Moving Consider These 5 Safety Tips

Moving Consider These 5 Safety Tips

There's no move better than a safe move! And since this is National Moving Month, there's no better time to tell you about a great website from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Protect Your Move is full of resources to help you keep yourself and your household goods safe from fraud when choosing a service company.

Here are highlights of red flags the site recommends looking for when working with a moving company:

  1. Blank documents
  2. Limited company information
  3. Generic rental trucks
  4. No inspection with estimate
  5. Payment requests

To see complete article please visit www.TampaHomesSold.com/Nick-Cindy-Davis-Blog.aspx

Multifamily Housing Know the Different Types

Multifamily Housing Know the Different Types

                                                                                                 

The differences between condos, townhomes and co-ops can be confusing when you're a buyer. Use this cheat sheet to help you sort them out.

Condominium
Description: Usually composed of multiple units that are owned by individual residents. Condos are often found in high-rise structures, although they can also be part of lower-profile buildings.

Ownership structure: Condos use a type of joint ownership of real property in which portions of the property (such as hallways) are commonly owned and other portions (the interior units themselves, for example) are individually owned.

Fees: Condo owners pay a monthly or quarterly fee to cover the maintenance and upkeep of common areas, and they usually pay as a group for utilities such as water, garbage removal and cable television.

Townhome
Description: Aside from the fact that owners share a wall or two with their neighbors, townhomes are usually two-story structures that closely mimic single-family homes in terms of physical attributes and ownership.

Ownership structure: Residents own the land under their townhomes, plus the structures themselves.

Fees: Owners typically pay a quarterly or annual fee for the maintenance and upkeep of common areas (such as lawns and swimming pools).

Co-op
Description: Co-ops look like condos structurally, but the ownership is configured much differently.

Ownership structure: Residents become “shareholders” of the corporation, and are not actually owners of the property itself. They buy shares in a housing corporation, and, in turn, earn the right to reside in the building.

Fees: The shareholders elect a governing board, which determines an annual operating budget, collects monthly maintenance fees and allocates funding for property improvements.

Not sure which is right for you? Find a local RE/MAX agent who can guide you through the entire home buying process.

 

April 2015 Item of Value – 3 Benefits of Pricing Your Home Right!

Are you or someone you know thinking of selling?  Spring and Summer are historically popular times of year for sellers to list their homes.  In this month’s Item of Value you will find great information on the importance of listing your home at the right price and how it can help get potential buyers to your door!

If you’re thinking of selling your home, call us for a free comparable market analysis of your property!

April 2015 Monthly Item of Value

 

Why We Became a REALTOR

Why We Became a REALTOR

Cindy and I had spent 20 years in the US Army and spent many day separated from each other. So when Nick was coming up on time for retirement the choice was very easy. Retire! Now you may find this interesting Nick was preparing to get into law enforcement when he retired. He had prepared the last year by taking all the necessary tests, interviews, etc.

When he came back to Tampa there was an issue with class dates, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Department said why don’t you get a job at Home Depot in the interim while you are waiting for the class to start 6 months later.

Cindy was working at Law Firm in Tampa and Nick needed a job. So he put his resume together and sent it out. Immediately he was contacted by a local company to be a Manager for a local Valet Parking Company in Tampa. He was so excited! Started his training and the first week (Still not getting paid) they wanted him to come park cars at an event on a Friday night. Now at 38 years old he did not think that he needed practice parking cars and wondered how this at all related to being a manager. So he did what Cindy instructed he quit. Honestly we are not sure that would be correct since he never got paid.

Then the quest was on. What does a 38 year old retired infantry soldier do? Cindy had the idea; she said why don’t you get your real estate license? She had her license since 2000 but it was voluntarily inactive. Now remember Nick joined the Army when he was 17 and turned 18 in basic training so he said Sales? What do I know about sales? But off he went. While waiting to get his license Cindy was notified that she was being deployed with her Reserve Unit to Fort Jackson SC to be a Drill Sergeant for up to 18 months.

We have to go back in time now. 1988 we were stationed at Fort Benning GA. Cindy was pregnant with Nicholas and we were trying to get out of apartment living and into a house. We looked and looked and nothing. We came across a home that was being built and called the Realtor® ironically she was a RE/MAX agent. We looked at the house and fell in love with it. Then we found out we did not make enough money and could not get a mortgage at that time. So a few weeks passed and then we got home and checked our answering machine. (Remember 1988) and she left us a message to call her back; she had some news. So we called and there was a program under FHA that we qualified for and so we purchased our first home. She could have just written us off; but she did not and we were so grateful for what she did for us.

Fast Forward: On April 1, 2005 Nick passed his test and received his real estate license. We listed a home of one of our friends and it went under contract before it ever went into MLS. These were days when homes were selling almost as fast as they hit the market. He started the business as an individual agent and excelled really quickly.  When Cindy returned from her deployment we decided that the time was right and we wanted to have our own Family Run Business, so she joined Nick as an Active Realtor®.

We always say that we are here to provide service to clients in all capacities. We have been a baby-sitter for some, been there to help pack up or unpack the moving trucks. We love what we do and would not trade it for anything. One of the most significant things we have experienced is while working with a couple that had lost their home to a Short Sale; due to loss of job; a true hardship. We got to assist them in purchasing their new home in 2014. We were so honored that they called us back and we got the chance to be a part of their new home purchase.

In wrapping this up. We believe our Mission and Vision Statements summarize who we are and why we became a Realtor

Mission Statement:

Through unwavering commitment, unparalleled service, professionalism, experience and trust we will ensure your home buying/selling is like no other.  We are dedicated to our family, community and country and forming long-term relationships that go well beyond the transaction.  Our client's needs and interests remain our first priority and our goal to passionately exceed expectations.

Vision Statement:

Nick and Cindy Davis intend to cultivate a community in the Tampa Bay area honoring the values, training, experience and service they acquired while serving their country in the United States Army for 20 and 24 years, respectively. As veterans now committed to a local community filled with past, present and future clients including home buyers, sellers and investors serving in whatever capacity the Real Estate market requires. Education, training and experience are obtained in the dedication to service and providing value to the customer while building a Real Estate business that extends to property management services that focus on maintain value for our homeowners whose needs have changed, investors and relocated military clients who are not ready to sell. Always growing personally and professionally.

Please feel free to visit our website to learn more about us. www.TampaHomesSold.com

 

Amenities-High End

Could High-End Amenities Make Your Home Harder to Sell?

                                                                                             Could High-End Amenities Make Your Home Harder to Sell

Spa-like bathrooms and huge master closets are good investments, but steer clear of amenities that won’t bring a good return. When it comes to luxurious living, location is the crown jewel of home ownership. But which high-end amenities offer a return on investment — and should therefore be considered — and which don’t?

Strong curb appeal

Master bedroom with a walk-in closet

Spa-like bathroom

High-end audio-video systems

In-ground swimming pool

We will go more in depth into each of these areas, please visit our website at www.TampaHomesSold.com/Nick-Cindy-Davis-Blog.aspx

5 Things to Think About When Buying Your First Place

Buying Your First Place

5 Things to Think About When Buying Your First Place

As a renter, you have the luxury of choosing a place that meets your needs at the moment.​ Buying a home is a much bigger commitment, both in terms of finances and the length of time you’ll likely live there. When seeking out your first place – whether a house or condominium or anything in between – it’s important to do your homework.

Here are 5 things to consider as you begin the process of buying your first place.

  1. The growth possibilities
  2. What's under the hood? 
  3. Know that no home will be perfect.
  4. Consider ALL the costs of ownership
  5. The lifespan of things.

To see full story please visit www.TampaHomesSold.com/Nick-Cindy-Davis-Blog.aspx

4 Ways to Get Involved in Your New Neighborhood

4 Ways to Get Involved in Your New Neighborhood

4 Ways to Get Involved in Your New Neighborhood

The boxes are unpacked, the house is set up and everybody's settled into their new routine after the big move. Life is beginning to feel a bit more normal. But now that you're here and the immediate tasks have been taken care of, you want to get involved in your new neighborhood. What do you do?  Here are four ways you can get involved and get acquainted with your new neighbors. If you have more ideas, let us know below!

  1. Join a group
  2. Volunteer
  3. Organize an Event
  4. Fill a Need

To see complete story please visit www.TampaHomesSold.com/Nick-Cindy-Davis-Blog.aspx

Buying a Home in 2015: 3 Resolutions to Make It Happen

Buying a Home in 2015: 3 Resolutions to Make It Happen

Is 2015 the year you get serious about buying a home? These three resolutions can help you pull it off. Many home buyers enter and leave the real estate market several times before making a purchase. Priorities shift and — unlike a seller who signs an agreement and has a tangible product to sell — buyers aren’t necessarily tied to any timeframe, unless it’s self-imposed.

Enlist an ally

Balance feelings and data

Abandon the notion of getting a deal

We will go more in depth in each area. To see the full story; please visit www.TampaHomesSold.com/Nick-Cindy-Davis-Blog.aspx

7 New Year’s Pledges for Home Sellers

7 New Year's Pledges for Home Sellers

The New Year is a time for resolutions. If you're thinking about selling your home in 2015, here are some resolutions that could help boost your chances of a quick sale.

Repeat to yourself: "I pledge to…"

  1. "Avoid drastic design changes"
  2. "Stop neglecting the drippy faucet"
  3. "Price my home reasonably"
  4. "Make my home inviting"
  5. "Thin out the clutter"
  6. "Clean like I've never cleaned before"
  7. "Nail down my next step"

To see the complete story please visit www.TampaHomesSold.com/Nick-Cindy-Davis-Blog.aspx

Small Bathroom 6 Ways to Make it Appear Larger

Small Bathroom 6 Ways to Make it Appear Larger

Small Bathroom 6 Ways to Make it Appear Larger

 

In nearly everyone's home there's one room in particular that is smaller than the rest, and that's the bathroom. There's a way around that though, or at least to make it appear to be larger than it is, and that's by using a little visual deception, and a lot of creativity. Here's a few ideas to get you started.

  1. Wall Color Is Key
  2. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
  3. Transparency Is a Good Thing
  4. Be Less Vain
  5. Light It Up
  6. Be More Open

To see the complete article and more in depth explanation of these ways to make a Small Bathroom 6 Ways to Make it Appear Larger. Please visit www.TampaHomesSold.com/Nick-Cindy-Davis-Blog.aspx

ChatClick here to chat!+