Tropical Storm Katia Ready to Become Hurricane on Its Way to the United States - 08/31/11 06:16 PM
As of today, 8/31/2011, Tropical Storm Katia is far to the east of us in the Atlantic Ocean as you can see on this map. It is currently moving to the west northwest at about 20 mile per hour. The weather service says that they expect it to turn into a hurricane very soon. The big question is "Where will it head?" From the map it looks like it will go north of the Bahamas and miss Florida. But it is WAY TOO SOON to know for sure.
It has been a long time since we have a storm of any consequence do … (3 comments)

Condos, Villas, Townhouses, and Houses For Sale in Zephyrhills, Florida as of August 28, 2011 - 08/28/11 05:47 PM
If you are looking for your place under the Florida sun, Zephyrhills could be just the spot that you are searching for. Remember, winter will soon be HERE! The leaves will be turning colors up north very, very soon!
To assist you, I am attaching an updated Adobe PDF file to this post that shows just some of the single-family houses, villas, condos, and townhomes that are currently available for purchase here as of August 28, 2011. From that date until the day you see this list, some of these properties may have been sold (especially if it is a very old post.)If … (0 comments)

100 Mobile Homes with Land For Sale in Zephyrhills, Florida as of August 28, 2011 - 08/28/11 05:18 PM
Want to find a place where you can escape next year's winter's icy blasts? Well, Zephyrhills, Florida might be just the perfect corner of the USA where you can find a refuge from the snowing and blowing. And it won't be long before you see the "frost on the pumkins".
To assist you, I am attaching an updated Adobe PDF file to this post of the mobile homes that are currently available for purchase here as of August 28, 2011. Keep in mind that, depending on when you see this page, some of the listed homes may have been sold (especially if it … (0 comments)

Chicken BBQ in Dade City, Florida to Benefit the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village on Sept. 3, 2011 - 08/24/11 07:28 PM
The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village in Dade City, Florida will be raising funds via a chicken barbecue on September 3rd from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Take-out will be available. You will get Chicken, Beans, and Cole Slaw, all for just $7.00.   Tickets are available from the Dade City Chamber of Commerce office (Checks only made payable to the Pioneer Florida Museum) located at: 14112 8th Street, Dade City, Florida. Telephone: 352-567-3769   100% of the proceeds will go to support the Pioneer Florida Museum and its activities. So come out to enjoy a good meal and contribute to … (2 comments)

Hurricane Irene Now to Pass Well East of Florida and Head for the Carolinas and the Northeast Coast of US - 08/24/11 05:17 PM
As of today, 8/24/2011, Hurricane Irene is passing over The Bahamas, and it has strengthened. The new projected path has it avoiding the eastern coast of Florida and then moving on up toward North Carolina and South Carolina. If you look at the path of Irene on the map to the left you will note an "M" over its path in some places. M = Major Hurricane. So people in those areas could be in for a tough time.  For those of us in the Zephyrhills area it appears that we have again "dodged a bullet". It has been a long time since we have a storm of any consequence do … (0 comments)

Hurricane Irene's Path Slips Slightly to the East, But is Predicted to Strengthen as it Passes Florida - 08/22/11 08:36 PM
As of today, 8/22/2011, Hurricane Irene is passing over Dominica, and it has strengthened. The new projected path has it skidding along the eastern coast of Florida and then moving on up toward Georgia and South Carolina. If you compare the map to the left to the one I posted on Saturday, you will see how the projected path has shifted slightly to the east. For those of us in the Zephyrhills area that might be a good thing since the storm will lose strength as it goes over land and now it might just give us more of a "glancing blow". Perhaps more rain … (3 comments)

Truth in Millage (TRIM) Notices Arrive at Florida Homes This Week! Watch For Yours! - 08/22/11 07:38 PM
I opened my mailbox on Saturday and found a letter from Mike Wells, the Pasco County Property Appraiser where I live, telling me what my proposed property taxes for 2011 would likely be. Probably most of Florida's residents are also receiving these notices, also called Truth in Millage notices (TRIM). It is worth your while to closely examine the one that pertains to the property(s) that you own.
The notice will show you 3 main things:
What your property taxes were last year. What they will be this year if proposed budget changes are not made. What they will be if proposed budget … (2 comments)

Zephyrhills, Florida to Host another "Music & Motorcyles" Event on September 10, 2011 - 08/22/11 02:08 PM

  These monthly events, hosted by Main Street Zephyrhills, are always popular and unique to our area. The weather is getting very pleasant in the evenings now, not too hot, not too cool. So why not come out and enjoy the festive atmosphere that exists on these occasions? Zephyrhills is NOT just a place to retire. There's a lot going on here!
If you would like to download a copy of the different classes in which the motorcycles will be judged, just click on the following link: Download Bike Show Classes
If you like it so much that you would like … (2 comments)

Tropical Storm Irene Headed to Florida? Sure Looks Like It! Be Watchful & Prepared! - 08/21/11 01:16 PM
As of today, 8/21/2011, Tropical Storm Irene is fast approaching Puerto Rico, where it might strengthen to hurricane strength for a while. The projected path has it hitting Florida head-on near the Keys and then moving up the peninsula. For those of us in the Zephyrhills area that might be a good thing since the storm will lose strength as it goes over land. The more land, the weaker it should get. Theoretically! And we are several hours from Miami. It is not expected to get here until around early Friday and is supposed to have returned to Tropical Storm status by that time. … (2 comments)

Pasco County, Florida's 2011-12 School Year Begins on August 22nd - Keep an Eye Out for Students and Buses! - 08/20/11 07:50 PM
On Monday, August 22nd, students and teachers will return to their classes in the public schools of Pasco County, Florida for the 2011-2012 academic year. When I was teaching here two decades ago, we started after Labor Day. And many schools around the country still do. But several years ago, statewide exams were created and it was felt that more time was needed to prepare for them. So the beginning of the school year was moved up by several weeks. Now it has shifted closer to where it used to be.
In any case, starting on Monday there will be more … (0 comments)

Remember "I Love Lucy" When it First Ran? Well, Mortgage Interest Rates are Like They Were Way Back Then! - 08/18/11 08:33 PM
Are you old enough to have seen "I Love Lucy", "The Real McCoys" and "Leave it to Beaver" when they first were shown on television? Not talking about syndication here. Well, if you can, here is another blast from the past. Average mortgage interest rates that we have not seen for over 50 years!
Today, 8/18/2011, Freddie Mac reported that the average mortgage interest rate for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages was 4.15%, down from 4.32% last week. The average interest rate for 15 year fixed-rate mortgages was 3.36%, down from 3.50% last week. A year ago the 30 year rate was 4.42%. 
The Federal … (0 comments)

John Elwell Ranks in Top 60 Agents in C21 Florida and Wins Pacesetter Award for 1st Half of 2011 - 08/15/11 08:12 PM
 
This morning at our weekly office meeting I was presented with the certificate you see above. It indicates that I am currently on track to get a Masters Award by the end of 2011. That is if all goes well. I will sure do my part and we just need the ecomony to cooperate a bit!
CENTURY 21's national headquarters also has just released its rankings for the year-to-date ending with the last day of July 2011.
Based on "sale sides", I was in the Top 60 agents of the thousands who working in this large section of Florida. It is nice to see … (2 comments)

Here Comes Another "Saturday Night Cruise" in Zephyrhills, Florida on August 27, 2011 - 08/12/11 04:04 PM
 
Our evenings are pleasant and there is a lot less traffic on the roads and streets at this time of the year. Why not come out and enjoy a Saturday of fun, food, music & LOTS OF CARS? These events are very popular, and I am sure you will have a great time. So come to Zephyrhills, Florida on August 27th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
These are regular events here. Find out when future "Saturday Cruises" and other community events will take place by checking out the Main Street Zephyrhills calendar at the following link: http://www.mainstreetzephyrhills.org/Events_Schedule.htm 
Posted by John Elwell - Real Estate Associate … (0 comments)

Insurance Rates in Florida Headed for Increases - Give Your Policy a Check-Up and Shop Around - 08/12/11 01:49 PM
Thanks to the work of our "wonderful" governor and his friends in the 2011 Florida legislature, sink hole insurance and other parts of the insurance statutes were rewritten. And in my opinion, not in favor of consumers.
For example, Citizens, the state's insurance company, is now requestions over a 400% increase in the premiums for sink hole coverage. In Pasco County, I believe that it is supposed to be closer to 800%! So someone now paying $400 for sink hole coverage could be paying $3,200 for it after January 2012. And that is in addition to the other coverage items on … (2 comments)

HPH Hospice Needs Volunteers at Their Thrift Store in Zephyrhills, Florida - 08/11/11 07:21 PM
Have you been looking for a way that you can help out others in our area of Florida? Most of you know people who have benefited from the great work that Hernando-Pasco Hospice does in our little part of Florida. Now you have a chance to participate and help them continue to provide wonderful services to those in need.
They need volunteers to assist them at their HPH Hospice Thrift Store & More located at 4910 Allen Road, Zephyrhills. Just a little to the west of town off State Road 54 in the old Scotty's Plaza. It is very easy to find and … (0 comments)

Average Mortgage Interest Rates Fall Again Amidst Economic Concerns Worldwide - 08/11/11 03:03 PM
Today, 8/11/2011, Freddie Mac reported that the average mortgage interest rate for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages was 4.32%, down from 4.39% last week. The average interest rate for 15 year fixed-rate mortgages was 3.50%, down from 3.54% last week. A year ago the 30 year rate was 4.44%.
Worries about our markets and those in other countries kept bond yields down and thus mortgage interest rates also fell a bit. And just this week the Federal Reserve, noting the distress that the current economic situation was causing the country, promised to keep its interest rates at extemely low levels at least until … (0 comments)

Video Tour of My Listing on Zephyr Shores Drive in Zephyrhills, Florida - 2 Bedroom/2 Bath Mobile - 08/10/11 08:30 PM

For more information or to arrange a tour, call John Elwell - REALTOR at CENTURY 21 Bill Nye Realty, Inc. 813-783-4444 or e-mail me at: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com  My webpage is: www.jelwell.century21bnr.com
… (0 comments)

Tropical Storm Emily Dissipates Over Cuba - Appears to Not Threaten Florida Now - 08/04/11 09:33 PM
Today, 8/4/2011, Tropical Storm Emily more or less gave up the ghost as it passed by Haiti on its way to Cuba. It now appears that it will not be a serious threat to Florida. We could get some rain out of the tropical depression if it passes by, but the National Hurricane Center does not feel that we will get much more than that. 
You can click on the map to the left to see a larger view.
Do keep in mind that sometimes conditions can change, even though that appears unlikely with Emily. But it pays to be alert and take cautious steps to … (4 comments)

Weakened Economic News Results in Lower Average Mortgage Interest Rates: Freddie Mac - 08/04/11 06:54 PM
Today, 8/4/2011, Freddie Mac reported that the average mortgage interest rate for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages was 4.39%, down from 4.55% last week. The average interest rate for 15 year fixed-rate mortgages was 3.54%, down from 3.66% last week. A year ago the 30 year rate was 4.49%.
Reports are that the economy is weaker (thank you Congress for making a mess of the debt ceiling legislation - John Elwell's opinion) and this drove down the yield on treasury bonds. As usual, interest rates on mortgages followed them south. So this week, the average rate for fixed rated loans is markedly lower than it … (0 comments)

Tropical Storm Emily Heading Toward Florida? You Never Know, so Be Alert! - 08/02/11 06:48 PM

As of today, 8/2/2011, Tropical Storm Emily is just to the south of Puerto Rico, and its projected path would appear to take it in a more northeasterly track. At least at this time, the "cone" projecting its likely path will have it skirting the east coast of Florida and then proceeding up the Atlantic Coast.
You can click on the map to the left to see a larger view.
Do keep in mind that it is still faraway and wind directions have been known to change. I have even seen storms do loop-the-loops and come right back over the same area. … (0 comments)

2011 Real Estate Newsletter is Ready from John Elwell in Zephyrhills, Florida - 08/01/11 09:08 PM
My August 2011 Real Estate Newsletter is now available for download as a PDF (Adobe Acrobat) file that all computers should be able to open. Just click on the following link: Download August 2011 Newsletter (If the page opens to a gray screen, just hit the refresh button. This only happens if you have Adobe Acrobat 10 or Adobe Acrobat X on your computers.) I hope that you will find this month's articles interesting and helpful.
If you would like to receive these newsletters automatically each month in the future, just send me an e-mail and let me know. I would be glad to add you … (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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