Stunning Six Bedroom Home with Amazing Floorplan

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Simplicity is stunning in the bold lines & easy elegance of this 6 Bedroom/3 Full Bath/3 Car Garage home.

At approx. 3889 sf, the space is beautifully designed to flow effortlessly.

Built in 2012, the exterior is edged with lovely landscaping touches & backs to a wooded buffer offering relaxing views from the outdoor covered patio.

With five bedrooms upstairs, the sixth is conveniently located just off the kitchen for the ideal home office or to accommodate a live-in domestic. The huge loft area makes for the perfect playroom or personal fitness center. With the brilliantly configured open floor plan, there are endless options for changing things like the formal dining room into a LR/DR combo to suit your lifestyle.

A sleek kitchen with just the right touches of contemporary features a convenient walk-in pantry & 42″ wood cabinetry that reflects against the sparkling stainless steel appliances & granite countertops.

The master suite will take your breath away with all its glorious space & a clothes closet that could qualify as its own bedroom! A recessed tray ceiling provides just the right touch of drama to contrast the zen tranquility of the master bath’s tub, & glass enclosed shower stall; while all the home’s baths showcase model-perfect style & finishes.

This spectacular home is nestled in amenity-rich Concord Station that boasts a community clubhouse, Jr. Olympic swimming pool, playgrounds, basketball & tennis courts, & a well-appointed fitness center.

Know Before You Owe

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There are many moving parts when it comes to buying a home, but one of the biggest complaints I’ve gotten as a Realtor is about how confused clients are by mortgage loan documents. Instead of clearly stating financing options, they tend to confuse consumers.

But last month, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released their new rules on mortgage servicing, mortgage loan origination compensation, and the mortgage origination process. As part of the “Know Before You Owe” program I believe these will go a long way toward empowering borrowers with the detail they need to make an informed decision.

I’ve had many clients ask me questions about the loan docs from their lender because they typically struggle when comparison shopping for mortgage products. However, the revised documents are much clearer and offer more of an “at a glance” comparison guide to the pros and cons of a selection of loan options.

Additionally, because the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure are very similar in format, they will enable consumers to easily compare the estimate with the final terms of the loan. It will therefore be less likely for the borrower to be blindsided by hidden costs and unwelcome surprises at the closing table.

The revised Closing Disclosure will be particularly advantageous to home buyers. At present, the HUD-1 settlement statement is typically disclosed the day before the closing. Under this new program, a detailed accounting of the transaction will instead be released for their review three days prior to the scheduled closing. This will now allow borrowers some much needed time to actually review final loan terms and costs. They will fortunately now have time to ask important questions and even potentially negotiate some closing costs prior to the closing.

The scheduled effective date is August 1, 2015, but the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is already working with industry and consumers toward implementation. Coupled with the strong real estate market recovery in many sectors across the country, procedural reforms like these are a big part of consumer confidence and a renewed sense of faith in the mortgage industry overall.

Lori Crawford Joins the Ranks of the Top 5% of Agents Worldwide

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PRESS RELEASE

 Local Realtor Honored with Prestigious Award

Lori Crawford Joins the Ranks of the Top 5% of Agents Worldwide

Palm Harbor, FL February 6, 2013: The esteemed Coldwell Banker International President’s Circle award was bestowed upon respected Realtor Lori Crawford by the Palm Harbor Coldwell Banker office. This distinguished honor for sales associates places Crawford in the top 5 percent of over 82,000 sales associates worldwide in the Coldwell Banker system.

With a 16 year career that began auspiciously with the Rookie of the Year Award in 1998, Lori Crawford has remained a well-regarded Realtor with active licenses in both Georgia and Florida.

In her very first year in the industry she achieved multi-million dollar producer status and continues to maintain that superior level of achievement. In addition to earning certifications by Cartus Network as a Marketing Specialist (CNMS) and a Network Buyer Specialist (CNBS), Crawford was recognized with the Coldwell Banker International Diamond Society Award in 2012 for being in the top 9% worldwide, and now in 2014 with the International President’s Circle Award for joining the top 5% internationally.

Throughout her celebrated career, Crawford’s listing clients have consistently benefitted from her use of the latest technologies, targeted market research, and business strategies, while receiving impeccable service.

Specializing in Trinity, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Clearwater, and Safety Harbor, her unique brand of professionalism makes Lori Crawford a preferred resource to represent both buyers and sellers.

Coldwell Banker is an industry pioneer that has trail blazed new paths at every opportunity. They were the first full-service real estate brand to launch a national website, stream listing videos online, create social media and iPad applications, and design mobile-friendly sites. Coldwell Banker will “never stop moving” and will always be at the forefront of providing exemplary service and trusted counsel to home sellers and buyers, in addition to best-in-class support and educational tools for its network of real estate professionals. For a complimentary market analysis, visit Lori Crawford’s website at TrinityEastLakeRealEstate.com, or contact her at (727) 234-8002.

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Florida Real Estate Trends in January 2014

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florida real estate for saleIf you’re in the market for good news, this month’s trend report for the West Central Florida region offers exactly that! Three key indicators have revealed movement in a very positive direction.

One aspect (always of particular interest) is the actual supply – how many homes are available for sale.

Each of the three counties (Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough) are showing increases. When January of 2013 is compared to January of 2014, the increase is actually almost a full month for each county.

While you may think too much inventory is not a good thing, in this case it is a vote for consumer confidence. These numbers tell us that many homeowners who were once in a negative equity position have since escaped that position. The stabilization in their home’s equity has resulted in their decision to enter the market as an active listing.

Besides inventory increases, sales have increased in both Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties:

In Pinellas County: 5,448 Single Family Home sales closed in the past six months; an increase over the 5,323 closed last year.

In Hillsborough County: 7,611 Single Family Home sales closed in the past six months; an increase from the same period last year by 430 homes.

We can also report that Short Sales and REOs remain a key component of our market. A Short Sale is a type of real estate transaction in which a homeowner who is experiencing a hardship and in danger of losing their home enters into an agreement with their lender to accept less than what is owed on the house.

An REO (Real estate owned) is a class of property owned by a lender—typically a bank or government agency as a result of an unsuccessful sale at a foreclosure auction. We are seeing an increase of REOs in the market as compared with this time last year, and a reduction in Short Sales.

These facts reveal a good deal of consistent optimism in a market sometimes characterized by divergent trends. If you have any questions about your county, or even the specifics of values, etc. in your neighborhood, feel free to contact me for a complimentary analysis.

Real Estate Resolutions and Goals

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real estate consultationsIf you are considering selling your home, you probably want to also prepare for what to expect when you close on the sale. In other words, a little insight into what awaits on the buyer’s side of the transaction. Ideally, you want to secure the best advantage possible when it comes to what you need and where to spend your money.

Renting a home can be the ideal solution in some circumstances: perhaps you are going through a life transition, moving to a new part of the country and want to determine where you will feel most at home, etc. But if you are renting and considering to buy, or are ready to sell and purchase another home, your wish list should include your long- and short-term goals.

  • The best solution is to take the emotion out of the process. Real estate is an investment; it needs to be considered accordingly. So front and center on your list is what you can afford to pay on a monthly basis to include: PITI (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) as well as maintenance cost projections, utilities, and possible HOA fees.
  • The left side of the page should contain the wish list of amenities: pools, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, etc.
  • The right side should contain your goals: will you be working out of your home, do you have children poised to move out or back in, are you looking to live there for 3 or for 30 years?
  • This literal picture of your objectives will go a long way in the consultation with your Realtor. And depending on where you want to live, you might even be able to afford a home that may have previously been fiscally out of reach.

As in any financial decision, the consideration of your long- and short-term goals while making sure you have a comfortable cushion to prepare for any eventuality is a must. The best advice I can offer is to be certain you surround yourself with real estate and financing professionals who will help assess your circumstance from every angle.