Melanie Atkinson: Aging Gracefully

Age is nothing but a number except when it comes to a house.

House Hunting? Maybe You Need Some Rose-Colored Glasses

Melanie Atkinson is a Westchase blogger. She recently wrote this piece.

Desirability is in the eye of the beholder.  But, I would argue, that there are some basic traits that tend to be more universally appealing than others.    Take for example some M&M’s. Which would you rather eat? Ten candy coated morsels from an unopened bag. Or, 10 sticky, half candy coated, warm morsels from the palm of a 2-year old.  I can use eggs as another example. Even though we learned from Dr. Seuss that green eggs and ham are super delicious, I am not sure I would scramble one up if it came out of the shell green…unless, of course, I was eating with a goat on a boat. If the pet store was selling porcupines and puppies and you had to buy one…which one would you chose? My point is, even though someone might like slimy M&M’s, …

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Home Prices on the Rise: Has the Westchase Market Stabilized?

There’s good news on the real estate front throughout America and right here in the Tampa Bay area. But, do you think the trend applies to Westchase?

After years of stagnation, real estate analysts are finally reporting some good news on the home front. According to Bloomberg, home prices rose more than analysts initially thought they would year-over-year in July. “The S&P/Case-Shiller index of property values in 20 cities increased 1.2 percent from July 2011, the biggest 12-month advance since August 2010, a report from the group showed today in New York,” Bloomberg reported. Analysts anticipated a 1.1 percent gain. While that .1 percent might not seem like a lot, it’s translating to seemingly good news in the Tampa Bay area. The Tampa Bay Times reported that local home sales were up 12 percent in July over reports from July 2011. The median sales price also grew by 8 percent, bringing…

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Melanie Atkinson

7:39 am on Wednesday, September 26, 2012

The Westchase market is strong, as evidenced by its low inventory & rising prices!   more ›

Westchase vs. Carrollwood: Which Community Do You Think is Better?

A popular online real estate website took a look at the two Tampa Bay communities and how they stack up against each other.

  Westchase is largely self-contained and benefits from having a master-planned design. Carrollwood’s more mature and geographically larger. But which community’s real estate market is faring better in this weakened economy? According to Zillow.com, when it comes to pricing and sales value, Westchase is hands down the winner. The real estate website recently ran a comparison story that looked at several key market factors in both Greater Carrollwood and Westchase. Zillow pointed out that Carrollwood area homes tend to be less expensive than Westchase, but they are seeing their values rise. “During the last year, Greater Carrollwood home values have risen by 5.2%, while Westchase prices have fallen by 0.5%,” the website reported. “The …

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5 'Finishing Touches' That Can Add Value to Your Home

Small finishing touches can make a big difference when selling your house! Read on for my suggestions.

  Tune into ABC Action News WFTS/TV at 7 a.m. on Saturday, June 9, to catch Melanie Atkinson presenting these tips live during the news hour! When people think about home improvement projects, they tend to think BIG.  Remodeled kitchens and bathrooms top the list.  Not only do these big projects make your home more enjoyable to live in while you are still there, they tend to make your house easier to sell when you are ready to move. However, big projects are not always affordable, or necessary, to really add some style and sophistication to your home.  Before talking about the finishing touches, you have to take care of the basics first.  Your first step is to focus on home maintenance.  Home maintenance isn’t glamorous and fun, but it is …

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3 Questions: Holding a Mortgage Versus Holding a Lease

The jury is out: Leasing a home is legally more beneficial than selling a home and holding the mortgage yourself.

  Contest update: We did not have a winner last week.  CONTEST ON/JTS (official rules here).  JT Simons, P.A., is holding a contest for you to figure out the hidden trivia question in this article. If you win, JT Simons, P.A., will donate $25 to charity. In short, figure out the hidden trivia question, send an email with the answer to JT Simons, and make sure your nonprofit is legitimate. Remember, send the answer to jts@simonslawfirm.com, subject line CONTEST ENTRY, and give me as much information as you can about the nonprofit you want the donation to go to. I need to verify it. I need your first name and the first letter of your last name. Opening Statement Members of the Jury, you are asked to render a verdict on whether it is more …

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Real Estate: Deal of the Week/Steal of the Week

Real Estate Agent Melanie Atkinson brings you the deal and steal of the week in the Westchase area.

Deal of the Week:  11670 Renaissance View Court, Mandolin.  This Bank-owned property has 5bd/4.5ba, 3658 sqft and a pool! Listed at $131 per square foot. Steal of the Week:  12557 Bassbrook Lane, Hampton Lakes at Main Street. Sold for $265,000, 4bd/2full bath/2 half bath, $100/sqft.  What makes this such a great deal? This is a 3 story townhome, with living space on the top 2 floors and commericial space on the bottom floor. If you run a small business, you can have an office at your home.  If you don't, you can rent this space out for extra income.  This is a great concept that really packs a lot of bang for your buck!

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Learn How To Make Your Community Better at This Year's Neighborhood Conference

Register early until March 22 for the Hillsborough County Neighborhood Conference for $15. Registration at the door on the day of the event is $20.

Want to start a neighborhood crime watch? Start a fire prevention education workshop for your neighborhood? Or build an outdoor garden? Learn how to do these things, plus more at this year's Hillsborough County Neighborhoods Conference. This marks the 9th year of the annual event. The event began because "The Board of County Commissioners wanted to create a venue where neighborhood leaders could strengthen our community by coming together to network, share ideas, and develop strategies for making our communities healthier, safer and more attractive," said Wanda Sloan, with the county's Office of Neighborhood Relations. This year's conference will be held at Hillsborough Community College. Speakers include Pat DePlasc with Keep Tampa Bay …

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New Apartments Add To Residential Mix in Westchase

The Camden Montague Apartments recently began leasing to renters.

Community and comfort. Those are the two words that best describe the new Camden Apartment complex recently unveiled on Montague Street and Waters Avenue. The 192 unit complex has a Key West meets Tampa decor, with lots of communal spaces for residents to meet and relax. The complex is one of two Camden complexes recently located in Westchase. The Camden Countryway Apartments -- across the street from the Upper Tampa Bay Library -- will open later this month with 360 units. The Camden Montague complex, located at 9567 Sunbelt Street, has a smaller, close-knit feel, said Janae Pranschke, Camden Montague apartment community manager. Pranschke hopes to offer several recreational activities for the community, including game day and movie …

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More Renters Not a Bad Thing for Westchase

A homeowner association fueled by active, concerned residents is the backbone of a strong community. What does a larger percentage of homes being rented in a community mean for owners?

Homeownership is part of the American dream. It drives other important elements of our overall neighborhood feeling.  Those residents of a community that own their home tend to feel more connected to and have a pride in their community. They participate in more local activities, frequent local businesses and keep their home looking its best while improving it slowly over time. In addition to the financial benefits, homeownership is also associated with higher education, less crime, and happier, healthier individuals, according Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing, a 2010 study conducted by the National Association of Realtors. Renters, according to the study, feel less invested in the physical aspects of the property they …

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