Home Inspection Days Before Christmas - Closing Right After Christmas At this time of year the banks are attempting to clear out their bank owned inventory. That means that home inspectors and title companies are especially busy! We wrote the contract for this little bank owned house a couple of weeks ago and had the inspection yesterday. This cash deal will be closing right after Christmas. Paying cash is always the quickest way to get a closing done! This little home is going to be an investment rental for the new owner. It has a large backyard with grapefruit trees and plenty of room for children to play. Let me know if I can assist you in finding a new home or investment property!     12/20/2011

Metropolitan Ministries of Pinellas County Florida is one more organization that does so much good to help those in need within the community. This year their food pantries are in dire need of items such as peanut butter, canned fruit, canned meat, boxed cereal, diapers and pull-ups - the list goes on. You can find a comprehensive list at their website. There you can also find the nearest donation location for anywhere in the Tampa Bay Area as well as across the nation. Here in North Pinellas County you can leave donations at Countryside Christian Center located at 1850 N. McMullen-Booth Road in Clearwater. Their phone number for hours to leave donations is 727-799-1618. Donations are accepted seven days a week but the hours vary on the weekends. Weekdays are from 2:30-5:30 in the after... 12/13/2011

Clearwater Florida Market Report - November 2011   There were 69 single family homes that closed during November 2011 in Clearwater Florida. The most expensive closing was a beautiful 5 bedroom 4 bath 5660 sq ft 2 story home located on 3.6 acres off of McMullen Booth Road. This home also has a barn with 1800 sq ft! Listed at $789,000 this one closed after 197 days for $675,000.   At the other end of this list is a 3 bedroom 1 bath 976 sq ft bank owned home. This one was listed at $22,500 and closed after 123 days for $18,500.   When we look at townhomes, villas and condos there were 61 closings during November, starting with a 3 bedroom 2.5 bath 2425 sq ft townhome at Clearwater's Water's Edge Complex in downtown Clearwater right on the harbor. This new condo was listed and sold for $65... 12/08/2011

Clearwater Florida Computer Service at Intolan Computers Whether it be supplies for upgrades or for computer assistance, one place I have relied upon is Intolan Computers. They have been in business since 1995 while I have been a client of theirs since about 2000. They provide friendly, helpful service which is very important to me. Services include computer repair, malware and virus removal, data transfer, data restoration, system upgrades, and hardware and software installation.They also offer a full line of high quality computer products. So far I had two systems built by them and have been very pleased with their service. They used to be farther south but as of August 29, 2011 are now conveniently located in the Serendipity Plaza located at 28909 U.S. Highway 19 North in Clearwater ... 11/25/2011

Charles Rutenberg Realty decorates for the holidays with the expert hand of Jo-Ann Nestor.  John & Jo-Ann Nestor are the owners of Charles Rutenberg Realty and each year, Jo-Ann makes the most fabulous Christmas wreaths and decorates not only the Charles Rutenberg Realty offices on South Belcher Avenue in Clearwater Florida but also the offices of Integrity Title Company, which is in the same building.   Integrity Title Company is jointly owned by Charles Rutenberg Realty  and my favorite real estate attorney, Michael J. Heath.   I love the way Jo-Ann personalizes her Christmas wreaths according to the tastes of the individuals working in the two offices. It is the little things, like this, that make Charles Rutenberg Realty such a great group to work with. There is a level of personal ... 11/24/2011

Sunset Pointe Townhomes Clearwater Florida 33763 Real Estate Sales October 2011 Sunset Pointe in Clearwater Florida is a townhome community centrally located in Pinellas County Florida. Sunset Pointe features a community playground and pool for you and your family to enjoy. There is a Public grocery store and Aldi nearby as well as a gas station around the corner which offers convenience for those who drive to work. For October 2011 one home in Sunset Pointe that was listed in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) sold. It was an REO, bank-owned property. Sunset Pointe Townhomes Clearwater Florida Real Estate Sales October 2011 Address // Bedrooms // Bathrooms // Square Feet // Listing Price // Sale Price   2525 Marina Key Lane 3 2.5 1,473 $122,500 $101,000 Prices have significantly decrea... 11/23/2011

Nature's Food Patch in Clearwater Florida is one place that I go when I am out all day and I want to get a healthy bite to eat. They offer a wonderful selection of soups, salads and also complete meals - with tofu, meat or just veggies. Today I took one of my clients there with me for lunch. While we were there I also did a little grocery shopping. There are always wonderful fresh apples and this is where I purchase my mango vinegar! If you happen to stop by, be sure to try the apple crisp! It is SO good and they always have it for sale. Naturally, they have a full line of herbs, vitamins and minerals as well as being a full grocery store. If you decide to go there for lunch, there is a dining room to the right of the check-out lanes where you can enjoy your fresh lunch!   Nature's Food... 11/18/2011

FIRPTA exemptions are something you don't generally deal with on a daily basis and it is a good idea to know a little about it. I am lucky to deal with foreign transactions on a regular basis but do realize that many Realtors don't. If you are selling a home that belongs to a foreign national there is a 10% withholding that takes place at the closing table to satisfy the IRS taxes. Your foreign national must complete a tax return to get this money back but there is a way around this. According to Internal Revenue Service Code 1445, if your foreign seller is selling a home that is under $300,000 in value, they can ask the buyer to sign the Buyer's Affidavit for FIRPTA Withholding Exemption. This is a form that states that the buyer is going to reside in the new home for a minimum of 50% ... 11/16/2011

  Christmas Under the Oaks in Clearwater-FL- 35 years and countingWe spent Sunday afternoon at Coachman Park which sits along the water in Clearwater, Florida. The event was Christmas Under the Oaks Arts & Crafts Show which is held each year and has been for the past 35 years. Presented by the Clearwater Junior Women’s Club, Inc., this is always a fun event to go to and stroll around on a beautiful Fall afternoon. The Coachman Park view We have been going since the early 1980’s ourselves and we used to meet Craig’s Mom there. She passed away last December and as I walked around the park, I could feel her with me enjoying the many handcrafted items, plants, and food.       Golden Retriever Rescue was there with Cali.       If you’re thinking that you might like to be able to go to a beau... 11/14/2011

Clearwater Florida Market Report - October 2011   From Clearwater Beach we turn our attention to the much larger area of Clearwater Florida. In Clearwater there were 62 single family homes sold during October 2011. These ranged from a short sale on Sunset Drive that was listed at 550k and finally sold after 548 days on the market for only $363,900 down to a small 2 bedroom 1 bath short sale home with structural damage that sold for 23k. I was really surprised that the home on Sunset Drive sold for so little since it is directly on the Clearwater Harbor with views across the waterway to Island Estates. The home has a boathouse and dock with plenty of room to add a pool. The 4 bedroom 2 bath home has 2415 sq ft and while built in the 1950's, has been updated. Single family homes in our st... 11/07/2011

JIMBO DOES JUMBO IN CLEARWATER FLORIDA Looking for that perfect loan for your new dream home? Well look no further. Jimbo has been closing JUMBO loans in Florida for over 10 years. The key to getting the best rate for a non conforming loan such as a JUMBO is to have an experienced loan originator put the file together for you in the right manner. Shortcuts and files that make for messy presentations end up costing you money. Jimbo is an experienced loan originator that knows how to present your loan in it's best light to the investors. Call Jimbo today for a Free no obligation interview @ 813.205.7958 10/30/2011

Fantastic Price Reduction! 2389 Weymouth Drive in Clearwater Florida is just south of Belleair Road, off Sherbrook, between US 19 and Belcher. This beautiful home has had yet another price reduction since the owners want to leave the state and be up north with their family for the Holidays! A beautiful single family home in a non-deed restricted community just behind Sharon Oaks. You can park your RV or boat here and the backyard is large enough for almost any size pool! Three bedrooms, the third bedroom is a smaller room and used as an office but would make a great small child's bedroom as well. Hardwood flooring, newer roof, over 20k in upgrades in the last two years alone! New list price is only $175,900! Accepting all offers! Take advantage of this and be sure to see this fabulous h... 10/21/2011

Should I buy or rent? THAT is the question! This is something that people constantly ask themselves and the answer is an individual one. Renting makes sense if you are only going to be in an area for a short period of time. Examples of that: your company transferred you here for a temporary assignment or you are a student and will leave once your studies are complete. Naturally, renting also makes sense if you simply cannot afford the down-payment or if your credit scores are so low that you cannot get any financing. However, IF you are one of the masses that wants to purchase a home or condo and take advantage of the deductions on your tax returns, there is no better time to purchase than right now! Interest rates are at a 50 year low and, especially in Florida's market, the inventory ... 10/20/2011

Now is the time to purchase that retirement condo/vacation condo on the beaches that you have been dreaming about! Prices are the lowest they have been in years and according to both the Florida Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors, the Florida market has bottomed out and is beginning to SLOWLY climb once again. What does that mean for YOU, the buyer? With interest rates at an all time low and the condo market offering fantastic deals, it means that NOW is the time to make that purchase! You don't have to restrict your search to short sales and foreclosures either. Regular sale prices are fantastic right now. Those who are serious about purchasing are taking advantage of this market and the inventory is being reduced at a rate that we haven't seen in the last... 10/17/2011

Seville Condos of Clearwater Florida are conveniently located near the intersection of US 19 & Route 60 (Gulf to Bay). The proximity to Clearwater, Tampa & St Petersburg make it a popular location. From here you are minutes to the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Clearwater Beach.   My clients just purchased two beautiful condos in this building. One is rented long term and the other will be on the market once it has a fresh coat of paint and some basic cleaning up. The condo that will be available for annual rental is a 1670 sq ft of living among the beautiful trees that surround the property. The unit has balconies on two sides of the condo! Two bedrooms, two baths and the office area can easily be converted to a third bedroom if needed! Stay tuned for updates on this beauti... 10/12/2011

When I made the decision to return to the real estate industry, I knew I didn't want to start at a brokerage that saw me as a newbie. I had the skills and knowledge from being an agent for four years prior to my hiatus. I just needed a broker who was available to provide guidance with those occasional curve ball situations. I started at Prudential but the split was pretty steep. I understood it varied for each agent depending on skills but walking away with a little over 50% of my commission check was not sitting well with me. One of my associates told me about Charles Rutenberg Realty (CRR). They charge a $290 flat fee per transaction. This meant that no matter what I made, $290 would be the only deduction from my commission check, not the 60/40 split or 70/30 split the other agencies ... 10/11/2011

Clearwater Florida Market Report for September 2011 is as follows: There were 73 single family homes closed during September 2011. At the high end was a stunning two story home situated on over two acres of lush landscaped land with a large pool and gazebo. The 6 bedroom 5.5 bath Haddon Hall Place home has 4973 sq ft of elegant living space. Listed at $599,000 this home was sold after being on the market for 392 days for only $575,000. The other end of these 73 homes brings us to a modest bank owned 3 bedroom 1 bath home in Avondale. Built in 1951, this 866 sq ft home needs a complete rehab. Listed at $24,999 this one sold after 35 days for only $19,000. When we turn our attention to townhomes, villas and condos we find 65 closings took place in Clearwater Florida (excluding the Clearwa... 10/01/2011

PURCHASE AND REHAB YOUR HOME IN CLEARWATER FLORIDA WITH THE FHA 203(K) LOAN - Most home buyers are turned off at the sight or even thought of buying a fixer-upper; a foreclosure or an older home today. However, educated and informed home buyers are utilizing the FHA 203(k) loan to buy their new home and fix it up with no additional out-of-pocket expense. The FHA 203(k) loan is a tool that savvy home buyers, successful contractors, Realtors and mortgage originators have been using since 1978. An FHA 203(k) loan is very similar to the traditional FHA loan. The only real difference is that with the FHA 203(k) loan, the home buyer is adding money to their mortgage balance to finance-in any repair/improvement cost. Whereas the traditional FHA loan requires that certain repairs be done before... 09/29/2011

Refinances for Under Water Home Owners In Clearwater Florida Home Owners who owe more on their homes than the property is worth can refinance if the loan on their home is held by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. To find out if your mortgage is held by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac simply input your address into the following sites to find out.   Is My Mortgage Owned By Fannie Mae   Is My Mortgage Owned By Freddie Mac 09/27/2011

Island Estates Clearwater Florida August 2011 Real Estate Sales Island Estates is a waterfront residential and shopping community located in beautiful Clearwater Florida. It boasts palm-tree lined roads and close proximity to Clearwater Beach, Florida:   During the month of August 2011 three  homes in Island Estates in Clearwater Florida that were listed in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) were "Active With Contract" while two homes were "Pending Sales." The three homes that were "Active With Contract" were listed for $479,000, $595,000, and $722,258. The two homes that were "Pending Sales" were listed for $540,000 and $599,900. If you are thinking about selling your home in Island Estates in Clearwater Florida call Lana at (727) 376-0530 For a FREE Home Market Evaluation. Or feel fre... 09/25/2011