Eric Dowen Realtor St.Petersburg Florida Real estate agent,st.petersburg,Pinellas

Well they are now happening more frequently. They are a little more difficult than years before, but never the less they are happening.

I have just gone through a lengthy process with a customer that is not only taking advantage of the first time home buyers tax credit. But, also they are taking advantage of a down payment assistance program offered through the city of St. Petersburg. In today's market, any bit of assistance is beneficial.

The one thing any consumer needs to realize is that there are quite a few things that they need to do along with their Realtor and Lender. Speaking of Lenders, I have found one that is very much on top of these programs, and goes above and beyond to assist the buyer navigate the process.

From a Realtor standpoint there is also more to manage in the transaction. With the appropriate Customer, Lender, and Realtor as a team this process can be less painful.

Requirements are much stricter than an FHA inspection and appraisal. In my opinion Cities want to limit any issues that buyers will have, and little to worry about when they take possession. As well as looking out for their interest also.

With the amount of foreclosure properties, short sale and neglected properties, the search is more in depth. These programs work the best on resale or new homes with little to no work needed. Having said that, I have just completed a transaction that has all the complications!

So, when looking for a Realtor, choose one that has been through the processes. A Realtor that knows what is expected from all parties to the transaction.
Transactions are tough enough. But, when you add other programs that get involved with the close, disaster can happen sooner or later.

On that note, happy hunting, there are plenty of homes to choose from and plenty of properties out there.

Dinner out!!

Who would have thought that when you pull up to a restaurant the first impression would be HUH !!.
This happened when I went to a very famous steak house for a dinner celebrating a 50th birthday.

Little did I know that this would be an awesome experience.

What an event it was. We entered into the reception area. We were greeted by the very friendly host. We had to wait for two there members of our party. After our eyes adjusted to the lighting we were surrounded by a decor like no other. Mr. Bern traveled extensively. So there are collectables everywhere.

Introduction to the restaurant

We were escorted to our table and then greeted by our server. The menu is quite extensive and too about ten minutes to explain. The menu has quite an assortment of choices. Although Bern's is known for the different cuts of meat they serve, there are also seafood, and poultry dishes. There is a lot to choose from. After looking at the menu, there was another ten minutes of question.

The servers expect this and are used to the same questions over and over.

I won't bore you with a bite by bite. However, I will tell you that my mouth is watering just thinking about my sixteen ounce porterhouse!! The whole experience took approximately three hours

Four Hour Event

It was worth every minute. The attention to detail, the attention of our server was Awesome! The server had warned us that "you will leave here full". But wait. What about desert!

Sweet Things

This was where the other hour was spent. Let's begin with first things first. You have to pay out and tip out before you move (roll) upstairs to the dessert floor.

We arrived there after we were given a tour of the kitchen and their wine cellar. This is a must for every visitor. All you have to do is request when you make the reservation.

Their house cappuccino will knock your socks off. If you are not a drinker then you might not want this. They soak the coffee beans in Kahlua for ten weeks!!

Mr Bern's own recipe for Pistachio Ice cream is out of this world. YUM!!

Many more delectable desserts are on the menu. I enjoyed the Tiramisu.

Enjoy your visit and let me know how it went.

For more information go to

www.bernssteakhouse.com

And now another quote

It took me seventeen years to get three thousand hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course. Hank Aaron, American Baseball Player

Things that sellers need to know before placing thier house on the market, Paint Up, Fix Up, De-Clutter.

Back to the basics.
As the amount of homes on the market in Pinellas County contiues to stay at the top level. Here are some back to the basic tips for getting your house ready, and make your house more appealing than the next.

Paint up.
Use neutral colors. Your taste and style might not be someone elses taste or style. Therefore it is better to keep things neutral so that a potential buyer does not foir a negative opinion as soon as walking through the front door.

Fix Up.
Make all repairs possible. fix broken doors, hinges, windows, holes in walls.... You get the picture. the Least amount of problems a potential buyer sees. the more positive things the buyer can focus on.

De-Clutter.
Remove all unecessary nick nacks, pictures, figurines etc, from table tops, dressers, bookshelves, counters, floors, closets, I'm sure there are more areas!! These items will need to be packed eventually. Now is as good of time than any to box them up.

Last but not least.
PETS.
I am a dog lover!! Many home sellers are also pet lovers. I have seen Dogs, Cats, Gerbles, Chickens, Rabbits, all kinds of birds, and some fou legged creatures I couldn't begi to name. The biggest issue with some of these pets can be the odors. Now, Potential buyers may or may not like pets. It is best that you keep nthe odors down to a minimum. This may require some extra vacuuming, mopping and dusting. What ever you do. Do not try to mask the odor. This will only make things worse.

Here are my two dogs. Roxanne (left) Buddy (right)

SHOW AND SELL!!

Now another quote:

I'm tired of hearing about money, money, money, money, money. I just want to play the game, drink Pepsi, wear Reebok. Shaquille O'Neal

Have agreat Day

One of my spare time activities is fishing. I no longer own my boat, so I am left with going on other peoples boats or fishing off the piers or shore. Incidentally, they say that the two happiest days of a boat owner are: The day they buy the boat, and the day they get rid of it!!

On Friday of last week, my wife and I plus another friend of ours went fishing off of the St. Petersburg Pier, late Last Friday evening.
This was the best time for us as the tide was coming in and that means as long as the water is moving, the fish will be biting.

Everyone around us was catching fish.
There were Tarpon ( bony and not that great to eat ), smaller species of Shark ( No JAWS sizes ), Puffer Fish ( when they need to protect themselves the balloon up ), and of course Pinfish ( Bait ).

Check out how Louan likes to fish.
She is really only there for the atmosphere. After I have rigged up her pole and baited the hook, this is how she fishes. Louan faces away from the water so she doesn't miss the opportunity to start a conversation with anyone that passes by. Mind you, there quite a few people that are there every night. 11:00pm is the best time to start. That is when the valet parking for the Pier closes. You can park right where you are going to fish.

Not soon after we had a laugh about this particular fishing technique Louan got a bite!
Not just a bite, but an "ooh, ooh I think I got a fish!" bite.Not knowing where to go from there Louan handed me the pole. Wow did Louan get a fish. It is not easy landing a fish when you are twelve feet above the water. With plenty of help from all the other people fishing on the pier, I managed to land the fish for her, A twenty nine inch Tarpon. What a fight.

So who says you need to have a boat!
There are plenty of places to throw in a line. You don't have to have a boat to enjoy this sport. Besides, you do not need to have a Florida fishing license when you fish from a pier, bridge, or shore.

Give it a try!
This will definitely grow on you. There is great camaraderie among everyone that is fishing in any particular area. Remember, Pinellas County is surrounded on three sides by water. Most of the bait and tackle shops have their finger on the pulse of the local fishing. I have found that they can teach anyone a thing or two about fishing this area.

Here is another quote from a sport Legend.

"Sports is the toy department of human life."
- Howard Cosell