Melanie Loves Tampa Bay

Latest Episodes:

Moving to a New City: Should You Rent Before Buying a House? | MELANIE ❤️ TAMPA BAY May 28, 2019

Show notes

You've made the major decision to move to a new city that you don't know very much about. You are excited about your transition, but have to figure out the right place to live. Should you rent before you buy? There's no one answer to this common question, so I'm breaking down both sides to help you find your answer.

WHAT'S YOUR TIME FRAME FOR MOVING?

If you're being relocated for a job, your employer may need you to move within a few months - not a lot of time to get to know an area. Being crunched for time may mean taking a breath and renting is your best bet.

Planning a move well in advance? Then you'll have more time to get to know your new city. Visit there multiple times, explore the area on weekdays and weekends to get a feel for your commute, different seasons, and talk to lots of locals.

Do your online research on home prices, neighborhood safety, distance from places you know you'll frequent.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR JOB?

If you're starting a new job with a new company or feeling antsy in your current career path, you are probably going to want to rent until that situation solidifies.

On the other hand, if you're moving with an employer you already know and like - then buying is an easier choice because you're not as worried about having to find new employment in the near future.

DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

With school-aged kids, you don't want to have to rent for a year - then move elsewhere and have to switch schools. There are rental options in good school districts, although they can be difficult to find in the Tampa Bay area - especially if you're looking for a large enough house for the family. Landlords may also restrict pets based on size or breed.

WHAT DO YOUR FINANCES LOOK LIKE?

If you can't qualify for a mortgage or want to save more money for a down payment, then renting is the easy decision. However, if you do have money to put down and you can qualify for a loan - consider interest rates and home prices in the area you're looking at.

ARE YOU AN EXPERIENCED HOMEOWNER?

If you've been a homeowner for a while, being a renter may be a bit uncomfortable - even if it's temporary. You don't want to ask permission to change your living space. Or you could want a break from the responsibilities of ownership and can make a comfortable home for yourself while learning about your new city.

DO YOU HAVE A RELOCATION PACKAGE?

I've worked with many clients who move with very generous relocation packages from their employers that pay for moving expenses and closing costs if they purchase a home. Those packages often have an expiration date. Being offered thousands of dollars toward a home is enticing, and you may not want to lose those benefits if they expire while you're living in a rental.

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: matkinson@smithandassociates.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.

Moving? 🏠 How to Find + Research Safe Neighborhoods in Your New City | MELANIE ❤️ TAMPA BAY May 14, 2019

Show notes

The words "safe neighborhood" are included in just about every text or email I get from people looking to move. It's no surprise that you want to live in an area you consider safe, but everyone has a different definition of what feels safe to them. This is why I wanted to share some tools to help you navigate this issue.

Real estate agents are not supposed to share their views on the safety of various neighborhoods, as it's against our code of ethics and violates the Fair Housing Act. Answering questions based on what we consider safe can get us into trouble both legally and ethically. Please understand why we cannot answer that question directly, but we can tell you about resources so you can make that decision based on your own research.

We live in a time where information is right at our fingertips, so the search will start online.

Realtor.com is a great place to start. Put your new city's name in the search criteria, click on any listing - then click the map. You'll see useful icons - but I will be focusing mainly on the CRIME button. Zoom out and you'll be able to see areas shaded based on crime statistics.

I also highly encourage you to check out city, municipality, and county websites for direct crime information and detailed maps.

Here are some in the Tampa Bay area:

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

http://gis.hcso.tampa.fl.us/PublicGIS/CrimeMapping/

CITY OF TAMPA

https://www.tampagov.net/police/info/crime-statistics

PINELLAS COUNTY

http://egis.pinellascounty.org/apps/CrimeViewer/

Another website that I have found helpful for United States crime statistics is crimemapping.com - many cities are featured.

One more thing you may want to look at is a sexual offender / predator map for the state you're moving to. Florida's version allows you to search by address to see where registered offenders live in proximity to the address.

STATE OF FLORIDA SEXUAL PREDATOR MAP

https://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/sops/search.jsf

Obviously, maps can only tell you so much - but they are a solid starting point.

Next - spend time and the money to visit where you want to live. Go to restaurants and shops, talk to locals. If you're a parent - find a local playground and talk to other parents. Go to potential schools and meet with administrators.

Look up social media pages for that community to get information on prospective neighborhoods.

Lots of factors go into deciding where you want to live, and safety is at the top of the priority list for most buyers and renters. The reality is - no location is 100% crime-free and everyone has a different opinion on what is safe to them. Take your time and do your research.

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: matkinson@smithandassociates.com

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

Buying a Beach Vacation Rental Property: 5 Things You Need to Know from a Realtor Apr 30, 2019

Show notes

Have you been dreaming about a beachfront vacation home? One that you get to enjoy, but also pays for itself with rental income?

Are you ready to take the plunge, but not sure where to start here in the Tampa Bay area? I'm here to share some tips on buying a property at the beach.

#1 LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

It's the first rule in real estate for a reason, and very much applies to vacation rentals. There are two things to consider when evaluating locations. What type of location do you want for your own use, and what will renters want?

As you drive down the beach areas in Pinellas County, there are different towns with totally different vibes from St. Pete Beach to Clearwater.

#2 MINIMUM RENTAL RESTRICTIONS

If you're looking at condos, please know that nearly every condominium association has specific rental restrictions you will have to follow. Some allow for short term rentals, but others only permit longer time periods like six months or more.

Considering a single family home? Be sure to check the rules of individual towns or villages as some of them do have rental restrictions - especially for short term rentals or renting out rooms in homes.

#3 PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Most of my clients who have purchased beach rental properties don't have the time and desire to advertise the home, handle the lease, collect rent, pay taxes, and deal with ongoing maintenance issues.

Property managers tend to charge between 8 - 10% of the monthly rent for their services.

It can save you a lot of headaches and keep you out of trouble - especially when dealing with state and local taxes.

Owners that rent out a condo/home for less than 6 month periods are required to collect both a tourist development tax and sales tax - 13% in Pinellas County.

#4 COSTS

There are quite a few costs to consider from condo association fees, property taxes, insurance, property management fees, and general maintenance. These costs can add up, so crunch the numbers to see if you will actually net a profit.

#5 KNOW YOUR SEASONS

Rent prices vary depending on the season. Obviously, the winter months of January, February, and March are peak times for beach rentals. That's also when most Northerners want to actually use their beach house.

If you're looking to maximize your rental profit, you may need to use your home during off-peak seasons.

BONUS TIP: Make sure you are working with a knowledgeable realtor with expertise in the areas you're looking to purchase in.

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: matkinson@smithandassociates.com

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

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Worst Things About Living in Florida 🌴 Bugs, Severe Weather, Crazy News Apr 16, 2019

Show notes

Previously, I've highlighted mostly the good things about living in Florida and the Tampa Bay area. It's in my nature to do so, because I love these areas but no state or city is perfect so... Let's talk about the worst aspects about living in Florida.

Why would I try to talk you out of moving to Florida? Because you need to relocate here with realistic expectations and with eyes wide open.

My goal is that the people who choose to move here LOVE IT.

BUGS & CREEPY CRAWLIES

POLITICS

BAD DRIVERS

HEAT & HUMIDITY

SINKHOLES

CRAZY NEWS STORIES

INCREASED POPULATION

LIGHTNING, HURRICANES & STORMS

INSURANCE COSTS

ABOUT MELANIE LOVES TAMPA BAY:

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: matkinson@smithandassociates.com

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

Free sound effects from http://www.freesfx.co.uk

Psychology Behind Home Pricing 🏠 $399,900 or $400,000? | Realtor Talk Apr 02, 2019

Show notes

When it comes to items in the grocery store, pricing something at 99 cents is better than $1, but is the same thing true for pricing your house?

Recently, I read an interesting article on the Florida Realtor's website about the psychology of home pricing based on information presented by Robert McTague.

https://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=378172

https://www.inman.com/2015/04/17/the-psychology-of-pricing-a-real-estate-property/

This is a topic that's always fascinated me, so I wanted to share this with you and break down what it means.

WHAT ABOUT THOSE 9'S?

Sellers and agents love home prices that end in 9's - they think it will make their listing seem like more of a bargain than the ones listed at $100 more. But you need to be careful, because you might be losing potential buyers. Here's why: buyers tend to search online in $25,000 increments. If your house is priced at $350,000 - it will be included in searches up to or starting at $350,000. Homes priced at $349,900 won't be shown to buyers who set a minimum price of $350,000.

It may be beneficial to use the 9 strategy for properties priced in the middle of a $25,000 increment such as $310,000 going to $309,900. However, the article also pointed out that luxury brands tend to price items at round numbers like $1,500 - so as a seller, you should want your house to convey luxury rather than bargain basement.

ODD PRICES SEEM MORE LEGIT

What if you price your house at $354,000 or $357,000 - does that help? It actually might. McTague says that a precise price suggests that the seller did a full analysis of what their house is worth, and the buyer might view that listing as having less room for negotiation.

COMMAS AND DECIMALS

If you want to make your house seem more affordable, take out the commas and decimals from the price where you can. Buyers are more likely to see the price of $350000 as lower than $350,000.00.

On the flip side, when you're negotiating or have a price decrease - add in all those commas and decimals. For example, you can market "Home Reduced $15,000.00!" that makes it look like a bigger discount.

Hope you learned a few pricing strategies today! If you're looking to buy or sell a home in the Tampa Bay area - feel free to contact me.

ABOUT MELANIE LOVES TAMPA BAY:

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: matkinson@smithandassociates.com

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

Living in Tampa / St. Petersburg 🌴 Things To Do, Job Opportunities, Where to Live Mar 26, 2019

Show notes

Moving to Tampa / St. Petersburg? Sharing lots of helpful information from things to do, where to live, cost of living, job opportunities, and more.

WHERE TO LIVE

Primary counties are Hillsborough (Tampa) and Pinellas (St. Petersburg / beaches). If you're considering a move here and prefer urban areas - you can choose between downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg. Housing ranges from luxury high rise condos to historic bungalows.

Other communities throughout the area include Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Hyde Park Village, Seminole Heights, and Ybor City.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

The Tampa Bay area is home to the headquarters of Fortune 500 companies such as: Tech Data, Publix, Jabil, WellCare, and Raymond James.

Other companies with a presence here include: Bloomin' Brands, Citigroup, Humana, USAA, JP Morgan Chase, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Progressive Insurance, and Mosaic.

There are endless opportunities here for anyone in healthcare, education, and the service industry.

YEAR ROUND ACTIVITIES

From beaches to water activities including boating, fishing, kite surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and scuba diving.

Museums - The Salvador Dalí Museum, Tampa Art Museum, Glazer Children's Museum, Museum of Science and Industry.

Aquariums & Zoos - Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Amusement Parks - Busch Gardens, Adventure Island

We have festivals for just about everything and everyone.

Breweries - the Tampa Bay area is very quickly becoming a destination for those who enjoy a great craft beer.

Music - Amalie Arena, Raymond James Stadium - these two host many of the most popular tours.

https://www.visittampabay.com/things-to-do/

SPORTS

Home to three major sports teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (football), Tampa Bay Lightning (hockey), Tampa Bay Rays (baseball).

TAMPA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - consistently ranked one of the top in the nation.

https://www.tampaairport.com/

COST OF LIVING

The Tampa Bay area is very affordable in comparison with other cities in Florida. Our average housing costs are lower, and transportation is reasonable. Florida in general is an expensive state for all types of insurance, but at least you're not paying state income tax here!

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: matkinson@smithandassociates.com

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

Realtor Secrets 🏠 What Buyers REALLY Think of Your House Mar 19, 2019

Show notes

During my real estate career I've shown thousands of houses, and there's one thing that's true for almost all buyers: they make observations on your home as soon as they walk in and some of them are not so nice.

Buyers need to connect with your home in a personal way in order to want to purchase it. They use all five of their senses and will often verbalize what they're thinking. Here are some of the most common (brutally honest) observations that I hear.

SMELLS

Whether it's food, cigarettes, or even overly aggressive air fresheners - nothing turns off a buyer faster than a smell that they don't like. Don't try and mask or cover up unpleasant odors - you need to get to the source and fix it. You may need to replace carpet, paint walls, clean out air ducts, or remove furniture - especially pieces that pets love to sit on. Don't cook any foods with pungent odors.

PERSONAL PHOTOS

I actually like when homes have a few pictures, despite what every real estate article and video recommends. Personally, I've never seen a buyer get turned off by a few lovely family photos. What you want to avoid are casual snapshots. You don't want buyers taking away too much of their time checking out your 2002 Spring Break photo collage. And lets talk about wedding photos - take down almost all of them. They could dredge up negative emotions for newly divorced buyers.

NICKNAMES

Your house will definitely get a nickname - every buyer does it. They come in, look at your house, remember one or two things about it and then give each house a nickname. Just the other day, I had a buyer refer to the "zebra house" because it had a cool picture of that animal above the couch. You want buyers to have a positive or neutral nickname, and not a strange personal item like tequila. I have found that buyers are much more likely to purchase homes with a positive nickname.

DIRT, DUST, HAIR

It's really hard to keep a house clean with a family and pets living in it, but it's so important for the home to exude cleanliness. No dirty baseboards, dog hair on the floor, mold in the shower, or a dusty air filter. Buyers notice all of these things right away and it's a huge turn off. Do a deep cleaning before you list your home, and then spend the money to have someone come weekly for upkeep while you are showing it.

IS THIS HOUSE WORTH THE PRICE?

Almost immediately, a buyer will make an assessment of what they think your house is worth, usually based on how much work they feel it needs. Buyers tend to overestimate the cost of cosmetic changes, so make easy ones before listing - modern paint colors, removing wallpaper, updating light and plumbing fixtures, and replacing worn carpet.

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: matkinson@smithandassociates.com

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

Mortgage Tips for First Time Home Buyers: Why Credit Score Matters Feb 26, 2019

Show notes

Getting mortgage tips for first time home buyers and talking credit with Patrick Storch of The Mortgage Firm Tampa.

So you've just graduated from college, got a great job, and live in a city you want to stay in... What are your first steps to buying a home in terms of getting a mortgage?

According to Patrick, recent college grads may be able to step into home ownership sooner than they think and qualify for a mortgage. In some instances, education can substitute for being on the job for a few years.

Credit score REALLY matters for anyone who wants to qualify for a home loan. Lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio (how much income and debt you have), credit score, and assets.

Some first time home buyer programs only require a 3% down payment.

The higher your credit score, the better it is for a mortgage loan interest rate and qualifying.

How to establish credit?

-Get a couple credit cards (2 max)

-Don't max out credit cards, pay them off monthly

-Always pay bills on time (credit cards, debt, utilities, phone bill)

Your Mortgage Credit Report is then pulled by lenders like Patrick. 580 credit score typically the lowest you can have to qualify for a mortgage, but ideally your credit score should be 700+.

The Mortgage Firm Tampa / Patrick Storch

https://www.closemymortgagetampa.com/

Call or apply online. 📲 813-616-8844 🖥

8471 West Linebaugh Ave.

Tampa, FL 33625

Monday - Friday: 8:30AM - 5:30PM

Evenings & Weekends: By Appointment

NMLS # 189233 | 228635

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: matkinson@smithandassociates.com

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

Living in Florida: What's it REALLY Like? (Cost of Living, Weather, Traffic, Alligators, Perks) Feb 05, 2019

Show notes

What is it really like to live in the state of Florida? This episode is focused on the perks and reality of the Sunshine State.

If you don't live here or have never visited, it's easy to create your own version of Florida and I get all sorts of questions.

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH ALLIGATORS?

Alligators are a big part of our world here in Florida, and they've been here for a lot longer than us people have. For the most part, they stay away from humans. Alligators migrate, so a pond or lake without any could get a gator a few months down the line. Alligators only become a problem when they lose their fear of humans, which can happen if they are being fed.

https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/

WHAT'S IT LIKE LIVING SO CLOSE TO BEACHES?

Sandy... It's really sandy.

I fully understand that beaches are a big reason people move here. They are so beautiful and there's nothing better than watching a sunset while sitting in the sand. The West Coast of Florida has some of the best!

HOW'S THE TRAFFIC?

Just like all major cities, we have traffic headaches, mostly during rush hours.

If there's a wreck on a major highway like I-75 or I-275, it can cause significant delays. We see a spike in vehicles on the road during peak tourist season: January through March. Beaches get very crowded and I-4 to Walt Disney World can see a lot of activity.

https://www.fdot.gov/statistics/trafficdata/

DISCOUNTS ON AMUSEMENT PARKS?

Yes! Florida residents can purchase discounted tickets and annual passes to your favorite amusement parks.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/resident-stay-rooms/details/

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/tickets-packages/park-tickets/flr/index.html

https://www.legoland.com/florida/buy-tickets/tickets/

FLORIDA'S COST OF LIVING

That really depends on what you're used to. If you're coming from the northeast or California, then no, it isn't expensive to live in Florida.

But compared to other southern states, Florida can be more expensive.

WHAT ABOUT THE WEATHER???

Weather is a major concern for new residents and it should be. Hurricanes are a possibility and we do have days with intense storms and flooding.

Yes, it's hot and humid lasting well into the fall months, but this is a tropical climate and that's normal. Makes for some bad hair days, but also keeps your skin and eyes from drying out.

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: matkinson@smithandassociates.com Call/text me if you are looking to buy / sell a home in the Tampa Bay area! 813.368.6084

2019 Home Prices: Are We in a Balanced Housing Market? Jan 29, 2019

Show notes

What if the housing market isn't a seller's market or a buyer's market?

Does that mean we're headed into a balanced housing market?

Lately I've been asked about another possible housing bubble. We have enjoyed a very healthy and fast-paced market for several years now in Florida.

Prices are much higher than they were when this positive trend started, and that worries people because they naturally wonder how high prices can go before they start to fall.

Well, the short answer to that question is NO.

I don't think we're going to experience another bubble, followed by a crash like 2008 to 2011.

The market is different this time around, and lending requirements have changed.

What I do think is happening is that the prices and sales frenzy are slowing down, which makes it seem like the market itself is going down - but is it?

Think of it this way...

When you're in an airport on one of those moving sidewalks, you feel like you're really zooming along. All of a sudden you step off and it's like you're moving at a snail's pace. But, you are actually moving at a normal pace - it just feels slower.

That same concept is true for a housing market that's cooling off. When the market slows down, it's like stepping off the moving sidewalk. It feels like a big difference, but we're still moving forward, albeit at a slower pace.

And that's okay! I promise.

In the past two decades, we have become so used to unbalanced markets. First, we had the extreme seller's market in the mid-2000s, which quickly turned into a buyer's market by 2009. A few years of that led us to the seller's market we have experienced for the last couple of years. We've been riding a roller coaster!

But here's the thing: When it's a seller's market, they have all the power and buyers feel like the inferior party in the transaction.

When it's a buyer's market, sellers are tripping over themselves to attract buyers among a lot of competition.

For so many years, one party or the other has had all the power.

When inventory rises, but there are still a healthy number of buyers (which there are in Florida), the market balances and prices won't continue to climb at the same speed.

I realize you don't like to hear that your home value isn't increasing like it once was, but prices can't go up indefinitely. We all know that.

They either have to go down or slow down, and I'll take slowing down any day.

But here's the beauty of a balanced housing market - everybody has to do their part. Sellers who prep their home to perfection will benefit from more buyers wanting their home. Buyers who have been struggling to find homes will have a better opportunity to find the perfect one.

With Love, Melanie

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: matkinson@smithandassociates.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 Love

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