This is “Relocation Season” in Tampa!  Many families, with school-aged children, are busy “house-hunting” in the Tampa area, so they can get settled in time for the new school year, which begins in August. This is a busy time of year for a PCS To  MacDill AFB, as well.  Moving to Tampa with children involves, not only finding the best neighborhoods, but it also requires some research about the best schools in Tampa. Most families want to get settled during the summer, but the best homes, at the best prices, are the FIRST to sell.  If you are looking for the most choices in the Tampa Real Estate market, you should start looking NOW.  By June, or July, your options will be limited and the “best” homes will already be sold! The earlier you start house hunting, the more likely you are to find exactly what you want in the Tampa Real Estate Market.

If you are moving to Tampa, or looking for a home in the Tampa Real Estate Market, and you have children, finding the right school will be at the top of your “to do” list!  Hillsborough County is the 8^th largest school district in the Country and has many top-rated schools, both Nationwide and Statewide.

Each street address has a specific “school district” assigned to it, but another option to consider is one of the many “Magnet Schools” available at all grade levels.

I deal with a heavily “International” clientele.  Many of my clients have bi-lingual children and want to immerse them in a curriculum that is focused on languages and international studies.  I, personally, studied at a French elementary school and later at a university in Switzerland.  While studying Russian History in French may not appeal to everyone, it is EXACTLY the kind of challenge that many students thrive upon!

Hillsborough County offers the Interational Baccalaureate programme at the Elementary, Middle and High School levels. MacFarlane Park Elementary,  offers the IB program at the primary level, focused on ages 3–12.  Located on MacDill Avenue, close to South Tampa, MacFarlane Park Elementary is rated in the top 1% of all Florida School.  You can find more information about their program here.

Hillsborough County offers Magnet Programs in Math, Science, Arts, Performing Arts, International Studies and more.  Before you enroll your child, consider all of the options available to you.  To be considered for a magnet program, there is an application process and a spring deadline for the following school year.  This is the time to start investigating your options for the 2009–2010 school year.

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, 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.

Tags: pcs+to+MacDill, Schools+in+Tampa

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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!

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In the wake of the number of foreclosures and short sales in the Tampa Real Estate market, I have been predicting that lenders will start to issue “deficiency judgments”( the difference between the mortgage amount and the sale price in short sale or foreclosure) for those property owners who sold their homes in a “short sale” or let the property go in a foreclosure proceeding, without the protection of a bankruptcy to erase the debt.  And…months later…my prediction has come true!  Property owners should be aware that Florida law allows lenders to pursue a deficiency judgment for a period of up to 5 years after the date of the “short sale”, or foreclosure and allows TWENTY years to collect such a judgment.

With the number of “short sales” on the market, many homeowners have the mistaken impression that once the lender “accepts” a lower sales  price for the property than the amount of the mortgage payoff, they are “off the hook”. NOT SO.

Unless the “short sale” agreement between the mortgagee and the mortgagor specifically states that the lender will not pursue a deficiency judgment and the purchase price, upon sale,  constitutes a “full” payoff of the loan amount, the lender will have the option to pursue a judgment against the property owner for a period of 5 years, for both the principal amount, interest and legal fees!

If you are considering a short sale, or foreclosure, you should consult a Real Estate Attorney.

Make your online searches for homes in Tampa simple! You can get started on receiving all of the listings that meet your criteria in a matter of minutes…Just tell me what you are looking for…click here to receive the latest listings today! Any questions about the Tampa Real Estate Market, Tampa Schools, or the Best Neighborhoods in Tampa? Send me an email.

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, Wesley Chapel, 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.

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Living in South Tampa, diners have many great restaurant options. I have a list of favorites, but often I want to venture across the bridge to Downtown St. Petersburg to get out of my “rut”. My new “favorite” on the scene is the St. Pete Brasserie on Central Avenue.  The decor is chic moderne, but the menu is a twist on the Classic  French Brasserie.

There are few options in the Tampa Bay area for escargot lovers like myself, so I was pleasantly surprised when the “slugs” appeared “en pot”, yet doused in the fabulous garlic butter. So, fabulous, they were, that I ordered them again, on my second visit, but was really tempted by the mussels gratinee, sampled on my first foray at the venue. A wide variety of menu options should please most palates and a four course prix-fixe menu for $19 is a steal!

What to order? Cassoulet…delicious. Moules frites…yummy!  Roast chicken, duck confit, lamb chops, steak frites? You can’t go wrong! And, yes, take a chance on the Cod with Brussel Sprouts…fabulous!

The unique wine list offers some GREAT wines, so ask for a recommendation.  We enjoyed a popular Malbec called Mar.

The only “negative” comment from my dining companions was about the “smaller” portion size, compared to most restaurants.  Having lived in Europe, I laughed at the comment and said, “this is a normal portion, hence the obesity in the U.S.”.

All in all, the St. Pete Brasserie makes my “top ten” favorite restaurants in the Tampa Bay area.

Looking for the perfect house in the Tampa Area? Relocating to MacDill AFB? Contact me today!

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Unless you have been living under a rock, you are aware of the “massive” push for “high speed rail” in Florida, specifically in the Tampa to Orlando corridor.  While many politicians are pushing hard for, or against, the rail issue, and some are taking a “wait and see” approach, it was the email message that I received yesterday….”lobbying” for high speed rail on the part of the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors and instructing its’ members how to send a message to the President, in order to secure funding for the rail project, that “derailed” me today.  Why would GTAR be lobbying for a project that would create more taxes initially, and, ultimately create long-term subsidization of the rail system, at the expense of taxpayers??? The Tri-Rail system in southeast Florida cannot sustain itself with ridership monies. Some estimate a $2.00 fare on Tri-Rail is subsidized with $98.00 in government subsidies ( translation: taxpayer expense).

I have yet to see a “feasibility” study which outlines the demographics of the “ridership” on such a proposed rail system, or the cost effectiveness of such a venture. Ironically, in private industry, you would not start a venture without such a study. And, you certainly would not build something, that, ultimately could not pay for itself. The government, however, seems to be of the “build it and they will use it” mindset. Visions of the now defunct Harbour Island monorail come to mind right now! Right now, it’s all in the hands of the Florida Legislature, not the Florida Voters. While they cite the creation of jobs in the short-term, they fail to cite the creation of the “taxpayer subsidy” of the Rail Project, which cannot possibly pay for itself.

While proponents cite other cities, across the US, with rail systems(high speed and light rail), what all of those comparisons fail to take into account is the Florida weather. This isn’t Boston, Chicago, Seattle or Washington DC. Florida is HOT and HUMID for much of the year.  What commuter is going to sit at a rail station in the 90 degree heat? I’d like to see those polls.  

From my perspective, this high speed system  is about moving tourists around the state. Great…let Disney, Sea World, Universal Studios, et al, pick up that tab…not the Florida taxpayer.

Also on the drawing board, is a “light rail” proposal for Hillsborough County, which is separate from the High Speed Rail proposal. However, high speed rail NEEDS light rail to get the “tourists” beyond the “high speed station” once they reach their destination.  The County Commissioners voted to place an amendment on the ballot for a 1 cent sales tax to fund the light rail system. Well, at least the taxpayers get to vote on SOMETHING.  It seems to me, before any light rail should be considered, the county should increase the routes on Hartline and embark on SEVERAL feasibility studies with workers who travel into downtown from the suburbs, and those frequent travelers to Tampa International to determine actual USE for the system. How many commuters will actually brave the heat and humidity to use a rail system? Of course, the system should support itself economically. That seems to be the part of the equation that eludes state and local elected officials. A recent article in the St. Pete Times discussed the light rail system that runs between Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, Arizona.  The majority of the riders: tourists and “bar-hoppers”.  I wonder if that demographic group was part of  THEIR feasibility study?

All in all, I resent the lobbyists. I do not contribute to the lobbying efforts for the National Association of Realtors,  The Florida Association of Realtors, or the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors. Not one dime.  Just wait…the “skewed” commercials to twist the facts and misrepresent the cost to the Florida taxpayers will be streaming across the airwaves soon enough.

This is akin to the “lobbying” effort for the Property Tax amendment of two years ago. Remember? Governor Crist assured us that property taxes in Florida would “drop like a rock”. He was wrong. The President of the Florida Association of Realtors was “lobbying” for me to be quiet on my “opposition” to that issue. I refused to be silenced...not then, not now.

Get the facts. Watch the how your elected representatives vote…on High Speed Rail… on Light Rail…on every issue.  If they don’t represent the “facts” and they don’t represent YOU…let them know, or run to the ballot box!

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November homes sales in Tampa were up 43% over November 2008.  Homebuyer Tax Credits, Low Prices and low mortgage rates are helping homebuyers to find great bargains in Tampa Real Estate.  I have been helping out of town buyers “scoop up” those bargains!

If you are moving to Tampa, have orders to Macdill AFB, or are looking for a neighborhood with great schools in your price range, contact me today!

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.

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The Latest News on the Tampa Real Estate Market, Tampa Real Estate and International Real Estate News…

Great News from Fannie Mae Helps Tampa Foreclosure Buyers!

Many investors can move faster on home purchases because they are able to pay cash and don’t have to wait to qualify for a loan and get an appraisal. Investors often turn the homes into rental units or flip them to other buyers for a quick profit. People seeking to take advantage of the drop in housing prices to buy their first homes have been grousing that they often lose bidding wars to investors.

Fannie said it also would help owner-occupants acquire homes by reducing deposit requirements to as little as $500 and giving them a chance to renegotiate offers after appraisals. Such buyers also are to be allowed as many as 45 days to complete the transaction, up from the usual 30 days.

A Freddie spokesman said the company has similar pilot programs and is helping owner-occupants pay closing costs.

Fannie announced Tuesday that 4.72% of the single-family home loans it owns or guarantees were 90 days or more overdue in September, up from 4.45% in August and 1.72% in September 2008.

For more information about this program, or buying a house in Tampa, please contact me.   

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After a busy weekend of “house hunting” with some “out-of-town” clients and their sweet, fluffy ‘Coton de Tulear’ named Chanti, I thought an article about “Pet-Friendly” places in Tampa was in order!

If you are looking for a Pet-Friendly hotel in Tampa, there are two good choices in the downtown area: Sheraton Riverwalk and Marriott Residence Inn. The Riverwalk is, obviously, on the River and a little more convenient for walking to the shops and restaurants on Harbour Island and the Downtown/Channelside areas.

Pet Friendly restaurants in Tampa are mainly in several distinct areas:

Downtown/Harbour Island/Channelside:

Most of the Restaurants with an Outdoor Patio will accomodate dogs. In Channelside, try Tina Tapas, Bennigans, Hooters, Zelda’s and Margarita Mamas. On Harbour Island, Cafe Dufrain has a small outdoor patio.

Hyde Park

Restaurant BT, Timpano, Smoke Barbecue, The Rack and The Wine Exchange all have outdoor dining.

Davis Islands

Downtown Davis Islands is a dog lover’s dream!  Chez Bryce, Estella’s Mexican Restaurant, Yeoman’s Road Pub, Tate Brother’s Pizza and Thai Island and Flamingo Cafe, all have outdoor dining.

Buying a house in Tampa, or need more information on Pet Friendly places in Tampa, contact me!

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!

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