Since opening in 1959, Busch Gardens in Tampa has been entertaining and amazing guests with its thrilling rides, world-class zoo, and spectacular live shows. Located in Central Tampa, this African themed park includes safaris across the Serengeti Plain, jungle mazes and games the whole family will enjoy. There’s a reason why the park was visited by more than 4.2 million people in 2010, placing it among the top 25 visited theme parks in the world. The experience and the attractions at Busch Gardens are truly unforgettable.

Nothing gets your adrenaline pumping more than a thrilling roller coaster, and Busch Gardens has several unique rides that are sure to excite all of your senses. After entering the park, visitors will see Gwazi, a 90 foot wooden coaster in the Moroccan portion of the park. Gwarzi reaches speeds of up to 100 miles per hour and features six fly-bys. Gwarzi may satisfy one’s need for speed, but only the truly adventurous dare to challenge SheiKra, a 200 foot floorless dive coaster. This monster has a 90 degree vertical drop that will demand plenty of revisits.

Busch Gardens may be known for its rides, but it is also home to one of the nation’s largest zoos, containing nearly 3,000 animals. Visitors will quickly be transported to untamed exotic lands of Africa, as they get up close and personal with tigers, rhinos, alligators cheetahs and more. On the Serengeti Plain, guests get a wide variety of perspectives and breathtaking views of the wildlife, including an aerial view from the Skyride and a pass-by from the Serengeti Express Railway.

There’s no better place to take the family than Busch Gardens. Children of all ages will create life-long memories after experiencing Jungala, a four acre attraction with animal encounters, a water-play area, zip line and a launch tower ride that shoots guests over a majestic waterfall. Special offers include day passes with dining for under $80. To take advantage of current offers, visit buschgardens.com today and plan your own African adventure!

Channelside Bay Plaza is Tampa Bay’s premier destination for retail shopping, upscale dining and top-notch entertainment. Located on Channelside Drive, the Plaza is easily accessible from any part of the city or surrounding suburbs via I-275, I-4 and the Crosstown Expressway. Visitors and residents will love the variety of exciting and affordable shopping and dining venues that Channelside Bay Plaza has to offer. Channelside and its popular restaurants, shops and cinema are conveniently open seven days a week: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Channelside is home to a wide array of restaurants and shops that give visitors a little bit of everything. Whether you are looking for the exotic cuisine of Tina Tapa’s or the fresh flavors of Oishi Sushi and Hibachi Grill, you are bound to find the perfect setting for lunch or dinner. There is also a police-themed pizza parlor, a Thai restaurant and a frozen daiquiri bar to add to the long list of quality dining spots at Channelside. After indulging your taste buds, you can browse some of the many unique boutiques and retail shops that inhabit the Plaza, including Lit Premium Cigar Lounge, Surf Downunder and Del Sol Apparel.

The weather isn’t the only thing that’s hot at Channelside Bay Plaza. The entertainment will make the evenings just as exciting as the days, as visitors can catch the latest flick at Channelside Cinemas 10, or quench their thirsts at a piano bar called Howl at the Moon. Then there’s Stumps Supper Club, which features the unique combination of southern cooking and dancing. Channelside Bay Plaza is a one-of-a-kind destination, providing good eats, quality brand-name products and plenty of fun all in one place.

Are you ready for some football?

Football season is upon us once again and for Tampa residents, this means the start of the Buccaneers season is quickly approaching. Since becoming an expansion franchise to the NFL in 1976, the Bucs have recorded several winning seasons, including a Super Bowl win in 2002. Today, the Buccaneers remain a vital part of Tampa’s culture and community, as one of the region’s most popular sports teams.

Every Sunday during football season, tens of thousands of fans flock to Raymond James Stadium to see the team compete against NFL foes and 2011 will be no different. You won’t want to miss out on the action, so make sure you get a seat by visiting buccaneers.com.

The Buccaneers are coming off a stellar 10-6 season and with many of the same players returning for this season, 2011 looks to be another winner. Second year starting quarterback, Josh Freeman, proved to be a fine offensive spearhead with a breakout season a year ago that included 25 touchdowns and over 3,000 yards passing. Rookie LeGarrette Blount also shined with over 1,000 rushing.

Head coach Raheem Morris and his braintrust will try to improve upon last year’s success starting September 11^th against the Detroit Lions in Tampa. But Bucs fans don’t even have to wait that long to see their beloved home squad, as the team will kick off preseason play on August 12^th against the Kansas City Chiefs. Their first preseason home game will take place on August 18^th against the mighty New England Patriots.

How HAFA helps Tampa Property Owners Sell Faster

If you own a Tampa property that you want to sell using a short sale method, there is a new plan that may be helpful. The Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) Program has been created by the federal government as part of the Making Homes Affordable plan. Short sales are often accompanied by problems that result in delays. Lenders take too long to approve the sales; homeowners lose because their credit is destroyed. Prospective buyers say the process is aggravating and lengthy. This may be a possible solution for those who would like to sell their Tampa property much faster.

The HAFA Program aims to reduce or eliminate the impact experienced currently by those who choose a short sale. Particularly the credit problems that are experienced and debt forgiveness are being focused on in an effort to protect borrowers in distress. The program will provide financial incentives to lenders to complete the short sales and the borrowers can even receive relocation assistance. For those who own Tampa property, the program may make the loss of their home somewhat less stressful.

The relocation assistance includes $3,000 for releasing the lender from any liabilities associated with the Tampa property. The chance to reestablish their credit within two years so they may purchase another home as well as the elimination of a foreclosure on their credit are incentives as well.

An investor or a lender can receive $2,000 or more for the completed transaction. In addition, there is a 20% savings realized when a home is sold in a short sale rather than a foreclosure. The realtor receives protection for their commission, which is often reduced by lenders to save money.

The waiting period for a short sale to be approved or disapproved is currently from three months to a year or even longer. This results in many prospective buyers walking away after deciding they have waited too long. Under the new program the lender would have 10 days to approve of disapprove the sale of the Tampa property.  

Requirements for participating in the HAFA Program are the homeowner must have a mortgage on the Tampa property that was in effect on or before January 1, 2009. The unpaid balance must be $729,750 or less. They must be experiencing a hardship that affects their financial outlook. The mortgage must be delinquent or will be delinquent in the near future. In addition, the Tampa property must be a primary residence and have been occupied by the owner for the last year.

Nathan Bangs

Nathan Bangs & Associates – Seller Line 813.739.5965/ Buyer Line 813.739.5925

Tampa Realtor - Top Selling Tips

Finding a Tampa Realtor to help sell your home can be a beneficial way of avoiding the mistakes often made. These mistakes can slow down the process and cause delays that could have been avoided. They can end up costing money if you have to sell your home for less. The best way to avoid the loss of time and money is to allow a Tampa Realtor to use their expertise to help sell the home.

One of the things they will look at is the recent sales in your area. Comparing your home to others in the area will give the Tampa Realtor a good idea of the price that should be asked. Your home may have beneficial aspects that others do not. These aspects may include quiet neighborhoods, updated appliances, good location and proximity to shopping.

The aspects that make your home stand out to prospective buyers can be listed by your Tampa Realtor on the Multiple Listing Service. However, if you have made many improvements that will be a selling point, you may want to make a list and have this available for your open house.

Many times sellers price their home according to what they think it is worth. Pricing the home based on what is owed or how much you would like to make can end up meaning reductions. Telling buyers they can pretty much negotiate the price to suit themselves is the wrong message. Allowing a Tampa Realtor to look at all aspects and suggest a price can help the home to sell without the need to reduce the price.

Another area of expertise that is available when using a Tampa Realtor to help sell your home is staging the home. From the curb appeal to the inside, the home should be pleasing to look at - whether it is in person or photos that will accompany the listing. This can mean the difference between prospective buyers coming to see your home or passing it up for another one that looks more interesting.  

When you are ready to sell your home, a Tampa Realtor can provide the help needed to get the best price. In addition, the home may sell faster saving you time and money.

Nathan Bangs

Nathan Bangs & Associates – Seller Line 813.739.5965/ Buyer Line 813.739.5925

Top 4 Things NOT to do if you Fall Behind on your Tampa Property Mortgage

Getting behind on your Tampa property mortgage is not the end of the world, but there are certain things you should not do if this happens. Many people today have fallen behind due to the economy and some due to circumstances beyond their control. Loss of income or a reduction in pay can increase the chance of falling behind on the payments for the Tampa property. The following four things that you should definitely not do can be very beneficial if you find yourself in this situation.

1) Do not ignore the situation. This will only make it worse. There are options available and you should check into them. Ignoring the situation and allowing a foreclosure to proceed will damage your credit and make it very difficult to get any type of loan for a long time.

2) If you are considering selling the home, do not price it way below the market value. Find out the selling price of homes in your general area. If a prospective buyer is pushing you to accept their offer on your Tampa property, chances are the deal is more favorable to them.

3) Never give a potential buyer the authorization to negotiate with your lender. The chances are they will offer the lender a deeply discounted pay-off amount for the Tampa property. Even if they offer a fair price and negotiate with the lender for a pro-longed period of time and the deal does not work out, you could be left with very little time to find another solution.

If you do decide to allow the potential buyer to negotiate with your lender, do not do so without first consulting with a lawyer or a real estate professional. Never sign a contract without the advice of a professional. If a short sale is being done on the Tampa property, the professional representation that you receive will be paid by the lender. Make certain someone is looking out for your interests.

4) Do not deed your Tampa property to anyone without making certain the loan is paid in full. Talk to your lender, consult with an attorney (not the one that represents the buyer) and protect yourself. Since the lender provided the loan for the property to you, the responsibility for the mortgage is yours and until this money is repaid, it will remain your responsibility.

Nathan Bangs

Nathan Bangs & Associates – Seller Line 813.739.5965/ Buyer Line 813.739.5925

Foreclosed Tampa Property? 4 Ways you could be in for a Visit from the Tax Man

For many, the dream of owning Tampa property became a nightmare when the home was foreclosed on due to problems experienced with the economy. Adding insult to injury, the IRS may tax the difference between what was owed and what the home sold for at foreclosure. This is one reason the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act was passed by Congress in 2007. Providing relief from this debt helped many experiencing the loss of their Tampa property. However, it did not cover all liabilities.

1. If the Tampa property that was foreclosed on was a multi-million dollar home, only $2 million is exempt from taxes. The remainder will be taxed as income. Although this seems to be one situation that many do not empathize with, the amount that could be considered income by the IRS could be huge. This amount could be millions if the home sold for a substantially lower price than what was owed.
2. For others who refinanced their Tampa property and took cash, the price could be high as well. If the cash was spent on anything other than improvements to the property, it can be taxed as income. This includes paying off credit cards, buying a new car or truck, taking a trip or just spending the money on bills.
3. Rather than a cash-out refinance, the Tampa property owner could have applied for and received a home-equity line of credit. This is covered by the same rules that apply to the refinance. If you claim the money was used for improvements to the property, make certain you have receipts to prove where the money was spent.
4. Did you buy Tampa property for a vacation home or for investment purposes? If so, the taxman may be at your door if your home was foreclosed on and sold for less than you owed. The vacation property must have been a principal residence for two of the last five years to be exempt from taxes. The vacation home that was foreclosed on may have been a bargain when it was purchased but by 2010, the median price had fallen by almost half. This could add up to a significant tax liability.

Nathan Bangs

Nathan Bangs & Associates – Seller Line 813.739.5965/ Buyer Line 813.739.5925

FINALLY! Fewer Homes Listed as Foreclosures by Tampa Bay Realtors

Tampa Bay Realtors are seeing fewer foreclosures as there seems to be a turning point in the housing crisis. During the first three months of 2011, foreclosures declined 27% when compared to the first three months of 2010. The report was released by RealtyTrac and shows only 681,000 properties received notice of a foreclosure sale, an auction or a default notice. Tampa Bay Realtors say fewer homes are being repossessed, but it is not due to loan modifications because banks are not modifying as many loans.

The reason behind the decline is not clear. Hope Now, in February, 2011  modified 87,000 home loans. The number that were modified in December 2010 was much higher at 110,000. This is a group of mortgage investors, community associations and others that have been working to help homeowners avoid foreclosure.  

The feeling is that banks have not been filing as many foreclosures as their paperwork processing was under scrutiny for dubious procedures. The number of filings would have been far higher for the quarter - about 900,000 rather than 681,000 if there had not been a phasedown while they addressed issues regarding the “robo-signing” accusations.

Tampa Bay Realtors say Florida is not the only hard-hit area with filings that have dropped. The decrease was 59% in Cape Coral, FL when comparing the first three months of 2011 and 2010. Las Vegas, which was hard hit with the collapse of mortgages the past several years had a decrease of 8%.

Florida is eighth in the rankings for the quarter and ninth for the month of March, which is a drop say Tampa Bay Realtors. The states with the highest foreclosures are Nevada, Arizona and California, at first, second and third. The numbers are for the quarter as well as the month of March. A default, foreclosure or auction notice was only received by 1 in every 191 households during the quarter compared to 1 in every 31 homes in Las Vegas.

According to Hope Now, the combination of the drop in foreclosures along with a drop in the number of people who are delinquent on their payments by 60 days or more is a positive step. When there are fewer homes being foreclosed on, the number of homeowners who end up losing their homes should decrease as well.

Nathan Bangs

Nathan Bangs & Associates – Seller Line 813.739.5965/ Buyer Line 813.739.5925

Tampa Foreclosure Scams and how to Avoid Them

Have you been approached by someone who has told you that they can save your Tampa foreclosure? If you have talked to anyone that has offered help that sounds a little ‘too good’, you may be in danger of being taken advantage of by a scam artist. The onset of housing problems resulting in foreclosure has resulted in scam artists who are taking millions of dollars from unsuspecting homeowners in exchange for false promises.

What should you look for to avoid becoming the victim of a scam artist? Tips that will help are as follow:

• One of the basic things to do is to find out exactly whom you are dealing with when it comes to your home. Check to see if they are a member of an agency, such as HUD.
• Do not sign paperwork for anyone promising to pay off your home loan. As a matter of fact, you should never sign anything without reading it and making certain that you understand it to make sure you are not signing over your home.
• If a Tampa foreclosure is imminent, do not believe anyone who tells you that you do not need a professional to sell your home. A realtor, title company or a lawyer is necessary to help with selling your home.
• Never give the payments on your mortgage to anyone other than your lender unless this has been approved by the lender. Do not end up losing your home and your money to a scam artist.
• There are counseling services available through HUD approved agencies. Helping you to negotiate with your lender regarding your Tampa foreclosure is free if you use a HUD approved counseling agency. Call 1-888-995-4673 to find out more about this service.
• Do not sign over the deed to your home to anyone. The only exception is if you are working with your lender in an effort to forgive your debt.

Be on your guard against the scam artists who are on the prowl. If you are facing a Tampa foreclosure, talk to your lender as well as a counselor. Make certain you are not taken advantage of when it comes to your home.

Nathan Bangs

Nathan Bangs & Associates – Seller Line 813.739.5965/ Buyer Line 813.739.5925