Real Estate Market in Wesley Chapel and Tampa Bay Florida

BANKRUPTCY REFORM

Currently, Floridians declaring bankruptcy may shield their home from creditors, but that protection will be weakened once a massive federal bankruptcy bill becomes law -- it won't protect everyone and doesn't always cover the complete value of expensive homes.
The U.S. House approved the bill yesterday; the Senate approved it previously, and President Bush could sign it as early as next week.

Read the full story:
http://www.planetrealtor.com/florida/news/daily/news.cfm?article=n2-04152005

Source: Planet Realtor, FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Got a customer with an airplane? While aviation enthusiasts are landing in Lakeland, Fla., this week for the annual Sun 'n Fun Fly-In convention, which runs through April 18, the luxury-home buyer and aircraft owner doesn't have to travel much farther to find a place to call home. Roughly 66 nautical miles from Lakeland in Ocala is the largest, paved, private airfield in the U.S., Jumbolair Aviation Estates.

The exclusive, 550-acre fly-in community is one of roughly 400 airparks across the nation. Amid Central Florida's horse country, Jumbolair markets itself to home buyers as "a lifestyle and a dream that few people will ever experience." John Travolta lives that dream; he reportedly paid roughly $2.5 million for his 6,400-square-foot home a few years ago, and his Gulfstream II jet and Boeing 707 are parked in his front yard. But the key selling point for Jumbolair isn't Travolta -- it's the 7,550-foot-long runway. Developers, former model Terri Jones-Thayer and husband Jeremy Thayer, take a certain pride in knowing that any jet can land just a few hundred yards from their mailbox.

Source: Planet Realtor, FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

Real estate professionals increasingly are using "cross marketing" strategies to sell unique, upscale properties. Some are inviting famous authors or artists as guests, while others use displays of fancy clothes, art, jewelry and cars to lure affluent buyers. In some situations, the open house becomes a charity event. Rather than bombard high-end buyers with traditional sales tactics, these professionals create a fun atmosphere that generates a buzz about the property. "When you combine the soiree with business networking, there's no limit to what you can do," says Grace Price, a publicist and event planner.

Source: Unique Homes (03/01/05); Martin, Jennifer
© Copyright 2005 INFORMATION, INC. Bethesda, MD (301) 215-4688