Brandon Real Estate Update (Month of June 2008) Total Properties Listed (Including New) =  637 Number of Homes Under Contract (Pending) = 92  Properties Sold = 57 New Properties Listed = 101 Properties Expired from the market (EXPIRED) =  38  Number Withdrawn = 51 If you would like more information about Brandon, just click on Tampa Bay Homes. Number are derived from the Midflorida Regional MLS.       The contents of this posting are the property of Pam Mabe and  Solaris Realty of TampaBay. Pam Mabe is a broker working in the Pinellas and Hillsborough area helping buyers and sellers buy and sell homes.  Contact Pam at 813-245-0316 to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Hillsborough, Pinellas or Pasco County area. Information is provided in this blog with the intent ... 07/08/2008

Samter Homes Brandon Florida Search All Samter Homes For Sale Now Search all Brandon Homes for sale now   If you're interested in buying a new home in Brandon. We can help your find new home builders that will show you communities, neighborhoods, and multiple home models in Brandon or throughout Hillsbough County.     Custom MLS Search all Brandon Homes for sale now     By combining their individual talents, knowledge, and expertise. Nappi Group will ensure you a professional service you will be happy with, whether it is buying or selling your home in the South Shore and Tampa area.   Below are our home listings. Click on the picture below to obtain more information on the home. We are able to gather information on any home or help you purchase any home you find on this Web site. Click ... 07/06/2008

Welcome to Diamond Dwellings Realty- Brandon, Florida By way of an introduction, my name is Dave Tipton, also known as "Big Dog".  My partner in this venture is my high school friend and idol Rick Frissell. More about us and who we are later. Rick and I have both been in the residential real estate business for many years. In the past couple of years we have both seen the industry struggle and believe it is undergoing massive changes. These changes are affecting how the real estate industry does business, how they find clients and the services they provide.  Many things are influencing these changes, the real estate bubble, financing, the economy and the internet.  Rick and I both agree that traditional real estate brokerage has to change with the times and we have been exploring how be... 07/04/2008

Know the rules of the foreclosure process in your state. Foreclosure laws very from state to state so research your state's laws.  A good place to start your research of your states foreclosure process is www.foreclosurelaw.org/.  If you or someone you know is facing a foreclosure of their home, there are 5 laws that that you should be familiar with: 1. Active Duty Military-  If the borrower or the borrower's spouse is on active duty military, the Civil Relief Act of 2003, prohibits a lender from foreclosing on the mortgage. Additionally, the borrower may qualify for a reduction in the interest rate or even a temporary suspension of mortgage payments. 2. Notification of Intent to Foreclose-  Many states require that a lender notify the borrower 30 days in advance of obtaining a court ju... 07/01/2008

Sixth in a Series for First Time Home Buyers Whether you are buying your home in the Tampa Bay Area or anywhere across the country, an important aspect of getting a home loan is saving money for your down payment. You have many choices to make your home more affordable to you. Lenders used to require a down payment of at least 20 percent of the home's price. These days, however, many lenders offer flexible home loan programs allowing you to put less down five percent or less of the home price. For some buyers it's possible to buy a home with no down payment at all, or to receive help from local down payment assistance programs. If you decide to make a down payment less than 20 percent, your lender may require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), which protects the lender in case you cannot... 07/01/2008

Foreclosures Affect Home Values When it comes to foreclosures, your neighbors could have a serious affect on your ability to sell or refinance your home.  Your credit score having virtually little or no affect on your ability to refinance your home. Comparable sales or Comparables as defined by Wikipedia, are real estate appraisal terms referring to properties with characteristics that are similar to a subject property whose value is being sought. This can be accomplished either by a real estate agent who attempts to establish the value of a potential client's home or property through comparable market analysis or, by a licensed or certified appraiser, when performing a real estate appraisal. A lender will require an appraisal when making a loan on a house or when you refinance.  An unu... 07/01/2008

Fifth in a Series for First Time Home Buyers Buying a home is an investment in the neighborhood as well as the house. In fact, the character and amenities of the neighborhood may be as important to the property value as the house itself. No matter what kind of neighborhood you're looking for, it's important to know its history and future when you decide to buy. Here's what to research: 1. Recent sales - Every area is different, even within the same city. Find out if the market is slow and what homes have been selling for in the area you are interested in. 2. Homes now for sale - What homes are listed in the area, and are they listed above past sales? This will give you a good idea of the area's overall market value. 3. Home appreciation - Historical data on sales gives the best indicato... 06/30/2008

Market Indicators Tell You When to Invest in Real Estate Historically, real estate prices cycle through highs and lows. Tracking the following market indicators will help you decide if it's a good time to invest in real estate in your area. Job Growth- People go where the jobs are, and home prices follow jobs. A strong local job market is a sure sign of a healthy real estate market. While the Wall Street Journal gives you insight into the nation's overall economy, check your local newspapers for statistics in your area. Housing Inventory- The housing inventory is the number of houses for sale at one time in the area. If there are more houses than buyers, prices tend to fall and if there are more buyers than houses, the opposite happens. Also look at the number of months or days it is ta... 06/30/2008

The Importance of Pre-approval   Pre-approval can be a very valuable step towards purchasing a home. Many home buyers get pre-qualified for a home loan early on, and then become pre-approved before beginning a serious home search. By completing your mortgage application prior to choosing a home, you can get a pre-approval letter stating how much home you can afford.  Try our preferred lender:   Click Here Your pre-approval letter lets you know exactly how much you can spend, and it shows home sellers and real estate agents that you're serious about buying a home. This may give you leverage in the negotiation process. Many sellers actually prefer to work with pre-approved buyers, especially in hot real estate markets. In short-sales and foreclosures, pre-approval is often required befor... 06/25/2008

Many homeowners get into real estate investing by buying a home and using this home as a rental when they upgrade to a larger home. Called "serial purchasers", they continue to buy and hold onto additional properties. Other investors prefer to find a quicker path to real estate riches through one of the following ways. Buy and Flip Flipping means selling the property you just bought for a higher price as soon (or in some cases before) you take title on the property. While flipping allows you to make money fast in a hot market (or on a property you purchased well below market value), you may need to pay capital gains (talk to your tax advisor). Buy and Scrape Scraping is tearing down an existing home and building a new home. To capitalize on this idea look for areas where home prices are... 06/25/2008

Woodberry is located in North Brandon off of Lakewood Ave. Woodberry is a gated community of single family homes starting in the $200,000's. Wodberry has beautiful homes that are convenient to everthing in Brandon. It is just a mile north of  Regency Square and The Brandon Westfield Mall. There is many dining opportunities just south of Woodberry. Woodberry is just 20 minutes from Downtown Tampa and 30 minutes to MacDill Air Force Base. FishHawk Trails is also a quick commute to University of South Florida, Hillsborough Community College, Tampa International Airport, Raymond James Stadium, The Ice Palace, Lowry Park Zoo, Busch Gardens, The Florida Aquarium, and Tampa's Performing Arts Center.     The contents of this posting are the property of Pam Mabe and  Solaris Realty of TampaBay. ... 06/23/2008

Sampter Homes, one of Tampa Bay's custom builders is offering luxury townhomes in the gated community of Whispering Oaks just steps away from Brandon Regional Hospital.  These spacious homes come with  a rich harmony of colors and features. Sampter Homes is offering 4 different luxury floor plans which include garages and indoor laundry rooms.  Whispering Oaks  is located off of Parsons Ave, just south of Highway 60. Whispering Oaks is conveniently located with an easy commute to downtown Tampa and MacDill Air Force Base via I-75 and the Crosstown Expressway.  Lumsden Reserve is also a quick commute to Hillsborough Community College, Tampa International Airport, University of South Florida, Raymond James Stadium, Busch Gardens, The Florida Aquarium, Tampa Performing Arts Center and to t... 06/23/2008

Wheelers Landing is an affordable neighborhood of single family homes beginning in the mid to high $100,000's. Wheelers Landing has no CDDs and a low HOA.   Wheelers Landing is in a great location in North Brandon, with easy access to I-75 and the Crosstown Expressway.  The location of Wheeler's Landing has an easy commute into downtown Tampa and MacDill AFB.  Wheelers Landing offers convenient access to beautiful white sandy Gulf beaches, golf courses, restaurants, medical facilities, amusement parks, shopping, downtown Tampa and more. That's why the community is ideal for buyers looking to find the perfect home in a quiet, family-orientated atmosphere.     The contents of this posting are the property of Pam Mabe and  Solaris Realty of TampaBay. Pam Mabe is a broker working in the Pin... 06/23/2008

LOCATION, LOCATION!  This beautiful Townhouse complex of Vista Cay is located in the heart of Brandon in an exclusive gated community. The townhome complex has a community pool and is near Kingswood Elementary School. Vista Cay is located off of Kings Ave just north of Bloomingdale. Vista Cay is conveniently located to downtown Tampa and MacDill Air Force Base via I-75 and the Crosstown Expressway.  Vista Cay is also a quick commute to Tampa International Airport,attractions and Tampa Performing Arts Center and to the nightlife at Channelside and Ybor City. Several golf courses are also conveniently close by.         The contents of this posting are the property of Pam Mabe and  Solaris Realty of TampaBay. Pam Mabe is a broker working in the Pinellas and Hillsborough area helping buyers... 06/23/2008

As outlined on Wikipedia, the free internet encyclopedia Its history began on January 20, 1857, when John Brandon arrived at Fort Brooke (now Tampa) from Mississippi with his wife Martha and six sons. At first he moved his family to what is now the Seffner area. Then in August 1858, John Brandon purchased 40 acres of land in the New Hope area (now Brandon) south of Hopewell Road (now SR 60), between Parsons Avenue and Lithia Road. Nine years later, after his wife died, John left everything he owned to his son James Henry Brandon and moved to Bartow. In 1876 James built a home for his wife Joanna. It is still standing today and is now Stowers Funeral Home, a well-known landmark on Brandon Boulevard (SR60). Meanwhile, John Brandon remarried a widow named Victoria and moved back to New Ho... 06/23/2008

Why Buy Instead of Rent? When you're thinking about buying your first home, it's essential for you to be confident in your decision to buy instead of rent. However, you may not know about the many great reasons to buy a home! Here are just a few of them: Smart Investment- When you invest in a home, it offers the possibility for appreciation in value. The equity becomes yours when you're still paying off your mortgage. You even get to live in it while your investment matures. Tax Advantages- Since both mortgage interest and property taxes are tax deductible, homeownership can save you significant amounts of money every year at tax time. Planned Housing Costs- You decide how much you to spend on your home, including repairs and improvements. Unlike renters, homeowners with a fixed-rate lo... 06/23/2008

The Hamptons is a lushly landscaped condo complex in Brandon. It is a beautiful, luxuriously renovated community where it's all about style. It is conveniently located in the heart of Brandon. The Hamptons offers  easy access to fine and casual dining, shopping and expressways (20 minutes to Tampa, 30 min. to MacDill Air force Base, 45 min. to beaches). For those who like shopping, the Westfield Shopping Mall is just minutes away. The Hamptons has two stylishly renovated pools. and a newly equipped, state of the art fitness center and lighted tennis court. Whatever you choose to do with your spare time, know that you can do it in style at The Hamptons of Brandon, where you'll never have to go too far from home.         The contents of this posting are the property of Pam Mabe and  Solar... 06/23/2008

You may ask yourself, what does my Realtor do for his or her commission? Not all Realtors are alike. Before I was in real estate, I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Management with a concentration in Marketing, and I worked in the IT field. I consider myself a bit of a Real Estate Geek. What do you get as my client if you list your home with me? My client’s listings all get: * Large Custom For Sale Sign * Custom “Text for more Info” sign riders to give buyers more info instantly on your home* Electronic Lockbox which monitors who's shown the property and when (this helps keep your home and belongings secure)* Placement of the home on MLS with multiple color photos, virtual tour and description of the home's features* Custom YouTube video of the home and virtual tour for placement o... 06/18/2008

Stonewood is located in south Brandon near John Moore Road and Bloomingdale. Stonewood is to be a small community of 49 luxury estate homes all on a 1/3 of an acre or more many with conservation or pond views. Sunrise Homes is building these luxury homes in Stonewood. Nearby schools are Kingswood Elementary, Rodgers Middle and Bloomingdale High.  Prices for the homes strart in the $400,000's with square footage ranging from the mid 2000's to the mid 4000's. Stonewood of Brandon is located near many entertainment and area attractions such as, Adventure Island, Busch Gardens, Lowry Park Zoo and Raymond James Stadium. If art and culture is your calling this community offers easy access to the Tampa Bay Museum of Art, Tampa Theater and Tampa Performing Arts is within 30 minutes. There are m... 06/17/2008

Samter Homes Tampa Florida Search All Samter Homes For Sale Now Search all Tampa Homes for sale now   If you're interested in buying a new home in Tampa. We can help your find new home builders that will show you communities, neighborhoods, and multiple home models in  Tampa or throughout Hillsbough County.     Custom MLS Search all Tampa Homes for sale now     By combining their individual talents, knowledge, and expertise. Nappi Group will ensure you a professional service you will be happy with, whether it is buying or selling your home in the South Shore and Tampa area.   Below are our home listings. Click on the picture below to obtain more information on the home. We are able to gather information on any home or help you purchase any home you find on this Web site. Click here for ... 06/17/2008