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Jackie Colson-Miller

Jackie Colson-Miller
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New Suburb Beautiful…A “Top Choice” for Neighborhoods in the Plant High School District

The Best Source for Tampa Real Estate News, Tampa Schools and Relocation Information for Families Moving to Tampa and PCS MacDill Air Force Base

As one of the Top 100 High Schools in the U.S., living in the Plant High District is a priority for many families moving to Tampa, or moving to another home in South Tampa. Plant High is located between Himes Avenue and Dale Mabry, just a few blocks north of Bay to Bay Boulevard, in South Tampa.

One of the most popular South Tampa Neighborhoods, is New Suburb Beautiful. Best described as a neighborhood reminiscent of the “Leave it To Beaver” era, most of the homes are traditional style, with many center-hall colonials, bungalows, along with some spanish architecture, too. Stock NSBFrontup on Halloween candy, this neighborhood is FILLED with school-aged children! New Suburb Beautiful is located in the Mitchell Elementary, Wilson Middle, and H.B. Plant High School District. Prices range from $400,000 to $1,000,000.

Its a small neighborhood, just four blocks long, located East of MacDill Avenue and South of Morrison Avenue. I just listed this home, so you can get more information about it, or contact me for other homes in the area.

Here are some previous articles related to Tampa neighborhoods in the Plant High School District:

 

Choosing the Best Tampa Neighborhood

Relocation to MacDill Air Force Base

Categories: Real Estate News

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   06.16.2009 | Print This Post Print This Post |



The Most Important Thing About Buying a Home in The Tampa Real Estate Market

THE LATEST NEWS ON THE TAMPA REAL ESTATE MARKET, BUYING A HOME IN TAMPA, TAMPA NEIGHBORHOODS,  AND REAL ESTATE ISSUES AROUND THE WORLD, EVERY DAY, ON THE REAL ESTATE SIZZLE…

 

Moving to Tampa? PCS to MacDill Air Force Base?  Looking for expert advice in the Tampa Real Estate Market?

When you are buying a home in the Tampa Real Estate market, or anywhere in the World, you should NEVER fail to get a Home Inspection done to check for any structural, or mechanical, defects in the home you are buying. With the number of “foreclosures” on the market being sold “as is”, it is VERY important that you have any home you are intending to buy inspected by a PROFESSIONAL Home Inspector.

Very often, buyers are trying to save money by having a “friend” who claims to be a contractor do the inspection. BAD IDEA. Home Inspectors are certified through ASHI, a professional association of Home Inspectors. They have specialized training, standards to uphold and checklists they can follow, eliminating the likelihood that they might “miss” something. While no inspector is perfect, the more training the inspector has, the more thorough he is likely to be in examining the home for any possible defects, especially those not visible to the untrained eye.

Davis_water

Occasionally, you will need to hire additional inspectors, depending on the home. A waterfront home generally will require a seawall inspection, or a dock inspection. Property in a rural area may warrant a septic inspection or well inspection.

Wood-burning fireplaces should really be inspected for any loose mortar, or creosote build-up. I recommend a local chimney sweep for those inspections. Radon inspections are common in many areas East of Tampa and that requires a cannister to be placed in the home for several days, then collected, and tested, for the presence of Radon Gas.

While the cost of inspections is not inexpensive, the cost of NOT uncovering a problem until after you are the homeowner can be HUGE. Ask your Real Estate Professional for the best inspectors, not the cheapest ones!

If you would like to receive a list of homes in a certain price range…send me an email!

I can help with your move to any Tampa neighborhood, or Real Estate Listings in the Tampa area, including: South Tampa, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Culbreath Isles, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunter’s Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate…contact me!

 

Categories: Buying a House in Tampa, Luxury Homes in Tampa, MLS Search, MacDill AFB, Moving to Tampa, Schools in Tampa, South Tampa, Tampa Home Search, Tampa MLS Listings, Tampa Neighborhoods, Tampa Real Estate Agent, Tampa Real Estate Market

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   06.10.2009 | Print This Post Print This Post |



School is out in The Tampa Real Estate Market…Where are the Best Vacations for Kids?

The latest news on the Tampa Real Estate Market, Moving to Tampa, Tampa Neighborhoods and Tampa Schools, every day, on The Real Estate Sizzle.

School is out in Hillsborough County and summer is well underway. Students will return to the Classroom on August 24. Florida schools have an earlier summer than the rest of the country, which can make vacation planning a challenge. If you want your child to have other children to play with on vacation, you should plan a vacation sometime in late June to early August, when the rest of the country is also out for the summer , or stay in Florida and enjoy some of our fabulous family-oriented resorts. Conversely, if you are heading to Europe, go in Early June and avoid the summer crowds and the heat, as many shops, restaurants and smaller hotels do not have Air conditioning and all of Europe seems to be on holiday in August.

These are some of my favorite family vacation spots. C_bCape Cod, Massachusetts .There is something for everyone on the Cape from Beaches to Bumper Cars. You trip is not complete without a meal at the Clam Box! Stay at the Chatham Bars Inn for a little pampering right on the ocean, New England-style.

Sanibel and Captiva, Florida Shelling is the favorite pastime on the islands off the coast near Fort Myers. The islands are perfect for long bike rides and the living is sweet at South Seas Plantation. Its laid back Florida with fun dining at the Bubble Room and the Mucky Duck.

 Cruises Ru_insCruises are family friendly with plenty of activities for kids and their parents. The trips to the Caribbean exploring Mayan ruins and local treasures are loads of fun. The ship has activities from dawn to the wee hours…If anyone is bored, it’s not because there is “nothing to do!” From Pool games to limbo dancing and blackjack tables to feasting on the “Midnight Buffet”…who could complain? You can leave from the Port of Tampa!

Charleston, South Carolina. Ghost walks, low-country cooking and plenty of old-fashioned Southern Charm abound in this great waterside city! Wander through the old cemetery and take a horse-drawn carriage ride. This is my favorite “Southern” City! Be sure to feast on some low country cooking shrimp and grits!

Vermont You can explore the Green Mountains, go boating on Lake Champlain and enjoy a tour, and a taste, at Ben and Jerrys ice cream factory! Head to a local Maple farm for some maple syrup, or the Cabot cheese factory for a little Vermont cheddar. Smugglers Notch is a family-oriented resort in the heart of it all.

 Paris Ei_ffelThe ultimate destination, in spite of the cost of the Euro, especially for teenagers. I took my son several years ago, as a special reward for several years of “perfect” grades!  You can spend an entire day in the Louvre, ride to the top of the eiffel tower and seek out the perfect skateboard in a local skate shop! Nibble on crepes from street vendors and enjoy french pastries from the local patisserie. Stop in at Angelina, for the best hot chocolate in Paris.

 

For information on the Tampa Real Estate Market, Urban Living in Tampa, Tampa Suburbs, Tampa Schools, or Moving to Tampa  contact me today.

Categories: Buying a House in Tampa, Fun and Frolic, Relocation, Schools in Tampa, Tampa Neighborhoods, Tampa Real Estate Agent, Tampa Real Estate Market, Tampa Schools, Travel

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   06.09.2009 | Print This Post Print This Post |



Moving To Tampa? Why Plant High is Among the Best Schools in the Tampa Real Estate Market

The Tampa Real Estate Market, which is primarily Hillsborough County, is filled with “A” Rated Schools. But, when parents are looking for the Best Schools in Tampa, and the best neighborhoods in Tampa, they delve a little deeper into the differences between the various top-rated schools.

Plant High School, in South Tampa, consistently ranks among the best high schools in the U.S.  Nationally ranked in the top 100 high schools, for the fourth consecutive year,  by Newsweek Magazine, you can count on a top-quality education for your student. 

What makes Plant High School stand out among the rest??? Motivated students, a multitude of Advanced Placement and Honors Courses and a top-notch faculty produce a student population in which 97% of the graduates go on to college.

In the 2009 graduating class at Plant High School, 57% of the graduates earned a 4.0 GPA, or better! That is impressive!

For information about buying a home in the Plant Hight School District, moving to Tampa, or relocation to MacDill AFB, send me an email!

Looking for real estate in Tampa? Need a list of the “A rated” schools in Tampa?  Send me an email today!

 

If you are buying a house in Tampa, or Selling a house in Tampa, I can help with any Tampa neighborhood, including:

 

South Tampa, Davis Islands, Urban Living in Tampa, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Culbreath Isles, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunter’s Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate…contact me!

 

Sign up for my email list to receive the latest information on the Tampa Real Estate Market, Living in Tampa, and the International Real Estate Market!

For more information about the schools in Tampa, or assistance in relocation to any Tampa neighborhood, contact me today.

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Categories: Hyde Park Real Estate, Luxury Homes in Tampa, MacDill AFB, Moving to Tampa, Schools in Tampa, South Tampa, Tampa Neighborhoods

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   06.08.2009 | Print This Post Print This Post |



Moving to Tampa or PCS to MacDill AFB? Best Neighborhoods in Tampa?

Tampa Real Estate Market News, every day, on the Real Estate Sizzle…

The Tampa Real Estate Market, especially homes in the Tampa suburbs, has a unique “fee”, or “tax” that out-of-town buyers are unfamiliar with. That is, what is known as a “CDD fee”. If you are looking for a newer home in the Tampa area, chances are good that you will buy a home in a community with a CDD fee, since some of the best neighborhoods, in the best school districts in Tampa, have CDD fees.   What, exactly,  is a CDD fee?” Since that term is very unfamiliar to most buyers who are moving to Tampa from other cities, here is a brief explanation of CDD fees.

A CDD is short for Community Development District, which finances and manages community developments.

Tax-Free Bonds are issued to the developer to finance the cost of building the infrastructure of a development, including roads, utilities and many amenities including, pools, clubhouses, tennis courts, golf courses, etc. Homeowners in the development pay the costs of the CDD over the span of 15 to 30 years. There are a number of communities with CDD fees in Tampa, and throughout the State of Florida, so if you are looking for real estate in Tampa, or anywhere in Florida, you should know about these fees.

Can CDD fees go up? Yes. The CDD fees appear on the homeowners tax bill. Each Community has a CDD board, initially appointed by the developer, which decides whether to include additional assessments into the CDD fee. If a community decides to do additional Chev_1landscaping, revamp the golf course, add gates, or any other amenities, those costs may be added to the existing CDD fees. That would increase a total tax bill and increase the escrow required by your lender.

What can you do if you live in a community with a CDD fee? Stay informed. Know who the members of the CDD board are and attend any meetings regarding CDD fees.

Looking for the “best” neighborhood in Tampa?

I can help with your move to any Tampa neighborhood, including: South Tampa, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Culbreath Isles, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunters Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Clearwater Beach, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate contact me today!

For assistance in finding a house in Tampa, or any of the surrounding suburbs, or any questions about the Tampa Real Estate market, please contact me. PCS to MacDill AFB or Moving to Tampa?

 

Categories: Buying a House in Tampa, CDD in Tampa, Cheval Homes, Clearwater Beach Real Estate, Davis Islands Real Estate, Florida Real Estate, Gated Communities in Tampa, Golf course communities in Tampa, Moving to Tampa, Tampa Neighborhoods

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   05.27.2009 | Print This Post Print This Post |



Would You Live in A Chicken Coop? Tampa Real Estate News and More!

Doorout(Large)In the Tampa Real Estate Market, you will find plenty of “cool” places to live that were converted from historic buildings, or warehouses, especially in the Channelside district,  and even a former “bread factory”, as is the case with a recent project in the Hyde Park area.

In other parts of the world, and the U.S., it’s not unusual to find former churches, or other structures with unique architectural qualities, being converted to residences. It’s a nice departure from the “tear down and build new” mentality. But, there are some structures that normally don’t render themselves to a conversion for  residential use. In many rural areas, you will find former farms with many “outbuildings”…barns, garages and, of course, chicken coops.  Would you live in a chicken coop???

Guest(Large)I asked that question recently as my daughter and son-in-law moved to a former “Chicken Coop” in Sonoma County. That’s right…a chicken coop. Ironically, both mothers asked the same question…”Does it smell?”…I guess that’s a “mother” question. The chickens are long gone, so apparently the odor went with them!

In the middle of a vineyard, with a few goats and wild turkeys nexVines(Large)t door, the photos convinced me that life was pretty sweet in the chicken coop. What do you think?  Could you live in a chicken coop?

Are you looking for a “unique” property of your own?  I can help with any Tampa neighborhood, including:

 

South Tampa, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Culbreath Isles, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunter’s Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate…contact me!

 

Sign up for my email list to receive the latest information on the Tampa Real Estate Market, Living in Tampa, and the International Real Estate Market!

For more information about the schools in Tampa, or assistance in relocation to any Tampa neighborhood, contact me today.

 

 

 

 

Categories: Buying a House in Tampa, Historic Tampa, Hyde Park Real Estate, Places to Live, Tampa Home Search, Tampa Real Estate, Tampa Real Estate Market, Things to Ponder

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   05.18.2009 | Print This Post Print This Post |



Moving to Tampa? Find the Best Schools in Tampa! Tampa Real Estate News

We are busy in the Tampa Real Estate Market. The school year is nearly over and this is the time when many families are searching for a home in the Tampa Real Estate Market. The big question is…”Where are the best schools and the best neighborhoods in Tampa?

For more in-depth information on Tampa Schools and Tampa Neighborhoods, you can read some of my previous articles:

Golf Course Communities:

Cheval

Hunter’s Green

Westchase

Davis Islands

Tampa Schools

Relocation to MacDill Air Force Base

Hyde Park

Find the Right Neighborhood in Tampa

When you are moving to Tampa, or anywhere in the world, contact me, to find the right home for your family’s needs!

For more information about the Tampa Real Estate market, Tampa Neighborhoods, including Culbreath Isles, MacDill AFB,  South Tampa, Harbour Island, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Channelside, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunters Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Waterfront Homes, Houses in the Plant High School District, Tampa Schools, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa, the Best Tampa Neighborhoods, or International Real Estate contact me

 

Categories: Best Places in Tampa, Buying a House in Tampa, Davis Islands Real Estate, Golf course communities in Tampa, Hunter's Green Homes, Tampa Real Estate, Tampa Schools, Westchase

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   04.28.2009 | Print This Post Print This Post |



Buying a Waterfront Home in Tampa? Tampa Real Estate News

It’s “relocation season” in Tampa, the time of year when families with children are relocating and searching for the perfect neighborhood and school district.  Many of the Tampa neighborhoods are filled with conservation areas and ponds.  Buyers who are moving from northern states are often shocked to see “Don’t Feed The Alligator” signs in the middle of a “city” neighborhood. 

Many of the newer subdivisions in Tampa, have natural, or man-made lakes.  Plenty of Tampa golf communities are filled with “water hazards” along the golf course. You can find them in Westchase, Live Oak, Cheval and Avila, just to name a few. I remember the first “pond front”  house I sold in Cheval.  We were doing the “walk through” the day before closing, just as the neighborhood gator was out for a swim.  The buyer, from Missouri, was stunned to see the mammoth creature just hundreds of yards away! We don’t have penguins in Florida, but we do have alligators!  If you are moving from outside of Florida, and spent your summers enjoying a swim in the local pond, or lake, then you need to understand one simple equation:

Fresh Water = Alligators= NO SWIMMING

Yes, Alligators will come out of the water to sun themselves on the banks, or in search of food. That leads to the second equation about alligators:

Feed The Alligator = Alligator Views Humans as a Food Source.

This article was prompted an article by Seth Godin…Tips To Avoid Alligator Attacks. Common Sense, but pretty funny!

Bottom line?  If you want to swim in Florida…head for the pool, or the beach!

Looking for the perfect home in any Tampa neighborhood, or a “bargain” in the Tampa Real Estate Market? Contact me today…we can chat about how to avoid alligators!

 

Categories: Buying a House in Tampa, CDD in Tampa, Florida Real Estate, Gated Communities in Tampa, Golf course communities in Tampa, Hunter's Green Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, MacDill AFB, Moving to Tampa, Schools in Tampa, Tampa Foreclosures, Tampa Home Search, Tampa MLS Listings, Tampa Neighborhoods, Tampa Real Estate, Tampa Real Estate Agent, Tampa Real Estate Market, Waterfront Homes in Tampa

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   1 Comment »   |   04.14.2009 | Print This Post Print This Post |



Bye-Bye “Buyer’s Market” in Tampa…Tampa Real Estate News

The Latest News on the Tampa Real Estate Market, the Best Neighborhoods in Tampa and Relocation to MacDill AFB.

Shopping for a home in New Tampa?  In the Four-bedroom, pool home market, from the $300,000 to $400,000 price range, homes that are nice, and priced right, are selling. FAST!

In the New Tampa area, zip code 33647, 26 homes, priced between 300K and 400K, have sold in the past 90 days, with less than 60 days on the market! How do I know that “buyer’s market” is passe? Of those 26 sales, 23 homes sold for over 90% of the listed price, while 10 homes sold for in excess of 95% of listed price! That zip code includes Hunter’s Green, Arbor Greene, West Meadows, Cory Lake Isles, Live Oak and Grand Hampton.  It is a very family-oriented area with “A”-rated school districts.

It is nice to get back to a “normal” market, where homes are priced right and selling in a reasonable period of time. It would be nice if the MEDIA could pick up on the good news in the Tampa Real Estate Market…maybe they should follow me on Twitter!

While most of my articles on The Real Estate Sizzle are about the Tampa Real Estate Market, you will find plenty to read about living in Tampa, fun things to do in Tampa and great places to eat in Tampa.  Check out my favorite restaurants and read my reviews at Urban Spoon!

How about a “Google Alert”? I stopped reading the newspaper and get the majority of my “real estate news” via google. You can set up an an alert for “Real Estate Sizzle”, or any subject you are trying to follow.  When an article is posted on that subject, whether it’s in the Wall Street Journal, the local news, or on a website, “google” will find it and email the link to you!

Do you want to receive listings in any Tampa, St. Pete, or Clearwater Beach area?  That’s easy…send me an email and tell me what you are searching for!

For more information about the Tampa Real Estate market, Tampa Neighborhoods, including Culbreath Isles, MacDill AFB,  South Tampa, Harbour Island, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Channelside, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunters Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Waterfront Homes, Houses in the Plant High School District, Tampa Schools, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa, the Best Tampa Neighborhoods, or International Real Estate contact me today.

 

Categories: Buying a House in Tampa, CDD in Tampa, Gated Communities in Tampa, Hunter's Green Homes, MLS Listings in Tampa, MLS Search, MacDill AFB, Moving to Tampa, Tampa Neighborhoods

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   04.11.2009 | Print This Post Print This Post |



I’m a “Condo Chick”…and I LOVE IT! Downsizing Your Life in the Tampa Real Estate Market

For years I have dreamed of living a low-maintenance lifestyle. No yard. No roofs to replace.  No gardens to weed. No lawn service, no pool service, no rotting wood to worry about, no rats in the attic (they love South Tampa!)…finally, with two of the three children heading off to opposite coasts,  I am, officially, a “Condo Chick”.  I love it…the concierge, the sauna, fitness room,  pool and spa, in a fabulous spot…just  steps from the Downtown Trolley. I can ride to Ybor City, Channelside or Downtown Tampa in minutes.

 

Packing up the Single Family Home reminded me of all of the times I have counseled Sellers, “If You Haven’t Used it in a Year, you don’t need it.”  As hard as it was, I took my own advice. Boxes and boxes of “stuff” were  hauled to The Spring (a shelter for battered women) and plenty of “things” that I haven’t been able to live without went happily into the trash.

 

I love the “city” lifestyle! It’s a lot like living in Europe again. 

 

Enjoy some of my previous articles about changing your lifestyle!:

 

Live Without A Car in Europe

 

Live At Ventana, An Upscale Urban Lifestyle

 

Downsizing Your Life Is It the Path to Happiness

 

 

Looking for real estate in Tampa?

 

If you are ready to “downsize” your life, or are still busy raising children and enjoy that home in the suburbs, , or Selling a house in Tampa, I can help with any Tampa neighborhood, including:

 

Brandon,  Riverhills, Valrico, Channelside, South Tampa, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Culbreath Isles, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunter’s Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate…contact me!

 

Sign up for my email list to receive the latest information on the Tampa Real Estate Market, Living in Tampa, and the International Real Estate Market!

 

Categories: Florida Condominiums, Tampa Neighborhoods, Tampa Real Estate, Tampa Real Estate Market, Where is Jackie Now?

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   1 Comment »   |   03.16.2009 | Print This Post Print This Post |



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