South Tampa Real Estate continues to move.  This article give good insight into the market South Tampa Land Grab   #SouthTampaRealestate  


Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.BayToBeaches.com

Tampa's plan for the future

I am impressed with the efforts to create a master plan for Tampa and the Mayor's efforts to allow citizens to participate in an online forum.

Check out InvisionTampa for details.

The first part of success is having a good plant.

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.BayToBeaches.com

Median House Prices in the Tampa Bay area up over 11% this year

The National Association of Realtors have released some recent information on the sales price trends in the Tampa Bay Area.   With the current average sales price averaging $144,300 compared to a national average of $181,133.   This graph shows how increase demand and less availablity have allowed prices to increase on average over 11% this year vs last year.   

Let us help you find your dream home.  Steve and Caryn are ready to help from the BayToBeaches.com

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.BayToBeaches.com

Check out the new incredible listing in St Petersburg located on exclusive Snell Isle's Bay Point Drive.   Listed at 1,179,000 This home offers  St. Pete luxury canal front living  with 5 Bedroms 4.5 Baths


Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.BayToBeaches.com

Holidays can always seem to be a catch 22 for real estate. Buyers have time on their hands but sellers dont want the distraction of showings. I found this article interesting.

Buying or Selling Over the Holidays

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.BayToBeaches.com

10 Prime Real Estate Market trends

With all of the recent activity we dont seem to be the best deals on the market in Florida any more.   This is good news for Sellers.

This article highlights trends of upward rental prices and lower home prices.  http://www.inman.com/reports/first-time-buyers

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.BayToBeaches.com

For Memorial Day--Dr. Beaches best Beaches

A few Florida beaches made the best Beaches list.  I have the opportunity to spend Memorial Day at one of them in St. George Island State Park near Apalachicola in the Panhandle

Enjoy your Memorial Day!  

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.BayToBeaches.com

Tampa Bay Real Estate Market Bounce

Great news!   This is the one of the markets that CNBC has identified as a market with upside potential.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/47354510?slide=11

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.BayToBeaches.com

Now available!!! South Tampa 4215 San Pedro

Check out the latest listing.  3/2 Cute home....Not a short sale, not a foreclosure!

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.BayToBeaches.com

Is the Real Estate Market turning to a "Sellers Market"?

As a Realtor that works with buyers trying to take advantage of some of the great market deals out there, we have more and more examples of competitive bidding situations.   Real Estate Buyers want a deal and the news portrays these as easy to get, however, homes priced well, go under contract quickly.

Finally the news has recognized this trend.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/realestate/bidding-wars-break-out-over-tampa-bay-area-homes/1222782

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.BayToBeaches.com

TAX Advantages of Short sales transactions ends 2012

For those of you that are considering a real estate short sale transaction for your primary residence, 2012 is the last year that the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 to get those tax consequences waived.

The key to a short sale involves your ability to offer a property for less than the loan amount and be approved for that sale by the end of 2012.   With short sales taking 3-7 months on average, you cannot afford to wait to get that home on the market.

Let us discuss how we can help you get your home sold!

Here is a good reference link http://www.ehow.com/about_6582533_real-short-sale-tax-consequences.html



Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.baytobeaches.com/

It is all about Location, Location Location

With Tampa Bay's available "good" inventory continuing to slide down, the Tampa Bay Times has identified a trend that seems to be growing.   Our much sought after waterfront properties are getting harder and harder to find

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/realestate/new-waterfront-condos-disappearing-from-market-in-tampa-bay/1215300

Let us help you find that waterfront deal!

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.baytobeaches.com/

Just Sold!

Over 6000 square feet on 340 feet of bay front with 5 bedroom and 5 fireplaces. List price $1,998,000

Let the Bay To Beaches Team find your dream home!

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.UniqueTampaHomes.com

Home Owners Insurance in Florida

I get asked many times from new comers to Florida about our our home owner and flood insurance rates.  As many of our residents are aware, we have significantly higher premiums in the state because of our notorious hurricane season and outlook for tropical weather.    Being surround by water has it advantages and costs.

Two things to keep in mind when buy a house, generally there are requirements and discounts related to your flood elevation and the ability of a home to withstand wind damage.    As a result, when doing home inspection it is important to ask your insurance agent and inspector about a Wind Mitigation Survey.

With recent changes to wind mitigation inspections, I found this article useful on the Smith Blog: http://www.smithandassociates.com/blog/2012/01/wind-mitigation-changes-are-you-in-the-know/

Additionally depending on your homes proximity to the flood plain, your insurance company may require an Elevation Certificate to get coverage.  This can be obtained from a previous owner or from your title agent. (or as part of the Survey).

We are happy to help you navigate our insurance challenges here in the sunshine state, just let us know how we can help.

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.BayToBeaches.com

Tampa Platt Street Bridge to Re-Open

After months and months of frustration in South Tampa, Tuesday January 17th marks the date that the Platt Street Bridge re-opens.  This will make getting into downtown Tampa much easier and more enjoyable.

That being said, the progress represents the beginning of a more bike friendly Bayshore.

More info http://www.tampagov.net/appl_tampa_announcements/ViewRelease.asp?ReleaseID=8860

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.UniqueTampaHomes.com

UniqueTampaHomes.com 2011 Real Estate Newsletter

Feel free to check out my latest end of year newsletter.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/UniqueTampaHomes-New-Year-2011-Newsletter.html?soid=1101774176732&aid=Gfk_u6ghI_4

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders CoalitionSmith & Associates Real Estatehttp://www.UniqueTampaHomes.com

Current Appraisal rules are hurting real estate values

As someone who has witness and participated in one of the most dramatic real estate declines on record, I continue to get frustrated by things that continue to bring down real estate values.

Yes, there was abuses in the system where individuals and companies grossly inflated speculative homes and home prices.   I am now seeing the opposite effect caused by the stringent regulation of appraisers.   In the past few months, I have experienced 3 cases where homes that the buyer and seller agreed to a fair price but the appraisal came in substantially  lower.    In each of these instances the market was dominated by short sales and foreclosures and now that these can be used as comparables, the purchase price was significantly off.  

How can we see appreciation of these assets so home owners are not underwater?   We need to account for our losses and move on to the new market and let valuation be market driven.

 Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.UniqueTampaHomes.com

Tampa Bay Real Estate Inventory Tightens

If you are looking for property in the Tampa Bay area, be aware that availability has decreased significantly over the past year.


For example last year there were over 15,956 available homes in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) where as currently 6,741. The funny part about this is that the news does not seem to have caught on that the trend in pricing and available properties is changing.

In today's market, they key goes back to the old adage--Location, Location, Location! Homes that are in good condition and reflect today's discounted market pricing are selling. What many buyers are finding is that those Short Sales and Foreclosure which are highly sought after have the most competition so moving quickly really matters.

If you look in South Tampa at inventory, you see that good homes priced well move fast, while homes that have deficiencies sit on the market. Buyers are swooping in and picking out the gems particularly when it comes to waterfront and "good neighborhoods".

While we still hear about the gloom and doom of the shadow inventory, national debt and upside down mortgage; smart investors are snapping up deals.

Steve Armstrong, Realtor GRI Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.UniqueTampaHomes.com

Fortune Magazine says Tampa #5 place to Buy Real Estate

As the news changes, so does our attitude toward real estate.

Here is a great article  http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/news/1103/gallery.best_cities_for_buyers.fortune/5.html

2011 is ready to be an exciting year in real estate

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders Coalition Smith & Associates Real Estate http://www.UniqueTampaHomes.com

CNBC Realty Check Blog — Olick: Is Housing Really in Recovery? — CNBC.com Real Estate News - CNBC

With a quick spike in activity, all of a sudden once again we are feeling a quite spell.   Oil prices and consumers waiting out the recovery may be a temporary stop.

One recent observation:  Intown prices are rising and availability is shrinking....The suburbs are still quite slow.   Once again the real estate rule of Location,Location, Location Holds True.

There are some great deals and good properties are selling.

Here is what CNBC commentary had to say.

CNBC Realty Check Blog — Olick: Is Housing Really in Recovery? — CNBC.com Real Estate News - CNBC

Steve Armstrong, Realtor Certifying Agent, Florida Green Builders CoalitionSmith & Associates Real Estatehttp://www.UniqueTampaHomes.com