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.
Today, 11/19/09, Freddie Mac reported that the average mortgage interest rate for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages was 4.83% (4.82% in the southeast), down from 4.91% a week ago. The average interest rate for 15 year fixed-rate mortgages was 4.32%, down from 4.36% last week. A year ago the 30 year rate was 6.04%.
The rate for 15 year fixed-rate mortgages is the lowest it has ever been in Freddie Mac Survey history. I can remember a few decades ago when the interest rates were over 20%! Now we have record low rates that buyers can take advantage of.
In the third quarter of 2009 there was $1.1 trillion in refinancing activity, mostly to take advantage of the lower rates. They say that this decrease and refinancing is saving the borrowers of this country $10 billion per month in lower payments to lenders.
Now, 95% of prime borrowers (as opposed to sub-prime borrowers) who had had adjustable-rate mortgages are now opting for fixed-rate products. Makes sense. Rates are low, why not lock them in place for the next 30 years?? Not rocket science is it?
As a recent post stated, new housing starts slowed last month, but that appears to be the effect of the builders waiting to see if the home buyer tax credit would, or would not, be extended and/or expanded. No one wanted to jump until they knew what the future held. Now that the extension/expansion is law perhaps we will see renewed confidence in the housing market. Though, personally, I would like to see some of the current inventory homes get sold before the developers start adding to that number once again.
The real estate market in Zephyrhills is heating up already. And not just from first-time buyers. Our winter crowd is returning from the north with thoughts of buying vacation homes here. I am closing on one such home tomorrow and just got a contract on another this evening. Almost too busy! For us, the winter season is a busy one and with interest rates so low, we may see more activity than is normal. Let's hope so!
Do keep in mind that we are a very large country. So figures that come out for the entire nation, may have little or no relevance for your particular area. In the end, it is best if you speak with a local REALTOR or financing expert to see what the situation is for your part of the United States. Florida is not Michigan, nor is Maine the same as California. Market conditions can be very different from place-to-place. Also, your own credit history, the property you want to buy, etc. will effect your specific loan options and interest rates. Your mortgage broker or bank loan officer can give you more specific information.
If you want to learn more about Freddie Mac or see the details of their survey, go to: www.freddiemac.com and click on the link for "Current Weekly Survey". They break down the survey by specific regions in the United States so you can see how your state compares to other parts of the country. They also explain the mission of Freddie Mac and offer a lot of useful information for consumers.
If you would like to speak with a lender you can find some at my website: www.jelwell.century21bnr.com . You can also speak with your own bank, credit union, or mortgage broker to see what your particular interest rate would be, should you decide to finance a home purchase.
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
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!
As many of you know, the tax credit that has been in place for most of 2009 has now been extended into the first part of 2010 (2011 for some active servicemen/women, intelligence personnel, and foreign service workers). It has also been expanded so that now persons who currently own a home may benefit from the credit if they meet certain criteria.
Keep in mind that the tax credits are maximums and depending on how much you pay to buy your next home, you may not get the full credit. Many of the papers on this subject say "up to $8,000" etc. So keep that in mind.
My suggestion is that you check out the following link that was provided by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) that has lots of good information about the program. To go to this page, just: CLICK HERE
Again, keep in mind that the tax credit amounts they mention are maximums. If you buy a more modest home you may get a smaller credit.
Then, if you are considering going for the tax credit, speak with your personal tax expert, CPA or even the Internal Revenue Service to determine IF you qualify and for HOW MUCH? They can advise you best.
If I can be of further assistance, do not hesitate to contact me. You can call me at: 813-783-4444 or e-mail me at: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com
Almost every year our company holds a massive yard sale to benefit Easter Seals and the good work that they do for so many. We take in donations from our employees, agents and the community-at-large, and thus have a huge selection of items for people to pick through. Since autumn weather in Florida is wonderful, we always have a large turn-out. It also helps that a lot of the 55+ communities nearby also have community-wide sales at the same time. Lots of buyers make a day of it and visit as many sales as they can. And let's face it, there are some deals to be found!
So thank you to all who contributed and all who stopped by to find a treasure or two!
Click on any picture below to see a larger version!
Today, 11/12/09, Freddie Mac reported that the average mortgage interest rate for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages was 4.91% (4.92% in the southeast), down from 4.98% a week ago. The average interest rate for 15 year fixed-rate mortgages was 4.36%, down from 4.40% last week. A year ago the 30 year rate was 6.14%.
Lower rates only served to make housing more affordable and available for the backlog of buyers waiting out there. You might want to read the post just before this one and download the brochure about "Buying vs Renting". The downward plummet of prices appears to be slowing or even stopping in many areas, and consumer demand for conventional mortgages at banks is on the rise.
Twenty percent of the top metropolitan zones actually had postive yearly growth last quarter compared to just 12% of them in the first quarter of 2009.
Do keep in mind that we are a very large country. So figures that come out for the entire nation, may have little or no relevance for your particular area. In the end, it is best if you speak with a local REALTOR or financing expert to see what the situation is for your part of the United States. Florida is not Michigan, nor is Maine the same as California. Market conditions can be very different from place-to-place. Also, your own credit history, the property you want to buy, etc. will effect your specific loan options and interest rates. Your mortgage broker or bank loan officer can give you more specific information.
If you want to learn more about Freddie Mac or see the details of their survey, go to: www.freddiemac.com and click on the link for "Current Weekly Survey". They break down the survey by specific regions in the United States so you can see how your state compares to other parts of the country. They also explain the mission of Freddie Mac and offer a lot of useful information for consumers.
If you would like to speak with a lender you can find some at my website: www.jelwell.century21bnr.com . You can also speak with your own bank, credit union, or mortgage broker to see what your particular interest rate would be, should you decide to finance a home purchase.
Sometimes it is better to rent a place to live in rather than to buy one. Perhaps you will only be in a location for a short period of time and buying a home would not make sense. Maybe you do not have the time, interest or funds that are necessary to maintain a home. If you are not into mowing a lawn, painting a house from time-to-time, or doing ordinary upkeep on a house you might want to keep renting. Or you may need to wait a while until you have the needed funds to allow you to cover the closing costs of a home purchase. These can all be valid reasons for either choosing to rent or to at least defer the purchase of a home.
Sometimes renting does make sense. Each person's situation can be very different from another's. As a former teacher we used to say that everyone should go to college. While I still think all should have the opportunity to attend a university, some people will do better in a field that does not require a degree. Someone who enjoys working with his or her hands may like carpentry. So why not do what they enjoy?
Now, back to houses, and renting versus buying. In most cases, financially, it is better to own a home. Especially if you can purchase that home when circumstances make the deal even "sweeter". For example, right now we have the following forces in place that make it a good time to buy:
An expanded tax credit that helps first-time home buyers, and now even offers benefits to current homeowners who want to change residences. We are talking of thousands of dollars here!
Historically low interest rates that we may not see again for years to come.
Homes prices that are at bargain levels! I am not speaking of just the foreclosures, but also conventional resales and new construction. All are drastically cheaper than they were just a few years ago.
These items are aligning like the stars to make for a perfect time for many people to jump off the fence and buy a home.
For more information, the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) has provided me with the following brochures. They are identical, but in different formats. One is a two-page set-up and the other on 5 pages. They are Adobe PDF files, so open each and review them. Then print up the one that you like the best. For the 2 page brochure, click here: Download Buy VS Rent 2 Page Form For the 5 page format, click here: Download Buy Home VS Rent Brochure
As I said, these are identical documents, just in different formats.
If you would like more information about this topic, or you want to begin your own home search, please do not hesitate to call me at: 813-783-4444 or e-mail me at: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com You can also visit my webpages at the following location: www.jelwell.century21bnr.com where you will also find links to many other useful sites, including my Zephyrhills Bulletin Board, a home search engine, a mortgage calculator, and more.
Main Street Zephyrhills, Inc. is offering another Zephyrhills Saturday Nite Cruise on November 28th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. It will take place downtown near the intersection of US 301 and State Road 54 (5th Avenue).
There will be:
No entry fee
Food
Music
50/50 Raffle
Door Prizes
Cars, Cars, and more Cars!
Sounds like a nice way to spend an autumn evening in Florida. For more information you can call: 813-780-1414 or e-mail: mszi@verizon.net You can also visit Main Street's website at: http://www.mainstreetzephyrhills.org/
Real estate news, opinions, and listings from Zephyrhills, Pasco County, Florida and the west central region of Florida in general. Licensed in Florida.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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