Real Estate Information

Thank you for your business, friendship and referrals!!

Twice a year Nathan Bangs and Associates of Keller Williams Realty has hosted a Friend and Client party.  This is our way of giving back for your business, support and referrals.

Come join the team for some food, fun and games and LIVE music at Al Lopez Park in Tampa, FL this Saturday May 19th, 2012 from 11 am until 3 pm.

Bring the family, bring the kids, bring a friend......

Register on eventbrite (or reply to this email) link below so we can plan enough food for everyone - http://NathanBangsPicnic.eventbrite.com/

Music by Lisa Casalino -
Originally from Long Island, NY, Lisa Casalino has been performing in Central FL since 1998. Based in Tampa, FL, she's one of the most sought-after singers here. With musical talent so versatile, gorgeous looks, and a lively spirit to boot --it's a given you'll find her performing at the finest attractions in the Bay area ... and beyond.

Fun & Games -
Chipping Contest – Sandon Group Lending
Ladder Golf – Rip Weachter Insurance Agency
Corn Hole – Nathan Bangs & Associates
Hula Hoop – Professional Inspection & Construction Services

Catered Picnic Menu -
Assorted Veggie Pin Wheel Wraps
Mexican Chorizo Burgers with Guacamole & Salsa
Chipotle BBQ Chicken Kebobs
Fresh Hummus and Pita Chips
Assorted Fruit Platter
Moroccan Mint Iced Tea, Soda and Water

Sponsored by -
Nathan Bangs & Associates
Sandon Group Lending
Rip Weachter Insurance Agency
Professional Inspection & Construction Services
Hillsborough Title
Keller Williams Realty

Location -

Al Lopez Park
4810 N Himes Ave
Tampa, FL 33614
Pavilion #301

Saturday May 19th, 2012

11 am - 3 pm

(1st parking lot on the right once you pull in from Himes Ave.  Take the the jogging path to the pavilion)

Thanks,

Nathan Bangs and Associates

When it comes to a fantastic real estate market, the Tampa Bay area can't be beat. Our recent buyer's market has made some significant changes in the way homebuyers shop, negotiate and buy their Tampa Bay homes.  Sellers today have gotten the message loud and clear and are consistently reducing their prices, offering more in the way of amenities, upgrades, closing costs, and flexibility.  There are many foreclosures, short sales, and even bank owned properties to choose from.  But, from a standpoint of getting the best deal in a new home, watch the market for those that claim to be motivated sellers.  Motivated sellers are those that are in a position to "deal" on their home.  There are many motivated sellers today - these are the people who have to sell. 

Request a list of  "Motivated Seller Homes" - Tampa Bay 

www.NathanBangs.com

 VILLA SONOMA AT INTERNATIONAL Plaza $50,000

Pending home sales increased in March and are well above a year ago, another signal the housing market is recovering, according to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR).

The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 4.1 percent to 101.4 in March from an upwardly revised 97.4 in February, and it’s 12.8 percent above March 2011 when it was 89.9. The data reflects contracts but not closings.

The index is now at the highest level since April 2010 when it reached 111.3.

“First quarter sales closings were the highest first quarter sales in five years,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. “The latest contract signing activity suggests the second quarter will be equally good. The housing market has clearly turned the corner. Rising sales are bringing down inventory and creating much more balanced conditions in the Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg area and around the county, which means home prices will be rising in more areas as the year progresses.”

The PHSI in the Northeast slipped 0.8 percent to 78.2 in March but is 21.1 percent above March 2011. In the Midwest, the index declined 0.9 percent to 93.3 but is 16.9 percent higher than a year ago.

Pending home sales in the South rose 5.9 percent to an index of 114.1 in March and are 10.6 percent above March 2011. In the West, the index increased 8.7 percent in March to 108.0 and is 9.0 percent above a year ago.

There are times when tough questions deserve an honest answer.  A question homeowners like yourself are asking every day is, “Do I short sale my home or stay and tough it out?”  Either way, to make the best decision, you should have all of the information in front of you. 

Please take a moment out of your day to try out the Short or Stay Calculator. 

Being able to see the current market value of your home and projecting when your investment will break-even and become an asset again is invaluable to your decision making process.  With the Short or Stay Calculator you’ll be able to do so in a matter of minutes.

Everyone needs a place to live and real estate is a commodity for which there will always be a market. Yet there are many pitfalls for someone just getting started investing in real estate. While there is a lot of potential profit in real estate, there are also risks.

Starting Out

The first step is to ask yourself some very serious questions about your commitment to real estate investment and what you want to get out of it. An excellent checklist of points to think about can be found here. The answer to these questions enables you to have a better idea on how to proceed.

Investment Options

There are many different ways to make money in real estate. In practice, however, there are three options which are the most common, particularly for beginners. Knowing your pros and cons of each will increase your chance of investment success.

Renting Properties

Renting is buying a property and then leasing it to renters. In this option, you are gaining equity on the property as well as having a steady, monthly profit coming in by way of rents. However, this option brings with it a lot of work. Much of this work, however, can be done by using a property management company. There are certain things which need to be considered before actually buying the potential rental property.

Wholesaling

This option is for people who like finding deals and selling. The basics of wholesaling are simple: find deals and find buyers for them. This option doesn’t require a real estate licenses. It does, however, require a lot of hustle. The wholesaler is the middle man who brings together the deal to the buyer and so it isn’t something which can be done as a side-project to most other jobs.

Flip this House

This is simply buying a property cheaply, investing in improvements and then selling the upgraded house for a profit. While one may or may not do the work, it does require knowledge of housing codes, working with contractors and knowing the market. This option does allow for the project to be more of a side-business.

Making the Choice

After careful research, there is no reason why you cannot make a profit investing in real estate. Follow the above guidelines and you’ll be on your way to a profitable future!

Owning a home is seen as a big part of the American Dream. Yet it is rare for one to move out of their parent’s home into a home of their own. At first, most of people rent – and for good reason. So when does it pay to rent versus buying a home?  This is an important decision since Americans move frequently. According to the U.S. Census Bureau the average American does so 11.7 times in their lifetime. This breaks down to an average of one move every five years.

The Ticking Clock

While the amount one can spend on a month’s rent versus a mortgage payment is important, it is actually time which matters most. If one is expecting to stay in one place for a very short amount of time, then renting makes economic sense. However, since rents rise with time and mortgage payments do not, the longer one stays in the same place, there is less economic benefit to renting. A break-down chart of this can be seen here.

There is more to the equation than just time and monthly payments. Another important factor is what you are giving up and what you are gaining from renting vs. buying. It is often said ‘why rent and pay someone else’s mortgage?’ when you could be accruing equity in your own home. On the other hand, owning your own home means a variety of associated costs and responsibilities for maintenance, repairs, and landscaping to name just a few.

Renters, on the other hand, do not have to pay these housing costs since their landlord owns the building. This chart shows many of the advantages of renting when it comes to things such as repairs and property taxes. Yet while renting is seen as temporary, there is a risk in accepting long-term rental agreements with stiff penalties for leaving early. Additionally moving from rental to rental has many hidden costs such as first and last rent up front, deposits, renter’s insurance, the costs of the move, and having to change one’s utility accounts and address. These costs are often not considered in the initial rent vs. buy decision.

The Decision

The choice or renting or buying comes down to time and freedom. If you will be moving fairly soon – within a couple of years or so – renting is more than likely your best option. But if you are planning to be in one location for at least a few years, it makes sense to look into buying – and we may not again see a market with housing and borrowing costs as low as they are now.

As the economy struggles to recover, many homeowners are considering the “For Sale By Owner” option rather than hiring a real estate agent to help them with the sale.  While it may save a little off the top in closing costs, is it really worth it?  Here are just a few reasons why you may not want to list your home for sale by owner:

Visibility

There are many free websites like Craiglist or ForSaleByOwner at which you can list your home for sale, and you can even take advantage of busy street corners and people passing by your home that give your sale visibility, but is this the best option? Hiring a Realtor means your home will be added to a database viewed by potentially tens of thousands of potential buyers each day. The visibility from a free website might attract a buyer who knows more than you do, including how to work the system, which can prevent you from getting a fair price on your home for sale. You will also get a flood of phone calls which will likely include people who aren’t always the most sincere. Realtors have the tools and time to help you market your home effectively and attract the type of buyers you want. 

Disclosure

You may save a few dollars on the commission when you list your home for sale by owner, but not having representation from a professional real estate agent means less disclosure and bargaining. Often times it is better to have a Realtor help you do the bargaining and get you the best price for your home. An agent can help you negotiate a contract specifically tailored to your situation so you get the most out of your sale. Hiring a Realtor also means that you get the best disclosure options on your home.

Buying Time

With many people’s family obligations taking up a majority of their time, they simply don’t have the time to market a home to potential buyers. A real estate professional is paid to help you market your home with expertise – and will use modern online tools – to as many buyers as they can reach.

These are just a few of the reasons why you should NOT list your home for sale by owner. Do your research and ask around for qualified agents before putting your home on the market.

Planning is under way in Tampa, Florida for the 2012 Republican National Convention. The Tampa Bay Host Committee and its Board of Governors which include local businesses, government and educational leaders and other volunteers are working hard to showcase the city through tourism, hospitality and other business opportunities.

Held at the St Pete Times Forum, the stadium seats a maximum 20,000 people and is expected to draw at minimum twelve to fifteen thousand journalists not counting the thousands of delegates and politicians.

Transportation

Just seven miles from downtown, Tampa Bay International Airport offers hundreds of non-stop domestic and international flights. A variety of smaller airports are served by Tampa International including the St Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (Tampa’s second largest airport) and a Peter O. Knight Airport. A variety of rental car companies and motor coach opportunities are available. For those traveling alone, there are a variety of rental car companies or they can grab a ride in a taxi, street car, or trolley to get downtown and to the outlying areas. 

Entertainment

Delegates and visitors to Tampa have plenty of entertainment opportunities to take in during their down time. A trip to Busch Gardens is certainly worth putting on the agenda along with a trip to the Florida Aquarium. Art lovers can check out the Museum of Fine Arts in St Petersburg or The Tampa Museum of Art.

Tampa also hosts more than 200 public parks and 35 private and public golf courses for a round or two of golf.

Accommodations

World-class hotels and dining options await the visitor to Tampa with prices ranging from affordable to extravagant. The iconic Don Cesar Hotel is right on the beach and is just a short drive to Tampa and offers a luxurious and pet-friendly environment. The Don Vincente offers a unique boutique hotel setting and comfort for the weary traveler. There are also a variety of well-known hotels in Tampa and local bed and breakfasts.

For dining options, Tampa has everything from steakhouses to local food and everything else in between. Berns Steakhouse boasts the largest private wine list in the world. The iconic Taco Bus serves up quality street food at good prices.

While the Republican National Convention will be the highlight during the last week in August, there are still plenty of opportunities to choose from in Tampa whether delegates are entertaining (a.k.a., politicking) or just taking a stroll along the waterfront.

It’s that time of year, snowbirds, to pack up your car and make plans to head down to warmer climates. For many people, especially for those along the Eastern seaboard, Tampa, Florida is a popular destination. Florida snowbirds contribute greatly to the local economies and are welcomed as the snow begins to fly and temperatures dip in the Northern states and Canada.

Before you go, here are a few things to consider:

Rentals

If you’re not familiar to the area, it is recommended you start your search by renting a home or condo before making a decision to buy. There are a variety of real estate services in Tampa to assist you in finding the best location and home for your money. 

A variety of websites and communities are set up online to help Florida snowbirds adjust and plan their time away. They offer advice and feedback along with rental listings. Rentals are available on the beach, on the golf courses and come with a variety of amenities like swimming pools, community centers and some of them are even fully furbished. There are a variety of mobile home and RV parks for the snowbird and worth checking out.

Second Home

For many, buying a second home in either a retirement community or just by itself is always an option. The median housing price in Tampa dipped in early 2011, but it’s slowly inching back up again. Now is the time to buy a second home as the market is slowly gaining strength. A qualified realtor can help you find the perfect second home that meets all of your needs.

Amenities

As they get used to the warmer climate and consider buying or renting a second home, snowbirds must be aware of the services and amenities they will need while away. For many who fly to Florida, proximity to a major airport is the starting point. Tampa Bay International Airport is just seven miles from downtown and has hundreds of domestic and international flights. There are also a handful of smaller airports in Tampa which serve corporate and private flights.

Trolleys and street cars take visitors around downtown Tampa and there are a variety of taxi and private rental car companies to choose from.

Health care access is another factor that matters to snowbirds, who are typically older citizens. With a population of just over 335,000, many top-notch hospitals and clinics serve the Tampa area including those that specialize in care for Canadian travelers.