Why We Love Florida and Live in New Port Richey

Loving where you live is important to ones

overall happiness and we Love Living in Florida and the cities of Port Richey and New Port Richey. Port Richey and New Port Richey are called the "Twin Cities of Florida" located along the Pithlachascote River and the Gulf of Mexico where you can enjoy boating, fishing, waterfront dining and more.  With many local parks, both city owned and state run you have a variety of choices in your outdoor activities. 

Just a few things we Love about Florida
We own more bathing suits than coats.
We Don't Shovel Snow
Our Seafood is caught and served to us the same day
Flip-Flops are acceptable shoes almost anywhere and almost year round
We have the Best Sunsets on Florida's west coast
We Don't Shovel Snow
Iced Tea is a year round beverage
Boating is a way life
We Don't Shovel Snow
We use our barbecue grills year round
It's never cold on Halloween
We Fry our Thanksgiving Turkey 
We Don't Shovel Snow

Living in the cities of Port Richey and New Port Richey Florida for over 20 years I can't think of a place I would rather be. We are located approximately 30 miles north of Tampa and St. Petersburg. We can be at Bush Gardens in about 40 minutes and Walt Disney World in about an hour and a half. Close to Tarpon Springs and Weeki Wachee Springs where the Mermaids live, there is no shortage of activities for you in the Port Richey Florida area.  I'm your local real estate professional in the Port Richey and New Port Richey Florida area and I am here to answer any of your questions.  Contact me online and I will respond within 24 hours or less. 

Port Richey Florida Parks You Should Visit

Living in the Port Richey and New Port

Richey area of Florida, you have some great choices in Parks to visit on the weekends for picnics and fun or if you want to see the stunning sunsets along the Gulf of Mexico.  Being your local real estate expert in the Port Richey and New Port Richey area, I feel it o my job to mention these parks in my advertising of my customers homes for sale and to new home buyers in our city. Port Richey and New Port Richey have been called the "Twin Cities of Florida" and each city has it's own police force, mayor and city council. 

Wterfront Park in Port Richey is located at 8119 Old Post Rd. This is a large park with plenty of room for kids and adults to run and play in the open field. There is a playground area and covered shelters for bar-b-cues and birthday parties.  You can enjoy walking the trail along the bayou, fishing off the back pier and there is even a kayak or canoe launch dock to the south side of the park. There are restrooms and there is no fee for parking and entry like the state and county parks.  This years 4th of July Laser light Show was located at Waterfront Park and residents along the Bayou and Gulf could see the show. 

Brasher Park is one of our little gems along

the Gulf of Mexico and it is not easy to find so it is a real favorite of local residents. Located at 4951 Koons Rd. Brasher park offers non motorized watercraft launching, beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico and a large playground, picnic tables and restrooms. If you are looking for a quiet park out of the way of traffic and in a beautiful setting, Brasher Park is the place to visit. 

Oelsner Park is a great spot to enjoy lunch in the Miller's Bayou neighborhood. Located at 5218 Miller Bayou this park offers picnic tables and full restroom facilities. You can wade in the water and shore fish or you can enjoy a quiet evening watching the sunset.

Another local park is Nick's Park located at 7929 Bayview Street. This park is favorite for local boat owners and during the boating season this park can get pretty busy with people launching their boats. Nick's Park has the only city boat ramp and trailer parking is limited but you can use the parking lot at  nearby Waterfront Park if you need to.  Nick's park also offers a dock, fishing and restrooms. 

Wilmslow Park has been renovated thanks

to a grant from Florida Development Assistance Program.  This is what is called a 'Pocket Park" it truly is an oasis in the Harbor Isles neighborhood area just west of Miller's Bayou. This park can be walked and there area plenty of benches the sit and enjoy the weather and the passers by. This park has a fountain that is my favorite place to sit when I am there.  This park has no restroom or shelters. 

When you need a local real estate expert in Port Richey or New Port Richey Florida contact me. I have lived and worked in the area for over 20 years and I have the experience and knowledge you want in a Realtor. 

Top 5 Must Know Facts About Selling Your Condominium

You have enjoyed your condominium and now you want to sell and move on to the next chapter in your life. Selling your condo is a little different than selling a single family home and here are the Top 5 Things You Should Know before listing your condo for sale with a Realtor(R).

1. Condominium sales in Florida require that you, the seller provide the Rules and Regulations and updated addendum, Articles of Incorporation and the condo association financial statements for the current and previous year.  Sometimes owners do not have these documents for various reasons and having an experienced real estate professional helps in getting them
2. Your Realtor(R) needs to have the experience and the knowledge to find out exactly what is required for you to transfer the property. Usually there is a required application and background check and a fee associated with the application process.
3. Right of First Refusal. If your association has a right of first refusal, your agent needs to know if it is by the association itself or the members.  You may not know this but your real estate professional should have the ability to get this information. If your agent is inexperienced the right of first refusal may hold up your closing.
4. Advertising of your condo for sale must be done properly and advertised in the MLS the right way. Condominiums are Not single family homes. Often times the foundation and the land is not included in the condo deed. It's up to your Realtor(R) to know this if you don't. 
5. Hire a real estate agent who has experience in selling condominiums. One who will take photos of the clubhouse, pool, golf course etc... Ask them how many condominiums they have sold. I sell about 15 condominiums a year and I always know when the buyers agent has little experience in condo sales.

You deserve the highest level of customer service from your Realtor(R).  It is our job to get all the necessary documents from you or advise you where to get them as well as verifying that the buyer received them and the buyers application is complete and returned on time with any pet photos, vet records, fees and a copy of the purchase contract.  I am always here to help if you have any questions regarding selling a condominium in New Port Richey Florida. You can contact me online 24/7 and I will respond the following business day. 

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What is the Difference Between a Realtor(R) and a Real Estate Agent?

I want to start by stating that I have a knowledge of Florida license law regarding real estate. I am not proficient in license law in other states. In Florida a real estate license is "Active" only when it is carried under a licensed Broker. We generally refer to the license as being "Hung" with a broker as state law requires the licenses of each agent be displayed and hung up somewhere in the physical real estate office. Real estate agents who do not join the National Association of Realtors(R) and the Florida Association of Realtors(R) and their local Board of Realtors are classified as real estate licensees. They have a license and they can practice real estate. However they are not Realtors(R) and Do Not Have Access to the MLS system under their own name.  These licensees are usually "referral agents" of the Broker to whom their license is hung and are most likely part-time agents or slowing down in business in an effort to transition into retirement.

Keep in mind that most large Brokerage firms, including Florida Luxury Realty require their agents to be Realtors(R). 

What Is a Realtor(R)?

• A real estate licensee who joins the National, State and Local Board of Relators(R)
• A licensee who attends Realtor(R) Code of Ethics Training
• A licensee who takes an oath to Follow and Uphold the Realtor(R) Code of Ethics

Realtors(R) are not only held to a higher ethical standard than those who possess a license and are not Realtors(R) we are also better educated and trained. Generally the licensees local board of Realtors(R) offers classes and training that is not available to those who are not Realtors(R) we meet with city and county officials, we meet with county property appraisers, senators and other professionals in our industry so we can be better informed about our local and state laws and policies.

Only a Realtor(R) can use the Realtor(R) logo or call themselves a Realtor(R). You may see email addresses or website domain names that have a ".Realtor" exchange. This domain exchange and email can only be used by a Realtor(R) member. I am happy to display my domain and email as it shows people that I am a highly skilled professional in the real estate industry and I hold myself to a higher ethical standard of business than those who are simply license holders. 

If you are speaking with real estate agents to assist you in selling or buying a home, I urge you to ask if they are a Realtor(R) or not. You may decide that you want a better trained agent or a full time agent and you might not know that if you don't ask. 

written by Michael J. Gallo all images are property of the author. 

How to Get Gold Star Feedback for Your Homes Showings

Feedback from your potential buyers is important and although you may not always like what you hear, getting feedback at all is a Gold Star in my book.  My job as your real estate professional is to follow up with the prospective buyers agent and ask for feedback.  Often times I will use an online showing request though the MLS which sends a feedback request automatically. Sometimes I will need to speak to the buyers agent before allowing them to go show your home and it all depends on the instructions you give me on handling your appointments. This is something we discuss at our listing appointment so I have a clear understanding of how you want me to work for you. 

In any event, feedback on your homes showings is requested and it is my job to make sure we get a response from the buyers agent one way or the other.  Whether or not you home receives a Gold Star from the buyer is completely in your hands. Unfortunately I cannot do certain things before every home sowing and it is up to you to help out with this.

Simple Ways to Get That Gold Star Review

• It's Florida. It's Hot. Turn down your homes air conditioning system to a cool 75 degrees. If a home is hot the buyers don't like to stay long and may not even look at the entire home.
• Smells can be a deterrent and if you have pets you will want to address any odors. I have 2 dogs and they are family but your buyer may not like pets or may be allergic. Give your surfaces a dust and open a neutral scented air freshener. 
• Clear your surfaces and counter tops of unnecessary items. You want the buyer looking at your kitchen and not be distracted by your toaster, mixer or mail. I suggest that while your home is on the market keep a basket on your kitchen counter for your mail so you can easily tuck it away when you have showings. 
• Curb appeal is your homes first impression so you will want your lawn neat and flower beds free of weeds. Lay out a new welcome mat and keep the entrance to the home free of pesky cobwebs and dirt. The idea is to make the buyer want to go inside with positive attitude.
• Music. Everyone likes music. Set your homes stereo system to a contemporary station and leave the volume down low. 

You want your buyers to have a welcome feeling while in your home. If you prepare your home as if a guest was coming for dinner, you should be ok with the buyer and earn that Gold Star which can lead to a Golden Offer on your home.  I am your local real estate expert in Port Richey and New Port Richey Florida and I am here to assist you in any way I can. Contact me online with any equations you want answered. 

Social Media for Real Estate - Where Do I Start?

We have been told that social media is where it's at for online marketing of our business and as an instructor for Florida Luxury Realty I have taught my fare share of social media classes and one thing I see from the attendees is a need to know where to start. I thought I would take a few minutes to give a little advice on how to get started with your social media marketing plan.  Before you run out and start creating "business pages" off of your already existing social media sites, STOP and think about the email address that was used to create your profile. Many social media sites allow users to search for people based on their email address. If you are not using your business email address currently you may want to create a new account with your professional email. Keep the other for close friends and family. I have 2 separate accounts for Google+, FaceBook & Twitter each has a professional and a personal account. This way I don't have to edit my content and my email log in on the personal accounts is my personal one that I do not give out to anyone. Gmail accounts are free so why not have more than one? 

Engagement is a big part of your social media marketing plan. You want to engage the audience with useful information, local events, real estate news and follow local businesses in your area.  This will allow you to interact with businesses who have a large following already and you can attract new followers if you interact. Try to avoid posting too much about your own business as that may get boring for the audience. Share what others are saying that you agree with and Avoid Political and Religious Debates at All Cost. These are No-Win scenarios and not worth your time. 

Content is Key! I have a few rules I follow and they may work for you also. I don't post anything negative about my city. Being informed is one thing but is sharing bad news or negativity about the area you earn your living in smart?  Scroll On By. Post and Share things that have to dow with homes, home ownership, the community etc.. The posts that get the most attention include: Animals. Recipes. DIY Tips. Money Tips. Local events. Ask yourself before you post...Is it positive? Is it useful? Is it appropriate? Don't forget you are using this as a means to promote your business. What you wouldn't say in the company of customers or clients should not be shared on the world wide web. 

Blog. Blogging is a highly effective way to earn Search Engine Optimization so you are featured on the search results page. The first page. If you have to go page 11 of the results to see your content you may want to work on it a little more. Im not going to get into the anatomy of a blog or the way they work here. You can google "Real Estate Blogs" and read for yourself. Blogging will also allow you to create your own content and show off your  real estate expertise and local neighborhood knowledge. You can get a Free blog with Blogger (what your reading now) or Wordpress and you are off and running. Well, typing actually but you get my point. 

I know your thinking "Ok, so where do I start?" Start with Google Plus and Facebook. Create professional accounts on both and begin sharing good content that engages people and converts them to followers. Here's a tip: don't just circle or friend everyone in your office. Reach out to the community and other real estate pros across the country. Why? Referrals. Referrals are good and you should want referrals. Start your G+ and FB accounts off on the right foot. Professional photo, professional header that maybe is a photo of your area. Keep your personal and business accounts separate but it may behoove you to have your FB "business page" created off of a fairly professional personal page. "Personal Page" meaning a human being. :) The waters get muddy when you go from one page to the next and I have found I get more engagement from my Google Plus and Twitter than my FaceBook but it is needed to stay in front of your people who may prefer FB over the other social media sites.  Linked In is also great place to market yourself. It works pretty much like FB but in a more business like platform. 

Now that you are probably shaking your head and ready to give up here is the one thing you need to get started. Pick a site and create a profile. Use it daily for about 15-20 minutes and incorporate social media into your marketing plan. It will grow, and you will with it. Then you can start adding more sites to your social media platform. To be perfectly honest, if you are not making 100 phone calls a day as part of your lead generation plan and closing 4-6 homes a month...You Have Plenty of Time to Do This. 

Happy Socializing!!

Join Me on Social Media

http://facebook.com/MikeGalloFLR

http://plus.google.com/+MikeGallogulfhomesales

http://twitter.com/mikegallo22

11535 Aspenwood Dr. New Port Richey, Florida Home For Sale

11535 Aspenwood Dr. New Port Richey Florida is a completely renovated home in the Arborwood neighborhood located inside the Summertree community in New Port Richey which is a gated, golfing community reserved for residents age 55 and over.

This beautiful 2 bedroom 2 bath home has an updated kitchen, newer windows, newer flooring and air handler, inside laundry room, master suite, renovated guest bath with marble walk in shower and a newer florida room that opens to your rear patio with brick pavers and room for outdoor entertaining. 

The Arborwood community has a quarterly Home Owners Association fee that covers the homes exterior, landscaping, irrigation, trash removal. The Arborwood community also has it's own clubhouse and pool and residents also have use of the larger pool that is open to all of the residents of Summertree as well as the clubhouse, billiard room, fitness gym, card room and laundry facility.

To schedule your private showing of this home is Arborwood in Summertree, contact me online 24/7 and I will respond within 24 hours.