Searching for Homes Near MacDill AFB
March 7, 2007 | Leave a Comment
It used to be that searching for a home to purchase was difficult because a prospective buyer did not have access to the information that is so easily shared today via the internet. You had to scan the classified newspaper ads, scan the home magazines, etc. But the information was poorly organized and the searching was done in a very inefficient, time consuming manner.So many home buyers employed the services of a Realtor who had access to a database of homes for sale, and who could search more efficiently using the criteria supplied by their clients. But now the information in those databases, also know as the Multiple Listing Services or MLSs, is shared freely across thousands of public websites.
We have, for a long time, made this information freely available on our home search website, SearchTheTampaMLS.com
And now we have made it even easier to search for homes by adding a map search tool so that users can select a specific region on the map, and using additional criteria, the user sees a graphical display that shows where each of the resulting properties is located.
Users can also set up and save their own personal searches, and have new listings e-mailed to them as they become available on the MLS. A “Favorites” feature is also available whereby a user can tag their favorite properties to easily locate them when they next login to the home search site.
But as Realtors, finding the ideal neighborhood and home for our clients is what we do. The Realtor MLS is a much more detailed database with much more data on the homes listed for sale than is available on the public websites.
Looking for homes with a tile roof only? We can search for and find them. Are wood floors a must have? We can locate the homes with wood floors for you. Need a garden bath? We can search for that as well.
So the public home search websites are a great improvement for the consumer allowing the home buyer to search comfortably at home or work for their ideal home. But these sites are really just a starting point. Keep in mind that we have the capability to efficiently drill down through the data to help home buyers find their ideal Tampa home or condo. Is it a primary service that we offer home buyers. In the meantime, give the map search a try!
Hillsborough County Schools Near MacDill AFB
February 27, 2007 | Leave a Comment
For anyone with children moving to Tampa, schools are an important consideration. The Hillsborough County School District has an excellent website loaded with information that should answer just about any question a parent may have.
Hillsborough County School District Website
The Florida Department of Education has a school accountability program that grades all public schools in the state. The state also has a program that gives parents options when their child is attending a school that receives a failing grade. No parent wants their child stuck in a failing school.
The “school locator” is a helpful tool that will identify the school district of a particular home. So if you are home hunting and find a home you like, you can find the respective school district and begin your research. Alternatively, you can use the school grades as a guide in helping you to find which school districts to target.
Hillsborough County School Locator
Florida School Report Cards (Grades)
Hillsborough County schools follow a fall/spring, 2 session schedule that allows for a summer vacation for students.
Hillsborough County Schools Calendar
The Hillsborough County School Board recently approved the 2007-2008 school calendar that has some changes, including a later start in August and fewer religious holidays.
2007-2008 Hillsborough County Schools Calendar
Mold Often A Problem In Tampa Bay Area Homes
February 26, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Let’s face it: Tampa is in a geographic region of the USA that experiences a high level of humidity for much of the year. Add to that the fact that we receive about 43 inches of rain, on average, every year, and you can understand why mold can be a problem. Most of the mold that I see in homes is caused by water intrusion from the exterior of the home. If these problems are not resolved in a timely manner, mold can, and does become an issue. The way to keep mold from becoming a problem is to control moisture.
Here are 10 things to consider regarding mold:
- Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.
- There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
- If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
- Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
- Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60% ) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and dehumidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dish washing, and cleaning.
- Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
- Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
- Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
- In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
- Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.
When purchasing a home in Tampa, the best course of action is to include a “mold inspection” addendum that gives you the right to inspect for mold in the home. If mold is found, you will have the right to cancel your agreement if the cost to remove the mold is greater than a pre-determined dollar amount set by you.
Seller’s are required to disclose any known presence of mold, but mold often grows in areas that are not easily observed by the homeowner. If you are concerned about mold, it is best to have samples taken in and around the home to see what kinds of mold exist and in what concentrations.
For more information on mold, visit the EPA’s mold site.
MacDill To Host AirFest 2007
February 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment
After canceling the 2006 air show due to other military commitments, MacDill AFB is hosting Airfest 2007, scheduled for March 31st and April 1st.
Gates will be open from 8am to 5pm and the show is highlighted each day from 3-5pm by a Blue Angels demonstration.
Approximately 750,000 visitors are expected during the 2 day show and admission is free of charge.
Get details and see a promotional video at MyAirFest.com.
Thunderbolt Offers MacDill News and Events
February 21, 2007 | 1 Comment
The MacDill Thunderbolt is a weekly newspaper published by Sunbelt Newspapers, the publisher of The Tampa Tribune. The Thunderbolt offers weekly news stories regarding MacDill AFB, as well as information on events happening on and around the base. The Thunderbolt also features a special pullout section called “Primetime”, that contains a calendar of base events and ads for various services offered on base.
The 6th Services Squadron has a website, MacDillServices.com, that offers information on dining, lodging and other services on the base. The 6th Services Squadron also publishes a monthly magazine, Base, Bay & Beyond for members.
Sellers of Tampa Real Estate Continue to Emerge
February 20, 2007 | Leave a Comment
When I started tracking the numbers of active home listings in Tampa nearly a year ago, there were 5374 of them available. Since then it’s been a steady upward climb with very few dips downward. As of February 16th, 2007 there are 7925 active listings of residential properties in the City of Tampa, an increase of 70 units over the previous week. There were 2519 properties under contract about a year ago, while today that number hovers around 1590, a steady decline for sure.
So supply continues to out gain demand once again. Business is great for the sign post installers, lock box manufacturers and home staging professionals. But there are buyers out there, just not many of them. From 2/9/07 to 2/16/07,123 properties went under contract to be purchased. So what are buyers agreeing to buy? Here are some interesting numbers to consider:
- Average list price: $260,590
- Average Bedrooms: 2.98 (let’s call it 3)
- Average Baths (Full) 1.87
- Average Size: 1607sqft
- Average Cumulative Days on the Market: 138.5
- Only 11 properties listed at more than $500k went to contract.
- Only 18 are condos
The active zip codes are 33624 (Carrollwood) with 10 lucky sellers finding buyers and both 33604 (Seminole Heights) and 33647 (New Tampa) with 9 each.
Data used is from the Mid-Florida Regional MLS, city=Tampa, and does not include non-brokered properties.
MacDill Air Force Base - Tampa, Florida
February 14, 2007 | Leave a Comment
MacDill Air Force Base is located in Tampa, Florida at the southern tip of the Interbay Peninsula. The Interbay Peninsula juts out and splits Tampa Bay into Hillsborough Bay on the east and Old Tampa Bay to the west.
MacDill is situated in close proximity to downtown Tampa, Tampa International Airport, major shopping malls, sporting and cultural venues, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
Residents of Tampa, Florida enjoy a wonderful year round climate with January highs that average in the 70’s and July/August highs averaging in the low 90’s (it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity). We enjoy 7 months of fantastic weather. Tampa is located near the west central coast of the Florida Peninsula and has St. Petersburg and Clearwater as neighbors to the west. “Tampa Bay” is the general term used to describe the area around Tampa, and generally includes Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk Counties.
Below are some helpful links with area information:
Lenny Gurvich
Gurvich Realty Group
Keller Williams Realty
Tampa, Florida
