Merry Christmas!

400 JOBS Coming To Brandon!

The Brandon Wal-Mart is set to re-open and is bringing back 400 jobs to the area.

If you are in need of employment or are looking for a new position, click on the link

below for all of the known details.

Brandon WalMart To Re-Open! Jobs Available!

Primary Care Offered At METRO!

Primary Care Offered at METRO!

With offices located in St. Pete AND Ybor, METRO is now offering primary care.

The practice is off to a great start!

Click on the link above to find out more about this

great service to the community!

Higher Home Values In "Gayborhoods"?

Home prices tend to appreciate more quickly in and around neighborhoods with a 

higher concentration of same-sex couples.....

Click on the link below for the whole article.

Higher Home Values in "Gayborhoods"?

La Collina (Brandon) Grand Opening Pricing by WestBay!

La Collina in Brandon!

Beautiful WestBay homes in a wonderfully located, gated community off of Lumsden and Lithia-Pinecrest.  Grand Opening discounts on upgrades!  Click on the link above and find your floor plan!  Call me to show you around.  I'll be with you every step of the way as you choose your home and through completion!

Check Out These Moving Tips!

Moving is a very stressful time.  Planning and organizing your move will help take much of that stress away.  Below the photos is a link to take you to an article assisting you in navigating that move, along with tips to make it go as smoothly as possible.

  

Moving Tips and Checklist!

Congress Passes Tax Break Extension. President Expected To Sign!

It only took a year to do, but Congress has finally passed a bill extending some tax credits, including the one that does not count your short sale debt forgiveness as taxable income.  Florida continues to be one of the hardest hit states, and this really should be continued through 2015, at least, but we will, most likely, have to wait until the end of the year, yet again, to see if it will get extended.  To see this and other tax breaks in the bill, click on the "2014 Tax Breaks" link, below!

2014 Tax Breaks

Your Links To The Florida Strawberry Festival!

Florida Strawberry Festival Music Headline Lineup Announced!

Florida Strawberry Festival Website!

It's never too early to start planning to attend the Florida Strawberry Festival!  Click on the link above the logog to find out who the headline entertainment is this year.  Click on the link below the logo to go to the official Florida Strawberry Festival web page.

See you in Plant City!

Dear Veteran...... From A Grateful American!

Please click on the "Dear Veteran" link above to hear a lovely tribute to veterans!  Sometimes, "Thank You", is not enough!

Words To Live By!

Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Tax Relief Update

Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Tax Relief Update

It appears this major tax relief item has made it out of the Senate Finance Committee.  Please click on the link above for the complete article.  If passed, it would be retroactive to the beginning of the year.  If you are one of the many still involved in this process, please contact your legislators!

More Jobs Available in the South Shore Region!

Amazon Jobs in Ruskin, Florida!

Please click on the link above to find out what new jobs Amazon is bringing to this area.  Find your job and let me help you find your new home!

2014 Florida State Fair

It's Florida State Fair Time!

Click on the link above for all of the fun things you can do at the fair, entertainment guides and all things Florida State Fair!  Enjoy!

"Ring and Run" Phone Scam

More and more scams are crossing our paths as technology improves.  Please be aware of this phone scam that could end up costing you quite a bit.  Click on the link below to find out which area codes are most likely to be scam related.

"Ring and Run" Phone Scam!

The local market has dropped for the third consecutive month, however, is up from a year ago.  Interest rates are still at historic lows.

 

Short Sale Debt Forgiveness Tax Break Set To Expire!

Short Sale Debt Forgiveness Tax Break Set To Expire!

The tax break for debt forgiveness from a short sale is set to expire at the end of the year.  There are no signs of it being extended at this time.  Personally, I fell it needs to be extended at least one more full year as there are still quite a few short sales in the pipeline.  Click on the above link for the complete article.

This week's Interest Rates.... Up for 4th week!

Interest rates have risen for the 4th week in a row.  Although they are still at historic lows, each increase means higher payments or less house one is able to afford.  Couple that with low inventory, it has become difficult to find good housing at this time.  Click on the link below for the complete article.

Interest Rates Rise 4th Week In a Row!

Lower Inventory Means Higher Home Prices!

With inventory being as low as it is, comparable to 2005 levels, the price point for average sale's price is moving higher.  Multiple offers are causing foreclosures and short sales to not be as good a deal as they once were, because of increased bids.   Closing cost assistance is drying up and low ball offers are just declined and not countered.   Click on photo to enlarge.

Multiple Offers on Properties Becoming Common!

Get Ready For Multiple Offers!

We are seeing this happen more and more and in some communities, a couple thousand over is not going to be enough.  Many of the short sales are experienceing multiple offers and homes priced appropriately in the regular market are also getting some pretty good action in the offer department.  Why?  We are now below 4 months supply of inventory and 38% of that figure is still short sales and distressed properties.  Plain and simple there is not a lot to choose from, so you better be ready!  Click on the title above and it will take you to the complete article.

Prices Are Rebounding in Tampa Bay!

Listen to your Realtor!  They are in the trenches every day and understand the market like no other.  Your Tampa Bay Realtor knows that inventory is VERY low in all categories and that multiple offers on most homes is common these days and that the short sale/distressed properties as a percentage of the market has been shrinking and that prices have been starting to creep upwards!  Don't delay.  There still are some good deals to be had!