Study: Tampa Bay is nation’s second best area for first-time homebuyers
Wednesday, 17 May 2017
For first- time homebuyers, you can’t beat the Orlando and Tampa Bay areas. Despite steadily rising prices, both are relatively affordable compared to the West Coast and Northeast at a time when nearly half of all buyers are first-timers, a new Zillow report says. As millennials — those in the 18-34 age group — “reach
- Published in Blog, General, Housing Market, Important, Investors, Local, Luxury, Mortgage, Real Estate, South Tampa, St Petersburg, Tampa Bay
First-time homebuyer mortgage options
Sunday, 14 May 2017
NEW YORK – Buying a home for the first time can be daunting. In addition to mountains of paperwork and new financial terms to sort through, you’ll face costs and fees that can quickly add up. Fortunately, many grants and programs exist to help first-time homebuyers. Here are some of them: FHA loan With this
- Published in Housing Market, Local, Mortgage, News, Real Estate, South Tampa, St Petersburg, Tampa Bay
Property tax cap heads to 2018 ballot
Monday, 08 May 2017
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A top legislative priority of Florida Realtors passed on Wednesday. It gives voters the chance to make permanent a 10 percent cap in non-homestead property tax increases during the 2018 general election. The passage of SJR 76/HJR 21 successfully ends a nearly year-long effort by Florida Realtors to get the proposed amendment
- Published in Housing Market, Important, Investors, Local, Luxury, Mortgage, News, Real Estate, South Tampa, St Petersburg, Tampa Bay
March madness for Tampa Bay home sales with double-digit price increases
Sunday, 23 April 2017
This home in Land O’ Lakes sold for $1.125 million in March, making it Pasco County’s top sale of the month. [Courtesy of Tom Carr/Christopher Williams] This gulf-front home in Belleair Shore sold for $4.809 million in March, making it Pinellas County’s top sale of the month. [Courtesy of Cary John] This home in
- Published in General, Housing Market, Investors, Local, Luxury, News, Real Estate, South Tampa, St Petersburg, Tampa Bay
Mortgage lenders optimistic about 2017
Tuesday, 18 April 2017
NEW YORK – April 12, 2017 – Continued economic improvement should give first-time homebuyers the boost they need to enter the market. In fact, about three in five independent mortgage lenders (59 percent) in a recent survey predict an increase in first-time homebuyers in 2017. The prediction comes from The Lenders One Cooperative, a national
- Published in General, Housing Market, Investors, Local, Luxury, Mortgage, News, Real Estate, South Tampa, St Petersburg, Tampa Bay
Could rising mortgage rates be good for housing?
Saturday, 01 April 2017
NEW YORK – The Federal Reserve is finally taking more action to raise its short-term rates. Last week, it voted to raise the Fed funds rate by 25 basis points. That is expected to add pressure to mortgage rates, too. Many housing analysts fear that rising mortgage rates could further impact home affordability and lead
- Published in Blog, General, Housing Market, Investors, Local, Luxury, Mortgage, Real Estate, South Tampa, St Petersburg
Reverse mortgages: Myths vs. realities
Tuesday, 28 March 2017
STUART – There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding reverse mortgages. I’ve highlighted six here that seem to come up most often in conversations with clients. I hope these will help when considering whether a reverse mortgage is the right path for you. Myth No. 1: The lender owns the home You will retain the
- Published in Blog, General, Housing Market, Local, Mortgage, Real Estate, South Tampa, St Petersburg
Tampa Bay market ‘healthiest in 10 years’ as home prices continue to soar
Friday, 24 March 2017
Tampa Bay home prices continue to soar, but the meager supply of available properties that continues to frustrate buyers may finally be starting to ease. In February, the median price of a house jumped by double digits in all four bay area counties compared to the same month a year ago. Hernando led with an
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How will housing change over the next decade?
Wednesday, 22 March 2017
NEW YORK – March 7, 2017 – Your 10-year outlook: Expect business to get busier, but be ready for some major demographic shifts in housing. Housing demand over the next decade will be significantly higher than today, predicts Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), in his latest column at Forbes.com.
- Published in Blog, General, Housing Market, Investors, Local, Luxury, Mortgage, News, Real Estate, South Tampa, St Petersburg
4 reasons luxury real estate will flourish in 2017
Saturday, 11 February 2017
NEW YORK – Jan. 16, 2017 – Luxury real estate agents should start 2017 with enthusiasm they have reason to be optimistic about their sector. This year will bring its share of exciting developments, innovative design, progressive trends and brand new technology to the high-end real estate market. There is never a standstill in this
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