Florida waterfront real estate can be an amazing investment, but not so fast, there are downsides, too.

Properties on the water are a good investment because they will always be more valuable than a landlocked one. But that means they are more expensive as well! They sometimes also have access to recreational boating and all the fun it entails: boating, fishing, swimming and water skiing.

Florida waterfront properties are the perfect choice for owners who have a boat. It can save money in the long run from having to pay to dock your boat at a marina or high and dry (if you can even find one with an opening). When you have your own dock, there are no fees or waiting lists!

If you aren’t a full time resident, you can rent the property for higher rents and help pay your mortgage or expenses (as long as your community does not prohibit rentals).

Of course, the best part of Florida waterfront real estate is the views. Waterfront properties have beautiful views of the ocean, Gulf, bay or lake. Views of wildlife and nature, and yes, alligators are an everyday occurrence. Adding the fact that you won’t ever have neighbors, beyond the wildlife, on at least one side of your property, privacy is premium.

But wait, there are some things to keep in mind that aren’t so great. First are those gators! If you live on a lake, pond or canal, gators will be around and may end up in your yard. Just keep animal control on speed dial! In addition to big reptiles, if you have never spent much time in “real” Florida, you may not know about the little lizards that scamper around just about everywhere (not sure I consider these a downside, but have had a couple of buyers scream when they saw their first little fellow!)

Then there are hurricanes… which due to their frequency and amount of damage historically that they’ve caused, make flood insurance and homeowner’s insurance rates very high. That is if you can even get either with the company of your choice, as many companies have stopped offering insurance in the state. And if a hurricane hits, getting out of its way can be a traffic nightmare.

Okay enough of the bad…for every gator sighting, there is a dolphin or manatee sighting! And believe me, the beautiful sunsets outweigh the hurricane threats by about one million to one (a non statisticians estimate on my part!)

All in all, Matt and I ABSOLUTELY think that the good out weighs the bad, making the Florida waterfront an amazing investment. Give us a call today if you would like to find out more about the current opportunities for Florida Waterfront Real Estate! 727-366-0324

Have you thought about buying a Florida historic home? Maybe you have entertained the idea of owning your own bed and breakfast or just find the architectural aspects of such homes intriguing.

Perhaps you have inherited a beautiful historic home that has not been restored. Historic homes have much to offer, and typically much to repair. Before you make a decision and find yourself overwhelmed and committed to a restoration project, take a step back and consider this article!

What Is A Florida Historic Home?

Let’s start with historic homes in Florida and what that means. We are Palm Harbor, FL Realtors, specializing in homes in Pinellas County (the little finger that hangs off the left side of the state). Historic homes in our area range from small wood frame homes like you see in Gulfport or Safety Harbor to huge historic mansions that sit on Druid Road or along the old thoroughfares of days gone by.

Compared to most areas (like the Northwest US), our area of Florida does not have hundreds or even thousands of historic homes for sale, although in other areas of the state (like St. Augustine) there are many more historic properties for sale.

The Condition Of Your Historic Home

Florida historic homes offer their own brand of problems. Rot, termites and past flooding are just a few of the maladies that can plague old homes in the Sunshine State.

To keep your investment safe, first you want to consider the structure of your historic home, hiring an inspector or licensed contractor to do a home inspection. While we frequently wait for the home inspection to schedule the termite inspection (waiting to see if there is any evidence of active sightings), in this case, you will want a comprehensive review of all known problems, making a termite inspection a must-do.

For both inspections, make sure a complete and thorough examination is done. Water damage or dry rot  could end up resulting in a very labor and cost intensive project. It is much less devastating to walk away from your potential new home, paying only the inspection bills than it is to buy a home in need of repairs that exceed your budget.  Prior to initiating repairs, consider the historic value and materials used in the original construction of the home, and then proceed with like materials. Provided you have the resources, all repairs should be considered as “restorative” and use original materials.

Living In A Historic Home

If you will be living in the home, evaluate whether your “new” home will meet the current needs of your family. Often smaller rooms and less bathrooms are typical in historic homes, however you can choose to remove walls and windows or adapt them to create a better suited floor plan, while still maintaining the original intent of the initial homebuilder. Some of these issues may seem more difficult to solve, and may even cause unexpected emotions to flare depending on the importance to the parties involved, when discussing home features. In such situations, it may be wise to evaluate all alternatives and work out a compromise or other option prior to doing the work.

Historic homes can be quite beautiful and definitely worth the expense and love required to restore them. Your finished project will bring a smile to your eyes and warm the hearts of others who visit your home in the years that follow.  Most importantly, though, you will be happy with your decision to purchase and restore your home, knowing you did your homework first!

If you would like to find out about historic homes for sale in Florida, give us a call today 727-366-0324! We love working with buyers and sellers of historic homes in the Tampa Bay area and have a network of other Florida agents we work with in other areas who we can refer you to!

Belleair FL real estate is our business and we love to know the back story of the places we work! Here is a great post on the history of Belleair Fl!

Belleair Florida is located on the west coast of Florida close to Clearwater and some of the best beaches in Florida. It has a rich and diverse history and now is a great residential community of about 4,100 people.

Early on, Belleair was little more than an agricultural sister to Clearwater. But Belleair really hit the map when, in the 1890’s, the Belleview Hotel was opened by Henry B. Plant, a railroad magnate. The hotel included a railroad siding for private railroad cars owned by wealthy winter patrons. It was constructed on a peninsula west of Tampa Bay (in present day Pinellas County), and had top of the line amenities for the day, including yachting on Clearwater Bay, horseback riding in the piney woods south of the hotel; golfing, tennis, skeet shooting and bicycling. By World War I, the 9 hole golf course had become an 18 hole golf course, and in 1920 John McEntee Bowman, owner of the Biltmore hotel chain, purchased the property. It was renamed the Belleview Biltmore Hotel.

The snowbirds of the time started to realize that the area would be a great place to live year round and started constructing residences. In 1925 the Town of Belleair was incorporated and a town planner, John Nolen, was hired to lay out the streets that still exist today. After the stock market crash in 1929 caused a future 1930’s default by the town on improvement bonds, much of the town was abandoned.

During World War II, the historic Belleview Biltmore was used to house servicemen from MacDill Air Force base in Tampa.

After World War II, most of the land south of the Biltmore was purchased by the late E.W. Hallett. The area was cleaned up. In 1944 Georgine Shillard-Smith donated seven acres to create an arts center. In the 1950’s new construction started and the town was again growing, as it did again in the 1960’s. In the 1970’s U.S. Steel purchased the land in front of the Biltmore and the Island to it’s west where condos were constructed. At this time, the residents also set aside land for parks and paths.

Belleair FL Real Estate

Today, the town consists of residences, including single family, multi family and condominiums, three 18 hole golf courses and some commercial and business use buildings, including the original historic Biltmore Hotel. The charming downtown area includes “Antiques Row”, restaurants and boutiques. Our favorite condos are nestled along the intracoastal waterways in the gated Belleair Country Club complex and also along the Belleair Causeway on Harbor View.

Codified rules keep the community the wonderful place to live that it is (for example, we have to have to have REALLY short real estate signs in Belleair to follow town rules!) If you are considering moving to this charming berg and would like to find out more about Belleair FL Real Estate, give us a call or text today!

Belleair Real Estate Listings

Below are all of the Belleair Bluffs homes currently for sale.   For help with a search for homes in Belleair, Belleair Beach or Belleair Shore, give us a call or text us today!

727-366-0324

Showing properties 1 - 10 of 45. See more city of Belleair Bluffs real estate.
(all data current as of 5/22/2012)

1. $160,000 : 435 Mehlenbacher Rd, Belleair Bluffs
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 2,075 sq ft

   Lot size: 9,600 sqft

   Year built: 1967

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 175
2. $169,900 : 1901 Marlin Dr, Belleair Bluffs
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,400 sq ft

   Year built: 1957

   Parking spots: 1

   Days on market: 390
3. $235,000 : 2163 Overbrook Ave N, Belleair Bluffs
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,086 sq ft

   Lot size: 10,160 sqft

   Year built: 1960

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 5
4. $74,900 : 100 Bluff View Dr # 209a, Belleair Bluffs
   
   1 bed, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,050 sq ft

   Year built: 1970

   Parking spots: 1

   Days on market: 239
5. $59,000 : 100 Bluff View Dr # 511a, Belleair Bluffs
   
   1 bed, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,050 sq ft

   Lot size: 36,902 sqft

   Year built: 1970

   Days on market: 83
6. $65,000 : 2525 W Bay Dr # E21, Belleair Bluffs
   
   2 beds, 1 full bath

   Home size: 845 sq ft

   Lot size: 2.84 ac

   Year built: 1974

   Parking spots: 1

   Days on market: 8
7. $149,777 : 100 Bluff View Dr # 208c, Belleair Bluffs
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,440 sq ft

   Lot size: 42,355 sqft

   Year built: 1973

   Days on market: 103
8. $195,000 : 100 Bluff View Dr # 314a, Belleair Bluffs
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,750 sq ft

   Year built: 1970

   Parking spots: 1

   Days on market: 141
9. $174,900 : 2443 Mineola Dr N, Belleair Bluffs
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,659 sq ft

   Lot size: 8,260 sqft

   Year built: 1960

   Parking spots: 1

   Days on market: 22
10. $69,900 : 623 Mehlenbacher Rd, Belleair Bluffs
    
    2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 928 sq ft

    Lot size: 5 sqft

    Year built: 1946

    Days on market: 481

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Thinking of an Ozona, FL relocation? We think that Ozona Florida Real Estate is one of Pinellas County’s hidden gems!

There are pockets of Old Florida style living that can be found by the lucky or the diligent in search of the feeling of simpler times along the waterfront in Pinellas County, FL. Among these quaint Florida towns, Ozona is one the locals like to keep secret.

Just south of the Greek Sponge Docks of Tarpon Springs, and west of Palm Harbor, Ozona is surrounded by three waterways: St. Joseph Sound, Smith Bayou and Sutherland Bayou. The access to the gulf appeals to serious boaters and fisherman, but there is a much fuller lifestyle than just what is offered by the water.

Mature trees line streets of wooden bungalows and older historic homes. A walk around the downtown leads to eclectic shops and beachy eateries. The Pinellas Trail runs through town connecting Tarpon to St. Pete and offers unhindered walking and biking.

Without the hindrance of glaring streetlights, the night sky in Ozona is still dark enough to enjoy a brilliant moonrise on the water, to see the stars and the fireflies. It is a place of sharing pie on the porch, of civic involvement and the annual Christmas Golf Cart Parade.

Homes in the community of approximately 1,100 range from the low $200’s for a cute cottage up to the $2 million dollar plus range. Schools nearby in Palm Harbor get rave reviews from parents. The local high school, Palm Harbor University High, was ranked by Newsweek in 2008 at 208th of the top 1400 public high schools in the nation.

The Ladies Village Improvement Society became the first community association in Ozona around 1893. By 1900, the ladies had raised the funds and accomplished the construction of what is now called the Ozona Village Hall. This historic, community hall has been the setting for dances, plays, parties, weddings, has served as a polling place, library, place of worship and always as a club house. It is the seat of civic pride in Ozona.

A 1993 survey done to inventory the historically significant structures in unincorporated North Pinellas County found 62 historically significant structures in Ozona. It was recommended that Ozona be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The diversity along these streets provides a link to the past and imparts a sense of the present that is distinctly quaint yet flush with the big city amenities and benefits offered by nearby Tampa and St. Petersburg.

When imagining a happy, easy life in sunny Pinellas County, it is Ozona, one of the truly quaint Florida towns, that comes to mind. If you would like to find out more about Pinellas County and Ozona Relocation, give us a call today at 727-366-0324 or request our free Tampa Bay Relocation Guide.

Selling Dunedin Fl real estate is one of our very favorite parts of being Pinellas Realtors! Dunedin Florida is located just North of Clearwater and just South of Palm Harbor on the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s west side. Sunny warm climates with no cold long winters make this a perfect place to visit or to relocate to.

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

We are super pleased that so many Florida waterfront home sellers have chosen us to represent them! That having been said, there are some specific tips that we have for our waterfront seller friends.

Be sure to play up the water! Open the curtains and make sure all the windows are squeaky clean so people will be able to see the great view.

Mention the fabulous sunsets you get to see on the water (and the sunrises too!)

Boat docks and davits are a big plus. When we are writing your description, we will talk about the boat rides to the islands off the coast that you can visit. Great for all day outings or a picnic lunch, maybe a cozy dinner!

If your home is a higher priced property, make sure that you find out if it requires a “jumbo loan”. Pricing your home under this mark can mean that MANY more buyers will be interested in looking at your property!

If you have a dock, check to make sure that it is up to code and does not have any loose boards. Also make sure that the water around your dock is clear of any trash.

For our Florida waterfront home sellers, we frequently recommend they get a pre-inspection. This allows any problems to be found BEFORE listing the property. Believe me, we have seen more than one deal fall apart because the homeowner really did not know that the sea wall needed THAT much work!!

If you would like to find out more about listing your Florida Waterfront Home For Sale, give us a jingle and we will tell you even more of our waterfront tips and tricks!

We are going to be targeting top spots in the Tampa Bay real estate market in the coming months and decided to start with our FAVORITE, the Palm Harbor real estate historic district!

This little piece of town features shops, pubs and our favorite spots for coffee and seafood. Comprised of just a couple of streets, this little area is hot spot for locals, visitors from up north and even exercise nuts who come via the Pinellas Trail.

Click here to view the embedded video.

What does the Palm Harbor Real Estate Market Look Like?

A quick search of the local Palm Harbor real estate market shows that there are currently 13 homes on the market, ranging from as little as $79,000 to $730,000. You may be surprised to know that a price-point of well under a cool million will get you waterfront views and handy access to deep water!

Recent Palm Harbor home sales range from $59,000 to $750,000. Some of the currently available properties include:

• A single family, non covenant controlled home, 3 beds, 3 baths and a 2 car garage on a quarter of an acre for $299,000
• A 3 bed, 1 bath garage conversion home priced for an investor at $79,000
• and a GORGEOUS waterfront pool home with Gulf views, 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths and multi zoned cooling for just $750,000! (this one would have been in the millions just a couple of years ago!)

Want a chance to take a peek and see what is currently on the market today? Sign up for our Tampa Bay Home Search site, ListingBook, and get a chance to search like an agent!

Well there you go – our favorite Palm Harbor real estate hot spot, the historic downtown district! If you would like to find out more about Palm Harbor real estate or other Tampa Bay homes for sale, give us a jingle and we will get started right away!

Are all Florida waterfront homes for sale pricey? Well, there are cute Crystal Beach Florida homes that ARE super affordable!   I thought I’d share one of Crystal Beach Palm Harbor’s best hidden secrets – the Crystal Bay Mobile Home Park. 

Crystal Beach Florida Homes on Wheels – or Rather, Blocks!

While not a traditional home, Crystal Bay offers affordable Florida waterfront living with all the perks yet without the high price tab.   The park sits right on the Pinellas Trail and most of the homes are on DEEP canals that will whisk you out to the Gulf of Mexico in a jiffy.   Here you own the land and for less than $150 a month your lawn care, water, trash disposal are covered as well as the upkeep of the heated community pool and clubhouse.  There’s shuffleboard, too … (But we’re curious….  There’s shuffleboard all over Pinellas County but who really plays?!  We’ve yet to spot anyone!  Have you?).  

This is a pet friendly Active 55+ park with no minimum time restrictions on leasing.  If you have more than one boat, there’s also a community ramp and slips up to 20′ long available.  Prices range from $62,000 to $179,000.  This cutie at 12 Yawl Lane #12 Palm Harbor Florida pictured here is 1,152sf and is twice the size of most available. 

Search Florida Waterfront homes for sale – and do it just like a Realtor does!    

Other related posts you may enjoy:

Crystal Beach Florida Homes – A Picture Slideshow

Crystal Beach Florida, Charming Seaside Living Reminicent of Yesteryear

Florida Waterfront Homes for Sale and Surprising Statistics in Pinellas County

There are 156 North Pinellas County waterfront homes for sale on the gulf or on canals leading to it with prices from $202,000 to $5.9M (with 1/3 over $1M).   This may be surprising, though these Pinellas Realtors are holding steadfast with their prediction from 2009 that ‘entry level’ Pinellas waterfront homes were holding their own when it comes to price  – and, well, they still are.  

This slice of the Pinellas market is defying the overall market trends!   The Pinellas board doesn’t publish these numbers, sadly, though because we’re water babies we crunch the numbers as a labor of love.  So, check back with us soon as we’ll be looking at other price points for Pinellas waterfront homes.  As for this under $300K category, at the beginning of 2010, the average sales price was $184/sf, down to $174/sf  in April, up to $185/sf in June, up to $190/sf in August, and in September they were holding steady at $181/sf.    Meanwhile, the active inventory is down by 35%.

So, Peach Heads (HA! I just came up with a new name for you all!), if you’ve been waiting for a sign from the heavens to make a move on that entry-level gulf-access home, consider this post as the next best thing to it.

This Palm Harbor Realtor is stunned that Pinellas waterfront homes are such incredible buys right now.  Take this Palm Harbor home with gulf access, 4 bedroom 3BA,  1,906sf home with a covered boat lift, hardwood floors and a beautifully remodeled kitchen and master bath which just became available again.  It’s ready for some lucky buyer to steal at $235,000! See 87 Eastwinds Court MLS# 7477280 Flyer here.

Yes, it’s a short sale, though, trust me when I say, we’ve got every reason to believe we can get this fully approved within two months or less.   And yes, the pool is super funky green right now, though that’s a minor issue at this price.  Full home inspection and recent property appraisal (at much higher value) available.

Call us now for details at 727-366-0324 (Julia) or (727)366-0325 Matt.    At this price, the plan is to have it in contract by the weekend.