As of July 1, 2009, Florida has created a program to help first-time homebuyers get their federal tax credit early, allowing them to use up to $8,000 toward a down payment. The effective date for the program is July 1; however, it will probably be another few weeks before the funds are available. This is an exciting addition to the already popular tax credit. We see this as a way to help more and more first time homebuyers get into a home and stop paying rent.
While most first-time homebuyers qualify for the tax credit (given by the government as an income tax rebate regardless of tax owed), they once had to buy a home first, submit the info to the IRS through their tax return, and wait for the $8,000 rebate. To help these buyers get the money early enough to use it as a down payment, the State of Florida created a program of bridge loans, the Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program (FLHOP), where money can be borrowed from the state and then paid back after the new homeowner receives his tax credit.
Florida’s local housing administrators will oversee the down payment funds at the local level. (To find the administrator in your area, go to: http://apps.floridahousing.org/StandAlone/FHFC_ECM/AppPage_SHIPLGContacts.aspx
For specific questions about the $8,000 tax credit, homebuyers should consult a tax professional. Resources for understanding the tax credit and bridge loans: FAR’s Homebuyer Center: http://www.floridarealtors.org/AboutFar/homebuyercenter/index.cfm
If you are a first time homebuyer in Florida and would like to purchase Tampa Bay Real Estate, we are here to help you!
Dunedin is hot! If you are looking to sell your home this summer in Dunedin, do your homework and don’t list with just any real estate agent! We have one of the best sales records in the Pinellas County area. Just take a look at the home below. Situated in Dunedin in the Suemar neigborhood on Robmor Rd., this home IS UNDER CONTRACT, AFTER BEING ON THE MARKET FOR ONLY 3 DAYS!!!
We sell a lot of Dunedin Real Estate. It’s one of the most popular areas in the county and we are #1 in google for many terms about Dunedin. Internet exposure is extremely important today. Ask your Realtor about their rankings on google!
Bob Lipply does it again! CONTRACT PENDING IN TARPON WOODS IN 2 DAYS! Very nice home on the Tarpon Woods Golf Course, priced at $299,900. Palm Harbor Real Estate doesn’t get much better than this. If you are looking to sell your home in Palm Harbor this summer, call us at 1 888 423 5775.
What do blueberries, almonds, and cauliflower have in common? They are all powerful nutritious foods that should be a part of your nutritious lifestyle. This summer, Nature’s Food Patch in Clearwater is providing free cooking classes to those interested in adding more nutritious foods to their diet. Classes will start on July 11 and will continue throughout September 12. All classes have a theme. On August 8th, the class will discuss good fat and bad fat. Participants will learn to cook a delicious Seeded Nut Chew, Southwestern Healthy Salad, and a blueberry smoothie. Other menu items range from almond raspberry Cookies to tangy cauliflower soup. All classes start at 11am at the Food Patch on Cleveland Street in Clearwater. For a detailed schedule, please visit www.naturesfoodpatch.com.
Robert Lipply of Re/Max Realtec Group in Palm Harbor, FL has just been awarded the distinguished Re/Max Hall of Fame Award by the Board of Directors and Officers of RE/MAX INTERNATIONAL, INC. Becoming a member of the prestigious award signifies that one has distinguished himself as one of the elite in the entire Real Estate industry.
The plaque further states “In your career with Re/Max you have produced real estate sales exceeding those of entire sales staffs of other companies. This extraordinary professional achievement along with dedication and loyalty qualifies you for a place of honor in the Remax Hall of Fame.”
Looking for Tampa Homes for sale? Call Bob at 727 459 7290, he’s ready to take your call!
About an hour south of of Tampa Bay is the beach city of Sarasota, Florida. You can get there by heading south on I-75 from Tampa or south on I-275 from St. Petersburg. Many refer to Sarasota as the “Cultural Capital” because of the wide array of arts and cultural activities that the city has to offer. People fall in love with Sarasota because it is a smaller community with gorgeous beaches, fabulous restaurants, a multitude of tennis and golf facilities, great schools, arts, culture, Sarasota Film Festival, and a wide array of housing options.
Another great thing about Sarasota is the close proximity to a larger city like Tampa. An hour drive north and you can be eating at the ever popular and delicious Cheesecake Factory, shopping at the International Mall, spending the day with your family at Busch Gardens or playing with animals at the Lowery Park Zoo. Enjoy taking a Saturday and spending the day in Tampa or St. Petersburg.
There are plenty of housing options in Sarasota. One can purchase a multi-million dollar penthouse on the beach, an equestrian estate on acreage, a stunning bay front mansion, a great starter home and everything in between. Snowbirds love to escape the harsh northern winters. Many of the homes and condos in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Bird Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key and Casey Key are second and third homes. If you can’t seem to find a what you are looking for in Tampa Homes, don’t hesitate to contact Marc Rasmussen at 941.812.6272; he can help you find a property in Sarasota. Visit Sarasota homes for sale to view thousands of properties for sale in Sarasota.
Pinellas Realtor Organization just released the top 300 agents in the area in terms of sales productivity. The Lipply Team, headed by Robert Lipply is #7 for year to date sales of 2009. If you are looking for a top Tampa Bay Real Estate Team to get your home SOLD, give us a call. We have the track record you are looking for!
Why trust your real estate transaction to anyone else?
James Thorner writes for the St. Petersburg Times about real estate or “(un)real estate” as he calls it. I guess that means he normally takes a negative spin on real estate or Realtors maybe. Whatever the case, he actually reports some good news today on homes in Tampa Bay in the newspaper.
There’s no secret to those of us in the industry that home sales have been rising. He says, “homes sales have risen every month since August”. But when WE try to tell our customers that - especially those from out of town - they think we are telling stories. The truth is, we have been slammed with homebuyers (mostly looking for bargains) since the day after Christmas 2008. So, thank you James for telling your readers what we have been trying to communicate!
Real Estate sales in 2009 are significantly higher than 2008. So much so that it appears home prices are beginning to stabilize. James Thorner agrees. “From February to April, prices of homes sold conventionally those unencumbered by foreclosure or mortgage defaults - stopped dropping. Prices have actually inched up in some places in those three months.” This fact can help lead us into a price stabilization period.
Additionally, it used to be that only Bank Owned properties were getting multiple offers here in Tampa Bay. Now, we are seeing multiple offers (or backup offers) on our short sales as well. For the most part, Real Estate agents hate to show listings that are labeled “active with contract” in the MLS but somehow, those that are offered as a short sale are an exception to that rule. We have multiple offers on most of our short sale listings. Why? Probably because they are such a great deal! Why not wait and see if you can get lucky on a 2/2/2 condo that sold in 2005 for $216,000 and now is being offered for $95,000? To take this one step further, we think some of these great deals are about to be history.
And, what’s really nice is that non-short sale homes that are priced well are becoming even more attractive to those that don’t want to wait, so they are selling faster.
James tells an interesting story that Pinellas and Pasco County will enjoy a market rebound later this year. We hope he is right. Read the full story here: Hints of good news on homes
On Wednesday, aisles of booths will be set up in Downtown Clearwater. A variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and cheese pile out from tents, and an aroma of fresh flowers and baked goods permeate the streets. This market’s busy and colorful atmosphere provides an excellent opportunity to meet up with friends, enjoy some refreshments, and stock up on fresh produce. The market is open from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm down 500 Cleveland Street and runs from November 18 through May 27 each year. For more information, please call 727-461-7674. Hurry, there’s not much time left!
After you shop, take a drive over the bridge and check out all the Clearwater Beach condos. There’s many opportunities for a vacation home now on Clearwater Beach, since real estate prices have come down so much.
John Kent’s North Pinellas Adventure Boot Camp has been in existence for a few years and has become the most popular outdoor woman’s fitness camp in the Tampa Bay area. It’s been so popular in fact that John has recently expanded into the Westchase Tampa area.
The exciting news is that for the first time John has dreamed up a promotion called the “Get Rocked Promotion” designed to give new ladies an opportunity to try out Boot Camp at a significant savings. For a limited time, (summer classes June or July) any new camper can receive $100.00 off a 4 week class.
What’s the catch? You must be referred by a current camper to receive the discount. Well, the good news is my wife Donna is a current camper. Donna has been attending Adventure Boot Camp for over one year and can help you get started. Call our toll free number at 1-888-423-5775 and ask for Donna or post a comment below with your contact information.
Pretty soon you will be saying “Boot Camp Rocks!”.
As of July 1, 2009, Florida has created a program to help first-time homebuyers get their federal tax credit early, allowing them to use up to $8,000 toward a down payment. The effective date for the program is July 1; however, it will probably be another few weeks before the funds are available. This is an exciting addition to the already popular tax credit. We see this as a way to help more and more first time homebuyers get into a home and stop paying rent. 
