Calum's Blog: All Categories

With the world population scheduled to hit 7 billion people in 2011, it’s getting more and more clear that we all have to do what we can to reduce our impact on the environment that supports us all.   Over the next three weeks, here and on my Tampa Real Estate Blog, I’ll be talking about ways that your family can help save energy and reduce its impact on the environment. This week, I’ve offered some suggestions for little changes you can make in your home and your daily life. These things don’t take a large initial investment and most will start saving you money almost immediately.   Next week, I’ll take a look at green alternatives to traditional remodel and renovations like roof replacements, new heating systems and other major projects. If you’re… Read Full Post

Having trouble selling your house? A little ancient wisdom might help – and it certainly won’t hurt.   Feng Shui Front Door Tips Any Realtor can tell you that most houses are sold before the buyers ever step through the front door. We talk about “curb appeal”. Feng shui consultants talk about making your house welcoming to chi. Many of the tips that feng shui consultants will give you to help your home seem more welcoming are similar to those that Realtor’s will suggest to increase your home’s curb appeal. Don’t be surprised if these sound a little familiar.  

Given the current state of the mortgage industry, the days of no money down and poor credit loans are all but gone. With that in mind I just completed a series of good articles on my Tampa Real Estate Blog with information on building your credit score and saving for a down payment.

The first article, The Credit Fixer Upper – 6 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score, provides practical advice on how to improve a poor credit score. Learn how to get a free copy of your credit report, dispute errors on your credit report, lower your debt ratios, negotiate with creditors, and much more.

If you’re just starting out and trying to build a credit score, the second article, Keeping Your Credit Score Healthy and Fit, will help you build a great credit score. Learn how…

There is a good article in today’s Wall Street Journal on the Libor, London interbank offered rate. Why should you be concerned? Many adjustable rates mortgages (ARM) here in the U.S. are indexed to the Libor and despite the Federal Reserve’s recent cut in short term rates, the Libor has continued to rise. The article gives a great explanation on why the Libor has continued to rise and what the consequences might be. If you have an ARM that’s indexed to the Libor, it’s definitely worth reading. Read the full article here Why Libor Defies Gravity. Read Full Post

365 days of golf, it’s one of the main reasons many of us move to Florida, right? Well, make the dream a reality with this immaculate home located at Lexington Oaks in Wesley Chapel, Florida. This Pulte built Somerset II has 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, a 3 car garage and over 2,500 sq.ft. Come home after a day on the Gordy Lewis designed championship golf course, grab your cocktail, take a seat on your screened lanai, and lookout over the pond onto the 7th fairway and watch as the rest of the duffers play through.
Take the virtual tour and then call to schedule your showing. Read Full Post

Phase one of the Pasco County’s Wesley Chapel District Park is now open. I took a ride up there yesterday and the place is huge. There are baseball fields, football fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, a playground, and picnic area. The $20 million park is spread out over 143 acres and is located at the corner of Overpass and Boyette Road.   Phase two is supposed to include a center with a gymnasium, swimming pool, and meeting rooms. Read Full Post

The Wesley Chapel real estate market was probably the last area to start seeing declines. ack in November 2006 when other Tampa markets were truly down, Wesley Chapel seemed to holding its own. Now, while other areas are showing some minor improvements, Wesley Chapel continues to decline. The one positive sign is that inventory is not increasing; there are currently 1,071 homes for sale in Wesley Chapel, compared to 1,075 back in June.   The highest priced Wesley Chapel home sold in July was a 4 bedroom, 3 bath single family home with 3,344 sq.ft. in Seven Oaks. The lowest priced home was a manufactured home in Timber Lake Estates.

Wesley Chapel Home Sales for July 2007

If it’s up to Ken Hagan, Hillsborough County commissioner, we’ll all be keeping the change handy for trips up the street to the mall. Frustrated by Pasco County’s refusal to help out with the $28 million tab to improve Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Hagan proposed that Hillsborough put up a tollbooth at the county line on the BBD. I’ll wait for you to wipe the coffee off your monitor…   One of the problems with Hagan’s proposal is that no one is sure if the county legally can collect tolls for use of the road. Typically, toll booths are used for limited access roads – highways, bridges, expressways and the like. Bruce B. Downs is none of the above. While it’s a main road, it’s also a residential and commercial byway with multiple cross streets and retail… Read Full Post