Most agents, and even most US citizens, are aware that there exists a non-discrimination law that covers housing in the United States. This was first established by the Fair Housing Act in 1968. It says that when dealing with housing "no one can be discriminated against based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap. Notice it does not mention "age". The penalties for violations of the Fair Housing Act are severe, to say the least!
To see a lot more information about the Federal Law concerning housing in general and the Fair Housing Act, you can CLICK HERE. Lots of good information for home buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, and their agents can be found here. Answers to the questions many of you may have. You can also get contact information so you can call and speak with a HUD representative in person.
What many people do not realize is that not only do we need to remember the Federal laws, we also need to be aware of city, county, and state statutes/ordinances that may go even further in creating protected groups. None of these entities can weaken the Federal laws, but they can add to it.
Here is a case in point. On November 19, 2009 the City of Tampa, Florida put in place an ordinance that prohibits discrimination against transgender persons in many areas of life, including HOUSING. Several years ago they had also included age and sexual orientation under their protective umbrella.
Now, Tampa is located in Hillsborough County which has rejected such protections. So in the non-Tampa parts of the county you just need to follow Federal law, for the time being. But cross over the border into the City of Tampa, and you had better know who is protected and who is not. Otherwise, you could find yourself in a courtroom! You can see the Tampa ordinance that was passed on November 19, 2009 and signed into law by Mayor Pam Iorio by clicking on the following download link: Download Tampa's New Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Other governmental bodies may have created different sets of protections. It is a big country afterall!
Whether or not you agree with a federal, state, or local law, it would behoove you to follow it. Personally I dislike discrimination of any kind. Perhaps that comes from living in Europe for many years and learning to like a lot of people that I would have never associated with back here before I left. Many are still great friends of mine. I also on a few occasions was the victim of discrimination by some people who did not want to rent an apartment to an "Americano Yankee". Until you have experienced this for yourself, it can sometimes be hard to empathize with those on the other side of the street. I KNOW what it feels like from first-hand experience.
So whether you are an agent, seller, landlord, buyer or tenant, know what the your obligations and protections are. If you need legal guidance, contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development in your area or speak with a local real estate attorney.
But whatever you do, make sure you do not break the laws, no matter which governmental body enacted them. Not just to keep yourself from getting punished, but to make sure you are not unfairly treating a protected group. Treat others in the same way that you would like to be treated.
If you would like to contact me, call me at: 813-783-4444 or e-mail me at: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com You are also welcome to visit my website at: www.jelwell.century21bnr.com Lots of useful information and links there.
JUST SOLD! I just listed this home a few weeks ago and then shortly thereafter found a buyer for it as well. Now a new neighbor will be moving into the area and can enjoy all that Zephyr Shores has to offer.
This makes 6 homes I have sold in just that subdivision in the past 12 months! Lots more in other surrounding areas. So, if you are thinking of selling your home in your park or you know someone who is thinking of buying in our area, just have them contact me at the numbers or addresses below. I will be happy to assist them.
John Elwell REALTOR at CENTURY 21 Bill Nye Realty, Inc. 813-783-4444 or e-mail me at: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com I also invite you to visit my webpage: www.jelwell.century21bnr.com You will find a lot of very useful information there and also links to my Weblog and my Zephyrhills 55+ Bulletin Board
Click on any of the images below to see larger versions of the pictures.
My real estate customers have many reasons for coming to Florida, whether as full-time residents or as seasonal visitors. Some like going to the special attractions like Busch Gardens, Disney World, Sea World, etc. Others come to escape the winter snowing and blowing of the north. And even more come to partake of all of the activities that take place locally on smaller scales.
One reason many people come here is to enjoy the local golf courses that are nearby. Unlike up north, here they can enjoy a round of golf in January just as easily as they can in July. No need to put chains on the golf carts down here. Just pop on a tee-shirt and some shorts, grab your clubs and you are ready to go!
Here are some of the local courses that are available to you, along with their contact information:
Zephyrhills
Zephyrhills City Golf Course - 39428 B Avenue, Zephyrhills 813-782-0714
The Links of Lake Bernadette - 5430 Golf Links Blvd, Zephyrhills 813-788-4653
Silverado Golf & Country Club - 36841 Eiland Blvd, Zephyrhills 813-788-1225
Southport Springs Golf Club - 3509 Zephyr Springs Pkwy, Zephyrhills 813-780-7637
Valley Oaks Golf Course - 8850 Wire Road, Zephyrhills 813-788-4112
Wesley Chapel
Lexington Oaks Golf Club - 26140 Lexington Oaks Blvd, Wesley Chapel 813-907-7270
Quail Hollow Golf Club - 6225 Old Pasco Road, Wesley Chapel 813-973-0097
San Antonio, Dade City, & St. Leo
Tampa Bay Golf Club - 10641 Old Tampa Bay Dr., San Antonio 352-588-5454
Abbey Course at St. Leo University - 33640 State Road 52, St. Leo 352-588-2016
Triple S Golf - 17751 US Highway 301, Dade City 352-567-6622
Scotland Yards Golf Club - 4600 US 301, Dade City 352-567-7600
Ridge Manor
Whispering Oaks Country Club - 34450 Whispering Oaks Blvd, Ridge Manor 352-583-4233
Sherman Hills Golf Club - 31200 Eagle Falls Dr., Brooksville 866-743-7445
For more information about living in the Zephyrhills and surrounding areas, do not hesitate to call me at: 813-783-4444 or e-mail me at: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com You are also invited to visit my webpage at: www.jelwell.century21bnr.com While there click on the menu button for my Zephyrhills 55+ Bulletin Board site. Lots of good information there!
Looks like we will likely make it through the 2009 hurricane season with nary a storm of any kind making landfall in the Sunshine State. Of course, that still does not stop the major insurance carriers from crying poverty. Thank goodness the little companies are picking up the slack. Personally, I hope these smaller firms make a bundle for assuming the risk the "big boys" were too afraid to take.
At this point it would be very unusual for a storm to start up. The waters in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico are getting too cool to power-up the major hurricanes. Though it is possible, it is unlikely. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
For those of you who are currently paying high insurance rates, you may want to check with your agent and others after the season is over, perhaps in January 2010, and see if cheaper rates are available.
If I can be of further assistance, call me at: 813-783-4444 or e-mail me at: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com You can also visit my webpage at: www.jelwell.century21bnr.com where you will even find a menu button for the local weekly forcast for Zephyrhills, Florida. For those of you still up in the frigid north you can see what you are missing! 
Experienced full-time, full-service real estate agent and REALTOR in the East Pasco County area of Florida. Including Zephyrhills, Dade City, San Antonio, Ridge Manor, Wesley Chapel & Land O'Lakes.
You Deserve a Full-Time, Full-Service REALTOR®, NOT Reduced Results!
As a former teacher I helped my students achieve their goals. Now as a REALTOR® I help my buyers and sellers achieve some of the most important goals of their lives, buying or selling their homes. If you are considering selling and/or buying a property, I would be happy to assist you. I always place my customers' satisfaction very high on my list of priorities and work hard to help them in any way that I can. My hours are very flexible, so feel free to contact me at any time! Evenings and weekends are no problem. My cell phone number is: 813-783-4444, or you can use my e-mail: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com . I will respond promptly. Licensed in Florida.
34619 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Florida 33541
John T. Elwell
Create Your Badge
Working with buyers and sellers of residential properties and vacant land in Zephyrhills, Dade City, and the general East Pasco County. area of Florida. I have sold everything from $18,000 vacant lots to $1,450,000 properties. I am a 27 year resident of this area and am very familiar with it. In addition, I also speak Spanish for those customers who are more comfortable using that language.
Here are some of the comments that past customers have sent to me. It is always great know that my hard work is appreciated!
Thank you so much for your "above and beyond" role in selling Mom and Dad's house. Your persistance, endless kind concern, and limitless patience have been remarkable. Words cannot express my gratitude that during the most difficult time in Dad's life, you so willingly took on so much more than we ever could have asked for or expected. Your kindness and humor buoyed Dad's spirit time and time again. You made a huge positive difference in his life, and in mine as well. Thanks, is just not enough to say. Please know that, however insufficient, it is heartfelt. - Patty R.
We want to thank you again for helping us find a place. We appreciate all of the extras you had to do for us, especially the extra work involved with the (buyers). We will keep you in mind if we hear of anyone selling or buying in your area. - Diane and Dan B.
Thanks John. Sorry this has been such a hassle for you. You've been great and I will always give my business to you and recommend you to others - Celeste B.
Rick and I are real glad we had you handle (the sale and purchase) of both houses. Thank you for everything. - Rick and Penny W.
It was a pleasure working with you on both of (the buyer's) loans. When working with Realtors it is rare that I can make that statement. The understanding and positive attitude you presented through all of the obstacles was refreshing. The remote closings, insurance problems, manufactured homes, storms, etc were all taken in stride. The loans closed and I hope you, the sellers and their agents and (the Buyer) were all satisfied. I hope we can do business in the future. - John Kimmel, Mortgage Broker
Thank you for helping us find our house. We really like this home. - Richard and Nancy K.
You have been a wonderful real estate agent. I am sure you will do great with this career. - Yvette I.
I'm so pleased that everything went so smoothly with the sale of the house. I felt completely at ease from the moment we met. - Lynn M.
We both thank you so very much for all your expert salesmanship, time, directions, and most of all PATIENCE in guiding us along this business transaction. You've been wonderful! - Donna and Tom S.
I want to take this opportunity to personally thank you for all your help during these past two months as we maneuvered through the maze of buying this property. You were very helpful. I am particularly impressed with your attention to detail which I hold as a hallmark of excellent work. Your effort to assist me work through some of the more difficult issues was impressive. I hope we have the opportunity to work together again as I continue to purchase properties here in Florida. - Michael and Jessica W.
Thank you again so much from the bottom of our hearts for the best gift Betty (new baby daughter) has ever gotten from anyone - our wonderful home. You were so patient with us, and because of you, we are exactly where we want to be! You are highly recommended by me to anyone who is seeking a REALTOR! - Michael and Lorie M.
Just a quick note to let you know that I am happy with my purchase of a home in Colony Hills. Your salesman, John Elwell, was very helpful, and I appreciate all of his work on keeping me informed all along the way. I will recommend him highly to anyone. - Elaine S.
Just a note to say once again how much we appreciate the high caliber of your service to us. Having been real estate brokers ourselves for many years in Michigan before our retirement, we know a hard-working, ethical, knowledgeable salesperson gives both sellers and buyers confidence that they are well-served. You are all that, and we recommend you highly! - Lee and Luanne B.
It was a pleasure working with you as we searched for and settled on our winter get-away property in Zephyrhills. Your service, attention to detail, knowledge of Zephyrhills 55+ communities, and market savy helped us find the home we wanted.
We have been in our new home since the first of December and are very happy with it and the community. You listened to what we wanted and that is exactly what you found for us. We especially want to thank you for all the time you spent on us, four months of phone calls and emails - five days when we came down to see the properties, and always with a friendly and WANT TO HELP attitude. We also had apprehensions about conducting all closing procedures over the phone and by mail from up north but you were on the job and everything went without a hitch.
Once again we are very grateful for your help and guidance and will be looking forward to sending our friends to Century 21 and John Elwell! David and Mary C.
Thank you so much for going the extra mile in this sale. I have been pleased with your services and look forward to again working with you when the need within our family arises again. Evan B.and Family
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