Now the question is… When is the best time of year to buy a home?

A recent study by Realtor.com, revealed the upper hand that buyers who are willing to close on a home in off-peak times like the fall and winter might have.

“September could be the best month all year to sign a contract to buy a home.”

But Why?

The first factor is supply… Buyers will now have more choices than they have had for the past 10 months. According the survey, the single biggest factor holding back buyers from making a purchase all year long has been the inability to find a home that meets their needs. That’s because both existing- and new-home supply has been tight all year. Happily, listings inventory on realtor.com has been growing all spring and summer, a pattern that continued into August. As of the third week in August, inventory was at 1.91 million units, up 3% from July and up 21% from January.

Normally inventory peaks in August and begins to slow as the nights grow longer. But this year the typical seasonal decline will start a bit later. There will be more choices in September than any other month in 2015.

The second factor is demand. Now that school has started, demand has already started to decline. You can see the evidence in the nonseasonally adjusted pending home sales data reported by the National Association of Realtors® last week. The nonseasonal estimated number of new contract signings in July was down 12% from June. This kind of decline is entirely normal for July, since most contracts signed in July won’t close until after school starts.

And, of course, with less competition for the most listings all year, pricing power weakens as inventory takes longer to sell.

The seasonal pattern to pricing and median age of inventory tells us that the best deals come in the dead of winter. Signing a contract in September will likely mean you could close before Thanksgiving. That means September buyers won’t have as much moving hassle from winter weather, since for most of the country the threat of snow and ice picks up in December.

The third, and final, factor: the current low level of mortgage rates. Thirty-year fixed rates ended last week under 4% as a result of the recent stock market declines—sometimes a little turbulence in one area stabilizes others.

Why pay more later when you can pay less today? The average 30-year fixed rate touched 4.2% in June but has since pulled back and danced around 4%. Rates are likely to be closer to that June peak by the end of the year. So signing a contract to buy a home soon would enable buyers to lock in today’s lower rates before they start their long-awaited ascent.

Allen Collins Realty enjoyed this wonderful night out on the Island of Tierra Verde! Safety displays and demonstrations were conducted by the Tierra Verde Fire District at Fire Station #21. We are thankful to have such a great team of people protecting our neighborhood, and keeping it safe! 

One of the biggest projects being undertaken in the Tierra Verde community is the development of Sunset Point at Collany Key, a gated Gulf waterfront community. These condos will be starting from the low $900,000s. The 19-acre Collany Key connects to Tierra Verde with a land bridge and is next to Shell Key Preserve. Every day will feel like a getaway when living in this luxurious community. You may enjoy expansive water views within the serene, natural setting. Plan calls for four buildings with 30 residences in each. 

Condo Features:

• 3 Bedrooms                                                  
• 3 1/2 Bathrooms
• 2700+ sqft.
• Two Balconies
• Private Foyer
• Designer Finishes
• Semi-Private Elevator 
• Water views from almost every room

Sunset Pointe Community Features:

• Gated Access 
• Enclosed Parking Garage
• Outdoor Kitchen
• Private Beach Access
• 1800 Acre Preserve
• Kayak Launch
• Pool & Spa
• Nature Trails
• Fitness Room 
• Walking Distance to Eight Local Restaurants 

Tierra Verde Features:

• 18 Hole Champion Golf, Tennis, & Yacht Basin on Isla del Sol Yacht & Country Club
• Two World Class Beaches, Ft. Desoto and St. Pete Beach along with Pass-a-grille
• Pinellas County Trail 
• Minutes to downtown St. Pete nightlife, restaurants, and shopping

Tips on Showing Your Home Nicely!

1. De-clutter Your Home                               

2. Sell/Donate All Unwanted Items 

3. Neutralize Your Home

4. Deep Clean the Entire House

5. Repair Any Issues with the House

6. Fix Up the Yard

The Day of Showing…

1. Make Sure All Rooms are Cleaned 

2. Makes the House Smell Good, but Not too Overwhelming

3. Let the Light In

4. Stage the Home – No Clutter & Organized in a way that makes the room feel as large as it is

5. Take the Pets with you

6. Play Soft Music  

If you are not too good at this, let one of our Allen Collins Realty agent’s give you a hand in selling your home!

THIS SATURDAY 

Come Celebrate the Ribbon Cutting & Campus Tours 11:00 AM Saturday August 1st, 2015 

• FULL REGISTRATION FOR FALL TERM
• WAIVED APPLICATION FEE ($40 SAVINGS)
• FREE LEARN TO EARN VOUCHERS
• COMPLIMENTARY CAREER & ACADEMIC ADVISING
• FINANCIAL COUNSELING AND SERVICES

Over the summer months the St. Pete Beach Aquatic Center hosts several movie nights that make fun for the whole family!

These include:

HAPPY FEET on July 31st

WRECK IT RALPH on August 7th

MONSTER UNIVERSITY on August 14th 

Doors open at 8:00 p.m. 

Admission is only $4.00 per person

Located @ 7701 Boca Ciega Drive 

Bring your floats to relax by the pool and enjoy watching a movie under the stars! All movies are projected on a big inflatable screen…we think this is something the kids will love!  No outside coolers allowed inside, but snacks, drinks, and glow jewelry will be sold!

Join Us at the Tierra Verde Garage Sale!

Saturday November 7th, 2015

8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

Downtown Tierra Verde, Pinellas Bayway

Want a booth? …Reserve your spot today!

Just email tierraverdegaragesale@gmail.com if interested. 

Can’t Wait to See You There! 

Editors of the Conde Nast Traveler magazine has just nominated the city of St. Petersburg, FL as one of the Top Ten most underrated cities in the United States. Here is what they had to say about the city we love most…

“Florida has higher-profile destinations (Miami, Orlando, Key West…) than St. Petersburg, but this Gulf Coast city stole our hearts recently with its new Salvador Dali museum. Opened in 2011 and designed by architect Yann Weymouth of HOK, The Dali has one of the greatest displays of the Surrealist’s work in the world, with the largest permanent collection outside Europe. Starting November 8, it will team up with Barcelona’s Museu Picasso for a joint Picasso–Dali exhibit. We’re booking out tickets now (with an overnight stay at the Postcard Inn, a quirky boutique property reminiscent of the Ace Hotel that’s right on white-sandy St. Pete Beach).” 

2395 SARAZEN DRIVE  DUNEDIN, FL

Located in quiet neighborhood. Enjoy many golf courses, and take in some good baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies or the Toronto Blue Jays at their home away from home during spring training. OR take just a short drive to the beach! IT’S FURNISHED!! Call Allen Collins Realty! 

FEATURES…

• 3 Bedrooms
• 2 Baths
• 2 Car Garage 
• POOL
• Fenced Backyard
• Over sized Lawn
• Many nearby golf courses, parks, and recreation centers
• Near Pinellas Trail

•  

  JUST ONE MILE FROM BEACH

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  
  

Presents…

Clay Baker D.U.S.T.O.F.F.

Fundraiser

A Simply Wonderful Time at Simpatico

Please join us at 6pm on Saturday, July 11, 2015

at SIMPATICO, a Fine Wine Boutique,

722 Pasadena Ave. So. South Pasadena.

We will share fine wine and dinner.

$85 per person

There will be entertainment & games.

(Must be prepaid with RSVP by July 6, 2015)