Real Estate in Gainesville, FL

Bosshardt Open House Blitz - Jan. 31st, 2010

2010-01-20T12:38:00.000-08:00

Our next Bosshardt Blitz is approaching quickly! It's Sunday, January 31st, 2010. There will be a ton of open houses throughout the day so buyers can take their time cruising the town and checking out some possible homes to purchase. The Blitz will go from Noon-4:30pm with some homes only being open half the time frame (noon-2pm and/or 2:30pm-4:30pm).

For more info on the Bosshardt Blitz, give me a call at 352.316.5556 and I'd be happy tell you more about the Blitz and get you a preview of what homes will be open that day.

If you'd like a personal tour of these or any homes, we can arrange that as well. Just let us know what you're looking for. If you're looking to sell your home, this would be a great time to put your house on the market and have it accessible for several buyers to walk through! Call us today for a free CMA and an opportunity to learn what we can do to get your home sold!

10 day limit on Short Sales may spur the market

2010-01-18T07:19:00.000-08:00

I found this article from the Miami Herald and thought it was worth sharing (below)...

It discusses new rules designed to speed up the short sale process. Buyers in Gainesville, FL (and I'm sure everywhere) want to get a deal on a short sale or just happen to fall in love with a home that is going through the process. However, the long, emotional roller coaster banks put the buyers through can push them away and cause them to buyer another less desirable, more expensive home.

Hopefully this will spur the market!

Link: http://www.miamiherald.com/classifieds/real-estate/story/1424542.html?storylink=mirelated

Longleaf Village Sales Report

2010-01-13T13:26:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in a previous post, Longleaf Village has been one of the best selling new construction communities in Gainesville, FL. Matt put together a market report of all of the home sales in the Longleaf community to show exactly what has sold.

You can view the market report by clicking on the link below. If you'd like more info on Longleaf, visit http://www.liveinlongleaf.com/ or contact us directly by phone. We are Realtors who live in Longleaf. We do not represent the exclusive builders, so we can be your direct agents to represent you as a Buyer. OR, we can assist you in selling your home if you currently live in Longleaf and wish to sell your home.

Longleaf Village Market Report:

http://www.liveinlongleaf.org/documents/activity_report(05.01.09-01.13.10).pdf

Time to buy in Gainesville, FL

2010-01-13T08:55:00.000-08:00

Now that we're actually in 2010, we're seeing customers start to move a little more. It felt like there were a lot of people just looking in the Fall because they really didn't have a timeline at that point and knew they didn't need something until the Spring or Summer.

But NOW, they're thinking, "I'm running out of time!" After all, it's mid-January and there are a ton of buyers out there wanting to take advantage of the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, which limits them to closing by April 30th, 2010.

With the stricter lending guidelines and there being a good amount of shortsales in Gainesville, buyers need to realize that it's more difficult to close in the traditional 30 day time period. While a quicker close is possible, lenders and closing companies are needing closer to 45-60 days to make the closing a smoother transaction. That means, that buyers need to contract on a home by the end of February to feel comfortable that they'll be closed in time!

So, if you're looking to take advantage of this credit, start moving! If you'd like us to send you a customized search for homes that would meet your criteria, just let me know. Since we're a husband and wife team, one of us are always available to meet with you and show you properties and answer questions.

For more info about homes for sale in Gainesville, FL and the surrounding areas, give us a call or email at:
352.316.5556 or MattandTiffany@BosshardtRealty.com

Longleaf Village

2010-01-12T13:20:00.000-08:00

We're continuing to see Longleaf Village as one of the best selling communities in Gainesville, especially amongst the new construction homes. Both of the builders, Robinshore and Tommy Williams, are offering competitive prices, nice floor plans and a good amount of upgrades.

Both builders are even offering floor plans starting under $200,000! One of the newest of these is The Newport by Tommy Williams with a base price of only $189,900. This plan is a 3 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom with 1,432 sf and is considered a "Village" home that has a rear entry garage.

For more info on Longleaf Village and the builders, call us at 352.494.0194 or 352.316.5556.

We are local realtors who live in Longleaf and are here to represent your interests. We can assist you in negotiating with either of the builders or we can also show you resale homes in Longleaf or other areas. Since we went through the build process, we understand what it's like to build your dream home and we know how to take the stresses out so that it is a fun and enjoyable process.

You can also visit our community web site that is still under construction at http://www.liveinlongleaf.com/. For comments and suggestions, send us an email or post a comment to this blog!

First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

2010-01-11T12:58:00.000-08:00

The First Time Home Buyer Credit has been extended and many of our buyers have had questions about how it works and who all it applies to. I found a useful web site with some frequent questions/answers about the credit. Check out the site's link below...

~Tiffany

Frequently Asked QuestionsAbout the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence. The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.

For sales occurring after November 6, 2009, the Act establishes income limits of $125,000 for single taxpayers and $225,000 for married couples filing joint returns.The income limits for sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009, are $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married taxpayers filing joint returns.

Web site: http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/faq1.php

Helpful info if you're Moving to Gainesville, FL

2010-01-11T10:38:00.000-08:00

I was looking into additional info on Gainesville for our buyers moving to the Gainesville area and found this older article in the Gainesville Sun. It was written in January of 2008, but still is very appropriate. I hope everyone finds it as interesting as I did whether you've lived in Gainesville, FL a while or are moving to Gainesville, FL.

~Tiffany

Newcomer's Guide to Gainesville

(http://www.gainesville.com/article/20080114/WORK/249641587?template=art_plain)

Published: Monday, January 14, 2008 at 11:35 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, January 14, 2008 at 11:35 a.m.

Since you're reading this Newcomer's FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on a computer, we’re going to cut to the chase and help you settle in to the Gainesville area as fast as possible.

The list of potential subjects for inclusion here is enormous, of course. But the goal of the guide is to focus on what’s most important to most new arrivals the first few days in town.

So, here are eight questions and answers to get you started:

SCHOOLS

Q: Where will my children attend school?

A: New residents should first call the school zoning office at (352) 955-7700 to find out. You may also want to visit the Web site of the Alachua County School Board at http://www.sbac.edu/, or call the board at (352) 955-7300.

FACTOID: Alachua County has 30,000 students in 44 schools and centers, all accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The district has the highest percentage (60%) of instructional staff with advanced degrees in Florida.

UTILITIES/RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

Q: Whom do I call or visit for utility hookups, such as telephone, cable TV and power?

A: Gainesville Regional Utilities provides electric, gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications services in the urban area. Cal GRU at (352) 334-3434 or visit online at http://www.gru.com/.

Cox Communications provides cable television service to the Gainesville area. Call Cox at (888) 269-9693 or visit online at http://www.cox.com/gainesvilleocala/.

Alachua County Office of Waste Collection, for county residents, can be reached at (352) 338-3233 or http://www.wastecollection.alachua.fl.us/.

City of Gainesville Garbage and Trash Collection, for city residents, can be reached at (352) 334-5042 or visit http://www.cityofgainesville.org/hosted/pubworks/sw_index.cfm.

BellSouth provides the area’s telephone infrastructure and is the leading telephone residential and business service provider. Call BellSouth at 1-888-757-6500 or, if out of region, 1-800-753-0710. Or visit http://www.bellsouth.com/

FACTOID: In addition to being in one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, Gainesville and Alachua County, population 230,000 or so, also have a highly transient student population of about 62,000 young people, more than 25 percent of the total. Four times a year, there is major “churning” of utility accounts, phone numbers, newspaper subscriptions and other services.

PETS

Q: I’ve got a dog and a cat. Any special rules for them?

A: They need to be licensed, and in order to be licensed, you must have proof of rabies vaccination. Contact the Department of Animal Services at (352) 955-2333 or visit http://www.animalservices.alachua.fl.us/.

DRIVER LICENSE AND LICENSE PLATE

Q: How do I get a Florida driver license and a license plate for my car?

A: Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles advises new residents to 1. Obtain your Florida driver license; 2. Then obtain automobile insurance from a company licensed to do business in Florida, and 3. Finally, title and register your vehicle (obtain Florida license plate). Call (352) 955-2111 or visit http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/offices/alachua.html to begin this process.

EMERGENCIES

Q: If I have a medical emergency, or a fire breaks out or someone is breaking in, what do I do?

A: Dial 911 in any of those situations, and have your new address ready. Response will come from the appropriate city or county fire rescue or law enforcement unit. You can visit them online, too, for non-emergency information: Gainesville Fire Rescue at http://www.gfr.org/ , Alachua County Fire Rescue at http://www.firerescue.alachua.fl.us/ , Gainesville Police Department at http://www.gainesvillepd.org/ and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office at http://www.alachuasheriff.org/

FACTOID: One 911 center now serves Gainesville and the surrounding area. Calls from both inside and outside the City of Gainesville are received by the Alachua County Consolidated Communications Center next to the Sheriff's Office at 2621 SE Hawthorne Road.

SHOPPING

Q: Where do people shop around here?

A: Two major retail locations are the Oaks Mall and Butler Plaza.

At the Oaks Mall, just east of I-75 at Newberry Road, you’ll find over 140 stores including Abercrombie & Fitch, Ann Taylor, Bath & Body Works, The Children's Place, Hollister Co., Victoria's Secret, Yankee Candle Co. and and JoS. A. Bank. You can visit the Oaks Mall online at http://www.theoaksmall.com/html/Mallinfo.asp.

At Butler Plaza, just east of I-75 at Archer Road, you’ll find Target, Wal-Mart, Lowes, OfficeMax, Best Buy and Eckerd Drug Stores. Butler Plaza is also home to many restaurants: T.G.I. Fridays, Texas Roadhouse, Olive Garden, The Outback, Ale House, Hops, Checkers, Chili's and Taco Bell. You can visit Butler Plaza online at http://www.butlerplaza.com/ .

A smaller retail area, but closer to downtown Gainesville, is found on NW 13th Street, north of 23rd Avenue. You’ll find Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and other discounters in this area. Across town to the west, you'll find Home Depot off Tower Road, just west of I-75 and Newberry Road.

Thornebrook Village, at NW 34th Street and 23rd Boulevard, offers boutique and specialty stores, including wine and seafood retailers. Plaza Royale, just west of 34th Street on Newberry Road, offers a stadium-style movieplex, several restaurants and a Talbot’s.

Downtown Gainesville is home to Union Street Station (http://www.unionstreetstation.com ), a retail-residential complex with boutiques, restaurants, specialty retailers and residential condominiums. Union Street Station is adjacent to the award-winning Hippodrome Theatre, the Sun Center and other downtown restaurants, nightclubs and attractions.

FACTOID: Gainesville serves as the employment base and commercial center for a 12-county region with a population base of more than 850,000 within a 40-mile radius.

DIRECTIONS

Q: Any tips on finding my way around Gainesville?

A: Ah, yes. The city is divided into four quadrants: northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast. The center of that quadrant is downtown at the intersection of University Avenue and Main Street.

An easy way to remember east-west routes is to remember the word "APRIL," since the letters in that word (except "I") represents a route that runs in an east-west direction. Avenues,"A"; Place, "P"; Roads, "R"; Lanes,"L". Routes running north south are Streets, Ways, Drives, and Terraces (SWDT).

FACTOID: The International Student Services office at the University of Florida has done a nice job of explaining this at http://www.ufic.ufl.edu/iss/handbook/gainesville.htm . Check it out!

MY FIRST WEEKEND HERE

Q: What could I do my first weekend here to give me a taste of Gainesville?

A: That’s going to take more than one weekend. Gainesville is an educational, retail, service and business hot spot in a relatively low-population region known as North Central Florida. The engine that drives this community’s economy, its culture and its spirit is the University of Florida. So drive or bike over to campus this weekend and spend some time walking around: see Lake Alice, Century Tower, the O’Connell Center, Shands Hospital. The next day, take a trip outside Gainesville, maybe the town of High Springs, where you can rent a canoe and float down the Santa Fe River. And don’t forget the Harn Museum of Art, the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the Florida Museum of Natural History, Crescent Beach and Cedar Key.

At some point, you’ll be driving on SW 34th Street along the south side of the UF campus and mutter something like, “What the hey?” Keep your eyes on the road and, if you must, park and walk back for a longer look. Known as The Wall, it’s the much-discussed, but pretty much accepted ground zero of graffiti in Gainesville. All rites of passage seemingly are celebrated in paint here.

All of this is but a part of the taste of Gainesville. And like we said, it will take longer than a weekend, a lot longer, to sample it all.

FACTOID: Tom Petty, a 2002 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was born Oct. 20, 1950 in Gainesville and grew up here. Bonus for reading this far: Ellas McDaniel, aka Bo Diddley, also a Hall of Famer, was born in Mississippi on Dec. 30, 1928. He lives in Gainesville.

We live, work and play in Longleaf!

2010-01-09T20:43:00.000-08:00

This is a great web site to check out for homes in Longleaf Village, a newer community in SW Gainesville. The web site was created by us to give current and prospective owners a place to learn more about the community and share info.

We live in Longleaf and absolutely love it! The club house and amenities are fantastic, all our neighbors are extremely friendly and the front lawn maintenance is included in the HOA dues.

This site is under construction, but please feel free to check it out and let us know if you have any questions or suggestions...

Click here:
LongLeaf Village - Information about LongLeaf Village as a community Gainesville, FL.

Introducing... The Thomas Group!

2010-01-09T20:29:00.000-08:00

Hi! We are Matt and Tiffany Thomas and we are Multi-Million Dollar producers at Bosshardt Realty Services, Inc. We are both Broker Associates who have been in the industry since late 2005 and we call ourselves The Thomas Group. We work hard for our customers and whether you are a buyer or seller, you can rest assured we will fully represent you and your best interests.

For Sellers...We use our advertising, business and internet technologies’ backgrounds and experience to aggressively market your property. Our goal is to sell your property for the highest price possible in the shortest amount of time.

For Buyers... Buying a condo or home can be one of your most meaningful investments in life. You are not only choosing a place to shelter your family, but quite possibly investing a large portion of your assets. The more educated & prepared you are from the beginning, the less stressful and chaotic the buying process will be. Our goal is to provide you with all of the detailed information you need to assist in making an intelligent and informed decision.

Call us today if you or someone you know is looking to buy or sell real estate in the near future. You can also check out our various web sites located at the bottom of this blog.