If you are thinking about selling your home in the near future, keep one thing in mind.The price has to be right.You have to make sure you are competitive.Do your research, find out what other homes in the area sold for.The market here in Pinellas county Florida is not as bad as most of the media wants you to believe.We are still selling homes and condos, but only if the price is fair.Over priced listings sit on the market forever and once you drop the price, you might be chasing the market.So, best advice is to get it right in the first place.Do your homework, talk to your realtor, look at the recent sales statistics.  01/06/2008

There are two separate Tyrone Garden condominium communities located in St. Petersburg. They are located between 57th and 58th streets north and 12th and 14th avenues. They are geographically separated by 13th avenue. The one on the north side of 13th avenue is legally described as Tyrone Garden Apts Condo and the one south of 13thavenue north is legally described as Tyrone Garden Apts Unit 2 Condo. Each of these properties consists of four buildings built in 1969.Both of these properties are condominiums that have land leases and require owner occupancy (units can not be rented). Some of the differences between the two properties are as follow: Tyrone Garden Apts Condo consists of 58 units, has no age restrictions and allows small pets. Tyrone Garden Apts Unit 2 consists of 57 units, i... 01/05/2008

It doesn't really matter on which site of the deal I am, most home inspections are a nightmare.  Or maybe I should say Home inspectors.It is perfectly understandable that buyers have a home inspection because they want to know if and what is wrong with a house or condo. The part that I do not understand it that most home inspectors do not make a difference between cosmetic items and warranted items.I am a single agent for the seller on this deal and I just received a 3 page home inspection summery report (for a 5 year old home) of all the things that are wrong, or might be wrong, or might break in the future. Yes, the carpet has stains, but does this really belong in a report? The paint is 5 years old, so yes it has little chips and scratches, and yes, the AC is not brand new, but it is... 01/05/2008

Our last two months of 2007 have blessed us with several sales more that we've had during the fall months and our buyers seem to have realized that there are very good buys available right now.  In Florida the weather will be great, spring like conditions and we will begin seeing more visitors during this time.  Seller's appear to be more willing to be realistic and have also become aware that they have a lot of competition.  At the same time, Interest Rates are great.Call me optimistic but I believe we will see a great few months ahead. If you are interested in buying I believe this is the time and my advice to sellers is price is dictating buyers decisions more that features and amenities.Happy Spring!Jim Janolek, Realtor   727-639-0071Coldwell Banker Residential Real EstateSaint Pete... 01/04/2008

This is the time to buy Real Estate here in St Petersburg Florida.I have been in the business for nearly 15 years and I have seen a lot of changes, but never has the market been this good for buyers.There are incredible deals in St Pete, Treasure Island, Madeira beach you name it.Waterfront single family homes for under $400,000A wonderful 2 bedroom 2 bath condo in prestigious Harbourside for $278,000.A 1 bedroom condo motel unit in Madeira beach across the street from the beach for $115,000.Vacant direct beachfront lot for $1,100,000and the list goes on. Foreclosures and Short sales everywhere.Do not miss the boat, don't wait too long, business is already picking up. 01/02/2008

Fuel Group, developer of the proposed Westin Hotel and Residences, has sued the City of St. Petersburg for denying their building application. Orginally Fuel Group was going to built a 39 story tower at the corner of 1st St N and 5th Ave N, but reduced the size to appease the neighbors. They still objected, saying it was not appropriate for the edge of the city near the neighborhood. The appeal to the City Council did not get the decision overturned - the council members listened to their constituents.In Tampa a similar situation has gone on for the last few years - Citivest applied for a permit to built a condominium tower near Hyde Park, and had objects from the neighborhood that it was inconsistent. Again, the city sided with the landowners. In circuit court, the developer won as the... 12/30/2007

Richard Kessler announced yet another redesign of the Grand Bohemian Hotel and Condos, scheduled to rise on the northwest corner of 2nd St and 1st Avenue North. Condo residences associated with a luxury hotel generally command a premium of 25-30%, a touch sell in a market with so many condos available.The Grand Bohemian St Pete will reduce the number of condos from 52 to 22 and will increase the number of rooms by 32, making a total of 292. Groundbreaking is scheduled for next spring, with completion early in 2010.For information on these and other downtown St Pete condos, contact The Simms Team, RE/MAX Metro, 201 2nd Ave N., St Petersburg, FL. Phone (727) 866-0048  e-mail: sharon@simmsteam.com  blog.ssimms.com      www.ssimms.com  12/30/2007

Here in St Petersburg Florida we have lots of boaters, a number that's increasing each year, as in the whole state of Florida. At the same time, marina space where you can rent a slip for your boat in decreasing. Many marina owners want to sell the slips, rather than rent them - thus dockominiums and rackominiums. The best use of waterfront land has also been for condominium projects rather than marinas.Slips here in St Petersburg and Pinellas County are selling for $200,000 and more. That could be 25% to 33% of the price for a waterfront home WITH a dock.In other parts of the country, a dock can add up to $1 Million to the price of a waterfront home.For more ... 12/23/2007

400 Beach  -  downtown St Petersburg, Florida Market Update - December 2007 Though you can't tell from this photo, 400 Beach looks across this park to the Vinoy Basin, the Vinoy Marina, and out into Tampa Bay. Also not in the photo are the spaces for shops and restaurants on the ground floor, which aren't open yet. The first closings started this month, and will probably go on until March. Yes, someone has already moved in! 9 sales have appeared in the MLS so far, ranging from $639,000 for a smaller unit not in the tower, to $1,685,000 for a front unit with 3,534 sq ft. The developer, Opus, still have a few units left. There are 6 units in the Multiple Listing Service, including one "resale" that has closed. They range from $1,675,000 to $5,500,000. HOWEVER - there are really more condo... 12/22/2007

  Right in the heart of downtown St Petersburg this bungalow continues to live. It's been converted into an office, and fixed up, so it's a charming place to drive by or to visit.Rather than tear down all of old buildings, I like when they are repurposed, and renovated. The paint colors are neutral but have enough contract that you see the detailing.The awning on the west side not only adds a bit of interest, but serves to shade the window from the bright sun in the late afternoon.Can't you picture yourself in a rocker or an Adirondack chair on the balcony overlooking the street? Doesn't it invite you to come in?All I'd add would be a bit of color in a pot beside the door - something bright red or bright yellow, welcoming you in.  12/22/2007

Renaissance Vinoy Resort - St PetersburgThe historic Renaissance Vinoy Hotel in downtown St. Petersburg Florida has been purchased by FelCor Lodging Trust of Ivring, Texas, who already own 85 resorts in 23 states. Walton Street Capital, the sellers, purchased the hotel 2½ years ago and have invested $10 Million since then - half into hotel renovations and half into rebuilding the marina which was destroyed in a storm. Marriott will continue to manage the property and existing management will stay in place, according to Russ Bond, General Manager.Hotel guests and Vinoy Club members are looking forward to additional improvements - to the pool and fitness center, for example. Perhaps the new owners will build a wonderful new spa, which was approved by the City of St. Petersburg voters - th... 12/21/2007

400 Beach, a luxury condo on Beach Drive in downtown St Petersburg has just started closing on its condominium residences. Built by Opus, this is a "sister" condo to Parkshore Plaza, another luxury condo that Opus built just a block away that opened in 2006.There are currently7 six condominium units being marketed for sale, ranging from $1,675,000 for a 3,534 sq ft unit to $5,500,000 for a 7,000 sq ft unit. All six overlook Straub Park, the Vinoy Basin and Tampa Bay.The pool deck overlooks the water and catches the breezes.The ground level will be restaurants and shops.  12/14/2007

The Florida International Museum has announced that Vatican Splendors from Saint Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Swiss Guardwill open February 9th and run through May 11th, 2008 at the Florida International Museum on 2nd Avenue North, just a half block from Baywalk. The exhibit will feature 200 items of art and historical objects, many of which have never left the Vatican in Rome. FIM opened its first blockbuster exhibit Splendors of the Czars in January 1995. Many people then asked,         Why St. Petersburg?  to which we replied:        Why not?The success of that show in a then sleepy downtown area is attributed by many to be the impetus for the blossoming of downtown St. Petersburg.For more ...  12/14/2007

It's about time the media got it right--The St. Pete Times has splashed the good news all over their front page on Sunday, Dec. 9th in:  "Priced To Sell".  Bravo!  Kudos to Susan Taylor Martin, who is saying what we Realtors have been telling our sellers all year (at least, the good Realtors)--if you price your home competitively, IT WILL SELL!  Maybe now that it's all over the news people will begin to believe it...Some of the really great statistics the article cites are that 5700 houses and condos have sold this year in 30 days or less.  That's  the same kind of activity we had back in 2004, which was not a bad market.The message to Realtors is:  don't take overpriced listings, and make sure that everyone you know sees this article!  Post an editorial response online at the link abov... 12/10/2007

Websites like Zillow or now Cyberhomes.com?Times have changed; today's buyers and sellers have educated themselves via the internet before they contact a Realtor.A few years ago a thought crossed my mind "If buyers and sellers can find all the information they need on the internet, will they even need a realtor in the future?" I really did not know the answer. Now it is very clear.Buyers and sellers need Realtors more than ever.It is unbelievable how much information you can get on the internet in a short time, but it is also unbelievable how confusing all this information can be.Not just confusing but simply wrong.My favorite is always the Home values that are quoted.How on this earth can a WEBSITE possibly make a price suggestion on a home?By  "numbers only"  How about the golden fauc... 12/09/2007

St Petersburg's Mahaffey Theater will be presenting the Chinese Holiday Wonders on December 29th and 30th this year! This colorful presentation by the New Tang Dynasty's troupe will begin with the story of 'creation' according to Chinese legend. The performance will have over 150 dancers, singers and musicians celebrating the Year of the Pig. The 50 member pit orchestra is led by Rutang Chen who was formerly with the Chinese Central Philharmonic Society Orchestra.If you have ever been to a Chinese performance, you know how enchanting and diverse they are! Do not miss this limited engagement right here in St Petersburg!For more information please contract the Mahaffey Theater directly at 727-898-2100. 12/09/2007

Downtown St Petersburg is indeed walkable, according to many urban residents, despite the findings of a recent survey by Leinberger, who painted all of Tampa Bay at the bottom of 30 metro areas surveyed. Let's see:Can you walk to local services?  Yes. Lots of them.Can you walk to a real grocery store?  Yes. And a butcher shop. And convenience stores.Can you walk to a great restaurant?  Yes. Lots. What kind would you like?Can you walk to work? Yes. Hundreds do.Can you walk to museums? Yes. World-class.Can you walk to art galleries? More than you could count.Is there public transportation? Yes - a Looper trolley. Who needs light rail for a ten square block area?Can you walk to schools? How about both a college and a university?Let's add parks, and marinas, and a wonderful waterfront; hote... 12/07/2007

This morning, on my way to work from the gym, I saw the long awaited sign replacing the old Julian's sign - Hammerhead Grille to open in December (2007). With some of the same ownership as Rattlefish Grille in Tampa, on Tyson, this should be a good destination. It's just half a block from our office - almost equidistant from our parking lot as my office. The building is interesting, and hopefully all the work they've been doing to remodel the interior will pay off. It's just across from BayWalk, so there should be lots of potential customers for them. We'll let you know.More at ...  12/03/2007

A new Latin American bistro and lounge is expected to open December 14th in McNulty Station, a renovated firehouse from nearly a century ago. Just across First Avenue South from the Bank of America Tower, the location is within a block or so of many downtown offices and condos, including Signature Place, scheduled to open in 08 for the west building and 09 for the tower.Professionals in their 30s are the target for this restaurant and lounge, designed to hold 700 people - 200 in the bistro and 500 in the upstairs lounge. Read more ...  12/02/2007

The Salvador Dali Museum and the City of St. Petersburg signed their contract regarding moving the Dali Museum from its current location south of downtown to a more central St. Petersburg location next to the Mahaffey Theater. This 99 year lease was approved by the voters of St Petersburg in 2004 and according to that referendum, today was the last day for signing the agreement - otherwise they would have to start all over with another voter referendum.The main reason for the Dali move is that it will be a more secure environment for the art than its current waterfront location. The $32 million building should be completed in 2010 and the exterior of that building is expected to be more representative of Dali's surrealism. The University of South Florida St Petersburg will buy the 4 wat... 11/30/2007