homes for sale: The 2011 Legislative Session in Florida Has Begun - Will We See Any Improvements?? - 03/07/11 09:24 AM
The Florida State Legislative session is set to begin tomorrow, March 8th. During the 60 days that the lawmakers are working, we will see if they are looking out for our best interests, or those of special interests, like big business buddies. Too often it seems like they strive to help the latter more than the former. I once went up to help lobby for teachers and was dismayed to see how things work in Tallahassee! As they say "no one wants to see how laws or sausages are made". Oh so true !
In any case, the Florida Associaton of REALTORS has set up a … (0 comments)

homes for sale: Average Mortgage Interest Rates Drop for Second Week says Freddie Mac Survey - 03/03/11 06:44 AM
Today, 3/3/11,  Freddie Mac reported that the average mortgage interest rate for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages was 4.87% (4.83% in the southeast), down from 4.95% a week ago. The average interest rate for 15 year fixed-rate mortgages was 4.15%, down from 4.22% last week. A year ago the 30 year rate was 4.97%. Many were afraid that rates would not drop for a second week, but here we are. Good news for those buyers out there looking for bargains.
Freddie Mac says that the difference between today's average and the year's high point set just 3 weeks ago when rates were over 5% means that a … (0 comments)

homes for sale: My March 2011 Florida Real Estate Newsletter Available for Download NOW! - 03/01/11 12:44 PM
My March 2011 Real Estate Newsletter is now available for download as a PDF (Adobe Acrobat) file that all computers should be able to open. Just click on the following link: Download March 2011 Newsletter I hope that you will find this month's articles interesting and helpful.
If you would like to receive these newsletters automatically in the future each month, just send me an e-mail and let me know. I would be glad to add you to my e-mailing list. You can e-mail me at: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com or call me at: 813-783-4444
I also invite you to visit my my website where I think you will … (0 comments)

homes for sale: Success at CENTURY 21 Bill Nye Realty, Inc.'s 2011 Easter Seals Yard Sale! - 02/15/11 02:48 AM
 Once again the CENTURY 21 Bill Nye Realty, Inc. office in Zephyrhills, Florida raised a tidy sum at its Easter Seals Yard Sale on February12, 2011. Many local residents donated items for this sale and though the weather was windy and cool, a good turnout appeared. Over $850 was raised through the efforts of the agents who sold the items to the day's shoppers.
Thank you so much for the donations and an added thanks for all of you who stopped by to make purchases. It all goes to a good cause that has been around for many years and has … (0 comments)

homes for sale: Yow! Mortgage Interest Rates Take a Big Leap Above 5% says Freddie Mac - 02/10/11 08:52 AM
Today, 2/10/11,  Freddie Mac reported that the average mortgage interest rate for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages was 5.05% (4.76% in the southeast), up from 4.81% a week ago. The average interest rate for 15 year fixed-rate mortgages was 4.20%, up from 4.08% last week. A year ago the 30 year rate was 4.97%. This was the biggest increase in many months. I can imagine some buyers are now kicking themselves for delaying since, over the long term, a 0.20% increase can mean more money per month and certainly more over the life of the loan.
Why did rates take such a hike? Here are the reasons … (0 comments)

homes for sale: This Week Average Mortgage Interest Rates Jump Slightly says Freddie Mac - 01/27/11 12:38 PM
Today, 1/27/11,  Freddie Mac reported that the average mortgage interest rate for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages was 4.80% (4.76% in the southeast), up from 4.74% a week ago. The average interest rate for 15 year fixed-rate mortgages was 4.09%, up from 4.05% last week. A year ago the 30 year rate was 4.98%. 
Freddie Mac's spokesperson said today, "Mortgage rates followed bond yields a little higher this week amid positive data reports from The Conference Board that suggest the economy is strengthening. The index of leading indicators rose 1.0 percent in December, nearly twice that of the market consensus forecast and represented the sixth consecutive … (0 comments)

homes for sale: 2011 Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City from March 3rd to 13th - 01/17/11 05:48 AM
 For those of you who live in the northern states like Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, etc who will have to wait until June for nice tasty strawberry shortcakes, here in Florida we will be way ahead of you. We get these delicious treats in the winter while y'all are still shoveling that white stuff off your sidewalks.
In Plant City, Florida we have the yearly Strawberry Festival which will take place this year from March 3rd to the 13th. This year will be the 76th Anniversary of this event. This is no small-town get-together. We are talking of about a major undertaking here, with … (0 comments)

homes for sale: Florida's 2011 State Fair Will Take Place from February 10th to the 21st - 01/15/11 11:24 AM
 
When I lived back in New York, our state fair always took place in August when the weather was hot and the kids were all out of school. Here, our Florida State Fair occurs in February when our weather is pleasantly mild and during the week the kids are in school leaving the fairgrounds less crowded.
This year promises to be just as fun-packed as those of the past. Some of the scheduled activities and performers are:
Corn Dogs & Cracker Country The Leroy Van Dyke Country Gold Tour Circus Hollywood Racing Pigs Rodeo Lots of Thrill Rides A great … (0 comments)

homes for sale: John Elwell's First Real Estate Newsletter for 2011 is Now Ready For Review - 01/04/11 09:04 AM
My January 2011 Real Estate Newsletter is now available for download as a PDF (Adobe Acrobat) file that all computers should be able to open. Just click on the following link: Download January 2011 Newsletter I hope that you will find this month's articles interesting and helpful.
If you would like to receive these newsletters automatically in the future each month, just send me an e-mail and let me know. I would be glad to add you to my e-mailing list. You can e-mail me at: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com or call me at: 813-783-4444
I also invite you to visit my my website where I think you will … (0 comments)

homes for sale: We End 2010 With Average Mortgage Interest Rates Increasing Slightly - But Still Very Low! - 12/30/10 12:12 PM
Today, 12/30/10,  Freddie Mac reported that the average mortgage interest rate for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages was 4.86% (4.82% in the southeast), up from 4.81% a week ago. The average interest rate for 15 year fixed-rate mortgages was 4.20%, up from 4.15% last week. A year ago the 30 year rate was 5.14%. 
Seems like an "old song" but Freddie Mac reports that there is again mixed news on the housing front. Though a home price index fell nearly 1%, indicating a soft real estate market, the the number of homes sold continued to recover even after the tax credit expired last spring. Sales of … (0 comments)

homes for sale: In Florida, Time Running Out to Qualify for 2011 Homestead Property Tax Exemption - 12/18/10 10:50 AM
This message is for those of you who purchased a home during 2010 that will be your permanent (homestead) residence or for those who have now decided to live in their vacation homes on a permanent basis and are no longer declaring a home in some other place as their homesteaded residence.
Do be aware that homeowners who plan to make their homes their permanent residences, or in other words, their homesteads, should apply for the exemptions just has they have in the past. That means that they must close on the purchase of their next home and occupy it before the end of 2010. … (2 comments)

homes for sale: PRICE REDUCED AGAIN on 2 Bedroom/2 Bath Double-Wide Mobile in Zephyr Shores near Zephyrhhills, FL - 12/06/10 11:36 AM
 REDUCED! This 2 bedroom/2 bath furnished mobile home is located just west of Zephyrhills, FL in the popular Zephyr Shores subdivision. This is no rental park. You own the lots here! Its convenient location will make trips to the supermarket, restaurants, pharmacies, parks, medical facilities, home centers, and the City of Tampa a breeze!

This residence is very comfortable and can easily serve as your vacation oasis or a year-round spot to hang your hat. The interior space is very well utilized. The kitchen, dining area and living room flow easily together. And just off the living room is a light … (0 comments)

homes for sale: "Snowbirds" Flocking Back to Zephyrhills, Florida for the 2010-11 Winter Season - 11/27/10 12:26 PM
As regular as the sunrises in the east, a major wave of arrivals from the north has begun. This always happens just after Thanksgiving. Many "snowbirds" like to celebrate that holiday with their families up north.
But there is now "frost on the pumpkins" and the trees have dropped their leaves. That tells our winter residents it is time to  head south to warmer climes and sunnier days. We are ready for them!
People like to winter in Zephyrhills because here it is not like going to a resort with a lot of strangers, but it is more like "coming home … (2 comments)

homes for sale: It Pays to Shop Around For the Best Prescription Drug Prices in Zephyrhills, Florida - 11/13/10 02:54 PM
Recently I had to get a prescription filled. I checked at the pharmacy I normally go to and was shocked to find out that the price of it was going to be $55! And that was with the store discount!   So I took my paper and decided to do something I seldom do. I called the 4 major pharmacies in town to check their prices. Here is what I discovered I would pay at each for the exact same medication:   Publix $ 42 CVS $ 55 Walmart $ 30 Walgreens $ 27   That is a pretty wide range, … (4 comments)

homes for sale: Speeders in Zephyrhills, Florida - Be Warned! The Police Are Being Extra Vigilant This Year! - 10/27/10 10:50 AM
A couple of days ago I was on my way to work. I take North Avenue and continue on to Geiger Road, then left on Eiland Boulevard. Just as I had passed the Post Office, I saw a car pulled over by one of our city police officers. Then when I got to Eiland, I looked to my right and a different officer had pulled over yet another car. In both cases, it was most likely for going over the posted speed limit.
Fines are not what they used to be, and officers are less likely to let you off completely … (0 comments)

homes for sale: Some Mortgage Interest Rates Go Up and Others Drop says Freddie Mac - 09/16/10 02:55 PM
Today, 9/16/10,  Freddie Mac reported that the average mortgage interest rate for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages was 4.37% (4.37% in the southeast), up from 4.35% a week ago. The average interest rate for 15 year fixed-rate mortgages was 3.82%,  down from 3.83% last week. A year ago the 30 year rate was 5.04%. Pretty much stagnant, but at a low level. That's a great thing! 
For 19 straight weeks the interest rates for 30 year fixed-rate mortgages have stayed below the 5% level. That has permitted many borrowers with higher interest rates to refinance and take advantage of the lower percentages now. Of course, that only works well … (0 comments)

homes for sale: Hiring a Home Remodeling Contractor? 10 Tips to Help You Do It! - 09/03/10 09:28 AM
YORK, Pa., – Sept. 3, 2010 – An uptick in homeowners are opting to remodel to increase a potential sales price or just upgrade their living space. According to StateofLife.com, remodelers should keep the following in mind:
Tip No. 1: Does your contractor have proof of insurance?
Ask the contractor to have his insurance company mail or fax a copy of his current contractor insurance card to you. If the contractor can’t do this – stay away. Why? If there is an accident at your home, you are then liable. This also applies to any sub-contractor or employee that the contractor may use … (0 comments)

homes for sale: Pasco Regional Medical Center in Dade City, Florida to Offer Free Caretaker Support Classes - 09/02/10 01:30 PM
Pasco Regional Medical Center is offering FREE support classes for those how take care of others in need. They meet the 3rd Thursday of each month at 10:30 AM. The topics covered are: Easy to Do Stress Relief Techniques Positive Thinking Methods Reducing Caretaker Burnout Simple Movement for Relaxation The Medical Center is located at: 13100 Fort King Road, Dade City, Florida. For more information or to reserve a free space, you can call Nancy Finck at 727-643-7159. You can also e-mail her at: nancyfinck@gmail.com … (0 comments)

homes for sale: John Elwell's September 2010 Real Estate Newsletter Available for Download - 09/01/10 09:33 AM
My September 2010 Real Estate Newsletter is now available for download as a PDF (Adobe Acrobat) file. Just click on the following link: Download Septembert 2010 Newsletter. I hope that you will find this month's articles interesting and helpful.
If you would like to receive these newsletters automatically in the future each month, just send me an e-mail and let me know. I would be glad to add you to my e-mailing list. You can e-mail me at: jelwell1@tampabay.rr.com or call me at: 813-783-4444
I also invite you to visit my my website where I think you will find a lot of useful information. To … (0 comments)

homes for sale: Hurricane Earl Looks Like It Will Miss Florida, But Should be Watched - 08/30/10 12:39 PM
Hurricane Earl is just to the east of Puerto Rico and its projected path would appear to take it more northerly and up the Atlantic coast. Looks like it will not hit land until it is at least north of Florida. You can click on the image to the left to see the path of the storm a little better.
Do keep in mind that it is still faraway and wind directions have been known to change. I have even seen storms do loop-the-loops and come right back over the same area. So the trajectory of this storm could change. You never can tell … (4 comments)

 
John Elwell, You Deserve a Full-Time Agent, Not Reduced Results (CENTURY 21 Bill Nye Realty, Inc.)

John Elwell

You Deserve a Full-Time Agent, Not Reduced Results

Zephyrhills, FL

More about me…

CENTURY 21 Bill Nye Realty, Inc.

Address: 34619 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, FL, 33541

Office: (813) 715-6810

Mobile: (813) 783-4444

Real estate news, opinions, and listings from Zephyrhills, Pasco County, Florida and the west central region of Florida in general. Licensed in Florida.


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