Elegant Country Estate the perfect harmony of home and land. This custom home with superior craftsmanship is situated on 11.08 acres mol. The gated entry with the winding drive leads to the circular main entrance with afountain and portico which joins the 6 car garages. A separate entrance leads to the stables with oversized stalls, fencing, wash area, tack room and resting loft. A formal entry greets you adorned by the large formal living and dining areas. The mahoganylibrary is breath taking and includes a rolling ladder with brass rails. A chefs dream kitchen includes a breakfast/serving bar, island, pantry, desk, stainless appliances, Sub Zero Refrigerator, Thermador Professional Series Gas Range w/double ovens, custom cherry cabinets with granite counter tops, travertine stone flooring and a dinette area. The family room has beautiful windows and built in entertainment center. Master suite is complete with a luxurious bath and huge walk in closet. Upstairs is thebonus room and a second oversized bedroom suite with built in computer work station. Other features are: Pella wood windows and 8 ft doors, exquisite crown molding, volume ceilings with inlays, a gas fireplace, wood floors, travertine flooring, granite counters, closet organizer cabinets, wet bar, special lighting inside and outside of the home. Home and outbuildings have commercial grade electrical service, surge protection and irrigation system.

This property was originally listed in July 2010 for $1,999,950 for a total of 233 days. It was then re-listed in February 2011 for $1,600,000.

A buyer contacted me about another million dollar property that I had listed that had sold in Odessa, also an equestrian estate.

After a day of looking at their favorite homes this familiy had selected from their customized home search, we found this elegant equestrian home that really excited them. We had a second look the next day.

We made an offer and received a counter-offer. We then countered their offer and went under contract for $1,450,000 and closed on this beautiful property in December just before Christmas.

Here are some pictures and virtual tour of this beautiful estate … http://hdshowings.com/vtours/unbranded.php?order_id=606&w=1280&h=800

Please call me if there is anything that I can do to assist you in either your search for luxury real estate in the Tampa Bay area in sunny Florida, or in the sale of your luxury property.
Stephanie LeFew
Tampa Home Buy Realty
813-624-3332 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 813-624-3332 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
www.TampaHomeBuy.com
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BEGIN YOUR HOME SEARCH
All Services are FREE to Buyers / Buyer Incentives Available – please Call for details

Experts say buyers find it uncomfortable to comment about changes they would make to a property with the seller standing there, and they also become suspicious about the reasons for the “hard sell.”

When circumstances arise that make it impossible for the seller to leave during a showing or inspection, they should stay out of the buyer’s way, going upstairs when the buyer is downstairs and vice versa. They also should not communicate with the buyer or his/her agent to avoid misunderstandings, allowing their agents to answer questions instead.

Buyers want to be able to open cabinets, doors, look over the home carefully.  They don’t feel comfortable doing so when the owner is in the home right there at their feet.  When the home owner is there it makes the buyer very uncomfortable.  The buyer likes their privacy also.  Once I had a couple absolutely get turned off about a home just because the homeowner was in the home when we walked up.  They absolutely refused to see the home and asked me to tell the homeowner “never mind” about the showing.  This couple did purchase a home with me as their realtor, however it was a home that they felt totally comfortable with.  Sellers, please let the realtors do their job…sell your house.  That way you will be pleased also

Please call me with any questions about buying or selling a home.  We would love to help you, Stephanie LeFew, Tampa Home Buy Realty, 813-624-3332

Freddie Mac said Thursday the average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage fell to 3.89 percent. That’s below the previous record of 3.91 percent reached three weeks ago.

Records for mortgage rates date back to the 1950s.

The average on the 15-year fixed mortgage ticked down to 3.16 percent. That’s down from a record 3.21 percent three weeks ago.

Mortgage rates are lower because they track the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which fell below 2 percent. They could fall even lower this year if the Fed launches another round of bond purchases, as some economists expect.

What a time to be considering a home purchase. This link article may be very helpful to you  – http://www.tampahomebuy.com/1st-time-home-buyer/.

Please call me at 813-624-3332 if there are any general questions you have about purchasing a home, or a specific neighborhood or school district,

Stephanie LeFew, Tampa Home Buy Realty, www.TampaHomeBuy.com 813-624-3332, stephanie@tampahomebuy.com

**All Services are FREE to Buyers and Buyer Incentives may be available to you.  Please call for details.

Starting on March 1, Fannie Mae will require mortgage servicers to extend the forbearance relief to qualified unemployed borrowers for six months – without any approval needed from Fannie Mae. The government-sponsored enterprise also says special consideration will be made for some borrowers in suspending mortgage payments or reducing them for up to a 12-month period.

Fannie’s announcement follows on the heels of Freddie Mac’s announcement earlier this week about similar changes to its mortgage relief program for the unemployed. Freddie Mac announced it would begin offering a 12-month forbearance period to qualified unemployed borrowers starting on Feb. 1.

To qualify, mortgage servicers will determine if the “borrower has less than 12 months worth of mortgage payments in reserves and has monthly housing expenses above 31 percent of their incomes before extending a forbearance plan,” HousingWire reports.

In order to see if you would qualify, first you need to contact your mortgage lender to see if your loan is a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan. Then apply to see if you qualify.

Warmly,
Stephanie LeFew
Tampa Home Buy Realty
813-624-3332 / 813-991-1355
www.TampaHomeBuy.com
http://www.tampahomebuy.com/behind-in-your-mortgage/

Experts say single women of all ages, including those with college degrees and/or children, are buying homes and investing in rental properties. Despite having average incomes lower than those for single males, single women are less likely to finance home purchases and tend to carry smaller mortgages when they do.  Women seek security, and nesting opportunities, as well as the tax benefits.

The National Association of Realtors’ 2010 Home Buyers and Sellers Survey indicates that single women accounted for 20 percent of buyers last year, and they are twice as likely as single males to purchase a home. WINKS (Women with Income and No Kids) will account for close to 50 percent of Generation Y households, and they prefer urban and walkable communities, says Home Builders Association of Dayton Executive Director Walt Hibner.

What can I do to assist you in your home search?

Search all of Tampa Bay Florida homes for sale by clicking here.

Call Stephanie for any questions that you may have — 813-624-3332.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Stephanie LeFew, Tampa Realtor

All Services are FREE to you, the home buyer.  I also offer valuable buyer incentives.  Please call me for details.