Tampa, FL - You never know what wondrous fun might await behind closed doors! Nothing kinky here... We're talking real estate. Some homes, even the really nice ones, have facades that don't prepare one for what's inside.

Of course, there are the real 'disaster' homes, those with outsides that look far better than their interiors. Very disappointing! The other variety, though, those that WOW! when you go inside, are the real fun ones to see, especially the higher end homes. In most cases, there's nothing wrong with the outside of these homes, it's just that the outside is overshadowed by a spectacular inside.

For instance... The home in the photo to the right, one of my listings, looks fine from the outside - nice, clean, large. However, when the hand carved, Mahogany front doors swing open (a subtle hint that there might be something special coming), one is treated to a delightful surprise that pictures cannot adequately convey. The real difference between a true luxury home and a nice home are the small details and when those come together in a non-obtrusive way, the results can be truly spectacular. But when you're on the outside looking in, you'd never know, unless you noticed something 'off' about the price.

Price can be a revealing 'tell'. If a home seems overpriced for its size, (Please note: many times it will be just that - overpriced), it may be wise to research further, and to get inside to take a look. You might find a hidden gem, with features, accents, finishes, and quality materials that are so superior (the picture to the left is the beautiful and huge kitchen/breakfast room found in the home shown above - please visit: www.560Severn.com to see the rest of this home) to what you had expected, you may be willing to pay much more for the home than you'd originally thought. Those are the really fun homes to see.

When searching for a home to buy, you never know what you might find, so keep an open mind as you look, and evaluate what you actually see, rather than what you had expected to see.

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Tampa, FL - When I was in my 20's, I never gave home ownership a thought.  It was not really an option as mortgage money was tight and interest rates were very high.  Things are different today.  And, there are so many special First Time Home Buyer loan and assistance programs available that almost anyone can, and should own a home.  Even in the current environment, with all the negative things happening in the real estate market, home ownership is still the best way to accumulate wealth, and the earlier one begins, the earlier they will be able to retire - if that is their goal.  And, because of the glut of homes available, there has never been a better time to buy - great deals on wonderful homes abound!

Some of the First Time Home Buyer loan programs have very favorable terms, including those that ignore credit scores and time on the job.  In fact, one program states that recent college graduates, with just two months of employment, can qualify for an interest only loan of up to $417,000, with lower than market interest rates, and require only a $500 down payment - and credit score is not a factor.

If I had programs such as these available to me, and knew about them, I certainly would have taken advantage, and would have been living my retirement dream today.  And that's exactly what everyone who is renting a home or apartment should be doing for themselves.  It's just plain smart.  For more information, please visit: www.PrettyDogRealty.com, or give us a call - 813-944-3115.