TBT- 1987, My First Home!

TBT takes me back to my first home.  Purchased in 1987 for $49,000, this lovely 900sf 2BR 1 BA home with a detached 2 car garage on a 30ft wide, 125 ft. deep lot, in Riverdale, IL.  It is a 1952 post-Korean War bungalow, typical in many of the Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs.  Lathe and plaster walls, real brick, gravity heat (big old octopus arms in the basement with a huge chamber, NO air conditioning.  First project was to build a bar in the basement, followed by the deck off the back, then creating sliders from the kitchen to the deck.  I loved this house!  One of the favorite things here was to decorate and entertain for Christmas.  I have included a few different shots of the exterior at the holidays and the first "village" I did in the basement, which stayed up all year, but was added to, each year.  Many of you were in this home, jam packed, on occasion, as I remember over 110 people in the house for one party!!  It was after that one I decided to have multiple parties, focusing on different groups.  One never forgets their first home purchase.  I lived here for 9-1/2 years.  I sold this home for $69,000, just couldn't crack that $70,000 mark!! haha

Amazon Seasonal Positions Available!

Anyone looking for employment should look to Amazon in Ruskin and Lakeland.  See the information on the photo to tell you when and where!  Also see the website to get a jump on seasonal employment.  You never know.... it could lead to full time employment!

NEW LISTING! Nettlow Lane, Wimauma, FL $209,900!

This home has it all! NO DEED RESTRICTIONS and over an acre lot! Bring your boat and your toys! This 1657sf 3 bedroom 2 bath POOL home is situated in a cul-de-sac, has its own electronic gate entry, and plenty of room! Upon entering the front door, you are greeted with the renovated and updated floor plan. Gone is that boxy, ranch feel, but now is open to the living room, dining room, kitchen and screened lanai and pool area. The open kitchen has quartz counter tops, center island and plenty of cabinetry with draw pullouts and a lazy susan. The owner's retreat has been updated and expanded to include a 9x9 walk in closet, walk-in shower and updated fixtures. It also opens up to a semi-private lanai and the screened pool. The secondary bath has been updated as well and includes a jetted tub. The expansive yard is over an acre and a quarter, has a utility shed and can accommodate a boat, RV and other items you wish. The utility room, located off the garage is air conditioned and includes more storage for items you wish to keep out of the Florida heat! Home has vinyl EE windows, new AC in 2013, new solar heat for the pool in 2013, zero energy water heater, using heat from the AC unit to heat water, and much more! You will truly be impressed with this home and is move-in ready!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TBT- 1996... My First New Construction Home!

Who can forget the first home they had built!!  This TBT post takes me back to the first home I had built.  It was 1996, Monee, IL.  It was a small builder, who semi-customized things for you, so it was definitely a step above "cookie cutter".  This floor plan called for gable ends, which I changed to a hip roof.  It also called for a bump out at the front, narrow entry and no utility door from the garage to the yard.  Because I was allowed to change some things, I created a flush front, gaining extra square footage in the bedrooms, moved the garage over 4 feet, widening the entry and created a hall closet at the front, added the octagon window at the entry, bayed all of the windows that I could, added lights on the side to break up that mass of brick and many interior items.  This process can be exciting, frustrating, confusing and more all at the same time.  Choosing flooring, fixtures, colors and everything that goes into a home from tiny samples and trying to envision the finished product is difficult, at best.  What is so exciting is starting to see it all come together.  This home was completed in 89 days.  The builder said 90!! haha  There were times I felt it would never get done, but by some miracle, it all came together.  Once the home was completed, I designed the complete landscape, designed and assisted in the building of the patio benches, trellises and gas fire pit.  This was going to be my last home......  I lied... and now I am here in Florida, living in my current..... last...... built..... home.

TBT: My First Closed Sale

TBT for the blog!!  This is the first closed sale I made as a Florida Realtor!  One always remembers their "first"!  Biggest issues for the client......  "There aren't enough phone jacks in the house!"  "Why isn't there a phone jack in the kitchen?"  "You would think people would have put a phone jack here!"  "I cannot make an offer on a house that doesn't have enough phone jacks!"  Once I convinced him they can actually put more in....... we made a decision! LOL!! 

 

It has been a wonderful ride since this home, taking me to all points of the Tampa Bay area!  Hundreds of satisfied clients later, I still enjoy seeing the faces of folks when they finally get that perfect home....

 

 

Going Casual For Kids! Miracle Jeans Day, September 10, 2014!

Miracle Jeans Day Campaign, August 28-September 14, 2014!

Please consider making a donation to The Children's Miracle Network during this campaign.  I am proud to participate in this cause each year.  In addition, I make a donation to The Children's Miracle Network from each transaction I close.  Click on the link above to go directly to the donation page.... and THANK YOU!