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Check out this new Single-family property that I just posted on my Web site. It is at 11956 Justamere Ln in Dade City. This Single-family property has 5 bedrooms and 4 baths. Spacious floor plan boasts 6000sqft of living space and includes 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2 half baths, separate family, living and dining, Florida room, a basement complete with game room, wood shop, mirrored home gym, and office, and endless storage space! Breathtaking design features such as textured ceilings, wainscoting, crown molding, gleaming wood floors and beautiful tile floors, wood cabinetry, lots of windows, and tasteful décor and color palette. Beautiful rich kitchen filled with natural light overlooks the courtyard and pool and features beautiful cabinetry and countertops, island with breakfast bar. Breakfast area with French doors leading to the courtyard. Large family room with traditional brick fireplace and mantle makes this a cozy room for gathering to watch TV or play games. Well-appointed master suite is private and beautiful. Downstairs 2nd bedroom features private bath and additional playroom/office. Upstairs bedrooms are in the Cape Cod style with window seats, student alcoves wit.

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I have a secret! Ok I’ll tell you… Read this article for GREAT NEWS and call us now is the time to buy your dream home!

Tampa Bay homes sales surge to level not seen in five years
By Mark Puente, Times Staff Writer April 19, 2011

Bay area may have finally hit bottom, an economist says.

Tampa Bay’s existing home sales skyrocketed in March to levels not seen in nearly five years.   Maybe even better news for home ­owners is that average sale prices also rose last month in several area counties.

Sales of previously occupied homes in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties jumped nearly 32 percent, from 3,258 in February to 4,296 in March.

The sales increase and price jumps raise hope that the housing market is healing from the wounds left by a faltering economy and a deluge of foreclosures.

The St. Petersburg Times analyzed figures from the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors and the Pinellas Realtor Organization prior to statewide and national numbers being released today.

No single factor drove sales and prices in March – it was more of a mix of reasons, according to economists and real estate experts.

“It’s good news,” said Mark Vitner, a senior economist with Wells Fargo. “It’s a further indicator that the worst may be over. The bay area economy is modestly improving.”

Vitner credited the surge to low prices and interest rates, an improving economy and investors searching for bargains. He stressed the housing market is a long way from fully recovering and that some homeowners may still have a hard time selling at the current prices.

Vitner closely tracks Florida’s economy and expected the market to hit bottom this summer. His outlook may change given the recent housing news.

“We’re either at or very close to the bottom of the market,” he said. “It would be crazy to wait for the last nickel to fall.”

The combined March sales in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties even eclipsed the sales in June 2010, when an $8,000 federal tax credit created a surge in sales, only to be followed by months of sluggish activity.

The last month with combined sales higher than March was June 2006, when 4,417 homes sold.

Total sales in the three counties are even up more than 14 percent compared to March 2010. The bulk of the increased sales occurred in homes priced less than $200,000.

The average sales price jumped from $149,500 to $165,700 in Pinellas from February to March and $135,376 to $140,360 in Hills ­borough and from $106,000 to $132,000 in Pasco.

March is traditionally the start of the spring buying season. But real estate agents said an influx of cheap homes and severe weather in Northern and Midwestern states has helped drive bay area sales.

Northerners have watched Florida prices spiral downward and are escaping the never-ending snow by buying second homes in the Sunshine State.

“People realize that prices aren’t going to drop forever,” said Nick Fraser, owner of Remax All Star in Madeira Beach. “People are ready to make a move. Consumer confidence is a lot higher.”

Another possible reason for more sales is that buyers are over the fear of buying foreclosed homes, said University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith.

But he cautioned that several months of rising sales and prices would better measure the housing market. But a dual increase, in the same month is good, he said.

“It sure beats a month’s decrease,” Snaith said. “Any increase is welcome. That’s very good news.”

Another positive sign tucked in the sales figures: The housing inventory is at or near a six-month supply, meaning it would take about six months to sell all the inventory that is currently on the market. The lower the supply the more robust the market. It peaked in Hillsborough at 25 months in January 2008 and at 18 months in Pinellas in March 2007.

In a typical market, many homeowners buy houses and then trade up when they need more space, amenities or want to live in a better neighborhood.

If that practice continues in the current market, the recent sale of so many lower-priced homes will eventually trigger the sales of higher-priced homes, experts said.

The region’s lower prices are also drawing attention from bargain-seekers who want either to rent homes out or fix them up and resell as prices start rising again.

Andrew Duncan, leader of the Duncan Duo & Associates at Keller Williams Realty in Tampa, said many buyers are entering into bidding wars on homes priced lower than $200,000.

“It’s pretty phenomenal,” he said about the sales. “It’s moving in the right direction toward a healthy and balanced real estate market.”

First-time home buyers, he said, are also fueling higher sales.

“It’s cheaper to buy the same house that you’re currently renting,” he said. “That’s a sign that the worst has passed.”

Tampa Bay homes sales last month

4,296 homes sold in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties in March, up from 3,258 in February

32% increase in homes sold in the three counties, March over February

14% increase in homes sold in the three counties this March compared to March 2010

$26,000 increase in the average sales prices of homes in Pasco

Today, people say: œIt takes a village to raise a child. The realities of today™s life (two family incomes and such) have extended a family to lean on others (neighbors, relatives, teachers, etc.) to protect and teach our young people about culture, history and acceptable behaviors. Teams, because of their ability to provide specialized solutions to problems, have often proved to be more efficient deliverers of information.In real estate today (maybe more than ever), it also takes a team. As with a basketball team, each member needs certain skill sets and proper coaching on how to weave the different skills into a cohesive unit to achieve the desired outcome.  The evolution of how things work has created a necessity of excellent communication between all the players. The needs of buyers and sellers have developed an even broader need for new members of a great team.

A great working relationship between an agent and a loan officer is an obvious connection. Changing mortgage guidelines, appraisal challenges and qualification standards requires everyone working together. But, there are so many others whose expertise may be needed to properly advise today™s clients.

An accountant

One of the reasons people buy a home is that they hear of the tax advantages. What really are they?  How will the purchase affect my monthly cash flow? Should we adjust our exemptions with our employer? What about home repairs and depreciation?  What about parents who gift money to their kids¦.is there a smart way to do it?

And for sellers, especially people who may not be buying a new home, what are the consequences of their sale? Capital Gains Tax? Can/should they consider œgifting proceeds to relatives? Long term health care? Life Insurance? That leads to ¦

A financial planner

How does buying or selling real estate impact cash flow and long term savings and planning?

Attorneys

Divorce attorneys, estate attorneys, elder care attorneys and even bankruptcy attorneys have a role in many transactions these days. Choices made without their counsel can have very damaging repercussions.

Home Inspectors, Termite Companies and Home Improvement Contractors

These professionals protect customers from nightmares, or explain the costs associated with preventing or curing problems.

Making a decision to buy or sell a home has far reaching effects. To think your real estate agent or loan officer is an expert in everything is not prudent. However, aligning yourself with a professional who surrounds themselves with other professionals is extremely wise. Make sure the people you work with have a network of related experts that you can tap into. You need to be represented by a TEAM!   This is our  TEAM!

New Year, New Beginnings

Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.     Oprah Winfrey

Give Up Your Personal History

œWhen a speedboat zooms across the surface of the water, there™s a white foamy froth behind it that™s called the ˜wake™ of the boat. The wake is nothing more than the trail that™s left behind the boat. The answer to, ˜What is driving the boat?™ is that the boat moves because of present-moment energy generated by the end. Do you think it™s possible for the wake to drive the boat? I™m sure you agree that the wake is only the trail left behind.Apply this idea to your life. The wake of your life is nothing more than a trail that™s left behind you. The wake is not in any logical way responsible for what you™re experiencing or failing to experience today. The wake is just what it is, and nothing more “ a trail that you™ve left behind. But have you?

Your past is over! By bonding to your past, you not only ensure that you™ll be immobilized today, but you prevent yourself from healing. By referring to past struggles and using them as the reason for not getting on with your life today, you™re doing the equivalent of attributing to the wake the ability to drive the boat.

Imagine a pencil with the ability to only write your past history. It has no use otherwise. All of your past is in that pencil. Are you going to keep it? What for? You can cry all night about the history in that pencil, all that it contains, and all you wish you could erase “ or bring back again “ but all of your tears can™t wash out one word of the past. You want to let go of your personal history that™s symbolized by that pencil, but when you walk away from it, no matter how far you walk, you look back and there it is. Pick up the pencil and with compassion, allow the words, wounds, and pain of the past to be written, embraced, examined, understood, accepted and loved for all that you™ve learned and experienced. The act of picking it up and embracing it will give you the strength to transform the past into song, poem, paint or ritual if you feel called to do those things, or to throw it away in your unique way.

Understand your past, accept it, honor it and finally retire and transform it in your own way. Become free to immerse yourself in this moment “ the now that™s called the present “ because it™s simply that “ a present to open, relish, nurture, play with, and enjoy and explore.

The willingness and ability to live fully in the now eludes many people. While eating your appetizer, don™t be concerned with dessert. While reading a book, notice where you thoughts are. While on vacation, be there instead of thinking about what should have been done and what has to be done when returning home. Don™t let the elusive present moment get used up by thoughts that aren™t in the here and now.

There™s an irony to this habit of having your mind drift to other times and other places. You can only drift off in the now, because now it all you ever get. So drifting off is a way of using up your present moments. You do indeed have a past, but not now! And yes, you have a future, but not now! And you can consume your now with thoughts of ˜then™ and ˜maybe™ but will keep you from the inner peace and success you could experience.

It™s doubtful that the other creatures waste the present in thoughts of past and future. A beaver only does beaver, and he does it right in the moment. He doesn™t spend his days wishing he were a young beaver again, or ruminating over the fact that his beaver siblings received more attention, or his father beaver ran off with a younger beaver when he was growing up. Practice living in the moment, and refuse to allow any thoughts based on your past to define you.

Stop and take notice of all that™s in your immediate space “ the people, creatures, vegetation, cloud formations, building designs, everything. Stay in the present by meditating and getting closer to the ultimate now.

A new year brings changes. Some homeowners will decide that this is the year to move on with their lives in some way. Some will move south to join children and grandchildren. Others will move either east or west in search of a better career opportunity. Growing families may decide to purchase a larger home with a bigger back yard. Empty nesters may determine to downsize and begin to prepare for their retirement.Often, the families will need to sell the house they are currently living in. In this confusing and rapidly evolving housing market, the vast majority will take on the services of a professional real estate agent (88%).

According to the National Association of Realtors™ 2010 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers the number one thing the seller wants from the agents is œhelp pricing the home competitively. And therein lays the dilemma.

What You Want to Hear

Every homeowner wants to maximize the sale of their house by achieving the highest price possible. Every truly professional agent realizes this and has the same goal. However, what the homeowner believes to be the value of their home might not be in line with current market conditions. When the agent explains this to a seller, there can be a natural skepticism on the homeowners™ part. Is the agent telling me the truth or just trying to low ball the price to make a quick commission?

Adding to the dilemma is the fact that there is at least one agent in every market that will tell the seller whatever the seller wants to hear in order to avoid conflict. Or perhaps, just to get the listing on the property.  

When these doubts arise, remember:

A pretender worries about your feelings and places great emphasis on whether or not you will like them. A professional worries about your family and how they can help. A pretender will tell you what you want to hear. A professional will tell you everything you need to know.

What You Need to Know

If an agent is telling you that the price you were hoping for is not available in the current market “ listen! They are probably saving you from a further decline in value as 2011 proceeds forward.

Here are a few reputable sources and what they have to say about housing prices. Each of the quotes below were reported in the last 10 days.

Bloomberg

A wave of foreclosures waiting to reach the market means home prices will remain under pressure in 2011 ¦ œThe double-dip is almost here, said David Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P.

CNN Money

The (Case Shiller) report ran counter to what have been generally positive signs of economic recovery, according to Richard DeKaser, an independent housing market analyst and founder of Woodley Park Research.

The coming of the second of the double dip is icing on the cake for homebuyers, who already have benefited from prices not seen in years in most markets.

Forbes

Stalled foreclosures waiting to hit the market will put additional downward pressure on prices, according to Westwood Capital.  œThe market has still not completed the price discovery necessary to determine the final value of housing “ after all, easy money policy is still producing affordability that has masked the failure of prices to completely readjust to normalized levels, Westwood said in a research note.  

Wall Street Journal

The housing market, which appeared poised for a recovery earlier in the year, now could be heading for a second downward drift ¦

The housing index was driven down by factors including the expiration of a tax credit for buyers who signed contracts by 4/30, which caused demand to fall off.

Prices also were weighed down by a huge inventory of foreclosed homes, which tend to sell at sharply discounted prices.

Wells Fargo & Co. projects prices will drop 8% more by mid-2011.

CNBC

(T)here are two factors specific to the housing market that are putting downward pressure on home prices.

The first factor is the expiration of federal home buyer tax credits for first time home buyers.

œThat tax credit stole demand from the future and its expiration led to another 30% fall in home sales, pushing Case & Shiller lower for the last few months, (Nouriel) Roubini wrote in a text message earlier this morning.

The second factor putting downward pressure on home prices is the ongoing chaos with mortgage documentation, and the consequent suspension by banks of mortgage foreclosure proceedings”which has actually worsened the underlying problems in the housing market ¦

œThe shadow inventory of not-yet-foreclosed homes”due to the moratorium”will surge in the next year, Roubini says.

Gary Shilling

This huge and growing surplus inventory of houses will probably depress prices considerably from here, perhaps another 20% over the next several years ¦ Furthermore, our forecast of another 20% fall in house prices may be conservative. ¦ another big house price decline will spike delinquencies and foreclosures leading to more REO sales, which will further depress prices. Our analysis indicates that a further 20% drop in prices will push the number of homeowners who are under water from 23% to 40%, resulting in more strategic defaults, more REO, etc.

Bottom Line

If you are considering selling your home in the next year, sit down with a local real estate professional today. Let them explain what is taking place with prices in your community. If they suggest a price less than you had hoped for, do not immediately eliminate them as your agent. Ask them to explain their thinking and, if they can do that in a simple and effective way, consider yourself lucky.

You have just found a professional!

To all potential buyers:  Just because prices are falling does not mean you shouldn™t buy now. Prices may be decreasing but your cost may be increasing.

Banks and the government have struggled to get the current foreclosure situation under control. The modification programs have helped many families avoid foreclosure. However, the number is but a small percentage of those incapable or unwilling to pay their mortgage. This has resulted in an ever increasing number of bank owned foreclosures (REOs).The banks are in a difficult situation. If they release this inventory of discounted properties to the market too quickly, it could crush prices causing even more foreclosures. If they release it too slowly, any housing recovery would be further delayed. Imagine a dam, and look at the foreclosures as water behind the dam. The banks needed to find the perfect amount of water they could release to feed the river below but not flood the valley.

This past summer banks finally found that perfect number “ not too many, not too few “ that the market could handle. Being confident that they had a handle on the challenge, banks increased their repossessions of delinquent properties. Repossessions were up 49 % in August. September set an all-time record for reposed homes. However, in their haste to build that inventory, they got sloppy with their procedures.

When this was revealed, both private and government institutions mandated that the banks declare a moratorium on foreclosures until the irregularities were corrected.

In essence, they put a cork in the dam.

The banks have now revised their procedures and feel comfortable with the accuracy of their paperwork. They will begin to release foreclosures after the first of the year.

The cork is about to be removed.

What will this do to prices?

Both the Bank of America and Fannie Mae have projected that house prices will fall dramatically at the end of the first quarter of 2011 and then slowly move upward through the rest of the year. Why the dramatic drop in values after the start of the year? Perhaps the people in control of the cork know exactly when it will be removed and realize the short term implications.

Bottom Line

There is currently a window of opportunity to sell your home before the discounted properties again re-enter the market and put downward pressure on prices. If you plan to sell within the next year, now might be the time.

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