The heart of Hampton Terrace. This 3/2 home has so much going for it!  The home features a living room and a large separate family room with fireplace.  The kitchen is a spacious, functional, and stunning remodel with granite and updated cabinetry with plenty of work space for the ambitious cook. Features include stainless appliances and water softner. The dining room features a bay picture window for plenty of light.  The home has 3 bedrooms which are beautifully carpeted.  The master bedroom has its own bathroom with shower.  Both bathrooms have been fully remodeled.  With the exception of the bedrooms the floors are a neutral contemporary ceramic tile.   There is a large inside laundry/utility room. There is a spacious screened porch in the back of the home where you can relax on those cool evenings.  The main house is 1640 heated square feet. As a bonus there is a 400 square-foot detached office in the back that with plumbing could be a cozy guest house or in-law suite.    This beautiful home is just blocks from nearby Lake Roberta where you will meet many future neighbors taking evening strolls and convenient to acclaimed neighborhood restaurants and shopping. Truly a wonderful home in an awesome location that is fully updated and move-in ready. 

FROM THIS....

TO THIS...

This bungalow at 114 W. Powhatan will soon be hitting the MLS as a 2/2 with detached garage and a porte-cochere for $137,500. Already shown to one Realtor who asked to see it with his buyers who are frustrated by the limited inventory.  As your real estate expert in the neighborhood, I see a lot homes before they even hit the market.

This bungalow home has undergone a complete transformation. 2/2.  Hardwood Floors in living and dining. Custom period windows for the front of this stylish bungalow.  Rennovation included re-opening of part of the original porch, thousands of dollars in structural work.  Two all new bathrooms with period subway tile.  All new kitchen with butcher block counters. Stylish lighting. Fireplace accent (not warranted as wood burning) with built-in side cabinet. Detached 1 car garage and original porte-cochere.  All new wiring.

If you are looking for a home in the historic heights neighborhoods of Tampa... I am your best source.

Rick Fifer, 813-758-7444, Florida Executive Realty

This Seminole Heights gem at 6205 Flora Vista dates from the late 1940’s and has been lovingly cared for by the current owners who have updated, restored, and expanded it during their ownership.  You will immediately notice the strong curb appeal and cozy front porch of this vintage 3/2 home with 1524 sq ft and its one car garage.  Original hardwood floors, doors hardware, bathroom tile and other embellishment give this home a retro-charm.  The master bedroom suite was added on in 2009 with care and sensitivity to the character of the original home.  The electrical, plumbing, air conditioning and duct work are all newer updates.  The home’s exterior siding was repaired and replaced just last year.  The paver driveway and rear patio are other improvements that compliment the charm lovely home.  This home shows the pride of ownership that is so hard to find in the current market.  If you are looking for character and charm in a well maintained home, don’t wait because there are very few available.  Just 2 blocks from Publix and convenient to all the restaurants for which Seminole Heights is becoming known.  

To see all the images of this charming 40's bungalow please visit: www.Vintage-Homes.com

Happy House hunting from your vintage home specialist.

Rick Fifer, 813-758-7444

Florida Executive Realty

This Seminole Heights gem dates from the late 1940’s and has been lovingly cared for by the current owners who have updated, restored, and expanded it during their ownership.  You will immediately notice the strong curb appeal and cozy front porch of this vintage 3/2 home with 1524 sq ft and its one car garage.  Original hardwood floors, doors hardware, bathroom tile and other embellishment give this home a retro-charm.  The master bedroom suite was added on in 2009 with care and sensitivity to the character of the original home.  The electrical, plumbing, air conditioning and duct work are all newer updates.  The home’s exterior siding was repaired and replaced just last year.  The paver driveway and rear patio are other improvements that compliment the charm lovely home.  This home shows the pride of ownership that is so hard to find in the current market.  If you are looking for character and charm in a well maintained home, don’t wait because there are very few available.  Just 2 blocks from Publix and convenient to all the restaurants for which Seminole Heights is becoming known.  

To see all the images of this charming 40's bungalow please visit: www.Vintage-Homes.com

Happy House hunting from your vintage home specialist.

Rick Fifer, 813-758-7444

Florida Executive Realty

If you are looking for a home in central Tampa (Seminole Heights, Riverside Heights, Wellswood, V.M. Ybor, Tampa Heights) the range of prices can be completely bewildering.  One house is a 3/2 at 40K another is a 2/1 for 140K.  Zillow gives a “Zestimate” 65K. What gives?   Welcome to an older neighborhood in Florida.

Statistically a short-sale listing is discounted by about 28% based on state-wide data. If it is a bank owned property (REO) is has an even steeper discount, about 35-40%.  Discounted is a key word, if you take your typical short-sale or REO list price and multiply it the percent discounted (example 50Kx1.28= 64K) that is much closer to the market price/value. However, in a neighborhood where 85-90% of the homes are over 50 years of age there is another factor affecting the ability to sell the property…the ability to pass a 4-point inspection for insurance.  That is a minor issue in younger neighborhoods in Carrollwood, New Tampa, and Brandon.

A home that is 50 years or older needs to pass an inspection of the roof, electrical, structural, plumbing systems.  The pretty bungalow that seems a bargain can’t be financed because it has obsolete knob-and-tube wiring which no one will insure.  Your dream house has a roof that is shot so it fails the insurance inspection. Yes a new roof might only cost $5000 but you can’t get financed because you can’t get insured.  It is a catch-22.  So what happens to these homes?

The 50 year old house that can not pass the insurance inspection takes an even bigger price cut.  That home now has to be priced to appeal to a CASH BUYER.  That is a discount of 60-80% of what it might sell for if it was insurable to a level satisfactory to mortgage lenders. That is a factor that sites that give automated values can't factor into their models (Zillow is the most well known) because it requires a real ground level understanding of what is influencing values in an area.

This may sound a bit crazy but I have had several examples this year of homes that went to cash buyers for under 45K and resold for 110K or more after being fixed, some with less than 15K in repairs.

When you take out the homes that will not pass the insurance inspection the available inventory is very scarce in central Tampa.

Just click the image with my contact information to search my site for your perfect bungalow or vintage home.

This cozy little bungalow is simply charming. FHA okay.  3/1 Open front porch is inviting. Inside you will find beautiful hardwood floors in the living room, hall way and front bedroom.  The kitchen is open and spacious with ceramic tile.  The dining room features a built-in display case for your china or other items.  3 bedrooms. Detached 1 car garage with space for a workshop.  New roof installed the last week of April.  Other items included: central heat and air, ceiling fans, dishwasher, range, and refrigerator.  All for a really great price.  NOT A SHORT SALE!  MLS T2468024. Asking just 69.9K  Motivated seller will assist with closing costs.

"Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones ?"
The chorus from Bob Dylan's Ballad of a Thin Man is reflective of what is happening in our local real estate market.  Properties are moving at one of the quickest paces in more than 4 years.  New short sales in good condition are receiving multiple, above list price offers.  Still the talking heads say the market isn't done dropping.  Yes something is happening.  We have to live into the future but looking in the rear view mirror say are market has changed.  When I said the collapse had begun in my market in 2005 people told me I didn't know what I was talking about.  Now I am getting told that all over again.

I just met with an appraiser today, pulled some comparable properties that have sold or which are pending. The many of nicest homes in the greater Seminole Heights area have all gone under contract in 60 days.  Same discussion I had with an appraiser last week.  And the week before.  Different sizes, Different locations but all under contract in less than 60 days.  Many aren't even remaining active for even a month.

So do all those folks talking about real estate have you confused?  You are not alone.  I just met with a customer about listing her home.  She spoke to another agent told her she would be lucky to sell it for 59k!  Silly me I told her a figure significantly higher and I wasn't trying to "buy the listing."

Just one more reason to list with a local agent that actually KNOWS the neighborhood. Just click the image below.

Priced to sell at 10% below its 2004 list price even though it has had thousands of $$$ in upgrades since then!!!!! 

This wonderfully charming SEMINOLE HEIGHTS BUNGALOW was featured in This Old House magazine in the Summer of 2009. 

This 2/2 home with a gracious open porch and port a cochere is set high above the street.  The heart pine floors are beautiful. Fireplace.  Kitchen and breakfast room have been updated with tile floors, tile counter tops and plenty of cabinets.  The main bath has been updated and you will love the step-in tiled shower.  Master bath shower with glass doors.  The rear of the house is just a fabulous retreat.  Beginning with the family room that opens to a charming clay brick patio surrounded by lush landscaping and finished with a raised deck with a 300 gal. heated Jacuzzi. To help keep the yard looking fantastic you have and irrigation system.  The home also has an alarm system.  This home is centrally located with great neighbors with easy access to USF, UT, Ybor City, and Downtown. 

See more images at: 1014 Chelsea   MLS: T2466891

Rick Fifer, 813-758-7444

FLORIDA EXECUTIVE REALTY

Wonderful 1926 bungalow with over 1300 sq ft, located between Seminole Heights and Tampa Heights. Gleaming oak floors through out and are in amazing condition. Fireplace in living room. Built-in bookcases with glass front doors. This Craftsman era bungalow has two very spacious bedrooms. Walk-in closet. Large kitchen with closet pantry. Ceramic tile in kitchen and bath. Home has a new metal roof for energy savings.  Environmentally friendly xeriscaped yard means less yard work. Back yard is enclosed with a masonary wall. 1 car detached garage with laundry hook-up. Appliances included: Range, Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Microwave, Washer and Dryer. This home is home is move-in ready.

 2/1 $1100 per mo./ 1 month security deposit/ $75 application fee  see more at: 3907 Arlington

Rick Fifer, 813-758-7444

FLORIDA EXECUTIVE REALTY

This cozy little bungalow is simply charming.  3/1 Open front porch is inviting. Inside you will find beautiful hardwood floors in the living room, hall way and front bedroom.  The kitchen is open and spacious with ceramic tile.  The dining room features a built-in display case for your china or other items.  3 bedrooms. Oversized detached 1 car garage with space for a workshop.  New roof installed the last week of April.  Other items included: central heat and air, ceiling fans, dishwasher, range, and refrigerator.  All for a really great price.  NOT A SHORT SALE!

Just 69.9K  918 sq ft.  MLS: T2468024

Move-in ready. see all the pictures at: 1308 Conover

Rick Fifer, 813-758-7444