You’re a homeowner and are behind on your mortgage. It happens to the best of us, but what can you do? You may be upside down on your mortgage and considering walking away from your home, or stressing out trying to figure out how to keep it. But there are ways to avoid foreclosure, a short sale being one of them. Short sales are best handled by a Realtor who is Certified Distressed Property Expert (“CPDE”) certified. They are trained to handle short sales and other foreclosure avoidance options and will work with you to get you through a stressful situation.

But why even worry about a short sale? It’s been said they are hard to get and can’t be accomplished before a foreclosure happens. Or worse yet, banks aren’t even approving them, so why bother? Besides, it would be an embarrassment having all my friends and family know that I owe more on my house than it’s worth!

The truth is banks and mortgagors don’t want to foreclose. It’s an expensive process and they are left holding a property they then need to sell to recoup their losses. Foreclosure is a process that takes time. If you qualify for a short sale, a bank would rather take a smaller loss on your payoff than pay the foreclosure costs and sale costs of the property.

As for embarrassment, it’s obvious that if your home is in this position, theirs might be too. In this economy many markets are suffering from devaluation of real estate. If your neighbors aren’t they might just have been lucky enough to have purchased before values soared. Either way you aren’t alone in this situation. Millions of Americans are in the same boat.

If you are looking for a great CDPE Certified Real Estate Agent in the Palm Harbor or Dunedin areas of FL, (zip codes 34683, 34697, 34698) give us a call today! 727.366.0325

Centered along a charming but thriving thoroughfare called Main Street, naturally, the quaint but bustling downtown business district has become a model for many other west-central Florida cities.

Although there are more than 100 businesses, you will see very little of the loud commercial signage that assults the eye in so many other Florida cities.  Antique stores, art galleries, pubs and upscale restaurants cozy up to more pragmatic businesses in harmony.

Recreation and business form an organic whole as the waterfront real estate flows into downtown and the Pinellas Trail, a 34-mile long bicycle and pedestrian trail that traverses all of Pinellas County. You are just as likely to see a bicyclist or in-lineskater cross Main Street as a car or pedestrian.

And this is definitely a foot traffic kind of place! Yearly activities such as the Dunedin Highland Games, an homage to its Scottish settlers’ roots, major art and craft festivals, art gallery hops, a sailing regatta, concerts and weekly farmers’ markets are a great source of pride among the locals, and bring people from all over the world!

The Dunedin Fine Art Center, not far from downtown, is further proof that this community supports the arts in a big way. It offers classes, exhibitions, summer camps, and programs and lectures galore.

Like sports? Since 1977, Dunedin has been the spring training home of the Toronto Blue Jays, as well as the class-A Minor League Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League. Dunedin is one of the smallest communities used by Major League spring training teams. Dunedin Stadium is situated next to the Dunedin Public Library a few blocks south of downtown on Douglas Avenue, and is just two blocks east of Edgewater Drive, the serene waterfront drive that links Dunedin to Clearwater.

So many people fall in love with downtown Dunedin that they end up buying homes here. Go with a Dunedin FL real estate agency that knows the area inside and out – the Pinellas Peach! Call Julia (727-366-0324) or Matt (727-366-0325) Fishel today!  

Beautiful Edgewater Drive — a stretch of Alt. US 19 — offers peaceful and serene view of the Intracoastal Waterway and St. Joseph’s Sound.

Commuters have been known to go out of theri way to drive home along this road because it really helps them unwind!

Here are the highlights of Dunedin, FL waterfont life:

Dunedin Marina

Drive through the city, west along charming Main Street, and you will dead-end at the the city-owned marina. Located across the street from beautiful Edgewater Park, the Marina is on the Intercoastal waterway between the Dunedin and Clearwater causeways.

The Marina consists of 194 wet slips for recreational, transient and commercial vessels. It is so popular, there is a two year waiting list for permanent slots! A few short steps from the Marina are many fine restaurants and all the downtown shops.

Honeymoon Island

Drive across Dunedin Causeway to enjoy the sparkling sand, mangrove swamps, and tidal flats of this lovely natural state park, which, believe it or not, was once called Hog’s Island!  The island is well known for shelling, as the Gulf currents deposit an amazing variety of seashells along the sugar white sand. Nature lovers come to stroll the beaches, watch osprey nests and shorebirds, and admire one of the few remaining virgin slash pine forests in Florida.

Caladesi Island State Park

Hop a ferry from Honeymoon Island to Caladesi, one of the few completely natural islands along Florida´s Gulf Coast. Its white sand beaches were rated America’s Best Beach in 2008 and always rank at the top of national polls. Beach lovers can enjoy swimming, sunbathing and beachcombing. Saltwater anglers can cast a line from their boats or surf fish. Nature lovers can scan for wildlife while hiking the three mile nature trail through the island´s interior or paddling a three mile kayak trail through the mangroves and bay. The park also has a marina with electric and water hookups, as well as a snack bar and gift shop. The park is accessible by boat or ferry.

Weaver Park

The newest Dunedin waterfront venue is Weaver Park. Located less than a mile north of Skinner Street on the Pinellas Trail, visitors will enjoy the water views, the park grounds and the 600 foot fishing pier.

The Dunedin FL waterfront offers amazing possibilities for fun as well as real estate finds. To learn more about this incredible Florida waterfront town, call Julia Fishel at The Pinellas Peach -  (727) 366-0325 – for a tour today!

We can always tell when out of town-ers are checking out Dunedin, FL real estate for the first time – they call and ask about “Dune-din” and what it has to offer. The actual pronunciation is “Dun-edin” and we are MORE than happy to share the current benefits of living here, as well as, a bit about the great historic roots of this super neat coastal town!

Dunedin FL History

Scottish families originally settled the area in the 19th century led by J.O. Douglas and James Sumerville. They named the settlement Dunedin after Dùn Èideann, the Scottish Gaelic version of their homeland’s capital, Edinburgh.

The early settlers grew cotton and citrus where downtown now stands. In fact, Dunedin quickly became one of Florida’s most important seaports when settlers built docks large enough to accommodate trade vessels. This distinction no longer stands, but Dunedin’s marina and waterfront lifestyle are a very important part of its appeal.

Dunedin was incorporated as the City of Dunedin in 1899 to make it easier to enact laws. Apparently, it arose from complaints about farm pigs running rampant through the settlement, leading to a law against keeping livestock within the city limits.

Dunedin is proud of its “firsts” which are chronicled in the book, Dunedin Through the Years by William L. Davidson:

• The U.S. military’s amphibious tractor, the Alligator, was assembled in Dunedin and used in World War II. This vehicle played a major role in the Pacific phase of the war.
• Frozen orange juice concentrate, and the “Pram” sailboat racer both originated here.
• Dunedin was the first home of the prestigious PGA (Professional Golfers Association).
• The first radio signals from Pinellas County were sent from Dunedin.
• The oldest continuous garden club on Florida’s west coast is the Dunedin Garden Club.

Sister city to Stirling, Scotland, Dunedin cherishes its Scottish roots. Every year, Scottish clans descend upon the city for the Dunedin Highland Games. Started in 1966, the event supports the city’s three competitive pipe and drum bands: The City of Dunedin Pipe Band, Dunedin High School and Dunedin Highland Middle School.

Dunedin retains a strong historical flavor, especially downtown, which has nicely blended with its waterfront lifestyle. It boasts stately historic homes on brick streets, waterfront condominiums and everything in between. It remains a highly desirable place to live with its small town feel (and pride!), vibrant yet low key nightlife and nationally recognized arts community. Its beauty and quality of life. recognized a century ago, is still cherished by locals.

Thinking of moving to this historic treasure on the Pinellas real estate map? For the newest listings and a wealth of information, contact the Dunedin FL real estate experts: Julia (727) 366-0324 and Matt Fishel (727) 366-0325 today!

One of our favorite things about Dunedin is that it has retained the feeling of small town charm being one of the oldest cities on the west coast of Florida. The quaint old-fashioned main street area features shops, restaurants and even the railroad museum and antique stores. For the outdoor adventurer, there are many different activities available like biking on the Pinellas Trail, visiting the absolutely gorgeous Honeymoon Island or sailing from the Dunedin marina.

Something For Everyone In Dunedin Real Estate

One of the most interesting things about Dunedin real estate is that there are waterfront mansions sitting next to 1950’s ranches with a classic wood frame bungalow right down the street. If you are looking for a second home or vacation home, there are high rise condos on the the Dunedin Causeway, with or without boat storage.

As Dunedin real estate agents, we can help put buyers into one of our beautiful new gated communities, a single family home, a charming villa, or even a 55 plus community. For the do-it-yourself-er, there are older style home and even affordably priced fixer-upper gems that we can help you find!

As I am sure you can tell, having the privilege of working with Dunedin real estate buyers is one of our favorite pastimes – if you are looking for a home for sale in the Dunedin area, give us a call today! (727) 366-0324

This area of Dunedin Isles is set aside from the larger Dunedin Isles subdivision and is actually the subdivision of Dunedin Isles Country Club as it is bordered by Bayshore, Michigan and Palm Boulevard (which is where the Dunedin Country Club lives). There are currently three houses on the market in this area (one of which is pending but not closed) ranging from $109,000 for a two bedroom, two bath to $174,900 for a three bedroom, two bath home. There have been no sales of homes in this area for the last 6 months.

If you are looking for an affordably priced home in the great Dunedin area, this is one of the neighborhoods we recommend. It is close to the Dunedin Public Golf Course, shopping, the Pinellas Trail and is literally minutes drive to Downtown Dunedin and all the main street charm! Additionally, it is a bike ride to the Dunedin Causeway which features great swimming, boating and birding.

To give you an idea about the whole of this neighborhood, there are currently 20 active listings ranging in price from $52,000 to $3,995,000 – TRULY a diverse neighborhood!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Give us a call to find out more about this great Dunedin Isles Real Estate Neighborhood!  (727) 366-0325

Dunedin FL Waterfront Homes - Many Styles and Prices Available

Dunedin waterfront home styles and prices vary widely.    You’ll find simple to luxurious waterfront condos and townhomes on Alt. 19 (Bayshore Blvd.) and the Dunedin Causeway.  There are also many single family homes including ranchers, Spanish-style homes and Mediterranean-style estate homes.  Currently there are only 90 Dunedin waterfront homes for sale with 12 having sold or gone under contract in the last 30 days.  Prices range from $62,000 to $1.5M.    Of course, there are many others that offer spectacular water views.

The Dunedin Florida Waterfront Isn’t All …  The Lifestyle Here in a Nutshell

Dunedin is rich with Celtic history.  Today it is a family oriented community though it is also a vacation and second home destination for people worldwide seeking a fun and interesting place to visit or call home.   Although a destination spot for many, it’s important to note that Dunedin does NOT have any of the usual (dare I say ‘schlocky’?!) tourist traps that you will find on Clearwater Beach.   And you won’t find a Starbucks store anywhere near downtown or the beaches though you can find many a good cappucinno.   

Dunedin is a casual community with a wide array of homes styles and prices both on and off the water.   Most residents take advantage of the area water sports, fishing and boating or simply enjoy collecting shells on our soft, white sandy beaches.  Aside from all of the water sports and activities including fishing, boating, wind-surfing, jet-skiing, sailing, kayaking and more, you’ll also find family-friendly neighborhood parks, art shows and festivals, hiking trails, The Pinellas Trail, a sprinkling of antique shops and boutiques, nightlife, and casual and fun as well as eclectic and fine dining.

I confess ….I love this story so much it has made me cry more than once.  ~  Julia

Did you know that …

When kids are removed from a home by Child Protective Services it is usually with no advance notice and often without personal possessions or clothes?   When they arrive at a new placement center or home, having a duffel bag full of necessities to call their own (during a downright tramuatic experience) makes all the difference in the world.

If you’d like to help a Pinellas Foster Child out by assembling a duffel bag full of a few kid necessities (blanket, underwear, toothbrush, socks, stuffed animal, an encouraging book, etc.) – please contact me at 727-366-0324 or Matt at 727-366-0325.  

A quick trip to Wal-Mart can get one bag done for under $40.   Call us and we’ll even pick up your bag(s) and get them to Eckerd Community Services!   Hint, hint ….

For the summer vacation months there are classes for kids of all ages in a setting that will release their artistic talents and provide affordable entertainment and skill building; especially for all those kids that are “already bored” with summer vacation.

Instilling an appreciation of fine art is the center’s focus by providing exhibitions, lectures, studio classes and workshops that can strengthen abstract understanding and inspire creativity. And year round the Dunedin Fine Art Center can host your parties in a venue that is out of the ordinary!

If Dunedin real estate is on your short list of places to live in Florida, then count this community hub on the “pro” side of your list.   Call us with questions at (727)366-0324 with questions.  We’re here to help.

Dunedin Fine Art Center
1143 Michigan Blvd.
Dunedin, FL 34698
PHONE: 727.298.3322

Dunedin Florida is a waterfront town nestled between Palm Harbor (including Ozona Fl and Crystal Beach) and Clearwater.  Two of Dunedin’s claims to fame are the very celebrated Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands situated off the Dunedin shore. The Florida pride is justified in the recent proclamation of Caladesi Island as #1 on the list of best beaches in America. Honeymoon Island is just a 3 minute drive from the mainland and Caladesi Island State Park is reachable via ferry or private boat from Honeymoon Island.

Because of the recent #1 nod, Dunedin Florida has become a hot place to host weddings and to celebrate life’s milestones.  Your guests can enjoy a pampered experience and then kick up some sand and rejuvenate!

The Dunedin lifestyle runs the gamut of outdoor activities like:  windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and jet skiing.  This active way of life is only rivaled by spectacular dining offered at local restaurants like Bon Appétit  and tranquil evenings of star gazing from one of the yachts that dot the blue water of St. Joseph Sound.

For pursuits further inland, Dunedin real estate is architecturally interesting.  As one of the premier Dunedin Realtors in the area, we’ve sold Dunedin homes with styles that run the gamut from spectacular waterfront Dunedin homes to retro ranches.  From any number of these special homes, Dunedin visitors and residents can just take a spectacular stroll to the picturesque and lively downtown Dunedin area with its beautiful parks, Dunedin Marina, and all manner of pubs, ice cream parlors, an eclectic array of restaurants, and shops owned by merchants of distinction.

While any day is a good day in Dunedin, there is a plenitude of multiple fine art and antique shows, festivals, parades, and all kinds of special events that pepper the calendar. To name just a few of the annual festivities: Art Harvest, full scale parades during Mardi Gras, the famous Dunedin Wines the Blues, The Celtic Festival, the Annual 9-day Highland Games, and The Honeymoon Island Seafood Fest & Boat Show.

Bottom line, Dunedin Florida is a lively yet relaxing and picturesque place to call home.