Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine recently rated the top 25 cities in the US for different stages of your life. If retirement DOES NOT mean white belts and Canasta, then St Pete or Tampa Bay, Florida is #1. Criteria for all their cities centered around a strong Creative Class, but specifics for retirees were also vibrant culture and educational opportunities, low crime rate and great health facilities. I think we also qualify (though they didn't choose us in both categories) for #1 as Empty Nesters city, which adds to the Creative Class  performing arts, golf courses and marinas. We have all those. To read more ...Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area.    08/09/2007

The Windward at Harborage Marina is back from the dead. There is a great reason why we keep some of the "dead" projects alive on our website. You never know when they rise to the top again. The Windward offers 62 luxury condominium residences which are conveniently situated at the Harborage Marina on Tampa Bay. If you love being around water, you'll be delighted with the deep-water boat slips and dry-dock storage. As an owner at The Windward, you'll have priority position to lease a slip for your boat, and you'll be steps away from setting sail at your convenience.The condominium residences will be located near 3rd Street S & 11th Ave South, St. Petersburg, FL.  Contact us to be updated with details. 08/05/2007

Bayfront Towers, in a prime downtown St Petersburg location, was one of the first condo towers, and one of the first mixed use developments, with offices, a restaurant and beauty salon on the lower floors and condos above. It was built in 1975, has 255 units and 29 floors. Residents love having a valet to park their car. The common areas are on the top two floors, providing magnificent views from Tampa Bay to the Gulf of Mexico.  The units range from 1 bedroom to 4 bedrooms, and some of the residents have combined two units into one large one. There are currently 11 condominium residences on the market for sale, ranging from $310,000 to $1,650,000. So far in 20-07 there have been 3 closed sales, ranging from $469,000 to $495,000. The most expensive sale was a 1 bedroom condo with a grea... 08/04/2007

Vinoy Place is a luxury condominium development in downtown St. Petersburg, adjacent to the historic Renaissance Vinoy Hotel & Resort. There are a total of 102 units, in 4 residential towers, with townhomes surrounding them on 2 sides. The first two buildings were finished in 2001, the remaining two in 2002.There are currently 6 condominiums available for sale, ranging from $785,000 for a lower, 1,779 sq ft unit, to $2,799,000 for a 4,326 sq ft townhouse. Tower units range from $900,000 to $2,395,000.So far in 2007 there have been 5 sales, ranging from $760,000 to $1,825,000One condominiums is offered for rent, at $4,975/month.Vinoy Place has two pools, expansive common areas and a billiard room Owners and residence can opt to join the Vinoy Club with either a tennis or a golf membershi... 08/04/2007

Parkshore Plaza, a luxury condominium on Beach Drive in St Petersburg, was developed and built by Opus, and residents first started moving in during August 2006. There are currently 11 condominiums for sale: one is a 1,422 sq ft townhouse for $579,000. The other ten are in the tower and range from $1,090,000 to $3,500,000.There have been 5 closed sales this year. Two were city homes at $539,000 and $639,900. Three were in the tower, ranging from $745,000 to $2,376,000. Currently 3 condos are being offered for rent annually, a city home at $2,950/month and two in the tower at $4,000/mo and $5,500/month.Parkshore Plaza has retail shops along Beach Drive and 2rd Avenue N, the Parkshore Grille Restaurant, a gelato shop, a tea shop, and an art gallery. It's across from the park and the Museu... 08/04/2007

There are currently three condos on the market in The Cloisters, ranging from $749,500 to $795,000. There have been two sales in 2007, one for $650,000 and the other for $660,240. There were no sales in 2006 and 3 in 2005, ranging from $725,000 tp $2,150,000.One unit is currently available as an annual rental for $3,500 per month.The Cloisters was built in 1999 and has 32 condominium residences and 2 retail parcels. Market Express occupied the corner, offering coffee, wine, snacks, and some basic groceries. There is also a jeweler and a real estate office. The Cloisters Condo location on Beach Drive is just across from the park, with views of the Vinoy Yacht Basin beyond. Just across 3rd Ave N is Parkshore Grille, with inside and outside dining. Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling h... 08/04/2007

8/4/07   Market report for The Florencia luxury condos, St Petersburg, Florida   Last month there were three units for sale in the Florencia, a JMC built luxury condo. Now there's just one - no, unfortunately it's not because the other two went to contract. One expired and one was withdrawn. Now there's just one available, at $1,100,000, and the owners are firm on the price. 75% of the residents are the original owners from 2000. Seldom do more than two units change hands in a year. The minimum rental period is one year and owners are allowed to have two pets.Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area.  08/04/2007

I am one of these people that always wants to see good site in everything.Well, the last 1 ½ years it has been very difficult in St Petersburg Florida to see the bright site of the changing real estate market.One thing that everybody predicted was that it would drastically diminish the number of Realtors we had in Pinellas County. About 8200 Realtors when the market was still booming, now 1 ½ years later we still have about 7200 Realtors.What is that, 12% or so?Well, according to all kinds of statistics we were expecting about 40% to drop out.All the people that do one deal a year, the "part timers"Has not happen yet, and probably will not, but the attitude has change.2 years ago when you wanted to show a unit, half of the realtors would not even call you back to make an appointment, it... 07/30/2007

If you're looking for a waterfront home, don't miss Broadwater. One reason is its location. It's in southwest St Petersburg, west of I-275 and just north of the Pinellas Bayway and Dolphin Cay, it's a wonderfully convenient location. It's on the east side of Boca Ciega Bay, with the bay and intercoastal separating it from the beach communities on the Gulf of Mexico. It's a short trip to the Gulf by boat, there are no fixed bridges, so it's great for sailboats, and there are dozens of places to boat for lunch, as well as islands for fun. By car, it's less than 5 minutes to I-275 for travel to Tampa or Sarasota, 10 minutes from vibrant downtown St Petersburg, and 10 minutes from the Gulf Beaches (choose your beach mood: St Pete Beach for people and activity, Pass-a-Grille for "old Florida... 07/28/2007

It is unbelievable how they get your money   St Anthony's hospital here in Pinellas county Watch out! I am (again) so mad. I will never understand the health care system. I was due for my annual mammogram, so I called the hospital my doctor recommended, got and appointment and a quote over the phone " I went there, signed in and told them I was self pay and would like to take care of my bill it right now. They gave me a price, it was different from the phone quote, and I made them double check (took her 3 phone calls and 15 minutes) finally the price was established minus a 40 or 50% discount for paying ASAP, I gave them the check, they wrote me a receipt and I had the procedure done. 2 weeks later I received a bill, I called told them I had already paid, they apologized, it was done. T... 07/27/2007

Fifth Avenue NE in downtown St. Petersburg, from the Renaissance Vinoy Resort Hotel to 4th Street has been a hub of construction activity for more months than I remember counting. Lane closures are common, and there's an occasional traffic backup as we wait for a construction crane to move out of the way. Construction has been ongoing with 400 Beach, 475, and the W Plaza.Whitney's W Plaza, on Fifth Avenue between 2nd and 3rd Streets, is nearly complete. The blank walls of concrete on the lower floors is looking better each day as finishing details are appearing on the facade. This building should be ready by the end of August. There are several condos still available for purchase.475, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 2nd Street, is also finishing up and working on interior details. I'd... 07/27/2007

Last night the Grand Bohemian hosted a reception at their sales office in St Petersburg, Florida. The St Petersburg Times recently reported that the Kessler Group had submitted to the City of St Petersburg their proof of financing for the Grand Bohemian Hotel and Condos project in downtown St. Pete. This step was required in advance of their closing on the property on the northwest corner of 2nd St and 1st Ave N, which is scheduled for August 15th. Tami and I are in California and could not attend, so Rob and Amy represented The Simms Team at that gathering. The sales group had new marketing kits and are showing renewed energy with this new milestone behind them. Since the site is only a block from our office (and across the street from the Starbucks we frequent) we'll be watching every... 07/27/2007

Sellers in Saint Petersburg Pinellas County, compare Realtors. I can not say it often enough, Compare, Compare, Compare Finding the right Realtor I was at my neighborhood bar last night and I got into a conversation about real estate with someone that lives in another county and was just here on vacation. Long story short, he was complaining about his realtor who charged 8% commission to sell a vacant lot. And sure enough, here is the question "Anne, don't you think this is a lot of money just to put it in the MLS" Sometimes I do not understand sellers. If you need a new fridge, you go out and you COMPARE. Price, energy efficiency, size, color . . . . Best Real Estate advice I can give to sellers is Compare, and make sure that you get what you pay for Tell the Realtors what you expect a... 07/24/2007

After years of increasing enrollment, the number of students in the Pinellas County schools has now decreased enough that schools are closing. Don Shea, head of the Downtown Partnership, has thought of a possible solution both for empty school buildings and for affordable housing.Shea is considering converting Euclid Elementary School, a two story building from the 1940s, into 9 condos and then to build a dozen or so townhomes surrounding it. To keep costs down, he proposes that the land be owned by a community land trust. He estimates a 3 bedroom unit would sell for $170,000 - half the typical price. Teachers would be the target buyers, and 3/4 of the profits on resales would go back to the trust - primarily to discourage investors. Shea is currently negotiating with the Pinellas Count... 07/21/2007

The P Buckley Moss Gallery at the corner of Fourth Ave NE and Beach Drive in downtown St Petersburg was a landmark and destination for years. Three years ago Tim Finn moved the gallery several blocks north to a location on 4th Street because of all the construction across the street at 400 Beach Drive, Opus' latest luxury condominium tower in downtown St Pete. That building is nearing completion, with the first closings scheduled for late December. Finn is renovating a building on Fourth Avenue NE just behind the former gallery and hopes to have the gallery opened in September.Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area.    07/21/2007

St Pete Creative NetworkI found this group on the web a couple of days ago and signed up to become a member.Tonight was the monthly meeting and I went, not knowing what to expect.It was great. Very interesting.I met a lot of very creative people from all walks of live. The atmosphere was very open and friendly and everybody was in a good sprit.If you are a creative person, you do not want to miss this.Check out the website  http://www.stpetecreative.com/Come join us, you will meet interesting people and gets lots of inspiration.The group is only 4 or 6 weeks old and already has nearly 200 members.I think the number speaks for itself.  07/19/2007

On Monday, July 16, Kessler submitted to the City of St Petersburg confirmation of their $120 million in financing for the Grand Bohemian Hotel and Condos at the corner of 2nd St N and 1st Ave N in downtown St. Petersburg.The closing for the property at 100 Second St N is scheduled for August. This financing confirmation was required before the closing.Construction of the Grand Bohemian will start this fall and completion is expected for Fall 2009. The building will be 32 stories, with the condominiums above the hotel. 52 condominiums and 254 hotel rooms are planned. Staggered balconies scaling the corner of the all-white tower will resemble an Asian lantern.Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area.    07/19/2007

"The county's spokesperson says the fee might be necessary to help counteract the actions of the state legislature and a loss in property taxes."The "tax cut " is a joke in itself  but what officials are saying here in Pinellas County is that "One way or another" we will get your moneyIt is outragesA $3 charge to enjoy Fort De Soto is not going to kill anybody, but this is not the point, when and where does it stop?What else are we going to pay for?Why did we vote for the Penny for Pinellas if this doesn't include funding for our most prestigious beach?High Taxes, High gas prices, High insurance rates. . . you name itWhere is the break that the people are asking for?Where are we heading with this?When is enough enough?I   07/16/2007

International BuyersWe should embrace them not scare them away!Here in Pinellas County like a lot of other " Beach" counties in Florida, European homeowners have a great impact on our market and economy.In our area most of them are from Germany and England.Typically these people come here for a vacation, fall in love with the little beach towns and on a spur of the moment, they buy a waterfront home or condo.They pay their property taxes,(sometimes 3 or 4 times as much as homesteaded properties), hire locals, Lawn Care Company, Tree Company, Pool Company, Cleaning Company, Handy men etc. to take care of the house while the owners are out of town.When they come back 2 or 3 times a year for a short vacation, they bring even more money in and use the local restaurants and shopping etc.The ... 07/13/2007

The Blog Tour USA pulled into St Petersburg Florida about 8p.m. on July 10, 2007 just in time to catch one of our local glorious St Petersburg Florida Sunsets. Sandbars to Sunsets - we've got it all here! Sharon Simms and her husband George, were our hosts for the evening. They graciously opened up their waterfront St Petersburg Broadwater home to the men of Sellsius, Joe Ferrara and Rudy Bacharaty III, on this leg of their trip to meet bloggers across America. This was the first time I had gotten to meet my Pinellas County neighbor, Sharon and her husband, George. She is currently the top Realtor on Active Rain, who until today I had only known though reading her blogs.  I affectionately call her "The Top Banana". I learned she is someone who has always used technology to improve the s... 07/11/2007