Southwest Water Management Water District Map in Florida - 06/30/08 02:29 PM
One of the most popular requests on this blog is for information about flood zones in the west central section of Florida. I have found a map that shows the major water basins in our area that was created by the Southwest Water Management District, otherwise known as "swift mud". You might find it interesting to download this map in its PDF format. You can do so by clicking on the following link: Download swftmd_map.pdf
In some areas near us, they can control what you can and cannot do on your land. At this point in time they are apparently … (0 comments)

Rental Property Sellers: Don't Let Tenants Derail Your Sale - 06/29/08 02:39 PM
A colleague and I currently have a listing here in Zephyrhills, Florida that is a rental home. When we first took the listing it had some deadbeat tenants in it and it was a mess. We entered it on day one, and when we came out we were covered with fleas! After a fumigation and a complete emptying of the home (a lot done by us), a total cleaning was conducted, a lockbox placed on the door, and the home was "on the market".
Unfortunately, in our current market this type of home draws more buyers who want to use FHA … (2 comments)

Home Sellers - Does It Make Sense to Move Up? - 06/29/08 02:17 PM
These questions will help you decide whether you’re ready for a home that’s larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to most of the questions, it’s a sign that you may be ready to move. (Note: These questions apply whether you live in Zephyrhills, Florida, or any other part of the United States or Canada - John Elwell)
1. Have you built substantial equity in your current home? Look at your annual mortgage statement or call your lender to find out. Usually, you don’t build up much equity in the first few years of your mortgage, as … (0 comments)

Take the Stress Out of Home Buying - 06/28/08 08:09 PM
Buying a home should be fun, not stressful. As you look for your dream home, keep in mind these tips for making the process as peaceful as possible.
1. Find a real estate agent who you connect with. Home buying is not only a big financial commitment, but also an emotional one. It’s critical that the REALTOR® you choose is both highly skilled and a good fit with your personality.
2. Remember, there’s no “right” time to buy, just as there’s no perfect time to sell. If you find a home now, don’t try to second-guess interest rates or the housing … (0 comments)

Q & A Section Not a Place For Your Advertising - 06/27/08 11:44 AM
 
It used to be that in the Question and Answer section there were rules posted at the top of the page that let you know what you could and could not do in that section. One prohibition was the placement of advertising. Now I am seeing more and more agents place copies of business cards as well as lengthy blurbs about their companies and blatant advertising aimed at getting business. This is not what the Q & A section was about. I know that other agents and I have flagged these agents' answers, but AR does nothing to remove them.
… (0 comments)

How Many REALTORS Does It Take to Help You Buy a Home? - 06/26/08 08:22 PM
Today in my CENTURY 21 office here in Zephyrhills, Florida I got a call from a gentleman that was interested in seeing two homes that I have listed for sale. We were discussing arrangements when he asked me to excuse him a second. In the background I could hear his wife on a second cell phone making an appointment to see another home as well. I got the impression they had also spoken with other agents as well to make even more appointments.
Now, there is certainly nothing illegal or unethical about doing this. Buyers can use any licensed agents to … (0 comments)

A Further Small Increase in Mortgage Rates This Week says Freddie Mac - 06/26/08 02:12 PM
Today 6/26/08 Freddie Mac reported that average mortgage interest rates moved just a bit higher. At least not a big jump like the past couple of weeks. Nationally the average mortgage interest rate for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages was 6.45% (6.43% in the southeast), up from 6.42% a week ago. That is the highest it has been since September 2007. The average interest rate for 15 year fixed-rate mortgages was 6.04%, up from 6.02% last week. A year ago the 30 year rate was 6.67%.
"Fixed-rate mortgage rates held relatively stable this week leading up to the June 24-25 Federal Reserve … (0 comments)

Mobile Homes on Rental Lots versus Mobile Homes on Their Own Land in Zephyrhills, Florida - 06/25/08 09:56 PM
Strangely enough, yesterday and today I had two people call me with requests for the same information about some of the mobile homes that were for sale in the area. I gave them the information they needed, but they both thought the prices were a bit high. I then asked them if they would consider any of the other parks in the Zephyrhills and East Pasco County areas. They each had the same reply, "No, we want to own the land under the home and the other parks only have rental lots. We do not want to pay rent!"
It took … (0 comments)

Questions and Answers Concerning 55+ Communities in Florida - 06/25/08 07:34 PM
A while ago I wrote a post on which subdivisions in Zephyrhills, Florida were on the state's list of 55+ communities. Just last week I had a buyer who was 53 years old who wanted to buy in one of the subdivisions. So the questions came up: Could he buy? Could he be part of the 20% that could be under 55 years of age? Could the park require that 100% of the occupants be 55+? Lots of questions.
Of course, I am not an attorney so the best advice I could give him was to carefully review the park's rules … (0 comments)

Florida Consumer Confidence Index Falls to Lowest Rate in Its History - 06/25/08 01:55 PM
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Higher gas and food prices, continued declines in housing prices and last month's large increase in unemployment caused Florida's consumer confidence to plummet six points in June to 57, its all-time low record in the index's 25-year history, a new University of Florida study finds.
The index for May was revised from its preliminary figure of 65 to 63, making it one point below the previous record low of 64 set in December 1991, said Chris McCarty, director of UF's Survey Research Center at the Bureau of Economic and Business Research.
All five of this month's index components fell, … (0 comments)

More Television Shows That Can Help You Sell Your Home - 06/21/08 05:58 PM
Since it is now somewhat more difficult to sell a house, it seems like there are more and more television shows that offer advice on how to prepare your home for today's market conditions.
With that in mind, I have added additional shows to my list of television shows that help sellers. This list appears on my own webpage. If you would like to see this list and my synopsis of each program, just go to my webpage by clicking on the following link: www.jelwell.century21bnr.com. Then click on the button on the left-hand menu list for TV Shows That Help Sellers.
… (0 comments)

Mobile Homes For Sale in Zephyrhills, Florida - 06/21/08 10:45 AM
I currently have 6 mobile homes listed with me for sale in the Zephyrhills, Florida area. These are all in subdivisions where you own the land under the homes, and yet the homeowner fees are $35/month or less. No rental parks here. All of the parks have recreation buildings, community swimming pools, and shuffleboard courts. Two also have whirlpool spas, and one has a tennis court. If you click on the pictures below you can see the homes that are now available. As a full-time residence or vacation home, one of these properties could be just what you are looking for. … (0 comments)

FEMA Flood Zone Maps for Florida and Much of the United States - 06/20/08 08:37 PM
Two of the most popular posts I have ever written deal with finding flood zones in Pasco County and Hillsborough County in the State of Florida. Luckily, the county property appraisers in these two counties have excellent maps that show residents whether or not their properties lie within a designated flood zone. And if they do, what the classification of each flood zone is. If you happen to live in either of these two counties I have moved the posts that give the step-by-step instructions for finding flood zones in them to positions just before this post you are now reading. … (0 comments)

New Credit Requirements for Issuance of Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) Could Affect Home Buyers - 06/19/08 06:37 PM
One of my favorite mortgage brokers, Leanne Zinkula with AreaMortgage in Tampa stopped by our offices today. We were discussing the fact that FHA mortgages were becoming much more common. During our conversation she mentioned that a change was in the works that involved conventional mortgages (not FHA) and private mortgage insurance (PMI). For those of you who are not familiar with this type of insurance, it is almost always required if your down payment is less than 20% of the purchase price of a property. It protects the lender in the event that you default on your loan. For conventional … (0 comments)

Freddie Mac Says: Mortgage Interest Rates Again Move Higher. 15 Fixed-Rate Now Above 6%! - 06/19/08 05:54 PM
Today 6/19/08 Freddie Mac reported that after last week's substantial jump, average mortgage interest rates again moved higher. Less than a month ago I was reporting that 30 year fixed-rate interest was below 6%. For the first time in quite a while the average interest for 15 year fixed-rate mortgages was above 6%! Nationally the average mortgage interest rate for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages was 6.42% (6.37% in the southeast), up from 6.32% a week ago. That is the highest it has been since September 2007. The average interest rate for 15 year fixed-rate mortgages was 6.02%, up from 5.93% last … (0 comments)

My 54th Birthday Wish: No More Real Estate Telemarketer Calls!! - 06/18/08 06:21 PM
On June 29, 2008 I will celebrate (is that the right word????) my 54th birthday. A couple of years ago I submitted a list of things I did not want to hear from my clients anymore. This year I just want those darned real estate telemarketers to stop calling me. My cell number is on the "do not call list" but perhaps since it is publicized on my various webpages, these promoters feel they can call me with all kinds of proposals. And perhaps the law does allow them to do so. Not a day goes by when I do not … (5 comments)

10 Ways to NOT Sell Your Home - 06/17/08 09:28 PM
Remember the Paul Simon song "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover"? He had a good many ways to get rid of a romantic attachment. Well, if you want to drive home buyers away from your home and ensure that it will take months, if not years, to sell your property, here are a few ways to do it. There are actually many more than 50. These are my Top 10. See if any of these match your particular situation. Hopefully not.
This is one that will stop a buyer from even driving by your home. Price it above similar homes in … (0 comments)

Lowball a Home Seller and You Could Be Shooting Yourself in the Foot - 06/14/08 05:44 PM
Many home buyers have heard on the news that home prices have fallen since about 2005. This is certainly true in many areas. Though there are some sellers who are still living in the past and have their homes prices way above their current true market value, most in my area are pricing their homes correctly.
A big problem can occur when buyers make initial offers that are ridiculously low, often 25% or more below the asking price. To add to the problem, buyers go on to ask for home warranties, help with down payments and closing costs, and the inclusion … (4 comments)

Uh-oh!! Mortgage Interest Rates Take a Big Jump This Week! - 06/12/08 03:17 PM
It was not too long ago when I warned everyone several times that at some point either home prices or mortgage interest rates would start to go up, perhaps fast. Well, today 6/12/08 Freddie Mac reported that the average mortgage interest rates for 30 and 15 year fixed-rate loans had both moved up markedly. Nationally the average mortgage interest rate for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages was 6.32% (6.27% in the southeast), up from 6.09% a week ago. The average interest rate for 15 year fixed-rate mortgages was 5.93%, up from 5.65% last week. A year ago the 30 year rate was … (0 comments)

Nice Single-Wide 2 Bedroom/2 Bath Mobile For Sale in Zephyr Shores near Zephyrhills, Florida - 06/10/08 01:56 PM
This furnished 2 bedroom/2 bath single-wide mobile is located in the popular Zephyr Shores subdivision just a few miles to the west of Zephyrhills, Florida. It is being sold furnished and is move-in ready. Just bring your toothbrushes! The owner has winterized the Florida room you see on the left-hand side of the picture and even added an additional full bathroom with shower! A handy plus when company is visiting. The home has central heat and air-conditioning, a long carport, two storage sheds, and a spacious lot. It is located on the back side of the park so there is no … (0 comments)

My June 2008 Florida Real Estate Newsletter is Available for Download - 06/06/08 11:11 AM
My June 2008 Real Estate Newsletter is now available for download as a PDF (Adobe Acrobat) file. Just click on the following link: Download june_2008_newsletter1.pdf
If you would like to receive these newsletters automatically in the future each month, just send me an e-mail and let me know. I would be glad to add you to my e-mailing list. You can e-mail me at: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com
I also invite you to visit my my website where I think you will find a lot of useful information. To get there just click on the following link: www.jelwell.century21bnr.com
… (0 comments)

Mortgage Interest Rates Mainly Unchanged, says Freddie Mac - 06/05/08 02:31 PM
Today 6/5/08 Freddie Mac reported that the average mortgage interest rates for 30 and 15 year fixed-rate loans have moved VERY slightly, one up and one down. Nationally the average mortgage interest rate for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages was 6.09% (6.03% in the southeast), up from 6.08% a week ago. The average interest rate for 15 year fixed-rate mortgages was 5.65%, down from 5.66% last week. A year ago the 30 year rate was 6.53%. Hardly worth reporting.
Reports of continued inflation helped to keep mortgage interest rates relatively unchanged this week. This is the first time they seem to be … (0 comments)

 
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John Elwell

Zephyrhills, FL

More about me…

CENTURY 21 Bill Nye Realty, Inc.

Address: 34619 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, FL, 33541

Office Phone: (813) 715-6810

Cell Phone: (813) 783-4444

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Real estate news, opinions, and listings from Zephyrhills, Pasco County, Florida and the west central region of Florida in general. Licensed in Florida.


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