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!

According to the American Institute of Architects,  the demand for oversized bathrooms has been put on hold. Sixty-seven percent of home builders reported no demand for for larger restrooms. This indicates the bathroom is one area in which buyers will compromise.

The top features for bathrooms, especially in retiree-rich Tampa Bay, are accessibility for the disabled and those with limited mobility. Architects say water conserving toilets, both those directly using less water as well as those with a dual flush option, topped the list of features in demand, followed by doorless showers and hand showers. LED lighting was another popular bathroom product with growing demand because it uses less energy.

The accoutrements of the boom years, such as steam showers, towel warming racks and sensor operated faucets were waning in popularity.

Quick and inexpensive bathroom upgrades include a new coat of paint, a new shower curtain, new fixtures and vanity lighting, and a low-flow toilet. Old tile can actually look cool and retro. Just make sure the grout is in good shape. Tile in dated colors, such as mauve and aqua, can be neutralized by using harmonizing colors in wall paint, bath mats and towels, and by hanging an inexpensive piece of artwork on a wall.

Quick fixes to make your bathroom show well are: Make sure water-stained, dingy faucets and windows are shined up; buy some new for-show-only, color-coordinated bath towels and mats; and put away all those bottles of cosmetics, shampoos and soaps when showing the house. The less clutter, and the less of your daily routine you leave out, the better your home will show.

What buyers want in a home does not include bathroom upgrades to any extravagant degree. Depending on your budget and time needs, all you really have to do is make it easy for a potential buyer to envision themselves in your home for sale.

For more valuable tips on selling your home, contact the FABULOUS Tampa Bay Realtors at The Pinellas Peach.

Pinellas Realtors Revealing 2010 Statistic Ah-Ha’s

• Pinellas short sales and foreclosures accounted for almost 1/2 of all sales when a year ago they accounted for 1/3 of all sales.
• Total sales volume went up 14% while dollar volume went down 27%.
• Median single family home sales prices dropped 11%. 
• Median condo sales prices dropped 19%.
• The best performing price range in  condos and single family sales is between $100,000 and $140,000. 

What’s the outlook for the Pinellas real estate market?  Foreclosures and short sales will continue to dominate 2011 as banks are expected to begin releasing their shadow intentory reserves 1st and 2nd quarters of this year.

Related Posts:

Pinellas Waterfront Homes for Sale and Surprising Statistics

Finding Pinellas Homes for Sale Online Minus the Confusion 

There are so many websites vying for your attention, we thought we’d clear the air with some common Q & A’s …

1. Where do all the listings come from?   99% of homes for sale in the country are listed on the local and regional MLS’ – Multiple Listing Services.    The other 1% are FSBO’s or  are FAKE listings (more on that in another post soon).
2. Why is it that one Pinellas Real Estate website shows a home for sale and another doesn’t?   Each real estate company (whether Keller Williams, Prudential, etc. or a small mom and pop operation) gets to choose if they want their listings syndicated (shared and published) on countless sites.   This is done via IDX which stands for Internet Data exchange.  IDX is the only National Association of Realtors approved method for companies to advertise MLS listings on their sites.  Further, proactive Pinellas Realtors will further sydicate their listings to even more sites (like we do).  That’s why a home that’s on the MLS may show up on one website and not another. 
3. Do Pinellas Realtors hide information from us in order to sell their own lisitngs?  Almost never.  We’ve encountered only a handful of agents that don’t operate above board and they are out of business or are about to be.   Though agents use many online tools to share listings with you – with varying results.
4. Why do I find homes listed online and then call the agent only to find it’s already been sold?   The online real estate sites get paid by advertisers and by selling stuff to Realtors.  The more people like you that they have searching the site, the more money they make.  The more listings they offer you – whether sold, expired or still truly available – the more you’ll like their site.   IT’s A VICIOUS CYCLE OF FLUFF!
5. Is there a single source for all of the information I want without being hounded by an agent?  Yes, Dorothy, click your heels together, your wish can come true…. 

ALL Pinellas County Homes for Sale On ONE Site – And See Only the Ones that are REALLY for Sale!

Search all Pinellas real estate listings online just like a Realtor.  On that link just provided you’ll have live access to ALL of the homes on the Tampa Bay MLS without any of the garbage (expired, sold or FAKE listings).  And we won’t call you unless you ask us to.  That’s a promise.

Related Posts:

Top 4 Dangers in Buying Foreclosure Homes for Sale in Pinellas County