Reflecting...... Thank You To All Our Fallen Heroes!

Remembering our fallen heroes, on this, Memorial Day,

 to honor their supreme sacrifice to protect our freedoms, which,

 we take for granted all too often. The men and women in uniform, 

and civilians, who all paid the ultimate price, will hold a special place

 in my heart, this day..... and always.

To Convey Or Not To Convey!

Click on the link below and read the Realtor® Magazine article on fixture feuds and how to avoid them.  As often as I have the discussion during listing appointments and instruct my sellers that if there is ANYTHING they are planning on taking with them, a ceiling fan, window treatments, etc... that the time to pack it up is at the time of listing, to avoid confusion.  I am amazed that some soft window treatments, all of a sudden, become a MUST TAKE item, upon close.  Several times it has become an issue AT the closing table after the buyer has completed their walk through and discover some curtains are gone.  Don't let this happen to you!  

Fixture Feuds Can Be Avoided!

Waterleaf, a Gated Community in Riverview!

Check Out, Waterleaf, in Riverview

Click on the link above and discover the community of Waterleaf, in Riverview.  This gated community sets itself apart from the others as being "ultra-fi"!  Explore the community links, builder links and others.  Once you have decided to talk with the specific builders in there, talk to ma and we can see what each one has to offer you.  If you have a home to sell prior to build, I can assist you and help make the transition from point A to point B as smooth as possible.  I would be there every step of the way during the building process, offering another set of eyes and ears.  Check it out!

RE/MAX South Shore Realty has FIVE Brokers Open Houses tomorrow, May 19th! Kathy Porter Yannes and I, each have one in Panther Trace, while Ann Marie Vaughan has three others in Riverview. Below is the info for the Panther Trace opens, while info on Ann Marie's three will be forthcoming! Delicious delights offered at each!

NEW LISTING! 11150 Rodeo Lane, Panther Trace, Riverview!

   

This Westfield Shakespeare II, located in PANTHER TRACE, 
has 4 bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths in 2446sf, 
a front porch/sitting area, 2 story foyer, 
HUGE screened porch overlooking the conservation area in the back
 and plenty of room for a pool, if you so desire. 
Upgrades include, 20" tile in the "wet" areas, 
tasteful laminate in all other areas of the first floor, 
bay window in the nook, a pool "half bath", 
walk-in pantry, deluxe master bath, 4th bedroom in lieu of den on the first floor,
 premium exterior paint completed in 2013, and end to end screened room off the rear.
 Upon entering, you are greeted by the voluminous foyer and 4th bedroom to your left.
 The formal dining room is to your right.
 The ample family room is open to the kitchen and has sliders leading out to the lanai.
 The kitchen has plenty of 36" wood upper cabinets,
 an extra wall of cabinets and counter, and an island.
 The breakfast nook is conveniently located with the bay windows
 allowing views of the conservation lot.
 The second story has a loft separating the master bedroom suite and the secondary bedrooms.
 The master suite has a tray ceiling, dual walk-in closets,
 a sitting area, separate tub and shower and dual vanity sinks.
 Panther Trace is conveniently located to the interstate, area shopping,
 hospital, churches, schools and area attractions.
 The community boasts two pools, several parks, sand volleyball court,
 tennis courts and plenty of areas to jog.
 Come see this GREAT home in a GREAT community!
 Low HOA fee of $125 per year!
Offered at $242,750!

Tampa's Cuban Ties!

Click on the link below to read the NY Times article on the relationship between Tampa and Cuba.

Tampa's Cuban Roots Go Way Back!

It's Florida Blueberry Pickin' Time..... Y'all!

Did you according to Florida Blueberry Association, Florida is the only place in the world growing fresh blueberries in March and April? That's right, Florida gets a jump on the blueberry competition by starting early!  Click on the link below to find a U-Pick Blueberry Farm near YOU!

U-Pick Blueberry Farms

7 U-Pick Tips

1. Pack water, a hat, sunscreen.
2. Wear loose fitting clothes and sneakers.
3. Spending the day? Bring a small cooler for your berries.
4. No dogs allowed on the farms.
5. Pick the firm berries and be careful not to remove the tops of the berries when picking from the bush.
6. Call ahead to verify opening and closing times & payment options.
7. Follow your favorite farm(s) on their social sites for updates.

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!

Florida Winery Map!

One does not think of Florida as a wine mecca, however, there are many distinct wineries in this state.  Click on the link below for a map showing where these hidden treasures are!  

Florida Winery Map

Riverview High Performs "HAIRSPRAY!"

Riverview High School Presents HAIRSPRAY!

This production is OUTSTANDING!

Shows through April 25th.

Click on link above picture to get more details!!

See you at the "theatre"!

2015 Tampa Pride Guide!

Check out my full page ad in the inaugural

Tampa Pride Guide!

Click on link under picture and flip through the pages!

See you, out and about, on the 28th in Ybor!

2015 Tampa Pride Guide!

Resurgence of First Time Home Buyers!

I have always enjoyed working with first-time home buyers!  There is nothing like seeing the face on someone after they have purchased that first home!  That look can never be duplicated, no matter how many more properties they purchase.  Click on the link below and read how these buyers are starting to make a comeback in the market!

First Time Home Buyers Making Comeback!

Riverview, FL Properties!

The market is heating up and 2015 is gearing up to be a great real estate year!

This is just a sampling of what I have on the market right now.

Contact me for your FREE market analysis or

for information on these or other homes in the area!

$138M Raised, To Date, By RE/MAX For Children's Miracle Network!

Marie Osmond at 2015 RE/MAX R4 in VEGAS w Senior VP of RE/MAX & board member of the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Mike Reagan. 

To date, the company has raised $138M... thanks to RE/MAX co-founder, Gail Liniger, who brought the real estate firm on board in 1992 to help Children's Hospital's nationwide.

How many Realtors® does it take to make miracles happen?

At Home With Diversity!

As we, as a nation, become more and more diverse, it is even more important to know your Realtor® is in tune with the changing world and is very comfortable working with a very diverse clientele.  It is equally important, that YOU, the client, feels comfortable with whom you are entrusting your home purchase.  I proudly carry the official National Association of Realtors® designation of AHWD, 

"At Home With Diversity!"

Take a peek at the video in the link below, which touched my heart..... as love has no labels.

Celebrating Diversity!

Winthrop Village by Taylor Morrison in Riverview!

Welcome to Winthrop Village, an Urban Contemporary community located in Riverview, conveniently located to commuter routes, shopping and area attractions.  The community has many restaurants, banks, a grocery store and other shoppes all within walking distance to most homes.  The pool complex is also conveniently located.  The link below the photo will take you to Taylor Morrison's site, where you may explore all of the options.  When you choose a floor plan, call me and we will take a trip over and get the best deal possible!

Winthrop Village, Urban Contemporary Living!

Home Buyers and Sellers Be Aware! RESPA/TILA Forms To Be Merged August 1, 2015!

Home Buyers and Sellers will need to be aware there will be some major changes to the closing process, which will make it almost impossible to "rush" to the closing table to beat a deadline.  More layers, with required waiting times, plus, what used to be handled by title companies, is now being orchestrated by the lenders.  There will be a THREE DAY waiting period AFTER the numbers are generated BEFORE a closing may occur!  If there are changes, then ANOTHER THREE DAYS will be required, causing delays in closing.  We have a significant amount of delayed closings now.  This should almost make it impossible to close on time.  Rather than making 30-45 days standard on contracts, it will become necessary to put upwards of 60 days for conventional and possibly up to 90 days on VA and FHA products.  The link below will take you to a video that reaffirms the confusion that is undoubtedly coming, as the standard HUD-1 Settlement Statement, with numbered lines, is replaced by this new.... merged... un-numbered.... form!  

GOOD LUCK TO US ALL!!

RESPA/TILA Forms Merger To Add Home Purchase Problems!

Search For YOUR WestBay Home Here!

If you are looking to build your next dream home, here is a site that will allow you to view photos and take tours of various WestBay Homes in their communities.  Once you have selected, contact me and let's go see it or them together!

Click on the link below to be taken to the photo gallery and visual tours of WestBay Homes! 

WestBay Homes Photo Gallery and Virtual Tours