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Get in the driver's seat, we are going home  How to really understand this market & feel good about it

THE REAL INVESTMENT

      (not what you think!) -  March 2007

REAL ESTATE IS LIKE A PIZZA  - Nov 2006

Whatever  is, you can get  in    Clearwater    Dec 2006

The CONDO CONVERSION BOOM

READ CURRENT NEWSLETTER 

If anyone you know is behind in their mortgage or headed to
foreclosure - do them a favor and ask them to give me a call 727-461-0400

Time to buy a house in Tampa Bay area?

 
Forbes magazine, with help from business prognosticator Moody's Economy.com, touts the Tampa Bay area as the No. 1 place in the country to buy a house.

Come again? Aren't we supposed to be in the throes of housing hell?

Hear them out: Because of our area's overall strong economy, Forbes calls Tampa-St.Petersburg-Clearwater a resilient bounce-back market.

It predicts our area will experience a V-shaped recovery, where a market experiences a dramatic decline but rises sharply once it hits bottom.

Based on Moody's Economy figures, Tampa home prices should bottom out in the first quarter of 2008, once the region trims excess inventory. Prices could then rise 10.6% the following year.
 

http://www.weeklyplanet.com/gyrobas...oid=oid%3A52700

Builders and Buyers go for less house, less money

Keep door open today for waterfront's future

Another condo tower in works for downtown

After pleas, Dunedin considers cut in tax rate
Commissioners tentatively reduce the property tax rate by 5 percent. It may go lower, but not without significant budget cuts.

Rents Rise as Apartment Market Is Squeezed  at The Washington Post (reg. req'd), Jul 05

Home loan demand rises amid Fed rate increase Reuters, Thu Jul 6, 7:03 AM ET

Real estate market is steady - Dateline Florida

Real Estate Investors Wary But Still Investing
High-income households say they're ready to invest even though they don't expect big gains in real estate values next year.
 

Sinkhole payouts creating a crisis?
By Garrett Therolf
As millions in insurance claims are paid out, many involved in the process are cashing in.
Go to article

Sale, or foregone foreclosure?

Condo owners can't escape rising insurance rates either

Hot Downtowns: Resurgence
Movie theaters, restaurants, entertainment and retail are following residents downtown, making city living more attractive.

'Bargains' at $1 Million a Unit?
A French-Canadian developer specializes in redeveloping oceanfront property.

RETAIL: Following the Condos

Waterfront homes to replace apartments

More people In Their 20s Seek Homeownership

Tampa Bay headlines

FLORIDA HOMES HAVE INCREASING INTERNATIONAL APPEAL
International buyers in the Florida residential real estate market account for 15 percent of total home sales.
 

Construction cops slam door on bad builders

Mortgage Rates Fell During Past Week
As worries of inflation subsided, the 30-year mortgage rate fell to 5.53 percent from 5.57 percent over the past week, Freddie Mac reports. Interest on 15-year loans fell as well, slipping to 5.12 percent from 5.16 percent during the same period

MORTGAGE RATES DIP AGAIN
Mortgage rates have declined, despite widespread projections of the
contrary, Bankrate reports
 

FLORIDA HOME SALES, MEDIAN PRICE RISE IN MARCH
Last month, the statewide median price rose 28 percent to $212,300; a year ago, it was $165,700.

Long-Term Mortgage Rates Continue to Fall

General Overview of Investment Properties

Are You a Client or a Customer?

The Art of House Hunting

Dispelling the Myths that May be Keeping You From Owning a Home

First Time Buyers: Don't Overlook a Home's Potential When House Hunting

Why Pre-qualification and Pre-approval Helps Your Home Search

Four of Every Five Americans Could Be Owners

First Timers: Can You Master The Three C's Of Home Ownership?

Do You Have Buyer's Paralysis?

Theater's price tag could postpone show
Developer Elias Jafif has grand plans to build a movie theater and megacondominium tower in downtown Clearwater.

'Hyatt Project' nears its start on Clearwater Beach
Developers have paid $2.4-million for permits to build the condo-hotel and public garage.

Beach gains first hotel in years

Boat-slip vote merits undivided attention

Trendy future for 1100 Building on Cleveland

A look at Clearwater development from the Maddux Business report

Boat slips are focus of city's new plan
By Mike Donila
The renovations that residents will vote on are scaled back from 2004.
 

2 plans aim for revitalized coastline

Rethinking growth in marina district
Officials say a six-month moratorium on some projects in a Clearwater Beach district would help them reinvigorate the area.

Sand, sun and surfing the Web This month, the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce began offering free wireless Internet service at a half-mile-long "hotspot" on the beach.

City must educate in depth on marina
With a unanimous "yes," the Clearwater City Council decided Thursday night to ask voters in November whether they want a public marina on the downtown waterfront.
 

City to trim property tax rate, still get $52M
Skyrocketing property values in Clearwater will help cover the city's higher fuel and insurance bills.

Clearwater boat slips move to ballots
City Council members are in agreement that adding boat slips downtown would be a way to revitalize the city's waterfront.

Building boom
Noise from wrecking balls and young people are starting to awaken a city once known as God's Waiting Room.

If you have to ask the price, you can't afford it

Will Atlanta formula transform Tampa?

It's a four-bedroom, two-bath fortress
ST. PETERSBURG - Television home improvement guru Bob Vila was in town last week to shoot several episodes about an affordable hurricane-ready house being fashioned from heavy gauge steel shipping containers better known for cradling ocean-going cargo.

Clearwater wakes up to parking possibilities
For years Clearwater city officials believed it would be possible to find a piece of land in Clearwater Beach, buy it and build a public parking garage on it.
 

Area Beaches Still Make Splash

Cleveland Street makeover to start soon
Tampa Bay Newspapers - Thursday May 18, 2006
Cleveland Street was originally the heart of downtown Clearwater's shopping district, but in recent decades it was better known as the route to and from Clearwater Beach.

CLEARWATER BEACH - The softening real estate market must not have made its way here yet.

Alt. 19 where the residential action is

More commercial properties along the highway seek residential designations, and more condos and townhomes may be on the way.

Finally, work on Cleveland will start
Years in the making, the streetscaping project could begin as early as next month. It is key to revamping downtown Clearwater.

Project swells to 4 condo towers
The Island View has grown from a tiny 39-unit development into a community of 1,500 residents with retail space.

Call it a magnet for capitalism
Stung by the WorldCom bust in 2003, Highwoods Preserve has sprung back in a big way, and sooner than many predicted.
 

Cleveland Street work will be worth it, officials say
Tampa Bay Newspapers - Thursday March 16, 2006
CLEARWATER - If the city's Downtown Communications Plan had to be condensed into four words, those words probably would be "No pain, no gain." At the March 13 City Council work session, Joelle Castelli, the ... (read more)
 

Old junkyard to start new life
Tampa Bay Newspapers - Thursday March 9, 2006
CLEARWATER - Brownfields are dilapidated, polluted and abandoned or underused industrial sites that may contain hazardous contaminants. (read more)

Appraiser's office extends office hours Homestead exemption deadline March 1
Tampa Bay Newspapers - Friday February 10, 2006
PINELLAS COUNTY - Permanent residents of Pinellas County may save approximately $500 or more off of property taxes if they file for a homestead exemption before the March 1 deadline. (read more)

Building toward a 'go-to' downtown

A streetscape project is the next step in a plan that seeks to bring Cleveland Street back to a bustling urban setting.

Developer unveils its plans for beachfront condo-hotel

10-hotel deal includes Clearwater Beach Hilton

Prime property change hands:

A Pennsylvania company is buying up properties along the new route to Clearwater Beach, but the owners are being coy about their plans for the land

Condos off to a smashing start - Station Square in downtown Clearwater

Sledgehammer swings by dignitaries launch the first of several high-rise residential projects planned for downtown.

Condo projects in works around town

Crane Makes American Debut at Clearwater Condominium Project
Constructionequipmentguide.com - Dec. 9, 2005
The Terex-Bendini RT 660B is the new crane on the block in Clearwater, FL. The Residences of Windward Passage, a mid-rise condominium project is being built only 16 feet from the water's edge. (read more)

You can almost smell that theater popcorn
With Tuesday's approval by the Clearwater Community Development Board, the massive Acqua at the Downtown Plaza project is a big step closer to getting built. No wonder members of the Acqua team were high-fiving and hugging each other after the unanimous vote.

Downtown project gets initial approval
The City Council must still approve an agreement before construction could begin on Acqua at the Downtown Plaza.

Mayor revives marina proposal
Instead of expanding the beach marina, Clearwater could save money and add boat slips if voters approve a downtown marina.

Downtown Clearwater gains ally
The nonprofit Clearwater Downtown Partnership will be a private sector advocate for redevelopment, lobbying voters as needed and working with City Hall.

Project joins strategy to energize Clearwater
A developer proposes two towers of condos, hotel suites, an art museum and more for the city's downtown.

Hotel implosion awesome sight, new beachfront condos planned as replacement
Sunday October 9, 2005
In a matter of seconds, the Adam's Mark Hotel on Clearwater Beach was reduced to rubble. (read more)

Former Neighborhood Bar Becomes Business Development Center
The Weekly Challenger - Sunday October 9, 2005
Isay Gulley dreamed about creating a place that would make a difference in Clearwater's Greenwood neighborhood. (read more)

Dunedin clears way for upscale townhomes
City leaders approve two projects. Unit prices for both will start at $600,000.

Project style change suits commission
Developers of the Marina condo-retail complex redraw their building to mesh better with Main Street's look.

City approves bayfront development district
Tampa Bay Newspapers - Thursday September 8, 2005
The City Council last week unanimously granted preliminary approval to Orlando developer Dave Clark's request to double the size of his Clearwater Cay Club, from 24 acres to almost 50 acres, and turn it into ... (read more)

Developers want to move mansion
If the plans are approved, Safety Harbor's Tucker Mansion may have to make way for 23 townhouses.
 

Plans for condo tower get city approval
But the developer says market interest will determine if it follows through with the 25-story tower.

Bridge to get ahead of its opening blast
Because the Clearwater Memorial Causeway will already be open, the celebration will have to be short and one-sided.

Architect would remake Biltmore
The Orlando architect for the developers says their plans include using part of the hotel in a town center.

Clearwater Girds For Condo Boom

Clearwater Bridge to open September 1st
WTSP-TV Saint Petersburg - Tuesday August 2, 2005
Tampa / St. Petersburg - TampaBays10.com Tampa Bay's 10 News Main Menu Include Links From Newscasts News Weather Hurricane Guide Return to Flight Traffic Cams Traffic Pulse Sky Cams Extras Special Stories This ... (read more)

HOT DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENTS

Plans call for new building to tower over downtown

A huge draw, and a huge drawback

Designed to stimulate Clearwater's downtown, Acqua at the Downtown Plaza would include a movie theater and a tower almost as tall as St. Petersburg's Bank of America building.

Dunedin considers a pause in building
Officials are concerned that future redevelopment projects will alter the character of the city. The city attorney says a moratorium would last about six months.

Plan offers 'downtown atmosphere'
A developer proposes turning Crossroads Mall into a mixed-used complex with a theater, apartments, offices and retail stores.

Smart developers add a pinch of public space
St. Petersburg Times - Sunday July 10, 2005
Some of the most visible private projects in North Pinellas have won official buy-in in part by including public spaces. (read more)

Building may go from dull to dazzling
The owners of the windowless Clearwater Center office building plan on redeveloping it into 71 high-end condos with office and retail space.
 

New plans for church site, City Hall offer win for all
Developer Opus South has made some smart changes to its proposal to buy and develop the bayfront property where Clearwater City Hall now stands

Developers rushing to beat July deadline
Turning Clearwater Beach hotels into condos will become harder.

Condo, hotel towers may rise on the beach
St. Petersburg Times - Saturday May 28, 2005
A boxy beach hotel could make way for condominium and resort rooms, adding more swank to a beach already headed four star. (read more)
 

Condos may rise on church property
If built, the 25-story project, called Water's Edge, would be the tallest building in Clearwater.

Winds of change buffet old beach hotel
St. Petersburg Times - Thursday May 26, 2005
Born as a cottage retreat during World War I, the Clearwater Beach Hotel blossomed into the city's most celebrated beach getaway, an upscale oasis for high society. (read more)

Mixed-use complexes gaining popularity
There are plans for at least eight mixed-use developments, where residents won't have to drive to shop or to have fun.
 

Memorial bridge columns rising
The old cracked ones are coming down for a project originally thought ready by early 2004. It is now scheduled to open Sept. 1

Towers plan on drawing board  3 May 2005
Voters may have a say in November on the latest proposal to transform downtown

Hibbard requests cut in property taxes

St. Petersburg Times - Friday April 23, 2005

Mobile home parks swept up to make place for 248 new townhomes
St. Petersburg Times - Friday April 22, 2005
A developer plans to build 248 townhomes at the former Tropical Breeze and Sunset Lakes sites. (read more)
 

New condos to rise over beach
St. Petersburg Times - Wednesday April 20, 2005
JMC Design and Development is again bringing a project to Clearwater Beach, this one replacing the Holiday Inn. (read more)

Golf course edges toward townhomes
St. Petersburg Times - Wednesday April 20, 2005
Developers received the first of several needed approvals Tuesday to replace the Countryside Executive Golf Course with up to 280 townhomes. (read more)

Beachside boom town  27 March 2005
Developers are putting a skyline on Clearwater Beach, and turning up the luxury on what has been a blue-collar destination for decades.

Flurry of development calls for review of rules
March 20, 2005
Many Clearwater Beach residents and visitors have watched with concern as redevelopment washes over the island and, in their eyes, threatens to sweep away everything familiar. (read more)

Clearwater City Council OKs 350-Unit Beach Resort - 3 March

Two 25-story towers proposed - 25 Feb 2005

Downtown office building may go condo - 23 Feb 05

1 resort, 5 plans - 21 Feb 2005

Clearwater approves resort - 17 Feb 2005

Project is glimpse of town center  - 11 Feb 2005

Banking on Old Bay's promise  - 24 Jan 2005
Two developers say their projects will draw middle-income home buyers to the area north of downtown Clearwater.

Trump firms up plan to tower over Tampa - 10 Jan 2005

Hyatt to rise on Clearwater Beach - December 3 2004

Townhome builders gobble up slivers - Dec. 3 2004

Tampa Bay cost of living is below the U.S. average - November 25 2004

Clearwater Beach growing faster than expected - November 16,2004

Developer says resort would begin beach's transformation - November 12, 2004
Buyer found for Calvary Baptist campus - November 2, 2004

Church finds buyer for downtown sites - November 1, 2004

Upscale housing project beckons - Oct 18, 2004

Clearwater Beach Hyatt to be condo-hotel hybrid - October 14, 2004

Clearwater ponders beach rezoning to allow short term residential rentals - September 23, 2004

Townhomes to rise on Fort Harrison - September 19, 2004

Condo-conversion firm buys two communities - September 18, 2004

Developer says Town Lake plan in downtown Clearwater improved - September 14, 2004

Florida's taxes are among the nation's best, with exceptions - September 13, 2004

Condo-hotels debut along the beaches - September 9, 2004

Condo project may spark downtown Clearwater - September 9, 2004

Clearwater Beach bridge now set to open in a year - August 31, 2004

Clearwater approves Beach Walk financing - August 27, 2004

Real estate investors still looking to Tampa Bay - August 26, 2004

Island Estates marina to make way for high-end condos - August 26, 2004

Property values buoy Clearwater city budget - July 13, 2004

It's Florida's time to shine - July 11, 2004

Downtown Dunedin to see major changes with mixed-use project - June 24, 2004

Clearwater condo project given 90 days - April 21, 2004

Florida ranked sixth most tax free state in the US - April 7. 2004

Costs squeeze condo tower designers - May 19,2004

Downtown condo tower gains city's final approval - Feb 23,2004

Downtown Clearwater condo tower gains city's final approval - February 20, 2004 

Downtown Clearwater tower okayed - January 21, 2004

Clearwater's plan has it all - December 24, 2003

Waves of change for Clearwater Beach - December 22, 2003

Townhouses catch on with home buyers - December 22, 2003

Developer hopes downtown Clearwater town homes will appeal to young residents - December 20, 2003

Clearwater site offers alternatives - December 19, 2003