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Jackie Colson-Miller

Jackie Colson-Miller
Direct - (813)629-5757
Homeward Real Estate
3401 Henderson Blvd
Tampa, FL 33609
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'Single Parent News'

        

Moving to Tampa and Working Downtown? Rampello Downtown Partnership School is a Great Option for Your Children

Filed under: Hyde Park Real Estate, MLS Listings in Tampa, Relocation, Schools in Tampa, Single Parent News, South Tampa, Tampa MLS Listings, Tampa Neighborhoods, Tampa Real Estate, Tampa Real Estate Market, Tampa Schools, Waterfront Homes in Tampa

The Latest News on the Tampa Real Estate Market and Moving to Tampa, Florida…

If you are moving to Tampa and planning to work in the Downtown Tampa area, one of your “options” in the Hillsborough County School District is the “Rampello Downtown Partnership School”.  This “A-rated” school for students in grades K-8 is only available to children with parents who work in the downtown Tampa area. 

Located at 802  E. Washington Street, this popular educational choice is on a “space-available” basis and requires an application. For more information, contact the school!  There is always a waiting list, so don’t wait to apply for the 2009–2010 school year!

For more articles on the Hillsborough County School District and some of the best neighborhood schools in Tampa, you can read some of my previous articles.

Where are the Best Schools in the Tampa Real Estate Market?

Find the Right Magnet School in Tampa

Neighborhoods in the Plant High School District

Moving to Tampa and searching for the best neighborhood, or the best school for your family?  Contact me today!

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Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   01.06.2009

Tampa Schools Are on Summer Vacation…Where to Take the Kids This Summer? Tampa Real Estate News and More!

Filed under: Best Places, Real Estate News, Single Parent News, Tampa Real Estate, Things to do in Tampa, Travel

June 4th is the last day of school in Hillsborough County and summer is well underway. Students will return to the Classroom in August . 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?

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. 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, Tampa Schools, or Moving to Tampacontact me today.

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Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   06.04.2008

Moving to Tampa? Where to Meet Other “Singles” in the Tampa Bay Area…

Filed under: "Where to Find", Fun and Frolic, How to, Single Parent News, Tampa

My clients often call me to ask Where can I find???anything from bakeries to dog sitters to painters, and more. So, when I received an email from a reader who has just moved to Tampa, asking about how to meet nice people in town, aside from the bar scene , I thought it would be a great topic for a series.

Here is the first article in my How to ‘Find Anything’ in Tampa.. series.

There are a number of singles groups in the area that hold monthly Datingmeetings and have various activities including trips, boating, cruises, gourmet dinners, and many other activities.

Tampa Bay Entertainment has compiled an extensive list of some of the Singles Groups in the Tampa Bay Area.

One of the largest groups in the area is the Westchase Singles Club. They meet monthly in different locations and are planning a cruise for the Labor Day Weekend.

For Single Parents who enjoy traveling, Single Parent Travel organizes a number of trips each year, both in the U.S. and abroad, for single parents traveling with their children.

If you know of another group that should be included in this article, please contact me. Or, if you have a suggestion for another topic on The Real Estate Sizzle, leave a comment below!

Recent Articles:

The Best Steakhouse in Tampa

Best Places to Eat in Tampa

Great Weekend Getaways

If you enjoy reading The Real Estate Sizzle and would like to receive it via email, please click here.

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Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   4 Comments »   |   08.03.2007

School’s Out…My Best Family Vacation Ideas!

Filed under: Fun and Frolic, Single Parent News, Travel

Thursday, May 24th, was the last day of school in Hillsborough County and summer is well underway. Students will return to the Classroom on August 20th. 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?

Charleston, South Carolina

Ghost walks, low-country cooking and plenty 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!

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 destinationespecially for teenagers. 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.

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Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   1 Comment »   |   06.11.2007

How to Juggle Your Real Estate Career, Your Kids and Your Personal Life

Filed under: How to, Real Estate News, Single Parent News

Real Estate can wreak havoc on your life.if you allow it. I admit it, I am rarely stressed out . In an industry that is known for long and unpredictable hours, I have managed to keep the craziness to a minimum. I have been selling real estate for 13 years. When I got divorced, the children were 3, 8 and 13 and were soon in pre-school, elementary and high schoolthree different schools. Being anything less than super-organized was not an option!

I am often asked how I manage my successful career, my 3 kids and my personal life (yes, I do have a busy social life) as a single mom. I have given this speech to Realtor groups, so I will share my secrets with you!

1. Whenever an event comes up, or someone asks for my help with something, I ask myself three questions1. Is this event good for my busStop_signiness? or, 2. Is this event good for my family? or 3. Is this something that is going to be loads of fun? If I cant answer ‘yes’ to any of those things, it is not worth spending my time or energy on it. I have learned to politely say, Thank you for thinking of me, but I have a busy schedule right now. Women are often their own worst enemies because they feel compelled to help everyone who asks and then feel stressed over all the things they have committed to. It is important to volunteer in your community, but take a role that fits with the other activities going on in your life. Over the years, the scope of your involvement can change with the other demands in your life. You dont always have to be chairman , just because someone else thinks you should be.

2. I have used my cell phone number for all of my business calls for over 10 years. With caller ID, I have a record of anyone calling and make every effort to return calls within several hours. I will not, however, keep taking phone calls when I am with a client, or during the dinner hour, or on a date, unless I am negotiating a contract. I tell my clients I want to give every client my undivided attention and that sometimes requires leaving a message in my voicemail. I believe you must control your business, or it controls you.

3. I use a Treo phone so I can respond via email promptly and prefer to negotiate contracts in writing for a written verification of what was said vs. verbal counteroffers. My clients know that I can often respond to an email easier than a phone call and there is never a misunderstanding about what was said.

4. Microsoft Outlook. I have an incredible memory about dates, times and people and the situations under which I have met someone. However, I am terrible with names! I rely on Outlook to keep track of everything for me. I make notes about any conversations we have had, children’s names, birthdays, anniversaries, alma mater, favorite places, restaurants…anything that I want to remember about someone.

5. I dont commute..I call this my 5 minute rule. All the critical things in my life are 5 minutes away schools, office, title company, music lessons, athletics, hairdresser, friends, favorite restaurantsyou name it. I could live in the suburbs in a bigger, newer home, but I choose to keep my life as stress-free as possible and living close to everything makes that manageable. Suddenly a sick child, a missing signature on a contract, or a forgotten gym uniform is no big deal!

5. Keep a positive attitude and remove all the negative people from your life (as much as you possibly can). I visualize great things! Make a treasure map of what you want your day, year, life..your everythingto look like. Good things come to those who believe it! If you think a contract will fall apart…it will! I always picture the clients sitting at the closing table. Get rid of the negative clients who drain your energy. I choose to do business with NICE people.

5. The only behavior I can control is my own. This is my mantra. Think about it. Dont you feel better already?

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Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   7 Comments »   |   05.01.2007