Spring Hill Suites in Tampa Palms

Spring Hill Suites under construction in the Tampa Palms area on Primrose Lake Circle (near the New Tampa Community Park). I don't have a projected opening date at this time.

SR 56 Extension

This 55 MPH speed limit sign is posted on the SR 56 extension between The Shops at Wiregrass and Mansfield. Unfortunately, since the road remains closed to the public, the only people who see it are road construction workers!

There still is no official word on when they will open the SR 56 extension up to Mansfield (See previous posts). The asphalt on SR 56 now goes about 1 mile east of Mansfield, then there is a gap and I see they are paving the road where it meets Meadow Pointe Blvd.

Happy Fourth of July!

Average Home Sale Prices in Tampa for May, 2009

The Greater Tampa Association of Realtors has released the average home sale prices for homes sold in May, 2009 by area:

New Tampa: $252,932.
Pasco: $171,626.
Lutz/NW: $317,480.
Carrollwood: $178,670.
Temple Terrace/USF: $105,215.
South Tampa: $365,055.

Swiftmud to speak at PACA July meeting

Ronald Oakley and Ed Hobin from the Southwest Florida Water Management District will talk about water issues at the PACA's (Pasco Alliance of Community Associations) meeting in July. Oakley and Hobin will address the numerous water management issues facing Pasco County communities including pond repairs and how residents can avoid fines.

The meeting will be held on July 9, 2009 at 7:00 PM at the Land O Lakes Community Center (5401 Land O Lakes Blvd.).

Grand Opening for new Sweetbay in New Tampa tomorrow

The Grand Opening celebration of the new Sweetbay in New Tampa (6425 County Line Rd.) is tomorrow, June 27, 2009. This new Sweetbay also has a USF Health Neighborhood Care Center for care such as vaccinations, common illnesses, etc. The new store opens tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. and shoppers will hear Calypso music from 7-11 AM, receive free samples and reusable totes(while supplies last). Additionally, face painting and balloon making will be from 10-2:00 PM. Additional info: (813) 907-2024. (Photos shown are from this evening's private pre-opening event.)

Hillsborough County transportation event scheduled for New Tampa tomorrow

As part of a 12 stop "listening tour", The Hillsborough County Transportation Task Force, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, HART, TBARTA, and FDOT will host an open house and have a presentation tomorrow in New Tampa. From 5:30 to 8:30 PM there will be an "Open House" for a look at current plans and future transportation needs and from 6:30 to 7:30 there will be presentations and discussion. Location: The New Tampa Library at 10001 Cross Creek Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33647. Additional info: (813) 272-5920.

Update photos of Sweetbay and LA Fitness at The Cypress in New Tampa

Located in The Cypress, a new retail center under construction in New Tampa, Sweetbay and LA Fitness are targeting June openings.

Sweetbay targeting June 27, 2009 for an opening date:

LA Fitness targeting an opening for June 15, 2009:

Dunkin Donuts free donut offer

Today is National Donut Day and Dunkin Donuts is offering a free donut with beverage purchase (while supplies last).

TGI Fridays in New Tampa plans June 29th opening

The conversion of the former Bennigans in New Tampa on BBD to TGI Fridays has been quick! Interviewing is taking place this week at the Holiday Inn Express on the street behind TGI Fridays and will continue thereafter at the restaurant. The restaurant plans to open on June 29, 2009.

New school site selected in Meadow Pointe

According to the Tampa Tribune, a 73 acre site off Meadow Pointe Blvd. in Wesley Chapel has been selected for a future middle school by the Pasco County School District. The contract was for almost $1.4 million and the district probably will not build on the site for eight or nine years, depending on growth. Meadow Pointe currently has two elementary schools and a middle school and high school are adjacent to the community.

Parking meters at the mall

Anyone who has been to The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel probably has noticed the parking meters on Paseo Drive. While there is no charge to park in the lots, there is a $1.00/hr parking meter charge to park in front of the stores.

Has anyone ever seen a meter reader there or received a ticket for being parked at an expired meter? I wonder about parking meters on a street that is not maintained by the county or the state.

Average Tampa home prices by area / neighborhood

The Greater Tampa Association of Realtors has just released the sales information by area of average home prices for homes sold in April, 2009:

Memorial Day

Short Sales -- Deal or No Deal?

Today James Thorner, real estate authority for the St. Pete Times writes about "short sales" and how sold prices on short sales (pre-foreclosures) are close to "conventional" home selling prices. Considering that the seller's lender can take months to respond to a short sale offer to purchase contract, buyers may no longer be motivated to suffer through the short sale process.
Full Story

NPR--Short Sales

Short Sales Real Estate Transactions To Be Improved

There probably isn't a real estate agent in the country who hasn't been frustrated with the "short sale" process. Given the incredible length of time that many sellers' lenders take to give a response on a Purchase Contract, buyers often ask why it is called a "short sale" when it takes so long for the banks to give an answer. Buyers are finding that the "sizzle" of pre-foreclosures/short sales turns into "fizzle" when the banks won't even approve the full list price offer on their short sale purchase contract, and that answer can take months of waiting.

All too often it appears that the banks would prefer to go through the time and expense of foreclosing on a home than to give a timely and reasonable response on a short sale transaction. Then, after foreclosing they often times end up selling it at a lower price than they could have gotten as a short sale.

Finally, this week federal incentives under the Foreclosure Alternatives Program have been announced to encourage the Sellers' lenders to streamline the Short Sale process and provide uniform procedures. Of course, we have no idea how long it will take lenders to "get with the program".

Full Story

Pasco National Tennis Center Update

Lisa Buie of the St. Pete Times reports today that the previously "approved"controversial Pasco National Tennis Center which was to be built in Wesley Chapel is dead. (Or is this a form of brinksmanship? Only time will tell.) The Center was to be built with Pasco tourist tax dollars and managed by Saddlebrook Resorts. Apparently the details of the "deal" between Saddlebrook and the county could not be agreed upon and Saddlebrook walked away from the deal. Full story

LA Fitness and Sweetbay in New Tampa Plan June Openings

Construction on The Cypress retail shopping center in New Tampa (BBD & County Line Road) continues. LA Fitness is planning a June 17th opening and Sweetbay a June 27th opening.

LA FITNESS

SWEETBAY:

A hockey arena and theater for New Tampa

The Hillsborough County Commission voted to transfer a 13.4 acre parcel in New Tampa to the Parks and Recreation Department. Plans are for two non-profit groups to build a hockey arena and theater venue on the New Tampa property located across from Hunter's Green. The two groups will have to raise their own funds for construction.

*Source: Tampa Tribune

Former Bennigans in New Tampa converts to TGI Fridays

Tampa Palms April Home Sales

Seven single family Tampa Palms homes were reported sold in April by our local MLS with sold prices ranging from a low of $220,000. to a high of $455,000. for a five bedroom, three bath, 3 car garage, pool home.
Currently Tampa Palms single family homes listed for sale in our local MLS have list prices starting at $189,900.

Lexington Oaks Fitness Center

Construction on the new fitness center for Lexington Oaks in Wesley Chapel was started back in March. Total construction time is supposed to be 17 weeks.

Suncoast Arts Fest

The Suncoast Arts Fest at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel today from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Opening of SR 56 delayed AGAIN!

For years the residents of Meadow Pointe have been promised an extension of SR 56 from BBD into the community and the project has been delayed repeatedly. The extension to Mansfield has the asphalt done, and even signage is up at the intersection of SR 56 and Mansfield (see photos) ! Asphalt is being put down on the Mansfield to Meadow Pointe Blvd. portion. So why isn't the BBD to Mansfield segment open?

Reports in the newspapers today attribute the latest delay to disagreements with TECO over who is to pay the cost of relocating utility lines. TECO says the developers are responsible for those costs. Of course you know what position the developers take over the estimated $600,000 cost. So the opening of this first segment remains delayed.

Pasco County Commissioner, Pat Mulieri is quoted today in the St. Pete Times as stating: "We worked very diligently to build that road. I've been in all the meetings and (the utilities issue) never came up. The people are going to be very angry, and I don't blame them."

Yes, the people are angry!

Commissioner, the people also don't understand why the previously approved Pasco National Tennis Center remains "bogged down" without resolution.

Average Tampa Home Prices For Homes Sold In March, 2009

The Greater Tampa Association of Realtors has just released the sales information by area of average home prices for homes sold in March, 2009:
Search link for Homes For Sale.