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Flea Market Site Lures Possible Homebuyers

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By KEVIN WIATROWSKI, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 23, 2008

ZEPHYRHILLS - Kelli Ackett didn't sell her house outright at the Big Top Flea Market. But she did get six potential buyers - and one date - out of her six hours in a booth at the Fowler Avenue institution.

"It was great," Ackett said. "Unfortunately, we haven't had a contract, but the exposure was phenomenal."

Ackett rented a slot at the flea market in northeast Hillsborough County after growing frustrated with the region's anemic housing market.

She has waited 15 months for someone to buy her 8-year-old, double-wide mobile home on Ryman Loop just north of the Zephyrhills city limits.

She took the unusual step to market her home with the blessing of her real estate agent, Tammy Wright, who has the house listed at Century 21 Bill Nye Realty.

Ackett said Tuesday she had two people come to see her property with the intention of buying. One failed to qualify for a loan and the other hasn't returned, she said.

"There have been lots of drive-bys," she said.

Ackett wants to sell the property so she can move to southern Alabama to be near her family.

She bought the home three years ago for $118,000 and wants $129,900 for it, a 30 percent drop from her original price.

As for the date, Ackett won't name her suitor. But they do plan to go to the Kumquat Festival in Dade City on Saturday.

They'll be handing out fliers advertising her house.

Reporter Kevin Wiatrowski can be reached at (813) 948-4201 or kwiatrowski@tampatrib.com.

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