There is so much to do and see in Wesley Chapel Florida, New Tampa Area!! The Shops at WireGrass include the following shopping and eateries - Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, American Greetings, Bare Escentuals, Bath & Body Works, The Body Shop, The Brass Tap, Brighton Collectubles, Brown Shoe Closet, Buckle, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Cache, 365 Caffee Italiano, Cantina Laredo, Champs Sports, Charlotte Russe, Chico's, Christopher & Banks, Coach, Coldwater Creeek, Cosi, Express, Fast Fix Jewelry Repair, Finish Line, Forever XXI, Grillsmith New American Grill, Gymboree, Hair N Clips, Hollister, Hot Topie, hg Aveda, Icing, J. Jill, JCPenney, Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Journey's, Juice Zone, Justice, Kay Jewelers, We Buy Gold, Lane Bryant/Cacique, Learning Express, LensCrafters, Macy's, Mark's & Morgan Jewelers, Moe's Southwest Grill, PacSun, Pottery Barn, Put a Cork In It, Rack Room Shoes, Sephora, Shades, Select Comfort, Stride Rite, Sunglass Hut, Talbots, Teriyaki Experience, The Walking Company, Tilly's, US Bank, Victoria's Secret, Vitamin World, White House Black Market, Williams-Sonoma, Yamato Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar, Zales Jewelers.
The Wiregrass Express is fun all year round, especially during the Christmas season. Cruisin' at Wiregrass happens the 2nd Saturday of every month with classic & antique cars and trucks. Stroller Strides Classes for young moms and fun for their babies.
Nearby Petco where you will find Puppies and Kittens & Fish for sale, Birds for sale, Bank of America, Bank of Tampa, Rooms to Go Furniture, Ashley Home Furnishings, CVS, Walgreens Drug Store, Publix, Office Depot, SweetBay. Wesley Chapel used to be "the sticks", but no more.
Please let me know if there are any questions that you have about homes for sale in Wesley Chapel. It's a great place to raise a family or retire to.
Warmly,
Stephanie LeFew
Wesley Chapel Realtor / Wesley Chapel Real Estate for Sale
This is exciting news that I just received by email from my mortgage guy -- it was definitely worth a 2nd blog for today...
Tremendous New Jumbo Rates! 4.5% 5/1 ARM or 5.0% 7/1 ARM. Up to $3,000,000 Loan Amount. No Points, No Asset Verification, No Escrow required. You only need a 660 score to qualify. Call for more details. This is a great opportunity to purchase luxury homes at todays reduced prices with very affordable payments! Just recieved this from my mortgage guy today OMG this is awesome! Call me!
Craig Nesbitt - 1-866-689-2739, Streamline Mortgage Solutions Buyers - we could negotiate to have the seller pay for your closing costs to include a buy down of your interest rate to 3.875%.
What a great incentive to buy! Call me for details and Buyer Incentives that I offer my exclusive customers!!
Warmly, Stephanie LeFew, Tampa Realtor Luxury Home Specialist http://www.TampaHomeBuy.com Tampa Luxury Homes for sale / Luxury Homes for Sale Tampa Bay / Tampa Luxury Homes Realtor My Services are FREE to Buyers!! 813-624-3332
New Jumbo Loan Program - Selling a Luxury home? Looking to buy a Luxury Home in Tampa Bay Florida? Up to a $3M Loan Amount
This is exciting news that I just received by email from my mortgage guy -- it was definitely worth a 2nd blog for today...
Tremendous New Jumbo Rates! 4.5% 5/1 ARM or 5.0% 7/1 ARM. Up to $3,000,000 Loan Amount. No Points, No Asset Verification, No Escrow required. You only need a 660 score to qualify. Call for more details. This is a great opportunity to purchase luxury homes at todays reduced prices with very affordable payments! Just recieved this from my mortgage guy today OMG this is awesome! Call me!
Craig Nesbitt - 1-866-689-2739, Streamline Mortgage Solutions Sellers - you could offer to pay for a buyer's closing costs and buy down the buyer's rate to 3.875%. What a great incentive -- what a great way that we could market your luxury home and quickly sell your beautiful luxury home in today's competitive market!! Call me for details and specials that I offer my customers!!
Warmly, Stephanie LeFew, Tampa Realtor Luxury Home Specialist http://www.TampaHomeBuy.com Tampa Luxury Homes for sale / Luxury Homes for Sale Tampa Bay / Tampa Luxury Homes Realtor 813-624-3332
Wanting to make a difference as I feel for those who are currently out of work, I am posting this email I just received...
Hi,
I'm sure you probably do a lot of networking throughout Tampa Bay and may be aware of professionals in need of employment. I am a Sales Recruiter for Verizon FIOS and we are currently trying to fill about 42 positions. Anyone interested may email 2020verizonemployment@gmail.com for more information. Thanks. I hope you have an outstanding week.
Sincerely,
John R Bach
2020 Communications / Verizon FIOS - Sales Recruiter Earn Superior FIOS Service Almost for FREE. Call (813) 610-1053 Now Hiring! Email 2020verizonemployment@gmail.com
Please let me know if there are any questions that you may have about moving to the Tampa Bay area as questions about pool homes for sale in Tampa Bay.
If someone is looking to buy a home, how are they protected? What are some of the "Outs" in the contract?
Recently I was asked by one of my buyers about how they are protected in regards to their offer. She was most concerned about the possibility that the house may not appraise for the contract price. I set her mind at ease with the following information.
If a buyer cannot get their loan approved within the length of time that is allowed per the contract, as long as they meet the time guidelines of their contract in notifying the other realtor/owner in writing, they can get their earnest money deposit back.
If the house does not appraise for the amount of the contract price or if the appraisal is not accepted by the buyer's lender then the contract can be cancelled and the buyer can receive their deposit back. Another option is that the price can be renegotiated and lowered, if the seller will agree to it.
If the home is inspected and there is more wrong with it than the dollar figure that the buyer has agreed to, that is an out, and the contract can be cancelled.
Also the seller's title company has to provide a clean title. If that is not able to be done, then again the contract can be cancelled with a full refund of the earnest money deposit.
Please let me know if there are any Tampa Real Estate Questions that you would like answered.
Warmly, Stephanie LeFew http://www.TampaHomeBuy.com South Tampa homes for sale / South Tampa Realtor / South Tampa Real Estate for Sale 813-624-3332
When contemplating a purchase of a home, you may wonder..."what are going to be some expenses I can expect to pay prior to closing on my new home?"
Once you find a home that you really feel called to, you will need to make an offer with your real estate professional and you will want it to be considered a "strong offer". I would suggest making an offer with at least a $1000 earnest money deposit. This money will be taken to the title company that the seller usually picks that will handle the closing. It will be held at the title company until the day of closing and goes towards the purchase price of the home.
Once the negotiations are complete and you have an "executed contract" you will want to order a home inspection. I really like The Home Team in the Tampa area. They are extremely thorough and quick in the fact that they send out a "specialist" for each major component of the house --- roof, air conditioner, termite inspection, electrical, plumbing. You can expect to spend approximately $350 for the home inspection plus and additional $75 for termite inspection. The fee is somewhat dependent on square footage. On the offer, 10 days is how long you have in order to do the home inspection; in order to present an even stronger offer, I write in 5 days instead so as to be able to remove that contingency as soon as possible which is appealing to both seller and buyer.
An appraisal is required by your mortgage company -- approximately $375. This will be ordered by your mortgage company or mortgage broker. Depending on the type of loan this may be able to be included in your closing costs. If not, you will need to pay it out of pocket at the time of the appraisal.
A survey is also required. If the seller had one done recently, it may just need to be updated for a smaller fee. Otherwise a good estimate is $400.
On the day of closing, your Realtor can also order a Home Warranty that will cover any major repairs that may need to be made in the first year with a small "co-pay" whenever you need to call a repairman out -- for air conditioning, plumbing, etc. You can also request a home warranty to cover the pool if applicable. In the negotiations, you can put that in the contract for the seller to pay that for you and with a note that your REOs order it so you can select the plan most beneficial to you with a maximum price of $375 or so.
Knowing what to expect brings peace of mind. I hope you find this information useful. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Please call me if there is anything at all that I can do for you.
Warmly,
Stephanie LeFew
Northdale Realtor / First Time Home Buyer Instructions and Advice / Step By Step Instructions in Buying a home of your very own
Some tips you will want to consider when contemplating becoming a real estate investor -
Buy quality properties at a terrifically low price. It would better for you to purchase properties with little work needed. You will want to put very little money out in order for you to stay in the black, not the red.
You will want to research the current rental rates of similar properties in the same area of your property in order to make sure that you set a fair rental amount.
You will want to absolutely screen your rental applicants to make sure select a tenant who is more likely to make their rent. Use a lease agreement, always put the full agreement on paper.
You could collect the rent yourself. That could be a way that you could save money, however it may be more challenging than you think. If you hire a professional property manager, you will enjoy being a landlord a lot more.
Call Me for assistance in all the above areas. I will make investing in real estate a fun experience, removing a lot of the headaches for you.
Warmly, Stephanie LeFew Your Westchase Realtor / Westchase Waterfront Homes for Sale / Westchase Real Estate for Sale 813-624-3332 cell stephanie@tampahomebuy.com http://www.TampaHomeBuy.com Solaris Realty of Tampa Bay
Despite all the bad stuff that you hear in the news, there are loans out there to fit you, despite some credit hiccups.
Improving your score can pay off in a lower interest rate and a smaller monthly mortgage payment. Fixing errors on credit reports to boost the scores may not be difficult or time-consuming.
To qualify for FHA loans, borrowers must be able to document their incomes and assets and not have defaulted on student loans or other government-backed debt. They usually need credit scores of at least 580. Scores range from 300 to 850. For an FHA loan, you need to put down 3 1/2% of the purchase price down. This downpayment for FHA borrowers can be a cash gift from a relative or friend. Also the seller can pay for the buyer's closing costs and prepaid items. What a deal!!
Local borrowers who don't go the FHA route will face stricter credit requirements on conventional loans.
Conventional mortgages for single-family homes typically require 5 percent down.
The only 100 percent financing available now is through Veterans Affairs, as well as some areas that qualify for Rural Housing Lending.
Holding off on a purchase of a $150K house hoping that the prices may fall another $25K may be a risky thing. If that does occur, but the interest rates jump and increase, the monthly payment may be more if you wait for the price reduction.
Things to consider for those considering a move to buy a home, but not sure when is a good time to take the plunge.
Please let me know if you have any questions about Today's Changing Tampa Bay Florida Real Estate Market.
Warmly,
Stephanie LeFew
Carrollwood Realtor / First Time Home Buyer Assistance / Home Buying Step by Step Process / Florida Real Estate for sale
How does a first-time homebuyer take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit? It comes with a few rules. According to the most recent analysis, the following rules will apply - though things could change as tax professionals weigh the details:
· The deduction is worth 10 percent of a home's value up to $8,000, which means all homes worth more than $80,000 could qualify for the maximum amount.
· There is an income limit to qualify. A married couples' modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) should be under $150,000 and single filers' MAGI should be less than $75,000.
· Partial tax credits may be available for married couples with MAGI incomes over $150,000 but under $170,000, and single filers with incomes over $75,000 but under $95,000.
· If married couples file separately, they can both claim 5 percent of the home purchase ($4,000 each for a home over $80,000) on their tax returns.
· It's a tax credit, not a deduction. That means the entire amount goes back to the first-time homebuyer unlike deductions, such as mortgage interest, that are subtracted from gross income before tax is calculated. If qualified for $8,000, the buyer gets $8,000, even if they would not owe that much in taxes otherwise.
· The tax credit applies to homes purchased between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 1, 2009.
· The tax credit does not have to be paid back, providing the homebuyer keeps the property for at least 36 months and resides in the home.
· To qualify as a first-time homebuyer, the purchaser cannot have owned a home within the previous three-year period. However, ownership of a vacation home or rental home does not disqualify the buyer.
· If purchasing a new home, the effective date to receive the credit is the first day the homeowner actually lives in the house. If construction began in 2008, that buyer could still qualify. And if construction begins in 2009 but the owner does not take possession until 2010, the buyer would not qualify.
· The tax credit can be claimed on 2008 income tax forms even though the purchase took place in 2009. A buyer could close on a home the same day that President Obama signs it into law, fill out their income tax forms the next day, and receive the tax credit fairly quickly.
The tax credit is not a downpayment, but it could be used toward a downpayment if first-time homebuyers plan ahead. U.S. taxpayers have money withheld from every paycheck for income taxes. If they owe more tax than the amount deducted, they pay the IRS; if they owe less, they get a tax refund.
By anticipating at least an $8,000 refund in early 2010 when they file 2009 taxes, these buyers could cut down on their tax withholding this year and save the money toward a downpayment. There is one caveat, however: Should they not buy a home in the qualifying period, they would still owe the IRS the money, and reducing their withholding amount could result in a high bill at tax time.
I love working with First Time Home Buyers. I will assist you and be with you throughout the entire home buying process, from the free mls search that I will send you with exactly what you are looking for in a home, to making all the arrangements for you to see your favorites, to mortgage prequalification and loan programs, to negotiating an offer and explaining all the paperwork to you, to home inspection, to final walk thru, to closing on your new home.
How does a first-time homebuyer take advantage of the $8,000 tax credit? It comes with a few rules. According to the most recent analysis, the following rules will apply - though things could change as tax professionals weigh the details:
· The deduction is worth 10 percent of a home's value up to $8,000, which means all homes worth more than $80,000 could qualify for the maximum amount.
· There is an income limit to qualify. A married couples' modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) should be under $150,000 and single filers' MAGI should be less than $75,000.
· Partial tax credits may be available for married couples with MAGI incomes over $150,000 but under $170,000, and single filers with incomes over $75,000 but under $95,000.
· If married couples file separately, they can both claim 5 percent of the home purchase ($4,000 each for a home over $80,000) on their tax returns.
· It's a tax credit, not a deduction. That means the entire amount goes back to the first-time homebuyer unlike deductions, such as mortgage interest, that are subtracted from gross income before tax is calculated. If qualified for $8,000, the buyer gets $8,000, even if they would not owe that much in taxes otherwise.
· The tax credit applies to homes purchased between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 1, 2009.
· The tax credit does not have to be paid back, providing the homebuyer keeps the property for at least 36 months and resides in the home.
· To qualify as a first-time homebuyer, the purchaser cannot have owned a home within the previous three-year period. However, ownership of a vacation home or rental home does not disqualify the buyer.
· If purchasing a new home, the effective date to receive the credit is the first day the homeowner actually lives in the house. If construction began in 2008, that buyer could still qualify. And if construction begins in 2009 but the owner does not take possession until 2010, the buyer would not qualify.
· The tax credit can be claimed on 2008 income tax forms even though the purchase took place in 2009. A buyer could close on a home the same day that President Obama signs it into law, fill out their income tax forms the next day, and receive the tax credit fairly quickly.
The tax credit is not a downpayment, but it could be used toward a downpayment if first-time homebuyers plan ahead. U.S. taxpayers have money withheld from every paycheck for income taxes. If they owe more tax than the amount deducted, they pay the IRS; if they owe less, they get a tax refund.
By anticipating at least an $8,000 refund in early 2010 when they file 2009 taxes, these buyers could cut down on their tax withholding this year and save the money toward a downpayment. There is one caveat, however: Should they not buy a home in the qualifying period, they would still owe the IRS the money, and reducing their withholding amount could result in a high bill at tax time.
I love working with First Time Home Buyers. I will assist you and be with you throughout the entire home buying process, from the free mls search that I will send you with exactly what you are looking for in a home, to making all the arrangements for you to see your favorites, to mortgage prequalification and loan programs, to negotiating an offer and explaining all the paperwork to you, to home inspection, to final walk thru, to closing on your new home.
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.
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