Belle Vista waterfront community located a few blocks north of the famous Don Cesar Hotel just across the street from the beautiful white sands of St Pete Beach.  The homes range in price from $150,000 (off the water) to over $2 million (luxury homes on the water).  Most homes in the communities were built in the 50's and 60's, but there are also several newer homes built in this great waterfront community of over 1200 single family homes.

Belle Vista is a close knit community.  Many of the neighborhood residents meet on Friday nights at a local hotel/grill on the beach across the street - The BonAire.  The BonAire is known for it's great hamburgers, chicken kabobs and gorgeous sunsets.  The neighborhood holds neighborhood meetings, parties, garage sales and other social events on a regular basis.

The location of Belle Vista is convenient to commute to Tampa, shopping, restaurants, the beach and several parks:

• St Pete Beach is available via public access just across the street from Belle Vista.  This beach is known for its wide beautiful white sand There are several hotels, condominiums and bars along the beach.  One popular spot, the Undertow is famous for beach volleyball, music on Sundays and hanging out.
• Enjoy the shops at the beach or drive 5 miles to Tyrone Mall and the surrounding area for all the shopping you could want!  Walgreens and Gigi's pizza is at the entrance of the neighborhood.  Publix is just one block north, along with many other restaurants and shops.
• Great restaurants nearby include - Blue Fuju, Gigi's, Dockside Dave's Woody's and Los Mexicanos.
• The famous Don Cesar is a short walk south.  Enjoy a treat at Andy's, the Don's onsite ice cream parlor.

If you're considering living in a great beach Waterfront community, Belle Vista neighborhood is a beautiful active community.  There are several Belle Vista Homes for Sale and Other St Pete Beach Waterfront homes available for sale.

Contact us for more information or for your free St Petersburg MLS Account.

A Wachovia Short Sale in Pinellas County Florida is a suprisingly smooth and easy process.  Our team is experienced in this type of short sale and we have been assigned to a Wachovia negotiator who will assist us in helping homeowners get approved for a Wachovia Short Sale in this area. 

I'm sure as homeowners you have heard the difficult stories or experienced them yourself with regards to the Loan Modification & Short Sales process and are confused about the ramifications associated with doing these types of transactions.  Wachovia understands the position this market has created and now offers homeowners, Realtors and buyers the assistance necessary to streamline the Wachovia short sale process and approve these transactions within traditional time lines.

Wachovia, now Wells Fargo,  has implemented their "streamlined" approval process by assigning a local representative (Loss Mitigation Manager) with the authority to approve these transactions within a 7-10 period. 

Any homeowner in Florida who has either a Wachovia, Wells Fargo or World Savings loan that is in can be a candidate for the new Florida Wachovia Short Sale Program call the Wachovia Fast Track Short Sale. Wachovia wants to lessen their loss by helping homeowners secure a Wachovia short sale now, verse a costly foreclosure later.

Here are some of the programs highlights:

• Must have financial hardship such as loss of income, increase in expenses or life change event (health, divorce, family changes, etc).
• One local point of contact for homeowners, Realtors and buyers to submit offers to and close the transaction
• Do NOT have to miss payments to qualify
• Both Primary and Investment Properties Qualify
•  Approvals in 7-10 days 
• Up to $5000 cash for cooperation/moving expenses
• Any Deficiency Waived (FORGIVEN)
• This is a great opportunity for homeowners who may owe more than their homes are currently worth. 

Homeowners struggling with Wachovia , World Savings or Wells Fargo loans who are considering a short sale, this is the time to take advantage of this Wachovia Short Sale program. Take full advantage of this seller market and position yourself to minimize your financial loss, limit the damage to your credit history and shorten your recovery period.  Homeowners don't need to be behind on payments to qualify for this program.

Contact us for further information or to determine whether you qualify for a World Savings, Wells Fargo, or Wachovia Short Sale.

Causeway Isles, along with its neighboring community Yacht Club Estates, is a waterfront community located on the far west side of St. Petersburg just before crossing over to Treasure Island.  The homes range in price from $150,000 (off the water) to over $2 million (luxury homes on the water).  Most homes in the communities were built in the 50's and 60's, but there are also several newer homes built on these beautiful waterfront lots.

This waterfront neighborhood has over 400 single family homes and no businesses.  On the south side the community consists of several waterfront "fingers" leading back to prestigious Yacht Club Estates.  The north side consists of one street on the gorgeous open waters of Boca Ciega Bay.

Causeway Isles Neighborhood Association has voluntary membership.  The association takes on beautification projects, plans social events and puts out a quarterly neighborhood news letter.  Social events usually include a Christmas Party, block parties, Egmont Boat Trip, Car Shows, etc.

The location of Causeway Isles Neighborhood is convenient to commute, shopping, restaurants, beaches and parks:

• Treasure Island Beach is just a short 1.5 mile walk.  This beach is known for its wide beautiful white sand beach and boardwalk that people can enjoy for walking or bicycling. There are several hotels, condominiums and bars along the beach.  Events are held at the beach regularly including sand sculpture contests, concerts, drum lines, etc.
• Enjoy the shops at the beach or drive 2-3 miles to Tyrone Mall and the surrounding area for all the shopping you could want!  Publix is just around the corner at Treasure Island and is also available near Tyrone mall and on Pasedena (all within 2 miles)
• Many great restaurants are around Treasure Island Beach (try the VIP Lounge for Mexican) or Middle Grounds (for fine dining).  More great restaurants are close by on Central Avenue and near Tyrone Shopping area.
• Several Parks are in walking distance from this central located neighborhood.

If you're considering living in a St Petersburg Waterfront community, Causeway Isles neighborhood is a beautiful active community.  There are several Causeway Isles Homes for Sale and Other St Petersburg Waterfront homes available for sale.

Contact us for more information or for your free St Petersburg MLS Account.

This magnificent Tierra Verde waterfront home is nestled on beautiful Sands Point Drive in the much sought after island oasis of Tierra Verde, Florida. This 4 bedroom, 5 bathroom and 3 half bathroom home built in 1984, has striking architectural details.  The Tierra Verde Waterfront home has a warm, inviting, and relaxed elegance that makes it perfect for entertaining. You will fall in love with its breathtaking open water views from several private balconies. Amazing vistas from virtually every room include the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Greenland Preserve and Fort Desoto National Park (recently voted the most beautiful beach in the US). This Tierra Verde Waterfront home is a Boaters dream with quick access to the deep blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Feel safe and secure in this 4480 square foot fortress built with concrete and steel. Significant upgrades include travertine and bamboo flooring, custom tile bathrooms, custom built-in cabinets and exquisite ceiling treatments. Brilliant master bedroom features include spa-like bath with sauna/steam room and a separate 12x15 dressing room with floor-to-ceiling closet organization (you have to have it). This Tierra Verde Waterfront home is perfect for entertaining!  The large backyard has a covered entertainment area perfect for bar, pool table or seating area with incredible views. 

Whether you are floating in the pool or relaxing in your hammock surrounded by lush tropical landscaping, you are sure to feel you are on a permanent vacation. This luxurious Tierra Verde Waterfront home represents Florida waterfront living at its finest! Come see it and you won't be disappointed.

Make this your next home. You deserve it!  See the details and photos of this Tierra Verde Waterfront Home or Search for more Tierra Verde Waterfront homes with your free Pinellas County MLS Search Account.

Coaches, seminar leaders, team leaders all tell us we need accountability for our business goals.   So I am writing mine here, in my blog, so I can't forget, or ignore them.   I'm posting to all my colleauges my commitment to my business goals, and I'd love to hear yours too!   Inspire me!!

My goal is to double my business to 15 million for 2009!!   (BIG Goal - I need to stretch to figure this one out!)

I'm committed to propspecting by phone 3 hours per day, 4 days per week.

I'm committed to hiring the right assistance so that my schedule is limited to - Prospecting, listing, writing contracts and customer service.

I'm committed to listing 10 homes per month.

I'm committed to make my website a lead generating machine!  

What are your big goals for 2009?  How do you plan to get there?   

I had a strange dealing with a short sale and am looking for some feedback from anyone who can assist.

I have a buyer interested in make a very good offer on a short sale property here in the area.   I contacted the listing agent and he is telling me that he has a cash offer from his office and they have submitted that to the bank and are awaiting a reply and that my offer would be submitted to the seller in back up position and would not be submitted to the bank until they responded to his 1st cash offer.

I am understanding that all offers should be submitted to the bank so that they can accept or counter the highest and best.  However, this realtor is using the technicality that the owner of record is still the seller in foreclosure and that although he has to present the offer to the owner of record, he has no legal obligation to present it to the bank.

He has informed me this is the way he does business and that unless I have an attorney advise him in writing on why it is not legal, then he will continue to do business that way and not present our offer to the bank.

I hate to assume, but it seems to me that his whole process is a little sketchy....

I have contacted our broker's attorney....but I'm wondering....has anyone else run in to this issue?  Any suggestions?  

St. Petersburg is an extreme buyers market.  There are plenty of buyers looking, but many of them want a GREAT deal, better described as a "steal".     It's tough to get them off the fence because there is so much to choose from (16 months of inventory).  They may look at all low priced homes whether or not they meet their needs and then make low offers to them.  It's extremely inefficient. Many of them often have trouble pulling the trigger to make that purchase (always a better deal to be found, they think)

We have found a great way to service these types of buyers.   See our dealfinders program below:

1. Ask for and prioritize the buyers criteria for their property search (besides price)
2. Explain to them that you are in the market every day and based on their criteria, you will research and find the best value properties meeting their criteria.  This eliminates looking at or making offers on homes that are overpriced in the market. 
3. From the showings, they choose 5 homes that would work for them.
4. You agree to place offers on these 5 properties one at a time, starting with their favorite to get the best deal possible on a property that works for them.

We find this reduces search time and gives them a gameplan for ensuring they find what they want at a the best possible price!

Good Luck out there!

Today's market is a constantly changing environment.  I find it especially important to educate sellers as home prices continue to drop in our area.    

Advice for Sellers in today's market

1. Price is KEY!  When deciding where to price your home, remember the market prices are still dropping and the price should be lower than the last comparable home sold in your area.
2. Pricing to leave room for negotiation is not a good strategy in today's market.  Buyers are looking for value and a higher price may preclude most buyers from even considering it, or going to see it.  Price the home according to today's market to get the most buyers looking.  More buyers looking brings more energy and ultimately a higher price for the home.
3. Make sure your home is neutral, clean and fresh.  Do the best with what you have. Don't do any major remodeling or changes. 
4. Remember that your home has to appraise for at least the purchase price in order for a buyer to obtain financing.  Most cash buyers request an appraisal also.  It may be a good idea to obtain an appraisal in advance to ensure your home is priced correctly.
5. Your first offer is usually your best offer.  We've had sellers turn down offers and wish they had them back later.  If you receive an offer.  Try to negotiate as best you can to make it work.
6. Homes are a commodity.  Price is not determined by how much money has been put in the home or how much a seller would like to get or could have gotten in the past.  Market Price is determined by how much a buyer is willing to pay for it today.
7. The right price paired with a very strong marketing plan will bring a sale.  There are still plenty of qualified buyers out there ready to purchase a home!

The Canadian real estate market is at the end of a boom cycle.  Many citizens may have home equity or investment gains that they can invest in our extreme buyers market.  Below are some things to consider when buying a Florida property.

• If you are not in town, ask your realtor to preview properties of interest.  Ask for additional pictures.
• Contact a lender and obtain pre-approval.  One lender we have used is RBC Bank, a Canadian bank local to our area.  They can typically approve loans and fund them in less than a week.
• Ask your realtor for the applicable rental minimums, rent comps, occupancy rates for properties you are considering.  Rental income is a great way to offset the expenses of a great beach property investment.
• Ask your realtor for property managment company contacts.  Consult with the property management group to verify rental possibilities and typical maintenance costs.
• Ask about appicable foreign taxes - consult an accountant.
• Ask your realtor for detailed information about the area and any amenities.

Purchasing a second home in Florida's paradise may be a great investment in today's marketplace.   Sell High......Buy Low!

Here's the news - Same as July for Pinellas County!

• Single family listings UP,
• Single family sales DOWN,
• Condo listings down (kinda good news but the June/July number is only a difference of 17.  Condo sales DOWN - by 15!
• Wow!  Single family median price is down a whopping 20% from a year ago,
• Wow again! Condo median price down 13.1% from a year ago and last month it was UP 0.1% from a year ago.  
• Single family inventory is now 16.4 months compared to 13.7 a month ago,
• Condo Inventory is now 23.3 months compared to 22.2 months a month ago - Condo's are still hurting!

The Good News:

• $200-250,000 single family sales remains the best selling price in town,
• Single Family sales priced over $1,000,000 remains to be better than $800-$900 and $700-$800 combined,
• Condo sales priced between $300-$400 as well as those priced between $100-$120 make up 21.2% of all condo sales in August!