It’s Not Too Early To Start Planning the Vegetable Garden at Your Apollo Beach Home

Sure, it’s still winter outside, but what could be better than dreaming of next summer in your garden? Now is the time to order your seeds, before the rush. Make 2012 the best year yet for gardening at your Apollo Beach home. Here are some advantages of ordering your seeds from home:


Enjoy a wide selection. You’ll find a wide variety of seeds in seed catalogs, from heirlooms to hybrids. View page after page of vegetables in different varieties, with details on each one’s traits, giving you loads of options.
Relax in your Apollo Beach home. No need to waste gas and fight the crowds next spring.
Order online. Most seed catalogs have online ordering. What this means is, if you know a particular cultivar you want, you can do an online search for it and find out who is selling it.
Buy non-GMO seeds. If you want to avoid buying any seeds that have been genetically engineered, there are seed companies that take a safe seed pledge to never sell genetically modified seed. Do a web search to find them.
Get inspired! There is nothing like poring over seed catalogs to get a body inspired and rejuvenated during the long, cold nights of winter. Spring will be here before you know it—be prepared and get ready for it now.
Still renting? Looking for an Apollo Beach home with a yard you can dig in!

"Real Estate Market Turnaround?"

This February 2012, Tampa Bay residents who have been keeping an eye on the real estate market may be beginning to see renewed signs of life. The stirrings are still relatively minor, but those of us who have observed the ups and downs in real estate markets for more than a decade or two are used to seeing exactly that before substantial activity gathers wider attention.

Our Florida and Tampa Bay listing and sales figures take time to compile, but we’re seeing early national figures that hint at the change. According to the National Association of Home Builders, house prices are growing ("modest gains in the third quarter") and new home sales show slight improvement. It’s about time. That movement is confirmed by the familiar Case-Shiller and FHFA indexes.

The NAHB also works with Wells Fargo to measure overall housing affordability, which can be thought of as the bottom line we all come up with when penciling out whether or not a residence change makes sense for the family budget. That affordability index continues to be near a record high. Coupled with a confirmed drop in new mortgage delinquencies, it also seems possible that the national reporting media might also begin to sound a more optimistic note -- which would be helpful in establishing a less tentative real estate market.

All in all, while it’s necessary to bear in mind that conditions are likely to remain subject to short-term fluctuations, it’s also wise to stay apprised of longer-term trends. Everyone makes their buying and selling decisions based on a complicated mix of factors. Knowing where the real estate market stands (and where it’s likely to be headed) should always be one of those.

Five Reasons to Buy a Newly Constructed Apollo Beach Home

A brand new Apollo Beach home is better than a used home, isn't it? For most people, that's a matter of preference. If you’re unsure which you prefer, consider these five reasons to buy a newly constructed home:
You want to pick out everythingDo you want granite or cement countertops? Perhaps you'd like a skylight in your family room or a fireplace in your master bedroom. You get to choose all the fixtures, flooring and faucets. Plan to spend a lot of time making these choices and probably some additional money for upgrades.
You want a Apollo Beach home that comes with high-tech and energy-efficient featuresYou’ll save energy and money with low-flow toilets and shower heads, energy-efficient appliances and higher-efficiency HVAC, doors and windows. New homes are able to handle today's hottest electrical components and gadgets.
You want a home that no one else has ever lived inThis is one of the American dreams. Our culture is built around having to own the newest and best. There’s also no wear and tear on the home.
You want a planned community. A well-planned community offers a variety of housing choices, plus recreation and other amenities. For many, it's the perfect choice for today's busy lifestyles.
You want a new home warrantyMost new homes come with a builder’s warranty which covers "house settling" problems and defects. So if your roof starts leaking or the furnace breaks during the warranty period, your builder will pick up the tab for the repair.
What have you decided buying a pre-owned or new Apollo Beach home is right for you?

Links:

Reasons to buy newly constructed home
http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=25600868&page=2
Planned community
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-planned-community.htm

New home warranty
http://www.mortgagesfinancingandcredit.org/mortgages/newhome-warranty-warranties.htm

Brush Up on Tampa Real Estate Agent Acronyms before Buying or Selling

Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a home, finding the perfect Tampa Bay real estate agent can be tough. The process is often overwhelming and you want to ensure that you have the right person by your side — someone who’s trustworthy, hard-working and knows what they’re doing!

That is why it’s extremely important to do your research thoroughly when it comes to Tampa Bay real estate agents. You need to interview several agents, follow through on referrals and ensure they have the proper credentials.

All the acronyms after agents’ names can be confusing, so here are a few that describe specializations you might need:

• SRES – This stands for Senior Real Estate Specialist. The SRES designation is for agents who work with buyers and sellers over the age of 55. If you’re over the age of 55 or are helping your parents who are over the age of 55 buy or sell, you may want to find an agent with an SRES designation.
• NAR’s Green Designation – This designation means the agent has had training in green building qualifications and sustainable business practices. Look for an agent with these acronyms if green living is on your home checklist.
• SFR -- This acronym stands for Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource – As the certification indicates, these are agents who specialize in short sales and foreclosures. With the economy forcing many homeowners into one of these categories, it could be valuable to have an expert with this designation to help you successfully navigate the tricky processes.

Just because agents have an acronym or two or three after their names doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the right fit for you. However, the designations can give you some clues as to their level of knowledge and areas in which they specialize.

Avoid Mortgage Application Rejection on Your South Shore Real Estate Purchase

The mortgage application process can be confusing -- so you only want to have to go through it once when buying South Shore real estate. Keep these tips in mind as you complete the application process to make sure you get the answer you want: Approved!

• Make Sure Your Credit is Clear: If there are any lingering issues on your credit report, get them resolved prior to application and get your credit in high standing for the best loan rates.
• Lower Your Debt: If you meet the income requirements, but have substantial debts elsewhere – car payments, student loans, credit card debt – your application may be denied. Budget, save up and pay off as much as you can.
• Have the Required Income: With the tightening of regulations, any wiggle room you may have had before is gone. You must meet the income requirements for the loan. Remember that not all income may be counted toward your loan – rental property income, for instance, is often excluded.
• Negotiate the Repair of Any Condition Issues with the Seller: Lenders are leery of extending loans on any South Shore real estate that could later be deemed distressed. Issues exposed during the appraisal process should be addressed for loan purposes, as well as for your own comfort and safety.
• Follow the Instructions: The stacks of paperwork documenting your application are a nuisance, yes, but they are required. Do the work and make sure your application is complete.

Put these tips into action and your application is more likely to be approved.

If you’re ready to buy South Shore real estate, I can help. Whether you need help finding a reputable lender or a home to buy

Tampa Real Estate Urban Legends

Urban legends can be found within every industry, and Tampa real estate is no exception. Getting a big discount because a home needs minor repairs or being able to acquire 100 percent financing in a snap definitely isn’t as easy as it sounds and is probably just what you think — a big fat myth.

Whether you’re an experienced buyer or it’s your first time purchasing Tampa real estate, do your research and don’t get sidetracked by enticing fables that might cause you to miss out on your dream home. Below are three debunked mortgage urban legends that have been plaguing the industry for years.

1. You can get a foreclosed home for almost nothing. While foreclosed homes do tend to sell consistently lower than other homes on the market, they’re not always a great deal. Banks are required to sell a property as close to fair market value as possible, and only drop the price in small increments after 60 to 90 days. Foreclosed homes are also usually in worse repair and banks are less likely to negotiate on them.

2. As a first-time homebuyer, it’s easy to get 100 percent financing. While some homebuyers might be nostalgic for the subprime mortgage era when anyone could obtain full financing — that just isn’t the case any longer. While there is assistance out there, most first-time buyer programs require that you put down a certain amount.

3. A fixer-upper means a lowball offer. Gone are the days when just because a home needed a little cosmetic help you could make an incredibly low offer. Don’t do it because you’ll get rejected, and the buyer won’t take you seriously.

The market may be down, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to walk away with a steal. Save your money, keep your credit score in check and don’t fall prey to any of these common Tampa real estate urban legends.

Price Shop Closing Fees on Your New Tampa Bay Real Estate

One way lenders increase their profits on your Tampa Bay real estate mortgage is by charging settlement fees. While many fees are standard and required, others may be negotiated.

Shop Around For Better Closing Fees

The Good Faith Estimate (GFE), as required by RESPA, is presented to you after you apply for a loan to purchase your Tampa Bay real estate. It gives you a heads up as to what fees you should expect at closing.

If you don't like the numbers you're seeing on the GFE, shop around with other lenders. If you were approved for one loan, you can likely be approved for another. Collect comparable GFEs and see how the interest rate, monthly payments, points, and closing fees stack up. Your best bet is to tell your lenders that you're comparison shopping, so they give you the best numbers possible.

Common closing fees you can expect to see on your Good Faith Estimate include:

Appraisal Fee – Fee for an independent appraisal of the value of the property. This fee often ranges from $350 to $500. Note that payment for this fee is sometimes required prior to closing.
Credit Report Fee – This is the cost of acquiring a credit report.
Title Insurance Fee – This is the fee paid to a title company for research and insurance related to the title of the property.
Processing Fee – The processing fee covers the cost of the person who handles collecting the paperwork, such as credit reports and employment history, for underwriting. Sometimes, the processor is the loan officer.
Loan Origination Fee – Also called underwriting fee, administrative fee or processing fee, the loan origination fee is charged by the lender for evaluating and preparing your mortgage loan. This fee can cover the lender's attorney's fees, document preparation costs, notary fees, and similar charges. Application Fee – This fee covers the processing of an application for mortgage insurance.

All loans have fees; there's no escaping them. If there aren't any fees, the cost of making the loan has been wrapped up in other areas such as the interest rate or points. So as you comparison shop, remember to look at the long-term cost of the loan, not just settlement fees.

That said, with some comparison shopping and negotiation, you may be able to decrease your fee amounts without the price being woven elsewhere into the loan for your Tampa Bay real estate. Whether you’re ready to buy or need more information before taking the plunge, I can help.

Links:
Good Faith Estimate
http://www.lendingtree.com/mortgage-loans/advice/understanding-mortgage-costs/good-faith-estimate/

RESPA
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/housing/rmra/res/respa_hm

Common closing fees
http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/settlement/

Maintenance Hints for Tampa Bay Homes

In order to keep the best resale value for your home, it's important to keep your home in tip-top shape. Plus, it surely makes for more content and comfortable living if you're not spending your days leaping over one hazard after another!

Often, simple maintenance tasks done in a timely manner can prevent a bevy of costly repairs on Tampa Bay homes. Here are a few hints to help home maintenance run smoothly:

Keep a supply of toolsHaving the basics on hand – hammer, screwdriver, pliers, flashlight and a plunger at minimum – can save you a lot of headaches and lost time.
Clean your gutters regularlyClogged gutters on Tampa Bay homes can lead to problems as the gutters bend under the weight of small trees growing out of them. Clogged gutters can also lead to leaks, typically near the attic from overflow issues or into the basement if drainage is faulty and leads to pooling on the ground. Prevention is the best way to avoid water damage.
Check the roofAgain, keep water outside of your home. A loose shingle or two is much easier to fix than rotten wood – it's worth a few minutes up a ladder.
Clean and change filters: Air conditioning and furnace filters should be inspected, cleaned and replaced on schedule. Write the date you replace a filter on the filter so you'll know how long it has been in place.

As with most things in life, it's often the little things that can make a difference. Take care of your home to keep it safe, sound and comfortable.

The Real Impact of Short Sales on Credit

It’s not what anyone anywhere would wish, but if a Tampa Bay homeowner falls behind on his mortgage payments, a short sale is one of a narrow range of options he may choose. The short sale is a process in which the bank or banks agree to accept a settlement amount that is less than the original loan. A short sale is generally considered a more desirable option than letting the home go into foreclosure; however, it is not without its own drawbacks. Fortunately, most Tampa Bay homeowners will never face such a prospect, but an educated consumer should at least be familiar with the term.

Of course, a short sale affects the FICO -- the familiar bureau-based credit scoring system that creditors and banks use to calculate risk. FICO guidelines show that there are three main credit situations that will most affect a credit score:
1. Serious delinquency, defined by late payments or inability to repay debts
2. Derogatory records such as tax liens or unpaid child support
3. Collection filings

Short sales generally fall into the first category: serious delinquency and unpaid debts. It is not entirely the actual short sale itself that impacts the score, but also the number of months of late or no payments that are qualifications for such a sale. Even so, the fewer the number of late payments and the shorter the tardy periods, the smaller the impact.

Generally speaking, most short sales result in about 100 to 200 points less FICO score damage than does a foreclosure -- and 200 to 250 points less than in an outright bankruptcy.

But there can be an additional fallout from a short sale in the form of lingering debt or tax obligations. Some short sales leave the seller accountable for the deficiency balance, which can be the difference between the sale price and mortgage and can even include the arrearage caused by missed payments. Legal restrictions may or may not provide a degree of protection, and that’s one more reason why the decision to short sell a home should never be made without contacting a qualified attorney and tax professional. In this as in less stress-inducing situations, you can also call me any time for a Tampa Bay home price evaluation.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: How Do They Impact Tampa Bay Real Estate?

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been in the news quite a bit over the last year, so it’s a good time to do a refresher on who they are and what role they play in the Tampa Bay real estate market.
Who are Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?

Fannie Mae is the Federal National Mortgage Association. Freddie Mac is the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. They were originally created to raise homeownership levels and increase the availability of affordable housing.

Fannie and Freddie don’t sell mortgages directly to homeowners. They buy mortgages from lenders, so the lenders can use the money to issue new home mortgages.

In 2008, due to mismanagement resulting in billions of dollars of losses, Fannie and Freddie were taken over by the government.

How do Fannie and Freddie impact Tampa Bay real estate?
They contributed to the financial crisis and real estate downturn, by loosening underwriting standards, buying and guaranteeing risky loans and increasing purchases of mortgage-backed securities.
They are key players in the government’s Making Home Affordable foreclosure-prevention program. If your mortgage is owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, you may be able to refinance your loan and take advantage of lower interest rates.
They influence mortgage interest rates and the availability of home loans. Freddie, Fannie and the Federal Housing Administration together now guarantee about 90 percent of all new mortgages, far above their historic level.

What’s going to happen to Fannie and Freddie?

Fannie and Freddie’s future is uncertain. The House Republicans and the Obama administration agree that the pair should be done away with. But this will not happen soon, if at all. Congress must agree on a plan, which could take years, and then the market’s dependence on the companies and the financial backing they provide must be reduced.

Some Hidden Advantages To Owning Vacation Homes

Who can’t use a little time off now and then? Vacation time is not just a welcome reward following long stretches of an otherwise unending repetition of day-to-day obligations, it’s also widely recognized as a necessary relief valve -- a break from the stress of today’s hectic schedules. Vacations, long or short, take us away from our hectic routines. They serve the purpose of breaking up the monotony of the daily grind – often resulting in valuable perspectives that bring renewed vigor and creativity to careers and even relationships.

A week at the beach; a couple of days fishing over a weekend; simply spending quality time with family and friends in vacation homes set in picturesque locales – all can serve a valuable purpose. Not to mention just having fun!

Whenever we plan a break away from home we can find a broad choice of hotels, inns, villas, and vacation homes for rent. It is that last choice that’s often overlooked, but for those who have managed to buy themselves a second home near an attractive vacation destination, it’s the hotel cost that is no longer an issue. And with today’s historically low interest rates and rock-bottom sales prices, there is good reason to argue that right now there has never been a better time to consider purchasing one of those vacation homes yourself.

One reason that many thoughtful families are beginning to pay attention is the considerable impact owning second homes or vacation homes can make on reducing retirement expenses. Writing in Interest.com, author Stef Donev points out, "By starting early, you're building equity and reducing your mortgage debt on your…retirement residence. When you retire, the profit from your current home might even be enough to pay off the mortgages on both."

While having a second home can have tax and other financial advantages, what can be even more appealing is the attraction of owning vacation homes near resort or tourist spots – especially for those who vacation at least once a year. In addition to the savings realized from eliminating many sizable hotel and resort charges, it can even become possible to reverse the vacation cash outflow by opening their own vacation home for rental accommodations. By hiring a property management team to take care of the bookings, they generate their own passive income as an offset to dual mortgage and upkeep expenses.

If you are newly considering the pros and the cons of purchasing a second home in Tampa Bay area, do give me a call. We can run the numbers and talk about ways to go about finding one of the appealing Tampa Bay vacation homes that are now available.

What You Should Know About Tampa Bay Real Estate Disclosures

When walking into Tampa Bay real estate that is listed for sale, you might notice the seller has applied a fresh coat of paint or installed new carpet. While most sellers make updates like this to make their home more appealing to buyers, they could also be trying to hide faults within their home, such as water damage or cracks.

Sellers are obligated to disclose all major property issues, but buyers should double-check the disclosure statement before signing any sort of contract. Below is important information about Tampa Bayreal estate disclosures:

If you know it, disclose it. Don’t try to hide anything negative about a home you’re selling because it could come back to bite you. There are standard documents that sellers can fill out, but know that verbal disclosures can also be documented.

Things you should disclose. Disclose all renovations, whether or not you were required to obtain a permit. Other normal disclosures include property line disputes, termite problems, indoor pets, chronic neighborhood disruptions and appliance issues.

Disclosures and inspections are not the same thing. Some people get these confused. A disclosure is something the seller fills out and gives to the buyer. An inspection is conducted by an independent party and might bring to light issues of which the seller is unaware.

Improper disclosure can result in a lawsuit. If buyers quickly discover that their new home has serious undisclosed issues or renovations that were hidden and aren’t up to code, they can ask their real estate agent to confront the seller’s agent and seek a settlement. If the seller does not cooperate, the buyers have the right to file a lawsuit.

If you’re getting ready to sell your Tampa Bay real estate and would like help deciding what to include in the disclosure, or if you’d like to buy a home and want to be sure you’re getting all the proper disclosures, I can help.

Make Your Tampa Bay Home Stand Out with Ceramic Tile

If you’re looking for ways to update your Tampa Bay home, consider ceramic tile. There are myriad ways to implement tile for a new look.

Ceramic tile is the ideal material to use where water is an issue—think the kitchen, bathroom and plant room. It’s also the best option where fire is an issue—again the kitchen, fireplace and woodstove. For a durable and classic look, consider these possibilities for ceramic tile in your Tampa Bay home:

Flooring. Compared to wood, tile is affordable and more durable. Compared to carpet, tile is hypo-allergenic and more durable. Compared to vinyl, tile is classic and more durable.
Countertops
If your kitchen countertops have seen better days, you can get a whole new, custom look with ceramic tile.
Entire bathroom. From the floor to the walls, ceramic tile can withstand the water and steam of the bathroom environment
Hearth
Ceramic tile around the fireplace or woodstove equals peace of mind.
Windowsills. If you have houseplants, you know how easy it is to ruin the woodwork of a windowsill. Tile is a much more forgiving material to host your plants and their watery needs.
Backsplash
A backsplash is installed wherever you need to protect a section of wall. Above the kitchen or bathroom sink, ceramic tile will protect your wall from water damage. Another place you can install a backsplash is behind the stove, where food and grease splash up. With ceramic tile, clean up is easy and a backsplash will add stunning interest to your décor.

In today’s buyer’s market, you need to make sure your Tampa Bay home stands out from the rest

Best Wishes for a Happy New Year in Your Tampa Bay Home!

Happy New Year! Now that the champagne corks have been popped and Auld Lang Syne sung, the clean slate of a fresh year may have you busily writing up resolution lists of 2012 goals.

Top of the list for my goals is to continue providing exceptional customer service to my clients!

Whether you’re a long-standing client I've seen through several purchases or a first-time home buyer considering taking the plunge, I want to make sure you're as happy as you can be with your Tampa Bay home. I always welcome suggestions on how I may be of more help, so please connect with me and share your thoughts.

If you're like many Americans, your resolutions probably involve ways to become healthier and happier. Buying your first Tampa Bay home or moving to a home that better fits your needs could certainly add to a happier 2012.

Maybe your family is growing and you need more room. Or maybe the kids have grown and gone, and you'd like to downsize to a more manageable space. Perhaps you’re considering investing in a second home; now that prices are low, buying a second home makes sense as a long-term investment.

I believe in envisioning the future you want. So make a plan today that includes the Tampa Bay home of your dreams; a place where family and friends gather in friendship and good will.

May 2012 bring you fresh opportunities to realize your dreams. And again, Happy New Year!

Benefits of Downsizing Your Tampa Bay Home

Have you been considering downsizing your Tampa Bay home? You are not alone. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 60 percent of buyers are considering downsizing to smaller, more efficient homes.

There are many benefits of downsizing yourTampa Bay home:

Reduce your impact on the environment: Your home will use less energy when you have less space to heat and cool.
Simplify your life: Simplifying your life reduces stress, improves creativity and increases joy.
Save money: When you buy a smaller, more energy-efficient home, you’ll save money on your utility bills. You’ll also reduce your maintenance expenses. You will most likely have a smaller mortgage. When you have less space to fill, you need less stuff. So you can also spend less on furniture and other home décor.
Increase free time: You’ll spend less time cleaning and maintaining a smaller home. Use the extra time to travel, take up a hobby or just relax.
Enhance peace of mind: When you no longer have to worry about how you’re going to pay enormous utility bills and mortgage payments, you can sleep better at night.
Improve your health: Less stress usually equals improved health. Owning a large house full of stuff you have to pay for and take care of can be very stressful. When you downsize and let go of all that stuff, your stress decreases.
Put cash in your pocket: Sell your extra stuff on eBay, Craigslist and at a garage sale.
Making the decision to downsize can be difficult to do, but once you’ve taken the leap, you’ll discover many rewards. The more stuff you get rid of, the more you can save for things that truly matter, such as saving for your retirement or your child’s college education.

Ready to buy a smaller, more efficient Tampa Bay home? I can help.

Good Cheer Is Back Again!

Here in Tampa Bay it’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays have finally taken over. This is hardly an unpredictable phenomenon, but this year there did seem to be a slightly longer delay than usual following Thanksgiving.

Even if the Christmas tree lots weren’t in evidence, the cheer-inducing holiday lights and colorful store window ornamentation have begun to do their work in earnest. It’s a good thing, too, because festive decorations can go a long way toward mellowing out any feelings of anxiety that tend to accompany the onslaught of end-of-year business and household deadlines…

There’s nothing like the sound of carols echoing over Tampa Bay loudspeakers to make even everyday shopping seem more special, and to help squelch that feeling that there’s just not enough time left to get everything done. Household chores (and let’s face it: they do tend to pile up this time of year!) go easier when the goal of once yearly gatherings is so close at hand. The unexpected cheery holiday greeting from a total stranger or two doesn’t hurt, either.

When the holiday spirit really gets perking, it goes a long way toward helping us appreciate how important it is to pause once in a while to appreciate the golden moments that make up a family history. It can turn the simplest household get-together into a remarkably memorable occasion.

Here’s wishing you and yours exactly that -- be they simple or elaborate, whether spent in Tampa Bay close to home or somewhere far distant, may your holidays be altogether wonderful, joyous and memorable!

Do Open Houses Sell Tampa Bay Homes?

Home sellers swear by them and real estate agents have a love-hate relationship with them.

Open houses are those typically weekend soirees during which a seller leaves his home in the hands of his real estate agent who holds it wide open for the world to traipse through. Although it’s a familiar procedure, it’s also the subject of an ongoing debate -- do open houses sell homes, or are they a waste of time? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons.

Over 90% of folks in the market to buy a home say they plan to attend open houses as a part of the purchasing process, according to a survey conducted for Trulia.com. A similar study, performed for the National Association of Realtors, finds that only 45% of potential buyers plan to use open houses in their home search. So, although we now have the statistics, unfortunately they conflict by 100%.

Luckily, that bottom line figure doesn’t matter greatly to sellers with a property for sale this January. Regardless of which figure is closer to reality, either one represents a significant amount of exposure for any Tampa Bay home on the market. The more eyes that see a house for sale, the better the chances that it sells quickly.

Open houses are intended to bring potential buyers to doors. What happens once that target audience enters the door -- whether they wind up among the 1%-2% of buyers who actually purchase an open house home or not -- depends on several factors:
 Price. Proper pricing of the home has a major effect on how quickly it sells. Properly priced, open house attendees may even experience a sense of competition with other buyers that would not have otherwise been the case.
 The house. Even multiple open houses and a massive marketing campaign won’t sell a shabby house, especially one that’s overpriced.
 Your agent. Your real estate agent’s experience weighs heavily on the outcome of an open house as well. Converting a Tampa Bay looky-loo into a Tampa Bay buyer takes a pro!
While new marketing gimmicks appear frequently, sometimes it’s the tried-and-true paths that wind up leading straight to the destination. The effectiveness of the open house will always be hotly debated, but as one tool in the hands of an experienced agent, it just might be one of the surest ways to get the job done.