decrease. This may or may not be the case. History demonstrates that what goes up must come down. In real estate, the opposite is also true.

Keep in mind that Tampa homes are selling for rock-bottom prices, this also translates to rock bottom mortgage payments. In some cases the new mortgage payment is lower then your average rent payment. However, if you choose to rent do remember that you are paying someone else’s mortgage and in the end you may have wasted a great investment opportunity.

My recommendation would be to learn what your options may be for both, renting and buying. Only after you are well informed can you make the right decision moving forward.

Cheers!

Rick

Tampa’s luxury home real estate market has incurred a popular buzz term…the short sale. Open a newspaper, look on the internet and you’ll see that the market is flooded with properties listed as short sales. Simply put, these are properties that lenders authorize to be sold prior to foreclosure or at a loss to both seller and lender. The advantage is that it may save the seller’s credit and potentially cut the lender’s future loss of maintaining the property during the lengthy foreclosure process or worst yet, foreclosing on the property.

Deals are available all over the place. How about on Tampa’s luxury homes?

Tampa luxury homes are no exception to the short sale market. More than the average middle class homebuyer got swept up in Florida’s real estate bubble that began growing about five years ago. Not only were the Jones’ over borrowing, but the Rockefellers were too, so to speak. Like I said before, shift happens! The bubble burst and some Tampa luxury homeowners are feeling the economic pinch, or perhaps the economic bear hug. The universe has an indelible way of leveling the playing field, which translates into the overwhelming real estate gains of yester-year are now losses.

There is a potential deal for Tampa luxury homebuyers who find themselves in this precarious market. Higher priced short sale properties are available even in Tampa’s luxury home market. Check Rick’s Tampa’s Premier Online Real Estate Resource to do a property search of luxury homes in the Tampa Bay area and surrounding locations.

From personal experience, patience is a virtue when making the decision to buy any short sale or distressed sale property. To aid in the process and prevent the sale from falling through, consult with an experienced loss mitigation specialist. These are typically people who have experience working for large banks who can negotiate with the Tampa luxury home lenders to close the deal efficiently. Without a negotiator to consistently and persistently work to close the deal, many short sale deals may never come to fruition. The short sale will undoubtedly take longer than a normal deal, however to score a luxury home in Tampa, perhaps even waterfront, for 5-10% below market value, is worth it. I’m referring to the fair market value of deals that have closed on comparable properties in the same area.

Closing a short sale on a luxury home in Tampa can happen, despite some real estate naysayers. Know what you are getting into and don’t fall in love with a home. Like people, real estate deals will break your heart if you aren’t willing to dig up the dirt.

Tampa mortgage companies are vying for the business of potential home buyers. If you looked up Tampa mortgage rates on the web you would most likely find an inexhaustible list of companies looking to get back in the game, the Tampa mortgage game that kicked off at the beginning of this year. There won’t be a rush of yardage any time soon, though. But the stadium is packed with inventory, so to speak. The home prices have decreased and lots of foreclosures are available. This might be the exact time to look at the stats and figures, compare the record low Tampa mortgage rates, and get the proverbial ball rolling.

Going through the home buying process now, we put our faith in a Tampa mortgage broker who would do the footwork to find us the best rate. Each case is different, I imagine, but we are first time Tampa home buyers with little available to put down. Luckily, our Tampa mortgage company decision is mostly made up for us, FHA-all-the-way! And thank goodness, because after looking on the web there just may be more Tampa mortgage lenders than cereal boxes in the cereal aisle of the grocery store. If we were in a different situation or purchasing a home for the second time, we would still consult with a Tampa mortgage broker and our bank to get the best rate. No matter what, the final decision is mine as far as which lender and how much to borrow. I know what my means are and have to live within them.

Another option, made popular by the all-access world of the internet, is submitting a Tampa mortgage application online and let the lenders compete for you. If you don’t have stellar credit and are in arrears to several stores, the process may be akin to getting chosen last for team sports in middle school. But when online lending brokers subtitle their main page with “Over 200 lenders are ready to compete for your business” I would like to believe there is hope for all would-be homebuyers (lendingtree, n.d.).

The Tampa mortgage rates low and there are lots of homes at incredible prices. Game on!

www.lendingtree.com

The Tampa real estate market has and is going through a rough patch, but things are getting better. There are plenty of Tampa homeowners who utilized a large percentage of their savings to purchase a home several years ago. Many of those particular homeowners have lost much of that capital and cannot regain their funds for quite sometime. I am finding 5 bedroom Tampa homes with over 3,500 square feet, selling for less than $200,000. It is truly amazing to learn of such opportunities and fortunate home buyers are scooping them up without hesitation. In the end, available Tampa homes for sale have both a winner and an undeserving loser.

If you or anyone you know is searching for Tampa homes or are placed in a situation in which they must sell their existing Tampa real estate property, please call Rick Durand at (813) 695-3077 to learn about your existing options.

Have you got a piece of Tampa real estate? Is it up to snuff or in need of a makeover? One solution for many who own a slice of Tampa property is to remodel an existing home to bring it into the 21st century. After all, Tampa real estate is highly coveted and, if smartly renovated, will surely bring a sweet profit to the owners.

What’s considered a smart renovation may be up for debate, however a few things should be kept in mind when contemplating a Tampa real estate reno-project, that being budget, return on investment, and style.

Dig deep because renovation and remodeling projects can be costly. But, many simple projects can be accomplished within a tight budget too. For example, add some all-over color or an accent color to the walls and watch your Tampa real estate property pop with visual interest. Install crown and window molding for a traditional upgrade that adds class and simple luxury. If deep pockets aren’t an issue, bring an otherwise outdated and style-less home back into the present by upgrading floors with hardwood, ceramic and marble tiles. Of course, the heavy hitters are still kitchen and bathroom remodels which can cost $30 to $40 thousand for even a modest Tampa real estate project.

For the most return on your renovation investment, some people prefer to take on the big projects like kitchens and bathrooms. When considering putting a Tampa real estate property up for sale, kitchens and baths still prove to be the top selling features. But, it still doesn’t mean that the bathroom renovation project needs to break the bank to get a worthy return on investment. Switch out fixtures, add a clean coat of paint to the walls, and if you have pink tile in the shower, paint it as well. Home improvement stores have just about everything, even tile paint. Love your Tampa real estate like it was newly built, and when you are ready to sell you’ll be leagues ahead of the competition.

Knowing your budget and getting a nice return on investment don’t mean anything without a style to define your slice of Tampa real estate. Search the internet, buy a few home magazines, and look through some books to discover your style. Or, go a step further and consult the experts, interior designers. No funds for that? There are design schools in our Tampa real estate area that may be up to a design challenge at a fraction of the cost. It’s worth the phone call at the very least.

Truth be told, if you are thinking about renovating a plot of Tampa real estate, you have already done the research, know your style, and have prioritized your remodeling projects according to budget. So my best advice is to get up and get started loving your home again.

Hi friends,

I have to confess. It will most likely take quite sometime before Tampa home values begin to increase. The good news however is that Tampa home sales have remained steady as more 1st time home buyers take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit and low FHA mortgage rates. Until recently, Florida mortgage rates remained within the low five percentage range. Over the last few days however, interest rates have climbed closer to the six percent range. So I advise you to act quickly if you have been considering a home refinance or purchase.

Brandon home sales accounted for approximately 219 transactions in the month of April. That was ten percent higher than the previous month’s total of 198 transactions (Gtar.org, n.d.).

New Tampa and South Tampa areas accounted for 116 transactions in the month of April. Which decreased by a total of 30 units, from the month prior. Overall, home sales remained constant throughout Hillsborough county for the first quarter of 09′.

Do you know what your home is currently worth? Utilize our Zillow home valuation tool and obtain an approximate value for your home. Take it a step further and request a more accurate complimentary CMA designed for Tampa homeowners looking to sell their property within the next three months.

Looking to refinance your Tampa real estate property? Learn more about available Tampa mortgage programs by visiting Tampa Bay’s online real estate resource today.

Gtar.org, n.d. Retrieved May 20, 2009 from http://www.gtar.org

As new, emerging technologies arise allowing Tampa real estate buyers to satisfy many of the steps associated with the home acquisition process, what will the future hold for Tampa real estate agents? Let’s be honest, the public may view the real estate profession in a negative fashion at times. In fact, the profession continues to be a favorite topic for Hollywood. From the wild and crazy character in the movie “American Beauty”, to the movie trailer found below titled “Closing Escrow”.

In all seriousness, as new technologies arise will there still be a need for real estate agents in the future? Prospects can obtain financing online. They could also search for property from a wide range of online resources.

Are tools such as IDX/MLS what will keep our services from existing? What are your thoughts on the topic? Please be candid.

Tampa luxury homes are defined as those in the top of the price range for the area. The Tampa Bay area is unique in that luxury covers a broad spectrum of locations, dwellings, and options for opulence.

Waterfront property, beachfront, golf property, acreages, gated and private communities, historic districts all make the list of Tampa’s most luxurious. The best assets of Tampa are location and weather. Having the water so close offers a privileged buyer incredible sunset views while sipping champagne on his or her balcony. Find these Tampa luxury homes in the private communities of Beach Park, Westshore, South Gandy and Bayshore Boulevard. However, come inland a few miles and acreage and golf courses are abounds in Cheval and Cory Lake Isles.

Luxury homes in Tampa include townhouses and condominiums as well. Many of these properties are found in South Tampa in the historic SoHo district where restaurants and shopping are a short jaunt away. Typically the amenities are what is down the street rather than what’s found on the inside. The upside is the blank canvas to create a personalized masterpiece of a home.

Tampa luxury condos are also found in South Tampa, however in the high-rises of downtown or Bayshore Boulevard. Mostly new construction, property is plentiful and at drastically reduced prices. The housing boom a few years ago saw to that. Convenience of being at the center of the city and incredible views from these luxury homes of Tampa make owning one worth every penny.

Acquiring an opulent dwelling in Tampa means furnishing and outfitting it with the highest quality décor and technology. To furnish a Tampa luxury home, interior designers are often consulted. These professionals know where and how to match style with the scale of a larger home. More square footage means more options for grandeur. Luxury in Tampa homes can translate into options such as billiards rooms, cabanas, outdoor kitchens, nanny’s quarters, butlers’ kitchens, and walk-in pantries. These luxury Tampa homes are customized by their owners, built within specified parameters. If the owner wants two garages with car lifts, there is a way to do it.

The market for luxury homes in Tampa thrives. We have the means to accommodate the golf lover, sunset watcher, beach baby, and ultra private high profile home owner. Stateliness is available in the 16,000 square feet mansion or the 3,000 square feet high rise condo. Beautiful weather and great location makes Tampa an obvious choice in owning prime real estate.

Yeepie! It’s time to search for a new Tampa home ! Whether your reason for moving is to accommodate a growing family, a job transfer or you’re simply in need of a change of scenery, please make sure you choose your Tampa home wisely. Tampa home buyers searching for a new property may view multiple homes throughout any given day and at times remembering which features where in which home may get confusing. Below you will find a few helpful tips to assist your future Tampa home comparison needs.

Tampa Real Estate Notes – What will you utilize to keep notes and where will you store them for safe keeping? Simple enough, but yet it is often forgotten by Tampa home buyers. If you are looking at 30+ properties within a short period of time, it is likely that you will forget which property offered what feature. Begin by taking a notepad or a few sheets of paper and writing down all of the property addresses or mls numbers to differentiate the properties being viewed. Next, take notes referencing each positive or negative feature, as you are viewing the Tampa home or property.  When finished viewing all scheduled showings, take your top three or five property notes and place them side-by-side.  You may then compare home prices, property features, area likes or dislikes and make a decision utilizing your notes and Tampa realtor feedback.

Community, not Tampa home , Features – An important aspect often overlooked by Tampa home buyers entails available community features. I believe many of us could be found guilty of overlooking missing community features if our dream home is located.

Do you know what I mean? Here’s an example.

Rick: Hi Mrs. XYZ, how have you been? How is the family? Are you still living in ABC subdivision?

Mrs. XYZ: Hi Rick, we are all doing well thanks for asking. No, we actually moved a few months ago to a new home but now we are unhappy with the location.

Rick: What do you mean? Did you not purchase in an area you were happy with?

Mrs. XYZ: Well, we were initially looking for property in our desired area but our realtor (Sorry : ) no pun intended) found an amazing home for much less in an up and coming area. The home has an amazing kitchen, large bedrooms, vaulted ceilings and a beautiful pool but it is twenty minutes away from a grocery store and one hour away from my place of business. If we could only move this home to our desired area…

Tip: Make sure that prior to viewing new Tampa homes for sale you have defined what your desired property and community features entail. Often desired community features may include: great schools, day care, retail shopping, health care locations, dining and more.

At the end of the day it is up to you to make the Tampa home purchasing decision. So follow these simple tips to avoid making a decision you will regret down the line.

Are you in the market for a Tampa real estate property? Find your Tampa home today using our Tampa real estate property search feature or call Rick Durand at (813) 695-3077 for a list of homes in your desired area.

Tampa mortgage rates are fluctuating.  Some would say this is a key reason for purchasing a home in this market. But saying so and doing so are very different things.  The latter means embarking on a long and arduous journey for which the reward is monumental and worth the often stressful and time-sucking process.  While it seems advantageous for everyone to buy a home in today’s market, unless you are armed with good ol’ fashioned knowledge, forget about getting a good deal.  It’s tempting to get seduced by all the well-meaning chatter that “this is THE time to buy.”  While perhaps the truth, an exorbitant Tampa mortgage deal, aka one made without doing due diligence, can mean trouble in the long run.  The old adage still has clout: if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

Start at the beginning.  A logical place to start the process of home buying is in your wallet, so to speak.  How much of a Tampa mortgage can you afford?  By doing a few simple calculations to get your debt-to-income ratio , you’ll find out what lenders are looking at to determine how safe or how risky you are financially.  Remember that Tampa mortgage companies are run by people…who don’t know you from Adam.  So, the only logical way of determining your financial character is by looking at the numbers.  These numbers tell lenders about your past financial decisions. Locate these and other calculators online at various Tampa mortgage companies’ websites to find out if owning is in your budget.

If you find yourself in the positive and purchasing a Tampa home seems affordable, your next step is to find the best fit in a Tampa mortgage company.  Understanding all the fine details about the loan process puts the ball in your court.  Get educated on how you can “buy-down” the Tampa mortgage rate to benefit in the long run.  These “purchase points” are paid for at the closing of the deal, but usually means more initial out of pocket expense.

Once you have found your dream home and connected with the best Tampa mortgage deal according to your qualifications, locking the interest rate prior to closing may be your next suitable step.  Since mortgage rates in Tampa can change daily, staying alert of rate fluctuations will prevent any surprises on the closing day.  It also helps to have a good relationship with your broker or agent who can periodically keep you in the loop until then.  One more thing to know when deciding which Tampa mortgage loan to consider is the amount of fees that are assessed.  Each company may charge different fees in varying amounts.  Read all documents and interview the lenders on which fees are charged at closing and the exact amounts or percentages.

Tampa mortgage rates will always ebb and flow, so if you believe the hype and this is indeed your time to buy, you are bound to get a head full of knowledge in the process.  Being determined to learn it is another story.

Yahoo.com, n.d., Retrieved May 18,2009 from http://realestate.yahoo.com/loans/guides