Sherry's Blog

Beautiful Maintenance Free Detached Villa in Lexington Oaks

2008-06-12T07:44:19Z

The Free Standing Villa is a 3 Bed 2 bath 1680 sq ft. Priced at only $177,559

Stunning maintenance free detached villa in gated Churchill Village in golf course community of Lexington Oaks. Spacious eat-in kitchen with plenty of cabinet & counter space., breakfast bar & closet pantry. Complete appliance package included. The open great room floor plan leads to the covered screened lanai area. 3rd bedroom has no closet and is being used as a den/office. You'll love the size of the master suite w/bath, walk-in closet and dual vanity. Carpet & ceramic tile throughout. Village residents have own pool & cabana as well as access to Lexington Oaks community resort style pool, tennis, fitness, playground and more. Easy access to I-75. Home priced right for a quick sale!

For more information contact Sherry Laursen, Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

19026 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Tampa FL 33647

Contact Me

OPEN HOUSE GRAND HAMPTON SUNDAY DECEMBER 2 1-6 PM

2007-11-29T18:51:07Z

8128 HAMPTON GLEN DR Tampa FL 33647 Offered at an amazing price of $499,900

4 Bedroom plus bonus room plus theater room,3389 sq ft, 4 baths, 3 car garage and heated spa and pool Conservation on 2 sides. Granite counters thru-out. Stainless appliances, fully insulated and wired Theater room plus extra game room, upstairs balcony. Arches, trayed ceilings, art niches, large tile thru-out. Kitchen features beautiful bull nosed granite countertops, 42 inch cabinets with crown molding and pull-outs, spacious prep island and wrap-around breakfast bar plus eat-in area. All appliances include washer & dryer. Large family room pre-wired for surround sound. Granite counters in baths. Master bedroom features trayed ceiling and walk-in closets. Master bath has granite counters, separate garden tub, with beautiful tile accents and listellos in shower and bath. Triple sliders that pocket, open to the beautiful pavered lanai, full size pool with extra decking and heated spa. Pool overlooks both wooded and treesy conservation area. Huge 19x16 upstairs bonus room. Romeo and Juliet balcony.

For more info contact me or call 813 368 5893

Coldwell Banker Real Estate 19026 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Tampa FL 33647 (813) 977-3500

OPEN HOUSE Sunday November 18 from 12-3 pm Seven Oaks in New Tampa

2007-11-17T12:19:08Z

Beautiful Home in Gated Community

3301 Evening Breeze Loop Wesley Chapel Florida 33543 Offered at $419,900

Glorious" home, all the upgrades! Granite, cherry, italian tile, plantation shutters, huge lanai and bonus room with a bonus room! 5 bedrooms/3 baths/ 3 car garage in beautiful Seven Oaks subdivision. 3500 sq ft. heated. From the formal entry to the oversized lanai, this is brand new condition in every way. Just 2 years new and every upscale amenity one can order. The granite is beautiful and the stainless steel appliances are state of the art. Plantation shutters are everywhere and the effect is "Southern Living" magazine material. Oversized closets, oversized pool room, bonus room, office and living dining room. The master suite is truly generous and rich. Close to shopping, restaurants & I-75.

Seven Oaks community offers heated pools, recreation, tennis courts, playgrounds and so much more

For more information on this home call 813-368-5893 or contact me

Coldwell Banker Real Estate 19026 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Tampa FL 33647 (813) 977-3500

Beautiful & Inspirational

2007-11-12T09:40:28Z

These are two beautiful videos that have beautiful scenes and inspiration no matter what your faith may be. Be sure to turn up the volume also, the music just adds that special touch.

The Interview with God Press view Presentation after opening

Pathways to Peace Press view Presentation after opening

I think these just make you feel good inside and thankful for the things around us and for what we have. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Honor Our Veterans

2007-11-09T23:27:14Z

To those who have served in the past and to those who are now serving, please accept our deepest graditude for your service for our nation and for the world. We honor you for your committment to freedom, democracy and human dignity and for your valor

History of Veterans Day Learn how Veterans Day actually got started

The James A. Haley VA Medical Center is a 327 bed tertiary care teaching hospital, with 300 authorized nursing home care beds (180 in Tampa, and 120 beds in Orlando) and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of patient care and services to veterans in Central Florida

Help Hospitalized Veterans HHV helps by serving America's veterans and the military community by providing therapeutic Arts and Crafts Kits, free of charge, to VA hospitals, state veterans' nursing homes, and military installations.

Operation Dignity Founded in 1993 by Vietnam Veteran Alex McElree, we offer a HAND-UP not a HAND-OUT approach, building community among vets and encouraging community outreach and support

Help Our Troops Call Home Whether you know someone in the military or not, it doesn't matter, you can order the Military Exchange Calling Cards for someone you love or they can be distributed by the Red Cross

Freedom Calls We are a non-profit organization committed to bringing families and loved ones together like never before. We are deploying unique satellite technology developed by Broadwave to U.S. bases in Iraq to allow our troops to video conference with their families from halfway around the world. Additionally they can pick up a phone and call home anytime of day, all free of charge

Books for Soliders Send Care Packages for the Mind for the Soliders

Remember, only twice have others offered to die for us:

God, to die for our sins and The American Solider to die for our freedom

OPEN HOUSE Saturday November 10 from 1-4 pm GRAND HAMPTON

2007-11-09T08:27:41Z

AWESOME VALUE in New Tampa

20105 Heritage Point Drive, Tampa Florida 33647 Offered at $300,000

Very elegant home with relaxing view of pond in back & conservation in front. 4 bedrooms, 2 baths. Bamboo hardwood flooring. Beautiful granite counters in kitchen complement stacked maple cabinetry with crown molding & upgraded stainless appliances. Upgraded stainless gas Baker's range with double ovens, refrigerator & microwave. Breakfast area with panoramic view of pond. Under mount lighting for counters, pull-out shelving in cabinets & Venetian bronze Victorian faucet. Attractive bamboo hardwood floors in living, dining & family rooms & foyer. Frieze carpet in bedrooms. Lovely owner's retreat, trayed ceiling, 2 spacious walk-in closets. Glamour bath, maple vanities, cultured marble counter tops, 18 inch porcelain tile on diagonal & huge walk-in shower with listellos & full wall of tile. Maytag front loading washer & dryer on risers. Very large screened lanai overlooks gorgeous sunsets over the pond & conservation. HOA included cable, internet access & lawn care. Gated community.

Beautiful Gated community of Grand Hampton includes clubhouse, fitness center, heated pools, parks, walking trails and so much more. Prime area with easy access to shopping and interstate.

For more information call 813-368-5893 or contact me

Coldwell Banker Real Estate 19026 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Tampa FL 33647 (813) 977-3500

Take a click to help preserve the Rainforest

2007-11-08T22:56:29Z

This will take a few seconds of your time, but make a huge difference in preserving the rainforest.

There are natural wonders everywhere that are worthy of our admiration and respect. We must take steps to preserve and protect that beauty for ourselves and for generations to come.

With a simple, click of the Big Green "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button at The Rainforest Site, visitors help to preserve rainforest land. Visitors pay nothing. Critical habitat is preserved by our charitable partners.

If you can remember to click every day, it would also do so much more to save important ecosystems and give hope to future generations. Every click counts in the battle to save our rainforests.

Get to know Tampa Bay Part 1

2007-11-08T09:17:36Z

Here are only a few of the many resources available to consumers moving into the Tampa Bay area.

Home Value Estimator For a Personalized Estimate, General Estimate or General Idea of your home's value

Tampa Bay Crime Tracker Check crime stats for communities before you buy or rent a home

Hillsborough County Public Schools

Our school district is county-wide and consists of:

206 schools grades K-12 ( 133 Elem., 42 Mid., 2 K-8, 25 High and 4 Career Centers)

73 additional centers (Charter, Early Child, ESE, etc)

Education for students early childhood through adult, offering Schools of Choice, both charter and magnet

Coldwell Banker Home Loans

See how we provide the full-service mortgage solution, with customer satisfaction survey results to show we're doing it right. Choose from over 150 mortgage products. Read about our industry-leading guarantees and learn how we can help make your homebuying experience easier from start to finish.

Tampa Bay Online Learn about the Communities, Things to do, Sports, News and more. Its all here!!

Tampa Bay Live Weather Forecast Live Weather for the Greater Tampa Bay Area

Florida Art Museums & Galleries Located along the scenic Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa, Florida, the Tampa Museum of Art provides a broad range of art-related experiences for visitors of all ages.

Looking to buy and/or sell a home I am here for you, to make your real estate dreams a reality

New Tampa Open House Sunday 11/4 1-4 pm

2007-11-03T00:05:30Z

10152 Whisper Pointe Drive Tampa, FL 33647 Offered at $350,000

Lovely & spacious 4 bedroom, 3 bath, and 3 car garage home with large family room. Heated spa & upgraded pool on nicely landscaped lot. Kitchen features Corian counters, 42" cabinets, center prep island, & walk-in pantry. Tile in all traffic and wet areas. Arches and decorator ledges throughout. Lovely owners retreat with His & Her walk-in closets. Bath has hi-lo vanity, large garden tub & separate shower, wrap-around mirror, plus a ceiling fan. Family room has beveled triple sliders opening to large screened lanai. Soothing waterfall sound from spa spillover, extended pool decking & tropical landscaping creates a relaxing environment. Pool has long-life aggregate finish & auto pool sweep. Breakfast area & wrap-around snack bar overlooks pool area. Family room has surround sound speaker wiring. Kitchen features diagonally set backsplash over counters & underneath snack bar. Kitchen appliances include newer dishwasher & upgraded gas range. Very clean & well maintained.

The beautiful and gated community of Arbor Green offers a Clubhouse, Community Pools, Fitness Center, Playgrounds. Close to schools and easy access to interstate

For more information on this home or any others in the Tampa area, please contact me

Coldwell Banker Real Estate 19026 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Tampa FL 33647 (813) 977-3500

Blood sucking scum bag agents???

2007-11-02T23:21:59Z

I was reading over a so-called real estate message board last evening and was totally surprised at what I was reading. This, I thought was an upcoming popular site for realtors as well as consumers. As I was reading through some of the questions and answers posted, I noticed one thing that a lot of them had in common. That real estate agents are blood sucking scum bags and only talk to people in hopes of closing on a house, no matter what the consequeces. WHAT?? Maybe I'm nieve, but I didn't know people actually thought of us like that. I have never had anyone even hint at something like that. I will admit that there are some out there that ony care about the final product and lack professionalism, however just to set the record straight: The vast majority of realtors do care about our clients and will go out of our way to make our clients happy. It is not all about the end result, its also about the relationship. I want my clients to be happy with the home they has chosen and be able to afford it and not be in over their heads. Of course, I want to make money, this is my job and I have a family also, but I do offer advice and talk to people even if there is no chance of ever selling them a home. Its about being nice and friendly to others and contrary to that board, we are people too. Just because we are in real estate doesn't mean that every word out of our mouth is trying to get someone to buy a home. I work hard for my clients and consider that relationship very important. I treat them the way I want to be treated, with honesty, integrity and professionalism. I love being a realtor, its what I am good at and so much enjoy for so many reasons. I love working with people and seeing their faces when they find the one and especially when I can hand them the keys. That makes it all worth it.

I can only hope that those on that message board that think this bad stuff about realtors will run into one of the many that will totally make them see just how wrong they really are.

Energy Star Certified Homes in Wesley Chapel Florida

2007-10-29T14:46:42Z

At Palm Cove in Wesley Chapel Florida, Homes built by Ashton Woods, one of the nation's premier home builders. Ashton Woods has went that extra mile by having the single family homes and townhomes Energy Star Certified. These are great homes in beautiful Wesley Chapel, just outside of Tampa.

Energy Advantage Package
-Environments for LivingTM Gold Level Program
-Energy Star certified
-R-30 ceiling insulation in trussed ceiling living areas
-R 4.2 Owens Corning Foamular 250 rigid foam insulation on masonry walls
-Off ridge vents for attic ventilation
-R-l 3 Owens Corning exterior frame wall insulation
-Energy efficient Lennox 14 SEER air-conditioning and heating system
-Digital programmable thermostat(s) per plan
-Energy efficient 50-gallon electric water heater
-White Low-E dual pane vinyl window frames with clear glass
-Foam caulking around doors and windows
-Carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup 1 per floor
-Maintenance free continuous soffitt vents

It's what you can't see that counts - it's all about how your home was built. Under the Ashton Woods Power House program, every Ashton Wood's single family home and townhome meets Environments for Living^TM performance standards, as well as meets the EPA's Energy Star^TM program standards for the home construction.* These standards are monitored and inspected throughout the entire building process, resulting in the enhanced performance of your home. We also only use Lenox comfort system products that have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. This results in a cleaner, more efficient HVAC system that requires less energy and maintains a comfortable balance in your home.

Power House ensures that your home is healthier and perfectly comfortable. Tight construction, pressure balancing and strong and durable windows contribute to your individual comfort. Fresh air ventilation and humidity levels are easily managed, resulting in a healthier and happier home

Interested in seeing and feeling what your new home could be--Call me today. http://www.floridamoves.com/sherry.laursen

Being green pays off

2007-10-29T14:22:17Z

I just wanted to let everyone know that by helping the environment and saving energy, it really does pay off in dollars and sense also.

A few months ago, I changed most of the lights bulbs in my home from the regular we used to use to the Energy Star bulbs. We had some replaced prior to this, but this time we changed at least 85% of the bulbs in the house. Not only do these bulbs save money, they put out perfect light and last up to 7 years.

Along with the light bulbs, we also replaced our 12 yr old heating and cooling system with a Energy Star Certified system. This thing is great, it keeps the temp perfect in here and has a programmable thermostat to lower the air at night to save even more. It also controls the humidity in the home.

We live in Florida, so the temp. is still up there and were still using the AC as much as we were before. The big thing here is that our electric bill is $150 lower than it has been in the previous months, and even lower that this same time period last year. Our energy consumption has been cut by a good amount.

Will it be a Halloween Treat?

2007-10-29T13:56:01Z

Word has it that the Federal Reserve could possibly cut rates again on Wednesday, Halloween day. This would definitely be a great Halloween Treat.

If they cut it at all, it is reported to most likey be eiter .25 or .50.

This could be great news for home buyers and could take the real estate market moving again to end 2007 and start 2008 with a bang.

Buyers need to be informed that with all the great inventory in resale as well as new home inventory, they has never been a better time to buy a home in Tampa Florida.

"Green" homes are happy homes

2007-10-27T14:28:04Z

A recent survey was conducted by McGraw-Hill Construction and the National Assoc. of Home Builders that shows that market for green homes is increasing drastically.

Here is the major finding in their report:

The market for green homes is expected to rise from $2 billion to up to $20 billion over the next five years.

Standard homes are becoming increasingly green, with home owners using green products for 40 percent of their remodeling work.

Most Americans find out about green homes through word-of-mouth, followed by television and the Internet.

Green home owners are happy with their homes and are recommending them at rates significantly higher than recommendation levels of other industries.

Home owners are buying green homes because they are concerned about the health of their families, as well as to reduce energy and other home operating costs.

Education and awareness of green ranks as the most important obstacles, slightly higher even than the additional first costs associated with building green.

It is up to us as EcoBrokers to educate home buyers and sellers about the efficiency and advantages of going "green"

Zip 33647 New Tampa Homes--Still lots of inventory available-Great prices

2007-10-25T08:55:07Z

Date	7/06	8/06	9/06	10/06	11/06	12/06	1/07	2/07	3/07	4/07	5/07	6/07	7/07	8/07	9/07
For Sale	328	337	292	313	319	300	307	314	323	353	347	344	346	337	325
Sold	37	26	24	24	19	30	18	19	32	35	24	42	27	29	21
Pended	29	23	31	14	25	23	23	26	44	27	37	26	28	29	26
Months of Inventory based on Closed Sales	8.9	13.0	12.2	13.0	16.8	10.0	17.1	16.5	10.1	10.1	14.5	8.2	12.8	11.6	15.5
Months of Inventory based on Pended Sales	11.3	14.7	9.4	22.4	12.8	13.0	13.3	12.1	7.3	13.1	9.4	13.2	12.4	11.6	12.5
Avg. Active Price	452	451	466	453	446	448	441	435	463	467	468	468	468	463	449
Avg. Sld Price	394	436	392	344	505	346	373	471	375	392	403	398	354	428	360
Avg. Sq. Ft. Price	166	176	163	159	184	146	151	161	152	155	159	151	141	154	144
Sold/List Diff. %	97	98	96	97	92	97	93	95	96	96	95	96	95	94	96
Days on Market	64	39	74	65	100	82	83	102	81	104	105	90	85	99	128
Median Price	330	374	352	308	434	300	298	355	339	387	331	352	337	373	309

Sold vs List Price % in Tampa Florida

2007-10-18T18:53:20Z

Although the homes are staying on the market longer, notice they are still selling at a pretty high percentage of their listed price

Environmentalist?

2007-10-17T19:03:23Z

Someone ask me today that since I am a Certified EcoBroker, if that means that now I'm an extreme environmentalist?? I was kinda of stumped for a minute.......I told her that I really don't consider myself a total environmentalist, however I do think that we should all do our part to help save energy and resources. After all, if only half of what they say about global warming is true, then don't we owe it to our children and their children to at least do our part. Yes, for some of the things like running your home off the grid, installing a lot of solar panels, replacing windows, etc. can end up costing a good sum of money. Although I think in the long run it would still save even more. There are things that anyone can do with little or no money......Change the lightbulbs in your home to the Energy Star bulbs, keep your hot water heater at 120 degrees. When replacing appliances, replace with energy saving Energy Star appliances. Have a check up done on your heating and cooling system, turn off lights when not in the room, recycle

If saving the environment is not a motivator for you, then maybe saving money will be......These little things that make a difference on your utility bill.

Make a Difference!

Plant a Tree

Resort living in Tampa Florida--Grand Hampton

2007-10-17T12:04:22Z

Grand Hampton

Contact me today to veiw one of the many new and resale homes available in Grand Hampton

New Hacienda, Mediterranean and French Country Luxury Homes

Grand Hampton is a fantastic planned community known for its natural beauty, luxury homes, and privacy in prestigious New Tampa. Conservation adjacent and water view homesites are available, and designated conservation areas are located throughout Grand Hampton. The new designs offer stunning Mediterranean, French Country and Spanish inspired elevations, classic features and elegant tile roofs.

Resort worthy amenities include pools, lighted tennis & basketball courts, a canoeing and kayak outpost, grand clubhouse with fitness center, playgrounds, picnic areas, hiking trails and bike paths. Grand Hampton is located in the sought after New Tampa area and is minutes from shopping, excellent schools, restaurants, entertainment, golf courses and Interstate 75.

Why can't it just be this way?

2007-10-17T11:54:30Z

Our family tries to watch a movie together once a week as part of "family time". We watched "Evan Almighty" this week and I found it very interesting. While I don't think the kids really paid much attention to the message it was giving, I gave it a lot of thought. The part about "Changing the World by One Act of Kindness at a Time" or something like that. That is so true, imagine what a difference it would make if we just did one act of kindness at day. That shouldn't be very difficult. Myself, I'm sticking with it.

Sometimes you really do get what you pay for and nothing else

2007-10-15T10:26:31Z

I had an open house on Saturday and although traffic wasn't very good, I did get a man in that was visiting the neighbors next door. He said he has him home up for sale and just wanted to ask me some questions. It seems the home has been on the market for a while and he plans on doing a little remodeling to make it more updated. He was asking about particular things he could do that would help with selling it and about the price and things of that nature. I ask him why he wasn't talking to his listing agent about these things and he said that the agent was a friend and was giving his a big discount on the commission, however he wasn't much help other than that. I did answer his questions as much as possible without actually seeing his home. I just wish sometimes clients understood that you may need to seperate personal and business sometime and that having a friend list your home and having a lower commission isn't always the best thing. For the most part, its the worst possible thing. Its sad, but it sounds like he's getting exactly what he's paying for and nothing else at all.

Now is a good time to buy a home

2007-10-15T10:08:05Z

According to NAR research, 1 in every 16 Americans is buying a home this year. Conditions in the mortgage areas are improving. Conforming loans are at a favorable rate and FHA loans are replacing subprime loans. They say 2007 will be the 5th highest year on record for resale home sales.

All of this makes early 2008 look much brighter. People are buying homes and all those that are waiting for everything to go down, just might wait too long.

Home prices are great, mortgage rates are favorable, so there has never been a better time to buy a home. Clients should get out there now when they can still find what their looking for at a very favorable price.

What about the other 70%

2007-10-11T09:11:03Z

I read a national article yesterday saying how there is a 30% chance that home prices in Florida will continue to drop. It doesn't say how much, 1%, 3% or anything. But what about the other 70%? Why can't they write about the 70% chance that they won't drop? The article also talked about other parts of the country and positioned it in the same negative way. If the media would sometimes tell the positive side of the housing market, then maybe we wouldn' be in the housing slup were in now. Possibly about all the great homes we have on the market now at amazing prices. How the mortgage rate has dropped recently.

Why not focus on the positives so buyers will maybe understand that it actually is a great time to buy. I would hate to see so many people waiting when the prices may just go up and the interest rate may also. Then everyone will be kicking themselves for not listening to us in the first place.

Owning a conventional home VS owning a "green" home

2007-09-27T09:23:28Z

First of all, unless you've researched it or there is signage, your not likely to know whether the home is a "green" home just by driving by. Their not painted a bright green color or have weird sized windows or doors. Homes with green features tend to look just like their more conventional neighbors home. But there are benefits to owning a home with green features. Some people think that you are giving up comfort in a green home, actually its quite the opposite. A home with green features actually adds an increased level of comfort. For example, less drafts, less noise and for some also health benefits relating to better indoor air quality. Also, in a lot of cases, they are easier to maintain and incur less maintenance costs. I guess one of the best features for some would be lower utility bills each month. When you put all of this together, your getting so much more "bang for your buck".