Suncoast Lakes Community in Land O'Lakes Florida

The Suncoast Lakes community in Land O'Lakes Florida is located off of State Road 52 in Pasco county Florida, just west of the Suncoast Parkway.  The Suncoast parkway provides a convenient commute to Tampa and points to the north.  Living in Suncoast Lakes you can expect a drive to downtown Tampa to be around 30 minutes depending on the traffic and time of day. The Suncoast parkway leads you right down to Tampa International Airport making your drive to the airport quite convenient.  Situated in Pasco county Florida, the Suncoast Lakes Community has many fun parks and beaches nearby including Starkey Wilderness Park, Hudson Beach and shopping like the Tampa Prime Outlets and Gulfview Square Mall.  

Located just west of the community on State Road 52 is a large Publix shopping center which includes a Beef O'Brady's restaurant, dry cleaner and more.  With all the dining, shopping and community activities combined with the easy comment to Tampa and other high employment areas, the Suncoast Lakes community is a great place to live.  Homes vary in sizes and styles accommodating any number of residents needs.  Homes in Suncoast Lakes have adequate lot sizes and some homes include pools. The community clubhouse has a pool for the residents to use as well as a playground area, basketball court, tennis courts and open field for soccer or just room for th kids to play the grass.

I am your local real estate professional in western Pasco county Florida.  Contact me anytime to discuss your real estate needs. 

Costs Associated with Buying a Home in Florida

You are ready to buy your Florida home and start enjoying the Florida Lifestyle.  You should know of a few of the costs associated with buying a home before you start your home buying process.  The first expense is your down payment for financing. Unless you are a veteran and eligible to use your VA benefits on your home purchase, you will need to have down payment money.  Veterans can get 100% financing when using a VA Guaranteed loan.  There is a nominal VA funding fee.  Before we talk about down payments remember that you can receive funds as a gift from a relative but the funds must be sourced. That means that the person giving you the funds will be required to provide a bank statement showing the funds in their account and then the funds not int heir account and you as the borrower will be required to do the same.

FHA insured home loans require 3.5% of the purchase price as down payment and Conventional home loans can range from 10%-20% depending on the borrower.  You can ask the person you are buying the home from to assist you with some of your up front expenses but keep in mind that when you do so, your asking them to give you money at the closing so you may not want to ask for too much more off of the asking price if you really want the house.  Consult with your lender as to which loan program is best for you and what your down payment cost will be.

You will also have to pay for your home inspection. When financing a home you will have to do the minimum 4 point inspection just to get homeowners insurance. Insurance is a condition of your home loan and you are required to maintain insurance for the life of your loan.  Home Inspection rates vary based on the size of the home. Here is a link to an article by HomeAdvisor regarding home inspection rates.

Other costs associated with buying a home include your appraisal and survey.  Your appraisal will determine the value of the home and is required by mortgage lenders to verify that the loans collateral (the house) is worth what is being borrowed.  Your survey is required to transfer title. It is a land survey to verify that the home has no unusual room additions or encroachments and it will clearly define the properties boundaries.  You may be buying a home with a pool or a septic tank and want those inspected as well.  You will be responsible for those expenses as well.  

I am your local real estate professional in Pasco county Florida.  Contact me anytime with any of your real estate questions. 

What Can You Do In A Multiple Offer Situation

Depending on the activity in your local real estate market you may or may not find yourself in a multiple offer situation when buying your home.  Here on Florida's west coast we are seeing many hot buyers competing for the homes they want. When inventory is low (less home for sale) we have more home buyers active in the market than we have homes active for sale.  Right now in my local market we have about 7 home buyers for each home for sale and properly priced homes are seeing multiple offers for purchase.  When this happens you may make an offer that you think is fair only to find out you didn't get the house.  We understand that it's a frustrating situation but there are a few things you can do to improve your offers on future homes.  Depending on where you live, the process for buying your home and the contract used will vary.  I am going to base my suggestions on the Florida "As-Is" contract as that is the most popular contract used in our area. (for information the As-Is contract click here).

When you find yourself in a multiple offer situation the seller will be looking for the "Highest and Best" offer.  Keep in mind that sometimes the best offer is not necessarily the one for the most money but you will make to make your purchase price as aggressive as possible and it is not uncommon to offer more than the listing price.  Maybe you can't offer more than the list price or maybe you can't even offer full price due to how much of a home loan (mortgage) you are approved for.  What do you do? You should consult with your Realtor and you may hear them advise you to make the offer the best it can be in other ways than price.  The first thing you can do is increase your escrow or "good faith" deposit if you can.  Show the sellers you are serious and your putting your money where your mouth is.  A good rule of thumb with escrow deposits is that it should be approximately 2% of the purchase price.  This may be different in your market so rely on your Realtors advice. 

There are other items in your Florida real estate contract that you can use to improve your offer.  Your contract allows for an inspection period. The contract has a default limit of 15 days for inspections.  You may want to tighten that date up. Often times in our market we can get a home inspection completed within 3 days of executing a contract.  We advise our buyers to use a 7-10 day inspection period.  This shows the seller you are not going to waste their time and should you have an issue with the inspection you are going to address it with the seller in a timely manner.  The contract also allows for you to ask the seller for a home warranty. Use your judgment. If you can't make a strong monetary offer you may want to omit a seller paid home warranty from your contract.  There is also the difference between a mortgage pre-qualification and pre-approval.  The mortgage pre-approval is much better than the pre-qualification so if you have a pre-qualification you may want to get with your lender and provide the information needed to get you pre-approved.  I was a mortgage loan officer in the past and a pre-qualification is no better then a note from their friend saying they are ok to buy your home. 

You may be asking for the seller to assist in your closing costs. Should you be in that position in a multiple offer situation you may find it more challenging to have your offer accepted.  When you ask the seller to assist in your closing costs you are asking them to take money from the proceeds of their sale and credit it to you at the closing because you don't have the funds to close.  Even when making an offer that is not a multiple offer situation, asking for assistance with closing costs will always weaken your offer.  We would suggest you do what you can to avoid asking for seller concessions toward your closing costs.  This may mean you save up more money for your closing costs before you buy a home. 

We are here to help you in western Pasco county Florida.  Contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about the Florida real estate market.  

Pasco County Florida Retirement Community of Summertree in New Port Richey Florida

Pasco county Florida is located on Florida's west coast about 40 miles north of Tampa.  The Gulf of Mexico offers western Pasco county a large waterfront lifestyle with local waterfront restaurants, local beaches and marinas.  The city of New Port Richey Florida is not only on the Gulf of Mexico but a large portion of the city sits along the banks of the Pithlachascotee River.  New Port Richey is a quaint city that embodies the Florida Lifestyle.  The Summertree community is located in New Port Richey just off of State Road 52 near the Hudson Florida border and not too far from the Hudson Beach and Marina where you can relax on the sand, spend time with friends under one of the covered gazebos enjoy a meal at Sam's Beach Bar or the Inn on The Gulf and enjoy truly stunning sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

The Summertree community is a gated, golfing community reserved for those age 55 and over.  This large community offers a variety of home styles from 1 bedroom condominiums to 2 bedroom villas, smaller 2 bedroom single family homes to larger 3 bedroom homes of newer construction in the Cross Creek neighborhood.  Summertree has a number of neighborhoods inside the master community.  Pointe West Condominiums, The Greens, The Fairways, The Villas, Arborwood and Cross Creek.  Each neighborhood provides you with grounds maintenance and exterior painting of your home. Some areas will also provide for your roof replacement and the Pointe West condominiums offer roof repair as well.  When shopping homes in Summertree you will see a difference in neighborhood home owner association fees depending on the maintenance they provide. Every neighborhood in Summertree has a quarterly fee to the Summertree master community for maintenance of the heated pool & spa, fitness gym, billiard room, gate entry and landscaping and maintenance of common elements.

The Summertree golf course is open to the public

and independently owned and operated.  Having the gulf course as Public, the residents do not have additional expense for maintaining the golf course and the gates remain open during the day for golf course patrons.  Residents using the golf course pay to play.  The golf course is a 9 hole course and it's perfect for a morning tee time any your round can be finished before the hottest part of the day arrives. 

We are happy to answer any questions you have regarding the Summertree community. I have been selling homes in Summertree for years and it is my job to know as much about the community as possible.  I'm always here to help.

Why Your Mortgage Pre-Approval is Important Before Looking at Homes to Buy

Buying a home is an exciting time for most people and starting your home buying process off on the right foot is very important for you.  One of the first things we will discuss when you contact us is your financing options.  You will need to speak with a mortgage lender before shopping for homes because you need to know what your loan type will be so we can customize your home search criteria to fit your loan type.

Not every home on the market will qualify for FHA or VA financing and your mortgage loan type will determine which homes you can purchase. The FHA and VA guidelines include income and debt to income ratios as well as specific items that pertain to the home. FHA homes are generally turn key. These homes will have to have a roof that is free of leaks and be under a certain age. The home cannot have any exposed wiring, broken windows, malfunctioning doors etc... 

I am here to assist you and answer any questions you may have. I can also direct you to a number of  local mortgage professionals we have worked with in the past. These mortgage professionals are people we know and trust.

Real Estate Market Snapshot of Waterfront Home Sales in Port Richey Florida April 2016

Port Richey Florida has a variety of waterfront home styles that our neighbors can take advantage of.  Port Richey has a number of lakefront homes, homes on ponds and the bayou as well as homes on canals and the Gulf of Mexico.  This current report does not include lake or pond homesites. A big part of living the Florida lifestyle is being on or near the coast and waterfront.  Port Richey offers some of the most affordable waterfront homes in the entire state of Florida.

For the month of April 2016, the waterfront home sales in Port Richey Florida were:

Sold Homes

4 Bedroom 4 bath non pool home 1,894 sq feet sold for $111,069.

3 Bedroom 3 Bath with a Pool 2,710 sq feet sold for $580,000.00

4 Bedroom 3 Bath non Pool 3,732 sq feet sold for $675,000.00

Pending Sales (under contract)

1 Home. 3 Bedroom 2 Bath non Pool 1,890 sq feet had a list price of $190,000.00

There were a number of waterfront homes that sold and went under contract which were located on smaller lakes and ponds. Those sales are not included in this.  The variation in sales price is related to not only the size of the home but the water it is located on as well as the neighborhood, age of home and external items like dock, davit, seawall. 

The Gulfside Team is here for you in Port Richey Florida and we are your waterfront home experts in western Pasco county Florida.

Buying a Home in a Multiple Offer Situation in Florida

The laws of conduct regarding the handling of multiple offer situations vary from state to state and ultimately it is the sellers decision not the listing Brokers decision on how to handle the multiple offer situation.  The listing Broker or their agent can only disclose the terms of the other offers to a buyer if the seller has given express permission to do so. Often times the listing Broker will ask the seller to put this request in an email or text message so they have a written consent. You may never know the terms of the other offers as a buyer which means you will want to present your highest and best offer.

Lets say you are pre-approved for a home loan for $225,000. and you cannot go above the purchase price already offered. You can make your offer "better" by having a shorter inspection period in the contract. You can also offer a larger escrow deposit or "good faith deposit" if you have the funds to do so. Lowering the amount agreed upon for repairs found during the home inspection is another way you can make your offer "better" without raising the purchase price. 

When deciding upon raising your purchase price be sure to have your Realtor review the recent sales of comparable homes most similar to the one you want to buy.  You want to make sure that the purchase price agreed upon in your real estate contract will meet appraisal value. If the appraisal is lower than the sales price or loan amount, you may not get financed and you will be unable to buy the home unless the seller agrees to lower the purchase price.  That can mean that you paid for home inspections and an appraisal and you don't get the home. 

A heartfelt letter to the seller may improve your chances of having your offer accepted. You can write a note to the seller explaining how much you love their home and wish to raise your family in the house. Compliment the home and let them know how much you appreciate the care and love they have put into their home over they years. 

The real estate market in New Port Richey and Port Richey Florida is a "Sellers Market" right now.  There are fewer homes available for purchase and many buyers actively looking for  home with puts the seller in a better position than in recent years. You will want to be as aggressive as possible to get the home you want.

You will want an experienced and knowledgable Realtor to assist you in today's market. Always remember, Your Agent Matters. 

Port Richey Florida Real Estate Market Update

It's a Beautiful Day in Port Richey Florida. Here is a quick real estate market update for Port Richey and New Port Richey Florida. Mike Gallo and The Gulfside Team are here to help you buy or sell a home in New Port Richey & Port Richey Florida.

Contact me today to discuss your real estate goals.

Our Top 5 Tips for Home Buyers in Pasco county Florida

Buying a home is an exciting time in your life and you may have a lot of questions along the way.  Having the right real estate professional on your side is always a smart decision.  We know the home buying process can seem a little scary so we wanted to share our Top 5 Tips for home buyers in Pasco County Florida.

1 - Call a few Realtors and interview them for the job of helping you buy your home.  The home buying journey is not a one day relationship and you will want to be sure you click with your real estate agent.

2 - Contact a mortgage professional. Your Realtor can suggest a few trusted professionals to call. See why the #1 step is to call a Realtor? Your mortgage pre-approval is Paramount when buying  a home. Your home loan will dictate the style, condition and market value range home you will be buying.  Without it, you are just wasting your time looking at homes that may not fit your mortgage loan criteria. 

3 - Have a sit down consultation with your Realtor. Discuss what you Need in your home and what you Want in your home. Finding everything you want in any one home is pretty much impossible to make a list of wants you are willing to trade off to get what you need.

4 - STAY AWAY from Zillow and Trulia and Even Realtor.com. Your Realtor will send you homes to look at online.  These homes are AVAILABLE to purchase and are given to you directly from the MLS. Zillow and Trulia are notoriously inaccurate and a huge waste of time.  Let your Realtor do their job and save you time.

5 - Look at the Data and Know Your Contract. Your Realtor will provide you with as much information as possible about the home you want to purchase. Look at the comparable sales when making your decision on how much to offer and read all the disclosures. I recommend you know what your inspection period is, what your timeframe is to review home owner association documents and your loan commitment deadline. Remember, in Florida only you and the seller are parties to the contract and you are responsible for adhering to your deadlines.  We provide you with a timeline so you know what you need to do during your escrow. 

West Pasco County Florida is a great place to live. Located on the Gulf of Mexico with local beaches, waterfront dining and lower property taxes, you can truly live the Florida Lifestyle here in Pasco county. 

Buying a Home in West Pasco County Florida

The Gulfside Team of Florida Luxury Realty is on your side when buying a home.  We offer a comprehensive home buyer consultation so you have all the information you need to begin your real estate transaction the right way.  We are with you from mortgage pre-approval to closing and beyond.  You want a real estate team who will watch out for your best interest during your transaction and will advise and protect you along the way. 

The first step is contacting us.  We will provide you with options for obtaining your mortgage which will let us know what criteria your new home must meet.  We will then create a customized home search based on what you need in your home while conforming to your lenders criteria.  We will work closely with your mortgage lender to assure you the best real estate experience possible. Buying a home in western Pasco county Florida is easy with our services. We can provide you a portal through the MLS system that will email you homes for sale so you can look at them online and on your schedule.  The portal also allows us to see homes you "Favorite" and we are notified of these homes so if you're looking at them after work or later in the evening you can tell us which homes you like without calling or emailing us. We value your time and strive to make your home buying experience as efficient as possible. 

Contact us anytime online or call at your convenience to discuss buying your home in western Pasco county Florida.  We serve Tarpon Springs, Odessa, Trinity, New Port Richey, Port Richey, Hudson and Land O'Lakes Florida. 

Port Richey Florida Home Sales - Market Report for April 2016

Port Richey Florida is located on the Gulf coast of Florida in Pasco county.  Homes in Port Richey Florida range in size and features from smaller homes of 900+ square feet to larger homes and waterfront home styles.  Having local parks and beaches as part of the Port Richey Florida Lifestyle makes our city a great place to live and play.

Port Richey Florida Market Report for April 2016

77 Homes Sold in The Following Range:
648 sqft $30,000
3,732 sqft $675,000
Average Value: 1,395 sqft $102,412.00
Median Value: 1,360 sqft  $ 82,000.00 average 2 bedroom 2 bath home. 

These averages are general numbers taken from the sales in the entire city of Port Richey Florida for April 2016.  This report is not specific to any one neighborhood.  You should always consult with a Realtor regarding your homes market value.  You can contact me anytime and request your customized market report or you can request an automated market report by clicking here.  

I'm here to answer any questions you may have regarding the Port Richey Florida real estate market when you are ready to sell or buy your home. 

Buying a Home in Florida Home that is "As-Is"

Teaching real estate and contracts is one of the most enjoyable things in my career.  Not only do I get to help my fellow agents but I get to stand up in front of everyone and get all the attention. (Insert Laugh Here).  Real estate laws differ from state to state and here in Florida we have what is call an "As-Is" contract that we use on transactions involving homes that are being sold "As-Is".  I want to start by explaining what an "As-Is" home sale is all about.  As-Is sales are the most popular in Florida. Mainly because the As-Is real estate contract is widely considered the most fair and balanced contract for both buyer and seller.  Homes that are for sale "as-is" are homes where the seller is not interested in making cosmetic changes or negotiating for new appliances in order to sell.  In other words, the home is what it is, it has what it has and you get what you see.  

You have every right to a home inspection and wood destroying organism inspection as well as A/C inspection, pool inspection. Heck you can have the home inspected for whatever you want during the time frame expressed in your contract referred to as your "inspection period" most often, you will ask for 10-15 days in order to complete all of your inspections.  In order for you to cancel your contract and have your escrow or "good faith" deposit returned, you have to notify the seller (or their agent) in writing (an email) during your inspection period that you wish to cancel the contract and move on.  I write that email for you. Should you ask for a 10 day inspection period you cannot email me on the 11th day and expect a refund of your escrow. The contract is clear and all timelines must be adhered to.  The contract is legal and binding. 

Here is what makes the Florida As-Is contract so beneficial to home buyers.  You do Not have to hire a licensed home inspector. The contract states that during your inspection period the contract may be canceled "at the buyers discretion".   You can have a spouse, partner, friend or relative that is knowledgable about homes give your their opinion and use that if you want.  Keep in mind that in order to obtain homeowners insurance you will need at least a 4 point inspection by a licensed home inspector to satisfy your insurance company.  My professional advice as your realtor is to have a full inspection regardless. The inspector is going to the home anyway so why not go all out with a full home inspection.  My job as your Realtor is to protect you and advise you as to what is in your best interest. The price may vary a bit for the full as opposed to the four point but better safe than sorry I always say.  The four point inspection is the A/C, Electrical, Plumbing and Roof.  A full home inspection will check that the appliances are operating, door jams are not seeing dry rot, lights and fans operate etc... it is a room by room inspection.  a WDO or Wood Destroying Organism inspection is required by VA and FHA financing and as your super awesome real estate agent, I pay that inspection for you.  

Sometimes you will see a home that needs some updating like paint and flooring. When a home is sold as-is, the appearance and updating is taken into consideration in the asking price.  If the seller doesn't want to spend money on updates to sell, the home should be price accordingly. I will give you a market analysis before you make an offer if we all think the price is too high.  I then use that report as a tool to negotiate your offer and sales price. 

What if your home inspection shows an issue?
You can ask for a price reduction or ask the seller to fix the issue.  Lets say the home has a stab-lock breaker panel which can hinder your ability to obtain insurance. You can ask for the seller to replace it.  Just be aware that this all has to be dealt with during your inspection period. When I show a home I always open the panel. If its a Zinsco, Sylvania Stab Lock I will tell my client and we will add the repair to the contract and offer from the start.  Other items like a leaky roof or leaky hot water heater will affect your financing and insurance and its normal to ask the seller to make those repairs. As-Is does not mean "poor condition".

Im always happy to answer any questions you may have about Florida real estate.  I've been serving the community in Pasco county Florida for over 10 years and I am always here for you.  

Real Estate Services to Home Buyers in New Port Richey Florida - The Gulfside Team

Making the wrong choice in a real estate professional when buying your home in New Port Richey or Port Richey Florida can cost you time, money and the home you want.  You want to work with a highly experienced and knowledgeable Realtor who can assist you to navigate your entire real estate transaction. There is far more involved than opening the door to the home and writing your contract.  We take our job as your real estate professional seriously and we consult you on your options and what is in your best interest. 

I have lived and working in the New Port Richey and Port Richey area for over 20 years. I know the neighborhoods and I know market values.  You can rely on my buyer specialist Rick Trowbridge to have the same knowledge as myself and with me, behind him, you can purchase your home knowing that Rick is standing behind you and ready to assist you in all facets of your home purchase.

Your time is valuable and as your real estate professionals we understand and respect your time.  In order to make the most of your time and not waste your valuable and non-replenishable resource, we have a structured process to assisting our home buying customers. 

What you can expect when working with The Gulfside Team?
A face to face consultation either in our office or at your home. We will discuss your needs and goals and create a plan to achieve your goal.  Those customers who are relocating from another state or area of Florida we offer a facetime or phone consultation.

We know you want to look at homes online for yourself. You would be wise to use Realtor.com to do this. Realtor.com is the most accurate and up to date real estate information you can get. That's why it has the word "Realtor" in the name.  We will also create a customer portal in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) this portal will email you daily lists of homes that meet your search criteria. You will want this list to be as accurate as possible so your time is not wasted looking at the wrong homes and this is why your consultation is so important to us.  The 30 minutes you spend with us in our office will save you hours of time looking at homes that you don't want to purchase. 

You may be using a bank or mortgage lender to secure financing of your home. We will be in communication with your lender every step of the way to insure your entire "Buyer Team" is working together to assist you in reaching your goals.  Often times you will be using the Title company of the sellers choice when buying your home.  We open a line of communication with them as well.  We want you to have the best experience possible when using our real estate services and communication is the key to any successful business relationship. 

Rick Trowbridge of The Gulfside Team is our dedicated home buyer specialist. Rick's only focus is on assisting our customers who are buying a home.  Rick is with you from your consultation all the way through to your closing and beyond.  Rick is a combat veteran of the US Army and has dedicated his real estate career to assisting people just like you with their home purchase. Rick was hand picked by me as part of my team because of his care, skill and diligence in his transactions. 

Mike Gallo created The Gulfside Team.  I was at a point in my career where I was unable to help all of the people who contacted me and I want everyone to have a great experience in their real estate transaction that I searched for another stellar Realtor to join me in helping more people in the New Port Richey and Port Richey area of Florida.  We have since grown and now we cover Odessa, Trinity, New Port Richey, Port Richey, Hudson and Land O'Lakes Florida.  Having a team on your side when buying or selling your home puts you at an advantage in the real estate market.

Our real estate consultation is at no cost or obligation to you.  We value the opportunity to meet with you and discuss your real estate goals.  We do not believe in high pressure sales gimmicks. We will advise you and explain your options but we will never push you or manipulate you in order to "make a sale".  You are not a "Deal" to us. You are our customer and our friend and we value your time and our relationship. 

Port Richey Home for Sale - Jasmine Lakes Community

7832 Lilac Dr. Port Richey, Florida is a 2 Bedroom 2 Bath home in the Jasmine Lakes Community. this home has an updated kitchen, tile floors in the main living areas, laminate flooring in the bedrooms and an oversized garage.  You will notice from the moment you pull up to the home that is has been maintained and cared for over the years.  The master en suite has a new vanity and sink and a walk in shower. The guest bath has a tub/shower combination and the home has a lot of natural light.  

You can add your own colors and personality to the white pallet of the homes interior.  The back yard is large enough for a pool and the rear screened patio can accommodate a full sized seating group for entertaining.  Jasmine Lakes in Port Richey Florida is a great neighborhood located near local beaches, shopping and dining. 

Jasmine Lakes Port Richey Florida Market Report March 2016

Market Report for Jasmine Lakes in Port Richey Florida

March 2016

6 Homes were Active for sale in March.  2 homes were 2 bedroom 2 bath listed at $84,900 & $89,900.  3 were 3 bedroom homes listed at $69,500 - $79,500. 1 was a 4 bedroom home listed at $96,500

1 home was Active with Contract. This home was a 2 bedroom home of 1,046 square feet listed at $50,000.  This home has not been updated on the interior.

3 homes were Pending sale.  All 3 homes were 2 bedroom and ranged in price from $31,000 - $96,000. 

5 homes Sold. 4 were 2 bedroom and 1 was a 3 bedroom.  3 of the homes sold between $80,000 and $89,000. 1 home sold for $38,000 and it was a Foreclosure. The last home sold for $56,000 and was not updated.

I have lived, worked and played in Port Richey Florida for over 20 years.  I know the city, I know the neighborhoods and I am here to help you with the sale or purchase of your home in Port Richey Florida.  Contact the Gulfside Team of Florida Luxury Realty to see how we are different from other real estate agents in the area. 

Port Richey Florida Real Estate - Embassy Hills

The Gulfside Team is your #1 choice for real estate professionals in Port Richey Florida and the Embassy Hills neighborhood.  I've been a long time resident of Port Richey Florida and a home owner in Embassy Hills.  You want an experienced agent when selling or buying your home in Embassy Hills, someone who knows the community and all the benefits to buying a home in Port Richey Florida.  Local real estate agents like myself, really do make a difference when you are selling your home.  

I take the advertising and marketing of your home seriously. I provide you with print advertising in the Florida Fabulous Real Estate magazine, blog advertising online, 2 virtual tours, open houses (at your permission) as well as Multiple Listing Service advertising that is syndicated to every real estate agents website, realtor.com, truly, zillow, homes.com and more.  My team also partners with local mortgage professionals who can qualify your potential buyers and may have a home buyer looking in our local market that they can refer your home to.  

The Gulfside Team of Florida Luxury Realty is a local team of real estate professionals with a local and highly reputable real estate brokerage with locations in Port Richey and New Port Richey as well as Spring Hill, Wesley Chapel, Palm Harbor and Clearwater.  When you or someone you know is ready to sell or buy a home in Embassy Hills or anywhere in Port Richey, please ask them to contact me.  

New Port Richey Florida Real Estate

New Port Richey Florida is a great place to live the Florida lifestyle.  Located on the Pithlachascotee River along the Gulf of Mexico coast, New Port Richey is a great place to live.  Sims park in New Port Richey is a large community park on the river in downtown New Port Richey where local families gather for fun and play.  Sims park is also the location of many community events like the Chaso Fiesta and the Seafood Festival.  The city of Port Richey is located just north of New Port Richey and both cities have a number of waterfront communities along the Gulf of Mexico and the Pithlachascotee River.  We are your waterfront home experts in the area and would be happy to discuss your real estate questions about New Port Richey.

Waterfront homes in New Port Richey, Port Richey and Hudson Florida are among the most affordable homes in the state and with a strong sense of community, our city is a great place to call home.  You may be interested in retiring to Florida and if that is an option you are considering there are a number of beautiful retirement communities in New Port Richey.  Summertree is a gated, golfing community in New Port Richey that offers a variety of home styles from condominiums, villas, smaller homes and larger homes so you can find a home that fits your needs.  You may be interested in a waterfront home and you can surely find a home in our area that is perfect for you and your family. Waterfront communities like Gulf Harbors, Harbor Isles, Millers Bayou, Westport as well as Leisure Beach and Hudson Beach in Hudson Florida.  

Contact me anytime to discuss your real estate needs or your plans to relocate to New Port Richey Florida.  I'm here for you.

Florida Real Estate Services for US Veterans and Active Duty Personnel

Thank You for Your Service

Thank You for Keeping Us Safe!

Our Team is here to assist our veterans with relocating, buying a home or selling a home in the western Pasco and Hernando County Florida area.  I am the son of a Marine and and Rick Trowbridge of my team is a combat veteran who served our country in Afghanistan and is dedicating a large portion of his business to help his fellow service members.  

We have a strong respect to al of our active duty service members and veterans and we are here to help you with your real estate goals.  We understand that our veterans have different needs when buying a home and we are ready to assist you. 

Contact us at anytime to discuss your real estate needs and we will answer any questions you may have.  We work with multiple lenders who are proficient in VA Home Loans.  Using your veteran benefits may be a little confusing and that is why we only recommend experienced and knowledgeable mortgage professionals. 

There is no cost or obligation for a consultation with us. 

(727) 271-2667 - Mike Gallo

(607) 346-2808 Rick Trowbridge - Military Veteran

Thank You for your Service

New Port Richey Homes for Sale

It is no secret that owning a home builds your financial wealth when purchased at the right time.  Our New Port Richey real estate market is Hot right now with affordable homes and Florida is seeing a 7% increase in value annually over years past.  This means that over the next 5 years your home could increase in value substantially which will yield you higher net proceeds when you sell.  Keep in mind I don’t have a crystal ball and this rate of increase may change but it is safe to say that if you buy a home in Florida in the next few years, you will not lose money on your investment.  Let me give you a little snap shot of Port Richey Florida over the last 2 years.  The average 2 bedroom 2 bath home in Port Richey was selling for $50,000-$60,000 during the first quarter of 2016 we are seeing these same homes selling for $75,000-$85,000 and higher depending on additional size and features.  Receiving a $10,000 increase in your homes value per year is very good for those who bought during that time. Now is a great time to contact me to receive a list of New Port Richey homes for sale and see just how affordable the New Port Richey Lifestyle can be.

Homes in other areas like New Port Richey and Trinity Florida where larger homes are prevalent, you will see the same rate of increase over these years which correspond with the 7% increase in value.  A 3 bedroom pool home in certain areas of Trinity Florida which sold in 2013 for $120,000 would likely sell today for $150,000 or more depending on the homes features and upgrades.  You can safely invest in Florida real estate and be confident that you will not lose money on your future re-sale like some people did during the housing “Bubble” of the early 2000’s.

My team and I are here to answer any questions you have about real estate or planning a relocation to Florida.  Let my experience and knowledge work for you.

Should I Hire a Real Estate Team or Individual Agent?

Choosing the right real estate professional is important and whether you hire a Team or an Individual agent you will want to interview a few Realtors and compare their services to be sure you work with the professional who is the best fit for you and will give you the results you want.  You should pay attention to what your potential agents tell you and stay clear of the "yes" agent.  These agents are the ones who are completely agreeable with you and basically tell you what you want to hear in order to get the job. Experienced professionals will advise you and tell you the facts even if they are not exactly what you want to hear.

The Differences Between Teams and Individuals
Usually a real estate team is formed by an agent who can no longer provide excellent service to all of the people that are contacting them.  This was true for me.  In order to help more people with their real estate needs, one will need to create a team of agents to help their clients.  This tells us that these teams are headed up by a Realtor that has a healthy business that is growing. 

Availability to you is very important when working with a real estate agent.  Showings, Offers and New Listings can happen any day and you will need a real estate professional who can assist you when you need it.  Working with an individual agent you may find that when your dream home is new to the market they may have other appointments and can't get you in to see it. This may cause you to lose the house or have to compete with another buyer to get the home.  The same can said for listings. You want your home shown as often as possible and if your agent is not available you may lose opportunities. 

Hiring a real estate team means that you are hiring more than one agent to assist you. Most teams have a listing specialist who handles the listing paperwork, marketing and schedules showings and open houses.  Then they will have buyer specialists. The buyer specialists will show your home and probably host the open houses and they assist the teams clients who are looking to buy a home.  Not all teams are created the same and you should inquire about how the team is structured and who will be doing which job during the transaction.

I have found with my own team that our clients are happy knowing that they have two agents working for them. We can accomplish more work in less time than an individual agent can. We are a close team. We collaborate daily on what our clients need and we update each other on all of our clients. I am the listing specialist on my team and Rick Trowbridge is the buyer specialist however, since we work so well together we each do what needs to be done to give our clients the best service possible. We do not take vacations at the same time so you always have an available agent.  Unless Rick has a previous appointment he attends my listing appointments so he can preview your home and provide input "through the buyers eyes".

Some people may prefer to only work with one agent. I understand that you may feel that you will only deal with one person and you think you will get more personalized service. I can see where you may think that and I am not about to speak badly about individual agents. I truly believe that we all hire the professionals that we "click" with. There was a time when I was green and inexperienced and people still hired me. Maybe it was my charming personality or maybe they liked my tie or maybe it was the fact that I was knowledgable or maybe they just liked me more than the other agents they met with and gave me the job.  Whatever the reason that draws you to a real estate agent or a real estate team be sure to ask about their experience and hire the person you feel will do the best job.