Tuesday, December 04, 2007

$159000 New home with old world style, 4BR/2BA




Do you like the charm of historic Seminole Heights, but can't afford a restored bungalow? Or maybe you love the ideal commuting of Seminole Heights, but don't want to spend every weekend doing repairs to your home. Then come and check out this brand new construction 4 bedroom, 2 bath home located in a new community in Seminole Heights. The exterior borrows its design from the nearby historic bungalows while the interior offers all the modern conveniences, appliances included in this price.

Call Beth or Scott to schedule your showing today.

Beth and Scott Wells, Realtors
RE/MAX Reflections
15365 Amberly Drive
Tampa, FL 33647

*All prices and financing offers are subject to change without notice at the discretion of the builder
813-951-1556 Beth
813-961-6405 Scott

$129900 Brand New in New Tampa




A brand new townhome community only a half mile from Bruce B Downs with pricing as low as 129,900. Yes you heard me right.

Act now and recieve $4,000 Incentive toward Closing Costs if Buyer uses Builder's Preferred Lender.$1,000 required for Deposit.Prices subject to change without notice. Don't wait to schedule your tour of this community. Take advantage of these incentives now!


Scott Wells
Beth Wells
RE/MAX Reflections
15365 Amberly Drive
Tampa FL 33647
813-961-6405
scottwells@remax.net

$124900 Meadowpointe Homes and Townhomes Priced at Pre-Boom Prices




Meadowpointe is a sought after masterplanned community located on the boarder between Hillsbourough and Pasco County in the New Tampa Area. The community is surrounded by shopping, commute routes, and entertainment. Residence will find abundunt amenities, affordable pricing, and a great mix of new homes and newer resells.

The Pasco County address helps Meadowpointe offer lower taxes than many similar communities in New Tampa, while being close enough to Bruce B Downs, US56, US54, and I75 to make commuting less of a chore.

1228 Sq Ft Townhome with 2 beds and up to 2.5 baths start at an amazingly low 124,900 in the community
1581 Sq Ft Townhome with 3 beds and 3 baths start in the early 150s
while single family can be found for under 180k

If you are looking at buying or selling a home in Meadowpointe, you owe it to yourself to call on the Wells Team.

Scott and Beth Wells
REMAX RE/FLECTIONS
813-961-6405

$136990 New construction, 3BR/2BA single family home. Why pay rent?

Tired of paying rent? Think you can't afford a single family home? Well think again! Just picture yourself in your brand new home with 3 bedrooms, two bathrooms and a 2 car garage. Make an investment in your future and call Scott or Beth for your showing today.

Beth and Scott Wells, Realtors
RE/MAX Reflections
15365 Amberly Drive
Tampa, FL 33647

*All prices and financing offers are subject to change without notice at the discretion of the builder
813-951-1556 Beth
813-961-6405 Scott

$109900 Brand new townhome at price you can't afford to ignore






You simply can't afford not to consider this amazing deal! A brand new 1046 square foot townhome with 1 bedroom and 2 bathrooms that offers all the financial advantages of home ownership. This home is located in a small community that includes a pool. Why pay rent when you can own? Why buy a condo that's an apartment conversion when you can buy new? Call Scott or Beth to schedule your showing today.

Beth and Scott Wells, Realtors
RE/MAX Reflections
15365 Amberly Drive
Tampa, FL 33647

*All prices and financing offers are subject to change without notice at the discretion of the builder
813-951-1556 Beth
813-961-6405 Scott

$129900 New construction, 3/2 townhome in heart of Tampa. Attn Renters!



Why just pay rent when you can make an investment in your future by purchasing this 3 bedroom, 2 bath townhome with 1315 square feet. This is a brand new townhome for $129,000 including all appliances and a washer and dryer. These homes are to-be-built so there is time to end your current rental agreement. Each home has its own private parking in the rear and is part of a planned community that includes swimming pool and playground. Great Seminole Heights location with easy commute to downtown and Westshore and nearby Starbucks.

Don't wait to make your dream of owning a home a reality. Call Beth or Scott to schedule your showing today.

Need more space? This same community is offering to-be-built 4 bedroom single family homes for $159,000 and 5 bedroom single family homes for $169,000. Call for more information.

Beth and Scott Wells, Realtors
RE/MAX Reflections
15365 Amberly Drive
Tampa, FL 33647

*All prices and financing offers are subject to change without notice at the discretion of the builder
813-951-1556 Beth
813-961-6405 Scott

$129900 New townhome with 2BR/2.5 BA and a GARAGE




Would you like to have a place to park you car? Store your bike? Then you need to see this brand new townhome that features it's own garage. These well designed homes have two bedrooms, two and a half baths and are conveniently located near the juncture of I-4 and I-75 for easy commuting. Call Beth or Scott to schedule your showing today.

Beth and Scott Wells, Realtors
RE/MAX Reflections
15365 Amberly Drive
Tampa, FL 33647

*All prices and financing offers are subject to change without notice at the discretion of the builder
813-951-1556 Beth
813-961-6405 Scott

$267900 Brand new 3507 sq t, 5 beds 4 baths, price is NOT a misprint




You're going to need a bigger tree! This Christmas, treat your family to more space with this gigantic house for a small price. This home is brand new construction, built and available for immediate occupancy. It offers 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and a two car garage. Plenty of space for each kid to have their own room. Plenty of room for the adults too with a downstairs den and upstairs game room.

Don't wait to schedule your showing, this is the only one at this price. Call Beth or Scott for your tour today.

Beth and Scott Wells, Realtors
RE/MAX Reflections
15365 Amberly Drive
Tampa, FL 33647

*All prices and financing offers are subject to change without notice at the discretion of the builder
813-951-1556 Beth
813-961-6405 Scott

$154900 Brand new 3BR/2BA single family with all the extras




Buy your family or yourself the gift of a new home for Christmas! This brand new single family home has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a 2-car garage plus all the extras-- GE appliances included, upgraded light fixtures, upgraded bathrooms fixtures, tile in wet areas and 2" blinds. Available in several communities-- call Scott or Beth for more deatails.

Beth and Scott Wells, Realtors
RE/MAX Reflections
15365 Amberly Drive
Tampa, FL 33647

*All prices and financing offers are subject to change without notice at the discretion of the builder
813-951-1556 Beth
813-961-6405 Scott

$156900 Brand new single family home at less than $100/ sq ft.




Yes,you read that right! You can purchase a brand new, single family home with 1728 square feet for $156,990. This is cheaper than most resales! Home is a well-designed two-story with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a 2 car garage. Located in the growing Land O Lakes area, these homes are available on a to-be-built basis.

This is a great time of the year to buy a new home. Act now before prices go up in the spring. Call Beth or Scott to schedule your showing today.

Beth and Scott Wells, Realtors
RE/MAX Reflections
15365 Amberly Drive
Tampa, FL 33647

*All prices and financing offers are subject to change without notice at the discretion of the builder
813-951-1556 Beth
813-961-6405 Scott

$169000 Need space? 5br/3ba new home for low price




Get your family the gift of a new home this year! If you need space, this is the one. Brand new construction, to-be-built, with 5 bedrooms and 3 baths. All the kids can have their own bedroom, and the adults can have their privacy with the downstairs master suite. Homes are located in Seminole Heights and the exterior design takes its cues from the nearby historic bungalows. Excellent location for commuting to downtown, USF, Westshore.

Call today to schedule your showing. Buyer may offer financial incentives and/or downpayment assistance to those who qualify.

Beth and Scott Wells, Realtors
RE/MAX Reflections
15365 Amberly Drive
Tampa, FL 33647

*All prices and financing offers are subject to change without notice at the discretion of the builder
813-951-1556 Beth
813-961-6405 Scott

Monday, December 03, 2007

Ten Mistakes that will ensure that your house DOESN"T sell

Ten Mistakes that will ensure that your house DOESN"T sell
By Elizabeth Harper | Published 06/13/2006 | Real Estate | Unrated

Ten Mistakes that will ensure that your house DOESN"T sell
Elizabeth Harper
Elizabeth Harper is a Lbry.com contributor

View all articles by Elizabeth Harper Just as there are many things you can do to improve your chances of selling your house at a great price, there is an equal number of things that will drive away potential buyers and leave you scratching your head.


If you are working with a realtor, he or she will be able to make suggestions on how to make your particular home more saleable, but addressing the following problem areas is always a great place to start.


A smelly house is not an attractive house to potential buyers. The problem with odors such as cigarette smoke and pet smells is that you live with them day in and day out and may not notice them. To an outsider, however, the smell will be pungent and noticeable. You can get rid of these odors by smoking outside, keeping litter boxes fresh and in a contained area, repainting walls, shampooing and steam-cleaning carpets and opening your windows to let in fresh air. Don't try to cover odors with an air freshener without taking steps to eliminate the problem; it won't work and your house will still be smelly and unwelcoming to potential buyers. Removing odors from mold and mildew can be a little tougher and may require professional intervention if the affected area is not easily accessible (between walls for example).


Pets: you love them and think of them as part of the family. Your potential buyer may not share your sentiment, so like other members of the family, your furry companions should not be on site while someone is inspecting your house. Pile everyone in the family vehicle, or crate your pets in the yard so potential buyers can look around without being barked at, snarled at or pounced on.


Bathrooms are associated with hygiene, so unclean bathrooms are a major turn-off for most buyers. Make sure your toilet, tub, and sink are sparkling clean and that the drains are clear and free of wet hair and other odor-trapping debris. Shine your faucets and mirrors, de-clutter the medicine chest, empty the trash pail and launder your towels, shower curtain and floor mats.


Dark rooms look dingy and uninviting. Increase the brightness factor of your rooms by adding brighter bulbs (if appropriate), installing extra fixtures, or by placing accent lamps or cabinet lighting throughout the room. An even simpler fix is to pull back heavy curtains and lift your blinds. Trimming low-hanging branches from nearby trees can also help.


Busy wallpaper is a no-no. Too many patterns can be distracting and can date your décor. Consider removing busy wallpaper, but don't paint over it because that will look even worse.


Wet basements are a cause for concern as they can indicate foundation leaks. More often however, damp basements are a sign of poor ventilation, plugged drains, or improperly positioned downspouts. Remove any mold or mildew that may have appeared as a result of dampness.


Bugs; they're usually harmless, but still an obstacle to home sales. Squash what you can, clear cobwebs, and enlist professional help if you have an infestation.


Low curb appeal can discourage potential buyers from taking a closer look at your home. Spruce up your yard, entry and façade. Make sure your paint isn't peeling, and that gardens look their best, even if out of season. Bicycles, lawn mowers and tools should be neatly stored in a shed or in the garage if necessary.


Plugged Gutters. Potential buyers may not notice blocked gutters during an initial showing, but they will turn up during a professional building or home inspection, which could be the difference between a conditional sale going ahead or not.


Clear out when someone is looking at your house. Potential buyers may feel awkward looking around your house if you are hovering over their shoulder. Working with a realtor to sell your house eliminates this problem, as they act as chaperone during the showing without intimidating your buyer.


Most of these fixes are simple and inexpensive to implement, yet can have a major impact on the saleability of your house. If possible, address any of the issues that are present in your home before you list it for sale.

The Real Estate Bubble: Do you know how it can effect you?

Hey folks..This isn't exactly timely, but Her analysis on sales after a correction make it worth a read.


The Real Estate Bubble: Do you know how it can effect you?
Elizabeth Harper
Elizabeth Harper is a Lbry.com contributor

View all articles by Elizabeth Harper The real estate bubble is a much discussed phenomenon used to describe a situation in which property values, both or either commercial and residential, expand very rapidly. The result is an over-inflated market that sees buyers purchasing property at prices far above standard value while fearing the market will burst and property values will plummet as fast as they rose. Buying in such a market can be risky for those who cannot afford to lose on their investment.


It's difficult to say what qualifies as a bona fide real estate bubble and what is just a hot market. There is no quantifiable standard to identify a real estate bubble and so we are left to depend on experts to tell us which areas of the country are experiencing a bubble and which areas are not. However, not even the experts can agree on the difference between a bubble, which is risky and unstable, and a boom, which has less risk of a rapid downturn. Some mortgage companies and other organizations with an interest in the real estate industry study the market and produce reports to help buyers identify potential windfalls and potential pitfalls by naming cities with what they determine is the greatest chance of a bursting bubble.


Homeowners who buy in a real estate bubble situation risk putting themselves in an undesirable financial situation, particularly if they have very low equity in their home. Equity is how much of the home you own, as opposed to the portion owned by the bank or other lending institution. If you have a lot to pay off before the home is truly yours, and the bubble bursts, you can find yourself in a position where you are paying off a significant debt on a property that can no longer fetch the same or higher value you paid for it. Of course, such a loss is only theoretical unless you actually try to sell your home. Property values fluctuate up and down on a regular basis, with both dramatic increases and decreases in value, so if you can stay in the home until the value rises again (even if it doesn't go all the way back up), you can avoid significant losses when it does come time for you to move. If you are forced to move before the market becomes more favourable, you could find yourself in a negative equity situation, which will affect your ability to buy your next home.


The situation is less serious if you have greater equity in your home, or if you have the financial ability to absorb a loss, in which case a bursting bubble situation is more of an irritant than a financial catastrophe.


If you're a person of average financial means who wants to buy a property in an area that may be undergoing a real estate bubble phenomenon, do so from an informed position. Be aware of the potential for loss and measure carefully the pros and cons of going ahead with your planned purchase. Do a little homework before you jump into a purchase: follow the local market for a couple months and track fluctuations; take note of any sale trends, and pay attention to what the experts (conflicted as they may be) report about the area in which you are interested. Use all of the information you gather to help you determine whether your potential positives outweigh the potential negatives.


Practising common sense can help you survive a bursting bubble scenario in the best possible shape. For example, it is wise to minimize your overall debt load to help you manage your financial burden if you are forced to move at an inopportune time. Invest your equity and any unexpected financial gains into improving the value of your home rather than in luxury or impulse buys. Most real estate experts agree that you can recoup between 80 and 90 percent of your investment in remodelling a kitchen or bathroom when it comes time to sell your property. Of course, your best protection is to purchase a home with excellent re-sale potential to minimize possible losses if real estate values plummet unexpectedly.

Ten Tips for the First Time Home Buyer

Ten Tips for the First Time Home Buyer
By Elizabeth Harper | Published 06/8/2006 | Real Estate | Unrated

Ten Tips for the First Time Home Buyer
Elizabeth Harper
Elizabeth Harper is a Lbry.com contributor

View all articles by Elizabeth Harper Buying your first home is one of the most exciting things you will ever do. If you have spent years living in apartments, there is nothing more satisfying than owning your own property. The process can be a little lengthy and you might hit a few bumps in the road to home ownership. The following tips will help the first time homeowner avoid some of the hiccups.


The first thing you should do is talk to a real estate agent about the home buying process. It should not be a sales meeting and you should be able to find an agent that will agree to meet with you about the basics without having to sign a sales agreement with them. If you can't find a good agent to talk to, you might want to consider talking to a loan officer at your bank or a mortgage broker.


An equally important tip is to get your finances in order before you apply for a mortgage. Order a copy of your credit report so you can check it for accuracy. Mistakes are common and you want to make sure that there is no fraudulent activity. You have the right to dispute errors on your credit report. If you come across something that you know is an error, circle it and send it to the reporting agency along with a letter of dispute.


Next, you should really study the mortgage industry. You need to be able to find the right loan and lender most suitable for your needs. Familiarize yourself with industry terms like debt to income ratio and adjustable rate mortgage. Learn the difference between pre-approval and pre-qualified. It will all seem foreign at first, but taking the time to learn the business will spare you from headaches in the future.


Also, you need to figure out what your wants and needs are. What kinds of amenities are you looking for? How many bedrooms? One story or two story home? You also need to consider the size of the down payment and figure out what you need to do to come up with the money for it.


You must learn about how real estate agents work. There are buyer's agents and seller's agents. A buyer's agent's responsibility is to negotiate the best deal for the buyer. The goal of the seller's agent is to get the price that the seller most desires. The best way to find the right agent is to ask your friends for suggestions. They have all probably been in the same boat, so they can probably recommend a good real estate agent. When meeting with a potential agent, pay attention to how they treat you. Make sure they listen to you when you talk about what you want. Also, how are their follow up skills? Do they take the time to return your calls or emails? If they don't take the time to respond, move on. There is a better agent out there for you.


When looking for a home, consider all of the possibilities. Look up real estate agent's websites. Don't rule out For Sale by Owner Properties and foreclosed homes. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) homes can often be found for very reasonable prices. You do need to find an agent that is approved to sell HUD homes if you choose to take that road to home ownership.


Before you even think about making an offer, you need to consider the resale value. You might plan on being there for a long time, but you just never know. You might opt for a different climate to alleviate your allergies or you could simply be transferred by your company. You want to pick a good location that will be attractive to others as well.


Another issue that cannot be ignored are the deed restrictions, which govern what you can and cannot do with the property. If it has always been your dream to have a pool, you want to make sure that you don't buy a home in a subdivision that won't allow it because of deed restrictions.


Home inspections are an important part of the equation. Talk to your agent to find out when the inspection will be performed. It varies state to state. Sometimes the inspection will be right before the contract is signed and other times, they are performed right after an offer is made.


Finally, make sure you stay on top of things. Any number of problems can crop up at the last minute and delay the purchase of your home. If you aren't sure about something with the paperwork, don't be afraid to ask questions. You might think of something that everyone else has overlooked. Purchasing a home is a time consuming task, but it is worth it when you have your backyard barbeques.