Have a Happy New Year!

Real estate agent gets short sale miracle

After losing four buyers waiting for a short sale seller lender approval and waiting 379 days, a local real estate agent appealed to Freddie Mac officials and finally got approval! Tampa Bay Times link

Short Sale program flops

The St. Petersburg Times reports that the Bank of America short sales program has been offered to 20,000 of the 253,000 Florida homeowners delinquent on their B of A mortgages.  Unimpressed, only 3,000 or so have taken the bank up on its offers.  The Times reports that qualified program participants could receive up to 5% of their unpaid mortgage balance from B of A with a maximum of $20,000; yet a real estate agent is quoted saying:  "I don't see how anyone...will get the $20,000." 

It should be noted that not all Bank of America Florida mortgage holders were eligible for the program which had a December 12th deadline.  Link

2012 Suncoast Arts Fest next month at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel

The Seventh Annual Suncoast Arts Fest (2012) will be held at Wiregrass again this year in January.  The popular arts festival will be held on January 21, 2012 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and on January 22, 2012 from 11:00 to 5:00 PM. at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.  Here's a video from 2011:



The artist application deadline has been extended until December 31, 2011.  Artist application link

Christmas dreams come true

Happy Hanukkah!

Christmas without snow in Florida

The weather forecast for Christmas day in Tampa calls for 78 degrees!  No snow here for Christmas! (I post this Florida Christmas classic every year.)

Chinese drywall homeowners in Easton Park waiting for help

Some homeowners in Easton Park continue to seek help for homes they purchased that were built with Chinese drywall.  The Tampa Tribune reports that up to 20 homeowners purchased homes built by Mobley with potentially defective drywall.  The Tribune adds that Mobley spokeswoman, Sasha Goodman has said that "the company still is evaluating the situation".  Full story from the Tampa Tribune  It should be noted that some homeowners of homes built with defective Chinese drywall in New Tampa & Wesley Chapel built by other builders have had their homes mitigated, with estimated costs of up to $100,000 per home. Previous article in the Tampa Tribune.


The following is a video link  (Added on December 21, 2011)

The widening project for SR 54 in Wesley Chapel finishes up and new businesses are planned

It sure is refreshing to have three lanes (mostly) open in each direction on SR 54 from BBD to Curley, now that the widening project is coming to an end!  It looks like several Wesley Chapel businesses are ready to locate on the recently widened highway.

There are four items of interest in Wesley Chapel on this week's agenda for the Pasco County Development Review Committee; one of which is a variance request:

• Wells Fargo-- Preliminary/Construction Site Plan for the Southeast side of the proposed intersection of S.R. 54 and Wiregrass Ranch Blvd.
• Advance Auto Parts--Preliminary Construction Site Plan for S.R. 54, approximately one-half mile west of I-75.
• Family Dollar on the southwest corner of S.R. 54 & Cobb Drive (Across from Home Depot on S.R. 54)--Preliminary/Construction Site Plan
• Variance request for a 4,000 sq. ft. fast food restaurant at the northeast corner of SR 54 & 581 (BBD).   (Sorry, I don't know the name of the restaurant at this time.)  Also, in between the proposed restaurant and Walgreens is a proposed Racetrac gas station that is not on this week's agenda.

Chinese drywall settlement reached

Another settlement has been reached with a manufacturer of defective Chinese drywall.  The Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal report that the manufacturer has agreed to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to resolve claims by property owners.  AP article   Wall Street Journal article.  Also, it appears that homeowners in a New Tampa community have not yet been able to resolve their Chinese drywall claims with a builder.

Menorah lighting at Wiregrass

Light up the night, Celebrate Chanukah:  A menorah lighting will be held at The Shops at Wiregrass at Dillard's on December 26, 2011 beginning at 5:30 PM.  Doughnuts, latkes and chocolate gelt will be served.  Additional info:  813.642.3244  www.ChabadAtWiregrass.com

Chanukah at Wiregrass

New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Holiday Lights

We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful areas of Tampa Bay and the gorgeous entrances, clubhouses and landscaping in the many communities of New Tampa and Wesley Chapel are even more magnificent in the evenings this time of year.

Zampetti to address PACA this week

Pasco County Code Compliance and Zoning Administrator Debra Zampetti will discuss her agency’s issues that affect homeowners when she addresses the Thursday, Dec. 8, meeting of the Pasco Alliance of Community Associations (PACA). 

Among the issues Zampetti will detail are new provisions in the county land use code designed to address the impact of “street trees,” planted by developers between sidewalks and streets that are now tearing up some of both in many communities. She will also discuss ordinances under review and being changed as the county works to update, simplify and streamline its rules and regulations. After her presentation, Zampetti will take questions from members and guests on any zoning and land use issues.

The public is invited to attend PACA’s Dec. 8 meeting. It begins at 7 p.m. at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, located at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Known felons granted real estate licenses in Florida

A shocking article in the St. Pete Times today about the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) granting real estate licenses to known felons!  The Times states that since 2008, "the state has processed 34,780 total applications and denied 215".  (Well that's something at least!)  FREC meets monthly with applicants who have "serious" criminal offenses or who have failed to disclose criminal matters on their real estate license application which then showed up during the background check of law enforcement data bases.  The Times adds that the monthly meeting is often referred to as the "Jerry Springer Show". Recently, licenses were granted to people with previous dubious histories such as lewd and lascivious behavior and cocaine trafficking.  (I sure would like to know what it takes to be denied a real estate license.)  Link to full story

Wesley Chapel's Kirkland's grand opening

Kirkland's of Wesley Chapel:  Grand Opening events are this weekend, with deals, giveaways, and FREE personal design consultations with local interior designer Sylvia Rosado-Delay. Now through Sunday, you’ll also find 50 gift ideas priced at 50% off. Some are as low as $1.50!

Here are a couple of coupons you can print out and take with you for purchases this weekend!
$10 off $50
$25 off $75
Active duty and retired military and their dependents all get an additional 10% off all purchases. Just show proper ID at checkout.
Happy shopping!

Fresh market at Wiregrass this Saturday

The Fields at Wiregrass makes its pitch

In yesterday's workshop, the Pasco County Board of Commissioners tentatively agreed to $8.5 million for The Fields at Wiregrass sports complex proposal in Wesley Chapel after a presentation by Wiregrass representatives.   Many details/hurdles remain to be worked out however so we'll just have to wait and see if the board and the private developer can play ball together and the park actually gets full approval and funding.  Additional details