According to author and Florida hiker Sandra Friend, there are so many places to take in Floridas natural beauty on foot that you could spend a lifetime taking one step in front of the other and never grow tired. Having written over 2500 pages on the subject and completed over 600 hikes, Friend is a trustworthy source on where to set foot in the Sunshine state.

Friends website, www.floridahikes.com contains a wealth of information and personal touches as to where the best places are to stroll along a natural or man-made path. She has spent a lot of time doing her enjoyable research and has posted her findings for all to see with pictures and summaries and recommendations. For more detailed information, please visit Friends website. For now, here are some points of interest:

Ocala National Forest With over 300,000-acres of land, the Ocala National Forest is the first national forest east of the Mississippi River to be designated as such. It is home to an endless amount of foliage and trees as well as one of the most scenic portions of the Florida National Scenic Trail. Ocala is host to a 75-mile stretch of the trail containing swamps and ponds, pine forests and naturally occurring hills.

Along the Park Road at Everglades National Park With 45 miles to choose from, even the most finicky hiker will find a perfect spot to explore. Make sure to pack plenty of water and snacks to keep your energy and hydration at safe levels, especially if you are hiking in the summer. The visitor center here contains a lot of useful documentation in the form of books and maps to point out and describe the numerous plant life, tree life and wild life in the park.

Disney Wilderness Preserve Loop and Interpretive Trails Can we talk about Florida without mentioning its most famous resident? Mickey Mouse invites you to come and explore the mitigation project began by Disney in 1992. The area itself is not managed by Disney, but maintained by the Nature Conservancy which is a caretaker of wetlands. There are over three miles of hiking and trails spanning nearly 700 acres on the 12,000-acre property. Those areas not for public use are part of research to maintain and care for future areas like the Preserve Loop. Many visitors to the innovative Magic Kingdom and Epcott Center will enjoy spending a day of vacation watching birds and wildlife live simply in their natural habitats. When you have had enough of staying indoors trying keep warm this winter, look us up and come on down.

Maybe it's not time to consider moving to Florida yet but you might want to consider a small condo as a vacation home or an early retirement. You're going to love enjoying the outdoors YEAR ROUND here!

Can you imagine hearing your agent say this while you are out scouting properties, “Not only did the sellers of this home renovate the kitchen, install a new roof and a brand new sprinkler system, but the United States government is going to sweeten the deal with an eight thousand dollar credit toward your income taxes.”

For first-time homebuyers ready to dive into home ownership between now and one month before the end of 2009, a tax credit (which means cash) can be yours if you meet the qualifications laid out in the plan.

This is not similar to the former program which was a loan that you would have to repay over time. Think of this as a rebate that is money in your pocket to furnish your new home with anything you want, or even a vacation or second honeymoon. The money is yours and you can do with it as you please!

Here's a few of the most common questions that most people have:

1. How do I qualify as a first time buyer if I have owned a home before?

You can qualify as long as you have not owned a home for three years prior to making this purchase. For example, if you sold your last home on June 1, 2006, you will qualify for the credit with a new home purchase on or any beyond after June 1, 2009 and you must keep the home as your main residence for a minimum of 36 months after purchasing.

2. If I owe $5000 in taxes and I qualify for the $8000, what happens to the $3000 difference?

The difference will be sent to you as a refund check from the IRS. Any amount above what you owe the IRS (assuming you owe anything) will be returned to you. Also, if you qualify to receive a return of $1000 for 2009, you would receive a check for $9000.

3. Are there any income restrictions?

Individuals filing a gross income under $75,000 and married couples earning less than $150,000 qualify for 100% of the credit. Individuals earning between $75,000 and $95,000 will see a tiered tax credit. Married couples earning between $150,000 and $170,000 will also see a tiered tax credit in their return.

Lately the press is talking about an extension of the time frame in which a buyer may take advantage of the program; it may spill over to next year 2010. There is even some thought that it will cover all home purchases, not just those made by first-time buyers. This is not set or guaranteed and no one knows what the future will bring. The $8000 outlined in this article is, however, here and is waiting to be claimed on your 2009 tax return. Dont miss out!

This year we have worked with many first time home buyers wanting to buy Tampa Homes; we can help you too, please call us at 1-888-423-5775.

Pasco County is the fastest growing Tampa Bay county, and its also improving steadily in terms of school ratings. Last year, Pasco County received the top ranking of a Grade A overall, with a graduation rate above the FL state average and more than 72% of Pascos FL schools received an A or a B grade. New schools are being built in Pasco County, and teachers and administrators are rising to the task to foster quality schools.

One very good example of this progress is the area of Trinity. The two public elementary schools here are Trinity Elementary and Trinity Oaks Elementary, which are both A rated schools. The middle school that these two elementrary schools feed into is called Seven Springs Middle School and it is also an A rated school. JW Mitchell High School, a B rated school, sits adjacent to the middle school and just missed getting the A rating in 2008 by a few points.

Trinity has several private schools to choose from. These schools are not required to administer the FCAT test and so they do not have a school rating. Genesis School in nearby New Port Richey offers education for children from 2 years old to 5th grade. Genesis is commited to developing the unique qualities present in each child. Its sister school, Genesis Preparatory School, continues with 6th grade up to 12th grade and is a member of the Schiller International Schools. Another private school with a flexible learning curriculum is Solid Rock Community School. Unlike traditional schools, Solid Rock doesnt use grade levels to group students. Instead, the school takes a customized approach for each student, and encourages children to learn at their own pace. Solid Rock serves 1st through 12th grade.

So if you are thinking about buying a home this summer and good schools are something high on your list of priorities for your family, consider adding Trinity to your list. Trinity is just one of the great communities in Pasco county that offers affordable homes, family neighborhoods and great schools. Trinity Real Estate has increased in popularity over the years but surely remains one of the best values and family friendly areas in the Tampa Bay area.

Well, we discovered a little known place not far from Fred Howard called Sunset Beach. Sunset Beach is a bit south of Fred Howard Park, off of Florida Avenue. Although the water here is not the best for swimming, this beach is a nice spot to relax and watch the birds. Even better, pack yourself a picnic dinner and head that way for the sunset. Its a peaceful place to watch the setting sun. If you live in Tarpon Springs you probably know this little secret by now, but for those who are looking for real estate in Tarpon Springs, its good to know there are so many beautiful parks here. Since Sunset Beach is so small it is situated near a few streets and many of the homeowners can walk to the beach.

Another cool thing we learned about little Sunset Beach is that they have been hosting a Music on the Beach series every month that runs from April to November. The shows are free of charge, but donations are welcome and go towards the construction of the Beach Pavilion to be used for concerts like these and other events. Upcoming dates for the rest of 2008 are Thursdays from 7-9 PM on Oct. 16 (with the Dapper Dan Band) and Nov 13 (with Lil Pearl & the Big Boys). Tampa Bay Real Estate offers many single family homes, townhomes and condos in and around Tarpon Springs, come take a look. If you are not familiar with the area, it is not far from the big city of Tampa.

With so much to choose from, everyone can find a great place to live in one of these popular areas. If you are looking for an upscale place to live, buying Tampa Bay Real Estate here is like a little slice of heaven.

CNNs Money Magazine chose the six best towns on the water, naming Dunedin as one of the premier places in America to retire. The famous Dunedin beach is just beyond the causeway from Honeymoon Island. And, notable Caladesi Island that was rated as the best beach in America earlier this year by Dr. Beach is just a quick ferry ride away. And, yes, we agree, Dunedin is a great place to retire.

Finding incredbile prices on Dunedin 55+ active adult condos for sale is easy right now, and there is an abundance of single family homes for sale in Dunedin right now reasonably priced as well. Yes, Money Magazine was right on target when they told you all to come on down to Dunedin and buy that retirement condo or home.

And, as Barack Obama said when asked why he chose the Tampa Bay area to do his debate prepping before the first presidential debate: “Look at the weather, man. Its great.” We couldnt agree more and so will you when you visit.

Many believe that property in Dunedin offers the most value for today's home buyers who want to buy real estate in Tampa Bay. Visit our website and check out all the Dunedin homes for sale. You won't be disappointed.

• WE WERE AT FRED HOWARD BEACH TODAY AND ENJOYED OURSELVES .......WE SAW A BIG SIGN SAYING THAT THE BEACH IS TO BE CLOSED STARTING SEPT.2 AND CLOSED TILL NEXT YEAR......WHAT IS GOING ON......?????? YOUR REPLY WILL BE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED.

These are luxury condos built near the Port of Tampa which range in size from 596 square feet for a studio to a huge 3,665 square foot roof top luxury penthouse. Features include stepped terrace-styled architecture, concrete construction, european touches throughout, all designed by some of the most distinguised architects.

Living in Channelside is out of the ordinary. It's a non-traditional lifestyle in an eclectic fast paced community - near to downtown with views of the Tampa skyline and cruise ships from every balcony. Cafes, boutiques, restaurants and more are within walking distance.

Just recently, condos in The Place were listed on the MLS for $300,000 to $400,000 for roughly 1,000 square feet. Based on the minimum bid ordered by the judge, these units could be snatched up for roughly $100,000 each. What an opportunity for the right investor!

Rumors in the industry point to other condo auctions as well. Also troubled are Towers at Channelside and Trump Tower in Tampa. Both developments are searching for a deep pocket investor as well.

No deep pockets? Small time investors are welcome and needed in other areas of Tampa as well. Now is the time to snatch up some of the great deals Tampa Real Estate has to offer which are emerging all over the county. Bargains exist in condos for sure, but there are also many single family homes and retirement communities that are ripe for the savvy investor as well. Don't miss out, check us out today.

That's right! The kids are back in school and the summer heat and humidity is backing down, making way for an enjoyable Fall and Winter in the Tampa Bay area. So, a visit to our area now allows active adults to make the most of their time and budget.

While you are here you just might want to think about having the opportunity to come back year after year and stay in your own place. After all, with Tampa real estate prices so low, it only makes sense to buy a small home or vacation condo now before prices start to go back up again.

There are many choices and you will be pleased to find many bargains as well. Whether you fancy a waterfront condo on Clearwater Beach or a 55+ active adult condo in a gated community - we have it all - at rock bottom prices. Would you rather live in a family oriented community so the grandkids have friends to play with in the neighborhood? Not to worry, finding a suitable home in a welcoming community is an easy task as well right now.

Us Floridians look forward to this time of year. It's a time when the outdoors is most enjoyable, a time to open the windows and enjoy the fresh air throughout the home.

So skip the crowds, avoid the heat, and treat yourself to a vacation in Tampa Bay at the best time of the year. And, if you want to check out the Tampa Bay Real Estate market while you are here, let us know. We'd be happy to help you see if the time is right for you to buy! We have a toll free number for your convenience - 1-888-423-5775.