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Clearwater Real Estate | Home Buyers Feels Misled on Home Price – Sues Real Estate Agent

April 21st, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News

Real Estate agents don't hide info from clearwater home buyers or risk getting suedClearwater Florida – Recently, I read in the New York Times that a couple sued their buyers agent who helped them buy a property. The couple say the real estate agent hid information from them about lower priced homes in the neighborhood and this caused them to over pay for the property they purchased. Thats why picking the right Clearwater Real Estate Agents to work for you is so important.

Real Estate Agents Get Sued by Home Buyer

Weve all heard of real estate agents being sued because they hid material facts about a property, but this is a landmark case that has come about because of our current  Buyers Market (especially in the Clearwater Real Estate Market) . A couple of years ago, as prices were going up, home buyers were just happy to buy a property before the real estate market pushed its value higher. Today, with falling home prices, many buyers are determined to get the best deal and think the that Clearwater real estate prices could go lower.

Want to See All the Clearwater Real Estate For Sale?

Call us todayCall us at (727) 710-8036 when you are buying a home in Clearwater because we are very thorough in the real estate market analysis we provide for our clients, and we negotiate for the best deal for our home buyers based upon the information we have collected.

So, if you are looking for a properties in the Clearwater, Florida area, then call us for personal service.

Have questions? Just check out our Tampa Bay customer testimonials (videos) and see that we treat our clients like our family. P.S. Go ahead an search all the homes, condos and villas for sale in the Clearwater MLS now¦
and just so you know, we require no email registration or sign in – like everything else we do – our goal is to continue to provide you with ALL the information available so you can make the best decisions!

Copyright © 2007 Jack and Cyndee Haydon, Clearwater REALTOR and Clearwater Fl Real Estate Consultants and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published. All rights reserved. Plagiarism will be detected and is punishable by law.


About Cyndee Haydon

Cyndee Haydon, Realtor with Future Home Realty specializing in luxury waterfront and beach homes of Clearwater Beach - St Pete - Tampa Bay area with her husband and partner, Jack Haydon Cyndee's Google Profile

Posted by Cyndee Haydon | Currently 5 Comments »

Clearwater Real Estate Agents – Cyndee Haydon and Jack Haydon, Clearwater Beach REALTORS

February 29th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News

About Your Clearwater Real Estate Agents

Clearwater Beach FLorida -  We’re  Clearwater Realtors Specializing in the Bluest Backyards and Beachfront Condos, Homes and Real Estate in Tampa Bay Florida ~ 

About Jack and Cyndee Haydon, Tampa Bay REALTORS on Clearwater Beach

Are you looking for the local Clearwater Real Estate Expert or the Clearwater Beach Condos and Tampa Bay Neighborhood Experts? Then look no further – we put or extensive Tampa Beach and Clearwater Florida knowledge and experience to work for you as your Tampa Bay Real Estate Advocate.

Wed like to be YOUR Clearwater Real Estate Team! Hello, we are Jack & Cyndee Haydon, full-time REALTORS serving the Tampa Bay area.

We are a dedicated, effective husband & wife Real Estate Consulting team focused on delivering Amazing Results & First Class Service for those buying Clearwater homes or Clearwater condos or selling Tampa Bay homes or Tampa Bay condos.Tampa Florida Real Estate agents

We are members of both the Pinellas REALTOR Organization and the National Association of REALTORS. We can help if you are interested in the Clearwater Real Estate | Clearwater Beach Real Estate | Island Estates Real Estate | Sand Key Real Estate market or any of the surrounding Pinellas County Real Estate

Pinellas County Real Estate we Cover

Tampa Bay Beaches | Tampa Bay Real Estate

Proudly serving the Clearwater Florida real estate market for those individuals and families who value our Innovative, Client Focused approach to Tampa Bay Real Estate and helping people buy a primary or vacation home on Tampas beaches.

Living in Clearwater Florida

Our purpose is not only to help you buy or sell your waterfront or luxury home or condo, but to build strong, lifetime relationships one person at a time¦starting with YOU! You might be interested to know what we believe in¦ We believe

:

Because Cyndee & I work primarily by referral, we stay focused on what’s important to you, because, what’s important to you is really important to us. This allows us more time and energy to devote to our Clearwater real estate clients, like you. This includes every aspect of the home buying and home selling process, before, during and after the sale of your home.

Clearwater FL Real Estate Agents Explain were NOT your typical Clearwater REALTORS.

Our vision is for you to trust and appreciate our real estate advice and actions so much that well earn your referrals for those you know planning to buy or sell a home in the Clearwater | Clearwater Beach | Island Estates | Sand Key | Gulf Beaches area, again and again – not out of obligation, but because you truly believe your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors will benefit greatly by working with us. Our philosophy is not typical in our industry, but it enables us to treat you like we treat our own family, friends and neighbors and how we wish to be treated ourselves. Its just a great way to do business but dont take our word for it, heres what a few of our recent clients have to say about how we helped them¦

*** CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE TAMPA BAY CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS ***

Buyers tell us that selecting a Clearwater Real Estate Agent,especially online or from a distance, can be a challenge. Some of our past clients agreed to share their experiences and tell you why they think you should work with us. Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends¦wed love to be YOUR choice too! Video photo noreen cathy collins daughter Video photo francine sinclairVideo photo cathy collins

 

*The above information and images are Copyright © 2007 Jack and Cyndee Haydon, Clearwater REALTOR and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published. All rights reserved. Plagiarism will be detected and is punishable by law.

 


About Cyndee Haydon

Cyndee Haydon, Realtor with Future Home Realty specializing in luxury waterfront and beach homes of Clearwater Beach - St Pete - Tampa Bay area with her husband and partner, Jack Haydon Cyndee's Google Profile

Posted by Cyndee Haydon | Currently 2 Comments »

Clearwater Real Estate Guide to Calculating Your Pinellas County Property Taxes | Part 2

January 11th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News

Clearwater Real Estate Guide to Understanding Your Pinellas Property Taxes

Clearwater Florida This is a busy time of year for Clearwater Real Estate because when winter hits our northern friends from places like Canada, Michigan, Maryland many of them start thinking about our ‘Sunshine State’ and that warm winter home theyve been dreaming of buying however their next thought is…What will my property taxes be?

While we do have many Clearwater Real Estate bargains right now, buyers still need to understand how our Pinellas property taxes work and how they affect the total cost of owership, especially if this is your second home.  

The number one question we get asked when helping people buy property in Clearwater Florida is ‘How much will my property taxes be?’

What is Millage and How does it affect my Property Taxes?

In another article we wrote, Clearwater Florida Home Buyers Guide to Pinellas Property Tax Values – Part 1, we explained how the Pinellas County Property Appraiser first has to determine your Tampa Bay propertys ‘taxable value’. Now once you know the taxable value well show you how to calculate/estimate what your property taxes will be.  

Before we work the math and determine what you should plan for regarding Pinellas County real estate property taxes, let me take a minute to explain what ‘millage‘ is and how it works.

Millage is the tax rate used to fund the budgets of the 49 taxing authorities including local goverments, fire districts, libraries, Water management, Pinellas County School Board and more to determine what we are required to pay each year.

Each tax authority is allocated a part of the millage and when its all added together you get the that years millage rate. Because the millage rate includes local goverments and special developement districts it will vary from city to city and even within the same city (see list below). So the taxes that Clearwater property owners pay will be slightly different withing the City of Clearwater and it will also be different from those that own St Petersburg homes and condos.      

 

Millage is how much you will pay for every $1000 of taxable value. 

Here are the formulas used to calculate how much property tax you are going to have to pay each year. We covered the first 3 formulas in yesterdays article so now well work through some real life examples¦

Pinellas County Property Tax Formulas

  1. Property is Purchased or Appraised for the year
  2. Market Value/Just Value (Capped by the Save our Homes Cap) = Assessed Value;
  3. Assessed Value Exemptions = Taxable Value;
  4. Taxable Value x Millage Rate / 1000 = Gross Property Taxes for the year 

What was the 2007  Tax Rate | Millage for Clearwater Florida?

What will my property taxes be in Clearwater FloridaYou can see the complete breakdown for all 45 tax districts and their Millage Rates for 2007. Here are some of the communities Im asked about most often.

You can see that in Pinellas County the property taxes can be as much as $9.00 per $1000 depending on where the property is. Also note that several cities have multiple taxing districts like Clearwater and St Petersburg so youll have to check which on correlates to the property you want to buy.  This year Belleair Shore has the cheapest and Lealman has the most with St Petersburg Florida next.   

How much will I pay in Property Taxes this year?

Lets calculate what your Clearwater Property taxes would be using the highest tax district. In our example what would the taxes if th taxable value is $100,000? 

Assume Taxable value = $100,000    Clearwater Millage Rate = 20.9022

Formula: Taxable Value x Millage Rate / 1000 = Gross Taxes

$100,000 Clearwater Home with No Homestead Exemption

Example 1:  $100,000 x 20.9022 /1000 = $2,092.20 annually which = $174.35/month

$100,000 Clearwater Home with Homestead Exemption

Now if you buy a Clearwater home and it qualifies for Floridas Homestead Exemption (Assessed Value  $25,000) then on a $100,000 Clearwater Home your taxable value would be $75,000.

Example 2:  ($100,000$25,000) x (20.9022 /1000) = $1,567.67 annually which = $130.64/month  

So if you are buying a $500,000 Clearwater Beach Condo and it doesnt qualify for Floridas Homestead exemption then your annual taxes would be approximately $10,450.00 or $870.73/month. 

Next well discuss the upcoming Constitutional Amendment and how that may help lower our property taxes.

Im curious, did this help you understand our Pinellas Property taxes better? Anything youd like to see added? 

Want to See Clearwater Condos or Homes? 

Are you looking to buy Clearwater property where you can enjoy our finest pool homes, our Tampa Bay green golf course neighborhoods, playing tennis all year long and entertaining at local country clubs during the winter or all year round? Need an easy commute to Tampa? How about a Tampa Bay waterfront home close to our Tampa Bay Beaches?  We will help you find your dream home, condo, villa or town home. Heres what some of our past clients have to say about how we helped them¦.

Buyers tell us that selecting the best Clearwater Real Estate Agent, online or from a distance, can be a challenge. Some of our past clients agreed to share their experiences and tell you why they think you should work with us. 

Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends¦wed love to be YOUR choice too!   Video clearwater florida home buyer who's happy  Video photo happy clearwater florida home buyerVideo clearwater florida real estate buyer shares home buying experienceClearwater Real Estate Agents Get Kudos from Vacation Golf Home Buyers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want more info, click to Search all Clearwater homes for sale  includes all the homes and condos for sale in the Tampa MLS! 

Call us today

Looking for Real Estate in Clearwater Florida, Golf Course Condos | Homes or Country Club Communities   Give us a Call.  (727) 710-8036.

 

The above information and images are Copyright © 2007 Jack and Cyndee Haydon,  REALTORS and your Clearwater Real Estate Consultants and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published. All rights reserved. Plagiarism will be detected and is punishable by law.

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About Cyndee Haydon

Cyndee Haydon, Realtor with Future Home Realty specializing in luxury waterfront and beach homes of Clearwater Beach - St Pete - Tampa Bay area with her husband and partner, Jack Haydon Cyndee's Google Profile

Posted by Cyndee Haydon | Currently 1 Comment »

Clearwater Florida Real Estate Agents Online and Going out of Business…

January 5th, 2008 Categories: Real Estate News

 stack of identical blue jeans

Online Clearwater Florida Real Estate Services  

Clearwater, FLorida – Ever heard, “What real estate commission do you charge to help us sell our home? What’s your rate?…. Are you more than your rate or commission? 

I wrote an article asking Do Home Buyers Get Full Service or is it Pump it Yourself?   

It generated a lot of thoughtful responses and one by Steven L. Smith inspired this post. Steven talks about how everyone he knows now books their travel online – ergo the demise of the brick and mortar travel agency.

It got me to thinking about various Florida Real Estate & Mortgage industry models and how they are changing before out eyes.  Blogging, IDX – MLS; home value estimators online, daily email updates, online mortgage applications etc. There’s no denying it’s changing – but will it good for me or put me out of business? 

Clearwater Florida Home Buyers

I was out with some Tampa Bay home buyers today. We had been looking at houses when they first relocated to Clearwater a year ago. They weren’t ready to buy then because of their job changes and the shock of what houses were selling for so they decided to wait. With the change in the market they realized now is a great time to buy and get the most home for their money, especially since they’re looking to live in their home for the long haul.

So, for the good side of technology – we’ve been able to send them daily updates of every home for sale by every real estate company for the last year so when they were ready to buy a home in the Tampa Bay area they called us to say “let’s go” – because on the human side – when they looked last year they saw what true advocates we were for them:

So when we started talking about making an offer I verified that their mortgage prequalification was ready to go. I had referred them to a good Tampa mortgage broker for their home loan last year but he hadn’t stayed in touch with them. I was shocked when they told me they had gotten approved from @ending tree online.  They have a credit score of over 800, have 15% to put down and the house they’re interested in is in their price range. By all accounts a Tampa mortgage brokers dream client. 

Now my experience is that many of my clients have been quoted teaser rates and costs for these Online Mortgage companies only to find out they are significantly more at closing. I suggested they might want to get another quote from a local mortgage lender and Active Rain member we’ve had great experiences with, Leah Ross.

Leah has helped many of our clients, from Clearwater first time homebuyers to Clearwater luxury home buyers. She approaches mortgages the way we do real estate – as a consultant and advocate. We always get rave reviews from our clients that work with her. They feel they get great value from working with her.

However, it’s a real reminder that we all have to be aware of what value we’re giving. I am seeing more and more buyers calling “online lenders” first – thinking all mortgage services are the same and it’s all about “rate”. Unfortunately there’s so much more to mortgages than “Rates” and so much more to real estate than, “What commission do you charge?”  

I realized, like Steven pointed out in his comments, when consumer’s perception of value changes – the market place changes too- but not necessarily for the best for consumers or traditional businesses.

Most potential clients don’t realize the integrated complexities of a real estate transaction. The fact that over 48 people from 7 industries will be involved – which means problems happen – you NEED an experienced pro at the helm.

Home buyers and sellers don’t understand:

Consider – if the stack of blue jeans in the picture above was your and your real estate or mortgage competition – could potential clients pick you out?  When they can’t, then experience shows you’re viewed as a commodity and commodities are chosen based on PRICE so then the only question customers ask is:

  1. “What’s your rate?” or
  2. “What commission to you charge?” 

So, now that we’re online – will it help us add more value and free us up for more time with our clients or will it ultimately put us out of business?       

About Cyndee Haydon

Cyndee Haydon, Realtor with Future Home Realty specializing in luxury waterfront and beach homes of Clearwater Beach - St Pete - Tampa Bay area with her husband and partner, Jack Haydon Cyndee's Google Profile

Posted by Cyndee Haydon | Currently Comments Off on Clearwater Florida Real Estate Agents Online and Going out of Business…

Blogging turns 10 and turned Me into a Hermit Crab on Clearwater Beach!

December 18th, 2007 Categories: Real Estate News

Blogging Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Birthday cake blogging turns 10 years oldI was reading Paul Chaney’s blog today, Conversational Media Marketing and he shared that blogging has actually been around for 10 years. As a tribute to blogging he shared his blogging story and encouraged others to do the same. It got me thinking and reflecting and I thought I would take a break from writing about Clearwater Beach Real Estate today and share a little about our blogging journey so far… 

Blogging isn’t a Sprint it’s a Marathon

We first learned about blogging a little over a year ago when I attended an Internet Academy with Dean Jackson in Orlando Florida. It was a weekend dedicated to learning how new technology could enhance our real estate business – just one of the many opportunities Jack and take to constantly gain additional education and skills. While there I was able to meet with successful real estate agents and mortgage professionals from around United States and Canada who shared their blogging success stories. They talked about how we could provide more community and real estate information in a more client friendly way by blogging. From there we left with the inspiration to begin our own blog.

Blogging is like the Ironman Triathalon - not a sprintOur first try at blogging was actually a Typepad blog. It was just in it’s infancy (2–3 months old) when I received an invitation from a Brea CA Realtor to join Active Rain, a fast growing real estate social network. We did and it allowed us to learn and improve as bloggers by working with over 20,000 other real estate professionals then – now it’s over 60,000 and still growing. 

Well the dirty little secret is “blogging is addicting” and before long we were hooked because it created a great way to share information about Clearwater and Clearwater beach and also start a dialogue with our readers in a safe, no pressure environment.  

Ironically we learned that working in a community like Active Rain was a much smarter first step in becoming effective bloggers so we quit working on our typepad blog (only so many hours in a day) and focused all our efforts on our Active Rain blog because it was easy to use and comprehensive for both fellow REALTORS and consumers. 

Like many before and after us, once we started blogging on Active Rain and Localism we were able to jump start our effectiveness and got a real blogging education from helpful bloggers like Paul Chaney, Jeff Turner, Ines Hegedus-Garcia, Kristal Kraft, Laurie Manny and too many more to name here. That’s where I learned that blogging’s not a sprint – it’s a marathon and the best blogs, like fine wines when done right get better and better with time as their content grows.  

Blogging turned Us into Hermit Crabs

Hermit crab in shell isolated on whiteSo while it is great being a part of a dynamic community like Active Rain we decided we were ready, like the hermit crab, to expand into a larger shell and to start our own website and blog with  the things we’d learned.  We move into a GoDaddy Blog Shell…while it was easy to get started with their turnkey offerings, over time we found that the things we wanted to include on our blog weren’t available through them so we experienced growing pains again and needed to trade in our shell again – we’d outgrown this one and so we went in search of a much bigger shell – something we could grow with and not have to change so quickly.

Now that we knew what we wanted we researched and sought out the best real estate blog design company . Ultimately we chose The Real Estate Tomato, recognized innovators in real estate blogging. We were sold when we shared our vision for our new website/blog and they “got it” – we were then able to work together to create this Clearwater | Clearwater Beach Real Estate Blog – the ultimate hermit crab home.  

So today, a year later We’re reflecting on all we’ve learned about blogging and the only thing we know for sure is that while we love our current shell here on Sandbars To Sunsets – we will definitely continue to grow and evolve. For example, we already know more and more video will be coming and so in the future, like the hermit crab, we’ll keep expanding our shell to keep delivering the best information for you – our valued readers.

Thanks for letting me share a little about our journey this past year. How fitting that New Years is around the corner…a great time to reflect and plan for the coming year of improvements and innovations.

So, I’m curious, what’s the pending New Year got you thinking about? 

 Cyndee and jack haydon signature

Call us todayClick to Subscribe to Sandbars to Sunsets and get the Daily Digest by Email  

Want more info, click to Search all Clearwater MLS listings includes all the homes and condos for sale in the Tampa MLS Search_-mls

Want more info – Call us today at (727) 422–8901.

The above information and images are Copyright © 2007 Jack and Cyndee Haydon,  REALTORS and your Clearwater Beach Real Estate Consultants and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published. All rights reserved. Plagiarism will be detected and is punishable by law.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

About Cyndee Haydon

Cyndee Haydon, Realtor with Future Home Realty specializing in luxury waterfront and beach homes of Clearwater Beach - St Pete - Tampa Bay area with her husband and partner, Jack Haydon Cyndee's Google Profile

Posted by Cyndee Haydon | Currently 4 Comments »

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