tampa4u's Blog: REAL ESTATE stuff

First and foremost, for a limited time, we're featuring Tampa bank-owned properties on the "Red-Box Deals" on our site.

In the recent weeks, we've had significant increase in inquiries for short sale homes and foreclosures. Most buyers just look at the price tag without realizing that these prices are brokers opinion only and that these prices have NOT yet been approved by the bank (lenders). To a certain extent these have been abused by some. i.e., homes normally selling for $300K may be listed for $160K, with a fineprint stating "subject to third party approval" (bank/lender). Even at a full asking price offer of $160K, if the house appraises for $280K, the bank may counter with $280K. Ref: Short Sale: Not for the light hearted buyer

We've been…

Two of the most important concerns in the health of your family are whether or not your home has instances of lead throughout it, and whether or not you are breathing radon gas vapours.  Radon is a colourless and odourless radioactive gas that can get trapped beneath your house and cause serious health problems.  It has been the cause of over 20,000 lung disease related deaths every year and it is assumed to be in millions of homes.

Radon slips into your home from underground, seeping into crawl spaces beneath your home, through the sump pump, gaps in the basement flooring and walls, and even your water supply.  It is undetectable unless you have a trained professional come in.  These professionals will run diagnostic testing to see if the radon levels…

Green Building in Tampa? What is it and Why do we care? The green building movement is all about using our resources efficiently to create a clean environment for ourselves. This includes: efficient use of energy, recycled building materials and using fewer chemicals, low impact use of land, efficient use of soil and water, and improved indoor air quality.

Green building of homes now accounts for nearly $2 billion in annual spending in the US and is expected to grow to at least $6.5 billion by 2010. In Tampa Bay, Oldsmar based Nohl Crest Homes is the area’s first green homebuilder. Quoted from their site "Every new Nohl Crest Florida home is now a green home ~ built with the environment in mind. As a green builder, our construction practices and…

Tucked away on an island raised from the water and navigable by canals, you’ll find some of the nation’s most desirable real estate. Tierra Verde – “green land” in Spanish – is home of Fort de Soto, named America’s No. 1 beach in 2005.

For the last 25 years, the beautiful island has remained unincorporated and a separate entity from surrounding Florida areas St. Pete and St. Petersburg. However, the opportunities and real estate of Tierra Verde have long been attractive to the larger areas nearby, and recently St. Petersburg filed an application with Pinellas County to formally annex commercial areas on the barrier island.

Tierra Verde is mainly residential and home to about 3,500 people and a total area of 667 acres. Originally composed of 15…

Feng Shui expert Maxwell Sinclair talks about Feng Shui in this interview. Max is a Portland Real Estate broker for Prudential Northwest Properties and dubbed as "The Rockstar of Real Estate".

Max talks about the background of Feng Shui, it's effects, and results. Feng Shui affects us whether we know it or not. He gives several examples on how balance affects us. Choices of colors, placement of furniture, etc. How Feng Shui flaws can be corrected.

Enjoy this very informative video on Feng Shui.

Other related Feng Shui articles

In order to use feng shui practically, a practitioner should have knowledge about astronomy, its astrological influences, Confusion classic, and the magnetic fields surrounding the earth. A feng shui practitioner should also know about environmental factors that may influence building structures internally and externally. Basically, feng shui is the art of placing building structures in the perfect surrounding for its occupants to enjoy good health and attract wealth.

The origin of feng shui goes back to the West Han dynasty in China. Believers of feng shui during this era think that the earth has life and energy because it is a living thing. The energy of an area would depend on its surroundings and topology. Ever since feng shui has been adapted by…

It’s exciting to think and dream about all of the great things you’d like to have in your new home—more space, more updated or luxurious amenities, etc.  There are so many wonderful memories to made, good times to be had, and comforts to enjoy.  Ah… home sweet home, right? 

Well, yes, right.  But no, that’s not the whole story.  What’s missing is that—unless you have the money to pay off the entire balance of your new home on the spot, out-of-pocket (which almost no one does, in all practicality)—the mortgage is going to come due after a month or two.  And the money is going to need to be there.  Even if you or your spouse just got a promotion at work, while that may mean it’s time to trade up to a better home, it doesn’t mean it’s time to go even…

Tampa: Open 4 Business and/or Pleasure

First off ... we're so proud and happy to have this site as part of out Tampa Real Estate blog family.

What's in it 4U: Tampa is recognized as one of the country’s fast growing cities today. Being a bustling port that is home to hundreds of people from varied socio-economic background and lifestyle, Tampa has a rich ethnic diversity that sets it apart from other port cities in the country. People from all over the world go to Tampa to enjoy the beautiful scenery and recreational activities it has to offer.
 
What more is there 4U: While Tampa is known for its gated master-planned communities that offers fantastic golf courses, it is also interesting to note that Tampa offers so much more than this. Visitors…