Calum's Blog: New Tampa Real Estate

 

We were coming home from my Son's soccer game yesterday and as we were driving through the community I happened to see this Florida Bobcat out of the corner of my eye.  At first I thought it was a Florida Panther, which would have been a very rare citing, but after a little internet research, I think its tail is too short for a Florida Panther. 

Luckily I had my camera with me, I only wish I had a little better zoom lens.  This shot is a little grainy because I had to enlarge it a bit.

This was only about 100 yards from the Arbor Greene Clubhouse and after I took the picture the cat just sat under the bushes, totally ignoring the five or six cars that had now stopped in the street to check him out.  I actually drove off before he decided to move… Read Full Post

Moderate income residents of some Florida suburbs can qualify for a USDA-backed home loan that allows them to obtain a mortgage without the need for a down payment. If you live in Land O’ Lakes, New Tampa, or Wesley Chapel or would like to relocate to one of those areas, you need to read this article—especially if the lack of a down payment is the one thing that’s holding you back from getting a home loan.

 

The USDA guaranteed loan program is designed to help you get a home loan if you can afford the monthly repayments, but don’t have the down payment you need to qualify for rates you can afford. With reasonable thirty-year fixed interest rates and no need for private mortgage insurance, the USDA-backed rural home loan is a fantastic option if you live…

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I’m a little late with my 2007 real estate reports, but it’s been busy start to 2008. So although the 2007 report doesn't look good, let’s hope this recent activity bodes well for 2008. Below are the statistics for the 2007 New Tampa real estate market, which covers all single-family home, tonwhomes, villas, and condo sales in the 33647 zip code. 

The big news in New Tampa in 2007, was construction began on the Bruce B. Downs fly-over to I-75 South. The newly constructed fly-over when complete, will allow New Tampa residents to more safely and efficiently merge onto I-75 South, so those morning rush hour traffic jams will soon be a distant memory. Okay, maybe that’s wishful thinking, but it should be a little better and a lot safer.

Onto the 2007 stats,…

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I visited Easton Park yesterday and they're offering some great incentives to home buyers right now. Easton Park is one of New Tampa's most exciting new developments located off of Morris Bridge Road. With close to 500 home sites planned, they have almost 100 new homes complete now and they have begun construction on the pool and cabana and it's due to be completed by this spring.

Mobley Homes has just introduced a new model, the Briarwood, which starts at $285,900 for an over 3300 sq ft, five bedroom home, which is less than $100/sq ft. That is truly an incredible value for a home in New Tampa! Both Mobley and fellow builder M/I Homes are offering great closing cost incentives and refinancing options for new home buyers.   You can visit Easton Park… Read Full Post

Dramatic Price Drop! This perfectly maintained, corporate-owned home in New Tampa's NO CDD neighborhood, Pebble Creek Village, has just been reduced over $30K! This home is truly spectacular with clean, neutral colors throughout, an open and spacious floorplan and enclosed pool, all on a huge corner conservation lot. The side garage entry adds to the inviting curb appeal and lends to the extra large and beautifully landscaped front yard. This three bedroom, two bath gem is just over 2000 sq ft, and features a truly unique updated kitchen with a colorful and modern mosaic tile backsplash and accents, black granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Both bathrooms have also been updated with granite counters, and the master bath is equipped with a…

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If it’s up to Ken Hagan, Hillsborough County commissioner, we’ll all be keeping the change handy for trips up the street to the mall. Frustrated by Pasco County’s refusal to help out with the $28 million tab to improve Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Hagan proposed that Hillsborough put up a tollbooth at the county line on the BBD. I’ll wait for you to wipe the coffee off your monitor…   One of the problems with Hagan’s proposal is that no one is sure if the county legally can collect tolls for use of the road. Typically, toll booths are used for limited access roads – highways, bridges, expressways and the like. Bruce B. Downs is none of the above. While it’s a main road, it’s also a residential and commercial byway with multiple cross streets and retail… Read Full Post

There continue to be some positive signs in the New Tampa real estate market. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal showed Tampa, Florida as one of only four metro areas with declining home inventory.   In New Tampa, despite a close to 12% drop in sales from July 2007, compared to July 2006, home inventory is down from 943 homes in June to 913 homes in July. There was a 6 % drop in the average home price, compared to 3% gain in July. Although I have to admit, I was surprised to see even such a modest gain in the price of a New Tampa Home.   For the second month in a row the lowest priced home and the highest priced home in sold in New Tampa were located in the Hunter’s Green community. The lowest priced home was a 1 bedroom, 1 bath condo with… Read Full Post

The New Tampa real estate market was down 22% in June 2007, compared to June 2006. The good news is that June 2007 finished 46% above May, and May was ahead of April by 15%, so that’s an encouraging trend. The average price of a New Tampa home fell 6.4% to $353,000, while the median price dropped 19% to $276,000.   Hunter’s Green was the lucky community this month with the both the highest priced home and the lowest priced home in New Tampa. The lowest priced home was a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo, while the highest priced home was a 5 bedroom, 4 bath home with over 4,500 sq.ft.   New Tampa home inventory is down slightly, with 943 New Tampa homes currently for sale, compared to 1,001 in early June.

 

New Tampa Home Sales for June 2007 …

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