By Michael Hinman
Tampa Bay Business Journal

ODESSA — Luxury homebuilder Ariel Homes is breaking ground on the third phase of Keystone Meadows, a 70-acre project off North Mobley Road in northern Hillsborough County where nearly 50 homes are planned.

The builder plans to construct three speculative homes listing at just over $500,000 each, an idea that hasn’t been heard in the housing community for quite some time.

“What we’re seeing right now is people finding that [listing prices] are where they need to be,” said Ariel Quintela, the homebuilder’s president. “I think in ’08, people were still not sure where the numbers would go with what was happening in the economy and all. But now it seems like a good time to buy and an even better time for us to build.”

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By SHERRI ACKERMAN
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA - Ria Gumbs starts preparing in November for her shot at the American dream.

The 33-year-old wife and mother of four from Trinidad enters an essay contest through an agency that helps people find affordable homes.

The prize: a brand new house.

Gumbs and her 10-year-old son, Israel, pour out their hearts on paper. The family desperately needs to leave behind apartment life, where Israel shares a room with his two brothers and sister.

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