Thinking of moving to or moving within Plant City and don't know where to start? Start with Homestars Realty. With over 9 years in the Plant City Real Estate Market, you can't go wrong with us. We have vast knowledge of all the communities including their fees and dues. Ever wanted a floor plan of the potential home you are considering? We have them! Deed Restrictions? We can walk you through the ins and outs of them so you know exactly what you are getting into. Have a question about whether that new home is now in a flood zone? We can help!

Want to know where to eat in town? We can help you with that too. Need a reccomendation for a plumber, a/c repair or general handy man? We've worked with the ones you want to do business with.

You have questions about Plant City or any of the surrounding communities...we have answers. Homestars has assited buyers and sellers all over eastern Hillsborough County and Western Polk. Let us be your guide in the your next real estate transaction!

Contact Nicole Adams, Broker at (813) 967-1943 or via email at nadams370@yahoo.com

As my husband and I own an Allstate Agency, I will admit upfront that I am not objective in my opinions on this. That being said you can choose not to continue to read!

Recently, the State of Florida decided that they would target Allstate Floridian and its companies that are writing business in the state. Allstate is not the only company that filed for a rate increase in the state. And while I don't agree with Allstate Corporate being unwilling to turn over the documents that the state is requiring, here is my problem...

Allstate and the executives that are in a pissing match with the state of Florida are not the ones that are going to suffer when Allstate is no longer allowed to write policies. The public is going to suffer because there will be less competition which results in higher rates. The small business owners whose only avenue to write business is through Allstate will suffer. If forced to rely on renewals, they may not survive. The families who work for these small business owners will suffer when the agents will no longer be able to afford to employ them. When people lose jobs the economy suffers.

Please know that my husband and I don't make a fortune on the commissions our company makes from the premiums that are charged. We just make a living, not enough to get rich. Soon we will not even be able to make enough to get by....It's a good thing we can sell real estate! That is, if we can find some homeowners coverage for our clients!

Again, I know that Allstate Corporate has played a large part in this problem but I believe the state may be over zealous in their approach in fixing the insurance premium crisis!

You've heard the old sayings, "practice what you preach, walk the talk, etc".

I woke up this morning thinking about what my next blog would be! What's the problem, you ask? Well my first "Quality of Life" blog was written while I was on vacation in TN. And as I woke this morning thinking about what I would blog on today, I am still in TN. Now, I did stop between my bed and the computer to snuggle with my two youngest on the air mattress. However, I think I may have a sickness. I believe I mentioned it in part 1...workaholism. It is pretty bad when you pick up your hand-held phone to check for messages, even though you know that you have NO reception here in Tennessee. (As my husband would say,"Why is it that we can travel into universe but we can't get ANY cell phone reception in Tennessee!!!!!) And when I was writing this blog THE FIRST TIME and the computer shut down for updates, It REALLY aggravated me. But I felt passionate enough to finish writing it.

I NEED HELP! Many of us do! There is a great YouTube video on being addicted to blogging, click here to watch http://youtube.com/watch?v=12yD8JyaVvY (Thanks for sharing it, Rob Masse!). My impassioned plea is that we would all be accountable to one another to take time off. Away from the computer, email, cell phone and the likes! So my vow to you today is that I will not get on this computer again while I'm in Tennessee. I am taking baby steps since I will only be here until tomorrow. I am going to go fishing at the quarry with my kids. I wish my husband was with us but he had to stay home to take care of our businesses. Yes, I married a workaholic too! (I'm going to send him a link to this blog!)

Thanks to those who made some great comments on my last "Quality of Life" blog. You inspired me to write again and made me really think about what I wrote. Try to "Do as I say, not as I do" and I will try to "Practice what I preach"!!!!!!

Are you a workaholic? Do you spend more time working then most people?

While I think it is important to work hard; there must be balance in our lives. Professionals in the real estate industry are notorious for working long and odd hours. I would venture to say that that is why most Realtors don't last more than 18 months in the business. And those of us that have, well we've just learned some bad habits. Most of us have sacrificed time with our family and friends. I realize that it is essential to be available when the consumer is ready however, we need to schedule some planned time off! If we don't have anyone else that works with us, find another Realtor that you trust. Establish days that you will help each other out. We must have some down time or we will get burnt out!

Gary Keller wrote an excellent seminar on balance in life called Quantum Leap. It is not Keller Williams specific, it is human being specific! I encourage anyone who may be out of balance with their work and personal life to find a way to take this course or find another that helps you establish priorities and balance in your life. If you would like more information about Quantum Leap, please feel free to contact me!

Need to find a great agent to refer your valued clients to? Florida Homestars...provides stellar service to all their customer and will to yours as well. We offer a 30% referral!

Florida Homestars services the greater Tampa Bay area and specializes in Hillsborough and western Polk County. Residential home sales. Commercial, investment and rental property. Vacant Land. Short sales, pre-foreclosure and foreclosure properties. Build by Owner (build on your own lot) and Builder Advocate programs.

Florida Homestars has over nine years combined years of real estate expertise. Coupled with over 35 years in sales, marketing and graphic design, sellers will have the best team to help market a home in a wide range of media. Knowledge of today's vast use of technology helps to ensure the home will be viewed by the broadest range of buyers available.

Our customer service experience guarantees that buyers will feel secure that their pursuit of the American Dream will end with stellar satisfaction!

Florida Homestars....providing stellar service!

 

 

Unhappy with your commission splits, office policies, lack of training or support? Don't have the technology to market yourself effectively? Tired of marketing your company and not yourself?

Keller Williams has the tools and training to take your business to the next level whether you are newly licensed or an experienced agent. We help you to brand yourself because we recognized that you are the one that builds the relationship with the customer. We offer the technology to market yourself on the Internet. WE can help you get wherever you want to go in your real estate career!

Come find out what the fastest growing real estate company in America has to offer! For more information or a confidential interview: email to NicoleAdams@KW.com or call (813) 967-1943 today!

Looking to make a change? Tired of the mundane 9 to 5? Tired of having limited income potential? Consider a career in real estate!

The news is grim about the real estate industry but remember people are always buying or selling! People continue to have job transfers, get married or divorced, have kids or send them off to college and so on and so on!

If you have the proper training the posibilities are great! For more information: email to NicoleAdams@KW.com or call (813) 967-1943. I can put you in touch with a Broker anywhere in the country!!!

 

Short Sales...It's a term many of us in the industry are very familiar with these days! But what about the consumer? As professionals, we have to do our best to educate consumers that this might be a possibility for them. Many people that go into foreclosure never even know that they may have been able to sell it for less than they owe. So why do we care? Well, first of all it is a business opportunity for us. BUT more importantly, it is an opportunity to prove that our profession truly cares about the best interest of the public. The advantages as far as a seller's credit repair options when they do a short sale rather than foreclosure are HUGE! We need to get the word out there...It's a win-win for everyone involved!

HURRY! HURRY! HURRY!

If you are going to take advantage of the portability of the new tax amendment, you must act fast! Here's what you have to do; you must go to your county property appraisers office to apply BY MARCH 1, 2008!

To be eligible, you must have moved from one homesteaded property to another in 2007 and you must file homestead exemption on the new home this year! If you would like to find out what your savings would be, go to www.tampabay.com/taxes and use the tax calculator.

Florida Insurance Crisis

I'll admit ahead of time that I am biased on this issue as my husband owns an Allstate agency...That being said my concern is two fold.

First, why does it seem that the Governor and/or State officials seem to have a personal vendetta against Allstate. Allstate is not the only company that filed for a rate increase. All the others large companies did and were declined. I have to wonder if there is some kind of personal agenda behind it.

Second, What happens when Allstate decides to no longer write any insurance in our state. Some may look at that is a good thing. But my concern is if Allstate pulls out after over 60 years of being here, what are the other big companies going to do? If we start to lose companies in the state, we have less competition. If we have less competition, we have, by nature, higher rates. Doesn't that defeat the purpose! I thought we were trying to get insurance premiums under control in our state.

Okay, I'll get down off my soap box now! I'm open to hearing discussion and opposition on this issue. I know people have strong feelings about it!