South Beaches's Blog

Sun Ketch Townhomes on Treasure Island Florida for sale

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:33:58 -0700

Great deals in Treasure Island right now. There are a few Sun ketch townhomes for sale under way $200,000.

It is a great community right on Isle of Capri. All of the units are around 1000 square feet (give or take) and they have a huge oversized 3 car garage. This is a great price considering that these units sold for $280,000 ad $290,000 just a few years ago.

If you think about buying or selling a house or condo in the Saint Petersburg Florida area, please give me a call. Ask me about waterfront homes or condos in St. Pete beach, Treasure Island, Madeira beach, Seminole and other Clearwater Tampabay neighborhoods. Find out what we can do to sell your home or condo and what the value of your property is. Check out great real estate deals or visit condo associations like Seminole Isle.

We also work with short sale bank owned and foreclosures. Find a property or go to my website for more real estate information or simply contact us. 727 409 8706

Boca Ciega Shores in Treasure Island, Condo in a waterfront complex under $100,000

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:04:44 -0700

This is a great deal right here in Treasure Island. Perfect vacation getaway. One bedroom one bath only 3 a few walking minutes from the Treasure Island beach. Boca Ciega Shores is a small condo complex here in Treasure Island. The unit is completely updated and just waiting for you to move in. Asking price is $99,900. You can live here year around or use it as a vacation property and rent it out while you do not use it.

We also work with short sale bank owned and foreclosures. Find a property or go to my website for more real estate information or simply contact us. 727 409 8706

Drum circle on Treasure Island beach, best sunset ever.

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:46:59 -0700

The drum cicle on Treasure Island.

Just a reminder, every Sunday night for sunset a lot of people gather on the beach in Treasure Island on the corner of Gulf Blvd and 104 Ave. Everybody is in a good spirit, people listen to the drums, dance in the sand and celebrate a Beautiful Sunset. Treasure Island is a unique place and this event is very unique too. Come out and play one of these days.

We also work with short sale bank owned and foreclosures. Find a property or go to my website for more real estate information or simply contact us. 727 409 8706

Sunsets on Treasure Island beach in Florida

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:34:53 -0700

Treasure Island sunsets.

Caddy's in Treasure Island Florida is one of my favorite spots to watch the sunset. You can sit on the roof top, have a nice cocktail and enjoy the sea breeze while you watch a beautiful sunset. It does not matter how often I go, the sunset is always different. The colors and cloud formation are amazing.

Just imagine you would live here..................

We also work with short sale bank owned and foreclosures. Find a property or go to my website for more real estate information or simply contact us. 727 409 8706

How often do your change your picture?

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:36:26 -0700

I am not sure what to do anymore.

I had the same photo up for years and it is like branding yourself.

Than as years went by I really NEEDED a new picture so people would still recognize me. It took forever to change the picture on all the websites and. . .

Now that everything is finally changed I have a different haircut and different color and do not look like my picture at all anymore. Thinking about this I came up with the idea of posting different pictures on different sites.

What do you think? Good idea? Bad idea?

What will it do to my "branding"?

Will it confuse people or will it stick out and therefore be remembered even more?

One picture on my business card another picture on my website and yet another picture on my blog?

Should these pictures be completely different, like hair up, hair down, yellow dress, red dress, green background, blue background? Or should I try to keep them as much alike as I can?

What are you doing with your pictures?

How old are they?

Do you use the same picture everywhere?

Was your picture taken by a professional photographer or is it just a "snap shot"

Would love to get your input

Anne Hensel

Chicago Title and Pat Grosso

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 11:23:05 -0700

What a great combination. Pat Grosso is absolutely awesome.

If you are looking for a Title company here in St. Petersburg, Treasure Island, Madeira beach I can only recommend Chicago Title on St. Pete Beach, next to PJ's restaurant at the corner of Gulf Blvd.

The closing agent is Pat Grosso and she is fantastic, very passionate about her job and right on the ball. She does not miss a beat and she will go beyond her duties to get a deal closed. I have known and worked with Pat Grosso for years now , and it is about time that I write this post and let everybody know how good she is at her job.

Just to give you an example, last week we had a closing, with some "minor" problems. like

Buyer was divorce, but all of a sudden we find out he is married. . . . .

The wife is out of the country and UPS can not deliver the closing package because the wife has the maiden name on the door.

Lender all of a sudden realizes it is not a condo; it is a single family home, so the program is wrong.

Mortgage Company forgets t send money.

Lender has the date wrong on the HUD statement and therefore the money does not add up. Buyer is going on vacation the day before closing and forgets to leave the money in escrow. This was a total disaster, and we would have never been able to close the deal if Pat had not invested a ton of energy and worked really hard on this one.

So, Mr. Seller, if you have a contract, take it to Chicago title, Pat Grosso, she will get the job done.

Anne Hensel

Real Estate Broker ABR, E-PRO,

C-CREC, TRC, ASR, RECS, AHS

St. Petersburg Florida

www.AnneHensel.com

Real Estate updates Treasure Island Florida

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 09:22:57 -0800

Real Estate updates Treasure Island Florida

As of today 2/2/08 we have a total of 416 active residential listings (not including for sale By Owners) in Treasure Island. Starting with an asking price of $122,900 for a small condo on Gulf Blvd and it goes all the way up to $3,999,000 for a new construction condo right on the beach. So far this year 5 units have been sold and 13 are under contract supposed to close in the next few weeks in Treasure Island

In Treasure island 17 of the 416 listings are single family homes off the water; they range from $257,000 to $699,900.

62 single family homes are on the water asking prices range

From $474,900 to $3,499,000.

The average asking price in Treasure Island per square foot for single family homes on the water is $417.

Sold prices for the last 6 month was $332 per square foot.

Please keep in mind that these numbers are for all of Treasure Island, they might be totally different for a specific neighborhood or type of house or type of waterfront.

If you think about buying a property here in Treasure Island you need to talk to your Realtor and get a detailed comparative market analysis before you make an offer.

In times like this, some houses are priced below market value and other are way above market value. So, as I always say "Do your homework" educated yourself and get all the information you need to make a good decision.

Real Estate updates Treasure Island Florida

We also work with short sale bank owned and foreclosures. Find a property or go to my website for more real estate information or simply contact us. 727 409 8706

Anne Hensel

Real Estate Broker ABR, E-PRO,

C-CREC, TRC, ASR, RECS, AHS

St. Petersburg Florida

www.AnneHensel.com

Paradise Island on Treasure Island

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 10:55:41 -0800

Paradise Island on Treasure Island

To me this in one of the nicest subdivisions Treasure Island has - but than again beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I like Paradise Island on Treasure Island because it has a little bit of everything.

Single family homes on and off the water most of them are primary homes. It also has the "Village of Paradise" a town home complex, again some on the water some off the water." Paradise Island Tower" is a condo complex and "La Costa Brava" has small villas.

Right now, Real estate prices here on Paradise Island, Treasure Island ranges from $155,000 for a 1 bedroom 1 bath 785 square feet villa to a 2850 square foot 4 bedroom 2 bath single family home on the water for $1,450,000. So there is something for every lifestyle.

Paradise Island also features a few small parks and the public Treasure island Golf and Tennis club, which is great to have and supports and active lifestyle.

Also, Paradise is right off Central Ave and only 4 minutes from the beach and downtown Treasure Island, close to shopping and restaurants and 15 minutes from Downtown St Petersburg. This little Island has a great feeling to it, lots of character and charm. Neighbors actually know each other and they gather every two month for some fun activities.

Also, the "voluntary association" organizes a huge yard sale every year and a Christmas party. The entrance to Paradise Island is a long 2 way street with lots of beautiful mature palm trees in the middle.

Come see for yourself, Paradise island on Treasure island is a beautiful place to call home.

We also work with short sale bank owned and foreclosures. Find a property or go to my website for more real estate information or simply contact us. 727 409 8706

Anne Hensel

Real Estate Broker ABR, E-PRO,

C-CREC, TRC, ASR, RECS, AHS

St. Petersburg Florida

www.southbeaches.info

Pinellas County Taxes, important for you

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:32:50 -0800

Pinellas County Taxes, important for you

Florida has voted YES on January 29^th.

Now you need to find out what it really means for you and your property.

It might make a big difference for you and it might not.

Educated yourself, it is your money.

If you have bought and sold your homesteaded property in the last 2 years,

please contact your local property appraiser's office.

You might be able to save some money.

The portability provision of Amendment 1 is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2007.

Sellers may transfer their Save Our Homes credit.

So, do yourself a favor and go the property appraiser's website. For Pinellas County it is http://www.pcpao.org/

They have great information, a Save your Homestead calculator and a great question and answer page.

Also look at the millage rate chart and how the property appraiser's office comes up with the assessed value of you house or condo. Check out their Glossary page, it explained all these word that sound like a foreign language to us.

Pinellas County Taxes, important for you

Make sure you do not miss any dead lines, such as

March 1

Filing deadline for Homestead, Widow/Widower, Senior, and Disability Exemptions for Florida residents

Filing deadline for Institutional Exemptions (non-profit, religious, educational, etc)

Filing deadline for Agricultural Classification

We also work with short sale bank owned and foreclosures. Find a property or go to my website for more real estate information or simply contact us. 727 409 8706

Financing - refinancing

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:59:35 -0800

This is good news for our Pinellas County St. Pete area.

For most of us this might just be the right time to refinance. Not only because of the two big rate cuts this month but also and especially if the cap for Jumbo loans will be raised. The new cap on Jumbo loans will have a big impact for the beach areas where a lot of people have Jumbo loans and they are about 1% higher in interest rates than conventional loans.

So, go check with your mortgage broker or lender, depending on what you have now, you might easily save 2% maybe even more.

Think about combining the first and second and maybe an equity line into one low fix rate mortgage.

Just be careful, make sure you understand all the fees involved and

(Here is the Realtor speaking) try to negotiate them.

Also, do not go out and shop "too much" make sure you tell them your credit score and do not let everybody pull your credit scores; it might hurt your points.

A friend of mine just refinanced and went from a 9.2% interest rate to a 5.75% rate. A client of mine just purchased a Condo as a second home and got a 5.5% rate. So, do your homework, it might save you a lot of money to take action soon.

Market condition for Pinellas County St. Petersburg

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:43:46 -0800

I wanted to write this two weeks ago, but

I did not have time because I was showing property here in St. Petersburg Treasure Island!!!

Hard to believe, I know. It doesn't matter what newspaper you read or what magazine you open or which channel on TV you watch, bad news and more bad news about the market.

Highest foreclosure rate, highest short sale rate, highest inventory, huge drop in sales prices etc. . .

Well all this is true, but on the positive site, buyers are ready willing and able!!!

We have seen a lot of activity here in treasure island, St. Pete beach and Madeira Beach.

This is something I have not read anywhere yet.

Fortunately as a Realtor, I do not need the media or statistics to tell me what the market is like. All I need is my phone.

It is going crazy; I had more inquiries in the last two month than I had in the last year. I am not alone, I talk to a lot of local Realtors, Home inspectors, Title companies, etc and we all say the same

"It is picking up" The homes and condos in Treasure island and St. Pete beach as well as Madeira beaxch are back in demand.

Real Estate is a local market and I can not speak for the rest of the US but I can speak for Pinellas County and we are seeing a lot of activity, and I think we will see even more over the next few months.

The big cuts in interest rate will give us another boost and the "wait" for a decision on property taxes is over and the snowbirds are coming in.

So, is our Real Estate problem solved? No, but I think here in St. Petersburg Pinellas County we are on our way to recovery.

Anne Hensel

Real Estate Broker ABR, E-PRO,

C-CREC, TRC, ASR, RECS, AHS

St. Petersburg Florida

www.AnneHensel.com

More Treasure Island Restaurants

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:42:23 -0800

Great food in Treasure Island

"The Pearl" Fine dining in Treasure Island

I love the place; the food is great and very creative with a Moroccan - Mediterranean touch.

It is downtown Treasure Island on the south site of 107^th Ave

Near the clock tower, out new treasure Island landmark.

They open at 4 pm Monday - Saturday.

Their phone number is 727 360 9151, they are usually very busy, so it might be good to call and make reservations.

You can sit inside or outside.

Appetizers are between $7 and $10 and entrees are $16 to $28. My favorite soup is the Lobster bisque, made fresh daily. My favorite entrée is the ½ duck with orange sauce.

Also, they have some daily specials that you do not want to miss. The food is fantastic and the chef is a master in presenting it. They have a great wine list to compliment all their dishes and the service is very delightful.

Real nice atmosphere with real table cloth and napkins and candles. Would be a good place to impress the first date. . . Ok, let's not go there.

Anyway, we are all glad that we have "The Pearl" in Treasure Island. Trust me, this is the perfect place to go and have a wonderful evening.

Treasure Island has a lot to offer, come see for yourself.

Anne Hensel

Real Estate Broker ABR, E-PRO,

C-CREC, TRC, ASR, RECS, AHS

St. Petersburg Florida

www.AnneHensel.com

Treasure Island Restaurants

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:36:31 -0800

Buying property in Treasure Island Florida, get to know the area.

In the mood for a "Schnitzel" or "Sauerkraut"

How about Rouladen, Bratwurst, Kartoffelsalat, Schweinebraten, Rinderbraten, Koenigsberger Klopse, Gurkensalat, Knoedel, Currywurst. . . Yes, you can fimnd all this in Treasure island Florida

You name it; they serve all the favorite German dishes.

Well, if you live in Treasure Island Florida, you are lucky to have the "Café Berlin" on 107^th Ave

It is located "downtown" right where the clock is, on the north site of it.

Cute little place with real German food. The prices are more than fair, actually cheap (I do not like this word, it kind of sounds negative) anyway, you get a great lunch for $5 to $7 and dinner for $10 to $15. Do not order an appetizer, the entrees are huge, they come with a salad and a site dish.

Renee, the owner cooks everything himself and the quality is very consistent. They also offer different daily specials.

They also have some really nice German beers.

It is not a "German gourmet restaurant" but a great little neighbor hood place right here in the heart of Treasure Island.

In the season they are open 7 days a week, off season they are closed on Tuesday I believe.

Go early, the place is packed and sometimes you just can not get in. They usually serve dinner till 8.30pm

Treasure Island is a little slow in the summer time and Cafe Berlin is closed for vacation from August 11 to Sep 13th. So, come to Treasure Island now and have some great food.

Anne Hensel

Real Estate Broker ABR, E-PRO,

C-CREC, TRC, ASR, RECS, AHS

St. Petersburg Florida

www.AnneHensel.com

Living in Treasure Island Florida

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:32:03 -0800

Treasure Island is a great place to live and play.

What are you doing this Sunday?

Have you been to the "Bongos on the beach"?

I love it and I go there 4 or 5 times a year. It is different and it is fun.

Every Sunday for sunset a lot of performers, gather on the public beach in Treasure Island and play the Bongos.

It attracts a huge crow all kinds of ages.

Everybody has a good time listening and dancing to the music. As far as I know this event is not organized by anybody in particular, it just started somehow with a handful of people and grew and grew and grew.

Some people just come by for a few songs, others stay all night dancing in the sand, some just stop on their way to dinner others bring a blanket and a cooler for dinner on the beach. It is a fun thing to do and it is different and very creative. Try to be there right before dawn so you can enjoy this event with a beautiful sunset in the background.

I as Realtor I believe that we sell more than houses and condos, we sell a lifestyle

So, this is one of my little contributions to living on Treasure Island Florida.

Selling The Beaches of St. Petersburg Florida Treasure Island

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:29:14 -0800

Treasure Island Florida

Times have changed, as a Realtor I believe that we have to sell more than just the house or condo, we sell a life style.

There are so many similar properties in the same price range up and down the beach, that sometimes the property itself is not the biggest decision factor, but the location. Do you want to be in St. Pete Beach or Treasure Island or Madeira Beach?

By location, I mean life style, things to do, the feeling a certain area has.

What is more important, the size of a bedroom or the walking distance to a great restaurant?

So, let me start to introduce Treasure Island to you.

Want to get your hair done in Treasure Island Florida?

Well, I found this great hair salon on 108^th Ave in Treasure Island.

The name is "Roots", it is a small store and kind of tucked away, it does not stick out, you actually have to look for it.

It is across the street from Treasure Island city hall and the Treasure Island Police department.

If it is Barbara or Troy, you will be in good hands. They are very friendly and nice people that actually listen to what you want and make great suggestions.

Both of them are very creative and best of all, they can cut hair !!! I go all the time and I have never been disappointed. So, If you are moving to Treasure Island Florida, you already know a great hair saloon.

Anne Hensel

Real Estate Broker ABR, E-PRO,

C-CREC, TRC, ASR, RECS, AHS

St. Petersburg Florida

www.AnneHensel.com

Foreclosures

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 22:41:05 -0700

I just heard on the News - just las month alone we had 19,000 foreclosures!

Direct Gulf Front Lot

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 12:54:58 -0700

Ready to build your brand new single family home!

It doesn`t get any better than this. Miles of white sandy beaches and the brilliant sun will be part of your every day life with this direct beach front lot in Treasure Island. Come and build your dream home with one of the finest Builders our area has to offer. Got already something in mind - not a problem, you can bring your own Builder and Plans. The possibilities are endless. Not only is the location one of the most desireable, this lot also offers an unobstruced N/W exposure -no neighbor to your right and side!

1/1 Condo in Kenneth City

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 12:50:56 -0700

Lowest Price in Subdivision!

Lowest price in Subdivision! Motivated seller! This 2nd floor unit needs TLC, which reflects in asking price! Great location. Close to shopping, beaches, and restaurants. No weight limitations on pets, as long as they are on a leash while outside! Unit has it's own balcony, overlooking landscaped court yard!

2/2 Condo in Clearwater

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 12:48:17 -0700

Move in ready 2/2 in Clearwater

This is a STEAL for this idyllic corner unit that offers so many upgrades, that we can`t mention them all! This unit has it all. Including new kitchen, appliances, windows (sliders with screen), bathrooms, doors... After including the Florida room into the floor plan, owner measured the unit and says it is 982 sq ft! . It really is a must see! Best location within subdivision, just steps to recreation building and pool. After enjoying a cup of coffee on your back porch and watching nature, all that comes to mind is tranquil and peaceful! This unit comes fully furnished!

Great Condo in Seminole

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 12:41:15 -0700

3/2 Condo in Seminole - Pets allowed - OK to lease!

A Very Very Rare Find !!! Looking for a condo that is beautiful. Spacious, has a huge balcony, screend in lanai in a very private setting with wonderful views onto lush landscaping and mangroves and lots of storage? This one has it all. Irresistible corner unit in the gated community of Shores of Long Bayou. Two individual oversized one car garages. (20 x 15) Built in 2004.The complex has all the amenities. Heated pool, exercise room, Club house, Nature walking trails, one minute away from the Pinellas trail, shopping, restaurant etc. Where else can you find all this for the under $300,000? You have to see it to believe it. Many upgrades, shows like a model. It is priced to sell.

Single Family Home on the Intracostal

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 12:38:49 -0700

Waterfront Home

3/2 on the Intracostal in desireable Vina Del Mar

Must see this BEAUTY ON DEEP water!! Remodeled; No bridges to the Gulf for large sailboats and yacths; Walk or bike to Pass-A-Grille Beach/Gulf of Mexico beach in minutes. 2 new A/C units; newly remodeled, new landscaping; new decorative driveway, walkways, and patios. Light and bright home with gorgeous water views, split floor plan, room for pool overlooking beautiful sparkling water. Home is being sold 'As Is' with right to Inspect. Home is in desirable, VINA DEL MAR. Great neighborhood! Great Layout! Great Home!!

Brand New Direct Gulf Front Home

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 12:35:55 -0700

Direct Gulf Front Home

Brand new 5/4 1/2 3+ car garage direct gulf front home in Treasure Island, Florida

This beauty is located directly on the Gulf of Mexico in desirable Sunset Beach! Construction will begin soon, so don't wait and miss the opportunity to customize your dream home. Excellent craftsmanship delivered by very well known builder. Pure luxury living with the white sandy beaches of Treasure Island as your backyard. See yourself enjoying the sunsets on your balcony, or watching dolphins play while you relax in your private pool. Take wonderful long walks to famous John's Pass Village, walk south towards Blind Pass and watch the Boats come in. Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this exclusive neighborhood. Buy yourself a piece of paradise. This is the lifestyle you deserve.

One click will help animals

South Beaches Real Estate Professionals — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 12:14:48 -0700

Hi, all you animal lovers. This is pretty simple..
The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough
people to click on it daily to meet their quota of
getting free food donated every day to abused and
neglected animals. It takes less than a minute to
go to their site and click on the purple box "fund
food for animals" for free. This doesn't cost you a
thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the
number of daily visits to donate food to
abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for
advertising. Here's the web site!

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com