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Saint Petersburg, FL Real Estate News

By Anne Hensel, Realtor - Broker - St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island
(South Beaches Real Estate Professionals)
The Real Estate market in St Petersburg, Tampa bay area is changing by the day. You have to monitor it constantly and go by small areas if you want to get the whole picture. break it up into our little barrier Island cities, the downtown area, go as far as looking at subdivisions and how they are doing. For example, St Pete Beach and Treasure Island and Madeira beach are right next to each other within a few mile strip right along the Gulf of Mexico, but we see different market conditions and different price structures, so you really have to know the area. Prices have gone down in all of these areas and it is a buyers market right now. There are some fantastic deals out there, unfortunately some people have to sell their property if they want to or not and f you find one of these home o...
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By Cyndee Haydon, 727-710-8035 Clearwater, Beach Short Sales Luxury Condos &Homes
(Charles Rutenberg Realty)
  St Petersburg, Florida Public Boat Docks The City of St. Petersburg, Florida announced this past Thurday, their new "Courtesy Boat Docks" in time for all to enjoy this Memorial Day Holiday weekend. The addition of these St Petersburg Boat Docks will make downtown St Petersburg an even better day trip destination for Tampa Bay boaters.You can use these docks for only $1! Get all the details by visitng .... Sandbars to Sunsets  Tampa Bay, Florida Waterfront InfoOther info and great places to go by boat along the Tampa Bay, Florida Waterfront:   Boat Friendly Waterfront Restaurants - Part I: Clearwater Beach & Island EstatesThis Real Estate market is Crazy - Island just SOLD for $225,000 in Pinellas County, Florida!Tierra Verde Future Neighbors - Can I borrow a Cup of Sugar White Sand? L...
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By Cyndee Haydon, 727-710-8035 Clearwater, Beach Short Sales Luxury Condos &Homes
(Charles Rutenberg Realty)
   In St Petersburg, Florida this Saturday several of the museums are participating in ArtsAlive and all admissions and exhibits are FREE. The Tampa Bay area was recently voted #1 Place for Retirees in Kiplinger's Magazine. One of the criteria we were recognized for was a breadth of art, museums and cultural venues.Don't miss this chance to see the many artistic treasures that call St. Petersburg home.This event is from 9:30am to 5:00pm.  You can Park and ride the St. Petersburg Looper Trolley for just $.25 - when was the last time you could take in this much culture for only $.25!Some of you may know that I am a certified painter, teacher and faux finisher - I don't get to do any of them as much as I'd like anymore but I always enjoy the opportunity to expereince the creative works of ...
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By Sharon Simms, St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
(Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International)
Vinoy Place is a condominium development in downtown St Petersburg, Florida, adjacent to the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel. It has four towers surrounded by townhomes, all in a gated community. The towers have gorgeous waterfront views of the Vinoy Basin and Tampa Bay, and most units also have a view of the downtown St Petersburg skyline. The buildings were completed in 2001 and 2002.There are currently 7 condominiums in Vinoy Place listed for sale in the Pinellas Realtor Organization Multiple Listing Service, ranging from $799,900 for a 1,793 sq ft unit to $2,990,000 for a 4,326 sq ft unit.  Two are under contract, listed at $950,000 and $1,250,000.  Two Vinoy Place condominiums have sold this year, one for $760,000 and the other for $1,825,000. Zip Code 33701Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent ...
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By Sharon Simms, St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
(Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International)
Parkshore Plaza is a luxury highrise condominium in downtown St Petersburg Florida on Beach Drive NE. Retail shops, a restaurant and city homes fill the three stories that rise from the sidewalk - the tower site back on the site. Views are across Straub Park to the waterfront - Vinoy Basin and Tampa Bay beyond that. The building was completed in mid 2006.There are currently 19 condominiums on the market in Parkshore Plaza, ranging from $569,000 for a 1,422 sq ft townhouse to $785,000 for a 2,384 sq ft condo in the Parkshore Plaza Tower, to $3,500,000 for a 5,600 sq ft condo on the 22nd floor of the tower.Three "city homes" in Parkshore Plaza have sold in 2007 for prices ranging from $539,000 to $1,275,000 and one unit in the tower sold for $2,376,500. Zip Code: 33701Sharon Simms, Real E...
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By Sharon Simms, St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
(Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International)
Broadwater is a neighborhood in southwest St. Petersburg, west of US 19 and north of the Pinellas Bayway. Most of the homes are waterfront homes, primarily on canals leading to Boca Ciega Bay, with some homes directly fronting on Boca Ciega Bay. Most of the homes were built in the1970s, with a few from the 1960s and a few in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Some of the homes have been torn down and had new, large homes built on the lot. There are presently 24 homes on the market, 23 of which are in the Multiple Listing System. Broadwater waterfront homes (16) range from $575,000 for a 1,784 sq ft 3 bedroom 2 bath home with pool, birdcaged screen enclosure, 2 car garage, dock and boat lift to $1,895,000 for a 4,585 sq ft 3 bedroom 2-1/2 bath home with pool, screen enclosure and 2 car garage.B...
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By Sharon Simms, St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
(Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International)
RattleFish Raw Bar & Grill is coming to downtown St. Petersburg. This casual seafood restaurant has been popular for years at Bayside Marine on Tyson Avenue in Tampa. Now this lively restaurant is coming to St Pete, in the location formerly occupied by Julian's at the Heritage, which closed in April. Its location at 234 Third Avenue N (actually the entrance is on 2nd St) is just across from Baywalk, so you can combine your meal with some shopping, multi-screen movies including IMAX, or a walk along the waterfront just two blocks away.Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area.
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By Sharon Simms, St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
(Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International)
Saint Petersburg, Florida, May 11, 2007:Sun Plaza Isles is an older neighborhoods in the northeast section of St Petersburg, Florida. Most  homes were built in the late 1950s or early 1960s and are typically smaller and with less garaging than we build today. Homes typically range from 1100 to 1700 sq ft. Most have one car garages, many have none and an occasional one has a2 car garage. There are both waterfront and nonwaterfront homes. Canals are generally narrow and not very deep, and you have to go under low fixed bridges to get to Tampa Bay. There's great fishing nearby and the neighborhood is close to both St Petersburg and Tampa, especially close to the employment centers at Carillon and Gateway.In Sun Plaza Isles there are currently 17 homes on the market, 15 of them waterfront h...
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By Sharon Simms, St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
(Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International)
Saint Petersburg, Florida, May 11, 2007:Sun Lit Shores or Sun-Lit Shores is an older neighborhoods in the northeast section of St Petersburg, Florida. Most of the homes were built in the late 1950s or early 1960s, so are typically smaller and with less garaging than we build today. Homes typically range from 1100 sq ft to 1700 sq ft. Most have one car garages, many have no garage - some have been converted to living space - and an occasional 2 car garage. There are both waterfront and nonwaterfront homes. There is a boat ramp for public use also. The canals are generally narrow and not very deep, and you have to go under low fixed bridges to get to Tampa Bay. There's great fishing nearby and the neighborhood is close to both St Petersburg and Tampa, especially close to the employment ce...
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By Sharon Simms, St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
(Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International)
Today I was exchanging e-mails with an investor who has not been able to sell their condominium that closed last August. Their St Petersburg condo is beautiful, in a great location, a well-built building, and is priced well. But no buyers. We were discussing the possibility of renting the unit for a year. Our investor and recent property owner clients who have opted to rent for a year in hope that the real estate market would improve, are generally only able to rent for half of their costs. It was interesting to see that Shirley Rigo, a local real estate agent who specializes in rentals, was quoted in the Tampa Bay Business Journal as saying that flippers are only covering about half of their nut through rentals. Same numbers! This seems to be the case in much of the Tampa Bay area. If ...
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By Sharon Simms, St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
(Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International)
 This may be effective marketing, but how, you wonder, is this Creative Code Compliance? Well, St Petersburg city officials are quick to enforce sign regulations, especially in downtown St Pete.This hot dog vendor, one of many offering quick, inexpensive lunches people can take to the parks to eat (this one located just across from Signature Place condominium construction and a block from the Ovation condominium construction) decided to      take credit cards so that the nearby office workers and tourists wouldn't have to find and spend cash. He put up a sign to advertise that he took credit cards and was quickly told by the City to remove the sign. So - he bought a mannequin, cut it to suit, and positioned his credit card machine on top of the mannequin's feet. He's a happy man, and so...
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By Sharon Simms, St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
(Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International)
 The Veillard House in downtown St Petersburg, Florida, has had an interesting history. It was built in 1901 and designed by Henry DuPont for Ralph and Minnie Veillard. Veillard had a farm supply business/general storeand was in local politics. Originally from Laval, France, he came to St Pete via Canada, Baltimore and Ocala. DuPont designed several St Petersburg buildings, the most noteworth being the Don ceSar Hotel. He did not design a lot, as he stayed small with only a few draftsmen - he did his own electrical and mechanical drawings.The crenelated or rusticated concrete blocks are typical of the St Petersburg homes built between 1900 and 1915. Most are gray concrete color, so this pink-brown tone (brownstone) is unique to the area. It has some elements of the bungalow style (note ...
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By Sharon Simms, St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
(Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International)
 Muvico, the 20 screen theater at BayWalk in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, has announced that it will be bringing a big screen IMAX to St. Pete. This should premier on May 4, 2007 and the first feature will be SpiderMan. I'm excited about having IMAX just a few steps from my office (the nearest one has been in Tampa) but I think I'll wait for a different feature. Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area. 
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By Sharon Simms, St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
(Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International)
St Petersburg, Florida: April 23, 2007Vinoy Place condos - Market UpdateThere are currently 8 condos that are active in the local MLS, ranging from $799,900 for 1,793 square feet to $2,495,000 for a 3,600 sq ft unit in the Towers, and one townhouse at $2,990,000 for 4,326 square feet.One condo unit is under contract, which is listed for $950,000.So far this year two condos have sold, one at 2,023 square feet for $760,000 and the other with 3,630 square feet for $1,825,000.Downtown St Pete is where the trees are in the foreground, so restaurants, museums, shopping and all kinds of attractions are within walking distance. The marina was destroyed in a hurricane, and is currently under reconstruction by the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel, which is adjacent to the condominiums on the west.Sharon S...
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By Cyndee Haydon, 727-710-8035 Clearwater, Beach Short Sales Luxury Condos &Homes
(Charles Rutenberg Realty)
Public Notice....Beware! - A man eating Venus Flytrap was spotted in Saint Petersburg.  Gottcha....The man eating plant is actually harmless because it's the Audrey 2 and is the star of this years American Stage play, Little Shop of Horrors. Every year Jack and I go to the American Stage's Play in the Park. It's held at Demen's Landing which is a city park is located on the site of the first railroad pier in St. Petersburg, This city park is in the heart of the St Petersburg's Sailing district.We always arrive early (at least an hour before the gates open) to get great seats in the park. our favorite are those on the border of the blanket section and the low chair section.  This way we can throw down our blankets to picnic the 2 hours before the play begins and then move into our chairs...
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By Sharon Simms, St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
(Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International)
  Ovation Condominiums - St Petersburg, Florida This looks something like a monument, doesn't it? It's one of 195 foundation supports for the new luxury condominium, Ovation, being developed by JMC Communities and The Sembler Company. Caissons - which can be from 40 ft to 100 ft tall, and 2 feet to 4 feet wide - are vibrated down into the ground hydraulically. This is much more pleasant for the adjacent owners in the Florencia condominium as well as the businesses and tourists in downtown - piledrivers pounding away for months wouldn't be very pleasant.According to Steve Coppins, the Project Manager, the caissons are vibrated down and then concrete is poured in. Once the concrete has set, the casing is vibrated back up out of the ground.  Ovation will be 27 stories high, with 45 condomi...
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By Sharon Simms, St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
(Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International)
The Detroit Hotel - significant in the history of St Petersburg because the story goes that two men flipped a coin over the naming of the city - the one from St. Petersburg, Russia won, and the one from Detroit, Michigan, was only able to name the hotel. The hotel was converted a few years ago into condominiums, many of which retain the original brick walls and wood floors. Just behind the hotel is Jannus Landing, site for many popular concerts.This site is one of the stops on the nightly Ghost Tour of downtown St. Pete. Then you can learn who haunts Jannus Landing and the old Detroit Hotel. This post was inspired by Mary Pope-Handy's blog about haunted buildings in her area. She even has a website           HauntedRealEstate.com  so there must be LOTS of haunted houses in her home town...
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By Sharon Simms, St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
(Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International)
May 20, 2007, St. Petersburg, Florida: Progress continues on construction of this downtown St Pete highrise condominium, Signature Place. Along the fence are panels showing the skyline and a sample kitchen from the building.This construction is the West Building, which will have retail, offices and some condos. The developer, Joel Kantor, expects to be topped off by July 4th. The building should be ready for occupancy by March 2008. Kantor will be moving his office into the building as soon as it's finished.The condominium tower, with its signature sail shape of glass, is expected to be completed a year later, by March 2009.Sales are progressing well, though there are still some units available.   Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches...
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By Sharon Simms, St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
(Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International)
First - we have a balmy weekend - sunny days in the 80s and cool evenings in the 60s. The main event - with awareness of the pun - is the Mainsail Arts Festival at the Vinoy Park in downtown St. Pete. Set in a broad park along the waterfront, there are approximately 270 artists displaying, chosen from over 1,000 applicants. There are paintings, sketches, woodworking, sculpture, photography, jewelry, mixed metals - lots of variety and of course, lots of food. Enjoy the music while you're there - blues, jazz, etc. Also in downtown St Pete the American Stage is doing their play in the park at Demens Landing - Little Shop of Horrors. Take a picnic meal, add a bottle of wine, and enjoy. This morning started with the Saturday Morning Market on Central Avenue - food, crafts, plants, and a fest...
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By Jamie Schaefer
(Remax - Gulf Coast / St. Petersburg, Beaches)
It is a great time to buy. There is a lot of speculation as to whether interest rates for home loans will be increasing due to the new guidelines and other variables. I think it is a great time to buy while interest rates are low and home prices are decreased.
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