Community News
Clearwater Beach New Construction | Recreation Center Building on New Clearwater Beach Library
January 17th, 2008 Categories: Clearwater Beach Florida, Community News
Clearwater Beach Florida – Tuesday I was out showing Clearwater Beach Real Estate and we drove by the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center when we were done to check out their temporary library. You can see it in photo here. My two boys were with me and made me laugh when they asked me, “Mom, why is there a portable parked here?” – I have to admit it looks out of place with Belle Harbor Clearwater Beach town homes and condos in the background and around it are views of the intercoastal waterway and the boat basin, site of the coming Sandpearl condo owners boat docks. I explained to them that this was just the temporary home of the Clearwater Beach Library – the Rec Center is building a new library this spring.
Clearwater Beach Florida – Recreation Center and New Library
Well the good news is that the Clearwater City Council plans to approve a major Beach Recreation Center renovation (to the tune of $600,000). It will include 1200 square feet of new construction – the addition to the Center will create a permanent home for the Beach Library complete with it’s own air conditioning to keep the books from mildewing. If all goes as planned, the new construction will be completed on time and the Clearwater beach library will open by May 2008. Other planned renovations will include updating windows, the kitchen and storage areas will be updated and an overall “face-lift” including upgrading their fitness room as well. Many people don’t realize that the Beach Recreation center’s waterfront multi-purpose room is available for rent for weddings on the waterfront, wedding receptions especially if getting married on the beach, parties and other group functions. It has a fabulous view and is one of those Clearwater Beach secrets that locals like to keep to themselves.
Clearwater Beach Real Estate
Are you looking to sell a Clearwater Florida Luxury Condo – request our complimentary Condo Value Report on what is your luxury Clearwater Beach condo worth today. Are you looking to buy a Clearwater Beach Condo or Sand Key Condo where you can enjoy our beautiful beaches or amazing intercoastal water views and boating? Here’s what some of our past clients have to say about how we helped them….
** CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS **
Buyers tell us that selecting the best Clearwater Beach Real Estate Agent, online or from a distance, can be a challenge. Some of our past clients agreed to share their experiences and tell you why they think you should work with us.
Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends…we’d love to be YOUR choice too! 
Want more info on Clearwater Real Estate? Search the Clearwater Beach MLS multiple listings of all properties including all waterfront Clearwater Beach homes for sale and beachfront condos in Clearwater.
Looking for Real Estate in Clearwater Florida, Sand Key Condos | Homes to Clearwater Beach Condos –
Give us a Call today at (727) 422–8901.
Click to Subscribe to Sandbars to Sunsets & get Daily Updates by Email The above information and images are Copyright © 2007 Jack and Cyndee Haydon, Clearwater Beach REALTORS and your Clearwater Florida Real Estate Consultants and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published. All rights reserved. Plagiarism will be detected and is punishable by law.
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Clearwater Florida Home Buyers Guide to Pinellas Property Tax Values - Part 1
January 11th, 2008 Categories: Clearwater Florida, Community News, Real Estate News
Clearwater Real Estate – Understanding Pinellas Property Valuations for Calculating Your Taxes
Clearwater Florida - when we are working with Clearwater Home Buyers and Beach Condo buyers two of the questions we get most often is, “Can you explain Pinellas County’s Property Tax system” and “What can I expect to pay?”
Today we’ll explain how Pinellas County’s property taxes are determined so you can feel comfortable planning for the taxes on your new home purchase.
While you may have a mortgage approval amount amount almost every home buyer we’ve worked with tells us that they also have a “monthly budget amount” they want to work with.
Property Taxes are a big part of determining how much they want to pay for a home or condo so they are comfortably with ALL the monthly costs.
We recommend Clearwater buyers understand the three main components that will effect their total cost of ownership. Understand your:
- monthly mortgage loan payment,
- the estimated home insurance costs (including flood insurance) &
- the estimated property taxes.
Below are the Pinellas County Property Tax formulas. Then you’ll see a flow chart we created giving you an overview of the process, followed by an explanation of how “the three values” are determined by the Pinellas Property Appraiser for your property (or any property):
Pinellas County Property Tax Formulas
- Property is Purchased or Appraised for the year
- Market Value/Just Value (Capped by the Save our Homes Cap) = Assessed Value;
- Assessed Value – Exemptions = Taxable Value;
- Taxable Value x Millage Rate / 1000 = Gross Property Taxes for the year
If you have additional questions after reading this don’t hesitate to email us with your questions.
Step 1 – Understanding How the Pinellas Property Appraiser Estimates Market Value (Just Value)
What is Market Value / Just Value?
Market Value (Just Value) is the price the property should sell for in the open market, under normal circumstances and in an arms length transaction. (So if you sell your home to your child for $1 – they are not going to pay property taxes on $1 even though that was the purchase price.
They will pay taxes on the price that a buyer would have paid you if you had offered your home for sale). In today’s market we also see people who buy a distressed home or condo and may find the Pinellas County Property Appraiser determines the market value to be higher than their purchase price. The Market Value should be the price two identical pieces of property would sell for. This is sometimes called the “Just Value” as well.
Pinellas County Property Appraiser uses 3 methods to calculate Market Value along with their Computer Assisted Mass Appraisals (CAMA)
3 methods used to determine Market Value
- sales comparison approach (comparable used – uses price other similar homes have sold and is most often used with residential homes) ;
- cost replacement approach;
- income approach;
Step 2 –What’s My Assessed Value? Warning NOT all properties Assessed the Same
What is Assessed Value?
In Pinellas County the appraiser will estimate the market value of your home or condo using the 3 methods above and then determines the assessed value. “Florida law provides that all property is to be assessed at 100 percent of market value less the cost of the sale”. (Source: www.pcpao.org)
This is the point at where things change depending whether your property is your primary residence and you have filed for Homestead Exemption or not.
If it’s your primary residence and you’ve filed your Homestead exemption by the deadline then your taxable amount will be limited by the 1995 Save Our Homes Cap to 3% or the Consumer Price Index – whichever is less.
This is why when you are looking to buy Clearwater homes in a neighborhood the information in the Tampa Bay MLS stating annual taxes for similar homes is irrelevant – everyones property taxes are reset when a Pinellas Property is sold and the Pinellas County Appraiser will determine a new Market Value (see Step 1).
When Does Market Value = Assessed Value?
If your home doesn’t qualify for Homestead Exemption (this would apply to people like real estate investors, vacation property owners, second home owners, seasonal residents etc.) – realize that the Market Value and the Assessed value will be the same so… If there’s no Homestead Exemption filed on Property then Market Value = Assessed Value.
Step 3 – Calculating your Taxable Value
What is my Assessed Value?
Now that you have the Market Value and Asses Value you can determine the Taxable Value.
Get Taxable value:Assessed Value – any Exemptions = Taxable Value
Ex. if you purchase a home and they determine the Assessed Value is $100,000 and you have standard Homestead Exemption of $25,000 then your Taxable Amount will be $75,000 for that year.
When Does Market Value = Taxable Value?
If your property doesn’t qualify for any exemptions then you will ALWAYS used the Market Value as your Taxable Value to calculate your yearly taxes.
What will the Proposed Constitutional Amendment do if it passes?
There is a Florida Constitutional Amendment to be voted on January 29th, 2008 – if it passes it would do 3 major things:
- double the homestead exemption to $50,000;
- allow your exemption to be portable – when you buy a new home so your taxes don’t jump up after being in greatly reduced by only being taxed at a low rate;
- there would be a 10% annual cap on Non Homestead-ed properties. This would then limit how much the Market value could adjust in any given year on Non Homestead-ed properties. This will help second home owners and Tampa Bay real estate investors who saw taxes jump dramatically as property values increased 50% over the last five years in Florida.
Read our Next Article
Clearwater Real Estate Guide to What Your Property Taxes Will Be | Part 2
- Explains what the millage is and how it affects your property taxes;
- How to calculate what your property taxes will be
- Give examples and link to complete Pinellas County 2007 Millage Chart
- Give examples using this formula: Taxable Value x Millage Rate / 1000 = Gross Property Taxes for the year
Want to Search for Clearwater Homes or Condos?
Are you looking to buy Clearwater Real Estate where you can enjoy our finest pool homes, our green golf course deed restricted neighborhoods, playing tennis all year long and dining and entertaining at local country clubs? Looking for an easy commute to Tampa? How about a Tampa Bay waterfront home close to our Tampa Bay Beaches? We will help you find your dream home, condo, villa or town home. Here’s what some of our past clients have to say about how we helped them….
** CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS **
Buyers tell us that selecting the best Clearwater Real Estate Agent, online or from a distance, can be a challenge. Some of our past clients agreed to share their experiences and tell you why they think you should work with us.
Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends…we’d love to be YOUR choice too!
Want more info, click to Search all Clearwater MLS listings includes all the homes and condos for sale in the Tampa MLS!
Looking for Real Estate in Clearwater Florida, Golf Course Condos | Homes or Country Club Communities – Give us a Call. (727) 422–8901.
The above information and images are Copyright © 2007 Jack and Cyndee Haydon, REALTORS and your Clearwater Real Estate Consultants and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published. All rights reserved. Plagiarism will be detected and is punishable by law.
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Clearwater Beach Real Estate - Presidential Quiz Will Show You Your Best Match
January 3rd, 2008 Categories: Clearwater Beach Florida, Community News
Clearwater Beach Florida – Well after experiencing the coldest day in 50 years yesterday in Clearwater Beach it actually feels like winter out west. However in Iowa tonight it may feel warmer since right now it’s the hot spot for National Politics.
Tonight we are seeing the first feedback from American voters as they participate in Iowa’s Caucus. This gives us our first glimpse into who may be the next President of the United States.
Have you decided who you’re voting for?
Jack and I were discussing our thoughts tonight and we came across a neat site that lets you answer 25 simple questions (Yes, No or Unsure) and then immediately gives you a complete analysis as to which candidates you are most aligned with (listing all possible presidential candidates by percentage).
So tonight in the interest of marital harmony we say – don’t get caught in a political battle at home just take the test for yourself. Have a little fun and find the candidate most aligned with your stand on issues. We enjoyed taking this quick “Candidate Calculator” quiz at VaJoe’s site ourselves. Each question has a link next to it giving you more detail info on the issues to help you make your decision. It’s fun – give it a try by clicking here.
We’d love to hear about your experience – Did your favorite candidate come up as your best match?
Clearwater Beach Real Estate
Are you looking to buy a Clearwater Beach Condo or Sand Key Real Estate;where you can enjoy our beautiful Pinellas Gulf Coast beaches? Here’s what some of our past clients have to say about how we helped them….
** CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS **
Buyers tell us that selecting the best Clearwater Beach Real Estate Agent, online or from a distance, can be a challenge. Some of our past clients agreed to share their experiences and tell you why they think you should work with us.
Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends…we’d love to be YOUR choice too!
Want more info on Clearwater Beach Real Estate? Search the Clearwater Beach MLS multiple listings of all properties including all waterfront Clearwater Beach homes for sale and beachfront condos in Clearwater.
Looking for Real Estate in Clearwater Florida or Waterfront Condos on Tampa Beaches – Give us a Call. (727) 422–8901.
The above information and images are Copyright © 2007 Jack and Cyndee Haydon, REALTORS and your Tampa Real Estate Consultants and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published. All rights reserved. Plagiarism will be detected and is punishable by law.
| Currently 11 Comments »
