BarbaraJo's Blog

Two More Crystal Beach Florida Homes For Sale

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:58:59 -0600

Here are two more of the beautiful homes located in Crystal Beach, Florida that are currently on the market:

This first home is a real beauty! 3 bedrooms, 2 baths in this 2,137 sq ft two story home on Gulf Drive.

Imagine watching the sunsets from while sitting on this balcony! This home has a wood burning fireplace for those cool winter nights when it is so nice to snuggle up by the fire! What a wonderful way to spend your time, watching the dolphins frolic in the Gulf of Mexico! Listed at only $685000. this is a really great price for a waterfront home!

Or if you are looking for something larger, the home below is 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths in almost 4,300 sq ft of living space!

This home was built in 1995 in the Seaside section of Crystal Beach. It is listed at $685,000. and has a Thermador cook top and stainless steel appliances. There is even a gym and sauna! What a wonderful place to retreat to after a hard day of work!

To see these or any of the other homes currently on the market in Crystal Beach, Florida give me a call! Call Barbara-Jo at 727-512-0910!

Crystal Beach Homes For Sale

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:10:09 -0600

Crystal Beach currently has 27 homes on the market. We are a small community, a place where you can drive your golf cart around town or walk from one end of town to the other before you know it!!!

Located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, Crystal Beach has it's own adorable park right across the street from the fishing pier. It is a unique place to kick back and smell the roses (or the salt air).

Among the homes currently on the market is this 2 bedroom 2 bath home on Kentucky Avenue.

Listed at $424,000. this 1637 sq ft waterfront home has a boat dock in the backyard.

Or perhaps you prefer this 3 bedroom, 2 bath home built in 1994 on Sage Circle here in Crystal Beach.

With 1665 sq ft this home has a 3+ car garage, caged in ground pool, wood burning fireplace and so much more.

Listed at only $329k this one won't last long!

If it is land you want, this home on Disston Street has over a quarter acre! Listed at $349k this 3 bedroom 2 bath home was built in 1957. It has 1500 sq ft and plently of land to make the home larger, if that is your desire,

If you would like to see one of these homes or one of the other homes here in Crystal Beach give me a call today! Call Barbara-Jo at 727-512-0910.

Crystal Beach Short Sales

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:47:47 -0600

Here are a couple of Crystal Beach short sale homes that are currently on the market:

Listed at only $214k this short sale home has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and is 1431 sq ft. The home is on an oversized lot and boasts a beautiful circular driveway! Both AC and water heater have been replaced recently.

Located on Vincent Street in Crystal Beach - don't let this one get away!!!

Another short sale on the market is this 1386 sq ft home built in 1953. With 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, this home is close to the Gulf of Mexico!

The list price on this one is only $204,250!!! Located in Crystal Beach, this adorable home is close to the Crystal Beach pier and park. Enjoy quiet afternoons fishing directly from the Crystal Beach pier!!!

To see these or any of the other listings in Crystal Beach give me a call! Call Barbara-Jo at 727-512-0910!

More Photos Of Crystal Beach

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:52:42 -0600

Since I live in Crystal Beach, it goes without saying that I have photos that are taken all over Crystal Beach - like this one that my son took of me the day after Thanksgiving-

We have this fantastic pier that goes out into the Gulf of Mexico - I live only 2 blocks from here - it is a great place to watch the sunset!!!

Adjacent to the pier is an adorable little park full of magnificant trees like in this photo of my son, Sascha.

Crystal Beach also has an assortment of attractive homes like these-

If you are interested in knowing more about Crystal Beach, give me a call today at 727-512-0910.

Crystal Beach - a quiet community on the Gulf of Mexico - where the sun always shines!

Rain - All Day - No Golf Today!!! :-(

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:43:35 -0600

Rain all day today means I don't get to go to the golf course with my Honey! I had actually been looking forward to it!

Ron has been patiently teaching me how to play the game for the last year. Granted, at this age I will never be fantastic, I started learning a little late. But I really enjoy it! And getting out in the air like that does the soul good too!

Too bad that we have to have a day full of rain...............it is ONLY getting up to 74 degrees today! And it looks like tomorrow will be colder!!!!

But then when I think of the snow that is in DC and New York, I guess that I should be glad I live in Florida. There is a reason we are called the Sunshine State - even today the sun was out for a while before the rains started in again.

If nothing else, it is a good day to catch up on blogging and connecting with clients - even a rainy day can have positive aspects!

My Granddaughter Reminds Me How Great Parks Can Be

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:30:44 -0600

Having a granddaughter brings back the kid in all of us! And my granddaughter is no exception! Nothing is better than an afternoon in the park with her! She brings back memories of when her mother and uncle were young and I used to spend hours in the park with them.

Having a granddaughter is a special blessing and I am extremely lucky to have this little Angel in my life!!!

Sascha And Mama - My Little Man All Grown Up!!!

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:26:19 -0600

My son, Sascha, was home for Thanksgiving again this year. He lives in DC and manages the trip down to Florida each year for Thanksgiving.

This photo was taken by my daughter as we took an evening walk after our Thanksgiving meal - my first born is now 30 years old and I am extremely proud of the man he has become!!!

I wanted to share this photo with all of my friends here in ActiveRain!

The Mail Isn't Coming Through!!!!! Is It The Grinch???

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:22:13 -0600

The mail isn't coming through! I was expecting a box yesterday - priority mail - it wasn't at the post office today either - I asked why and was really surprised with the answer - (I don't watch the news on tv EVER) - it seems between the snow storms and the flooding across the country our mail is being diverted and delayed - so my priority package from Arkansas that normally takes 2 days is going to take AT LEAST 4 days -

Hope this is not a sign of how the Christmas mailings are going to be this year - is the Grinch involved????

December 6th Is Saint Nicholas Day

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:33:59 -0600

December 6 is once again time for Saint Nicholas to visit! I remember, when my two young adults were children and we lived in Germany you could hire a university student to come to your home dressed as St. Nicholas.

When the doorbell rang the little ones knew St Nicholas was there. They were all dressed up and waiting in the living room. One parent would answer the door to let him in and slip him a sheet of paper with information on it about the children (what they did during the year that was good, what they did that was bed). He put that paper into his Golden Book.

The parent also had gifts all wrapped up and they were put into the burlap bag that St Nicholas had. He also had a switch in it.

St Nicholas was escorted into the living room, where he sat in a seat of honor and opened the Golden Book. From that he read what the children had done - what was good, what was not so good - then he showed them his switch and told them that he did not need to use this today, since they had been mostly good. He also made them promise not to do whatever was 'bad' on the list - which they always did!!!

Then came the gifts! St Nicholas had a couple of cookies and some tea or coffee and then he left. I always thought this was really a wonderful tradition and really miss the fact that my granddaughter will not know this tradition,

Oh, on Christmas Eve it is the Christ Child that brings the gifts - St Nicholas already did his thing - and St Nicholas dresses like a saint, in long robes - not the American invention of a Santa Claus suit.

Thought I would share that one!!!! Happy Holidays!!!

Thanksgiving With The Kids

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:37:34 -0600

Thanksgiving was great! I got to spend it with both of my kids in town. Corinna lives in Clearwater, so I get to see her on a regular basis, but Sascha - my son - flew in from DC. Corinna really out-did herself, cooking everything from scratch to make it a perfect day for her brother.

Although Sascha was only here for 2 days, it was enough to make it a REAL Thanksgiving!!! He was really surprised to see how his niece had grown - the last time he saw her was last Thanksgiving - and from age 2 to age 3 is a huge jump!!!

Having the family together - that is what makes Thanksgiving a wonderful holiday!

And I am a lucky person, to have two really fantastic kids!!!! (I guess at ages 30 and 29 I should not be calling them 'kids' anymore, but they will always be my babies!!!).

I just wanted to share the updated photos with all of my fellow ActiveRainers!!!!

Hope your Thanksgiving was as great as mine was!!!

More Crystal Beach Homes

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:51:16 -0600

Yes, I do love Crystal Beach - it is where I live! It is a beautiful little community with wonderful homes that offer a quiet Florida lifestyle!

For example, this wonderful home on Sanctuary Trace, which is part of Seaside here in Crystal Beach. This 5 bedroom, 3 bath home with in-ground pool was built in 1995 and renovated in 2008!

Who wouldn't love to live in this fantastic home that overlooks Sutherland Bayou? At $1,199,000 it can be yours! Enjoy relaxing beside the water, watching the dolphins frolic!!

Or this home on Gulf Drive in Crystal Beach:

This three story home has 4 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms! The in-ground pool is heated and look at that balcony! Imagine relaxing there and watching the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico!!! At only $899,000 this 3,882 sq ft home is waiting for you!

To see this or one of the other wonderful homes located here in Crystal Beach give me a call today! I would love to show you around our community! Call Barbara-Jo at 727-512-0910!!!

Sanctuary Drive in Crystal Beach, Florida

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:29:29 -0600

Sanctuary Drive in Crystal Beach Florida is indeed a secluded area to live in. The beautiful homes here overlook the Gulf of Mexico, St Joseph's Sound and Sutherland Bayou. This is a quiet place to relax and enjoy the true meaning of living in Florida!

This beautiful Mediterranean Style home at 160 Sanctuary Drive was built in 1991. It has almost 5000 sq ft of living space that must be seen to be appreciated! With 5 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, this heated pool home is located in the Seaside section of Crystal Beach.

This marvelous home has a 3+ car garage and is so far from the street that you have the kind of privacy that movie stars usually require! At $1,295,000 this home is a steal! The owner will even consider financing!!!

Another wonderful Seaside home is the one below, at 125 Sanctuary Drive. This home is also listed at $1,295,000! It has 4 bedrooms and 5.5 baths with 6,000 sq ft of living space!

Built in 1998, this elegant home has a 20 ft ceiling in the main living room! There are plenty of views of the water to enjoy from the house! The heated pool has a waterfall which adds to the beauty of this home! For those who enjoy at home entertainment, the downstairs has a theater room with a 7 ft projection screen!!!

To see either of these stunning homes or any of the other homes on the market in Crystal Beach give me a call today! Call Barbara-Jo at 727-512-0910!

Crystal Beach Homes For Sale

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:00:09 -0600

Crystal Beach is one of my favorite places in Pinellas County! Tucked away west of Palm Harbor in North Pinellas County, it is a wonderful place to live! Here are two homes currently on the market here in fabulous Crystal Beach:

Located at 507 Mayo Street, this 2,320 sq ft 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home was originally built in 1950 and has been updated throughout! From the wonderful waterfront location to the magnificant master suite with garden tub and large balcony, this home offers so much!

With a list price of $1,399,000 this beautiful home has everything that you could be looking for in a home! Views of Caladesi Island and the Gulf of Mexico await you in this waterfront beauty!

Another fantastic Crystal Beach home is this 3,800 sq ft 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home on a Cul-De-Sac on Point Seaside Drive. Listed at only $1,299,000. this home has an in ground pool and breath-taking views of the Gulf of Mexico!

With hardwood flooring and remodeled bathrooms, this home is waiting for you to come and see what you are missing! Enjoy the Florida lifestyle at it's best in wonderful Crystal Beach.

To see either or these properties or any of the other homes here in Crystal Beach give me a call today!!! Call Barbara-Jo at 727-512-0910!

Crystal Beach Investment Townhome For Sale

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:22:03 -0600

This wonderful townhome in Crystal Beach is the perfect investment opportunity! This is a 3 unit townhome building! Each townhome has a double car garage at ground level and a 2 bedroom, 2 bath townhome above the garage.

This great townhome is only two blocks away from the Gulf of Mexico!!! The list price of $300,000 makes this an unbelievable deal! You can live in one of the townhomes and rent the other two out!!!

The total sq footage is 2,730. Washer, dryer, all kitchen appliances are included. The living rooms have vaulted ceilings!!! The second bedroom and bathroom are up another flight of stairs! This is something you really need to see if you are looking for an investment property!!!

Two of the three units in this building are already rented, so you have tenants in place already giving you an income to cover the mortgage!!!

Call me today to see this great deal! Call Barbara-Jo at 727-512-0910!

Pine Ridge Condo For Sale - Tarpon Springs, Florida

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:00:07 -0600

Pine Ridge is a wonderful community across East Lake Road from East Lake High in Tarpon Springs, Florida. This wonderful 3 bedroom, 2 bath second floor condo overlooks a lush conservation area! Peace and quiet surround your balcony!!

This 1430 sq ft condo is in a fantastic community that has a pool, fitness center, tennis courts, playground for the little ones and a recreational center. Cable and grounds maintenance are included in the monthly condo fees.

Built in 1984, this condo is in magnificant condition, with french doors to the 3rd bedroom/office area, large inside laundry room with full size washer and dryer, plenty of storage room and even attic space for storage!

Call me today to see this fantastic unit in Pine Ridge!!! Call Barbara-Jo at 727-512-0910 before this home is gone!

Home For The Holidays

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:28:07 -0600

Yes, everyone will be home for the Holidays! Thanksgiving is upon us! I spent the morning making Nurenberger Lebekuchen (translated, it is Nuremberger Gingerbread, but it tastes nothing like the gingerbread men that you think of when you hear the name). It is something my son, Sascha, loves!

Sascha is flying in from DC for Thanksgiving and I wanted to be sure to have the Lebekuchen ready for him! We will have dinner at my daughter's place. I already made the cranberry sauce and took it over there. It will be great, having the entire family together for the day!!!

Ron will be doing the cooking on Friday and having his employees and many of our friends and family members over to our place. He is a wonderful cook, so I am glad that he is taking the cooking over!!!

I wanted to wish all of my fellow ActiveRainers a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY!!! PEACE AND BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE FAMILIES!!!!

Crystal Beach - A Place To Relax

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:20:29 -0600

Crystal Beach is indeed a place to relax! I love living here. I love walking out my front door and seeing things like this:

I caught this fellow drying his wings in the early morning sun a couple of days ago. This was one of those times when I was glad that I had my camera with me.

There is such a large variety of birds here in Crystal Beach - you never know what you are going to see!

One more reason why I love living in Crystal Beach!!!

My Granddaughter Just Turned 3 !!!!!

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:13:26 -0600

As any Grandmother knows, nothing is more important that seeing the little ones grow up!!! Our own kids are now adults and it is a wonderful thing to see the grandchildren growing like little weeds!!

My one and only grandchild (so far) just turned three years old last weekend! For her birthday I got her an assortment of Disney gowns.....every little girl wants to be a princess.............she enjoyed them so much that she changed into each one before the morning was over!!!

She had a wonderful time playing 'princess' and thanks to E-Bay, I got them for a sweet deal!!! They are a little large on her, but the way she s growing, that is not a problem!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LITTLE PRINCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One Sweet Deal For My Clients!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:48:09 -0600

This is really one sweet deal for my client! I am working with a couple from out-of-state that want to purchase a waterfront home with a davit for their boat. The intention is to rent the place out for a year or two and then relocate to the Clearwater area.

We looked at several homes in both St Petersburg and Tampa this week and they found one that they are seriously considering. It is in wonderful condition, with a large caged pool on a canal that leads directly into Tampa Bay.

The best part of this is that the current owner would like to remain there until June 2010 when his wife retires from teaching and would love to rent from my clients if they purchase the place! They are delighted since they met the owner and thought he had done a fantastic job of maintaining the home! A match made in heaven!!!

I will keep you posted on how this progresses!!!!

Remember To Send Clients Thanksgiving Day Wishes

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:32:17 -0600

It is that time of year again! Remember to send all of your clients Thanksgiving Day wishes! I used most of the time at my last two home inspections on my laptop doing just that! Of the almost 200 clients in my database 190 got their Thanksgiving Day greetings sent to them this week!

This is a wonderful way to connect and keep your name fresh in their memory! Sure, they get other e-mails and messages from you but now you can combine that listing update with a warm Holiday Greeting! Everyone loves that!

To my joy, I have been getting numerous greetings sent back from clients.....even those that usually never respond to my messages! It pays to let people know you are thinking of them and their loved ones during the Holidays!!!

Another Contract Is Accepted

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:33:19 -0600

I love it when everything falls into place as it should. My buyers, a young couple with a child and one on the way, have been looking and looking for that perfect home. After seeing dozens of homes, many of which were REO and short sales, they have once again put in an offer. The last couple of homes they put offers in on were not accepted simply because their offers were too low and they were not willing to negotiate to a higher price. Both of those homes were NOT short sales or REOs - they decided that most short sales and REOs they saw just needed too much work to be worth the trouble.

After having two deals fall through because of that strategy, they have realized where the market currently is - that is where the market currently is for homes that do not fall into the distressed sale category. The list price for the home they want was 249k. They offered 199k! This home is a 3/2/2 with pool in a great gated community convenient to everything. The home is in move-in condition, new paint, new tiled floors, the works. Naturally, the listing side was shocked. They countered at 240k.

After long discussions and going over the comps again and again, my side countered at 230k and it has been accepted! Great news! This will be closing the end of the first week of December, so they will be in their new home in time for the Holidays and in plenty of time before that new addition to the family arrives!!!

I love it when a plan comes together!!!

Stop Making Indecent Proposals!!!!!

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:04:37 -0600

Stop making indecent proposals when making offers on homes! And when you do make them, don't be so surprised when the homeowner does not want to counteroffer or negotiate with you! They are now insulted!

I see this time and again! A listing for 220k, an offer of 175k - the house is in perfect condition! All you need to do is move in! If I was the homeowner, I would be insulted too!!!!

Even though I run comps before my buyers make offers, time and again they put in offers that are so low that the sellers just don't want to deal at all!!!!

I have one current client that has done this 3 times on 3 different homes - now they starting to realize that this tactic just doesn't work - their last offer was only 12k below list price. Now we can indeed negotiate, but 45k below asking price on a home priced at 220k is like saying both the listing agent and the homeowner had no clue what they were doing - time for a reality check! Well priced homes that are in great shape just don't give the place away! Try that on a fixer-upper!!!!

Listing Agent Provides Bottom Line To Get It Sold

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:22:38 -0600

Today I had something happen that has never happened before. A listing agent called to find out what my clients thought of the house they saw yesterday. They loved it, but it was one of 3 that they loved and not the one they were putting an offer on. I had written the contract but they had not signed the offer yet.

About an hour later the same listing agent called back. Her listing was a 'short sale' but only at the beginning phases. She told me if my client would offer 203k it would be enough to pay it off and we could circumvent the short sale process.

This is the first time that this has happened to me! Needless to say, I left a message for my client with this information and am wondering which one they will decide to put the offer in on with this new information (the other home is NOT a short sale and listed at 220k).

The market is picking up and agents are doing their best to make sure homes are moving!

Crystal Beach Florida - Paradise In The Sun

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:45:41 -0600

Crystal Beach, Florida is indeed Paradise in the Sun! I love living here and want to show you another one of the unbelievable homes currently on the market here in fantastic Crystal Beach, Florida!

Located in Point Seaside, Crystal Beach, this home has 9,000 sq feet of living area under the roof. Of that 4,248 sq ft is heated area!

Located at 1062 Point Seaside this 5 bedroom, 5 full bath home is on three floors and has an elevator to make life easier!

Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, this home is made for living the Florida lifestyle! Featuring wood flooring that sparkles and plenty of windows and doors so you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Gulf!

The kitchen floors are polished granite! Imagine yourself preparing a meal in this kitchen!!!

And of course, no Florida home could be complete without a pool!

Priced at only $1,400,000. this house is a bargin in any market!

To see this fantastic home or one of the other homes located here in Crystal Beach, Florida give me a call today! You can reach me direct at 727-512-0910 or e-mail me at barbarajo@barbarajo.com.

Fantastic Crystal Beach Florida Homes

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:33:46 -0600

Fantastic Crystal Beach florida does indeed have many wonderful homes! Here are two more of the higher end homes that are currently available here in Crystal Beach.

This magestic home on Mayo St in Point Seaside, Crystal Beach was built in 2009 and is a real work of art! Boasting 12,000 sq ft under the roof - of which 6,950 is heated - this 5 bedroom, 5 bath home has two additional half baths too!

Plenty of room for all of your needs! Naturally there is a wonderful pool and let us not forget the 7 car garage for all of your toys!!!

The views of the Gulf of Mexico are unbelievable as you can see here from the spacious kitchen!

Listed at $3,249,900. this is a home worth every penny of the listing price!

I would love to show you this home or one of the other beautiful homes located here in Crystal Beach, Florida where the sun always shines and the sky is always blue!!!

You can reach me direct at 727-512-0910 or drop an e-mail to barbarajo@barbarajo.com.