Canterbury Trail is a great townhome community in the New Tampa area. For the past year or so residents have been dealing with unpredictable internet and phone service, but that is about to change. Bright House Networks has been allowed to install their equipment and underground cables in the community. In fact , for the past few weeks Bright House has been in the community laying the cables and getting ready to offer its services to the residents. Letters should be mailed out by the end of June explaining their prices and services.Additional information on Canterbury Trail Townhomes is available.To see other townhomes in the area New Tampa Townhomes   06/11/2007

Pets911.com is a one-stop organization for finding:your local adoption centersa lost peta veterinarianspay and neuter clinicsseasonal advicepet newslettersjust about any information concerning dogs and catsThis organization's Mission Statement says it all...PETS911.com Mission StatementTo effect social change in this country by providing a public service that will one day ensure an environment where all animals are valued companions and have lifetime, loving homes. This free network, which is a collaborative effort of all the animal rescue organizations and services across the country, is easily accessible through both a toll-free phone number and website, which promises easy access to all the local pet information necessary to instill responsible pet ownership and overcome the issue of... 06/10/2007

I just came back from a trip to the post office for stamps for a new marketing mailing.  In Tampa, the main post office that is open 24 hours a day is located at the Tampa International Airport.  I got in the Jeep, popped open my Diet Coke, and tuned the radio to cool jazz (94.1).  The Tampa weather is gorgeous today (a bit humid) and I'm thinkin' my life is pretty good at the moment.  But as soon as I got on the Veterans Expressway, the other drivers wanted to "mess" (fill in your own four-letter word) with me.  I don't know why...I drive 5 miles over the speed limit, I hang in the right lane, I let other people merge...what's not to love?This young guy with his boom-boom music so loud that it is vibrating my car as we're driving at 60 mph decides to stay in the left land right beside ... 06/10/2007

There are several Townhome Communites going up along Cross Creek Boulevard.  I was just at Cory Lake Isles where Avatar Homes is building their townhomes.  The models are under construction and should be ready in about 4 months.  They are also preselling and taking deposits now, and you pick your home floorplan & lot later.  The homes have the same Mediterranean style as the Single Family homes Avatar builds.  These look nice on paper, but you can never really get a feel for a home until you walk through it.  The community will have its own Clubhouse and pool, but you can also use the ammenites offered at Cory Lake Isles master community.  Additional information can be found at Cory Lake Isles Townhomes To see more Townhome communities in New Tampa visit New Tampa Townhomes   06/08/2007

Welcome to the beautiful Picnic Island and Beach.Picnic Island features a Beach, Dog Beach, Pooch Park, Fishing Pier, Boat Dock, many play grounds, and Shelters for lease.The City of Tampa, Parks and Recreations Department operates and manages the beautiful Picnic Island.  It is located at:  PICNIC ISLAND PARKA City of Tampa Park7404 Picnic Island Blvd Tampa, FL 33616I have added a visual tour for your viewing pleasure...  ENJOY!!http://www.realestateshows.com/show.php?id=174277&code=b6b5a090 06/08/2007

Just a short post to say "WELCOME TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY" and Active Rain (The BEST neighborhood expert Real Estate Website on the web!)If you are planning to relocate to the Tampa Bay area, feel free to call me regarding information on any Community in the Hillsborough and Pasco County areas.I have lived in the awesome Greater Tampa Bay area before we became SO popular!  My Grandparents originally moved here in the early 50's and have shown me some photos of Tampa, before it was TAMPA as we know it today!With 15 years of industry knowledge, and local expert information, I can help make your move here as smooth as humanly possible.Katrina Madewell, Tampa, FL Real Estate and Mortgage ExpertI can be reached at (813) 235-9889 Katrina@KatrinaMadewell.com 06/08/2007

 Florida has alot of downpayment assistance programs, either at the state level or the county level. Here in Tampa the City of Tampa has assistance programs. Any first time homebuyer that thinks they need help purchasing a home should take advantage of these programs. There are programs with as much as $60,000 available .Most programs require consumers to attend a First Time Home Buyer workshop. My choice for that would be those classes given by CCCS. (See Housing Education link in the right hand column) They cover all aspects of home ownership and provide debt counselingfor people not quit ready to purchase. I urge anyone thinking about buying to take this class.See`my links for more information. Cindy 06/07/2007

Grand Hampton Real Estate Update  (week of 5/30/07 - 6/5/07) Properties Listed = 2 Properties Sold = 1Properties Expired from the market (EXPIRED) = 2 Properties under contract (TOTAL PENDING) = 8Looking for more information on Grand Hampton???Contact me at Lori@yourcastleyourhome.com or 813.453.7883.  Is customer service important to you?  Please review my client testimonials to see what kind of service I provide.  Why hire a Realtor?  Let me help you find Your Castle, Your Home!http://www.yourcastleyourhome.com/ 06/06/2007

Hunter's Green Real Estate Update  (week of 5/30/07 - 6/5/07) Properties Listed = 2 Properties Sold = 0Properties Expired from the market (EXPIRED) = 0 Properties under contract (TOTAL PENDING) = 8Looking for more information on Hunter's Green???Contact me at Lori@yourcastleyourhome.com or 813.453.7883.  Is customer service important to you?  Please review my client testimonials to see what kind of service I provide.  Why hire a Realtor? Let me help you find Your Castle, Your Home!http://www.yourcastleyourhome.com/ 06/06/2007

 Tampa Palms Real Estate Update  (week of 5/30/07 - 6/5/07) Properties Listed = 4 Properties Sold = 3Properties Expired from the market (EXPIRED) = 0 Properties under contract (TOTAL PENDING) = 15Looking for more information on Tampa Palms???Contact me at Lori@yourcastleyourhome.com or 813.453.7883.  Is customer service important to you?  Please review my client testimonials to see what kind of service I provide.  Why hire a Realtor? Let me help you find Your Castle, Your Home!http://www.yourcastleyourhome.com/  06/06/2007

This is my first post and have never used a "Blog" before.  Each week I post free advice on Home Staging on my web site.  I am happy to answer your questions here as time permits! In a tight Real Estate market, like the one we are experiencing her in the Tampa Bay area, it has never been more critical to Stage your home.  The concept is still new to many in Florida, but popularity is growing.  We have seen evidence of this based on the number of inquiries we receive on a weekly basis.  They are double what they were this time last year! We still do the occasional resale property: This beautiful home on San Isidro Street in prestigious South Tampa was a pleasure to work with. The home is listed with Jim Walters of Smith & Associates. Living Room Before Staging                           ... 06/06/2007

Congratulations to all the grads from the class of 2006-2007, specially to the kids who score more than the perfect 4.0 GPA average. Good luck to all of you!!! Philip Landeta          6.42     Gaither High SchoolFlor Alvidrez             6.37     Jefferson High SchoolMarissa Gonzalez     6.28     Tampa Bay Technical High SchoolShea Parker            5.98     Alonso High SchoolAlexis Murgado       5.73      Jefferson High SchoolBrett Owens            5.70     King High SchoolPatricia Urena         5.54     Leto High SchoolJennifer Romero     5.30      Leto High SchoolInformation taken from hillsborough county plubic schools. 06/05/2007

Woooww.....It's back, last year the kids from  Wharton High School had the play everybody love "High School the Musical", I have to say the kids did a great job, and this is coming from someone who doesn't have kids in high school, I took my 10 year old to watch the play and she had a great time, of course we'll be there again!!! It's a great way to support the kids from our community. Hope to see you there!!!! 06/05/2007

You are relocating to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa are are looking at housing.  The biggest mortgage question you may have is:  Should I use my VA eligibility for a new loan?Here are a couple questions to consider:1.  Are you looking for a zero down mortgage or are you planning on a down payment?VA loans are offered up to 100% financing with no PMI!  Yes, this is why for borrowers who are not contributing a large down payment, the numbers may work out better with VA funding.2.  What is your credit score?VA underwriting is a bit more flexible than standard conventional underwriting.  In other words, credit blemishes may be allowed under this program versus others.3.  How long do you plan to stay in your home?VA loans require an upfront funding fee to the VA, which is typically finance... 06/04/2007

I recommend buying a business that already has great cash flow with proven results. This lessens the risk and enables better financing. Also, use a professional. You'll get the highest price with the most confidentiality. Ben Hargis, VR Business Brokers. 06/04/2007

Die Stadt befindet sich an der Westküste von Florida an der Tampa Bay und bildet zusammen mit den Städten Saint Petersburg und Clearwater die Metropolregion Tampa Bay Area. Tampa-St. Pete ist Floridas zweitgrößtes Ballungsgebiet. Die Region ist weniger laut als Miami und nicht so überlaufen wie beispielsweise Orlando und hat sich daher mehr und mehr zu einem Touristenziel entwickelt.Das Klima ist subtropisch und hat jährliche Höchsttemperaturen von durchschnittlich zwischen 18 °C und 35 °C; die Tiefsttemperaturen fallen selten unter 0 °C. Wer in der Stadt ist, kann innerhalb weniger Minuten gleich drei Strände besuchen, die zu den besten zehn des Landes zählen. Hier hat man Möglichkeiten zum Schnorcheln, Tauchen, Segeln, Angeln, Kajak fahren, oder man breitet einfach sein Handtuch aus u... 06/02/2007

 Tampa Palms Real Estate Update  (week of 5/23/07 - 5/29/07) Properties Listed = 9 Properties Sold = 1 Properties Expired from the market (EXPIRED) = 1 Properties under contract (TOTAL PENDING) = 12Looking for more information on Tampa Palms???Contact me at Lori@yourcastleyourhome.com or 813.453.7883.  Is customer service important to you?  Please review my client testimonials to see what kind of service I provide.  Why hire a Realtor? Let me help you find Your Castle, Your Home!www.YourCastleYourHome.com 06/02/2007

Grand Hampton Real Estate Update  (week of 5/23/07 - 5/29/07) Properties Listed = 1Properties Sold = 1 Properties Expired from the market (EXPIRED) = 0 Properties under contract (TOTAL PENDING) = 7Looking for more information on Grand Hampton???Contact me at Lori@yourcastleyourhome.com or 813.453.7883.  Is customer service important to you?  Please review my client testimonials to see what kind of service I provide.  Why hire a Realtor?  Let me help you find Your Castle, Your Home!www.YourCastleYourHome.com 06/02/2007

Hunter's Green Real Estate Update  (week of 5/23/07 - 5/29/07) Properties Listed = 1 Properties Sold = 1 Properties Expired from the market (EXPIRED) = 1Properties under contract (TOTAL PENDING) = 7Looking for more information on Hunter's Green???Contact me at Lori@yourcastleyourhome.com or 813.453.7883.  Is customer service important to you?  Please review my client testimonials to see what kind of service I provide.  Why hire a Realtor? Let me help you find Your Castle, Your Home!www.YourCastleYourHome.com  06/02/2007

Many areas of the country have had successful developments of Ritz-Carlton Hotels and associated Ritz-Carlton condos. The nearest to Tampa has been the Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota, a very successful project. Tampa Bay does not yet have a 5 star hotel, so this could be great news for the tourism industry in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties in Florida. There is currently a large inventory of condos in the Tampa Bay are, but condos with a Ritz affiliation should sell well - and they won't be finished until 2010. Click for more information...Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area.   05/28/2007