Melanie Loves Tampa Bay

Melanie Loves Tampa Bay

By Melanie AtkinsonBusiness
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Melanie Loves Tampa Bay episodes

  • Moving from California to Florida? 🌴 Here's What You Need to Know

    Are you researching moving from California to Florida? My clients Bill & Dotty were longtime California residents who decided to make the change and spend their retirement years here in the Tampa, Florida area. They share insight and experiences that hopefully will be helpful to anyone looking into the process. 

    Here are the topics we touched on during our conversation:

    0:00 Intro
    0:45 Background as CA residents
    1:30 Florida Decision
    3:35 Florida Misconceptions
    5:35 Choosing a Location
    6:06 Dunedin, Florida
    7:17 Florida Homes
    9:43 Swimming Pools
    11:41 Taxes
    14:19 Gas & Groceries
    14:45 Vehicle Registration
    19:31 Florida Residency
    20:21 Weather
    22:33 Hurricane Season
    27:22 Retirement Lifestyle
    31:07 Golf Courses
    32:32 Beaches
    35:07 Medical & Health Resources
    36:22 Tampa Bay Negatives?
    37:56 Tampa Bay Sports
    39:26 Things to Do
    41:55 Bill’s Fire Safety Tips

    Melanie is a Tampa Bay area Realtor with Smith & Associates.

    She loves Tampa Bay area area, houses, and helping clients buy and sell real estate.

    melanielovestampabay.com

    Call/text me if you are looking to buy / sell a home in the Tampa Bay area! 813.368.6084

    DISCLAIMER: All content provided on melanielovestampabay.com and the Melanie Loves Tampa Bay YouTube channel/social media platforms is for informational/entertainment purposes only. The owner of Melanie Loves Tampa Bay makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site. Information provided is subject to change.

    48 min
  • Housing Market: What Will Happen to Home Prices? 🏡 Realtor Explains

    As if 2020 couldn't get any weirder, we've been dealing with an insane housing market here in the Tampa Bay area for months along with other parts of the country.

    What the heck is going on and how do you figure out if now is the right time to buy a home?

    Do you take advantage of the ridiculously low interest rates or do you wait until there's more inventory?
    Will those interest rates still be low once there is more inventory?
    What about another housing market crash?
    What if I buy now and then it becomes 2010 again and home values plummet?

    I know you're probably thinking, "Well, she's a real estate agent. Of course she's going to encourage people to buy homes..." But I want to say that I never encourage anyone to buy homes who don't want or need to purchase homes. 

    People have different reasons including getting married or divorced, starting a family, kids going to college, etc. Life continues even in the worst of times. Regardless of what happens to the economy, look at your own financial picture and personal situation to determine if buying a house now is right for you.

    Melanie is a Tampa Bay area Realtor with Smith & Associates.

    She loves Tampa Bay area area, houses, and helping clients buy and sell real estate.

    melanielovestampabay.com

    Call/text me if you are looking to buy / sell a home in the Tampa Bay area! 813.368.6084

    DISCLAIMER: All content provided on melanielovestampabay.com and the Melanie Loves Tampa Bay YouTube channel/social media platforms is for informational/entertainment purposes only. The owner of Melanie Loves Tampa Bay makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site. Information provided is subject to change. 

    12 min
  • Luxury Real Estate Guide 🏙️ Tampa, Florida

    The Tampa Bay area is seeing an influx of luxury home buyers coming from out of state. If you're seeking high end real estate in Florida, I've put together a guide for our area to help you. We have tons of coastline, two major cities, three professional sports teams, the award-winning Tampa International Airport, a great local food scene, and enough land for you to have room to breathe. 

    So what does the luxury housing market look like in Tampa? You can choose whether you want a Gulf front home with a sandy beach in your backyard, a home on the Intracoastal Waterway with a spot for your boat, a luxury condo in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg or on Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa, or an estate home in northern Hillsborough County on acreage. There's also a historical home in Hyde Park or a waterfront house on Davis Islands. Golfers can check out Avila, Innisbrook, or Golfview in South Tampa. 

    Other popular neighborhoods include beach communities along the west coast of Pinellas County from Clearwater Beach to St. Pete Beach, Snell Isle, and Venetian Isles.  If you don't mind driving north out of Tampa - there are lovely properties in Lutz, Odessa, and parts of Tarpon Springs. East of Tampa is Thonotosassa, where The Oaks is currently for sale at $17,500,000.

    Luxury Condominiums

    https://saltairestpete.com/   
    https://marinapointe.com/  
    https://www.sandpearl.com/  
    https://www.viragebayshore.com/  
    https://www.hydeparkbayshore.com/  
    https://www.sanctuarybayshore.com/  
    https://www.alturabayshore.com/  
    https://waterstreettampa.com/residences/tampa-edition   

    Golf Courses

    https://www.innisbrookgolfresort.com/  
    http://www.avilagolf.com/  
    http://www.pcgc.org/

    Melanie is a Tampa Bay area Realtor with Smith & Associates.

    She loves Tampa Bay area area, houses, and helping clients buy and sell real estate.

    melanielovestampabay.com

    Call/text me if you are looking to buy / sell a home in the Tampa Bay area! 813.368.6084

    DISCLAIMER: All content provided on melanielovestampabay.com and the Melanie Loves Tampa Bay YouTube channel/social media platforms is for informational/entertainment purposes only. The owner of Melanie Loves Tampa Bay makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site. Information provided is subject to change.

    10 min
  • Buying New Construction Homes in Florida 🏡 Things You Should Know

    New construction homes are on fire this year in the Tampa Bay area. Neighborhoods in Odessa, Wesley Chapel, and Riverview can hardly keep up with the demand. With the influx of people wanting to be in Florida, combined with low interest rates and affordable prices - it's easy to understand why these builders have had record-breaking months. 

    This episode is for all of you out there looking to buy new construction in the coming months. 

    Want to skip ahead? Here are the topics discussed:

    0:00 Intro
    0:43 Builder Incentives
    1:49 Base Home Prices
    2:24 Working with Realtors
    3:56 Inventory Homes
    4:50 Construction Timeline
    5:52 Credit Scores
    6:30 Down Payment
    7:07 Additional Deposits

    Feel free to leave additional questions in the comment section, and they may be featured in a future video here on the channel.

    Melanie is a Tampa Bay area Realtor with Smith & Associates.

    She loves Tampa Bay area area, houses, and helping clients buy and sell real estate.

    melanielovestampabay.com

    Call/text me if you are looking to buy / sell a home in the Tampa Bay area! 813.368.6084

    DISCLAIMER: All content provided on melanielovestampabay.com and the Melanie Loves Tampa Bay YouTube channel/social media platforms is for informational/entertainment purposes only. The owner of Melanie Loves Tampa Bay makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site. Information provided is subject to change.

    9 min
  • Wesley Chapel: What You Need to Know 🌴 Pasco County, Florida

    Wesley Chapel is a popular community outside Tampa, Florida that I get asked about all the time. Let’s dive into this area from new construction home builders, home prices, where exactly it’s located in Pasco County, flood zones, schools, and things to do. 

    Want to skip ahead? Here are the topics discussed:

    0:00 Intro
    0:45 New Construction Homes
    1:55 Crystal Lagoon @ Epperson
    2:45 CDD Fees
    4:03 Affordable Home Prices
    4:35 Builder Competition
    5:23 Wesley Chapel Location
    6:26 Tampa Bay Commute
    7:08 Flood Zone?
    7:35 Things to Do
    9:45 School District
    10:12 Wesley Chapel Wrap Up

    Melanie is a Tampa Bay area Realtor with Smith & Associates.

    She loves Tampa Bay area area, houses, and helping clients buy and sell real estate.

    melanielovestampabay.com

    Call/text me if you are looking to buy / sell a home in the Tampa Bay area! 813.368.6084

    DISCLAIMER: All content provided on melanielovestampabay.com and the Melanie Loves Tampa Bay YouTube channel/social media platforms is for informational/entertainment purposes only. The owner of Melanie Loves Tampa Bay makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site. Information provided is subject to change.

    11 min
  • Moving to Tampa, Florida 🌴 What It's REALLY Like

    Thinking about moving to Florida? While I've lived in the Tampa Bay area for two decades, my boyfriend Todd has lived in quite a few different cities. He relocated to Tampa in 2017 and joins me in this episode to share his perspective on how Tampa compares to other places in the U.S.  

    Want to skip ahead? Here are the topics we touched on:

    0:00 Intro
    0:55 Why choose Tampa?
    1:35 Florida offers year round outdoor living
    2:17 Traffic & commuting in Tampa
    3:35 Lower cost of living in Florida? State income tax, housing options, auto insurance
    4:39 Home prices - how much do you get for your money?
    5:51 How easy is it to meet people in Tampa?
    6:35 Things to do, outdoor activities 7:15 Golf courses outside Tampa city limits
    7:55 Bad drivers in Florida?
    8:28 Weather & hurricanes
    8:57 Bugs & alligators
    9:36 Florida man news stories
    10:15 Tampa food & restaurants
    11:00 Sports, concerts, entertainment

    Melanie is a Tampa Bay area Realtor with Smith & Associates.

    She loves Tampa Bay area area, houses, and helping clients buy and sell real estate.

    melanielovestampabay.com

    Call/text me if you are looking to buy / sell a home in the Tampa Bay area! 813.368.6084

    DISCLAIMER: All content provided on melanielovestampabay.com and the Melanie Loves Tampa Bay YouTube channel/social media platforms is for informational/entertainment purposes only. The owner of Melanie Loves Tampa Bay makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site. Information provided is subject to change.

    13 min
  • How to Sell Your Home While Buying Another House 🏠 Realtor Advice

    "Help! I have to sell my current house before I buy another one. Where do I start?" This is a question I get all the time, so get ready for all my best advice.

    TIP #1 - UNDERSTAND YOUR FINANCES

    There's a difference between NEEDING to sell your current home in order to qualify for the loan on your next house and WANTING to sell your current home. If you fall into the category of wanting to sell, you have more freedom to make offers on listings because you won't have as many contingencies attached, which gives you a leg up on negotiations. This is super important in areas that are a seller's market.

    TIP #2 -  DON’T PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE

    The card in this scenario is your next house, while the horse is your current home. If you can't buy the next house before selling your current one, then most of your focus needs to be on the sale. 

    TIP #3 - FIND A NEW REALTOR

    Start reaching out to real estate agents in your new city well in advance of your move. Some of you might have relocation companies providing a Realtor, and you do have a say in who represents you. All agents are not created equal, so do your due diligence. 

    TIP #4 - VISITING WITH A PURPOSE

    If you have enough time to take multiple trips to your new hometown, take advantage of it! Your first trip should be an introduction trip, not necessarily a house hunting trip. Tour neighborhoods, talk with builders, get a feel for areas you're considering moving to.

    TIP #5 - MAKING OFFERS

    When you start putting in offers, your current house should already be under contract. Remember what I said earlier about the contingency if your offer is conditional upon the sale of your own home first. Most builders are okay with this, so keep new construction in mind as you house hunt. If your current home is through the inspection period and/or the appraisal, that makes your contingency less risky so be sure your agent communicates this to the listing agent.

    TIP #6 - NAVIGATING THE MOVE

    Try and negotiate a longer escrow period of 45-60 days to give yourself more time. This gives you a chance to come down to your new city, find a house and get it under contract with enough time to process your mortgage loan. Consult with a moving company to get an estimate on how long it will take to get your belongings from A to B. Same day closings are doable, but there are potential snags that could hold up transactions.

    Melanie is a Tampa Bay area Realtor with Smith & Associates.

    She loves Tampa Bay area area, houses, and helping clients buy and sell real estate.

    melanielovestampabay.com

    Call/text me if you are looking to buy / sell a home in the Tampa Bay area! 813.368.6084

    DISCLAIMER: All content provided on melanielovestampabay.com and the Melanie Loves Tampa Bay YouTube channel/social media platforms is for informational/entertainment purposes only. The owner of Melanie Loves Tampa Bay makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site. Information provided is subject to change.

    9 min
  • Florida Real Estate 🏖️ European Buyer Guide ft. Annette Reeve / Mayfair Int'l Realty

    Real estate in the U.S. works much differently compared to other countries. In this #socialdistancing episode, I talk with Annette Reeve / Mayfair International Realty in London about European / UK residents buying homes in Florida.

    There's a lot to know when you purchase international property. Annette, who works with agents and brokers around the world, is a great resource for information.

    If you want to skip ahead to specific topics, here are timestamps:

    1:30 UK buying process vs. US

    6:51 Where UK buyers want to purchase homes
    10:23 Rental & vacation homes
    12:25 Financing a home for international buyers
    15:50 Getting an international lawyer / attorney
    21:30 How to find a Florida property
    22:05 Brexit effects on UK real estate
    23:00 COVID-19 and real estate

    Annette Reeve MNAEA CIPS / Director

    Mayfair Office and Mayfair International Realty - Cashel House - 15 Thayer Street – London - W1U 3JT
    Direct Line :  + 44 20 7467 5332
    Mobile : +44 7740 679715
    Office : +44 207 467 5330

    The gorgeous house I Skyped at is currently for sale!

    $2.3M French-Inspired Estate Outside Tampa 🏡 8,400+ sq ft, Wine Room, Pool | LUXURY HOME TOUR

    https://youtu.be/48L70qMFitQ

    Melanie is a Tampa Bay area Realtor with Smith & Associates.

    She loves Tampa Bay area area, houses, and helping clients buy and sell real estate.

    melanielovestampabay.com

    Call/text me if you are looking to buy / sell a home in the Tampa Bay area! 813.368.6084

    DISCLAIMER: All content provided on melanielovestampabay.com and the Melanie Loves Tampa Bay YouTube channel/social media platforms is for informational/entertainment purposes only. The owner of Melanie Loves Tampa Bay makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site. Information provided is subject to change.

    27 min
  • New Florida Realtor 🏠 Door Knocking for 8 Hours & Flipping a $10K House

    39 closings, 10 pending properties, door knocking for 8 hours a day, and flipping a $10,000 house - Pensacola real estate agent John Cho shares his highs and lows from the first year as a Realtor. 

    Great conversation and here's timestamps if you want to skip ahead:  

    0:56 Getting started in real estate

    7:08 Is young age a disadvantage?
    8:38 New vs. veteran agents
    9:55 Team culture & mentorships
    11:30 Door knocking for leads
    17:45 Flipping homes  
    20:50 Finding investment properties
    22:30 What's Pensacola, FL like?
    26:10 Average home prices in Pensacola  

    John Cho / Realtor - Pensacola, FL area

    Call: 850.602-5583
    https://www.blueanchorrealty.com/agents/john-cho/
    https://www.instagram.com/Johncho_re/
    https://www.facebook.com/JohnChoYourRealtor
    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8CuHbQo6MSJfwU3iueGzaA
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-cho-0a4179124/

    Melanie is a Tampa Bay area Realtor with Smith & Associates.

    She loves Tampa Bay area area, houses, and helping clients buy and sell real estate.

    melanielovestampabay.com

    Call/text me if you are looking to buy / sell a home in the Tampa Bay area! 813.368.6084

    DISCLAIMER: All content provided on melanielovestampabay.com and the Melanie Loves Tampa Bay YouTube channel/social media platforms is for informational/entertainment purposes only. The owner of Melanie Loves Tampa Bay makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site. Information provided is subject to change.

    30 min
  • Real Estate 🗽 NYC vs FLORIDA ☀️ with Michael Holt

    🗽 NYC vs FL ☀️ Real estate chat comparing the New York City metro to the Tampa Bay area in Florida with Licensed Broker Associate Michael Holt, who works in both locations. Michael fills us in on the unique NYC market and what it's like to buy / sell there. We also chat about the lifestyle and cost differences, and a current development project in Sarasota. Thanks to Michael for joining me!  

    Michael Holt / Licensed Broker Associate / The Holt Team

    Cell: 917.407.0287   
    www.holtsnewyork.com
    YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/MichaelHoltNYC
    Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/michaelholt123
    Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/michael__holt_/
    Twitter https://twitter.com/Michael__Holt  

    The Beacon - Sarasota, FL https://www.thebeaconsarasota.com/

    Listed by Coldwell Banker 941.366.8070

    She loves Tampa Bay area area, houses, and helping clients buy and sell real estate.

    melanielovestampabay.com

    Call/text me if you are looking to buy / sell a home in the Tampa Bay area! 813.368.6084

    DISCLAIMER: All content provided on melanielovestampabay.com and the Melanie Loves Tampa Bay YouTube channel/social media platforms is for informational/entertainment purposes only. The owner of Melanie Loves Tampa Bay makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site. Information provided is subject to change.

    31 min

About Melanie Loves Tampa Bay

From the publisher's feed

Welcome! 💗 I'm Melanie - Tampa Bay area Real Estate Agent with Smith & Associates. Join me to learn about the ins and outs of real estate, home ownership, and living in the Tampa Bay area in sunny Florida.