Hi Ken. There are many good insurance agents who can assist you in the area. I use Melanie Koulouvaris, Koulouvaris Insurance Agency, 1495 Indian Rocks Rd, Largo; phone: 727-585-7222. Yes, short sales are sometimes unpredictable and require patience (and more work for the Realtor), however, they allow a degree of flexibility in price that is not always available otherwise. We have successfully negotiated and closed many short sale transactions this year. We use a professional negotiator at a Title Agency. In most all cases, I've found that sellers are relieved and happy to be out from under a financial burden and buyers are pleased with the bargain they got on their new home. Bank owned properties can also be a great bargain, but usually they are priced very low for the sole purpose of attracting multiple bids and it is sometimes difficult to be the winning bidder. Please feel free to call me any time on my cell if I can help in your search.

Darla Schroeder, Realtor, GRI, e-PRO
Century 21 Real Estate Champions
4350 Duhme Rd
Madeira Beach, FL 33708
Cell: 727-541-3743
http://darlaschroeder.listingbook.com

Hi Ken,

In an effort to assist people in your stiuation to have access to accurate information, the state of Florida has created a website that posts reliable details relative to insurance rates.

We recommend referring to this site:
http://www.shopandcomparerates.com

Best wishes

Hi Ken

I have owned waterfront homes since 1994, With that comes the flood insurance certainly and the wind in some instances but not all. Insurance rates are very specific to each individual home. I work with a great agent who will give me quotes for my buyers so we can make informed decisions before making an offer on a home. If you have an address in mind I can get you some quotes. She is a broker so she shops around pricing with multiple companies. There are not as many options anymore but her pricing is always very competative. Short Sales do take a little more patience but they can be accomplished with the right negotiators on your team. Then they are a win-win-win for seller, buyer and lender!

Feel free to give me a call and I can help you get pricing for insurance if you have a property in mind or even as an example,

Patty Neri
-Real Estate Consultant
727-278-8084

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Ken,

Regarding insurance estimates - I'd just contact any local insurance agent with the address you're interested in & they can quote you on hazard insurance - Citizens will typically be your only option on the water. Flood insurance estimates are a bit dicier. They'll normally want an elevation certificate that you normally would need to get done by a surveyor. Sometimes the current owner may already have that.

The bigger question is why short sales? Most Realtors avoid them like the plague if they can, especially when representing buyers. Unfortunately, they're a fact of life now, but there are a multitude of valid reasons for staying away from them. I'd list them here but my fingers would get numb before I finished typing. I'll be more than happy to talk to you about them if you'd like to call for more information.

Jim Moran
Broker/Associate - Realtor
Prudential Tropical Realty
W 727-799-2227 ext 223
jimdmoran@tampabay.rr.com