Melanie Loves Tampa Bay

Mortgage rates are all over the place right now, as the Federal Reserve sharply cut interest rates and announced buying of mortgage-backed securities. How low can mortgage interest rates go? Melanie talks with David Donaldson, Branch Manager with VanDyk Mortgage, about what we can expect and answers some questions that popped up this week. Will mortgage interest rates ever come close to 0%? Should homeowners refinance their mortgage? Is now a good time to buy a home?  

The Donaldson Team

Note: this episode was produced in March 2020 - in the age of #socialdistancing Melanie is currently Skyping with guests.

🎥 Mortgage Tips for First Time Home Buyers: Why Credit Score Matters 🎥 https://youtu.be/eZReFsBrr0U

🎥 Thinking about moving to Florida? Here are some helpful videos with information you should know 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7V4ypw92HE&list=PL-rX1eKoHSSAAc2kEV27Tmb37xwT2Kf6S

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

Email: [email protected]

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.

Tampa Bay area insurance agent Maria Rodriguez, with Rip Weachter Insurance Agency, joins me to talk about Florida insurance. She explains homeowners, flood, auto, renters, and umbrella insurance policies and why they're important to protect yourself and your property. We also discuss what type of insurance you need in the event of a hurricane or severe weather.  

Want to skip ahead to a specific topic? Here's what we covered:

Contact Maria Rodriguez with your insurance needs within the state of Florida

🎥 Mortgage Tips for First Time Home Buyers: Why Credit Score Matters 🎥

🎥 Thinking about moving to Florida? Here are some helpful videos with information you should know 🎥

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

Email: [email protected]

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.

Answering your questions and responding to comments left on my channel - everything from relocating to the Tampa Bay area, keeping animals in your backyard, love bugs causing car damage, Midtown Tampa, to the supply of crocodile and snakeskin themed clothing!? Meanwhile, Tucker doesn't want to cooperate with this video shoot. This is going to be a regular video series, so keep 'em coming!   

If you're not looking to buy / sell a home, the best way to reach out to me with specific questions is by leaving a comment on a video here on YouTube (versus DMs or emails). This way, I'm able to see all of them in one place and respond as quickly as I can. Plus, the entire community can benefit by seeing your questions and comments.  

(And if you'd like to follow my dog, yes, he is on Instagram! @tampatucker)  

🎥 Thinking about moving to Florida? Here are some helpful videos with information you should know 🎥

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

Email: [email protected]

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.

So many of my buyers are looking for new construction in the Tampa Bay area and there are lots of housing options to choose from, but I want to share four popular communities that I show often in Pasco County, just north of Tampa.  

Three of these developments are in Odessa, and one is in nearby Land O' Lakes. State Road 54 is the main road that leads into all of the neighborhoods. Odessa is farther west compared to Wesley Chapel, so it's closer to the beach.  

If you work in Downtown Tampa, MacDill Air Force Base, or the Westshore district you have multiple routes to commute everyday including the Veterans Expressway / SR 589, which connects to I-275.  There are lots of shops, businesses, and restaurants in this part of Pasco County, and Florida state school grades are pretty high for most of the schools in this area. You will still want to check the specific school grades for the house you are interested in.  

Starkey Ranch https://starkeyranch.com/   

Asturia https://asturiaflorida.com/   

The Preserve https://www.drhorton.com/Florida/Tampa/Odessa/The-Preserve   

Bexley https://www.bexleyflorida.com/

NOTE: This episode is very visual, so I'd recommend you also watch the YouTube video to see the homes I'm referring to, as the audio might not make much sense just listening.

🎥 https://youtu.be/3kgdFk1-4kw 🎥

What Are CDD Fees? CDD vs HOA 🏡 Buying in Florida FAQ 

https://youtu.be/svy_4LFiArs  

Realtor's Advice on Buying 🏠 New Construction Homes  

https://youtu.be/9g_enoJPzos

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

Email: [email protected]

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.

We're giving one of my listings a home makeover by bringing in a home stager [before & after pics], plus I'm sharing some of my best home selling tips. 

This vacant Tampa villa went pending in just two days! 

We'll be getting into the importance of creating an identity for each room in a house, what impact rooms are, adding hardware to kitchen cabinets, making sure floors are very clean, and how curtains / window treatments make such a difference in a space.  

Home staging by Tracy Bowers of Upstage, Inc.  813.727.3311 / [email protected]  

NOTE: This episode is very visual, so I'd recommend you also watch the YouTube video to see the home makeover, as the audio might not make much sense just listening.

🎥 https://youtu.be/7vd_SI7OMDQ 🎥

WATCH 🎥 Home Staging FAST on a $200 Budget 🏠 Realtor Tips 

https://youtu.be/u409XhaSVJc

🎥 WATCH TAMPA BAY GUIDE VIDEOS 🎥

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBZwB1EpTy5wd0_bKPsMReA

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

Email: [email protected]

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.

So you want to move to Florida in 2020? This is your last cold winter, right?  There's a lot to know about our great state, and I want to share information about establishing residency, buying vs. renting and the Tampa Bay area specifically.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO MOVE TO FLORIDA?

If you're planning to move to Florida part-time, you'll want to be diligent in following the rules to establish residency in this state. Consult an attorney if your situation is more complicated. Say, you own a home in another state and plan on buying another one in Florida.

WHY SHOULD YOU MOVE TO FLORIDA? 

There are lots of reasons to move here and everyone has their own motivation. Warm winters and no state income tax are two of the most common ones I hear. Some people REALLY love Disney World and want to be close, or be near the beach.

WHERE EXACTLY SHOULD I MOVE TO IN FLORIDA? 

If you're not being transferred by your job to a specific city, then you have an entire state full of different cities and towns to fit just about any lifestyle. Figure out if you want to be in a city or at the beach, and if you need to be close to an airport for frequent traveling. 

Which city has job opportunities that fit your skill set? What's your housing budget? Once you start answering those questions, you can narrow down which parts of Florida may work for you.

Make sure to plan multiple visits to locations you're interested in to see what they're really like. Remember that vacationing in Florida is much different than living here day-today. Don't just hang out in touristy areas. Drive into neighborhoods, eat at local restaurants and talk to locals.

WHEN SHOULD YOU MOVE? 

Whenever you're ready! Florida is a year round state - we don't really have a time when things are super slow. However, there are more people here during the winter months due to the part-time residents enjoying the warmer weather. 

As far as real estate is concerned, if you're looking to purchase a house - certain areas do fluctuate with inventory and prices throughout the year. For instance, homes in great school districts see peak buying/selling season during the spring and summer months before school starts. Vacation areas have busy winter months because that's when people are visiting and home shopping if they plan on staying.

HOW DO I MOVE TO FLORIDA?

Every circumstance is different, but there are a couple scenarios that I run across a lot.

#1 - Family who wants to move here for the start of the 2020 school year

#2 - Individual / family without a time frame or need for specific school district

#3 - Florida retirees

🎥 WATCH TAMPA BAY GUIDE VIDEOS 🎥

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBZwB1EpTy5wd0_bKPsMReA

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

Email: [email protected]

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.

We may not have a white Christmas, but there is still plenty to do in the Tampa Bay area over the holiday season. Here are some great family-friendly holiday events you won't want to miss if you're a resident or just visiting Florida!

Enchant - St. Petersburg - Tropicana Field

November 22 - December 29

https://stpete.enchantchristmas.com/stpete

Busch Gardens Christmas Town - Tampa

November 16 - January 6

https://buschgardens.com/tampa/events/christmas-town/

Christmas in the Wild - Zoo Tampa

November 29, 30 | December 6-7, 13-15, 20-23

https://zootampa.org/events/christmas-in-the-wild/

Winter Village - Downtown Tampa - Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park

November 22 - January 5

http://www.wintervillagetampa.com/

Holiday Lights in the Garden - Largo - Florida Botanical Gardens

November 29 - January 4

https://flbgfoundation.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=479557&module_id=350229&sl=1496170903

Oakdale Christmas House - St. Petersburg

November 29 - January 3

http://www.christmasdisplay.org/

The Christmas Trail - Plant City

Check website for dates

https://www.thechristmastrail.com/

ICE! featuring The Polar Express - Orlando - Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center

November 25 - January 5

https://www.marriott.com/gaylord-hotels/christmas-at-gaylord-palms-kissimmee-orlando.mi#Experiences

COMPLETE LIST OF HOLIDAY EVENTS:

https://www.melanielovestampabay.com/blog/2019-holiday-guide-things-to-do-in-tampa

🎥 WATCH TAMPA BAY GUIDE VIDEOS 🎥

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBZwB1EpTy5wd0_bKPsMReA

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

Email: [email protected]

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.

Are you relocating to Tampa to work out of MacDill Air Force Base and need a starter guide to the Tampa Bay area? That's what this episode is for! MacDill Air Force Base is located at the southern end of the Tampa peninsula, about 4 miles south of Downtown Tampa. MacDill AFB is not only an Air Mobility Command (AMC) base, but headquarters for the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).

We have a large military presence here as well as lots of civilians who work at the base. Sometimes you don't have much time to get to know an area before you're transferred here. Hopefully this video, as well as others here on the channel can be used as a resource.

Popular areas for military families:

BRANDON

RIVERVIEW

LITHIA / FISHHAWK RANCH

SOUTH TAMPA

CARROLLWOOD

WESTCHASE

NEW TAMPA

WESLEY CHAPEL

DOWNTOWN ST. PETERSBURG

Toll roads you may have to take include the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway which connects South Tampa to Downtown Tampa all the way to Brandon, or the Veterans Expressway - a north-south toll road running from Tampa International Airport to northern Hillsborough County.

State of Florida Department of Education, School Grades:

http://www.fldoe.org/accountability/accountability-reporting/school-grades/index.stml/

About MacDill AFB:

https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/military-installation/macdill-afb 

Disclosure: I am not affiliated with the military or MacDill Air Force Base

🎥 WATCH TAMPA BAY GUIDE VIDEOS 🎥

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBZwB1EpTy5wd0_bKPsMReA

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

Email: [email protected]

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.

Answering your questions and responding to comments left on my channel - everything from weather to public transportation to snakes. Meanwhile, my puppy Tucker does his best to be a huge distraction. This is going to be a regular video series, so keep 'em coming! 

If you're not looking to buy / sell a home, the best way to reach out to me with specific questions is by leaving a comment on a YouTube video (versus DMs or emails). This way, I'm able to see all of them in one place and respond as quickly as I can. Plus, the entire community can benefit by seeing your questions and comments.

(And if you'd like to follow my dog, yes, he is on Instagram! @tampatucker)

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

Email: [email protected]

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.

One of the most popular Tampa Bay areas is definitely South Tampa, so let's take a closer look to see if it's for you!

Generally when people are talking about South Tampa, they're referring to the peninsula that juts down into Tampa Bay with the northern boundary of South Tampa being State Road 60 (Kennedy Boulevard) and the southern boundary being MacDill Air Force Base. 

So why do so many want to live in South Tampa?

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

South Tampa is close to two large commercial areas - the Westshore District near Tampa International Airport, and Downtown Tampa. That makes for a convenient commute. However, you would have pretty quick access to highways bringing you to other Tampa Bay areas including I-275 and the Crosstown Expressway.

It's also close to fun places around Downtown Tampa like Amalie Arena, Curtis Hixon Park, The Florida Aquarium, Glazer Children's Museum, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, and Sparkman Wharf. 

EATING, DRINKING & SHOPPING

Because South Tampa has been a popular areas for a long time, many local and chain businesses and restaurants have set up shop here. You don't have to go far to find an amazing restaurant, fun boutique, or grocery store.

SCHOOL DISTRICT

If you've been looking online at listings, you probably see the phrase "in the Plant High School District." Plant High School is consistently one of the highest rated in the area. Make sure you check the actual school zone for the house you're interested in purchasing.

The other high school in South Tampa is in the southern portion of the peninsula - Robinson High School. 

*NOTE: School zones subject to change

NOT COOKIE CUTTER

Because the area has been built over the last century, every house looks different and there are plenty of examples where century-old bungalows sit next to brand new contemporary construction.

If you value privacy, South Tampa can be a hard place to find it with many smaller lot sizes. Unless you are backing up to the water, golf course, or a street changes are good that you'll have a neighbor backing up to your property.

NEIGHBORHOODS & HOUSING OPTIONS

You can see beautiful, historic bungalows in Hyde Park Village, lots of new construction in Swann Estates from builders developing existing lots where older homes used to stand. There are townhouses close to Howard Avenue, and you'll find some walkable neighborhoods in South Tampa.

Like Downtown St. Pete, South Tampa has some of the highest price real estate in the area since demand is so high. If you want a waterfront property in South Tampa, be prepared to spend well over $1 million.

Other popular neighborhoods include Beach Park, Bayshore Beautiful, Ballast Point, Interbay, Westshore Yacht Club, Culbreath Isles, Sunset Park, Golfview, Palma Ceia, Virginia Park, nearby Davis Islands and Harbour Island.

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

Email: [email protected]

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.