SI Real Estate Tampa and The Beaches

  A Reflection on How the Unprecedented Events of 2020 Changed Our Real Estate Market If someone told us in 2019 what was to happen the following year, we would not have believed them. From second graders learning through Zoom to one-way arrows in supermarket aisles, all aspects of our everyday lives have been impacted. The lockdowns in early spring especially affected those in the service industry. Restaurants relied on curbside pick up and hotels adopted new cleaning processes and precautions. The real estate industry was no different. Masks, gloves, and sometimes shoe coverings became a requirement during home tours. Virtual consultations replaced coffee shop meetings and closings moved outdoors. How the pandemic affected the real estate market and buyer trends made residential real estate one of the most interesting industries to watch in 2020. The national lockdown in the US began around mid-March. Springtime is usually the busiest time of the year for real estate, but t...

Unbeatable Perks that Help Our Veterans Purchase Their Dream Home The VA Loan Program is one of the best mortgage options out there. VA Loans are designed to make homeownership affordable for veterans and active-duty military members. There are millions of veterans and service members that are eligible, but only a few use their benefit. If you qualify for this type of loan, here are a few reasons to take advantage now!   VA Loans are relatively easy to qualify for. VA Loans are backed and guaranteed by the U.S Government. Because there is less risk involved for the bank, there is a higher chance of loan approval compared to an FHA or Conventional Loan. Additionally, lenders are more flexible regarding an applicant’s credit score.   A Down Payment is not required. This is a HUGE perk of qualifying for a VA Loan! Usually, with an FHA loan or conventional loan, you will need to pay a minimum of 3.5% - 5%. On a home priced at $300,000, $15,000 would need to be placed down ...

 Benefits of Homeownership Outweigh the Pros of Renting Making the decision to buy a home can be a daunting one. Many people rule out purchasing a house, as it can feel intimidating and they don’t think they qualify. In reality, many renters have the qualifications and ability to become homeowners. It is a major financial decision but is also extremely rewarding and empowering to be able to own where you live. Here are 4 signs you may want to consider becoming a homeowner.   You love where you live and plan to stay for a while.   Renting is great for people that are new to the area and are unsure if that is where they want to live. If you’ve been living in your city for a few years and plan on settling there, it may be best to consider buying. Also, if you’ve been living there a while and working in the same industry, that will help you qualify for a loan. Mortgage lenders typically require at least 2 years of stable employment in the same industry to approve your loan. ...

  Hundreds of Northerners are Moving to Florida Each Day When Florida comes to mind, many used to think of a vacation spot or a place to eventually retire. This has all changed over time, but especially in 2020. Florida has become one of the hottest places to relocate due to the Coronavirus. According to the Daily Mail, around 950 people move to the Sunshine State each day. According to a Douglas Elliman August report, new contracts for single-family homes and condominiums continued to rise in Pinellas and Hillsborough County — after having doubled in July.   The Coronavirus lockdown resulted in many people reflecting on their lifestyles, especially for people that received work from home orders. Those living in major cities began to realize that working and living in a tiny one-bedroom apartment was just not ideal. Close living quarters in apartment buildings also began to make residents feel uneasy with social distancing becoming the new normal. The desire for outdoor sp...

  Buyer Preferences Shift as COVID Changes Our Daily Lives After months of lockdown, many homebuyers are rethinking what they want in their next home. Although the pandemic will not continue forever, it will have some long-term effects on our lifestyles and how we feel about public gatherings. During the quarantine, many people’s homes became their office, gym, and restaurant. The changes we made to our lifestyles during this time have changed what we want out of our living spaces.         When restaurants closed, we were limited to our homes to indulge in some good food. Luckily, many local restaurants opted for takeout options, even 5-star restaurants like Del Friscos and Capital Grill. However, the ambiance of eating at your dining room table or in front of your TV just isn’t the same. When the weather warmed up, those that lived in apartments or homes with limited outdoor spaces longed to be able to eat al fresco. Many homebuyers are looking for an outdoor s...

 Homebuyers Take Advantage of Record Low Mortgage Rates 2020 has sent every industry on a rollercoaster, especially residential real estate. During the lockdown, sellers pulled their homes off the market and buyers postponed their showings. The economy cautiously reopened and pent up buyers were ready to resume their house hunt.   Besides the 6-foot distance rule and normalizing face masks, the pandemic brought on a major reduction in mortgage rates. When we say major, we mean major. The average rate for the past five years was 4.05%, right now you can get a mortgage rate as low as 2.6%. This is the lowest we have seen in decades.     A mortgage rate is essentially the amount it costs to borrow money from lenders. When a homeowner pays their mortgage each month, the money goes towards paying off their home as well as paying interest to the lender. At first, most of your mortgage payment will go towards interest. Over time, more of your monthly payment will go to your...

  A Look into Tampa's Growing Neighborhoods in 2020   In the past few years, we have watched the once sleepy bay area transform into a vibrant city with pockets of lively neighborhoods. A variety of creative restaurants and rooftop bars emerged as well as chic residential dwellings.   A billion-dollar investment from Bill Gates attracted technology and consulting companies like ConnectWise and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Multiple new Amazon facilities and the possibility of becoming the headquarters for Space Force is also sparking interest in the Tampa Bay Area. Many neighborhoods have been brought to life such as Channelside, Hyde Park, and the southernmost point at Tampa’s Marina Pointe Westshore! The sprawling city is still experiencing massive growth in areas outside of the downtown areas.   Earlier this year, BTI Partners and Jane Castor broke ground at Marina Pointe Westshore in South Tampa. Luxury condominiums are in the works along with boat slips an...

Do you prefer the charm of a home with history or the idea of a bright and shiny untouched single-family home in a new community?   One of the first decisions you will make as a homebuyer is whether new construction or resale home is for you and your family!   Below we explore a few pros and cons of both options. Remember that you’ll want to hire an experienced real estate agent that has experience with both scenarios to help guide you in making an informed decision. The best part? Your real estate professional will be at no cost to you as a buyer.   No cost, only benefits!   New construction homes   If you are in the custom home building option, you will be able to customize and personalize your home and select different upgrades prior to your home being built. This may increase your investment, however adding personalization may be worth it.   The ability to choose your flooring, or something in your bathroom, an island in the kitchen, or addi...

New Home Sales on the Rise Due to Pandemic   New stats have come in via LinkedIn that shows an interesting real estate market trend. New home sales have jumped a whopping 55% since last year.      This is a HUGE increase! We are observing that more and more people are taking a preference towards less congested areas with their own living space. This is not only due to COVID and the lockdown, but many millennials have begun to settle down and have families. The mortgage rates also have increased buyer interest in homes of all types!   New construction homes are gaining more popularity as well for the following reasons:  1. There is limited inventory as many occupied resale homes have been pulled from the market due to Coronavirus. Sellers do not want showings in their homes while they are still occupied which is understandable. If the home is vacant, by the time buyers submit their offers, the home of interest is already under contract. 2. The Millenni...