Walk, Tampa, stress-free, dreams of downsizing, Florida, Beach

5 Quick Tips for Planning Your Best Vacation Yet!

This is the time of year when the weather finally changes and when those summer day dreams from mid-February get closer to becoming a reality. One of the most exciting parts of summer and a staple for many is the Summer Vacation. At this point…
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Open House This Sunday 1-4 PM!

OPEN HOUSE - SUNDAY May 18 1-4pm Super-clean, super big and such a deal. Here’s an amazing 4 bedroom PLUS den, 3 car garage home in Valrico’s Buckhorn Preserve. PRICE REDUCED TO $249,900. Check it out on Sunday 1-4pm.
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To refund or not to refund…that is the question

So the tax deadline is now behind us and for many, the decision becomes what to do with that refund check. We’ve asked our expert and Certified Public Accountant, Marta Strauss, to weigh-in on the topic for our blog readers: Tax season…

Why Do We Celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

In recent years, Cinco de Mayo has taken on the prominence of holidays like St. Patrick's Day as an unofficial day of celebration for all people, not just those of Mexican heritage. So just how much do you know about the holiday, why it started…
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Xeriscaping For Earth Day!

Just in time for Earth Day, choose Florida Friendly Plants for a Low-Maintenance, Natural Landscaping Routine. It seems too good to be true to think that you could cultivate a collection of flowers, shrubs and plants that are native to…
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Facts About Tax Day

WHY IS TAX DAY ON APRIL 15TH AND WHERE DOES THE TAX MONEY GO? All over the country, Americans have been gathering receipts and organizing tax documents, preparing to file their taxes before this year’s deadline, which falls on Tuesday,…
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Open House This Sunday!

Open House Sunday April 13 1-4pm – 2825 Pankaw Lane in Valrico! If your home is bursting its seams, this meticulously-cared-for 4 bedroom plus den, 2.5 bath, 3 car garage home is the perfect solution at a big 2851SF. Located in Buckhorn…

Americans Love Their Pets: A Growing Number of Senior Housing Options Are Accommodating Pet Owners

Pet ownership in the United States has more than tripled since the 1970’s and shows no signs of slowing. In fact, according to the Humane Society’s 2012 survey, 62% of American households have at least one pet!It’s no secret that having…
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What Another Happy D&K Customer Had to Say…

"Dick and Karla did a phenomenal job on the sale of my home in just two months. They were able to guide me throughout the whole process and resolved a few bumps that came along during this transaction. Dick and Karla took the initiative to find…
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Open House, Sunday March 2nd1-4PM-Original Carrollwood

10108 Lake Cove Lane-ORIGINAL CARROLLWOOD’S WHITE TROUT AREA Come see this traditional custom-designed 4 bedroom plus den, 3.5 bath pool home on Lake Elaine.  There are 2 MASTER SUITES, 2 FIREPLACES, spiral staircase, storage galore…

One Home for Multiple Generations? Try This Carrollwood Tradition

According to the 2013 National Association of Realtors’ annual demographic study, Profiles of Homebuyers & Sellers, 25% of buyers purchased homes to care for aging parents. A recent article in the Tampa Bay Times, Who Bought A Home In…

Our Story Of Transition

By Karla Nielsen About six years ago, it became clear that my mother could no longer live alone on the Midwestern family farm where she had spent her entire married life--nearly 50 amazing years.  The reason: she was ill with dementia.  …
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Market Watch for 2014

We are not at all surprised by the National Association of Realtors home sales statistics for 2013: over 5 million existing homes were sold in 2013, the most since the real estate frenzy of 2006 when home sales reached 6.5 million. In fact,…
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Resolve To Keep Your Home Organized in 2014!

2014 is still shiny and new, but how about those resolutions? They seemed like such a great idea, didn’t they? This is just about the time in the New Year when resolve can weaken, fitness plans are abandoned and someone sneaks the Oreos back…
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Open House-Sunday January 26th on Lake Elaine

"Gone With The Wind" Staircase! All this and more in the traditional 4 bedroom plus den, 3.5 bath original Carrollwood pool home at 10108 Lake Cove Lane. Situated on Lake Elaine in the White Trout area – this home has lots to love:  downstairs…

Wheelchair Friendly Home in Lake Magdalene Manors

The seller chose his 3/2 pool home because the floor plan would accommodate a wheelchair. Wide doorways & hallways, pocket doors, lighted closets, grab bars and an open floor plan make this Lake Magdalene Manor home function well. There…
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Florida Supreme Court Issues HOA Ruling

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Dec. 16, 2013: A Florida Supreme Court ruling applies to developers of home communities. The core issue focused on the responsibility a developer has down the road if problems arise in “essential services,” such…
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So What’s An “Ensuite”?

“Ensuite” is a term that is becoming increasingly popular in American real estate vernacular.  The word is used to describe a home that has a floor plan where the bathroom is attached to a bedroom.  This type of floor plan is a convenient…
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Better Bedrooms – Faster Sale!

Here’s a surprising statistic. In several surveys, upwards of 60% of people surveyed listed “bedrooms” as one of the reasons they decided to purchase a particular home. So sellers should not overlook these rooms when preparing to go on…
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A Less Than Perfect Home

Do you have a clear image of your dream home?  Have you created a list with all the “must-have” features you want?  Will you walk away from a home that doesn’t have the picket fenced yard, the swimming pool or the hardwood floors? (Or…
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Flood Insurance Rate Hike Delayed

According to Insurancejournal.com, a select group of Senate and House members has reached a bipartisan agreement to delay changes to the federal flood insurance program that was raising premiums for many homeowners and paralyzing real estate…
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What One Happy D&K Customer Had to Say…

We recently worked with Kim on selling her new home, and she was kind enough to pass on her experience in working with us: "I've used the Nielsen's for several real estate transactions, and each and every time, it has been a wonderful and…

Fantastic New Rental in the Heart of Carrollwood!

Be the first to see this 2/2 villa with 2 car garage and wide open floor plan - right in the heart of Carrollwood.  Screened porch, no back yard neighbors, gated community.  Granite kitchen counters, high ceilings, all appliances and more. …
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Title Insurance and Why It’s Important To You

A home is one of the largest purchases that most people will ever make.  Did you know that when you purchase your home or land, you are actually purchasing the title to the property – not the actual property?  When you close on your home…
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Your Home Purchase “Protection”

In the after-glow of having your offer accepted, are you now worried that you might be paying too much for your new home? Even if you carefully study the market, (homes for sale and those that have sold), there are a lot of outside factors that…