Largo, FL

Collins Estates is one of the lovliest subdivisions in the Largo 33774 zip code - THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN LARGO! The photo above is the western entrance off Hamlin Blvd. The subdivision consists of relatively newer homes built in the late 80's and early 90's on part of the Collins Estate - former home to a beautiful Orange Grove! These are spacious and gracious upscale homes with average square footage running in the 2500 - 3500 heated square foot range. Most have 3-5 bedrooms, vaulted ceilings, pools and 2 or 3 car garages. The elegance and amenities offered make these residences suitable for professionals and executives.

Relax and watch the ducks on the pond with picturesque fountain in distance. Stroll down tree lined beautiful streets after a busy day! Collins Estates affords the lifestyle you've been searching for!

This is the eastern entrance is off of Oakhurst Road to Joel Ct. Both entrances are inviting and indicative of the quality of the homes here.

What's Near By? Within one mile or so of Colliins Estates we have plenty of shops: Walgreens/C.V.S./Publix/Wendys/Checkers plus newly designed Westside Center with Starbucks & 5 Guys Burgers & Fries - YUM! Oh - and the lovely Sugar Sands of Indian Rocks Beach are just a mile and a half down Walsingham Road and over the bridge!!!

Let Us say "WELCOME HOME" to you at lovely Collins Estates! Please feel free to email Karen Donovan from Donovan Home Sales for details on current offerings in Collins Estates at: DonovanRealty@verizon.net

Things to do in St. Petersburg Tampabay. check out the Largo cultur centre

School House Live! Jr.
Theatre Camp
Ages 8-13

The Legends of Classic Rock
LED-HED
(Led Zeppelin tribute band)
and
ASCENSION
(YES tribute band)
Saturday, August 1 at 8pm

The Smokin' Texas Blues Roadshow
ZZ NOT (ZZ Top tribute band) and
TEXAS FLOOD
(Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute band)
Friday, August 14 at 8pm

ELVIS: THE SHOW GOES ON!
Sunday, August 16 at 2pm

Doug Wilson brings alive the Vegas
years that made Elvis so popular
in the 70's

Masters of Metal
BARK AT THE MOON
(Ozzy tribute band) and
CARNIVAL OF CRUE
(Motley Crue tribute)
Friday, August 21 at 8pm

Retro Party
Don't Stop Believin'
(Journey tribute band)
THAT'S SO 80's
(80's Retro tribute)
Saturday, August 22 at 8pm

Go the the Largo arts website to see all events.

We get a lot of comments on our new Saint Petersburg "weather report" check it out; let me know what you think about our St. Pete Tampabay weather.

Bayou Club is a subdivision of single family homes built in the late 1990's. These elegant homes in this gated community are nestled around Bayou Golf Course between Belcher and Starkey Rd and north of 76 Ave. North.

The community is gated for the security of the residents. Bardmoor Golf and Tennis club is close by with an olympic size swimming pool and The Bayou Gulf Club, a private country club, is also nearby. You will definitely want to check out the lifestyle these homes to offer!

Bayou Club is located close to the Gulf beaches, wonderful shopping and dining, great schools and Tampa International Airport. Its central location makes it easy for residents to commute to Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater or go sunbathing at the beaches.

The contents of this posting are the property of Pam Mabe and Solaris Realty of TampaBay. Pam Mabe is a broker working in the Pinellas and Hillsborough area helping buyers and sellers buy and sell homes. Contact Pam at 813-245-0316 to list your property for sale or to purchase a property in Hillsborough, Pinellas or Pasco County area. Information is provided in this blog with the intent to educate homeowners and buyers about Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Wesley Chapel, Lutz, Valrico, Odessa and other communities in the Tampa area. For more information on different communities and subdivisions go to my website at TampaHomeGuides.

I met Aniee last year--she called on one of my listings, looking for something she could purchase as a lease-option. I could tell right away she was a 'can-do' kind of a person, her enthusiasm and sparkle (yes, I said sparkle!) virtually crackles right through the phone when she's happy.

Today she's not so happy--after over a year of painstakingly cleaning up a few minor credit issues, paying some things down or off, applying for CDC down payment assistance and attending the classes, having several offers fall through becasue the houses would not pass FHA or CDC inspections, AND after waiting six months to get an answer on our last offer--a short sale...

after all that...

Now, her mortgage broker says the only way she can get a loan is by coming up with 3.5% down on the house--the requirement for any FHA loan, one which she was told would not be necessary with the down payment assistance she's getting from the City of Largo.

Aniee is a single mom, she's raising two kids by holding down two jobs while she also cares for her elderly father who was diagnosed with cancer this year--on top of everything else, she runs back and forth to his house to make sure he's eating, taking his meds, doing his laundry, and taking him for chemo treatments. One of the primary purposes of buying this house is to consolidate the two households so that she can better care for him without impacting her children.

I don't know about you, but to me Aniee is one person who deserves a little help, and deserves to own her own home. However, she has used all of her resources to pay down debts and no longer has the money available for the down payment she didn;t think she needed.

I'm not sure yet how this will turn out, but if there's anything I can figure out to help her with this, I will. Anybody else have any ideas?