Nibal Elsaadi

This week's featured property is a centrally located and newly updated, charming West Tampa home. The two bedroom house for sale located at 2710 W. LaSalle features new interior and exterior paint, upgraded cabinets and all new kitchen appliances including range and hood, refrigerator, and dishwasher, as well as a washer and dryer, new window treatments, baseboards, molding and new tile flooring. The bathroom has also been updated to include new grout, fixtures and flooring. The remodeling of this home was well thought out, aimed at preserving its pleasant qualities while adding modern luxuries.

We absolutely fell in love with this West Tampa house and its endless old Tampa charm and unique details such as the Florida room and the little niches built into the walls used to hold artwork, plants or photos. The concrete block house exudes character both inside and out with a newly painted concrete tile rood and beautiful fenced lawn with mature plants and trees. Inside the home an entirely new eat-in has been installed, reconfigured and functional.

The location is ideal for the working professional who enjoys the nightlife of South Tampa and Hyde Park and the bustling business centers of downtown Tampa and Westshore Blvd. The home is seated off of I-275 near Howard and Armenia, just minutes from great shopping, entertainment and a host of restaurants to please any palette. Tampa International Airport, International Plaza, and the Westshore business district are all easily accessible from the house.

The property is listed by SI Real Estate at $119,000 and the home's owner is motivated and willing to offer concessions. FHA financing for the property is available. This purchase would be an excellent opportunity for new home owners to take advantage of the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit.

• Seller financing may be available
• The house can be purchased for a lease option.
• The home is also available for rent.

Visit http://www.sirealestateinvestments.com/ for more information about this property and many others through out the Tampa Bay area.

Read more at www.SouthTampaRealEstate.BlogSpot.com

Beautiful and pristine, this three bedroom, three bathroom is located in the heart of Dunedin, just two blocks from downtown and all of its offerings. This newly constructed home is FHA approved, has never been lived in and includes all of the finest amenities and comforts. The home features a spacious floor plan, with 20ft living room ceilings, open kitchen, enormous master bedroom and ample storage space.

The master bedroom suite features a large walk-in closet, walk-in shower, double sinks and a garden tub, perfect for unwinding after a long day. Both the second and third bedrooms also feature their own private bathrooms and walk-in closets.

Ample space is provided in the kitchen for cooking and entertaining, with a roomy layout and large breakfast bar. The home includes a complete kitchen appliance package with refrigerator, range, microwave, disposal and dishwasher. The townhouse also features hurricane shutters, a two car garage and a large, upstairs laundry room with washer, dryer, sorting table and wash basin.

Walk to the marina to see the sunset everyday, spend your evening at one of the many local restaurants and enjoy the weekend strolling the Green Farmers Market and various art galleries and shops. The City of Dunedin was recently awarded the 2009 "Communities for a Lifetime" and it's not hard to see why. Residents enjoy access to award winning beaches, ample dining, shopping and entertainment, and the multitude of cultural events. There is always something to do, just minutes from your home. This is a great way for home buyers to take advantage of the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit.

Dunedin's village-like atmosphere and relaxed lifestyle has lured people for decades from around the world. Enjoying the natural wooded and subtropical setting and close to four miles of picturesque waterfront, Dunedin sits on central Florida's west coast, in the heart of Pinellas County's Suncoast. Is it also one of the few open waterfront communities from Sarasota to Cedar Key where buildings do not obscure the view.

This exceptional home for sale in a must-see! To learn more about this property and to see other properties available throughout the Tampa Bay area, please visit http://www.sirealestateinvestments.com/

Read more at: www.SouthTampaRealEstate.BlogSpot.com

An Extension Could Mean More Jobs and Stronger Economic Stabilization

Home builders, finally seeing positive movement in the housing market, are fighting to extend the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit for an additional year. As members of Congress return home for the August congressional recess, the National Association of Home Builders is urging its more than 200,000 members to contact their lawmakers, asking them to help create more jobs and set the stage for a strong recovery by extending the credit program.

"If Congress acts to extend the tax credit program, it would spur 383,000 additional home sales, including 80,000 housing starts, creating nearly 350,000 jobs over the coming year." said the NAHB Chairman Joe Robson. "That's good for the economy and good for America."

Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody's Economy.com, says a healthy housing market is one of the leading indicators for an economic recovery. A secure real estate market is a necessary condition for rebound. The financial system can not stabilize, nor can the economy gain traction until the housing down turn comes to an end, according the Zandi.

The NAHB recently agreed to launch a major grassroots campaign to focus congressional attention on housing "in order to ensure that the first flickering of recovery in the housing market and economy isn't extinguished". According to the new campaign, housing equals jobs.

There has been proven boost in the housing market over the past months, with the July housing market index climbed to the highest level it has been in nearly a year. The NAHB believes this extension is necessary for continued real estate growth and housing rebound throughout the country.

Read more at: www.southtamparealestate.blogspot.com

June saw a rise in pending home sales for the fifth straight month, according to the National Association of Realtors. This increase of 3.6 percent to 94.6 is an encouraging sign for the U.S. housing market as it makes its way toward recovery. According to an article by Inman News, the increase in pending home sales marks the first five consecutive months of gains since July 2003.

The largest jump was seen in the South, where pending home sales rose 7.1 percent. All regions saw at least a minimal increase with the smallest seen in the Northeast, as just .4 percent. Almost all regions were significantly higher than in June of 2008.

"Historically low mortgage interest rates, affordable home prices and a large selection are encouraging buyers who've been on the sidelines. Activity has been consistently much stronger for lower priced homes." said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist.

Is addition to the increase in pending U.S. home sales, home resales have also risen for three months in a row for the first time in five years. Along with the low prices and attractive mortgage rates, the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit has kick-started home sales throughout the Tampa Bay region and U.S. real estate market, overall. Recovery is surely underway and the time to act is now.

Read more at: www.southtamparealestate.blogspot.com

1. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 authorized a tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.
2. Any home that will be used as your principal residence qualifies for the tax credit.
3. The law defines a "first-time home buyer" as a buyer who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
4. First-time home buyers purchasing any type of home, new or resale, are eligible to receive the tax credit as long as the closing date and the title transfer occurs before December 1, 2009.
5. The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home's purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
6. The income limit for single taxpayers is $75,000 and $150,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return.
7. The money comes in the form of a tax refund, meaning that you will not receive the money until after the house is bought and your 2009 tax return is filed.
8. If you are seeking an FHA (Federal Housing Administration) loan, the federal $8,000 tax credit may be used towards your down payment or closing costs.

The $8,000 tax credit has been motivating first-time buyers to take advantage of current real estate market conditions. Buyers can look at this refund as a reduction to their home price, with a $100,000 purchase effectively becomes a $92,000 once the credit is awarded. The fact is that this credit has made the dream of home ownership a reality for many who may not have had the opportunity before.

We encourage you to consult with a qualified tax advisor or legal professional about your unique situation.

SI Real Estate, Tampa's premier real estate boutique, will be holding an information session for first-time home buyers on August 2^nd at the Courtney Palms clubhouse to help discuss what you need to know in order to be a prepared buyer in today's Tampa Bay real estate communities. Please join us for this exciting event! Send RSVP to Info@SIRealEstateInvestments.com or call (813) 631-5144 to reserve your spot.

Read more at: www.southtamparealestate.blogspot.com