Moving home, whether it's to the other side of the country, or just across town, can be a complicated process. You'll need to be prepared for the experience to take up a lot of time and money, and there's a good chance that there will be some serious stress involved too. 
Even after you've found the perfect place to live in Tampa, and dealt with the legal side of buying your new home, you still need to figure out how you're going to get all of your belongings from your old property into your new house. That's one of the toughest parts of moving home - deciding whether you're going to deal with the move yourself or hire a professional team to come and do the hard work for you. Here's your guide to making the right decision. 
Questions to Ask When You're Planning your Move
There are two ways to move home. 
You can either hire a van, call your friends and family, and have a DIY moving party where you all pitch in to get your belongings into your new property, or you can work with a professional. There are pros and cons to both options. For instance, if you go it alone, you get complete control over when your move takes place, and even how you load and store boxes. However, with a solo move, you'll also have to handle all the hard work of moving boxes on your own. 
On the other hand, if you choose to work with professional Tampa movers, you'll need to pay a little more, but you get a quicker, easier, and more efficient experience too. Pro movers can do the heavy lifting on your behalf and help you get your property set up in your new home and more. Before you compare your options, ask yourself:

• Are you on a deadline? If so, then you may need to go the DIY route to make sure that you get everything to your new home on time, unless you can find a professional mover that has time to work according to your schedule. 
• How much money do you have? If you're on a very tight budget, borrowing or hiring a van and moving on your own could be cheaper, although it will require more work. 
• How much help do you have? If you don't have a lot of friends and family to come and help you out with the move, then you'll struggle to complete your move quickly and effectively. 

Which Route Should You Take?
​Usually, it's best to go with a DIY strategy and move on your own when you're seriously strapped for cash. If you can't afford to pay for anyone to help you, and you know that you have friends and family that you can rely on for support, then moving on your own is the more affordable, albeit harder option. 
On the other hand, if you can find some extra cash for a professional mover, you'll often find that this strategy allows for a much quicker and simpler move. With a professional mover, you don't have to worry about furniture and important items being broken because you don't know how to transport things properly. You're dealing with a professional who knows how to get you from A to B as efficiently as possible. What's more, you won't risk injuring your neck or back by lifting heavy objects on your own. 
A professional moving team takes at least some of the stress out of the moving process when all you want to do is get into your new home and start unpacking. 



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Tampa is one of the fastest growing cities in Florida year after year. Many newcomers ask about finding the perfect neighborhood, with friendly people, A rated schools, and plenty to do. For many, my recommendation is Westchase. 
Westchase is a planned urban community in Northern Tampa. Boasting walking trails and nature preserves, it truly maintains that old Florida landscape. Despite it's natural charm, it still offers restaurants, bars, and a vibrant social scene.
Schools are rated 8/10 on greatschools.org, so families are attracted to the area. Activities include swim, tennis, nearby golf, and running clubs. There are over 25 separate neighborhoods, so each neighborhood can keep that close-knit community vibe.
One of our listings is in the heart of an energetic neighborhood, on a cul-de-sac, that backs up to a conservation area. A quick golf cart ride away is the social area with eateries and treats.
Look no further for a Florida home with excellent schools, friendly neighbors, and that community feel. Call us for a private tour.

​10034 Brompton Dr. Tampa, FL 33626

Real estate is a hot commodity, which is why some people use it as part of their investment strategy. One of the best ways to maximize your real estate investment is by owning a rental property. Of course, buying a rental property isn’t right for everyone, but for those who decide it’s a good fit, the rewards can far outweigh the risks.
 
Pro - Passive Source of Income
 
Purchasing and maintaining a rental property is something that most people can do in addition to their day job. Even if your property needs repairs, once it is rented, you have income that is continually coming in without working for it on a daily basis. Depending on your overall debt-to-income ratio on the property, this extra income can be significant.
 
Con - When the Work Outweighs the Reward
 
Even though having a rental property is a largely passive stream of income, there is work involved that can be a bit much for some people. Keeping the home maintained and the added burden of finding good renters are two factors that can be stressful. This is a con that scares some people away, but one solution is to get the help of a property management company.
 
In Tampa, the average rent you can expect from a single-family residential home is around $1,316. One way that a property manager can help is by making sure you get the full value for what your property is worth. You also want to ensure your property manager is thorough in conducting background checks on tenants to lower your risk of running into issues. All in all, these services can ease your stress and make owning a rental less of a headache.
 
Pro - Diversifying Your Investments
 
CNBC explains how owning a rental property adds diversity to your portfolio that helps protect you from risk. Besides the passive income you get from rent, the property itself is an investment that can pay off later in life. There can be downturns in any sector, but if you consider your rental property a long-term investment, you can expect appreciation of its value in the long run.
 
Con - Lack of Liquidity
 
While owning real estate can be a great way to invest in your future, especially for retirement, it isn’t a payoff you can expect to happen overnight. Furthermore, Investopedia explains that because real estate transactions take time, usually months to be completed, the money you have invested in a property can’t be accessed in an emergency. If the money you plan on investing to purchase a rental home is your safety net, or you anticipate needing it for any other reason, putting it into a rental property may not be wise.
 
Pro - Tax Advantages
 
There are costs associated with owning and maintaining any home, but many of these expenses are tax deductible, including interest, repairs, and insurance premiums. These are just a few of the many tax deductions you can get as a rental property owner. Taking deductions doesn’t get rid of the expenses entirely, but it can help improve your bottom line.
 
Con - Ongoing Costs
 
The critical thing for any new property investor is to budget for costs carefully. This includes not only the purchase price of the home but also the ongoing costs you can expect for maintenance, taxes, and homeowners insurance. It’s important to realize that property tax values can rise, and insurance costs can go up as well. Being aware of the potential for rising and ongoing expenses is a crucial part of budgeting. Ideally, you want to have a fund set aside to cover these costs.
 
Careful budgeting is an undercurrent that will affect your entire experience as a rental property owner. Some people are so intrigued by the promise of property ownership that they overlook the major details. This is why it’s so important to analyze all the pros and cons, and how they fit in with your budget and lifestyle, before jumping into the rental market.
 
Let Cowen Property Group help you find the property investment that works for you.
Guest Blogger Bret Engle with Diyguys.net

​This condo is a corner unit with partial beach views, in a building of only 23 units. It has a weekly rental option- so a great opportunity for investment.  The building is within walking distance of great beach bars and restaurants. The building has 2 dedicated parking spots which is a rare find, monthly fees of $593 and priced at $476,000.
Hamilton House #208 Brokered by Luxury & Beach Realty, Inc.

​This condo is ready for you or your renters. It comes fully furnished and is one of the few with a weekly rental option. This boasts a nice community association with recent updates, monthly fees of $482. With renters already booked and repeat clients visiting the area, the price point of $489,000 is a bargain.







​Beach cottage #2403 Brokered by Smith and Associates

​If you are interested in any of these condos or other beach front opportunities, give Cowen Property Group a call today. Live the beach life, you won’t regret it!

Many home buyers come to me ready to start house hunting. They’re excited; I’m excited. The problem is, they haven’t done the necessary work on their credit. And for better or worse, having credit, GOOD credit, can make all the difference in getting the best loan for your new home.

Here are 5 tips to get you credit-ready:

1. Check your report- easy enough! All three agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion offer a free report every 12 months. https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
2. Dispute mistakes- take the time to dispute mistakes and correct them. It’s free and there’s a sample letter for disputes on the FTC website.
3. Payment reminders- paying bills on time makes a difference. If you’re as busy and forgetful as everyone else, set up reminders through your bank bill pay system or on your phone. Yes, there’s an app for that!
4. Reduce debt- it’s a no-brainer but paying down what you owe is a necessity, it’s just not always easy. Keep your credit cards open, but decrease their use to emergencies only. Research credible agencies for consolidation help if needed.
5. Credit know how- read up on credit best practices. You can learn to keep credit open with a low balance, and have a variety of credit if possible.

A great source for credit related questions and topics is the Federal Trade Commission, visit their website: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0058-credit-repair-how-help-yourself
As they say, there is no quick-fix. Credit repair takes time, effort, and a plan. Call us and we can help direct you to local lenders who can get you started on the right track for home buying.

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