The Real Estate Sizzle

Tampa Real Estate Sizzle…Your Best Source for Tampa Real Estate, Tampa Neighborhoods, South Tampa Real Estate, Florida Condominiums and The Latest News on The International Real Estate Market

Jackie Colson-Miller

Jackie Colson-Miller, CIPS
Direct - (813)629-5757
Homeward Real Estate
3401 Henderson Blvd
Tampa, FL 33609
My Profile
Email Me
Contact me to Buy or Sell Your Home
My Opinion

Follow me on:


My Zimbio
KudoSurf Me!

View Jackie Colson-Miller's profile on LinkedIn

fiabci logo

Real Estate Sizzle Tampa Bay restaurants
Tampa Restaurant Reviews








Poshd

Creative Commons License
work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 License

'Golf course communities in Tampa'

« Previous Entries        

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

Filed under: 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

The Latest News on the 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? It depends on your lifestyle!

I can help with your move to any Tampa neighborhood, including: South Tampa, Channelside, Harbour Island,  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?

 

| Print This Post Print This Post

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   07.27.2010

PCS to MacDill AFB? Homebuyer Tax Credit Has Been Extended for Some Homebuyers…Tampa Real Estate News

Filed under: Buying a House in Tampa, Davis Islands Real Estate, First-Time Homebuyers, Gated Communities in Tampa, Golf course communities in Tampa, Hunter's Green Homes, Hyde Park Real Estate, MLS Listings in Tampa, MacDill AFB, Schools in Tampa, Tampa Home Search, Tampa MLS Listings, Tampa Real Estate Market, Westchase

Moving to Tampa? Looking for the Best Neighborhoods in Tampa? Where are the Best Schools in Tampa? Are you relocating for PCS or a position at MacDill Air Force Base?

This is “relocation time” for many families, civilians and active duty military who are moving to Tampa for a job transfer, or position at Centcom, SoCom or MacDill Air Force Base.  While the Homebuyer tax credit is expiring in June, there is a special exception for active duty military who have been deployed for at least 90 days, prior to May 1, 2010.  For those who qualify, the homebuyer tax credit has been extended for one year.

If you have more questions about the tax credit extension for active military, or are looking for a home in Tampa, or need advice on the best Tampa neighborhood for YOU, please contact me today!

For information on any neighborhood in Tampa, homes in the highly-rated school districts, or if you are relocating to Tampa, please contact me. It’s a “Buyer’s Market” in Tampa! If you would like to receive listings in a certain neighborhood, or price range, just let me know!

Looking for Real Estate in Tampa or information about the Tampa Real Estate market? Moving to Tampa? Are you looking for assistance in choosing the best neighborhood in Tampa for your lifestyle? I can help with your move to any Tampa neighborhood, including: South Tampa, Harbour Island, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Channelside, 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, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate contact me!

| Print This Post Print This Post

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   04.26.2010

Where are the Most Family-Oriented Neighborhoods? The Best Schools In Tampa? PCS to MacDill Air Force Base? Find the Expert to Help With Your Move to Tampa

Filed under: Best Places in Tampa, Buying a House in Tampa, CDD in Tampa, Cheval Homes, Davis Islands Real Estate, Golf course communities in Tampa, Hunter's Green Homes, Hyde Park Real Estate, MLS Listings in Tampa, MacDill AFB, Moving to Tampa, Real Estate News, Schools in Tampa, South Tampa, Tampa Neighborhoods, Tampa Real Estate, Tampa Real Estate Agent, Tampa Real Estate Market, Tampa Schools, Waterfront Homes in Tampa, Westchase

Moving to Tampa? Looking for the Best Schools and the Best Neighborhoods for your family?  PCS to MacDill?

I have been relocating families, to Tampa, the Tampa Suburbs and MacDill Air Force Base for over 15 years.

What is the BEST neighborhood? That is different for every family and every price range. The Tampa area has many different areas at all price ranges from city living in South Tampa and the Plant High School District, to the northern reaches of the county and some families choose Pasco county.  How to decide where to live? That’s easy…contact me.  Internet searches are no substitute for an experienced real estate agent.

Tell me about your family situation, work location, desired commute time, school needs and your social life, along with your housing needs and price range.  I can quickly identify which areas and neighborhoods might suit your needs!  This is the busy season, so if you are trying to find the perfect home this summer, now is the time to start when the inventory is most plentiful!

You can read some of my previous articles on “Moving to Tampa”:

New Suburb Beautiful…A Top Choice in The Plant High School District

Moving to Tampa? PCS to MacDill Air Force Base?

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, Pasco County, 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.

| Print This Post Print This Post

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   04.01.2010

Moving to Tampa? Orders to MacDill AFB? Plenty of Bargains in Tampa Real Estate Today!

Filed under: Best Places in Tampa, Buying a House in Tampa, First-Time Homebuyers, Florida Real Estate, Gated Communities in Tampa, Golf course communities in Tampa, MLS Listings in Tampa, MLS Search, MacDill AFB, Schools in Tampa, Tampa Real Estate, Tampa Real Estate Agent

The Latest News on Tampa Real Estate, Moving to Tampa, The Best Tampa Neighborhoods and MacDill Air Force Base Relocation, every day…

MacDill AFB is one of the largest employers in Tampa, with many military and civilian employees, who live all over the Tampa Bay area. It is “relocation season”…the time of year when many families with children are planning their move, or PCS,  to Tampa. The top priority for those families is always the school district. This is a great time to find a “bargain” in the Tampa Real Estate Market. Prices are the lowest in YEARS!

If you are moving to Tampa, for a position at MacDill Air Force Base, contact me, to find the right neighborhood for you, and your family. I have been relocating military families in Tampa for 15 years! I can find a “bargain” in any Tampa or Pasco County neighborhood!

You can read some of my previous articles about moving to Tampa, and relocation to MacDill Air Force Base:

MacDill Air Force Base…One of Tampa’s Largest Employers

Orders to MacDill Air Force Base? Find the Best Tampa Neighborhoods

Looking for real estate in Tampa?

 

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

 

Brandon,  Riverhills, Valrico, 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!

| Print This Post Print This Post

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   01.30.2010

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

Filed under: 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

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

| Print This Post Print This Post

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

Buying a Waterfront Home in Tampa? Tampa Real Estate News

Filed under: 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

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!

 

| Print This Post Print This Post

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   2 Comments »   |   04.14.2009

Mortgage Rates Dip Below 5%…Time to Buy in The Tampa Real Estate Market!

Filed under: Best Places in Tampa, Buying a House in Tampa, Cheval Homes, Clearwater Beach Real Estate, Davis Islands Real Estate, Gated Communities in Tampa, Golf course communities in Tampa, Historic Tampa, Hyde Park Real Estate, Jackie Colson-Miller, Luxury Homes in Tampa, MLS Listings in Tampa, MLS Search, MacDill AFB, Moving to Tampa, Real Estate Trends, Relocation, South 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, Westchase, Westshore Yacht Club

The latest news on the Tampa Real Estate Market, The Best Neighborhoods in Tampa and the International Real Estate Market, every day on The Real Estate Sizzle!

While Christmas shoppers head into the last week of scooping up the “bargains” in  the retail industry, homebuyers in the Tampa Real Estate Market should be focused on buying a house in the next month, or so.  Local mortgage brokers are offering mortgage rates below 5%.  Combine low interest rates, with discounted home values and you have the “Buyer’s Dream Market” in Tampa!  I saw Jumbo Rates (mortgages over $417,000) for 5.75% yesterday!  Get those visions of sugarplums out of your heads and start thinking “long term”….a 30 year fixed rate below 5% vs. 6% will save you over $100,000 in payments.

Want to get an even LOWER mortgage rate when you buy a home in Tampa, or Clearwater Beach right now?  Contact me today about how to take advantage of the “buyer’s market” and how to get a “free appraisal”, or “lower interest rate” in the Tampa Real Estate Market!

Contact me Today! 

You can read some of my previous articles about moving to Tampa, and relocation to MacDill Air Force Base:

MacDill Air Force Base…One of Tampa’s Largest Employers

Orders to MacDill Air Force Base? Find the Best Tampa Neighborhoods

Looking for real estate in Tampa?

 

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, 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!

 

| Print This Post Print This Post

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   5 Comments »   |   12.18.2008

Moving to the Tampa Real Estate Market? Yes, We Have Alligators!

Filed under: Florida Real Estate, Gated Communities in Tampa, Golf course communities 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

I have lived in Florida for over 25 years, and have been selling Real Estate for nearly 15 years, so I am pretty familiar with “avoiding alligators”.  It’s common sense, really. Where do alligators live? Aside from the Everglades…wherever there is water.

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, 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 by Seth Godin’s blog today…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!

 

| Print This Post Print This Post

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   1 Comment »   |   11.12.2008

Where Are The Best Schools in The Tampa Real Estate Market?

Filed under: Buying a House in Tampa, Cheval Homes, Davis Islands Real Estate, Golf course communities in Tampa, Historic Tampa, MLS Listings in Tampa, Tampa Real Estate, Tampa Real Estate Market, Tampa Schools

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

For more information on any Tampa Neighborhood, Tampa School Districts, or help with your relocation to the Tampa Bay area, please contact me today.

| Print This Post Print This Post

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   10.07.2008

How to Buy A Home in The Tampa Real Estate Market…Despite the Economic Crisis! Get an FHA Loan!

Filed under: Buying a House in Tampa, CDD in Tampa, Gated Communities in Tampa, Golf course communities in Tampa, Historic Tampa, Hunter's Green Homes, Hyde Park Real Estate, Luxury Homes in Tampa, MLS Listings in Tampa, MacDill AFB, Tampa Foreclosures, Tampa Real Estate Market

Americans are “paralyzed” this week, as we watch various Financial Institutions crumble.  They are being “gobbled up” by bigger, and healthier, financial institutions. The European financial markets are experiencing the same issues and the Euro has fallen against the dollar this week.   Whether you call it, the “survival of the fittest”, or see it as the Free Market Economy at work, homebuyers in the Tampa Real Estate Market need to be assured that mortgages are still available! And, yes, mortgages are available.

What loan product is available?  What is the minimum down-payment?  Can a seller help with closing costs?  These are common questions for a home-buyer, but are even more important, given our current economic climate.

For the “under $300,000” price point, the best option is an FHA loan!

Here’s Why:

1. Loan limits of $292,500

2. Only a 3% downpayment

3. Seller can contribute up to 6% of the purchase price towards closing costs

4. Buyers with credit scores under 680 are considered

At higher price points, other mortgage products, other than VA loans, require larger downpayments and certain credit scores. In the Tampa Real Estate  market, with record low prices gettting an FHA is a great option!

For the latest listings in the Tampa Real Estate Market in all price ranges, or help with an FHA lender, please contact me today!

 

| Print This Post Print This Post

Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   10.01.2008

« Previous Entries