Skip to main content

Tag Archives: 20 reasons to buy in Florida

What to do this Halloween in St Pete

This weekend, St Petersburg will be having many events, trails and walks to celebrate Halloween. Here are just a few of the best!

Trick or Treating in the Old Northeast neighborhood

Old Northeast residents have been decorating their homes in anticipation of Halloween for weeks. Anything from simple skeletons on the porch to full haunted houses. Ghosts, witches and zombies swing from trees, severed heads bump into passing trick-or-treaters, and the streets quickly fill as children emerge from buses and cars. Neighbors spend the evening on their porches, offering friendly greetings and candy to trick or treaters.

Since 1996 people continue to come from all over Pinellas to see the biggest celebration of its kind in the Tampa Bay area.

 Three ribbons are awarded for first, second and third places, and a special award is presented for the best-themed decor. Judges are neighborhood volunteers from all age groups who view entries the night before, then meet to vote on the winners.

17th Avenue NE between Cherry and Poplar

 Hellview Cemetery

Hellview Cemetery is a free local haunted attraction in St. Pete, which started in 1996.  No one knows how old Hellview Cemetery really is-some say it existed even before the Seminole Indians ever set foot on the peninsula of what is now Saint Petersburg, Florida. 

This year the disappearance of Madame Oar is still leaving the power balance of Hellview in shambles. Swamp Water Maggie and her loyal tribe of were-wolves, the Lugaru family, have been battling every force of evil that rises within the walls of Hellview for years. Come and see what tries to escape from Hellview this year. Great costumes, makeup and sets.

510 49th Ave N St Petersburg 33703 7-10pm Friday and Saturday 

Read more at www.hellview.net

Radley Haunted House

Dr Radleys Nightmare Machine haunted House is new this year in St Pete. This independent Haunted house has amazing special effects and original score.This is a short and effective (30 minutes) haunt experience that drags you down into the depths of Dr. Radley’s madness. Not appropriate for children under 8 years of age. 

Created by creative director Cody Meacham and producer Ricky Brigante, the Radley Haunted House is an independent haunted attraction, set up outside a real house in a residential neighborhood. 

3900 19th St N St Petersburg 33714 Open Thursday to Sunday 7.30-11pm $5.00 Suggested donation. some of the proceeds will be going to The Cancer Research Institute.

Read more at www.radleyhaunt.com

Newton’s Haunts

Two Haunted Houses for great causes (Biffs Kids of Pinellas and Pinellas Park Fire Department Explorers Post 945). The Midway Massacre mirrors, mazes, and Stitches The Insult Clown are waiting inside for you. The Hallows Forgotten Existence, where evil lurks between the past and present will appear all around you when darkness falls. 

5600 block of Newton Avenue S, Gulfport Saturday 7.30-10.30pm $3 donation per person per haunted house.

Read more at http://imstressed2.wix.com/newton-ave-haunts

Ghost Tour St. Petersburg

Explore the shadows and mysteries of St Pete on this 90 minute walking tour. Costumed guides tell ghostly tales of haunted mansions, age-old curses and wandering spirits as you stroll down the dark downtown streets and the waterfront district.

300 Beach Drive NE St Petersburg 33701 8pm Friday  $15, $10 ages 4-12 

Read More at http://www.ghosttour.net/stpetersburg.html

Doktor Clockwerks Gallery of Mortality

Art, storytelling and music share the stage in this multi-faceted exhibition .Chilling tales related by Dr. Clockwerk and his group entertain visitors as they encounter a gallery of 3-dimensional illustrations which explore how author Edgar Allen Poe magnified his obsession with Death to create his everlasting tales of woe. 

 Studio @620- 620 1st Ave S St Petersburg 33701 Group Tours begins at 6:45 PM  Wednesday to Saturday 

Read more at http://www.thestudioat620.org/events/doktor-clockwerks-gallery-of-mortality

This weekend in St Petersburg, 29th annual Martin Luther King Jr Day Parade

On November 3rd 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the Federal King Holiday Bill, making the third Monday of every January, the Federal King Holiday.

On January 20, 1986 he first, oldest, and largest MLK National Parade, Battle of Bands and Drum Line Extravaganza was held For the first time in American History, White marching bands and African American Marching Bands marched together in Salute and Tribute to the first Martin Luther King, Jr. National Parade in St Petersburg Florida.

Monday, January 20th, 2014 11am-3pm

National Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice Parade begins at Third Ave. South and Martin Luther King St., goes north to Central Ave, east to Bayshore Drive and finally north to Fifth Ave. North, finishing at Vinoy Park.

 

 

 

Homebuyer Tax Credit

Real estate Tax credit chart $8,000 & $6,500


Thanks to the newly extended and expanded homebuyer tax credit, first-time homebuyers may still qualify for an $8,000 tax credit and existing homeowners may qualify for a $6,500 tax credit when they buy a new home. That’s a guaranteed federal tax credit that directly reduces the amount of taxes you owe for the entire year. Even if you have little or no federal income tax liability to offset, you may be able to claim the full $8,000 or $6,500 as a refund.
You may qualify for the newly extended $8,000 federal tax credit if*:
You are a first-time buyer or have not owned a home for the past 3 years
You make $225,000 or less if filing as a couple ($125,000 or less if filing single)
You enter into a written contract for sale before May 1, 2010 and close on the new home before July 1, 2010
You don’t sell the home within 3 years of closing
You use the new home as a principal residence, which can be a single-family home, condominium or townhome
The purchase price of the home is $800,000 or less and you did not buy it from a lineal ancestor or descendent
You are not claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return
You may qualify for the newly expanded $6,500 federal tax credit if*:
You are an existing homeowner who has owned and lived in your home for any 5 consecutive years out of the last 8 years
You make $225,000 or less if filing as a couple ($125,000 or less if filing single)
You enter into a written contract for sale before May 1, 2010 and close on the new home before July 1, 2010
You don’t sell the home within 3 years of closing
You use the new home as a principal residence, which can be a single-family home, condominium or townhome
The purchase price of the home is $800,000 or less and you did not buy it from a lineal ancestor or descendent
You are not claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return

Florida’s existing home, condo sales up in October 2009

ORLANDO, Fla. – Nov. 23, 2009 – Florida’s existing home sales rose in October, marking 14 months that sales activity has increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. October’s statewide sales also increased over sales activity in September in both the existing home and existing condominium markets.

Existing home sales rose 45 percent last month with a total of 15,160 homes sold statewide compared to 10,444 homes sold in October 2008, according to Florida Realtors. Statewide existing home sales last month increased 5.1 percent over statewide sales activity in September.

Florida Realtors also reported an 82 percent increase in statewide sales of existing condos in October compared to the previous year’s sales figure; statewide existing condo sales last month rose 6.1 percent over the total units sold in September.

All of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported increased existing home sales and higher condo sales in October. A majority of the state’s MSAs have reported increased sales for 16 consecutive months.

Florida’s median sales price for existing homes last month was $140,300; a year ago, it was $169,700 for a 17 percent decrease. Housing industry analysts with the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) note that sales of foreclosures and other distressed properties continue to downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.

The national median sales price for existing single-family homes in September 2009 was $174,900, down 8.1 percent from a year earlier, according to NAR. In California, the statewide median resales price was $296,090 in September; in Massachusetts, it was $290,000; in Maryland, it was $261,718; and in New York, it was $213,900.

According to NAR’s latest industry outlook, the housing market is continuing its positive momentum. “We’re getting early indications of price stabilization, but we need a steady supply of qualified buyers to meaningfully bring inventories down and return us to a period of normal, steady price growth,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “That, in turn, would help fully remove consumer fears, which would then revive the broader economy.”

In Florida’s year-to-year comparison for condos, 5,398 units sold statewide last month compared to 2,958 units in October 2008 for an 82 percent increase. The statewide existing condo median sales price last month was $105,200; in October 2008 it was $147,900 for a 29 percent decrease. The national median existing condo price was $175,100 in September 2009, according to NAR.

Interest rates for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.95 percent last month, a significant drop from the average rate of 6.20 percent in October 2008, according to Freddie Mac. Florida Realtors’ sales figures reflect closings, which typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

Among the state’s smaller markets, the Gainesville MSA reported a total of 172 homes sold in October compared to 130 homes a year earlier for a 32 percent increase. The market’s existing home median sales price last month was $156,700; a year ago it was $173,300 for a 10 percent decrease. A total of 22 condos sold in the MSA in October, up 22 percent over the 18 units sold in October 2008. The existing condo median price last month was $116,700; a year earlier, it was $133,300 for a 12 percent decrease.

Senators differ on extending homebuyer tax credit

WASHINGTON (AP) – Oct. 27, 2009 – Top Democrats in the Senate are pressing a plan that would extend a popular tax credit for first-time homebuyers but gradually phase it out over the course of next year.

The proposal, by Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., would extend the $8,000 tax credit – which expires Nov. 30 – through March 31. Its value would drop by $2,000 for each of the subsequent three quarters of 2010.

The plan, which could face a vote in the Senate this week, appears aimed at countering a far more generous $17 billion bipartisan plan that would extend the $8,000 credit through June 30, 2010, boost the income cap for eligibility and open the credit to all buyers, rather than first-timers.

Senators are maneuvering to add the homebuyer tax credit extension to legislation to extend unemployment benefits by up to 20 weeks. That bill faces a key test vote on Tuesday.

Supporters say the tax credit has helped revive the housing market and say that if it’s cut off as scheduled at the end of next month, home sales could drop off.

Reid sought to schedule a vote on the competing measures on Monday but was blocked by top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who is demanding votes on unrelated GOP proposals.

One such proposal would require people receiving unemployment insurance to be processed through the E-Verify program to prove legal immigration status and would require all federal contractors to use E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that employers use to check on the immigration status of new hires.

The Democratic plan also would extend the ability of money-losing businesses to claim refunds on taxes paid during profitable times up to four years ago. All businesses could take advantage of the credit; when passed in February it was limited to smaller companies with annual revenues of $15 million or less.

The provision is especially popular with homebuilders who made huge profits in the housing boom but are struggling today. Critics say it’s a giveaway to some of the very companies that helped build up the housing bubble years ago.

New U.S. home sales rise 0.7 percent in August

WASHINGTON (AP) – Sept. 25, 2009 – New U.S. home sales posted a tepid 0.7 percent increase last month, missing Wall Street expectations and providing more evidence that the housing market recovery remains tentative.

The Commerce Department said Friday sales inched up to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 429,000 from a downwardly revised 426,000 in July. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters had expected a pace of 440,000.

While it was the fifth straight increase and the strongest report in 11 months, sales were 4.3 percent lower than the same month last year. Sales have risen 30 percent from the bottom in January, but are off about 70 percent from the peak of four years ago.

The report was the second straight disappointing sign for the U.S. housing market, which is struggling to emerge from the most severe bust in generations. On Thursday, the National Association of Realtors said sales of previously occupied homes, which make up the bulk of the market, dipped 2.7 percent last month.

While August’s housing reports have been disappointing, “we believe both remain on an upward trend,” wrote David Resler, chief economist with Nomura Securities.

Builders continue to make severe cuts in prices to attract buyers. The median sales price of $195,200 was off 11.7 percent from $221,000 a year earlier, and 9.5 percent below July’s level of $215,600. That was the largest monthly drop on records dating to 1963.

There were 262,000 new homes for sale at the end of August, down more than 3 percent from July and the lowest in nearly 17 years. At the current sales pace, that represents 7.3 months of supply – the smallest amount since early 2007. The decline means builders have scaled back construction to the point where supply and demand are coming into balance.

Still, it’s taking more than a year to sell the homes on the market.

“No one ever said that the homebuilders were breaking out the bubbly and party hats and doing the cha-cha around town,” wrote Jennifer Lee, economist with BMO Capital Markets.

Buyers, meanwhile, are rushing to take advantage of a federal tax credit that covers 10 percent of the home price, or up to $8,000 for first-time owners. Home sales must be completed by the end of November for buyers to qualify. Builders and real estate agents are pressing Congress for that credit to be extended.

Sales varied dramatically around the country. The best performance was in the West, where sales rose more than 12 percent, and the worst was in the Northeast, where sales sank more than 16 percent. They were unchanged in the South, and down nearly 6 percent in the Midwest.

Meanwhile, KB Home posted a smaller third-quarter loss of $66 million on Friday as new home orders increased and the builder cut costs. Though the results missed analysts’ expectations, KB Home said its new orders jumped 62 percent in the third quarter from the year before, with every region showing annual growth.

And fewer homebuyers backed out. The company’s cancellation rate dropped to 27 percent during the quarter, compared with 51 percent a year ago.

The upside of Florida real estate: 20 market positives

Let’s take a look at some of the opportunities and positive indicators for the future of Florida’s real estate market.

  1. Long-term economic and demographic trends continue to favor Florida. By 2010 it has been forecast that Florida will be the third most populated state in the country. Florida’s population is expected to increase about 75 percent by 2030. Florida demonstrates a long history of strong growth. It has been one of the 10 fastest-growing states in the U.S. for each of the past seven decades, and often it has been in the top four, according to census data. Population growth will continue to provide a foundation for other economic growth such as new jobs and growing incomes.  All of which is good for real estate.
  2. People continue to move here. It’s estimated that 900 people move here every day. Based on recent trends, Stan Smith, director of UF Bureau of Economic and Business Research, said he expects Florida to add about 300,000 residents a year during the next two to three years unless there is a recession.
    Continue reading