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Clothing Optional Swimming Pool For One Condo Community

By Becky Troutt

Industry Observer with No longer practicing real estate as of 2008.

June 20, 2008 04:50 AM

I was reading the Tampa Tribune paper online this morning and an article caught my attention. Condo Company Plans Clothing-Optional Pool. This is a ploy to help move units in a down market in Temple Terrace (near Tampa). My first thought is, it might have the opposite affect of what they are hoping for.

Even though only one of the pools with be clothing optional and will be 18 and older, I still would bet a lot of people would not want their kids in a community where some people are outside nude even if it is behind gates, shrubs or whatever.

In an online advertisement, the following statement was used: "You're going to be very comfortable with our dress code," it says. "Our residents are welcome to shed more than their inhibitions as they enter the gates of Eden. Because when our residents come home after a busy day in the working world, they want to completely unburden themselves, shed the trappings of the outside world ... and be totally free."

After some residents read that statement, they were up in arms because it made it sound as if the entire complex was going to be clothing optional. Not true they say. Only one of the private pools with me made clothing optional!

I'll be curious to see what happens if it gets passed and if it helps the sales!

Instead of "The right to bear arms" maybe it should read, "The right to bear butts"!

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R. B. "Bob" Mitchell - Loan Officer Raleigh/Durham

Bank of England (NMLS#418481) - Raleigh, NC

Bob Mitchell (NMLS#1046286)

I don't mean to be rude, but you touched upon something that has been a pet peeve of mine for a while now....that is.....NOT EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE KID OR FAMILY FRIENDLY!

For some reason, my girlfriend and I can't seem to go out anywhere without being seated next to somebody and their screaming kids. Maybe this wouldn't be as bad if people actually learned to discipline their kids and to teach them to behave in public, but I'd say that the ratio of families that have done so is pretty freaking slim. Maybe 1 family who has taught their kids manner's to every 8 or 9 who havent'.

If this condo wants to do it this way, more power to them!

Bob Mitchell

ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc.

P.S. I really didn't mean to rant....it's just that this has even happened to me at a freaking casino!

Jun 20, 2008 04:59 AM

Becky Troutt

No longer practicing real estate as of 2008. - Bradenton, FL

LOL @ your response. Yes they can do what they want. However they probably should have let the people know that recently moved in with their kids that this was the plans.

Jun 20, 2008 05:04 AM

Rich Dansereau

Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN

I don't think it will attract very many people. That said, as long as they follow the local laws and association rules then they should be well within their rights to change one of their pools to clothing optional.

Jun 20, 2008 05:13 AM

Mana Tulberg

805 County Real Estate - Camarillo, CA

Real Estate Agent - Camarillo CA

I think the ad would look attractive to the younger generation, but the question to ask is: can they afford to purchase a condo?

Jun 20, 2008 05:25 AM

R. B. "Bob" Mitchell - Loan Officer Raleigh/Durham

Bank of England (NMLS#418481) - Raleigh, NC

Bob Mitchell (NMLS#1046286)

I didn't think about the folks that already owned in there...now that would be a different story.

Bob Mitchell

ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc.

Jun 20, 2008 06:50 AM

Katrina Madewell

Charles Rutenberg Rlty- More than 5,000 agents(813) 777-1196 - Tampa, FL

Tampa FL Homes for sale | Tampa Bay - (813) 777-1196

Funny, I missed this one! How are the Nolte's I referred to you? ANY updates?

Jun 20, 2008 08:32 PM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

I wonder why I wasn't invited to buy one, did they think I was too fat? Shhhh, I'm with you I would never buy one there as I have kids and that just isn't what I need my kids seeing. I would love to hear an update if their sales go up or down in the next couple months from this promotion. Maybe even see if more go up for sale as people leave the community because of this.

Jun 21, 2008 05:43 PM

Rob Wesler

Harborview Financial Partners, LLC - Land O Lakes, FL

Living in the Tampa Bay community for some years now and having financed many a property in Paradise Lakes, Caliente and several other clothing-optional resorts, I will put one common misconception to rest early. These places are not Sodom and Gomora, nor do they encourage any type of inappropriate conduct. In fact, most are not the haven for the younger crowd, but moreover a more relaxed and "set in their ways" middle age crowd. I am not a naturalist myself, nor do I want to be at a cool 250 pounds. I do think that everyone has the ability to chose....

Jun 22, 2008 01:08 AM

R. B. "Bob" Mitchell - Loan Officer Raleigh/Durham

Bank of England (NMLS#418481) - Raleigh, NC

Bob Mitchell (NMLS#1046286)

Rob...do you know if the "clothing optional" option was always a possibility or were the rules changed in the middle...after people had already bought in the community?

Bob Mitchell

ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc.

Jun 22, 2008 02:14 PM

Becky Troutt

No longer practicing real estate as of 2008. - Bradenton, FL

Bob, click on the link in the post above and read the article and then the comments below it. Here is part of one current residents comment on the situation....

I would have liked to known it BEFORE I moved in here recently with my young son. I just think they need to start telling potential residents what the plans are. It could have changed my position on staying here. Otherwise, it's a nice place to live.

And another person's comment....

I recently moved into the complex. I asked one of the sales men at Arbors and he denied it immediately. I find it deceitful and disgusting that they would entertain this idea because there are many children that live in the complex. I will not be renewing my lease if this is true.

From what I gather, this is a condo conversion project from apartments. It sounds like they are still renting to a lot of people, but now switching to selling the units. It's not a brand new community! There are a handful or people that have already purchased in there and the developer owns the rest of the units amongst the renters.

I would like to think they are telling the people that are purchasing the units what the plans are...but if they aren't telling renters.......?

I would hope that they would also at least wait and let all the current renters leases expire and they are moved out before this was put into effect if they pass it. This way it would only be the new owners that are aware of it, living in the community.

Jun 22, 2008 11:32 PM

R. B. "Bob" Mitchell - Loan Officer Raleigh/Durham

Bank of England (NMLS#418481) - Raleigh, NC

Bob Mitchell (NMLS#1046286)

I agree with you! If it was a new complex, then I wouldn't have a problem with it, but if they are imposing it upon people who weren't given notice, then that's a different thing.

Thanks for the update!

Bob Mitchell

ValueList Real Estate Services, Inc.

Jun 23, 2008 02:56 AM

Rob Wesler

Harborview Financial Partners, LLC - Land O Lakes, FL

In Florida, "rules" change daily. If you check into this community, and are humanly c apable of keeping an open mind, it is no big deal. Out of the HUGE number of units, 2-3 complaints is NOT a majority. If it were a majority, there opinions would have carried before a vote of the association.... stop complainung and get naked people!

Jun 23, 2008 11:46 AM

Becky Troutt

No longer practicing real estate as of 2008. - Bradenton, FL

Hmm...since when is expressing my OPINION considered complaining? At any rate, it's my blog and I'll give my opinion or complain if I feel like it, thank you very much!

Jun 23, 2008 01:21 PM

Karen Parker

Parker Holdings of Tampa Bay, LLC - Brandon, FL

lol! That's cute. Aren't there some types of laws preventing such things in Tampa. I mean this is the city that squaked about lap dances and hotdog vendors baring their buns ;)

And I agree with the first comment, I'm not kid friendly and actually prefer places that are not. The screaming gets on my nerves unless its my own.

Jul 02, 2008 07:17 PM