Moving from Washington, D.C. to Tampa, Florida

Are you moving or relocation from the Washington, D.C. metro area to the Tampa Bay area? Not to worry, there are plenty of similarities between the two cities that will make you feel right at home once you move in.

Here at the top 5 similarities when it comes to Washington, D.C. and Tampa, Florida.

Moving from Washington, D.C. to Tampa? Great! Welcome to your new home.

Military Bases

Andrews AFB v. MacDill AFB

Although Andrews Air Force Base is one of POTUS' prime parking spots, MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa is one of the most important military bases in the country. It is home to the United States Central Command and the U.S. Special Forces division - major hubs when it comes to communications across the battlefields. For those military families transferring into Tampa, you will feel right at home at this base.

Architecture

DC Row Home v. Spanish Bungalow

Washington, D.C. may have more of a historical impact when it comes to art and culture, but that doesn't mean Tampa is far behind when it comes to architecture and design. While the Row Home is a staple all throughout the mid-Atlantic states, a charming 1920s Spanish-style bungalow is just what the doctor ordered throughout most of the charming neighborhoods in Tampa.

  

Craft Beer

DC Brau v. Cigar City

Both originators in the craft beer scene in their respective cities, these brewing companies serve up many different styles of beer including ales, lagers, and IPAs. Head to any bar around town and you'll be sure to find a Cigar City draft.

Traditions

Cherry Blossom Festival v. Gasparilla Pirate Festival

Every spring the Cherry Blossom trees come into full bloom all across the D.C. Metro area, showcasing one of the most beautiful and picturesque scenes in all of our nation's horticulture with invading pink flowers throughout the capital. But, for those looking for a different kind of invasion, the Gasparilla Pirate Festival harkens back to an era when real pirates plundered cities along the shoreline in this great festival every winter.

  

Outdoor Activities

The Mall v. The Beaches

Spending an afternoon on The National Mall - whether it be just walking around, playing some kickball or listening to a great band, a famous speech or an awesome fireworks concert - is one of the most enjoyable things you can do in the Metro area. Now, just take those exact same fun outdoor activities and add a little sand, surf, and sun and you got a wonderful weekend on the beaches of Tampa Bay.

So if you're worried about moving from Washington, D.C. to Tampa, don't be!  There is plenty to do here to make you feel right at home.

The Best of Tampa Bay

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of great reasons to live in the Tampa Bay area.  Don't believe me?  Just watch this video and read the list below of all of the great reasons.

Video credits: ChappelRoberts

Tampa Bay has more than 4.4 million residents and we expect that number to grow to 4.6 million by 2016.

More than 20% of Tampa Bay residents are between the ages of 18 and 34.

In the state of Florida, Tampa Bay ranks #1 in buying income and #1 in retail sales (according to the Tampa Bay Times.)

Tampa Bay grows by more than 50,000 new residents every year.

The labor force grew 9.4% between 2001 and 2011 compared with a national average of 6.7% in that same time.

Tampa Bay is home to 80 world class colleges and universities including the University of South Florida, University of Tampa, Ringling College of Art and Design, and Stetson School of Law that draw students from every state in the country and from over 100 countries worldwide.

25% of Florida's STEM graduates are from the University of South Florida.

Tampa Bay public elementary schools rank #3 in the nation in parental satisfaction.

35 of the top Fortune 1000 companies are based in Florida, and nine of those 35 are based in Tampa, including Publix, Jabil, TechData, WellCare, TECO, Raymond James Financial, Roper, HSN, and Lincare. Not to mention several other prominent corporations with headquarters in the Tampa area including Outback Steakhouse, PODS, Rooms to Go, and Beef O' Brady's.

MacDill Air Force base is home to the United States Central Command and the U.S. Special Forces division and coalition forces representing 67 countries from around the world.

Since 2000, the Tampa Bay are has seen more than $1.1 billion in venture capital investments.

In 2010 alone, the region produced over 1,000 new patents.

The Tampa Bay region has a GDP of nearly $290 billion.

The cost of business for the corporate, international finance, and shared services sectors ranks least expensive in the U.S. for cities with more than 2 million residents.

The Florida High Tech Corridor connects 12 workforce boards, 23 counties, 3 research universities, 14 community colleges, and 20 economic development organizations.

Tampa Bay is home to 3 international airports, including Tampa International Airport - consistently voted as the top passenger-friendly airport in the world.

The Port of Tampa is the busiest seaport in the state of Florida.

Tampa is home to several attractions including Busch Gardens, the Tampa Bay History Center, the Florida Aquarium, Lowry Park Zoo, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Dali Museum.

Three of Tampa Bay's beaches have been voted #1, according to Dr. Beach.

Tampa Bay isn't just a place to live.  It's a place to call home.  Come see why Tampa Bay Shines.

Overcoming the Hurdles to Homeownership

According to a recent HSH.com survey about the biggest roadblocks to owning a home, those polled had several different answers to that important question. The readers of the poll were given 6 different options to choose from - including having no problems - and below is a list of their answers.

• Home prices: 23.5%
• Down payment: 22.9%
• Credit score: 12.8%
• Interest rates: 12.6%
• Property taxes: 7.3%
• No issues: 20.9%

To read the full report, click here.

Increasing Home Prices

The number one hurdle to overcome when buying a new home was the price of the home. The reason for this hurdle was that median home prices were on an upward trend throughout 2013. According the the National Association of Realtors (NAR), home prices were up 11.5% when compared to home prices in 2012.

To overcome the hurdle of the price of homes takes a few steps. The first is education. Work with a real estate agent who will guide you through the realities of the current housing market. You may have $200,000 to spend on a home, but it might not be in your ideal neighborhood. Or, if you are in your ideal neighborhood the finished in your new home won't be as nice.

The next step is to better identify your needs and wants. Although you may think you need a 5,000 square foot home with a 4-car garage, it will be best to tailor your housing search to better fit the realistic market expectations.

Down Payments

As the size of a down payment can be directly related to the cost of a home, it makes sense that the second most common hurdle to overcoming the obstacles to homeownership was the amount of down payment to put toward a home.

Fortunately, there are several down payment assistance programs available throughout the country for those who believe a down payment will be a difficult obstacle to overcome. These down payment programs include first-time home owner credits, the 203(k) renovation plan, grant programs, and the Realtor Care Foundation.

An interesting result to note in the HSH.com survey, the youngest group of respondents (those aged 18 to 29) said they struggled with their down payment the least. This is encouraging news for those homeowners waiting for first-time home buyers to enter the market as it seems this issue might not be slowing them down as much as originally thought.

No Problem Here
Nearly a quarter of the respondents said they ran into no hurdles whatsoever. In terms of age, older homeowners reported fewer hurdles than their younger counterparts. Twenty-nine percent of homeowners over the age of 60 led the “no hurdles” group. 

The graph above, showcasing the age brackets at which homeowners had no hurdles to overcome, is courtesy of HSH.com

To overcome any hurdle when it comes to your home buying process, make sure you are working with a qualified, diligent and skilled real estate agent who will negotiate your best interests throughout the entire home buying process.

Buying the Perfect Home

There are several important steps to follow when buying your new home.  To make sure you are following the right plan and working with the right real estate agent, click the picture below to learn how to buy the perfect home.

Here is the transcript to the video:

Hello and welcome to Real Living Casa Fina Realty.  My name is Nico Hohman and I will be your guide in today’s video: “Helping You Buy the Perfect Home.”

There are four important steps when buying your new home. In today’s video we will briefly touch on all four of these topics.

The first step is to analyze your needs and wants. Where do you want to live? How big does your home need to be? What special features do you want in your new home? These are just a few of the concerns you need to address first when buying your new home.

The second step to buying your new home is to determine how much you can afford. Typically, homebuyers will purchase a home using some sort of financing. To determine how much of a loan you can afford, we’ll make sure you have been pre-approved by a lending institution.

Then, once you are pre-approved, we’ll figure out exactly which loan product is right for you and your home.

No matter if this is your first home or you are looking to buy a fixer-upper, there are plenty of programs available to assist you with the purchase of your new home.

Now we know what type of home you need, and how much you can afford, we can begin to look for your new home.

The first place we’ll look is online.  We will use various online sources including the MLS, Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia and many other outlets to find the right home for you.

Along with all of these outlets, we will use my RealLiving.com portal to concisely organize all of your wish lists and favorites.

Not only do we have a wide variety of online outlets to find the right home for you, we can seamlessly continue your housing search on the go with my mobile and table apps. Simply download the “My MLS App” to help you find the right home for you.

After visiting a few homes, we found the perfect home for you to buy. Now what? Next comes the all-important offer and negotiation process. To first make an offer on a home, I will conduct a conduct a Comparative Market Analysis, or CMA.  And within a CMA, I will look at different factors that help us determine the right price to offer.

Once a fair offer has been extended, we enter negotiations to get exactly what you want out of your new home.

After negotiations have been settled, I will guide you through the next few weeks that lead to you finally moving into your perfect new home.

Great! We have now completed a brief review of the four steps of “Buying Your Perfect Home.” Now, let me paint you a quick picture of the team you will be working with to buy your new home.

With over 7 years of experience in the real estate and construction industries, my mission is to help you buy the right home for you and your family for the lowest possible price in the shortest amount of time while negotiating the details and representing your best interest.

When you choose Real Living to represent you and your home search, you not only have the opportunity to work with me, but with my entire dedicated team.  With decades of combined experience in all types of real estate transactions, our team will be here to answer every and any question you may have.

On top of a strong local brokerage, Real Living is part of a large, national brand, affiliated with Berkshire Hathaway.

The Premier Service program is an exclusive promise made by all agents with Real Living Real Estate that guarantees delivery of a measurably superior and highly satisfying service experience for our clients. I promise to be a Trusted Advisor.   I will listen to your goals, always be responsive, share feedback promptly, and use my professional skills to help you make informed decisions. As a Skilled Negotiator, I promise to help you evaluate offers, and represent your best interests throughout the purchase while always respecting your confidentiality. And as an Expert Facilitator, I will develop, implement, and maintain your deal throughout the entire transaction.

Through our promise with the Premier Service program, Real Living continues to lead the industry with a 96% national customer satisfaction rating – that best in the entire real estate industry.

Thank you for watching this video on “Helping You Buy the Perfect Home” with Nico Hohman at Real Living Casa Fina Realty.”  Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me anytime.  You can find all of my information here.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.  Thanks again.  And remember: Nico Hohman, Your Realtor with the Builder’s Edge.

Why You Should Work with a Realtor

The following blog post is a direct excerpt from the National Association of Realtors.

Not all real estate practitioners are Realtors. The term Realtor is a registered trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Here are nine reasons why it pays to work with a Realtor

1. Expert Guide
Buying or selling a home usually requires disclosure forms, inspection reports, mortgage documents, insurance policies, deeds, and multi-page settlement statements. A knowledgeable expert will help you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes.

2. Objective information and opinions
REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning, schools, and more. They’ll also be able to provide objective information about each property. A professional will be able to help you answer these two important questions: Will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?

3. Finding the best property
Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your Realtor to find all available properties. Or worse, it can advertised on third party websites but no longer on the market. Take advantage of the knowledge and expertise a Realtor can provide when searching for your next home.

4. Negotiating experience
There are many negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession, and inclusion or exclusion of repairs, furnishings, or equipment. In addition, the purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.

5.  Marketing power
Real estate doesn’t sell due to advertising alone. In fact, a large share of real estate sales comes as the result of a practitioner’s contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, and family. There is a distinct difference between passive and active marketing.

6. Real estate has its own language.

If you don’t know a CMA from a PUD, you can understand why it’s important to work with a professional who is immersed in the industry and knows the real estate language. 

7. They are professionals
Most people buy and sell only a few homes in a lifetime, usually with quite a few years in between each purchase. And even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. Realtors handle hundreds of real estate transactions over the course of their career. Having an expert on your side is critical. 

8. Buying and selling is emotional
A home often symbolizes family, rest, and security. Because of this, home buying and selling can be an emotional undertaking. Having a concerned, but objective, single agent who is dedicated to your (and only your) best interests is incredibly valuable.

9. Ethical treatment
Every member of the National Association of Realtors makes a commitment to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics, which is based on professionalism and protection of the public. You can expect honest and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters. It is mandatory for Realtors to take the Code of Ethics orientation and they are also required to complete a refresher course every four years.

Not every real estate agent is a professional Realtor. Make sure you thoroughly examine and vet your next real estate agent to make sure they are a professional Realtor before asking them to sell your home or find your brand new dream home.

6 Tips for Kitchen Remodeling Projects

According to Builder magazine's annual "Cost Vs. Value Report," homeowners spend more money on kitchen remodeling than on any other home improvement project.

But how do you make sure you are getting the most out of your kitchen remodeling project?  Make sure you follow these 6 great steps to get the most for your kitchen remodeling project.

1. Plan Ahead

Planning your kitchen renovation project is the most important step in the entire project. You should take more time planning than the actual construction. If you plan well, you are more likely to stay on time and on budget.

Another reason planning is the most important step to a successful kitchen remodeling project is because you will have unexpected problems during your construction process. When you have a plan to fall back on when things go wrong, you are more likely to spend less time and less money on fixing the problem if you have a "big-picture" plan for your project.

2. Work with Professionals

Professionals are called professionals because they are the pros. Unless you have formal training and experience in remodeling a kitchen, hiring a professional to help you is the smartest decision you will make when remodeling your kitchen. You wouldn't expect to diagnosis yourself with a disease - that's the job of a doctor. It is the same with a kitchen. You wouldn't expect to re-wire the electrical lines for your range - that's the job of an electrician.

There are also smaller steps that will help with building a good relationship with your contractors and your designers. Be in your kitchen during construction phase (sometimes, but not all the time) and set important ground rules. Make sure the workers know the difference between working in your house versus working on a traditional job site.

3. Stay Budget-Focused

If the phrase "location, location, location" is the most important adage in real estate, the phrase "plan, plan, plan" should be stuck in your head during your entire kitchen remodeling project. Nothing will drive up the cost of a renovation project faster than a change in your plan. Whether this change is a required, necessary change or a change simply because you want to make a change, staying on your plan will help you stay on budget.

4. Quality Trumps Quantity

Functionality and durability should be top priorities during kitchen remodeling. Resist low quality bargains, and choose products that combine low maintenance with long warranty periods. The adage "you get what you pay for" is absolutely true.

5. Don't Stress Over Appliances

It is easy to get carried away when planning your kitchen remodel. Appliances are tools used to cook and store food. Your kitchen remodel shouldn’t be about the tools, but the design and functionality of the entire kitchen. So unless you are a gourmet chef, focus on appliances that look great, add value, but will not hurt your wallet.

6. Add Storage, Not Space

Storage will never go out of style, so it is key to always add more storage whenever possible. Install cabinets that reach the ceiling. You might need a stepladder, but you’ll gain valuable storage space for Christmas platters and other once-a-year items. Plus, you won't have to worry about dust collecting on the top of the cabinets.

Have the mindset of those living in a Tiny House. Use up all of the vertical space in your kitchen as possible. You may not be able to add more storage horizontally, but use the room above your head to get the most storage space out of your kitchen.

When renovating or remodeling your kitchen, remember the most important part of the project is the planning stages before you actually start the project. The better your plan, the better your project.

A Home Buyer's Checklist

There are several questions to ask before you begin your house hunting journey. Yes, a great real estate agent will take care of you throughout the entire process, but only after you tell your agent what you need and what you want.

To help you figure out exactly what you need and exactly what you want, here are some questions to ask yourself to make sure you have everything in order before you purchase your home.

Why would you like to purchase a new home?
For some, the answer to this question might be obvious. The reasons might stem from job transfers or work orders. Other times it might be because of family matters. Sometimes, it could be because the current house you are living in is too small, or it is time to downsize and the current house you are living in is too big. Or, you could be a first-time home buyer who is ready to finally own a home.

Where do I want to live?
The most important decision in real estate is location. The old adage of "location, location, location" is true for a reason. A 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 1,700 square foot home with an open floor plan will be priced very different pricing depending on where the home is located.

Pick the top 3 areas - and only the top 3 areas - of where you want to live. Make sure those neighborhoods are close. If you do not know where you want to live, you probably are not ready to buy a home. Thoroughly examine those neighborhoods and the homes in those neighborhoods before even considering a different area.

What's important to you about these areas?

I will answer this question with a question: why is location so important? People want to be in a neighborhood that fits them, their needs and their wants. It could be because of the good schools in the district. Or, it could be that you want to be close to the nightlife in that area. It might even be because of the location on the water. Whatever your reasons, find a location you like and have a reason to want to be there.

How soon do you need to move in?
For some people with job transfers or work orders, the need to move is urgent and immediate. In this case, make sure you have answered all of these questions thoroughly before beginning your house hunting journey. If you do not need to move within the next three months, start creating a mental image of where you want to live so when the time comes to move, you will be ready.

You should actively begin your house hunting process at least 3 - 6 months before you plan on living in your new home.

How big of a home do you need?
A basic question to be sure, but a necessary one nonetheless. A married couple with no kids would most likely not need a 5-bedroom home and could make a town house feel perfect. While a family with 6 kids would be most comfortable in a home with at least 3 bathrooms and plenty of square feet.

An important note with this question is to base your criteria on where you want to live. If you wish to live in a downtown setting, do not expect to purchase a single-family home. Condos, town houses, and multi-family homes are best suited for this area.

What other features are you looking for in a home?

Does your home need to have a 3-car garage? Or maybe it needs to have a swimming pool with a hot tub and a diving board. Some families need a great big media room for watching TV and hanging out. Whatever your needs and wants, the right home is out there for you. You just need to tell your real estate agent exactly what you are looking for and they will find the best match for you.

Who else needs to see the home before making the final decision to buy the home?
Make sure that all interested and vested parties to the purchase of your new home have a chance to see the home in person and an opportunity to give their opinion of the home. If you are the manager of your grandparents' trust, make sure the grandparents see and approve of the property before purchasing the property. The more headaches you can eliminate earlier in the process, the better.

What is your ideal price range?
Notice that questions about price are the last questions I mentioned on this list. Why? Because everything is negotiable. The fantastic part of real estate is that no two properties are alike. Every property is unique simply by it's distinctive location. Creating an idea of where you would like to live and what you would like to have in your home first is easier than starting with a price tag and trying to match your criteria to a number.

How much would you like to put toward a down payment?

This question is important because the answer will impact not only how much money you need today, but how much money you will need to maintain your home in the future. If you plan on purchasing 100% of the home today with only cash, you will not need to spend money in the future on a mortgage payment. On the other hand, if you put a minimum of 3.5% towards a down payment, you will have to pay more money down the road.

Be sure to get recommendations from your real estate agent on which mortgage bankers and mortgage brokers to talk to regarding your finances. They will then examine your financial records and determine what is the best solution for you.

Once you are able to clearly answer every one of these checklist questions, you will be well on your way to a quick and painless house hunting process. The right home for you is out there, you just need to know how to look.

7 Steps to Successfully Purchasing Your New Home

Throughout your house hunting journey, you probably will have many questions. Is the home in a good neighborhood?  Will the schools provide a high quality education? What renovations can I add to my new home to make it more valuable when it comes time to sell it in the future?

These are just a small sample of questions that real estate agents are ready to answer for their clients. They know buying a home can be an overwhelming prospect. Whether it's your first home or your fifth, there is a lot to consider. So, how do you decide whether buying a home makes sense?

Fortunately, I want to share with you my 7 Steps to Successfully Purchasing a Home. Reading this plan will help you discover how to research effectively, finance appropriately, and choose wisely.  

Step 1: Establish your needs and wants

Begin your home search by carefully thinking about what you need and what you want. Write down the top 5 most important things you need in your new home, like “must have a 2-car garage” or “must be in a good school district.” Then, write down the top 5 things that you wish you had in your new home, like “should be on the water” or “wish it had a pool.” I will then find you a home that closely matches your list of needs and wants.

Step 2: Determine how much you can afford

Set up a budget so you know how much money you have to spend. Most lenders suggest that your monthly housing payments be no more than 28% of your total monthly income. It is important to set up a financial plan for purchasing your home that best reflects your finances now and in five years from now.

Step 3: Get Pre-qualified and Pre-approved by a Lender

You will save yourself time and heartache by meeting with a lender early in your home search. Lenders help you understand what it takes to qualify for certain loans. By reviewing financial documents you provide the lender, they can qualify you for a loan amount range. This is the pre-qualification stage.

To be absolutely certain that you can be approved for a loan, ask to be pre-approved. In the approval process, all of your documentation is completed and submitted to an underwriter. The pre-approval that you will receive is an actual loan commitment from a lender.

Step 4: Highlight the 3 Top Priorities for a Real Estate Agent

Today’s real estate agents are expected to be many things for their clients. To be sure you are selecting the right agent for you, make sure they possess these 3 important priorities: a Trusted Advisor, a Skilled Negotiator, and an Expert Facilitator.  If your agent can not provide these 3 skills for you and your family, select an agent who can.

Step 5: Finding the Perfect Home for You

Give your agent a detailed list of your needs, wants, and any research you have already completed about homes you would like to see. Make sure that your agent is aware of your time schedule and your expectations. With this information in hand, your agent will provide a narrowed list of homes for you to take a look at and make an offer. 

When looking at homes, tell your agent what you like and dislike about a particular home. That way, your agent can refine your search and hone in on the exact right home for you.

Step 6: Making an Offer on Your New Home

Your real estate agent will act solely on your behalf when making an offer on a home. It is their duty to represent exactly your needs and wants. After conducting careful market research, your agent will provide you the best offer to present to a seller. Then, as a Skilled Negotiator, your agent will make sure to refine the details of the deal to best fit your needs.

Step 7: Follow a Smart Financial Plan

There are two major investments to consider when buying a home: initial investment (including down payment and closing costs) and the monthly payment (including principle, interest, taxes, and insurance).

To save on your initial investment, choose a low down payment loan. You do not necessarily have to put 20% down. You can put as low as 3.5% down on some loans, but be aware of added monthly private mortgage insurance.

As part of your offer, ask the seller to pay some or all of your closing costs. Sellers are usually allowed to contribute to a buyer's closing costs. In many cases this is a negotiable item.

Shop around for your home insurance. A little shopping can save you a significant amount of money.

To keep your monthly payments low, qualify for a loan with no monthly mortgage insurance premiums, or PMI. You may be able to reduce PMI by paying a more at closing. Or, by putting 20% down, you may be able to eliminate PMI payments entirely.

With any financial planning, be sure to always contact a certified accountant and tax professional.

So there you have it, my 7 Steps to Successfully Purchasing a Home Plan. Hopefully, with this information in hand you are ready to buy your new home.