Palm Harbor, FL

The Palm Harbor Florida Real Estate Networking Group had their monthly meeting tonight at Fairway Pizza on Alt. 19 in Palm Harbor. The guest speaker tonight was Dean Davy appraiser, who gave a lot of infomation on real estate appraisals and FHA loans. More than seven listings were pitched, and others brought their buyer needs to the discussion. And the food at Fairway Pizza Palm Harbor is always great. Tri County Mortgage and Star Title of Palm Harbor Florida sponsered the Networking Group.

My new recent listing at 11427 Orleans Ln., Port Richey Florida was my pitch. See details here at http://www.mlsfinder.com/fl_psar/donmoore/index.cfm?action=listing_detail&property_id=7415893&searchkey=1a750a2d-c91c-8726-01b2-9f4d3b36a2e3&npp=10&sr=1

Contact me for the date of our next monthly meeting in Palm Harbor Florida so you can join us, pitch your listings, or your buyers needs. Guest speakers are also welcome. Real Estate in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties are the primary areas discussed in this Networking Group. http://TheDonMooreTeam.com

Palm Harbor Florida Real Estate - Tampa Bay

Don't we all have a choice?

When it come to tomorrow, do we look ahead with vision and set goals and plan for our dreams? Or is our focus behind us on our memories.

Max Lucado made a point that when your memories become larger than your dreams, your life is over.

My dreams are my tomorrow.

Have a GREAT tomorrow!

Wow!, Two million people added to the State of Florida in two years!

That is a lot! And that is fast!

I was just reading an article by Florida Association of Realtors that said "Florida's total population was 18.3 million in 2008, and, according to the Census Bureau estimates, will reach 19.3 million by July 2010"

Just last month Florida Trend magazine wrote that Florida will soon be the third largest state in the nation when it reaches 20 million residents.

So are we ready?

Well, we have been saying for years that "there is no land left in Pinellas County to build on", and to an extent that is true. Just a few years back we had seen many older properties and structures torn down to make room for newer ones. Renewal is not a bad thing. Our greatest cities have all gone through renewal. Pinellas County has a protected share of natural green spaces and protects its residents and their quality of life.

Where then are the additional residents going to live?

We will see more expansion of the major cities. The suburbs will see growth. Planned developments will come to fruition. New developments will evolve, and we will get better as we go through each cycle of growth. Cities like Dunedin, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs will stretch beyond their current maturity. Pinellas County will look to the government and civic leaders, builders, developers, conservationists, Realtors, and a host of professionals to keep the right balance.

And Florida, and its people and its businesses and its economy and its beauty will see growth.

Where is there a better place to live? When was there a better time to buy property in Florida?

As Pinellas Realtors, we know that we have challenges ahead. Yet, as we study the statistics here at the Pinellas Peach, the signs are becoming clearer with each passing month that we are in a slow recovery pattern, at least in terms of the absorption rate. In fact, within the Keller Williams Realty Palm Harbor Florida office, we've all felt a significant uptick in buyer activity (and truly appreciate those rare days off!). Want proof?

Units Sold: There are more Pinellas condos and Pinellas homes selling now than have since 2007. Single family home sales were up 19.3% year over year in March. Condo sales showed a 17% increase over March of last year. If we had our magic wand, we could tell you if this trend will hold.

Inventory: The number of Pinellas homes on the market continues to drop, and were at their lowest point since March of 2006 when we were still in a boom Pinellas Real Estate Market. The Tampa Tribune reported similar findings in April for all of Tampa Bay.

Absorption Rate (A/R): The Pinellas County Real Estate absorption rates are higher than they have been since a couple of years. Yes, folks, you can sell your Crystal Beach Florida homes if you want to!

Pinellas Homes and Declining Median Sales Prices: OK, every silver lining has it's dark cloud. Prices are still dropping. Average sales prices are reported in our chart, yet the Pinellas Board of Realtors is reporting that the single family median price dropped 24.5% when compared to March 2008, and condo median pricess tumbled 20.9% during the same period. Don't dismay, it is still easy to sell your slice of Palm Harbor Real Estate quickly, with this proven home sale strategy in place.

Contact Matt and Julia Fishel, Licensed Real Estate Consultants, at (727)366-0325 (Matt) or (727)366-0324 (Julia) for an in-depth anyalysis of what these Pinellas home sales trends mean for you - whether buying Dunedin Florida homes you dream about or trying to sell your Ozona Florida home.

Qualify for $15,000 To Purchase a Home in Palm Harbor, FL

It is now time to purchase a home! However, the average American does not have the savings to make the minimum required down payment. So, where do they turn to? They must turn to local or state agencies for assistance. With the down turn in the economy, down payment assistance funds are becoming harder to find, either because the agencies are running out of funds or their rules have changed based on the Housing Stabilization Act passed by the US Government. But there is a beacon of light available.

I'm excited to announce that I've recently been approved to participate in "Making Pinellas Home". This program will lend up to $15,000 towards your down payment and closing costs. "Making Pinellas Home" is funded by the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County. This program is designed to help low to moderate homebuyers purchase a home within Pinellas County.

Of course nothing is free or without conditions. Here's what you need to know:

• The assistance is in a form of a no-interest, 15 year second mortgage. Payments are deferred for the first five years. The repayment of the second will start on the 61 month at $83.33 per month for the next 180 months.
• There are income limitations based on household size (all persons living in the home) and the income used is based on all persons over the age of 18 living in the household whether or not they are actually qualifying for the first mortgage. Example: If a husband and wife with two children are living in the home you would have a household size of 4. If both work but only one is on the first mortgage you still have to use both incomes to determine if you are eligible for the $15,000 assistance. The income calucation for qualifying is different than what we, as a lender, traditionally use. The qualifying income used for this program forecasts income for the next 12 months. So don't rely on your past income to determine if you qualify for the $15,000. We have to look towards your future income to make the determination. Here's the Income Chart:

Household Size <--> Maximum Income

1 <--> $33,150

2 <--> $37,900

3 <--> $42,600

4 <--> $47,300

5 <--> $51,150

6 <--> $54,950

7 <--> $58,700

8 <--> $62,500

• This program can be done in conjunction with FHA and VA loans
• The maximum combined loan to value is 105%:

Example: $150,000 - Sales Price

$ 6,000 - Closing Costs and Pre-paid Expenses (taxes and insurace)

$156,000 - Total Costs to purchase home

$141,000 - First Mortgage

$ 15,000 - Second Mortgage*

$156,000 - Total Combined mortgages

Cash required to close out of buyers pocket ZERO.

*The second Mortgage covers both the down payment plus the closing costs and pre-paid expenses.

• Maximum sales price $240,158
• Property Types: 1 unit single family homes, Condominiums, Townhomes, and Manufactured Homes with DCA Labels
• To meet compliance on the closing only one title company is allowed: First American Title Company (Pat Stobie), 727-442-2200. This may be an issue with REO/Foreclosures but I am sure that if it is disclosed up front they may be willing to allow the closing to take place with First American instead of their title company.

While there are some restrictions to this program, it is a fantastic opportunity for buyers and sellers. Also if you've haven't own a home within the past three years, you also qualify for the $8,000 IRS Tax Credit.

Call me for information or to see if you qualify for "Making Pinellas Home".