Land O Lakes Walmart moves it current location of OVER 20 YEARS, (opened since in 1987) out of a shopping plaza of only 86,000 square feet into its own shinny-new building with a "Lutz" address. This super-sized Walmart is 211,000 square feet, and offers a full line of groceries, including a bakery, deli, meat and dairy, fresh produce, beer and wine. It also includes a lawn and garden center and an super-duper electronics department. LOOK OUT, KMART, PUBLIX BAKERY, WINN DIXIE AND LOCAL LIQUOR STORES, this polished beauty is coming to town! In it's own stand-alone building, you can get it from Dale Mabry or Highway 41 (headed north) it's right before the apex in the road.
Many local residents are excited with all that this new WAL*MART SUPER CENTER will has to offer. Super Target is open at County Line Road and Dale Mabry, but with their extremely strick return or even exchange policy, who wants to shop there? NOT ME!
Everyone loves Wal*Mart, so if you live in Northern Hillsborough County or Pasco county, in cities such as Lutz, Land O Lakes, Odessa, North Tampa, Trinity, or Wesley Chapel, you will probably be shopping at this stunning new WAL*MART, I know I will ;)
First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended until May 2010, today November 3rd 2009
Today the U.S. House approved legislation that would extend the first time buyer tax credit of $8,000 from November 30th until May 1, 2010. It would also expand the bill to include move-up buyers (people who have owned a home for at least five years). They could get a $6,500 tax credit on the purchase of a new home. Unemployment benefits were also included, and are supposed to continue for 20 more weeks.
The New York Times reported today that the Senate could vote on its version of the measure as early as Wednesday night and the House could take it up for final approval this week. The house approval Tuesday would expand the homebuyer tax credit to apply to higher income Americans, relaxing the current income restrictions, so that more people would take advantage of the program.
What's the cost you ask? The extension and expansion of the tax credit would cost an estimated $11 billion NOT including the $10 billion that has been spent on the current homebuyer tax credit.
Since the housing market has been the only thing (in my humble opinion) that has kept our economy alive (for several years before the real estate bottom dropped out) THIS MIGHT NOT BE SUCH A BAD THING TO START OFF OUR ROAD TO RECOVERY.
Now... if they could just relax underwriting approvals, removed HVCC, and get more people back to work with tax incentives for SMALL businesses (Instead of hiring more IRS auditors looking for more tax money), we would be on the road to recovery sooner rather than later.
To take advantage of the amazing deals right now in the TAMPA BAY AREA, just call or email me for more information (813) 777-1196.
For More information on this home or any home in the Greater Tampa Bay Area, Including Bayshore Blvd, Hyde Park, Soho, South Tampa, I, Katrina Madewell, can be reached at (813) 777-1196
Do you Live in Tampa, FL and you owe more on your home that what it's worth? Consulting with me for a Short Sale, can offer you some REAL help, and answer all of your questions. But first, I have to share a story with you. About 7 months ago, I took a listing that was referred to be by a past client. That client, referred her neighbor next door (that was in worse shape than they were) to me for Short Sale Help too.
Like with all of my clients, we sit down for the listing appointment and the first thing we do, is an initial consultation, so that I can truly understand where you, the seller of your home, is coming from. Then, and only then, do I ever offer and advise, help and start planning a strategy to help you obtain your goals, dreams, and desires.
I give the clients all of the information they need, refer them to an attorney that can answer the Lis Pendents for a minimal cost, negotiate the short sale from beginning to end, and even obtain a deficiency waiver and a complete release from the short sale outstanding mortgage obligation. Every conversation was to give more value and see what they needed, and offer all of the information they need to make a very sound decision from the beginning.
One of the first things I tell people when they have a lot of "stuff" a.k.a. "CLUTTER" is to purge unwanted things daily, and store or move (out of the house) anything they will not use in the next 6 months. P.O.D.S. (Portable on Demand Storage) are a great way to start packing yourself, a little at a time, that is almost always guaranteed to leave your house in show ready condition.
So I tell my clients all of this more than 6 months ago, I also tell the neighbor (next door listed with me) that the tenant that has been living there rent free for months should really start looking for another place to permanently reside. After several months go by and we are marketing showing and getting offers on the homes, I remind them its a good idea to go ahead and start packing. I also let them know we will give them both a minimum of 30 days notice of when it looks like we will need them to vacate the home.
We get a signed contract for 45 days out, and it even gets extended by 2 weeks, and the seller STILL has not packed nearly anything. Finally, I give her the phone number to PODS with a coupon code for a discount, and remind them we are under contract and they need to vacate no later than the day of settlement. Don't you know we had to extend BOTH of the closing dates because neither seller was out for the buyers final walk through.
I was so shocked and was nearly speachless telling the buyers agents on these transactions, they are not vacated yet even though they are supposed to be.
I get it, I totally understand that you want to stay there as long as possible, and that it IS hard to leave your home. However, when we talked 6-7 months ago, you were already behind on your mortgage payments, not making ends meet, and that's why I am here ... to make it all go away for you!
Sellers PLEASE do your part and work with me (or your current agent) to make sure that you are doing your part per the contract that you have already agreed to. By the time we get to this point, my seller has had a lot of time to get everything together and make final moving arrangements.
It is so inconsiderate (as a human being) to not think of the other parties in the transaction, and especially to leave the buyer to figure out what they should do next, because you didn't vacate your home in time for their walk thru prior to closing.
Do the right thing because honestly, integrity, and karma will always prevail, and give you back what you gave out.
It's important you trust me, or anyone you work with to guide you through this process. I know you have more questions or need some help with that to do next. You can reach me, Katrina Madewell, on my cell phone at (813) 777-1196, to answer all of your questions.
The Banks are bankrupt, yet WE the tax payer are lending THEM money to make them bullet proof! Let me ask you something? IF this economy effected you, as it has banks, and you were bankrupt, would the BANKS lend you (a working tax paying individual) money? Ha haaa ... OK if you are a banker, you can stop laughing now! If you have fallen on hard times and have tried to get a loan, you know EXACTLY what I am talking about! READ THIS INFORMATION CLOSELY, because it WILL effect you!!!
If someone told you, "You work in a public service related industry, so we want to make your credit report PUBLIC RECORDS, is that ok with you?" what would you say?
I wrote a letter to FAMB (Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers) to take a stance on what politicians are trying to do to get rid of Mortgage Originators and create a monopoly for the banks!!
You know, if they are going to start requiring that ALL people working in the mortgage industry be licensed, that is FINE, but BANKERS should not be exempt from this ruling! It seems that everything that changes is geared towards driving loan originators out of the industry and keeping a monopoly of the BANKERS IN, following different rules!
The craziest part is that they want to MAKE OUR CREDIT REPORTS PUBLIC RECORDS!!! How insane is this???!!! Why don't they just make EVERYONES credit public? With identity theft, are they NUTS!!!? Last I checked, WE THE TAX PAYERS, pay our politician friends salary, so WHY aren't they as ANXIOUS to make THEIR credit report public???!!! After all, WE elected them, and WE pay them! How about the BANKS that the tax payers have given BILLIONS of dollars to? I don't see them making THEIR employees credit reports PUBLIC RECORDS, yet we give THEM an infusion of cash!!
The real question here is this, ask ANYONE if their credit reports were going to be made PUBLIC for the world to see, "how would that sit with you?" My guess is most people would say "ABSOLUTELY NOT!"
I am asking that you make these issues AWARE to the general public. They should know what is going on secretly behind the scenes and how this WILL effect them in the end! If they eliminate smaller mortgage firms, they will eliminate consumer choice, and give the banks more of a monopoly to charge whatever they want! Anytime monopolies are created, it's BAD for the consumer! Here we are giving them all of our cash, and the legislators are helping them play God!
Mortgage loan originators aren't the bad guy, they keep the BANKS honest!
Florida's legislature passed legislation affecting Mortgage Loan Originators and mortgage lending. The most significant of these is SB 2226, an almost complete rewrite of the current law outlining the duties and responsibilities of Loan Originators.
The Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers has offered its members a Webinar, presented by FAMB President Valerie Saunders and FAMB Executive Director Frank Cicione, onWednesday, May 27, 2009to describe how the revisions made to FS494 will change the way they do business forever.
There are several controversial portions of SB 2226:
It gives Florida mortgage regulators the right the request a copy of each mortgage licensee's Credit Report and use it as a possible reason for denial of issuing or reissuing a Loan Originator license.
It increases the amount of equity required for a Correspondent Lender to obtain or retain their correspondent lending license.
It mandates state licensing and annual license renewal for all Loan Originators currently working for Mortgage Brokerage Businesses, Mortgage Lenders, and Correspondent Lenders. WHERE ARE THE MORTGAGE BANKERS MENTIONED IN THIS!?
It mandates state licensing and annual license renewal for Loan Processors who currently work for Mortgage Brokerage Businesses, Mortgage Lenders and Correspondent Lenders.
And please remember, remind your Florida Senator and Representative the licensing legislation passed this year did not protect Mortgage Loan Originators' credit reports from disclosure through the public records. If legislation is not passed by the Florida legislature next session and signed into law by the Governor our credit reports will be open for everyone to see.
On Fri, May 22, 2009 at 8:34 AM, Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers <publicrelations@famb.org> wrote:
News from the Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers
May 22, 2009 Issue No. 120
FAMB Government Affairs Update by Tom Morcom, Committee Chair
Florida Passes Mortgage Licensing Legislation
Florida's legislature passed legislation affecting Mortgage Loan Originators and mortgage lending. The most significant of these is SB 2226, an almost complete rewrite of the current law outlining the duties and responsibilities of Loan Originators.
The Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers has offered its members a Webinar, presented by FAMB President Valerie Saunders and FAMB Executive Director Frank Cicione, onWednesday, May 27, 2009to describe how the revisions made to FS494 will change the way they do business forever.
There are several controversial portions of SB 2226:
It gives Florida mortgage regulators the right the request a copy of each mortgage licensee's Credit Report and use it as a possible reason for denial of issuing or reissuing a Loan Originator license.
It increases the amount of equity required for a Correspondent Lender to obtain or retain their correspondent lending license.
It mandates state licensing and annual license renewal for all Loan Originators currently working for Mortgage Brokerage Businesses, Mortgage Lenders, and Correspondent Lenders.
It mandates state licensing and annual license renewal for Loan Processors who currently work for Mortgage Brokerage Businesses, Mortgage Lenders and Correspondent Lenders.
And please remember, remind your Florida Senator and Representative the licensing legislation passed this year did not protect Mortgage Loan Originators' credit reports from disclosure through the public records. If legislation is not passed by the Florida legislature next session and signed into law by the Governor our credit reports will be open for everyone to see.
Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers has partnered with the National Federation of Mortgage Professionals (NFPM) to expand participation in the Federal Legislative and Regulatory process
Federal Government Moves to Eliminate Yield Spread Premiums
The Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act Passes in the U.S. House
The Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act, (HR 1728) was written to stop mortgage originators steering consumers into higher cost loans for higher originator income. The impact on Mortgage Loan Originators and Consumers will be to:
Eliminate loan originators receipt of yield spread premium
Further limit types of mortgage products offered to consumers
This bill has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill has not been considered by the United States Senate but is expected to be considered in future months.
Watch this space for steps you can take to help protect lenders ability to pay Mortgage Loan Originators Yield Spread premiums and help retain consumers choice the type of loans available to them.
Go to www.famb.org for exhibitor registration, hotel reservations and the brand new FAMB Widget. Place the FAMB Widget on your company webpage, Facebook, LinkedIn, blog or other social media networking site for instant updates and a countdown to the 2009 Annual Convention & Trade Show.
If you know me, you already know (aside from my Market Leader Posts) I have been M.I.A. here on Active Rain for a while. I was one of the first, the early, the regular bloggers here on Active Rain. As life gets busy, deals can weigh you down (wanting to give your clients your attention first), and all of this stuff! I really feel like I have had writers block, or I guess that would be BLOGGERS BLOCK! Being so used to writing GREAT blogs that would get attention, features, and comments, I didn't want to deliver anything other than my BEST me! So I hesitated and avoided writing my blogs. I miss so many of you guys (my friends) that I know on here, unless you are on Facebook, I have not communicated with you!
Today, I heard something that made me think of all of this and brought me to write this blog. Someone mentioned, that there was an author that wrote a fabulous book, that had MAJOR writers block as he was writing the book, before it was published. He said that he continued with a ritual and SAT in the same room at the same time, EVERY DAY... even if he didn't write anything at all!!
I know there are SO many great changes here (like the auto save feature - A GOD SEND)
So many new people to meet and connect with, learn from, teach, and grow with!!
So many people I have missed
So much knowledge that has slid by me....
I'm curious, have you had writers block? What did you do about it?
When is your best time to blog ?
Is it your regular daily ritual?
It's so easy to get sucked into reading, writing, and interacting with others here on a regular basis on Active Rain.... I could spend HOURS every day here!!!
In week 12, I have had 6 new leads, from Vision. Market Leader's, Growth Leader site.
This is an interesting mix because 4 are BUY NOW prospects. and 2 are tire kicking. The 4 that are marketed BUY NOW buyers, have returned to my site more than one day, and they are also SAVING LISTINGS.
This market is really starting to shift. We are seeing more and more buyers have to out bid each other on great homes at a good price. Mutilple offer situations on many homes, especially the entry level homes.
With the the tax incentives of up to $8500, it's hard for 1st time buyers NOT to Buy RIGHT NOW.
This is for week 11 from March 22-28th using Vision Market Leader site.
14 NEW WEB LEADS this week~! WOW! Out of the 14 new buyer prospects,
5 of them returned to the site on a different day.
4 of the 14 leads say they are NOW buyers.
2 say they are 1-3 months out from buying.
2 say they are 3-6 months out.
6 are window shopping, "JUST LOOKING".
Quality of clientelle seems to be improving and the people are great that I have been connecting with thus far (or they are non-responsive altogether).
Still waiting for answers from the banks, is enough to drive me and the clients crazy. Just goes to show, you and your client can BOTH do everything possible to avoid these, but they are a market reality, so the likely-hood that you will WAIT on SOMETHING is pretty good.
I have a buyer right now, and we have been waiting on an answer from a BANK OWNED property, between the listing agent NOT going out of her way to help, muchless provide accurate HOA management company information, we wait for OVER a week for this lady to tell me they do not manage this part of 'Raintree'. Should I scream NOW or later!!! ???
Can't wait to see how these leads progress over the next several weeks.
This week there were 0 new leads for the whole week. I did have a prospect that I was communicating with, that emailed me and thanked me for my help and asked me about a few homes, we emailed back a few times. She told me she wasn't sure how it all worked, and what the "rules" were for Realtors.
So I advised her if she already had an agent, that they should continue with that agent, unless there was a good reason not to. She stated that she was just trying to 'help her son' and found my website, appreciated my help, but just didn't know the rules.
I politely disengaged the conversation. If this were MY client, I would want another Realtor to give me the same respect. Karma, is all I can say.
Dupree Lakes Beazer home Brentwood model is on sale at a 58% discount!! Come see thisbuilder perfect stunning home just built a few years ago. On 6/30/2006 this home appraised for $310,000!
Located on a Conservation Lot at a discount $35,000 less than what the builder is selling it for now. This home has an amazing bonus roomupstairs that can easily be a home theatre or play room.
This is a fabulous commmunity with all of the amenities you can imagine. The Clubhouse is the perfect place for a party, baby-shower, or gathering. The pool is HUGE with a tot zone splash area for the little ones.
Don't forget about the playground, the tennis courts, the soccer field, the basket-ball courts, Volley ball, and Serene Nature Trails paved for walking or jogging with abundant wildlife such as cranes, egrets, deer, turtles, armadillos, fish, raccoons, squirrels, and much more.
This home is a short sale the list price is not sufficient to cover all liens and encumbrances. Third party approval is required to sell this home. All room dimensions are estimated rounded up or down from builder info provided and must be verified by the buyer. Come see this GREAT home and compare it to other homes like it,.. You will win with this deal. School District zones for this home are A Rated for Elementary Middle and High School.
Here is the tour of this home and the community:
For more information on DUPREE LAKES or to see this home or any other home in Dupree Lakes, you can call (813) 235-9889 or email me at the link to the right.
As you begin your search for TAMPA Homes, rest assured we can search for and Save you time, energy, and money... ONLY looking at the homes youlike the best!
What homes can we look at for you? We promise to deliver beyond your expectations. If you elect we can offer you, your personal search comes with your own private web page that allows you to view the homes in your search criteria, mark your favorites, possabilities, and delete the ones you don't like!
The best part of it all is AS A BUYER, YOU NEVER PAY FOR OUR SERVICES!
Here what just a few of our most recent advocates had to say about our services:
Katrina Madewell, Helping Buyers and Sellers and borrowers in TAMPA Florida for 16 years. For a FREE TAMPA RELOCATION GUIDE to this area including the Greater Tampa Bay area and surrounding neighborhoods, click here, to request your easy to get, no obligation Relocation Package to Buying Tampa Real Estate.
Katrina Madewell is a Home Consultant serving Tampa Bay for 16 years now. Katrina can be reached at (813) 235-9889 or on the web at TheBestHomesInTampa.com
Tampa Home Sellers Talk about Their Experience with me
Real Estate and Mortgage Help: Timiko will tell you we always had HER BEST interest in mind, and asked all of the right questions at the right time.
ONE of our recent Radio Plays Lutz Home with an In-Law or Guest Cottage: Here is the In Law Cottage: WELCOME TO TAMPA
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.
Many local residents are excited with all that this new WAL*MART SUPER CENTER will has to offer. Super Target is open at County Line Road and Dale Mabry, but with their extremely strick return or even exchange policy, who wants to shop there? NOT ME!
Like with all of my clients, we sit down for the listing appointment and the first thing we do, is an initial consultation, so that I can truly understand where you, the seller of 
One of the first things I tell people when they have a lot of "stuff" a.k.a. "CLUTTER" is to purge unwanted things daily, and store or move (out of the house) anything they will not use in the next 6 months. P.O.D.S. (Portable on Demand Storage) are a great way to start packing yourself, a little at a time, that is almost always guaranteed to leave your house in show ready condition.
Sellers PLEASE do your part and work with me (or your current agent) to make sure that you are doing your part per the contract that you have already agreed to. By the time we get to this point, my seller has had a lot of time to get everything together and make final moving arrangements. 
The Banks are bankrupt, yet WE the tax payer are lending THEM money to make them bullet proof! Let me ask you something? IF this economy effected you, as it has banks, and you were bankrupt, would the BANKS lend you (a working tax paying individual) money? Ha haaa ... OK if you are a banker, you can stop laughing now! If you have fallen on hard times and have tried to get a loan, you know EXACTLY what I am talking about! READ THIS INFORMATION CLOSELY, because it WILL effect you!!!
If someone told you, "You work in a public service related industry, so we want to make your credit report PUBLIC RECORDS, is that ok with you?" what would you say?
If you know me, you already know (aside from my Market Leader Posts) I have been M.I.A. here on Active Rain for a while. I was one of the first, the early, the regular bloggers here on Active Rain. As life gets busy, deals can weigh you down (wanting to give your clients your attention first), and all of this stuff! I really feel like I have had writers block, or I guess that would be BLOGGERS BLOCK! Being so used to writing GREAT blogs that would get attention, features, and comments, I didn't want to deliver anything other than my BEST me! So I hesitated and avoided writing my blogs. I miss so many of you guys (my friends) that I know on here, unless you are on Facebook, I have not communicated with you!
Today, I heard something that made me think of all of this and brought me to write this blog. Someone mentioned, that there was an author that wrote a fabulous book, that had MAJOR writers block as he was writing the book, before it was published. He said that he continued with a ritual and SAT in the same room at the same time, EVERY DAY... even if he didn't write anything at all!!
Dupree Lakes Beazer home Brentwood model is on sale at a 58% discount!! Come see this builder perfect stunning home just built a few years ago. On 6/30/2006 this home appraised for $310,000! 
Located on a Conservation Lot at a discount $35,000 less than what the builder is selling it for now. This home has an amazing bonus roomupstairs that can easily be a home theatre or play room. 
jogging with abundant wildlife such as cranes, egrets, deer, turtles, armadillos, fish, raccoons, squirrels, and much more. 
Phone (813) 235-9889 or on my CELL PHONE (813) 777-1196 by email at 
;)
;)
