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...

  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...

For those selling your home, you may have seen an influx in Generation Y, or “Millennial” buyers flocking to your open house in recent years. Yet, with the most recent U.S. Census confirming that Millennials have surpassed the Baby Boomers, it’s no surprise the number of Millennial home buyers is on the rise. So what does this mean for the housing market? According to Realtor.org, “For the third straight year, the largest group of recent buyers were Millennials, who composed 35% of all buyers, more than the combined amount of younger and older Baby Boomers at 31%”. Millennials are a new brand of home buyer. Contrary to previous generations, Millennials are delaying marriage and family to a later time in life. Whereas, home buying is at the forefront of their priorities. Seen as a smart investment, these young purchasers are seeking the stability and security of home ownership. In most markets, Millennials are finding that renting is more expensive than buying - even aft...

Since 2010, the Floridian housing market has been stabilizing, and this pattern continues through 2014. According to Florida Realtors Association, Florida’s housing market has had an increase of sales and median prices since 2013.   In fact, the statewide total for single-family houses sold in October was over 21,800, an increase of nearly 18% since October 2013.   Statewide, even the sales price of single family residences has increased nearly 5%. Be assured, these are signs that the housing market is not only gaining momentum, but truly stabilizing and becoming a healthy and prosperous industry once again.  According to Sherri Meadows, President of Florida Realtors , October of this year marks the 35 th month in a row (nearly 3 full years) that the state wide median sales prices have rose for both single family homes, and for townhouse-condo properties. Florida is on track to close out 2014 with tremendous momentum, more than we’ve had in years. The statewide...

Miami Heat fans were in shock when MVP LeBron James, announced that he would be leaving the Heat and returning to the Cavaliers. James holds two NBA titles, and has now decided to return home to Cleveland where his basketball career began. He states, “ My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball.”  James writes that he has a responsibi lity to be a leader in the court, as well as in his home state. Cleveland is excited to have LeBron James back however, James holds humble and realistic expectations for the upcoming season. He says that he is “not promising a championship” because he knows “how hard that is to deliver.” Although James wants to win next year, he is prepared for the road ahead, and says that “it will be a long process.” James is hopeful for the future, and intends to bring a championship to Cleveland. After four years with James, co-star and teammate Chris Bosch declares that he and James will always be brothers, and holds no hard feelings tow...

On M arch 4 th , 2014, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act was passed overwhelmingly by the U.S. House! Thousands of realtors across the United States have already expressed their excitement about this newest development. Since the beginning of 2014, over 40 000 home sales have been lost because of unreasonable premiums on flood insurance. Once again, the housing market became once again more affordable. Homeowners and home buyers no longer have to be afraid of once again increasing flood insurance rates. Here at SI Real Estate , we had our own experience with the flood insurance and saw contracts go south because of unrealistic premium charges, which our customers couldn’t afford. Thanks to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) which is the largest trade association in the United States, the housing market will feel immediate relief as flood insurance won’t be such a huge obstacle in the way of buying a property to call home. NAR was the leading advoca...

Tampa, Florida is one of the most attractive markets to get into in the entire country. After going through a harsh foreclosure stretch, the local economy has been picking up tremendously in recent years, and a vast group of investors have realized the potential of the Tampa’s metropolitan region and decided to move their businesses to Tampa Bay.   Companies like Bristol Myers, Amazon, and other major players are investing into this region by opening up new offices and distribution centers.   This investment creates new jobs and opportunities, and increases the overall productivity of the economy in the greater Tampa Bay. Already existing franchises such as The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, The Tampa Bay Lightning, The Tampa Bay Rays, Convention Center , the Tampa Bay Partnership , the Regional Transportation Authority, and many others have been working with the Chamber of Commerce, Tampa’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, supporting the entire metropolitan area in order establ...

The year 2013 has been a very positive year when it comes to the recovery of the housing market. We have followed the rising prices of homes, increase in newly build constructions sold,   homebuilders regaining trust and increasing the inventory, and we also witnessed people who went through a bankruptcy rejoining the housing market after rebuilding their credit. It is obvious that we still have work to do in order to reach the country’s potential but analysts agree on the fact that we are heading towards a bright future. According to David Crowe, chief economist for National Association of Home Builders, “the cards are in play for a decent and fairly strong recovery in 2014 and particularly in 2015.” What does this mean for people who have real estate needs but are not sure if it is the right time to enter the housing market? With a better inventory and more options on the market and with stricter but also more secured mortgage loans, the customers will realize that the ...

When the Federal Reserve announced that they would acquire the debt and mortgage-backed securities (MBS) of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae, homeowners across the United States rushed to lock in lower fixed-rate mortgages to preclude adjustments that were impending due to the acquisition of interest-only and adjustable rate mortgages (ARM’s). Consumers are getting smarter about their finances due to the current recession and the government is offering refinance programs that makes it even easier to get low fixed-rate mortgages. Here in the Tampa Bay area, we have seen several expansions due to the so-called “refinance surge”. One such expansion was an announcement last week from Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union (TBFCU). TBFCU has announced that they are expanding their Real Estate Lending/Servicing Division to handle the foreseen surge in the refinancing market. Dean Clark, Manager of Real Estate Lending/Servicing for TBFCU said, "In the first quarter of 2009, we have see...

Waterfront, Custom Designed 2 Story Home for Sale. Just reduced by $100,000.00! Located in the Prestigious Keystone area of Odessa, Florida. If luxury is what you seek, this home is for you!! This spacious, 3300 square foot, 3BR, home has it all including 25ft. ceilings, a unique sunken great room, formal living and dining room, and a fantastic master suite with stunning lakefront views from the private balcony. The master bath/spa features dual sinks and Jacuzzi tub, while the enormous 10x20 walk in closet is sure to accommodate any size wardrobe. True hardwood floors, 18in ceramic tile, crown molding, and spiral staircase make this home a must see! The light and bright kitchen features an abundance of cabinet space, newer appliances, breakfast nook, and desirable island. Included in this amazing home are the modern conveniences of and oversized laundry room with new front loading washer and dryer and plenty of storage space. Relax by the enclosed pool, private lake front and enjoy th...

There was great news for the Tampa Bay Area in regards to home sales last month. 2,839 homes were sold in the entire Tampa Bay Area with a median price of $135,000. These statistics illustrate a 17% increase in home sales for the same period last year, when 2,044 homes were sold. The median home price of $135,000 is a 25% decrease from $185,000 just one year ago. According to the President of the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors, Jack Rodriguez, “These statistics are extremely positive. Hopefully it signals a trend to better things ahead, both for real estate and the economy in general.” Forecasters at Moody’s www.Economy.com predict that home prices will bottom out at the end of this year nationwide. This prediction is largely based on the assumption that President Obama’s recovery efforts, which includes a 2009 tax credit of $8,000 to home buyers who have not purchased a home within the last three years, will have a huge effect. If you have any questions about the 2009 tax cred...

Symphony Isles ~ Boat Lovers Paradise Direct Tampa Bay Access Absolutely Majestic Can you imagine walking out on your balcony every morning to a view of the majestic sparkling waters of Tampa Bay? We invite you to explore the small, secluded and intimate community of beautiful Symphony Isles. All community homes and lots are situated on wide deep-water canals leading directly to Tampa Bay. Symphony Isles is a vibrant deed restricted community with social activities for children, teenagers and adults. Beyond the crisply manicured properties are environmentally friendly surroundings, with amenities such as a clubhouse, pool, children’s playground, and designated boat launch area. This custom built 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom home for sale sits directly on Tampa Bay with a panoramic waterfront view and boasts over 3,445 heated square feet of open living space. Built with no expense spared when it came to luxurious, the property features such exquisite upgrades as cherry hardwood floors, gran...