Pinellas County
Pinellas County Real Estate Today Loses Chance to Cut Property Taxes by up to 32%
September 4th, 2008 Categories: Pinellas County, Real Estate Market Reports, Real Estate News
Pinellas County Real Estate News - Well all Pinellas County home owners, property investors and others got some bad news today following the news we received on August 15th when a Leon County Circuit Court removed Amendment 5 aimed at lowering everyone’s property taxes off the November ballot. We all had been waiting to see what Florida’s Supreme Court would decide. By a 7-0 ruling on September 3rd they struck the Property Tax Amendment from our ballot and their decision is final so Amendment 5 will not be on the ballot this November.
The Florida Supreme Courts’ ruling ends a long fight to help provide property tax relief to Floridians. The court’s ruled to uphold the Circuit Court’s decision to remove Amendment 5 from this fall’s ballot because of the language in the property tax amendment which said “education funding would be held harmless”. The issue was that Amendment 5 funding would only be held harmless for the 1st year and then education funding would be determined by the Florida State legislature.
We will continue to keep you posted on what’s happening with Pinellas county real estate issues that effect you! Stay tuned for any new developments.
The Florida Association of Realtors, which supported the amendment, decried Cooper’s ruling saying “Homeownership is a fundamental right, and Floridians deserve a say on how their property is taxed,” said Chuck Bonfiglio, president of the Florida Association of Realtors, in a prepared statement. “We are shocked that the court decided to deny property owners’ the ability to dramatically lower their property tax rates.”
We as Pinellas County Realtors and home owners were excited about voting YES for Amendment 5 Property taxes. We believe it would have helped Pinellas County Real Estate buyers, residents and renters because everyone should have experience savings. We also believe it would have helped home sellers since by making Pinellas County homes more affordable and more appealing to buyers who do not currently qualify for homestead exemptions.
Florida property taxes have doubled over last 6 years!
Amendment 5 proposed a sales tax 1% or less to fund education.
Amendment 5 was expected to save Florida property owners 25-40% on their property taxes in 2010 by sharing the cost of education with all Pinellas County residents and tourists.
In this Pinellas County Real Estate market Amendment 5 would have helped people buying vacation homes or invests in Clearwater Beach and the Clearwater area with it’s 5% annual property tax cap on all non-homestead property (which was set at 10% this past February) One of the challenges second home property buyers struggle with is the fact that yes - prices and home values are down now but as they rise - so does the cost of ownership and many fear not being able to own these properties for the long term.
Additional aritcles discussing Amendment 5 being removed from the ballot:
Amendment 5 had projected savings for Tampa Bay property owners
- Hillsborough property owners = 23%,
- Pinellas County property owners = 25%
- Pasco property owners = 32%
Amendment 5 Property Tax Details
Now we’ll have to wait and see what happens in the future. Here are the details for the Amendment 5 proposal at Give Me 5 Florida and the actual Amendment 5 property tax proposal. Benefits: Amendment 5 would have provided much-needed tax relief to Florida’s seniors, many of whom fear losing their homes because of an inability to pay higher property taxes on a fixed income.
Amendment 5 proposal built on what Ammendment 1 already gave us:
- Portability
- +25K Homestead exemption
- 10% cap for non homestead property owners
Other articles of interest
- Pinellas County Real Estate matches up to Pinellas County Schools
- Get 25% more Property tax savings in November
** CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS **
Buyers & Sellers tell us that selecting a top Pinellas County real estate agents especially online or from a distance, can be a challenge. Some of our past clients agreed to share their experiences & tell you why they think you should work with us.
Click on photos below of home buyers like you & meet some of our clients & now friends…we’d love to be YOUR choice too! 
The above information and images are Copyright © 2007 Jack and Cyndee Haydon, Clearwater REALTORS and your Clearwater Real Estate Consultants serving Pinellas County and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published. All rights reserved. Plagiarism will be detected and is punishable by law.
Call us Today at (727) 710-8036 to hear more about how we can help you sell your home or buy a new one!
Related Posts
Pinellas County Real Estate Guide to Calculating Your Pinellas County Property Taxes | Part 2
Pinellas County Schools Assignment Update at Pinellas Realtor Organization
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Dunedin Real Estate - Dunedin Best Neighborhoods - Highland Woods Subdivision
August 16th, 2008 Categories: Homes for Sale, Luxury Real Estate, Pinellas County
Dunedin Florida - Highland Woods is a gated deed restricted neighborhood in Pinellas County us south of Curlew Road and West of US 19 however the main entrance to the Highland Woods homes is off Belcher Road. 
When searching Dunedin real estate and homes for sale this upscale community should be on your list to check out. Highland Woods is made up of about 22 acres surrounded by a wall with 2 gated entrance / exits. Most of these luxury Dunedin homes were built in 2002 by Rottlund Builders.
There are 87 single family homes in this Dunedin neighborhood most of which are pool homes with screened lanai’s.
- View slide show of Highland Woods Homes and Neighborhood
Dunedin Homes for Sale in Finest Neighborhoods
Highland Woods is a popular Pinellas County luxury neighborhood. The pride home owners take is obvious as you enter through the main gate and drive the sidewalk lined streets.
In the past these homes sold for $500,000 to the high $600,000 however in mid- 2008 we’ve seen some of these Dunedin homes for sale in the low $400,000s. Most of these homes are 2 story homes with many having sought after features like 3 car garage, tile roofs, large bonus room with wet bar, screened lanai with heated pools and spill over spas.
- Here’s an update on the first half of 2008 Dunedin Real Estate market report for Highland Woods so you can see what these Dunedin homes are selling for and what’s happening right now. Want the latest info call us at 727-710-8036.
Highland Woods Homeowners Association
Highland Woods is a deed restricted community and has a homeowners association. The annual home owners association fees are currently @$700 which covers the (2) gated entrances, the common area landscaping in their neighborhood, the entry ways and signs which gives this Dunedin neighborhood it’s welcoming, safe feeling.
Live in Highland Woods and enjoy Florida Lifestyle:
- houses close to Pinellas County Beaches including Honeymoon Island;
- properties close to Public boat ramp to launch you boat and jet skis;
- homes near some of Pinellas counties best golf courses in Clearwater, Dunedin and Palm Harbor;
Related Highland Woods Information:
- Dunedin Homes for Sale - Highland Woods
- More Highland Woods home photos
- Pinellas County Schools - Student Assignment
Dunedin Real Estate
Are you looking to buy a home in Dunedin Florida? We are happy to give you all the information available on any Dunedin homes for sale in Highland Woods or you can go ahead and search right now and see all the properties for sale by all real estate companies in the Tampa Bay MLS.
Since this neighborhood has a gated entrance, Jack and I would be happy to show you any homes for sale or to just show you the Highland Woods neighborhood when you’re interested in seeing it or finding out more.
Just call us at (727) 710-8036 - we’re looking forward to helping you with all your real estate needs when the time is right.
Cyndee and Jack Haydon, Realtors specializing in Pinellas County Real Estate - waterfront, luxury and golf course homes and condos.
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Clearwater Homes for Sale - What expect from YOUR Clearwater Real Estate Agents?
August 15th, 2008 Categories: Clearwater Florida, Condos for Sale, Homes for Sale, Pinellas County
Selling you Home or Condo - How do you choose YOUR Clearwater Realtor?
Clearwater, Florida- Home Sellers what do you expect from your Clearwater Real Estate Agents?
Most sellers will say, “to sell my home or condo at the highest possible price with the least inconvenience.” But, how do Clearwater Real Estate Agents differ? The Clearwater Real Estate Tampa Homes blog is pleased to welcome guest author, Irina Netchaev, Pasadena California Realtor and Broker Associate with Keller Williams Realty - specializing in Pasadena California Real Estate.
We all have different approaches and views on how to accomplish our home seller’s goals. When you are interviewing a Clearwater Realtor for the job of selling your home or condo, I would urge you to first LISTEN to what the Realtor says:
- Is he or she trying to identify what’s important to you in selling your home?
- Is the Realtor’s approach more consultative vs. “salesy”?
- Do you feel like there’s a connection between the two of you?
- Do they understand the market trends in your local area? Can they intelligently predict, based on hard data, the pricing trend in your area?
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Do they know the inventory and how many months of inventory there is on the market currently?
Questions to ask the Clearwater Real Estate Agent you’re considering
1) How will you market my property? Today’s market takes a tech savvy Realtor to make sure you’re Clearwater home or Clearwater Beach condo will be seen where 85% of buyers are looking - on the internet in addition to using signs, email, promoting to other REALTORS, etc.
2) How will you keep in touch with me throughout the process? A Realtor should be updating their clients and should be able to provide you updates on the activities occuring regarding the sale of your home or condo. Are you able to check activities yourself daily and also track what homes around you are doing? If you like using email, is your agent email savvy? How often do they check it? Do they have set times for returning their voicemails daily?
3) Do they have a marketing campaign ready to implement the moment the listing is ready to be put on the market with custom color flyers, personal websites, pictures and videos of your property?It usually takes at least 7 to 10 days to line everything up so that your home is marketed correctly on day 1. The first 2 weeks of putting your home on the market are the most critical.
4) Does he/she have Showcase homes on Realtor.com? Featured homes on sites like Trulia? Only very few Realtors have Featured Homes. These spots give your home unprecedented exposure with hundreds of hits daily.
5) How often will your real estate agent reevaluate the Clearwater Real Estate market and my competition? It’s critical to make sure that you and your Realtor know what your competition is so that an appropriate strategy is used.
6) What kind of pricing strategy would be best used for my home? A good Realtor will be able to discuss the best pricing strategy and recommend the one that is right for you.
7) Will your home be listed in the Tampa Bay MLS (Multiple Listing Services)? Does your Clearwater Real Estate agent use Listingbook? Craigslist? Google Base, etc. to syndicate your listing out to the widest possible audience?
Where does most of the Realtor’s business come from? You want to hear - REFERRALS! What a great indication of them doing a spectacular job if their clients refer them to more. Your home, in most instances, is your largest investment. ASK, ASK, ASK and LISTEN!
All Clearwater Realtors are NOT created equal! Do your homework and Good Luck!
** CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS **
Buyers and Sellers tell us that selecting the best Clearwater Beach real estate agents especially 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…wed love to be YOUR choice too!
The above information and images are Copyright © 2007 Jack and Cyndee Haydon, Clearwater REALTORS and your Clearwater Real Estate Consultants serving Pinellas County and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published. All rights reserved. Plagiarism will be detected and is punishable by law.
Call us Today at (727) 710-8036 to hear more about how we can help you sell your home or buy a new one!
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