Yes, it is one of these days. When will the Realtors get real? Sometimes I just do not understand, are  Realtors, Real Estate agents,  listing agents waiting for the knight in white shinning amore? I am trying to find a way to sugar coat this, but I just can't. Seminole Isle is one of the communities that was new construction and sold directly from the developer at the peak of the market. This particular community got hit hard when the market crashed. People bought units for $400,000 or $460,000. Right now just in the last few month, these units sold for $ 225,000, $ 247,000, $260,000, $ 245,000, that makes an average sales price of $244,000  Ok, adjust for the view or upgrades but that's is it. Low end is 225K high end is 260K Why, why would you list one of these units at $429,000 ??? ... 07/15/2008

And I do not blame you if you don't believe a word of this story. I am very familiar with a subdivision called Seminole Isle. The other day I was doing comps for a buyer who was interested in a new listing that had come up. Being very familiar with the recent sales etc. I was surprised that all of a sudden two units showed up as sold and I didn't even know they were on the market - very strange, how could I have missed this? So I looked up the details in the MLS and it said zero days on the market and in the public remarks it just said, entered for statistical purpose only. Ok. This usually means an agent got a listing and already had a buyer for it. That happens, but two at the same time? And here is what really thru me off, these units sell for $250,000 to $ 280,000 the new "sold" lis... 07/06/2008

 Please  Please  Please  contact me.  I am looking for a 1700 square feet unit and a 2100 square feet condo in Seminole Isle, Seminole Florida. It doesn't matter what floor it is one or what the view is, as long as it is on Key Haven rd. or Marathon. I have two very serious buyers and we have been looking for a few months now. Both of them are financially stable and they will be able to make a decision in a matter of days or even hours. This might be an unusually approach, but both of them do not want to wait until something shows up in the MLS again, they want to buy now. They like the community and the location, the close distance to the beaches, shopping and restaurants, and I can not find anything comparable I have pretty much exhausted every possible way of finding a unit, from cal... 06/26/2008

One way first-time homebuyers can keep housing costs down is to get a great deal on a foreclosure. Right? Wrong, says author, real estate attorney and investor James Randel. "First time homebuyers have their own issues," says Randel. "To put foreclosure risks on top of that is imprudent." "Buying foreclosures isn't as easy as it looks," says Randel, "There are a number of risks associated with it." People think foreclosures are a goldmine, low-hanging fruit, but the only ones who tend to do well are experienced buyers and professionals who treat buying foreclosures as a business. According to Randel, here are the top five reasons why foreclosures carry too much risk for first-time homebuyers. •1.      Damaged goods. When people get in trouble, they tend not to care for the property. And... 06/07/2008

For years, the Veterans Administration has allowed "Jumbo" VA loans; it's just that hardly anyone knew about them. The current VA loan limit with zero down, is $417,000, matching the conforming loan limits set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. But the VA does make allowances for VA loans above that amount ... way above. Say around $700,000. Current Jumbo fixed rates are anywhere from 1.00 percent to 1.50 percent higher than conforming rates. That's a lot, and has many Jumbo buyers in a quandary. A 30 year fixed conforming rate might be 6.00 percent while a similar Jumbo rate could be 7.50 percent. That spread used to not be so vast. Prior to the current mortgage mess, Jumbo rates were typically about .25 to .5 percent higher than a conforming loan. But not so with a VA Jumbo loan. VA Jumbo... 06/07/2008

Fannie Mae is scrapping a "declining markets" policy that required loan underwriters to boost minimum down-payment requirements by 5 percent in areas where home prices are falling or difficult to determine. Beginning in June, Fannie Mae will instead require 3 percent down payments for conventional, conforming mortgages processed through its Desktop Underwriter automated underwriting system, and 5 percent minimum down payments for loans processed manually. Larger down payments may be required depending on occupancy, property and transaction types. The new single national down-payment policy will retire a controversial declining-market policy announced in December. The policy, implemented Jan. 15, boosted the minimum down payment required by 5 percent when Desktop Underwriter flagged a pr... 06/07/2008

Deciding how much house you can afford Before you start house hunting, you need to determine how much house you can afford, which will entail getting either prequalified or preapproved for a home loan. A real estate agent can help you find a mortgage broker to begin the process. While getting preapproved is a more in-depth process, a preapproval letter lets both real estate agents and sellers know that you're a serious shopper who means business. What do I do to get prequalified? A prequalification can be done online or over the phone and does not require your submitting financial documents. You will be asked to provide basic information about your finances - for instance, your household income versus your debt load. With this information, the lender will estimate what your maximum loan... 06/07/2008

  Negotiation is back in style, and is likely to remain a necessary part of buying or selling a home in today's residential housing market. Needless to say, you need to work with the best real estate professionals you can find in your area. In most cases, it takes a team effort to put a home-sale transaction together and see it through to fruition. HOUSE HUNTING TIP: Successful negotiations usually require give and take by both parties. It has been said that the sign of a successful negotiation is one where both parties walk away feeling they have won. It has also been said that the key to a mutually acceptable agreement is that both sides feel a little wounded. A must in this market is a commitment to exhaust all possible ways to put and keep a deal together before calling it quits. Re... 06/07/2008

Today's market is crazy to say the least. We have to remember that we still have an issue of supply and demand. Buyers and sellers are still out there. My advice today is to find what you want and make an offer. Some sellers are ill advised on the price of there home. They think there house is still worth what it weas 2 or 3 years ago. That is not the case, but the sellers still want to sell. Don't allow a high listing price scare you away from the home you want. The worst thing that can happen is they say no. Or, people that want to sell there house may say yes. Maybe people are not selling because they have no offers!! 05/16/2008

"I'm Mad as Hell ... and I'm not going to take it anymore." That's a quote from the movie Network, from 1976... Great Clip from that movie is below. Ya know, I’m tired of the Media slamming this market and saying how bad it is. If the media would just put a positive spin on things once in a while I think we’d all be better off. I recently heard that 1 out of 538 homes are in some sort of foreclosure in Florida and the media makes it sound like the world is coming to an end. OK, let’s do the math. 1 divided by 538 = .18587 I interpret that as .2% that means 99.8% of the market is not in foreclosure. We should be cheering. Anyway, this is how I feel today about the media. Watch the video and enjoy. 04/24/2008

Tampa's housing marketing experienced a month-over-month increase in the number of home sales, an increase in the number of pending sales contracts, and a decrease in the amount of inventory - all baby steps toward a market balanced between buyers and sellers. The monthly statistical reports released by the Regional Realtor® Association revealed some additional interesting tidbits for the month of March: the sales of homes costing upwards of $1 million more than doubled in March compared to last month; the sales of duplexes, town homes, and villas have increased in each of the last three months; and the majority of condos sold have fallen into lower and lower price categories for each of the last three months.The median sales price of a single-family home in the Tampa, clearwater beach... 04/24/2008

You might not hear much about them on TV or in the papers, but there are some economic signs popping up right now that are -- at the VERY least -- encouraging for housing and real estate. Take the gold standard of all forward indicators for the U.S. economy -- the Conference Board's "Index of Leading Indicators," which is based on a broad survey of industry data and predicts economic activity three to six months down the road. The latest Conference Board index registered its first increase in six months. Now I know that all we hear about these days is recession: it's either already here or it's about to happen. But the index suggests that there should be positive growth underway in the second half of the year, if not sooner. Look at the stock market, it's starting it's upward trend aga... 04/24/2008

About the author: Jerry LaRose is an Orlando Area Residential Real Estate Expert, who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden Florida or any place in the country. Jerry has created a team of professionals throughout Orlando and the country to ensure that you enjoy a smooth transition to your new area. Please visit http://www.jerrysellsorlando.com/ for your real estate needs. Please give me a call if you have questions about the Orlando and Central Florida real estate market.Jerry LaRose, P.A., ABR, GRI, e-PRO, CLHMS, REALTOR® 407-580-7011(Copyright © 2008 By Jerry LaRose, P.A. All Rights Reserved.) 04/24/2008

Seminole Isle, a resort style community in Seminole Florida. Condos and Town homes for sale. Perfect location, just minutes from the beach on beautiful Lake Seminole. This gated community is only two years old, it features condos and town homes with and without waterfront views.  The prices in Seminole Isle are unbelievable. There are a few short sales and foreclosures in the complex,  fantastic deals one of them is 2000 sf, corner unit on the 5th floor, 3 bedroom 2 bath, beautiful views, very private setting, large balcony, split floodplain, lots of natural light, open space, just a beautiful unit. Asking price is $299,900. This unit was originally purchased in Oct. 2005 and the owner paid $ 482,900          I do not know of any other unit here in St. Pete that has so much to offer in ... 03/04/2008

                                                                             Kenneth City, FL                                         3 Bedroom        2 Bathroom           1 car garage       This Single Family Home is one story, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1 car garage located on a cul-de-sac. Open floor plan with bonus room that can be used as an additional living space or a 4th bedroom. Large fenced in yard with no rear neighbors.     http://www.electrotours.com/5569m/mls.htm  http://www.greaterhomesales.com/ Offered By:DONNA HASTINGS, Broker Associate727-481-753310 years of Real Estate ExperienceDonna@DonnaHastings.com 02/13/2008

Pinellas County, FL Parks - Freshwater Boat Docks Freshwater Boating in our Backyard:"Pinellas County, Florida  has three popular FRESHWATER public boat docks and boat launching facilities along Lake Tarpon and Lake Seminole for those Pinellas County area residents that enjoy fishing, waterskiing, jet skiing, kayaking, canoeing and more...About Lake Tarpon: We are blessed to have Lake Tarpon located in Northern Pinellas County. This large popular freshwater lake is 5 miles long and one mile wide and is 8 to 12 feet deep on average so it can handle powerboats, jet skis as well as canoes and kayaks.   About Lake Seminole: This a large freshwater lake is found in the center of Pinellas County - close to the cities of Largo, Seminole and Pinellas Park. Lake Seminole was actually created in ... 07/04/2007

HiI am trying to get some positive energy going with our local market here in the Tamp Bay Area.Does anyone have any contacts so we can get some good press coverage.Our local papers just beat us up every other week.Negative comments that are making buyers afraid to invest in real estate.The market has picked up and thw sky is not falling in.Can we get anyone to say something GOOD about investing in a home.The money we spend on advertising in our local papers should in turn let as at least ......occasionlly have a chance to tell our side of the story.There is some POSITIVE info on our local market ....lets stop lumping all of tampa bay into a big pie in the sky I know everyone is sick of all the DOOM and GLOOM! We need to get the word out that now really is the time to BUY!The MEDIA has ... 11/25/2006