SI Real Estate Tampa and The Beaches

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 ...

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...

Who you choose to represent you when you buy or sell your home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make during your move. Your real estate agent can make the process easy, quick, and painless – or long, expensive, and painful. Here are 5 adjectives you should for in your real estate agent if you want to get the most out of the sale of your home or your home purchase: 1. Tenacious Real estate is at times a complex world. There are seemingly endless challenges to navigate through: the house you love was snatched up by someone else; someone put a bid in on your home and then pulled out at the last minute; there are issues with the community, or zoning, or construction! These are some of the reasons why you need a savvy real estate agent who is tenacious, never gives up, and doesn’t stop until you have successfully bought or sold your home at the right price with the least obstacles. The best real estate agents are the ones who not only have plan B, but plan C, D, a...

With Spring comes new trends and fresh real estate concepts. If you’re looking for an innovative addition to your existing home and living space – here’s your answer!  Introducing ‘Shedquarters’! This new real estate trend is now emerging and offers your outdoor space a new twist. You’ve heard of the ever-popular ‘Man Cave’, maybe you’ve even created the ultimate lounge area in your own home, but now it’s time to clean out the lonely forgotten shed in your backyard, or bring in a new shed and start from scratch! Here we will imagine the endless possibilities that your own personal ‘Shedquarters’ could provide for you… and your family! We all need an escape from time to time; a distraction-free room to relax and rejuvenate. Design a She Shed to include all of your favorite hobbies & luxuries. Add a fresh coat of paint to brighten up the space, along with some comfortable furniture to design the perfect reading nook. Need an artistic escape? Hail as Hobby Headquarters and...

FOR SALE ~20437 Autumn Fern Avenue~ Absolutely pristine 4 bedroom, 3 bath home located on a picturesque conservation lot in Live Oak. Just built in 2011 and has ample space for your family to grow and stretch in this 2600 sq ft, 2 story, 2 car garage home!!  Just listed for $286,900! Beautiful 42” espresso cabinets and granite counter tops accent the generous gourmet kitchen with stainless appliances. Easy access to your huge screened in lanai to complete your outdoor space. The flex room downstairs is perfect for any office, den, library or even a formal dining room.  Upstairs you’re greeted by a loft space with lots of natural light. Down the hall, you’ll find the Master suite complete with dual vanities, granite counter tops, your walk-in shower and garden tub.  The community of Live Oak offers many amenities and recreational activities to enjoy such as: a clubhouse with fitness center, multiple pools, tennis courts, a covered playground, an...

Welcome to Tampa, Florida! Home of the Buccaneers, the Lightning, the Rays and Florida’s powerhouse of business and economic development. Lifetime locals and newcomers alike, have been the beneficiaries of Tampa’s expansive business, entertainment and real estate advancements. Making the list yet again, Tampa ranks #8 on Forbes’ list of Fastest-Growing American Cities. A major player in Tampa’s growth over the past couple of years has been the ever-expanding Tampa International Airport. Not only has this project enhanced the Tampa traveler experience, but it has also created thousands of local jobs, contributing to Forbes’ 2.43% projected job growth for the Tampa Bay area in 2017. The construction of new terminals and shops combined with the employees to be hired for these new facilities makes for the perfect employment boost! Moving towards downtown Tampa, the Riverwalk District and Riverwalk Tower is ready to impress! This 52-story office and luxury residential building will ...

Traveling back to the 1960s, homeowners were just beginning to enjoy the luxury of having a television in the home.  The families of the 1990s experienced the convenience of owning their very own computer. Fast forward to 2016, and not only has technology advanced in the way of entertainment, but it has become a part of our everyday lifestyle.  For years, technology has filled our homes – now our homes have become an integral part of new age technology. While the definition of a  smart home   is debatable, most consider a smart home a house that has remotely controlled systems including temperature, lighting and electronic devices. Once considered a luxury for the wealthy, smart homes have become a mainstream component of homeownership. Combining security with convenience, smart homes offer families enhanced peace of mind. Beyond the ability to remotely access security footage from your smart phone or tablet, some smart homes have the unique capabilit...

It’s time to take the next step and buy your first home. Where to begin, you ask? By and large we find ourselves scouring the internet for real estate listings and then driving by potential homes only to find that it’s been sold, or doesn’t live up to those beautiful online photos. Here’s the good news! Before getting too wrapped up in the home searching process, there are a few steps you should take to save yourself time, money and lots of disappointment. First and foremost: Prepare Your Credit for Mortgage Approval .  Now that you’ve decided to turn those rent payments into mortgage payments, the natural tendency may be to start looking for your dream home. But taking a step back to analyze your finances will be of absolute benefit to you when it comes to the mortgage approval part of the process!  The preliminary home search stage is the perfect time to check your credit score and the contents of your report.   If needed, you may dispute any erro...

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...

According to Zillow.com, real estate inventory remains low in the US housing market nationwide. With such a significant shortage in inventory and such high demand; homes are becoming more difficult to come by for many first-time buyers. Low inventory continues to be a collective frustration in the real estate market, specifically in the affordable price bracket.  According to Zillow Real Estate Market Reports, the inventory constraints on the affordable side of the market make it particularly tough for entry level buyers.  Buyers are not finding ample options, while the costs of affordable homes continue to rise.   Reports indicate that in addition to the low numbers of affordable homes for sale, home buyers with traditional financing are still competing with all cash buyers in today’s market. According to Zillow, “more than one third of all sales of the lowest-priced homes were made with cash.” In cities such as Tampa Bay, Miami, and Detroit, more than eighty p...

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...

As the 1 st quarter of 2014 comes to a close, it is a great time to monitor the good news published across the Sunshine State in real estate headlines. In a recent report from Freddie Mac, utilizing its Multi-Indicator Market Index, analysts discovered that Florida’s housing market showed the most improvement in the entire country during 2013.  It also continued to show the most improvement month-to-month in January. The goal of the market index is to effectively measure the market’s stable range, proximity to “normal” and current trends. In an article by Florida Realtors, Freddie Mac Deputy Chief Economist Len Kiefer said, “a better employment picture, along with some income growth, makes it possible for more people who are considering buying a home to stay within reasonable payment-to-income ratios on their monthly mortgages.” Employment opportunities and income growth are essential components to the continual housing market stabilization in Florida, as well as nati...

London, Singapore, Amsterdam, Dubai, Bangkok and now Tampa Bay! Our beautiful city has been selected to host a prestigious award ceremony of great magnitude at the end of April! The International Indian Film Academy Awards are coming to Tampa, and this will give us a unique opportunity to get a taste of spectacular and inspirational Indian traditions at our own doorstep.   T he international community will see Tampa in a way that has not yet hit the international stage. Here is your point of reference: About 120 Million people turned in for the 2014 Super Bowl, whereas 800 million people are expected to view the IIFA Awards, Mayor Buckhorn said. Based on the premise that Bollywood fans like to follow the stars footsteps, Visit Tampa Bay plans to launch a map of Tampa showing places where Vidya Balan, Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and other stars have been. e stars' footsteps, Anil Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and other stars have been. Visit Tampa Bay plans to launch a...

Let’s be honest…it is far too easy to take for granted everything a city has to offer after spending countless years living in it.  What is quite refreshing, however, is taking time to reflect on and appreciate some of the achievements of a city and the offerings it provides for its residents.   Tampa is the third most populous city in the state of Florida with over 350,000 residents, and is home to the largest port in Florida, Tampa Bay. One great aspect of this city is the prevalence of strong multicultural influences within the city and the residents who both live and visit our city!   Tampa, as a destination for the world, allows for people from all across the globe to share their cultural heritage and traditions with others who have a genuine interest in learning and experiencing.  Authentic recipes from every corner of the globe can be easily found in diverse restaurants throughout the city.  As Tampa was the selected location for this yea...

Some very exciting news is making headlines across the country; the 15 th Annual International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards are to take place in Tampa this April. This is the first time in history that the international showcase event will be held in the United States, and it is a great honor for Tampa to be selected as the host. Bollywood superstars, Priyanka Chopra and Anil Kapoor, made a visit to the University of South Florida in January during their Tampa visit and were greeted by hundreds of fanatical students.   When Janak Vora, an IIFA representative, was asked in a Tampa Bay Times interview why the Tampa Bay area was selected, she replied, ‘It’s about the enthusiasm of the community.’ Preparation and training is already underway throughout Tampa’s hospitality industry to raise cultural awareness in order to make our guests feel the most welcome. The Hillsborough County Tourist Development Council also decided to commit $900,000 to support the event, along wi...

The Tampa Bay area is a very high-paced growing metropolitan area, and it is home to many major corporations, health centers, and educational institutions. Whether you live in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, or Sarasota, there are many intriguing business opportunities for hard-working people of all ages. Here at SI Real Estate, we proudly support local business and we diligently work with people from all parts of the greater Tampa Bay area. In the past we have had the privilege to work with professors, students from the University of South Tampa and the University of Tampa, and many others purchasing their first home. The SI Real Estate team believes that education is one of the most important investments one can make, and that is why we have actively participated in the award-winning Marketing Practicum course offered by USF for years. Many of our former and current marketing coordinators and agents are USF graduates, and we enjoy long-lasting relationships with the loca...

Nationwide economic growth is projected to increase to 2.9 percent from the estimated 2.6 percent growth in 2013, according to Fannie Mae’s Economic & Strategic Research Group reports. This increase can be attributed the return of consumer confidence following the government shutdown last fall, which affected hard working men and women across numerous industries.  With rebounded optimism, an increase in both consumer and business spending is expected to boost overall economic growth throughout 2014. A significant driving force contributing to economic growth, according to Fannie Mae’s Chief Economist Doug Duncan, is the continued improvement in the real estate market. RealtyTrac published some encouraging statistics in its most recent Foreclosure Market Report, which recorded a 26 percent decrease in foreclosure fillings from 2012 to 2013. With decreases in foreclosure fillings comes an increase in the strength of consumer housing attitudes, which allows for the continu...

After a double digit increase in home prices and sales occurred in 2013, this positive trend in the real estate market will continue throughout 2014 as well. As greater Tampa Real Estate professionals, SI Real Estate team is confident that the recovery of the housing market, job growth, and lower unemployment rate will continue to make housing more affordable. Here in the greater Tampa Bay area, there will be more homes available than there have been in several years. Homebuilders have regained enormous trust in the housing market and have started building more new homes than we have seen in many years!   They cannot build homes fast enough. This will help to increase real estate inventory and satisfy the high customer demand for both new and resale properties. In addition, according to Lawrence Yun, chief economist as the National Association of Realtors , “2013 has marked the second straight year of a very respectable recovery with a 20% cumulative increase in exi...