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How to Save on Property Taxes in Hillsborough County
Paying real estate property taxes is a bummer.
However, if you want to save a bit of money on your property taxes, Hillsborough county offers a solution! Taxpayers can save a percentage on their real estate property tax bills when enrolling in the quarterly payment installment plan.
How to apply
Applications for the installment payment plan open November 1st in the year prior to the application period (for instance, applications for the 2023 installment plan program open on November 1 2022). Applications must be submitted before May 1st of the tax year that is being paid. As long as your first real estate property tax payment is made each year, the taxpayer doesn’t have to reapply for this program!
Apply HERE.
Payment Schedule and Savings
One quarter of previous year’s gross tax plus one-half of any adjustment to current taxes, discounted 3%.
One quarter of previous year’s gross tax plus one-half of any adjustment to current taxes, no discount.
Please refer to the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s website for more information about this program and other important information regarding Hillsborough County property taxes.
Article by Lindsey Cox of HD Showings and StratCat SEO & Digital Marketing
How to work with a Real Estate Photographer
Sometimes it can be hard to now what you need to do when working with a real estate photographer.
This guide will help you know what to do & what to expect so that you and your photographer can create beautiful listing photos!
1: Know what you are ordering
There are lots of real estate marketing products available to agents now, and sometimes it can get confusing. When you place your order with a real estate photographer, be sure you know what products you are ordering so that the photographer brings the correct equipment to your photo shoot. If you don’t know what something is- just ask! Any good real estate photographer will not mind explaining their products to clients.
2: Share your marketing plan with your real estate photographer
While our photographers are able to make educated assumptions about what the selling points of a particular home might be, our ideas might not always match you or the seller’s ideas. Be sure to explain what your marketing plan is with your photographer and what features are the most important to you. This way, the real estate photographer can plan their time appropriately and get exactly what you need.
3: Don’t hold back information about the property
Is there a shed you want photographed? Is there a laundry room not connected to the main house? Is there any damage you want the photographer to attempt to avoid? These are all important pieces of information for your real estate photographer. Features that may not be obvious or things that are “non-standard” should be shared so you can be sure to have everything covered when you get your images back.
4: Report back to your real estate photographer promptly if you have concerns about the photos
Sometimes, you photographer might forget to send a specific photo that you wanted, but still has it on-hand. It is best to contact your photographer ASAP in the event of tis, as many real estate photographers delete photos after 7 days. Similarly, if you have concerns about how the photos have been edited, contact your photographer promptly. Most real estate photographers will correct basic editing concerns for free!
5: If you are happy with their work, tell them!
Real estate photographers are always ecstatic to hear that their work is appreciated. Want to take your appreciation a step further? Leave your photographer a Google review and refer your collegues to them!
We hope this guide has helped you better navigate working with a real estate photographer!
Article by Lindsey Cox of HD Showings and StratCat SEO & Digital Marketing
Vintage Boho: The Interior Design Trend to Watch in 2023
The past few years have been all about a neutrals color palate, with grey and white interiors leading the way.
Smooth colors and matching furniture sets made for very attractive interiors that were stylish and impersonal. This is exemplified best by the modern home and modern farmhouse trends. However, in 2023 we are seeing a dramatic shift in what interior design styles are in favor.
Bring on the greenery
Bringing the outside in with potted plants and other natural elements is a trend that has been picking up steam since 2020. Similarly, botanical prints on furniture, soft goods, art, etc. has taken the design world by storm.
Colorful pops
While clean greys and whites are still popular choices, many people are adding some colorful accents to their homes. Some add a bit of curb appeal to their home by painting their front door a bright statement color. Inside, we are seeing more vivid accent walls, wallpaper, colorful furniture, and striking decor.
Antiquing is back
Maximalism > Minimalism
When decorating interiors, many people are getting creative and incorporating many elements into their spaces- from walls full of art to mantles full of tchotchkes. Expressing yourself with decorative pieces has become a big part of many living spaces.
Article by Lindsey Cox of HD Showings and StratCat SEO & Digital Marketing
Preferred Vendor Highlight: Quick to Run A/C
If you didn’t know, HD Showings has a list of preferred vendors for different home- centered businesses.
Our list is based upon both experiences we have had with the vendor and the quality of the service provided. We were delighted to hear that one of our hardest working and highest achieving clients had ventured into a new opportunity!
Quick to Run A/C is an air conditioning company led by Kate Story that focuses on working with property managers, hedge funds, and investors who flip homes or have rentals.
However, they offer service and installs to homeowners, commercial buildings, and new construction as well! Quick to Run A/C is dedicated to providing fast and reliable service to all of it’s customers- regardless of the size of the job. Kate built Quick to Run A/C on trust and loyalty, and she prides herself on providing honest and cost-effective solutions for heating and cooling issues.
Quick to Run A/C works with a wide variety of brands, including Goodman, Trane, Rheem, Carrier, Coleman, etc.
Some of the services they offer include:
- Service calls for thins such as general cleaning, drain flushes, coil cleans, addition of freon, vacuum pans, etc.
- Installs of 2-5 ton units with air handlers in closets, attics, and on roofs
- Heating repair
- Cooling repair
- Installation & maintenance
Quick to Run A/C services the Greater Tampa Bay area, focusing primarily on Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. However, they will venture out to Pasco, Polk, Manatee, and Sarasota counties as needed- just contact them and ask!
Recently, our office manager, Lindsey, had to have her A/C replaced and gave Quick to Run A/C a call. Here is her review of the service from Google:
We hope that you don’t encounter any air conditioning problems in the near future.
However, if you are looking for a reliable company to keep your A/C in tip top shape or you are faced with the need for repair, we at HD Showings highly recommend Quick to Run A/C!
Article by Lindsey Cox of HD Showings and StratCat SEO & Digital Marketing
What is recyclable in the City of Tampa? A Guide
Recently, the Tampa Solid Waste Department released a statement that much of the city’s residential recycling that is being placed curbside is contaminated.
“Contaminated” in recycling is item that still have food or liquids in them or contain other items that are not recyclable. The city calls much of the contamination a result of “wishcycling”- when well meaning citizens place items in their recycling bins that are not recyclable, unbeknownst to them.
To aid in raising awareness about what is and is not recyclable, the City of Tampa has created and app that helps residents discover what is and is not recyclable. Similarly, the city has created an infographic (below) for residents to refer to.
Information and Infographic compliments of The City of Tampa.
Article by Lindsey Cox of HD Showings and StratCat SEO & Digital Marketing
How long should I leave up my holiday decorations?
If you’re like us, you love the holiday season.
Frankly, this is our favorite time of year and we don’t want it to end! However, the decorations have to come down eventually. The real question is: how long is too long to leave up your holiday decorations? Here is a list of some considerations to help you decide when the best time to take them down might be for you!
If you live in a deed restricted community with a Homeowner’s Association, you might want to check your neighborhood’s bylaws to see if there are any rules in regards to holiday decorations.
Obviously, this rule would apply to outdoor decorations only. Many HOA communities have rules and regulations regarding the appearance of the exterior of your home, and have restrictions regarding landscaping, decorations, signage, etc. If you live in an HOA community, this should be the first place you start.
If you celebrate Christmas, you might want to take part in the “Twelfth Night” tradition to time your holiday decoration removal.
Twelfth night celebrates the days from Christmas Day to Epiphany Eve, which is the day that the 3 wisemen visited Jesus. Some people take their decorations down on Epiphany Eve (January 5th), while others wait until the next day (January 6th).
If you want to justify leaving your decorations up longer, “Candlemas” might be the right choice for you!
Candlemas is a Catholic tradition that dates back to the 19th century and sees that your Christmas tree stays up until February 2nd. While not all trees will make it this long, those with artificial trees can continue enjoying the spirit well after Christmas Day (christmastreeworld.co)!
Many Jewish households leave select Hannukah decorations up all year.
It is not unusual for a menorah to stay visible in the home long after Hannukah has ended. The menorah should typically be placed to left of a door on a table near a window (Chicago Jewish News).
Regardless of faith, many people choose to take their holiday decorations down on New Year’s Day.
For many people, this is a great way to “wrap up” the old year and go into the new one anew. Similarly, many people view the end of December a the official end of the season, and therefore your decor should come down.
The choice about how long to leave up holiday decorations is up to you.
Barring HOA exterior decoration restrictions, it is up to you to decide how long you want to leave your holiday decorations up. Happy New Year everyone!
Article by Lindsey Cox of HD Showings and StratCat SEO & Digital Marketing
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