Tampa Bay Area Voted in top 10 Cleanest Cities-Forbes Magazine

Ybor City-Tampa, Fl

Forbes Magazine recently released a report on America’s cleanest cities. The Tampa-St. Petersburg area ranked 8th in the top 10. The study was not based on just trash removal, but environmental aspects. The story written about the report noted specifically Partnership member company Tampa Electric Company “for going beyond federal and state requirements on emission reductions.” Way to go!

Want to live where the air is sweet, the water is pure and the streets are clean? Try the country. But what if you don't like the sticks? Then try Florida.

Led by Miami, the Sunshine State dominates our 2008 list of America's Cleanest Cities with four metro areas in the top 10--Jacksonville (No. 3), Orlando (No. 4) and Tampa-St. Petersburg (No. 8) all make appearances. Clearly, a state that relies so heavily on tourism and part-time snow-bird residents knows the value of keeping itself spruced up for company.

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Relocating to Tampa

What to know about relocating to the Tampa Bay Area

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Hyde Park Historical Neighborhood-Tampa, Fl

Hyde Park, Tampa, Florida
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hyde Park is a historic neighborhood and district located within the city limits of Tampa. The ZIP code for the district is 33606.

Hyde Park is located near the University of Tampa and close to Tampa's business and cultural arts district. Roughly, the boundaries of the neighborhood include the Hillsborough Bay to the east, Kennedy Blvd to the north, historic and picturesque Bayshore Boulevard to the south, and Armenia Avenue to the west. Major thoroughfares within the historical district include Kennedy Boulevard, Bayshore Boulevard, Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway (Florida State Route 618), Howard Avenue, and Swann Avenue

Areas in Hyde Park
There are subareas within Hyde Park. These include Hyde Park Village, a unique shopping district located along Swann and Rome Avenues, and encompasses several city blocks. SoHo, a small sublet that runs though South Howard Avenue; and Bayshore, an area around Bayshore Boulevard.

If Hyde Park were its own independent city, its downtown area would most likely be centered around Hyde Park Village, a unique shopping mall located on Inman and Swann Avenues, and encompasses three city blocks. As opposed to the stuffy covered shopping malls common in the Tampa Bay area, the shopping center in Hyde Park is open and airy, with greenery and fountains everywhere and unique shopping discoveries around every corner.

see also: Best Neighborhoods in Tampa

Other Historical Neighborhoods
Seminole Heights Historic District Map (1)
Seminole Heights history (1)

Tampa Heights

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Housing Bill Set to Become Law - How will this effect you?

Ballast Point- Tampa, Fl

This is the best news article I found that outlines the details of the new Housing Bill and what it will mean to first time home buyers, as well as, homeowners facing possible foreclosure. Our Tampa Real Estate market will see a huge impact from this new law, as many people have been faced with foreclosure.

Also, note that the tax credit for first time homebuyers is retroactive and will continue to be in effect for another year! Another reason to start your home search in the Tampa Bay area now!

Understanding The Housing Bill

NPR.org, July 25, 2008 ·

The Senate is expected to clear a sweeping housing bill Saturday and send it to the president for his signature. The legislation would address the home-foreclosure crisis and shore up the government-sponsored mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The House passed the bill Wednesday by a vote of 272-152.

A look at what the bill would do:
— Give the Treasury Department the power to extend Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac an unspecified line of credit and to buy their stock, if necessary, to prop up the mortgage companies. The two companies back or own $5 trillion in U.S. mortgages — nearly half the nation's total.

— Allow qualified homeowners facing foreclosure to apply for lower fixed-rate, 30-year mortgages backed by loan guarantees from the Federal Housing Administration. The original lenders would have to agree to take a loss on their loans.

— Create an independent regulator to oversee Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The regulator could establish minimum capital requirements for the two companies and limits on their portfolios. It would also have approval power over the pay packages of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac executives.

— Provide $3.9 billion in grants to communities with the highest foreclosure rates to buy foreclosed and abandoned properties.

— Give about $15 billion in housing tax breaks, including a credit of up to $7,500 for first-time homebuyers who bought homes between April 9, 2008, and July 1, 2009.

— Increase the cap to $625,500 on the loans Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can buy in certain high-priced areas, and a cap in other areas of up to 15 percent above the median home price.

— Count any federal infusion for the mortgage giants under the debt limit, essentially capping how much the government could spend to stabilize the companies without further approval from Congress. As of Tuesday, the national debt that counts toward the limit stood at about $9.5 trillion, roughly $360 billion below the statutory ceiling.

Before this formally goes into effect, NOW is the time to take advantage of existing home buying assistance programs that may be going away.

Two proposed changes are:
1. All government-sponsored zero-down-payment assistance programs would be eliminated as of October 1, 2008. To be eligible for these programs, all home loans would need to be approved by September 30, 2008.
2. The minimum down payment for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, the largest purchaser of mortgages in the United States, would increase from 3 percent to 3.5 percent.

Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.


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Why Bank Owned is Better than a Short Sale if you need to close quick-Tampa, Fl

The past 3 weeks have been like a flood gate opening in the Tampa real estate market. I've seen more activity from interested buyers than I've seen in the past 3 years. Everyone is recognizing that now is a great time to buy.

I've been working with a buyer who is being transferred with the military and instead of renting he's taking advantage of our great deals.

We looked all day in Wesley Chapel, Fl. Previewed about 10 homes total. Every single home was either a short sale, foreclosure or bank owned property. I didn't look for properties that were in distress, however, every single home we saw was listed for less than what the seller paid.

At the end of the day my client decided to put in an offer on a 3/2 home in the Meadow Pointe Subdivision. The home is around 1,700 sf, has granite in the kitchen, nice wood cabinets a deep stainless steel sink, fireplace, outdoor grill area with a built in bar, pre-wired surround sound and yes a pool. The home sold for 189K back on 2004. It's now listed for 169K. A similar home in the same subdivision could have sold for around 250K in 2006.

Since they buyer needs to close quickly, having a home that's already owned by the bank turned out to be a better option. We submitted our offer and within 2 days the bank countered and my client accepted. We are still hearing it may take up to 5 weeks to close however. If you need to move quickly, a bank owned property will be your best bet. It's better than having to wait 45 days to hear back from the bank on a short sale to find out they didn't except your offer.

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in the Tampa Bay Area? Have a Real Estate question?
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First Time Home Buyer Down Payment Assistance-Tampa,Fl

Down Payment Assistance could mean buying a home with no money down. One of the biggest struggles with first time home buyers is coming up with the down payment and closing costs associated with buying a home.

The AmeriDream Downpayment Assistance Program was created to overcome the greatest barrier to homeownership, the downpayment. The program provides an opportunity for qualified low to moderate income individuals and families to purchase affordable homes by receiving money for the downpayment on a home.

Homebuyers never have to repay the gift from AmeriDream. The program has helped over 250,000 qualified homebuyers become homeowners. AmeriDream is recognized as the most trusted and valued name in gift assistance.

Thousands of homebuyers a month purchase their own homes using The AmeriDream Downpayment Gift Program, which provides down payment assistance of up to 10 percent of the home's price.

How It Works

1. Contact a qualified real estate professional and qualified mortgage professional in your area if you are not already working with one.


2. 
   Contact a lender and get a pre-approval letter for a loan that accepts gifts from AmeriDream.


3. 
   Choose a real estate professional and begin your home search


4. 
   Find the home you’d like to purchase


5. 
   Make an offer on the home

Once the contract is ratified, your lender will submit a gift application on your behalf to AmeriDream. The Homebuyer will receive a notice of gift approval from AmeriDream.

Lenders and real estate professionals will explain the home buying process to buyers, as well as the AmeriDream’s Downpayment Gift Program.

Buyers will need to be qualified for a loan that accepts gift funds, such as an FHA or conventional loan. Interested homebuyers should contact a lender or a real estate professional to begin the down payment assistance process.

Take advantage of the Tampa Real Estate Market! Now is the time to buy a home. Learn how you too can become a homeowner through the AmeriDream Downpayment Gift Program.

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JUNE MLS Statistics-Tampa Real Estate Market

June statistics are in for the Tampa Real Estate Market

(1) EXISTING HOME SALES UP A WHOPPING 76% SINCE JANUARY, 2008

(2) INVENTORY DOWN 5.5% SINCE JANUARY 2008

(3) MONTHS OF INVENTORY DOWN 54% SINCE JANUARY 2008

(4) AVERAGE SALES PRICE DOWN TO $227,565

(5) AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET UP FROM 124 IN MAY TO 152 IN JUNE


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Relocating? Consider three things when moving to Tampa Bay

Determining the most desirable neighborhoods means considering three things..........
Convenience, Location and Price

What is most important to you? Pick one of the three and narrow your search from there.

Convenience: I recently began working with a couple who has rented for the past five years in the Feather Sound area of St. Petersburg, but have realized that there is no better time to buy a condominium in the Tampa/St. Pete area than now. They are getting ready to retire which means the maintenance of a home is something they want to avoid. Isn't that what retirement is all about?

Location: These neighborhoods are located in a very convenient locations. They provide easy access to Tampa, St. Pete and major highways. Shopping and restaurants are all within a couple miles. For people who work at Raymond James Headquarters in St. Pete, or Franklin Templeton, the Feather Sound Community is an ideal location! Feather Sound is also 10 minutes to Tampa Int'l Airport and the Westshore Plaza Shopping mall.

Price: Although there are many great deals for all types of buyers today; buyer's who have the best chance of getting a great deal are able to pay cash and close quickly. My clients are in the driver's seat because they can do both! In this tight seller's market with almost a 2 year supply of housing inventory on the market Cash IS King! Every property on the market is negotiable; so ask for comparable properties sold with in the past year. Offer less and negotiate, negotiate....you are in the driver's seat.

As an experienced realtor who believes in showing properties matched to the buyers' needs, I was able to show them several properties in the Audubon Condominiums in Feather Sound and have located several more condos for them to preview as well in Clearwater.


Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Tampa Bay

If you are relocating to the Tampa, St. Pete or Clearwater areas and need advice on the best places to live, give me a call.

See also: Feather Sound Community-Clearwater, FL Golf Course, Grocery Stores, and more

Search MLS for homes for sale in Feathersound. See map of area, save favorites, findout what homes are selling for and more...Prudential Tropical Realty

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Rae Catanese and Michelle Jordan
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Prudential Listings Now Display on Nine Real Estate and Search Sites

When deciding who to use as a listing agent or firm, you'll want to have the most internet presence possible to get your home sold quickly. We are very excited to now have these additional listing tools available for our clients.

PRUDENTIAL REAL ESTATE FEEDS LISTINGS TO CYBERHOMES, GOOGLE BASE AND OODLE

Affiliate Listings Now Display on Nine Real Estate and Search Sites

TAMPA BAY (July 1, 2008) – Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., has begun flowing at least 140,000 for-sale property listings to Internet hot spots Cyberhomes.com, Google BaseTM and Oodle. The move positions Prudential Real Estate affiliates’ listings in front of the growing ranks of consumers who shop online for real estate and related services and information.

“Prudential is sending its affiliate listings to Cyberhomes, Google Base and Oodle for a couple of simple reasons,” explains Dewey Mitchell, President, Prudential Tropical Realty. “The sites are very popular among consumers, and each offers a rich search experience with a lot of useful information. Our listings as well as our services and resources are now readily available to the millions of consumers who frequent these great Internet sites.”

Prudential Real Estate teamed with Cyberhomes earlier this month to offer “Value Range Estimates” and “Property Profiles”, free consumer services now available on Prudential.com/realestate. Through Cyberhomes, Prudential Real Estate listings also will appear on AOL.com.

Moreover, Prudential Real Estate’s marketing plans include display and banner advertising on Cyberhomes and Oodle.

MORE
“Our mission is to drive significant consumer traffic to our listings,” states Mitchell. “Aligning with Cyberhomes, Google Base and Oodle will help us get that job done.”

Online listings include property descriptions, photos and company/listing agent contact information. In addition to Cyberhomes, Google Base and Oodle, Prudential Tropical Realty listings also appear on Frontdoor.com, PropSmart.com, Trulia.com, Yahoo! Real Estate and Zillow.com. They are also featured as part of its “Company Showcase” on Realtor.com.

Cyberhomes valuations provide access to most of the same information from Fidelity National Information Services, the leader in property information, services and technology for REALTORS®, appraisers and lenders, to created detailed, proprietary analysis of a property and the surrounding community. Cyberhomes enables the exploration of real estate data ranging from property facts, value estimates and a variety of important indicators of local and national changes in the housing market.

Google Base enables structured data such as real estate listings to better surface on the Google search engine improving the quality of search results. Real estate listings from Google Base are available on Google MapsTM. Google, Google Base and Google Maps are trademarks of Google Inc.

Oodle allows consumers to buy and sell through online classifieds. Bringing together more than 40 million listings from over 80,000 sites, Oodle improves the way people buy and sell locally. Oodle offers the most comprehensive search, convenient email alerts and information to empower consumers to make better buying decisions.

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Taps Wine and Beer Merchants opens in SKYPOINT Condo Building

AT TAPS, BUSINESS IS BOOMING
By: Gary Shepherd For James DeVito, owner of newly opened Taps Wine and Beer Merchants in the SkyPoint condo building, the future is now.

Sure, downtown Tampa’s business climate may still be on the upswing, with the best days ahead. But, says DeVito, business has been fabulous since he opened on June 6, and he couldn’t be happier about how things are going.

“Our timing is good, and business is astonishingly good. We have to chase people out every night at closing,” says DeVito, a former Wall Street employee of Deutsche Bank. “Tampa really needed something like this. That’s what I hear all the time.”

His customers include a pre-theater crowd, visitors from Hyde Park and other local communities, as well as downtown workers and residents. “We definitely have a big happy hour crowd just about every day.”

And DeVito expects business to get even better – he just held his grand opening in late June, and he is just now opening up a Web site and doing other marketing.

The concept is unique: Half of the 1,850-square-foot business is devoted to beer, with about 25 beers on tap and another 275 sold by the bottle. As for wine, nearly 60 wines are on tap and about 100 are available by the bottle.

Taps uses “variety and technology as entertainment. The goal is to encourage our guests to experience our diverse collection of beer and wine,” said DeVito. More expensive wines are sold by the ounce or other small portions, so that customers can try exotic labels inexpensively if they wish to. Customers can by a swipe card that tracks purchases.

DeVito, who says opening Taps is a $500,000 gamble, says business has been great both for lunch and during the evenings. Taps, located in SkyPoint’s ground floor, seats about 130, and there is plenty of seating outside facing Ashley Street.

Taps menu includes sandwiches and salads at lunch, and tapas-style plates of food – cheeses, cured meats, fruits and breads.

skypoint condos for sale (2)
skypoint resale (2)

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