Clearwater Florida Homes Condos Real Estate

It's official - FHA has formally announced the mortgage insurance changes for FHA loans

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:15:41 -0400

Clearwater / Tampa Bay home buyers we heard it was coming but now we know it for sure - after October 3rd mortgage insurance IS changing for FHA loans and will cost your MORE...so if you've got your eye on a home and plan to finance via FHA this might be a reason to do it sooner rather than later...

Via Jeff Belonger-The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans ( - FHA Home Loans - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc):

FHA first shared these changes on August 4th, after it had been approved by Congress and then the President signed off on it on August 11th. FHA has finally come out with the mortgagee letter, ML 2010-28, which puts it officially in writing now.

This mortgagee letter is effective on FHA loans in which the case number is assigned on or after October 4th, 2010. This policy will increase the monthly mortgage insurance and decrease the mortgage insurance premiums for purchase money and refinance transactions, to include FHA streamline refinances.

So what are the major FHA changes regarding mortgagee letter 2010-28? - For terms greater than 15 years -

LTV's <= 95% will increase the monthly fee to 85 bps >> Old monthly fee was .50 bps

LTV's > 95% will increase the monthly fee to 90 bps >> Old monthly fee was .55 bps

And lastly, it will reduce the Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium, UFMIP, from 225 basis points to 100 basis points.

How will this affect new homebuyers?

3 quick examples (these examples are putting the minimum down payment of 3.5%)

On a $275,000 mortgage – the change in payment would be about $70 higher a month

On a $200,000 mortgage – the change in payment would be about $45 higher a month

On a $125,000 mortgage – the change in payment would be about $27 higher a month

Buyers Beware - If you have your eye set on a specific home, or are negotiating on a property, or are very serious about buying soon, you will have 31 days to make a mortgage application before these new changes take place.

FYI in regards to Charlie Ragonesi's comment, #4 - I still don't think that this will move buyers from FHA loans to conventional loanss. Here is my reason why... please read : FHA loans vs conventional loans - The buyer's buying power will only decrease by about $10,000 or so.

These 2 posts I wrote previously below go into more details about the changes and showing more detailed figures.

Bill H.R. 5981 passes - FHA Mortgages to increase it's annual mortgage insurance premium

STOP TAXATION? - The new changes for FHA loans are being called : The New Homebuyer Tax

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK

- FHA Loans - USDA Loans - VA Loans -

- Energy Efficient Mortgages -

- Conventional Loans - 203 k loans -

- FHA Home Loans - Mortgages -

Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!

Follow me on:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags!

For information about FHA myths & FHA rumors, please read : FHA Myths & Rumors

Copyright © 2010 by Jeff Belonger of Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc

Laurie Manny Memorial Fund

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:52:06 -0400

Laurie Manny shared so much with so many as you've probably seen via the various tributes her friends shared. In lieu of flowers several of our AR friends have taken the initiative to set up a Laurie Manny Memorial fund Here's more about it...

Via Manhattan Beach CA/ e-PRO..... Kaye Thomas... (Real Estate West):

Many of Laurie's friends have been chatting and realized that if we all sent flowers to her service in New York or to her Memorial Gathering in Long Beach there wouldn't be much room for people. We have set up a Laurie Manny Memorial Fund for those who would like to make a donation.  I know there will be tons of flowers at her services in New York and we will be providing flowers in Long Beach so we thought that perhaps her friends might like to donate to a fund that will go to her family. Your donation will not be tax deductible as you are sending a gift to a friend.

We had thought we would be able to set it up with a national bank but the paperwork was more then seemed necessary. Marlene Bridges is at her home in Palm Springs this week and was kind enough to inquire at a local bank and set up the account there.

Make Checks Payable to:   Laurie Manny Memorial Fund

Mail to:

Attn: Tellers

El Paseo Bank

The Market Place

39580 Washington Street

Palm Desert, CA 92211

We plan to close the account on October 1 and distribute the money to the family at that time.   We will also have a place where you can make a donation at the Memorial Gathering in Long Beach for those who will be there.

If you have questions you can contact Kaye Thomas, Lynda Eisenmann or Marlene Bridges . We hope to see you next Thursday iin Long Beach!

Bradenton FL Homes for Sale on the water - Manatee River Boaters Dream

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 19:26:15 -0400

Bradenton Florida Waterfront Homes - Luxury Homes on Deep Boating Water

Bradenton FL - Looking for a great home for your power or sailboat, this community can handle it - We have a client with a 60 ft Hatteras that is thrilled to be in such a great boating neighborhood - many people choose this Sarasota / Bradenton area luxury gated waterfront community offered at The Inlets Bradenton Florida for just this reason. The Inlets still has 3 new contruction communities available and offers some of the best Tampa Bay deep water homes for sale.

This is a great luxury boating community that takes full advantage of the Manatee River - protected harbors and yet 12 minutes and 1 no wake zone to the gulf, and who can beat the fact that it's about 30-45 minutes from everything - Downtown Tampa, the Airport, St Petersburg and Clearwater FL. Even though our office is in Clearwater - it's less than 45 minutes to this community. We have a client building a spectacular 6000+ sq ft home in The Reserve at The Inlets and we have had the best experience working with the Camlin Home Corporation team.

Bradenton Waterfront Homes - Deep Water Luxury Homes of Tampa Bay with Easy Gulf Access

The Inlets has a unique location on the Manatee River with easy access to the Gulf of Mexico. Our clients have a large boat and the deep water was much better than the options they had looked at in Clearwater Beach to Tierra Verde when you factored in they could get new construction and truely build the home of their dreams.

Ultimately when looking at a home over $1 million dollars - they opted to get "exactly what they wanted" by building it from scratch. The homes in Bella Sole are available under $1 Million dollars and there are Inlets homes for sale including short sales of homes that are in other parts of the community.

View The Inlets Bradenton Fl homes for Sale on water in a larger map

One of the best parts of this neighborhood is the fact that it offers a protected inlet - hence the name - If you would like to take a "boat tour" through the neighborhoods, Harbour Walk, Bella Sole and The Reserve just give me a call and we'd love to show you why we believe this is one of the best waterfront neighborhoods in Tampa Bay FL.

By boat or by car you can be to Tampa Bay in 6 miles; 12 miles to Gulf of Mexico by boat, it's 30 minutes to Brandon Fl and just over 45 minutes to the Tampa Airport.

The Reserve - The Inlets Bradenton Florida

Homeowners enjoy deep saltwater canals on these luxury riverfront homesites. Their salt water canals have been dredged to a negative 5 ft 5 inches.

Bradenton FL Schools children living in The Inlets attend:

Bashaw Elementary
Haile Middle School
Braden River High School
and close to many desireable private schools

The Reserves - The Inlets Bradenton FL - Activities and Amenities

Fishing and Boat Maintenance clinics
Tennis Court
Cruise Club with scheduled outings throughout the year
Canoeing and Kayaking storage along with a private launch
Childrens Playground
Estuary and Nature Walk
Private Salt Water Fishing in Community Estuary and observation docks
Community Club House
Private Gated waterfront community

Why call us? We specialize in helping ONLY buyers and work for you as YOUR waterfront real estate advocate when buying your dream home from Tarpon Springs to Sarasota we know the waterfront - so if you've got any questions, just give us, your local Tampa Bay FL Realtors a call or talk to your loan officer about locking your rate on the Tampa Bay FL waterfront homes you want to buy.

We're passionate about being your Tampa Bay waterfront real estate advocate. We're committed to delivering Results daily based on Integrity, Knowledge & Experience - helping you find the perfect Tampa Bay area and Clearwater FL homes for sale on the water.

We'd like to be YOUR Luxury Waterfront FL Real Estate Team!

Call Cyndee @ 727.710.8035 or Jack @ 727.710.8036

Warmly,
Cyndee and Jack Haydon
Charles Rutenberg Realty

Clearwater FL Real Estate Office
1545 S. Belcher Rd
Clearwater Florida 33764
727-710-8035 (Cyndee's cell)
727-710-8036 (Jack's cell)

Didn't Get the Listing? That's OK....

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:46:13 -0400

Clearwater Seller's it's still a tough frustrating market and you need a Realtor who will tell you the truth..don't fall for this trap.....

Via Christine Bohn, Gainesville, FL Residential Realtor® (RE/MAX Professionals, Inc.):

We tend to jump through lots of hoops to please a customer. This morning I got a "TEXT" message on my phone that read:

   "We have selected another Realtor to sell our house. Thank you for your presentation"

Flashback to 2 weeks ago.

I had a call from a prospective client wanting to interview Realtor(s) about selling their home. He was pressed for time and had to meet me at 9am the next morning, before he left town. I got my research done, and was prepared.

During our meeting at his home, his phone rang twice. Both calls were from other Realtors®. That confirmed that I was not the only agent he was interviewing, and I was not the last on his long list.

           ** He was not happy with the market statistics.

           ** He was not happy with my suggested list price.

           ** He wanted me to understand that his home was the best    home in the neighborhood.

At the end of our meeting he asked if I would like to change my suggested list price on my presentation? I told him that I would not make promises that I could not keep, and couldn't deliver a buyer at his high price goal.

I won't mislead my clients about the market, or the comparable sales that were used in my presentation. I explained the issues with our buyers market.   A well informed "SELLER" is more important to me that just getting a listing. Buyers want the biggest bang for their buck. As a professional service, I rely on the Three P Approach: Price, Presentation, Promotion. We want the buyers to want his home, and not one of the other 10 homes for sale in the same neighborhood.

      The market is what it is....not what we wish it to be.

Let’s connect on these great social networks:

If you're looking for a home in the Gainesville area, you can visit my primary Gainesville FL Real Estate website at www.ehomesgainesville.com. Thanks!

Bill H.R. 5981 passes - FHA Mortgages to increase it's annual mortgage insurance premium

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:29:56 -0400

Check out the the latest on the changes to FHA Mortgages...

Via Jeff Belonger-The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans ( - FHA Home Loans - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc):

FHA first proposed the monthly mortgage insurance changes in the beginning of 2010. Bill H.R. 5981 was first passed by the House in the spring and was just passed by the Senate the other day. What does this bill do for FHA mortgages? They have projected that it will yield approximately $300 million per month to the FHA insurance fund.

So what are the new FHA changes? - For terms greater than 15 years -

LTV's <= 95% will increase the monthly fee by 85 bps

LTV's > 95% will increase the monthly fee by 90 bps

And lastly, it will reduce the Upfront Mortgage Insurance Premium, UFMIP, from 225 basis points to 100 basis points.

The plan is to go into effect by September 7th, 2010 on all FHA case numbers. FHA gives it's reasons to this new plan. FHA letter from David H. Stevens

So what do the actual changes mean to the average borrower that will rely on FHA loans when purchasing a new home or refinancing?

                - The Old Plan -

LTV's <= 95% will increase the monthly fee by 50 bps

LTV's > 95% will increase the monthly fee by 55 bps

Example of the changes regarding the FHA monthly mortgage insurance known as MMI or annual mortgage insurance premium and the FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium known as UFMIP.

As you can see, it would be much cheaper monthly with the old plan, even though you pay $3,317 more upfront, on top of your loan. This can also be a tax write off since it's included in your principal. You break even point on this type of scenario is 47 months, which is roughly 3.9 years. After this break even point, you would have started to spend more money in reality. This is how FHA will increase it's mortgage fund. As you can see, it won't be increased as quickly upfront, but over a longer period of time. So if you held onto this mortgage for 7 years, you would have spent approximately $2,522.

Now, there are several other factors to consider when reviewing this kind of information. Just for the fact that your original balance on the loan will be $3,317 lower and in 7 years, still be that much lower. And as I mentioned, you would have a little more of a tax advantage on the higher balance though.

All I wanted to do was to present the basics of FHA loans and not get into the extreme details on how one could show either side. What could this do to a potential home buyer? It could reduce your purchasing power. In this scenario, if you had originally qualified for a $275,000 loan with qualifying ratios of 31/43, what would your new purchase price be.

- New Purchasing Power after September 6th, 2010 -

With the new FHA monthly mortgage insurance and the FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium changes, your purchasing value would drop approximately $10,000, a purchase price of $265,000. Now, these are just averages, because this will all be based on the actual purchase price. Meaning if values are higher or lower, the total amount could change some. But this should give you a good understanding of what changes lie ahead for FHA mortgages in the near future.

UPDATE : Travis Newton did a similar post, using a $200,000 purchase price and as you can see, the mortgage payment inceased by $45.29/month.   Notice *** FHA Changes

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________



                                                                                       FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK

- FHA Loans - USDA Loans - VA Loans -

- Energy Efficient Mortgages -

- Conventional Loans - 203 k loans -

- FHA Home Loans - Mortgages -

Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!

Follow me on:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags!

For information about FHA myths & FHA rumors, please read : FHA Myths & Rumors

Copyright © 2010 by Jeff Belonger of Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc

City of Treasure Island Parking Pass

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 16:39:13 -0400

Perks of being a Treasure Island resident

I wanted to pass on some great info you may not know... local broker, Anne Hensel reminds us that one of the perks for Treasure Island residents (even renters can qualify - see details below) is FREE beach parking ...well almost free, $5 annually, here are all the details - thanks Anne...

Via Anne Hensel Real Estate Professional buy or sell St. Pete:

City of Treasure Island Parking Pass

Treasure Island sells an annual parking pass that can be used for free parking at 6 parking lots. The pass costs $5 and is available only for Treasure Island residents and property owners.

The pass is plastic hanger designed to be hung from your windshield rear view mirror so it is visible to parking enforcement officers.

The parking pass is valid from 1/1 to 31/12 but can be bought anytime during the year.

If you want a pass, you must show proof of Treasure Island residency. You can bring in

Vehicle registration

Valid drivers License

Current Voter ID

Rental Agreement (6 months minimum)

Utility Bills (4 months minimum)

Treasure Island Property Owner (Tax Bill or Deed)

For more Info call: 727-547-4575 ext. 221

Metered Parking Lots where the pass is valid:

Heron Lot
Bay Shore Drive & 75th Avenue, Sunset Beach

Tern Lot
West Gulf Boulevard at 77th to 79th Avenues, Sunset Beach

Ring-Billed Gull Lot
West Gulf Boulevard & 81st Avenue, Sunset Beach

Brown Pelican Lot
West Gulf Boulevard & 88th Avenue, Sunset Beach

Sandpiper Lot
Gulf Boulevard & 100th Avenue, Mid Island

Gulf Front Lot
Gulf Boulevard & 104th Avenue, Downtown Treasure Island

Community Center Lot
106th Avenue & 1 Park Place, Downtown Treasure Island

White Egret Lot
126th Avenue, Sunshine Beach

City of Treasure Island Parking Pass

Frequently Asked Questions About the $8,000. Federal Tax Credit

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:19:15 -0500

This is a great post that answers most the questions people have about the new tax credit.....

Via Debe Maxwell 704.491.3310 Charlotte NC Real Estate (Helen Adams Realty):

Congress Approved the $8,000 Tax Credit For Homebuyers. Here are answers to frequently asked questions.

Frequently Asked Questions About the $8,000. Federal Tax Credit Q:

A:
How much is the tax credit?

The tax credit would be $8,000 or 10% of the purchase price, whichever is less.

Q:

A:
Who is eligible?

Similar to the $7,500 tax credit included in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, the $8,000 tax credit (included in the 2009 economic stimulus plan) is available for the purchase of the primary residence by first-time homebuyers.

Q:

A:
If this is for first-time homebuyers, how do I know if I am eligible for the tax credit?

According to the IRS, any taxpayer who has not owned a home during the 3 years prior to the date of purchase can qualify for the credit.

Q:

A:
Do I have to repay the $8,000.?

No. Unlike the previous $7,500 tax credit, the $8,000. does not have to be repaid UNLESS, the home is sold within three years of purchase; at that time, the credit will be reversed.

Q:

A:
Are there any income limitations on the tax credit?

Yes. The tax credit is strictly for individuals with adjusted gross income of under $75,000 or $150,000 for joint filers.

Now that you're qualified for the Tax Credit, let's go shopping for Charlotte NC homes for sale today!

About the author:

Debe Maxwell is a Charlotte Residential Real Estate Broker, Certified Neighborhood & Relocation Specialist, ABR & e-PRO who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Charlotte NC Metro Area. If you're relocating to or from any other area of the country, Debe connects you with any member of her team of relocation professionals in your destination or exit city of choice. The destination service is of no cost to you! The Maxwell House Group's quality service guarantee puts this team far ahead of the competition; providing unsurpassed customer service is their #1 priority! Debe Maxwell -- Helen Adams Realty -- 704.491.3310

Copyright© 2009 By Debe Maxwell, All Rights Reserved...**$8,000 Federal Tax Credit FAQ **

Disclaimer: All information provided by this author is strictly an opinion, is not guaranteed, may be based on information collected from several sources, which may or may not be deemed reliable at the time of researching this article and may be time sensitive.

Wells Fargo now owns Baywalk in downtown St Petersburg

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:40:08 -0500

We keep seeing the fallout of this economy - thanks for the update from Sharon Simms...

Via Sharon Simms St Pete FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS (ALVA International, Inc.):

This afternoon Wells Fargo foreclosed on Baywalk retail complex in downtown St. Petersburg. Other developers had expressed interest, but none placed a winning bid today.

Baywalk was a critical part in the redevelopment of St. Petersburg, and hopefully will again be a popular and successful destination. We enjoy Gratzzi's Italian restaurant, which is one of the original tenants. Chico's is another early tenant, as is Muvico. The existing businesses and restaurants will continue operating.

It's expected that Wells Fargo Bank will redevelop and improve the property prior to placing it actively for sale.

Clearwater Beach Florida 33767 | Not All is Jolley for our Beach Trolley

Sun, 26 Aug 2007 16:41:20 -0400

Sand Key - Clearwater Beach - Island Estates - 33767 Update

One of Clearwater Beaches moving landmarks is the Jolley Trolley's - these open aired Trolleys are a Fun and Economical way to get around on Clearwater Beach, Sand Key and Island Estates. This is a great service for Clearwater beach condo and home owners from Sand Key to Island Estates as well as the local tourists.

The Jolley Trolley had 2 routes covering Clearwater Beach, Sand Key, Island Estates and Downtown Clearwater. Recent budget cuts by the City of Clearwater in mid-July have forced this non-profit organization to cut their services down to 2 trolley's and only one route. Currently there was only limited use of the Route between downtown Clearwater and the Beaches so they have decided to stop this route for now. This should allow them to continue to operate with the 35% less funding next year from the City of Clearwater. As the Clearwater Downtown revitalization continues they hope to add the Downtown route again as the demand for going downtown rises.

The good news is the Jolley Trolley is still a great bargain - The cost to ride the Trolley is still only $1.25 - in fact you can stay on as long as you want for that price. For the young (those 4-10) and the young at heart (those 65 and over)- you ride for less than half that price at just $.60 a trip. Babies and Toddlers under the age of 3 are FREE.

So don't worry about having a cocktail at a local restaurant or finding parking at various locations - just hop the Trolley and enjoy the ride! The typical round trip from North Clearwater Beach (Starting at the Regatta Beach Club) and going to Sand Key (to Ultimar) averages 35 minutes. You can catch the trolley at the posted signs located on almost every other block or just flag them down if you see them coming - if they can stop safely they will.

Clearwater Beach Real Estate

Are you looking to buy a Gulf Beach Home or Condo? Here's what some of our past clients have to say about how we helped them....

******************* CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS ******************

Buyers tell us that selecting a Clearwater Beach Real Estate Agent, especially online or from a distance, can be a challenge. Some of our past clients agreed to share their experiences and tell you why they think you should work with us.

Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends...we'd love to be YOUR choice too!

NFL Super Bowl in Tampa Florida in 2009 - Book your Homes, Condos, Hotel rooms now

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:36:46 -0400

Tampa Bay Florida - Today I was reading one of my favorite Tampa Bay blogs and was reminded that this year's Super Bowl is only 149 days away and will be held right here in Tampa Bay. Our community has hosted the Super Bowl before and boy does this town enjoy the festivities. If you want to find out more about this year's Super Bowl or opportunities to volunteer or get involved then visit the Tampa Bay Superbowl website.

It's amazing what local homes, beach condos and vacation rentals of all kinds will go for during that weekend. If you are planning to be here don't put off making your reservations. While Jack and I don't handle rentals you can call Patty Belloise at 727-410-1936 who does (just in case you're looking for a great local contact).

Now if you are someone who has decided that "now is the time to buy" Tampa Bay real estate - we CAN help you with this. :)

Regardless of what your plans are here are some pictures of our Bucs Stadium, which I had the privledge of touring with Leadership Pinellas last year - I'll give you a sneak peek into our stadium.

Call us Today at (727) 710-8036 to hear more about how we can help you!

Copyright © 2008 Jack and Cyndee Haydon, Clearwater REALTORS and your Clearwater Real Estate Consultants specializing in Tampa Bay Real Estate and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published.

Clearwater Real Estate | Florida Roof Prices Explode at Midnight - Hold on to your Trusses

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 09:50:44 -0400

Clearwater, FL Homes Find New Roof Codes Break the Bank

Beware....Monday October 1,2007 - Clearwater Florida homeowners will see roof prices for their homes sky rocket. Anyone putting a new roof on a Clearwater home or condo (association) may have to break open your piggy bank to pay for your new roof since new Florida House Bill 7057 goes into effect tomorrow.

The bill had great intentions and was designed to make Clearwater Florida homes safer and more secure in hurricanes. The end result is that all homes getting new roofs after October 1^st.now need added materials, reinforcement and labor which will add anywhere from 15% to 50% to the cost of a new roof for your Clearwater home. Most agree it will be closer to 30% on average.

I met with local expert, Matt Cetta, Owner and CEO of Metro Roofing and asked him to give our readers the straight scoop on these new law changes that were just passed focusing on Hurricane Mitigation retro-fitting of roofs in Florida.

Matt Cetta, who is also Certified with the My Safe Florida Program, explained the effects of the new law on home owners are that,

"Homes assessed under $300,000 they will be required to have their new roof re-nailed to new code requirements and use a new waterproofing membrane which may increase the price of replacing their roof by an additional 15-30%.
Homes that are assessed for $300,000 and greater will now require extra gable braces and truss straps which will increase the cost to replace these roofs by 30-50%."

Also Matt reminds us "that if you've had a recent quote, realize that the new cost will be higher by maybe 50%."

My Complete Interview with Matt Cetta, Owners of Metro Roofing

Metro Roofing - Clearwater-Beach, FL 33767 - Roofing Company Video

If you have any additional questions feel free to call Matt Cetta of Metro Roofing at (727)-787-7663 or email him at metro1@tampabay.rr.com

Matt has graciously offered the readers of Sandbars to Sunsets a free Video Roof Inspection so just call Matt and let him know you read his offer here. We highly recommend Matt and his team of roofing professionals.

Clearwater Florida Real Estate

Are you looking to buy a Clearwater Beach Condo or Clearwater Home? Here's what some of our past clients have to say about how we helped them....

************ CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS ************

Buyers tell us that selecting a Clearwater Beach Real Estate Agent,especially online or from a distance, can be a challenge. Some of our past clients agreed to share their experiences and tell you why they think you should work with us.

Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends...we'd love to be YOUR choice too!

Clearwater Pool Homes for Sale | Buying a Backyard Paradise or Money Pit?

Sat, 07 Jul 2007 06:47:41 -0400

Clearwater Real Estate | Pool Homes -Backyard Paradise of Unpleasant Surprises?

We live in a wonderful part of Florida and there's nothing better than a cool dip in a backyard pool on a hot summer day. Can't you just picture floating in the pool, relaxing, rejuvenating. This is how it should be...

Now let me tell you what can happen if you don't do your homework when you're buying that Lovely Tampa Bay Pool Home.

Jack and I spend the majority of our time working with Tampa bay Homebuyers and are big advocates and believers in Home Inspections. I am a member of the Tampa Bay Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) which allows me to be a resource to my clients through my relationships with some of the areas most accomplished remodeling professionals. In a state known sometimes for fly-by-night tradesman - referrals to the best remodeling contractors and professionals in the area has proven invaluable.

In this case, Mark Thomas and his team of professionals at Skinee-Dip Pools & Spas, the largest Tampa Bay area Pool Remodelers and Pool Contractors in the 5 county Tampa Bay area inspected this pool and boy are our Home Buyers lucky they did! They know Tampa Bay pools since they've built over 3,000 since 1971 and do over 1000 pool remodels each year. These are the kind of expert resources we bring to our clients...

Now this is what the pool looked like - Looks inviting doesn't it. Our homebuyers were already imagining their pool parties and having the grandkids over - if they had stopped here they would have purchased a $15,000+ problem!

Hold on not so fast - take off those rose colored glasses ....remember all Inspections are for the Home buyer - If you are a Home or Condo buyer - Please take advantage of them or be ready for unpleasant "surprises" later and possible very costly surprises too.

Here's what we found when we took a closer look at this pool....

How happy would you be to learn about all this AFTER you bought your home?

If you have a Realtor dedicated to Tampa Bay Home Buyers, like us, they'll negotiate on your behalf like it they would for their own family.

How happy would you be to learn about all this AFTER you bought your home?

If you have a Realtor dedicated to Tampa Bay Home Buyers, like us, they'll negotiate on your behalf like it they would for their own family.

Are you looking to buy a Tampa Bay Home or Condo? Are you working with a Realtor who will really be YOUR advocate as the Home or Condo Buyer and always put YOUR best interests above selling any one home or condo? If not maybe you should reconsider your choice - we believe Buyers like you deserve more! - in this case it would have been @ $15,000 mistake - OUCH!!. Here's what some of our past clients have to say about how we helped them....

********************** CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS ********************

Buyers tell us that selecting a Clearwater Realtor, especially online or from a distance, can be a challenge.

Our past clients kindly agreed to share their experiences and tell you why they think you should work with us.

Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends...we'd love to be YOUR choice too!

Cyndee and Jack Haydon, Realtors ~ Proudly helping Buyers of Pool Homes and Condos in the Tampa Bay Area.

* All information copyrighted 2007 Cyndee and Jack Haydon, Sand Bars to Sunsets of Tampa Bay - We cover it all!

Clearwater Florida Home Mold Expert Shares Video Tip on Getting Rid of Mold in Your Home

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:16:37 -0400

Clearwater FL Real Estate Ask the Expert Series

Most of us would love to submit and have questions asked by a local real estate expert, mortgage expert, home insurance expert, carpet cleaning expert, mold remediation expert and more. The great thing about a Clearwater Community blog like ours is that we can help you get your questions answered and put you in touch with some of the most reputable, honest people serving Pinellas County.

Today I was speaking with Matt Jerabek, Owner of Mr. Dry Out and is our Clearwater Florida Mold Remediation Expert. He is the leading Water Extraction and Structural Dryout for homes and condos in Pinellas County ~ Pasco County and even parts of Hillsboorough County. You might be wondering when you might need his services - here are a few of the times I've seen him save the day when:

a pipe bursts and you have a flood of water inside your home you need to act fast before mold can start,
a hose bursts or leaks on your washing machine and you have water flowing everywhere you need dryed out and extracted,
you have an Air Conditioning unit that backs up and these are sometimes the worst surprises because you may not realize it happened until you stumble across the moldy mess
then the one I hate the most - a sewage backup problem - while the plumber with handle the blockage or stoppage - it's Matt's team is going to be the one you'd call to clean up the mess.

I have seen him work his magic and when clients of mine had a luxury condo and had an unexpected Air Conditioner water leak just days before the condo was scheduled to be sold and the day the appraisal was to take place – Matt came in and quickly and efficiently extracted all the water and ensure there was no mold started as a result.

In a state like FLorida where Home Sellers and Home buyers can sue over issues that affect the material value of a property makes mold an issue you can’t afford to mess around with – you need an expert like Matt Jerabek and the Mr Dry Out Team

Mr Dry Out gives Clearwater Home Owners Easy Tip

Matt takes a consultative approach to his business and today he agreed to share a simple tip for our Clearwater Home Owners who may find a small amount of mold around their windows or in their bathrooms. I was surprised that my first thought on what to do was exactly what Mr Dry Out said was the worse thing I could do for my home– oops.

So in FLorida – our homes are subject to lots of humidity and it’s easy to see mold starting – so what do you do and why? Listen to Matt Jerabek’s simple home solution in the video below….

Clearwater's Mold and Water Extraction Expert, Matt Jerabek - MrDryOut.com shares Easy Tip

Real Estate Video by - Cyndee Haydon Cleawater FLorida Real Estate Expert

Clearwater Beach Real Estate

Are you looking to buy a Clearwater Florida Home or Clearwater Condo? Here's what some of our past clients have to say about how we helped them....

************ CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS ************

Buyers tell us that selecting a Clearwater Beach Real Estate Agent,especially online or from a distance, can be a challenge. Some of our past clients agreed to share their experiences and tell you why they think you should work with us.

Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends...we'd love to be YOUR choice too!

We can provide you with complimentary information on Relocations ~ Waterfront Homes for Sale, Town homes Condos & Villas ~ Beach House of Your Dreams ~ Clearwater Vacation Homes ~ Clearwater Second Homes ~ Florida Investment Property in Pinellas County ~ Luxury Homes ~ Luxury Condos for Sale in the Tampa Bay resort areas ~ Condos for Boaters ~ Homes for Boaters ~ Boat Ramps ~ Boating ~ Golf Course Homes ~ Diving ~ Freshwater Fishing ~ Saltwater Fishing ~ Latest Home Insurance info ~ Latest Property Taxes Info ~ 1031 Exchange ~ Real Estate Market Reports ~ Resort Properties ~ Condos on the Beach ~ Beach Bargains ~ Foreclosures ~ Pool Homes ~ Homes on the Intercoastal Waterways ~

*The above information and images are Copyright © 2007 Jack and Cyndee Haydon, Clearwater Beach Real Estate Consultants and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published. All rights reserved. Plagiarism will be detected and is punishable by law.

Clearwater Florida - a Great Place to call Home or Home for a week!

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 17:25:53 -0400

learwater Florida - Sportstown USA

About Clearwater Florida - Our Home Town

Jack and I love living in Clearwater Florida. Some of us are lucky enough to have it be our home and others find it's a great place to visit and better yet, own a vacation home or condo here!

Clearwater Florida is a dynamic city located in the middle of Pinellas County. Clearwater is also the county seat for Pinellas County and is the smallest of the 3 cities that make up what is often referred to as the Tampa Bay area which encompasses Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa (and all the smaller cities in Hillsborough and Pinellas County).

It has a population of around 100,000 and has a variety of great options in homes and condos in all price ranges from $100,000 to multi-million dollar luxury estates - many of which are on our beaches or open waters.

You can live on our inter-coastal, on golf courses, in a neighborhood with state-of-the-art recreation centers or have the white sand of the Gulf of Mexico at your back door - what's your pleasure?

Clearwater Beach Florida which is part of Clearwater, was recognized at the Best City Beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Clearwater is also home to the Philadelphia Phillies spring training camp.

Looking to Buy a Clearwater Home?

If you want to buy a house in the Clearwater Florida area- we've made it fast and easy for you to search all the Clearwater homes for sale . Search just like a Clearwater Realtors and see all the properties being sold by all Clearwater Real Estate agents.

Enjoy our fully customizable search of complete Clearwater MLS (multiple listing service) of single family homes, condos, villas and townhomes. We specialize in helping you buy a Clearwater real estate bargain (foreclosures, short sales, REO or bank owned properties).

Do You Need Sell Your Clearwater Home Now?
The first thing Clearwater home sellers need to know in this real estate market is "What's my home worth right now?". Our experience shows it all depends on where YOU live. Please ask for a FREE Comparable Market Analysis Report on your home so you can see what homes are actually selling for now in your neighborhood! No obligation, of course.

Home sellers today are finding that Tampa Bay homes are now selling for what they were back in 2004. If you bought your property in the last 5 years or utilized your home's equity you may owe more on your home than it will appraise for which means selling for what you owe in todays market almost impossible. We will work to get a Clearwater short sale approved if you need to sell your home and find yourself saying I'm upside down on my mortgage and I owe more than my house is worth. Realize it's important that you act now, be proactive and get professional advice now so you're not chasing the market down or on a sinking ship!

Call us to schedule a FREE private real estate consultation to fully understand your home selling options (no pressure no hassles - guaranteed). Many home sellers are now understanding that a short sale is the option they've been looking for.
We have helped many families sell their Clearwater homes , quickly and painlessly even in this difficult Tampa Bay real estate market. One of our happy home sellers even dubbed us the painless Realtors. In fact, we may already have a buyer for your property because we understand that over 84% of home buyers today are finding their next house on the internet which is why when you use our Wise Home Selling Plan we make sure they are seeing your home first.
Whether you are buying or selling a home in Clearwater / St Petersburg / Tampa Bay - Call us now and let us know what you need help with today! - 727-710-8036.

Clearwater Real Estate Agent Testimonials

**************** CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE & HEAR CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS ***************

Buyers tell us that selecting the BEST Clearwater Real Estate Agent, especially online or from a distance, can be a challenge. Some of our past clients agreed to share their experiences and tell you why they think you should work with us.

Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends...we'd love to be YOUR choice too!

Your one stop source for all Clearwater Homes for Sale | Clearwater Beach Condos for Sale| Villas | Townhomes | Condo Hotels for sale by all Real estate companies!

Relocations ~ Waterfront Homes, Townhomes Condos & Villas ~ Beach House of Your Dreams ~ Find the Perfect Florida Lifestyle in Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay area ~ Clearwater Real Estate ~ Clearwater Beach Real Estate ~ 33767 ~ 33764 ~ 33765 ~ 33756

*The above information and images are Copyright © 2007 Cyndee & Jack Haydon and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published. All rights reserved. Plagiarism will be detected and is punishable by law.

Palm Harbor Florida - Wall Springs Park - A Great Place to Spend a Day

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 23:17:13 -0400

Pinellas County Parks, Green Space and Fun Things to Do

Palm Harbor Florida - Recently my family along with some friends took our kids to Wall Springs Park for the day. It's a great place to hike, bike, fish, bird watch, relax and just have a great time. This is one of Pinellas County's best kept secrets just of Alt 19 before you get to Tarpon Springs. It extends out to the coast through the thick mangroves that offer a real look at Natural Florida.

The Park is also located along the Pinellas Trail. I took quite a few pictures to give you a sneek peak at this special place - however there's nothing like seeing it in person. Pinellas County acquired Wall Springs in 1988 with the initial purchase of 63 acres which included the Spring and surrounding area - Here's an up-close look at Wall Springs Park.

Wall Springs Park - Quite a Local History

In 1927 the Wall family sold it to the Davis family that changed the name from Wall Springs to Health Springs - where they marketed and extolled the health benefits of these waters. Mr. Harry Davis also spread the myth that Spanish explorer Ponce De Leon discovered this spring.

Mr. Davis eventually sold the property to the Cullen family of Palm Harbor in 1949. The Cullen family changed the name back to Wall Springs and operated it as a commercial recreational facility. They added many amenities like horseshoes, volleyball, hiking paths, picnic shelters and more.

Back in the 1950's this Spring was the site of a freshwater beach where tourists enjoyed lounging and bathing in these pristine waters.

Eventually in 1966 the Cullen family closed the facility due to high insurance premiums and liabilities. which left the door open for Pinellas County to acquire Wall Springs in 1988.

August 20, 2005 the park was officially opened to the public through the use of Penny for Pinellas taxes - after developing fishing piers, observation decks, playground and restrooms for visitors to enjoy this piece of Pinellas Paradise.

If you are looking for information on buying Pinellas County Real Estate give me a call at (727) 710-8035 - It's a great place to live with lots of green space and great things to do.