Tips, Talk & Tidbits from Platinum Properties of Pasco, LLC.

There have been rumors for a very long time that a Family Dollar store is coming to the small town of San Antonio, FL.

The location of said store would be on commercial property, but really it will be located at the entrance of an established, residential neighborhood. Unfortunately these residents and anyone who enters into the city limits will now be subject to looking at the front, back and side of a store which will most likely have bars on it’s windows. Yes, that’s right, security bars on it’s windows, right here in lovely historic San Antonio! (This is a common feature of all the Family Dollar stores I’ve seen)

It’s a shame that the current owner of the vacant property is selling it to such an establishment. Yes, they have the right to sell the property but San Antonio doesn’t need a dollar store of any kind. More office space, sure. A larger post office, of course. But a dollar store? Yuck!

I believe bringing such a business into our small town will have an adverse effect on the property values in the immediate and surrounding neighborhoods. Also, it will likely cheapen the character of our small town.

Shame on you, seller, for doing this to San Ann.

Heads up to all the parents out there that want their kids to participate in the 2012 Spring Baseball Season in San Ann...registration is open online at http://www.sanannbaseball.com/  My family has been involved in this league for many years and we have really enjoyed it.  Hope to see you on opening day, March 3rd!

$ ? $ ? $ ?

Ok, so you finally found the house of your dreams and it's time to make an offer.  Buyers always want to know how low they should go.  Well, believe it or not, there is a simple answer to that question...it depends. 

It depends is a simple answer, but not really an answer at all.  Let me try to break it down in an "if & then" format:

• If the home is a short sale listing, and the list price is in line with area comparables, then the buyer should probably offer very close to the listing price. 
• If the home is a REO/Bank owned home, and the list price is lower than area comparables, then the buyer should probably offer more than the list price especially if there are other potential buyers submitting offers.
• If the home is just a regular resale, and the list price is somewhat in line with area comparables, then the buyer should offer lower than the asking price.  Tread carefully though, if the buyer offers a price that is too low (known as a low ball offer), then they run the risk of irritating the seller and having the offer completely refused with no counteroffer given in return. 

Making an offer is an art.  Every transaction is different.  Each seller has a different reason for selling and each buyer has a different reason for buying.   A good agent will try to process all the factors and give advice that will help the client get what they want.

Now get out there and make an offer!

Downtown Dade City at Christmas Time 

I was driving through Dade City today on my way to a meeting today and I ended up stopping the car to snap this photo of the Old Historic Courthouse.  As you can see, it is decorated for Christmas.  If you live in Dade City you get small town charm but you are still within a half hour of all that Tampa has to offer.  In addition, we have one of the best golf courses in the area at Lake Jovita.   If you need more information about Dade City, San Antonio, Saint Leo or the Greater Tampa Bay area let me know.