Bob's Blog

MLS Fees, from my soapbox!

2008-06-12T08:59:40Z

Now more than ever, I know that we have to be watching our expenses and doing all that we can to make money! But I have a gripe! We are getting out of control with the exorbitant MLS fees some agents are charging! Banks are taking away our commission, we have to pay our brokerage company and now we are gouging each other.

If the agents don't look out for and try to help one another, who will? We are all working hard right now. Seller's representatives have the expenses of carrying a listing and probably dealing with a bank if it is a short sale or REO. But Buyer's representatives are working their tales off as well. Buyer's have so many options. I would venture to guess from my experience that we are showing buyers an average of 10-15 homes before they decide on one. Many times they want to see more of the vast inventory that is out there or wait to see if the prices come down further. When they do make an offer, it is typically a low one! I am not complaining about what the buyers are doing, it's understandable but as a representative of one, we work hard for our commission these days. For us to work that hard and then have to take a 2 or 2.5% commission because that is all the bank will allow and and on top of it to have the listing agent charge you a $395 MLS fee is absurd!

I stand in protest! My team and I will lead by example! We vow never to charge the MLS fee again. I hope some of you will follow our example! If I stand alone, that's okay too. I feel it's the right thing to do!

Okay, I'll come down now. Can someone lend me a hand?

Bi-lingual Buyer's Agent Needed

2008-05-20T10:11:54Z

The Homestars Team of Keller Williams Brandon is looking for a Bi-lingual Buyer's agent.

We serve Plant City, Valrico, Brandon, Lakeland and all over Hillsborough county. Investment Specialists with experience in New Construction, Resale, Foreclosure, Short Sales and Single & Multi Units. The Homestars Team is able to provide to their clients great amount of experience in negotiations, management of the sales process, and customer service. Bob has over 18 years of proven success in sales and management. Nicole over 15 years in sales, marketing and graphics. She has specialzed in real estate for the past 10 years and holds a broker associate license. we are highly technically oriented.

Together, Bob and Nicole have a client database of over 2,000. This is a great opportunity for a new agent who would like to learn from our experience or an experienced agent. Either will be able to expand their ability to grow their client base and the ability to service their clients. We will train as needed.

The position is full commission although a temporary paid administrative position might be considered during a training period. As part of our team, you are eligible for a half cap through Keller Williams Realty of Brandon. Please contact us by phone or email at nicoleadams@kw.com or (813) 967-1943.

Paragon Homes..Believe the quality!

2008-05-10T07:56:33Z

Paragon Homes, Building Excellence is what this builder's tag line says. But Paragon has proven that they mean what they say.

Back in November of last year (2007), my wife and I bought a Paragon Home. Initially when we looked at their inventory we were impressed with their quality construction. Their representatives were incredibly professional and helpful. Prior to closing, we had the home inspected. Our inspector is a former builder. He was very impressed with the construction of the home. His comment was something to the effect of, "I have never used that few stickers to tag problems in a home!"

We have now lived in the home for over 6 months, we are still thrilled with our home and it's excellent condition. We have built homes before and had problems. The small issues we have had were handled in a quick and friendly manner. Paragon's representatives have been very impressive. We are currently watching them build other homes in the neighborhood and have watched their construction process. We continue to be astounded with Paragon Homes.

I highly recommend that you look into their communities if you are purchasing a home. Check out their website to find their communities, www.paragonhomesfl.com. Tell them Bob & Nicole Adams sent you!

Shout the good news!

2008-05-09T08:26:32Z

Many are saying that the worst is over! NAR Economist and the media finally seem to agree that now is the time to buy! The Wall Street Journal claims, "The housing market is bottoming right now!" (emphasis mine).

So, what are we waiting for? We need to get out there and tell ALL of our customers...especially those buyers that have been sitting on the fence! Someone is going to swoop up that house that they "just love" but decided to wait to see if the price would go down any further! If the seller's hear the news, they won't be as willing to negotiate! We need to take advantage of this positive media! We need to tell everyone we know and try to do our part to help get our businesses rolling again. Now is the time to pick up the phone! Get over your call reluctance now! Generate some business for yourselves and others! We have the power!

Just do it!

Reduced! You won't believe the price!

2008-05-08T09:10:42Z

What an incredible deal! Lowest price/sq ft by far!

Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home in the Summerfield subdivision of Riverview! Riverview is a growing community with lost of great ammenities nearby. Easy access to I-75 means a quick commute to Brandon, Tampa and vacinities! This great 2 story home was just built in 2005 and boasts almost 1,800 sq ft! ML #T2307142 listed at the awesome price of $159,900. Now reduced to $142,000.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Under $80/sq ft!

Short Sale, Huh?

2008-05-08T09:06:10Z

Short sale? What is that? I know you have heard the term but are you trying to figure out what it all means?

Are you a homeowner that needs to sell due to a hardship? Do you owe more on your home than you can sell it for? A short sale may be an alternative to foreclosure. There are many things that you and your Realtor have to do to make it work. The lender may require mush supportive paperwork including a hardship letter, financial statements, etc. It can be a long and time consuming process but in the end your credit is not impacted as it would be from a foreclosure. In most cases, you can start rebuilding your credit immediately!

As a seller, it is very important that you work with a Realtor who is trained and experienced in the short sale process. They may not have experience with your particular lender or lenders (this is applicable, if you have multiple loans) however they should have experience with some!

As a buyer, what does a short sale mean to you? It means you may be working on your patience. A short sale has to be approved by the seller's lender. The approval process can take as long as 8 to 12 weeks in a worst case scenario. Ask your Realtor to find out who the lender is and what their time frame typically is, so you can have your expectations set. If you get tired of waiting and want to move on to other properties, you can ask your agent to rescind the offer. The bank may not accept your offer and want to negotiate and sometimes they may just say no! In the end, if you can wait it out, you'll usually get a good deal.

If you need more information or would like help in finding short sales, please contact The Homestars Team at (813) 817-4829.

Marketing 101

2008-05-08T08:04:44Z

There are so many tools out there for Realtors to market themselves. There are millions of options for buying buyer and seller leads. How do we sift through it all? And, do we just focus on marketing that showcases us and our areas of expertise or do we focus on marketing our listings!

With marketing as with everthing else, I believe we must have balance. Though we know we may not generate leads from print media, our sellers expect to see their home in lights so to speak. Unless we have specifically spelled it out in our marketing agreement with them, right now we need to do what we can to make them feel like we are doing our jobs to get their home sold.

So how do we sift through it all? Use your resources! Don't reinvent the wheel! Talk to the agents around you and see what they are having success with! If there is no one in your office that is doing it, find other resources. There are plenty of ways to network with other professionals! Let's face it. There is plenty of business out there for all those that are willing to work for it. Let's not be afraid to share the things that are working for us for fear of another agent "stealing" all the business!

I believe it boils down to this...Budget your money, budget your time! Budget your money... by having one! Ask others what paid marketing works. Do the same with your time, don't spend a lot of it updating websites and registering for free networking, until you know it works!

Work smarter, not harder!

What a value!

2008-04-14T07:58:18Z

Customer Need Land? Bring your horses!

2008-04-14T07:49:34Z

Well maintained 3 bedroom, 2 bath manufactured home with over 1,500 sq ft on almost 5 acres! Home is located in Plant City north of Interstate 4. It's vacinity to I-4 makes it the ideal location for a quick and easy commute to Tampa, Brandon, Lakeland and Orlando. There is a two car gargage and workshop included with the property. Bring you horses because this property has been green-belted to help with tax savings! ML #T2288304 priced at $249,900! It is a must see!

Magnolia Green

2008-03-31T20:53:36Z

Magnolia Green is one of the newest, most affordable neighborhoods in Plant City. This beautiful new community is being built exclusively by D.R. Horton, "America's Builder". The neighborhood offers one and two story southern style, single family homes. The versatile 3 and 4 bedroom floor plans range from approximately 1,600 to over 2,800 sq ft. The builder boasts a long list of standard features and all homes include a "Quality Assurance" guarantee. Magnolia Green is one of the few neighborhoods that feature a community pool and cabana. Prices start in the $180,000s.

Magnolia Green is in south Plant City and is convenient to Tampa, Lakeland and Brandon with easy access to I-75, I-4, and the LeeRoy Selmon Expressway. Just minutes off of Interstate 4, gives you easy access to Busch Gardens, Adventure Island Water Park, Sea World, Disney World, Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, Wet 'N Wild, Discovery Cove and so many other Orlando attractions! Not to mention some of the most beautiful beaches in the world!

Three beautifully appointed models are available for viewing! Contact Florida Homestars (813) 817-4829 for more information on Magnolia Green or Plant City, it's communities or any neighborhood in Hillsborough and western Polk county. Email us at BobAdams@kw.com. Visit our website at http://www.flhomestars.com/!

New FHA Limits

2008-03-07T10:29:11Z

With the disappearance of the sub-prime mortgage, real estate professionals have been forced to find new avenues for financing. Enter...FHA. Or would a more appropriate term be, "Welcome Back"! For those of us who have been in the business for a while or have even had our own FHA mortgage, we remember the days when FHA was the only option for clients who had little money for a down payment.

Recently, FHA has again become a strong option for our clients. Most recently they have raised the FHA loan limits. This was essential as the price of homes has continued to rise despite our recent market conditions. To see what the limits are in your area, follow this link: https://entp.hud.gov/idapp/html/hicostlook.cfm?CFID=9182040&CFTOKEN=4068eff-00015f17-61a5-17d1-8b24-80e8d3d10000

FHA has also eased the guidelines on the condition of the property. The requirements are now more in-line with a conventional loan. This opens up opportunity for us to sell some of those homes that may be in disrepair due to foreclosure.

If you are unfamiliar with FHA, now is the time to find out more! Real Estate professionals, without a doubt should know the ins and outs of FHA, as this may be the only option for many of our clients for an undetermined amount of time. The most important thing to remember: FHA does not make loans, it insures against the risk of default for the lenders or investors who provide them.

Strawberry Festival Events - 03/04/2008

2008-03-04T08:19:13Z

Welcome to the Florida Strawberry Daily Report!

Each day we will provide you with an update on the daily schedule of activities at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Come on down to Plant City, FL and enjoy the fun and activities that we have to offer. Don't forget that delicious Strawberry Shortcake!!!!

Admission:

Adults $10, Children 6-12 $5, Children 6-under Free

Tuesday, March 4 - ride-a-thon day

Ride-A-Thon from 3:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. A wristband purchased at the Midway for $17 will entitle the wearer to ride most mechanical rides for this one low price.

10:00 a.m. Gates Open - Midway Opens at 12:00 noon

All Day Poultry and Rabbit Shows......................................................................Poultry & Rabbit Tent

2:00 p.m. Strawberry Stemming Contest...Sponsored by Rainbow Vacuum..Fifth Third Bank Entertainment Tent

3:30 p.m. Ronnie Milsap ........................................................ Southern Chevy Dealers Soundstage

7:00 p.m. Lamb Costume Contest..............................................................................................Lamb Tent

7:30 p.m. Blake Shelton........................................................... Southern Chevy Dealers Soundstage

All directions are to the Ticket Office and Festival Grounds.

From Orlando:
Take I-4 West towards Tampa
Take the Thonotosassa Rd. Exit. Exit 19 SR 566
Turn left on Thonotosassa Rd. and follow to traffic light
At traffic light go straight onto Lemon St. and follow to 4 way stop at Oak St.
Turn right on Oak St.
Ticket Office is approximately 2 blocks on the left. (Sign out front)

From Tampa:
Take I-4 East towards Orlando
Take the Thonotosassa Rd. Exit. Exit 19 SR 566
Turn right on Thonotosassa Rd. and follow to traffic light
At traffic light go straight onto Lemon St. and follow to 4 way stop at Oak St.
Turn right on Oak St.
Ticket Office is approximately 2 blocks on the left. (Sign out front)

From Winter Haven/Bartow using Hwy 60:
Take Hwy. 60 West towards Tampa
Turn right on Hwy. 39 and follow to Alexander St.
Turn left onto Alexander St. and follow to Reynolds St. (S.R. 574)
Turn left onto Reynolds St. (S.R. 574)
Turn right on Plum St.
Turn left on Oak St.
Ticket office is one block on the left side of Oak St. (Sign out front)

From Tampa/Brandon using Hwy. 60:
Take Hwy. 60 East
Turn left onto Turkey Creek rd. and follow to S.R. 574
Turn right on S.R. 574 (Reynolds Street)
Turn left onto Woodrow Wilson and follow to Oak St.
Turn right on Oak St.
Ticket Office on the corner of Woodrow Wilson and Oak St. (Sign out front)

From Lakeland on Hwy. 92:
Take Hwy. 92 West towards Tampa
Turn left at Lemon St. and follow to 4 way stop at Oak St.
Turn right on Oak St.
Ticket Office is approximately 2 blocks on the left. (Sign out front)

From Tampa on Hwy. 92:
Take Hwy 92 East towards Lakeland.
Turn right at Lemon St. and follow to 4 way stop at Oak St.
Turn right on Oak St.
Ticket Office is approximately 2 blocks on the left. (Sign out front)

Spectacular Walden Reserve Home Available

2008-02-27T14:11:11Z

LIVE OAK I

Walden Reserve

3514 Regner Drive

Plant City, FL

Priced to sell at $299,900

Step into the Live Oak I and you step into a magnificent home that combines elegance with everyday living.

A well-designed foyer and living room are just a hint of what this home has to offer. Entertain friends as you share a special meal in the private dining room prepared in the spacious designer kitchen that features an abundance of counter space, a breakfast bar, a handy built-in desk, and a sunny breakfast nook. The kitchen opens up to the oversized leisure room -- perfect for family gatherings and entertaining.

The roomy master suite is indeed a haven for relaxation. It's complete with an oversized master bath arrangement that features a large walk-in closet, a relaxing garden tub, and a separate shower. The lanai can be accessed from the master suite.

Three secondary bedrooms, two full baths, and a media room with private access from the lanai make this home one-of-a-kind.

Three car garage included.

The following upgrades are included in the list price of this Quick Delivery Home:

Exterior Stone
Granite Countertops in Kitchen with Undermount Stainless Steel Sink and Upgraded Faucet
Corian Countertops in Master Bath
Level II Wall Tile in Master Bath
Level II Floor Tile in all Wet Areas
Upgraded Interior Light Fixtures Throughout
Lever Handles Throughout
Custom Interior Paint Color Throughout
Acrylic Decking on Lanai
Epoxy Finish on Garage Floor
Additional Landscaping at Rear of Home

For more information contact Bob Adams with FL Homestars at bobadams@kw.com or 813-817-4829.

Walden Reserve

2008-02-26T10:30:06Z

Walden Reserve is one of Plant City's exclusive upcoming neighborhoods. This gated, 52 lot community offers beautifully appointed and well built homes. Anderson Homes and Paragon Homes are the exclusive builders in the neighborhood with the majority of the properties being built by Paragon Homes. Home prices start in the $200,000.00's.

Walden Reserve is in the highly sought after elementary school area of Walden Lake Elementary. Tomlin Middle School and Plant City High are the secondary schools. There is a Hillsborough County Community College Plant City campus, University of Florida Extension campus and close vicinity to University of South Floirda main campus.

Walden Reserve is managed by PCPM or Plant City Property Management. The current annual dues are $500.00.

Walden Reserve is convenient to Tampa, Plant City and Brandon with easy access to I-75, I-4, and the LeeRoy Selmon Expressway. Just minutes off of Interstate 4, gives you easy access to Busch Gardens, Adventure Island Water Park, Sea World, Disney World, Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, Wet 'N Wild, Discovery Cove and so many other Orlando attractions! Not to mention some of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Plant City is home to Dinosaur World! Plant City also hosts the Florida Strawberry Festival which attracts 500-700,000 people each year. The Strawberry Festival hosts many big name recording artists, a midway, local arts and crafts and of course we can't forget the delicious fresh strawberries grown in our area!

Contact Florida Homestars (813) 817-4829 for more information on Walden Reservse or Plant City, it's communities or any neighborhood in Hillsborough and western Polk county. Email us at BobAdams@kw.com. Visit our website at http://www.flhomestars.com/!

Walden Lake

2008-02-26T10:06:20Z

Walden Lake is Plant City's premiere and most sought after neighborhoods! And with so much to offer, it's now wonder why!

Walden Lake features lakes, playgrounds, an Olympic size pool, tennis courts, golf and miles of walking trials. This isn't another one of those neighborhoods where they plowed over an orange grove and left no trees. And you won't find the houses smack on top of each other either!

Walden Lake also offers a variety of home styles attractive to young singles, to newly married, to young families, to corporative executives, to empty nester's, retired and active Seniors. It boasts nice single family homes starting from the low $100,00 to the $1,000,000.s, and a range of town-homes and condos. Walden lake Elementary is an A rated school!

Just minutes off of Interstate 4, you'll have easy access to Busch Gardens, Adventure Island Water Park, Sea World, Disney World, Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, Wet 'N Wild, Discovery Cove and so many other Orlando attractions! Not to mention some of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Plant City also hosts the Florida Strawberry Festival which attracts 500-700,000 people each year. The Strawberry Festival hosts many big name recording artists, a midway, local arts and crafts and of course we can't forget the delicious fresh strawberries grown in our area!

Beautiful Plant City Florida!

2008-02-26T09:53:23Z

Thinking of moving to Florida? Consider Plant City!

Plant City has so much to offer that you won't want to miss the opportunity to check it out. Plant City's vicinity to many of Florida's major attractions is unbelievable! Just minutes off of Interstate 4 from anywhere in town, gives you easy travel to Busch Gardens, Adventure Island Water Park, Sea World, Disney World, Animal Kingdom, Universal Studios, Wet 'N Wild, Discovery Cove and so many other Orlando attractions! Not to mention some of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Plant City is home to Dinosaur World. Plant City also hosts the Florida Strawberry Festival which attracts 500-700,000 people each year. The Strawberry Festival hosts many big name recording artists, a midway, local arts and crafts and of course we can't forget the delicious fresh strawberries grown in our area!

Though Plant City has grown to over 30,000 people, you can still walk into a store and be warmly greeted by a friend. Our downtown and historic district offers the chance to shop for antiques and take in the rich history of the town. The variety of restaurants spans from national chains like Chili's to local hometown spots.

Our community offers a variety of home choices from single family, town-homes & condos and senior communities. From Walden Lake which boasts lakes, playgrounds, an Olympic size pool, tennis courts, golf and miles of walking trials to the small exclusive neighborhoods like Walden Reserve to the gorgeous, grandfather oak dappled acreage lots of Sam Allen Oaks, you'll find the neighborhood that is just for you!

We could go on and on, but you can't go wrong here!

Contact Florida Homestars (813) 817-4829 for more information on Plant City, it's communities or any neighborhood in Hillsborough and western Polk county. Email us at BobAdams@kw.com. Visit our website at www.FLHomestars.com!

Umberlla Policy - What every homeowner needs!

2008-02-22T13:04:00Z

As an insurance agent and Realtor, I have many clients ask me about additional liability insurance. As a professional, I recommend that they purchase excess liability insurance, aka an Umbrella Policy. The umbrella policy can extend to other properties you may own, such as vacant land, rental properties, etc. Talk with your agent to make sure, that you are properly covered. The cost of an umbrella policy is one of the best deals in the insurance market. Below is a description of how an umbrella policy works.

Please feel free to contact me and I can advise you as to whether or not this is a good product for you to consider. If you have a current policy and have not had it reviewed recently, you may want to check your coverage to see if it will protect you adequately. Many times our assets grow as we mature and we haven't changed our coverages. If you have any questions, would like further information or would like to get a quote, please feel free to call me at (813) 817-4829.

Spectacular Country Home

2008-02-21T10:55:40Z

Spectacular Country Homes for sale in Plant City, FL. Motivated Seller...will consider all offers! This 3 bedroom/ 1 Bath home is situated on 1/2 acre fenced lot with ample room to park your RV or Boat. Priced at $144,000 this is a great opportunity for your first time home buyers to get into a nice home, with great investment potential.

MLS#T2269186

If you would like more information on this or other properties we have, please contact me by visiting us at

www.flhomestars.com

Florida Property Tax Reform

2008-02-19T12:17:42Z

Portability!

Did you know that you will need to file an application with your county property appraiser's office to take advantage of the property tax portabilty. No need to do anything when it comes to the increase in the exemption! Do you want to find out how much you can save with the portability feature? Visit www.tampabay.com/taxes and use the portability calculator there.

Do you still have questions about what the amendment mean to you? For answers to the more common questions, read the article in the St. Pete Times. http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/18/State/Solutions_to_potentia.shtml

For more info, visit www.flhomestars.com