The Indian Rocks Beach City Commission voted on Feb. 10 to make golf carts street legal on most of its roadways. If you've never been there, Indian Rocks is a quirkly little beach town dotted with cottages along a white sandy beach. Many residents get around on foot or by bike, visiting the local art shops and restaurants.

To be street legal a golf cart must be equipped with seat belts, headlights, turn signals, stop lamps and parking brakes, a windshield, rear view mirror and can only be driven by a licensed driver.  

It's not all good news though. The vote permits golf carts on streets owned and operated by the municipality, but not on Gulf Blvd,  which is owned by the state (South of Walsingham) and the county (North of Walsingham). In order to get to the beach, drivers must cross Gulf Blvd. The city will need to address whether or not carts are able to safely cross Gulf Blvd and identify crossing locations with signage. Indian Rocks Beach is the first of the gulf beaches to adopt golf carts, but there are a few other nearby communities that permit them. 

In 2005  Ozona and Crystal Beach (although "beach" is in the name, it is not one of the gulf beach barrier islands) became the first communities in Pinellas County to allow golf carts, and Pinellas Park is now considering it.

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The details are still negotiable, but it looks like after the dust settles first time home buyers will be eligible for a refundable tax credit equal to 10 percent of the purchase price of their home, up to $8,000. The home must be purchased between Jan. 1, 2009, and Dec. 1, 2009, and you must keep the home for 3 years or pay back the credit. While the previous $15,000 credit must be paid back over 15 years, the $8,000 credit does not have to be repaid unless you sell the home within 3 years.

Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 1
Type: Single Family
Price: $85,000
Subdivision: Ridgcest Acres


Conveniently located just off Ulmerton on a corner lot that backs up to Ridgecrest Park. No rear neighbors! Other nice features are the circular driveway, block construction. Close to beach, but no flood insurane required. Click for more information.

PropCo Real Estate Inc
727-585-0800
PropCo Real Estate

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

Type: Single Family

Price: $219000

Subdivision: Richmond Hill

Charming home features 2 bedrooms with an attached garage and breezeway. Fenced yard, large trees. A/C system and ductwork 2 years old. Newer kitchen and wood floors.  Close to Pinellas Trail, waterfront park and Knology Park. Has a tenant in place through November 2009. Call PropCo Real Estate 727-585-0800 or visit PropCo Real Estate.

First the good news: Existing single-family home sales in the Tampa Bay market including St Pete and Clearwater were up 11% in October over the same period last year. Now the bad: At the same time, median sales prices were down 26%. What does it mean? Prices may have reached the bottom, and are at levels at which buyers are finally willing to buy.

Large 3/2/2 on 1/3 acre lot available immediately. Walking distance to Largo Medical Center, golf course, and park. Huge living room, large kitchen,screened porch,tiled garage Extra large living room (over 400 sf) with recessed lighting, cedar closets, large kitchen with granite counters. Wood and tile floors. Large yard and patio. Garage is fully tiled. Pets allowed. Call PropCo Real Estate 585-0800 for showing or more information or visit PropCo Real Estate for details and photos.

Sand Key's only pizza shop shut down a few months back to the dismay of many residents who liked to stop in for a slice and then walk it off on the beach. Well, a new owner has taken the space and opened a new pizza restaurant. And I do mean new - new owner, new kitchen, new staff, and new pizza. This is Chicago style. Some folks will grumble a bit, missing their NY style pie, but their are plenty of Illinois residents here that wil take their place in linel  I stopped in for a slice and met one of the new owners. They are from Illinois where they have operated pizza shops for many years. I have to say it was great, even though I'm partial to NY style (I can't help it, I grew up in NJ). Lots of cheese and cripsy crust, who can argue with that? They also serve salad and sandwiches. If your in town stop in, it's called Litted Italian Pizza, and it's located right in the middle of the Shoppes of Sand Key plaza.