Clearwater Real Estate Round Up for Spring
June 21st, 2011 Categories: Real Estate News, Waterfront Living
Well today is the first day of summer and thought we’d look back over the last few weeks of spring at some of the interesting articles we’ve been able to bring from some of the best Realtors around the country.
You know we talk about Clearwater Real Estate being local however I hope you found it as interesting as I did, to get the different perspectives of real estate from different leading Realtors from different areas. So today we’d like to do the Clearwater Real Estate Round Up – as we got glimpses from experts around the country.
We had Paul Henry, who specializes in selling Indianapolis homes come and kick off our series by sharing about their waterfront real estate market and what your money can buy in their area. If you missed that article check it out at
Then we had Gene Riede who specializes in Sacramento real estate review some of the issues facing buyers of condos both in Clearwater and in Sacramento CA. We’ve definitely seen a lot more of our Clearwater beach condos not qualifying for financing at all and reminds us why cash is still king in our real estate market. Check out her tips in:
Next we had Roberta Murphy who sells luxury Carlsbad homes talk about buying your next home or condo with an awareness on what Baby boomers want and need. This is a topic near and dear to our hearts because Jack and I helped start the Senior Helpline for the Pinellas / Pasco Area Agency on Aging in the early 1990s. Whether it effects you or a family member she offered great insights here:
Kristal Kraft who is and expert in Denver Relocation shared what to think about when buying here in Clearwater and decorating because what works in Denver Colorado or Indianapolis may not fit your needs or lifestyle here. Don’t miss her tips on decorating when relocating.
Now someone I always enjoy hearing from and hope you did too is Dave Smith, who is part of a husband and wife team like us handling Tucson real estate. Of course Arizona is another place that doesn’t get much rain like Clearwater. We know all to much about water restrictions and how hard it is to have grass much less grow other things. For humor and insight read Dave’s article:
And Finally we had Ines Hegedus-Garcia share three common questions you need to consider when buying a Clearwater Beach condo or a Miami Beach vacation home. They were definitely a must read for our client’s considering buying a second home in Florida.
Thank you to all these real estate experts for taking time to share with us. It was a pleasure to have them as guest bloggers and hope to bring you more insights from the best real estate experts around the country and around the state of Florida.
And remember if you are looking to buy or sell in the Clearwater Beach area, Jack and I would love to help you. Just give us a call for the most up to date info on what’s happening with the Clearwater Beach real estate market.
Clearwater Beach Real Estate
And if you’re looking for a Clearwater Beach Realtor we’d like you to know that we are passionate about being your real estate advocate. We’re committed to delivering Results daily based on Integrity, Knowledge & Experience – helping you find the perfect Clearwater Beach condos for sale.
We’d like to be YOUR Clearwater Beach Real Estate Team!
Call Cyndee @ 727.710.8035 or Jack @ 727.710.8036
Warmly,
Cyndee and Jack Haydon, Realtors
Charles Rutenberg Realty
Clearwater Beach Real Estate
1545 S. Belcher Rd
Clearwater Florida 33764
727-710-8035 (Cyndee’s cell)
727-710-8036 (Jack’s cell)
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Vacation Homes in Clearwater and Miami Beach Florida
June 14th, 2011 Categories: Clearwater Beach Florida, Condos for Sale
Buying Vacation Homes in Clearwater Florida or Miami Beach
Clearwater Beach Florida Looking for a Clearwater Beach or Miami Beach Vacation Home? Of course these destinations would be popular! We have gorgeous beaches and beautiful weather! Anyone would be lucky to vacation here on a regular basis.
But what do you need to know if you are thinking of buying a vacation home in either of these locations? First, you need to identify your vacation ownership goals and communicate these to your REALTOR.
- Are you buying just as a vacation home to occupy several times per year or will you be renting the property as well. If you will be renting, make sure rentals are allowed in building complex and think about who will rent and manage the place in your absence.
- Will this also be an investment and expect a certain return on your investment after a few years? Do your homework and find out rental rates and do financial projections BEFORE you buy.
- Will this become a permanent residence after a few years? Make sure you are comfortable with the location, to live in. Some complexes are great for transient living, but not so great if you are looking for permanence.
- If you are financing, you need to let the lender know before you buy that this will be a second home. Loan terms will change drastically and some banks will not lend for second home purposes.
3 Common Questions when buying a vacation property
1. Is there a special or additional real estate tax for non-florida residents, or for foreign nationals?
The answer is NO. You will not be able to claim the property as your primary residence, and will not be able to homestead the property, but you will not have any additional real estate tax either.
2. Should I buy the property in my own name or under a corporation?
This depends totally on your buying goals and individual financial situation. Always consult with your accountant in order to make an educated decision, especially when it comes to tax time! Also keep in mind that certain condo associations do not allow for corporate ownership of their residences – so if that’s the way you want to structure your purchase, make sure you find out restrictions early in the process.
3. What if a Hurricane hits?
Hurricanes in Florida should not be ignored and you HAVE to be prepared. Some condos and homes will have “impact resistant” windows and doors which will protect your property against hurricane-like winds without the need for additional shutters. If the property has hurricane shutters, make sure you arrange with someone in advance, to close/install shutters in your absence.
If the property does not have impact resistant windows nor shutters, my advice is to get them installed! It’s better to be safe than sorry and you don’t want to be miles away worrying at the very last minute.
So there you have it – buying a vacation home 101 for Clearwater Beach or Miami Beach. And the most important factor to keep in mind is that you will have a gorgeous place in paradise that you can call home as often as you wish.
This article was from Ines Hegedus-Garcia, a Miami Beach Realtor and publisher of the hyper-local site Miamism - sharing some great tips on things to consider when buying a vacation condo. – Thank you Ines for sharing your expertise with our readers this week.
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Tucson Raising More Than a Ruckus
June 13th, 2011 Categories: Green Living
Clearwater Florida has a guest blogger today. Welcome my friend Dave Smith, a Tucson Realtor who is also part of a husband and wife team. We often the pros and cons for people relocating to the south and trying to decide between to great places to live: Florida and Arizona. Dave shares something you may not have thought about….Enjoy his wit, humor and insights. I know I always do.
Grown upside down
Tucson Real Estate is what I’m supposed to be covering in this post. Some aspect of it at least. Therefore, I’ve chosen the topic of Land are real estate. Land as a general rule around Tucson is desert. It is dirt that is so poor the only thing you would think about raising on it is a ruckus.
But there are those of us who are ourselves transplants from other parts of the country where green is the color that provided the canvas for our daily lives. Here in the Desert it is more likely to be brown, a very dry brown.
I have a degree in “Brown Thumb”
There seems to be some kind of genetic signature in those of us born where we grow things in the ground. That signature tells us to “plant”, when spring and summer arrive we get the bug to plant, water, feed, weed, and prepare to harvest.
For most of my 11 years here there have been many attempts to plant, water, feed, only to find those efforts resulting in the color brown. The only harvest is the pulling of the dead plant stem from the ground and depositing in the trash.
The Grow Green Stuff Gene
However, this spring, the gene once again has kicked in and this time I think I’ve found the missing ingredient. There are actually quite a few ingredients that go into the growing of anything beyond cactus. You need to enrich the soil. That mean, take out all the crap dirt down as far as you can and replace it with stuff you buy at Home Depot or Lowes. Yeah, we buy dirt here.
Water is important, but it isn’t how much water that is as important as how often you water. In the early stages of germination it is important to keep those little green babies hydrated. Out here in the desert a few hours without water and you have a sure fired recipe for dead.
This leads me to the missing ingredient I discovered this year. Shade, amazing isn’t it. It’s not what you add, it’s what you prevent. I’ve found, even in 100 degree temps, that if I have shade from direct sunlight, I can grow, “green stuff”.
I’ve got tomatoes and peppers growing in a planter in the corner of the yard under a lattice work for shade. I’ve got tomatoes growing upside down in a “Topsy Turvy”.
If you really want to know something about living in Tucson or how the Tucson Real Estate market is doing check out our site. If not, find some shade, some good soil, and grow some “green stuff” You’ll be glad you did. Unless it’s kale.
Here’s the deal, if you live in Clearwater, Florida, why would you ever want to move to Tucson? The fishing here sucks.
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Decorating Mistakes when Relocating to Clearwater Florida Area
June 8th, 2011 Categories: Waterfront Living
Decorating Mistakes when Relocating
Clearwater Florida – Relocation to a new destination brings with it many considerations beyond the obvious. Naturally one wants wants to make good decisions in purchasing the best home possible. When it comes to actually moving in, it is important to plan ahead way before the moving truck pulls into your driveway.
Predetermining what to move and what to leave behind will eliminate wasted effort with added benefit of saving a few dollars.
Closet cleaning, garage culling are a great place to start. Evaluate each item with your destination in mind. Chances are the snow blower and set of matching family snow shovels can be sold at a garage sale. Your opportunity to use them is about equal to your opportunity to sell them when moving to Clearwater Beach!
Conversely if you are leaving Clearwater Florida for a Denver Relocation, you may need room in your closet for some hiking boots, so pair down your collection of flip-flops, two or three pairs should do you just fine!
Furnishings also need to be evaluated!
Your sea shore themed home is perfect in Clearwater Florida, but it will lose its charm in the foothills of the Rockies! Or if your Colorado mountain home is adorned with cute little carved bears and Bullwinkle the Moose towels, you best leave them behind.
My examples are exaggerated to illustrate a point. I love Bullwinkle as much as the next person, but he certainly looses his charm and simply looks out of place on the beach!
When moving to a new location, it is a good idea to take inventory on what should go and what can stay. Doing so early in the game means less cost to haul furniture across country only to have it be thrown in the trash at the new destination.
What can you do with all your stuff?
Don’t feel guilty about getting rid of things you don’t need. You can donate items to charitable organizations, families in need or advertise them on your local Craigslist. I’ve even pulled large items out to the curb and placed a sign on them saying, “FREE FOR THE HAULING” and found myself smiling when they magically disappear!
If you are decorator challenged like me, you will be happy to know there are people who will come to your home and help you. Professionally, trained decorators know how to stage your current home to sell and can prepare you for what to take and what to leave behind before you embark to your new destination.
Hiring someone to help you make decorating decisions might just revitalize your spirits and be the key to having a pleasant move to your exciting new destination!
About the AuthorKristal Kraft sells Denver Real Estate. As a New Jersey Transplant she knows the joys of living both on the beach and in the Mile High City of Denver.
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Clearwater Beach Florida – Best City Beach
June 6th, 2011 Categories: Clearwater Beach Florida, Tampa Beach Living, Things to do
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Clearwater Beach Florida – Best of the Best
Clearwater Beach Florida – It was another beautiful weekend here in Clearwater Beach and for those of you not familiar, Clearwater Beach Florida was designated Best City Beach on the Gulf of Mexico a few years back and it’s just as nice today. So on this Monday, back to work day, thought we’d send out a little sunshine break, complete with sugar white sand and amazing sunsets. Hope you enjoy this short video highlighting our wonderful Clearwater FL beaches.
What’s your favorite thing about Clearwater Beach?
As always, if you have any questions about the area or if you’d like to know about what’s happening with Clearwater Beach real estate just give us a call and we’ll bring you up to speed on what’s happening right now.
Clearwater Beach Real Estate
And if you’re looking for a Clearwater Beach Realtor we’d like you to know that we are passionate about being your real estate advocate. We’re committed to delivering Results daily based on Integrity, Knowledge & Experience – helping you find the perfect Clearwater Beach condos for sale.
We’d like to be YOUR Clearwater Beach Real Estate Team!
Call Cyndee @ 727.710.8035 or Jack @ 727.710.8036
Warmly,
Cyndee and Jack Haydon, Realtors
Charles Rutenberg Realty
Clearwater Beach Real Estate
1545 S. Belcher Rd
Clearwater Florida 33764
727-710-8035 (Cyndee’s cell)
727-710-8036 (Jack’s cell)
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Baby Boomers in Clearwater Beach versus San Diego
May 31st, 2011 Categories: Clearwater Beach Florida, Clearwater Florida
Today we have a guest post for on Roberta Murphy, a top Realtor who specializes in San Diego relocation. We’ve known Roberta for over five years and she is who we consult with and refer our clients to when they decide to relocate to the San Diego area. I hope you enjoy her insightful observations about one of the fastest growing segments of our real estate market - the Baby Boomers. This is a topic near and dear to our heart because in the early 90′s Jack and I volunteered and helped start the Area Agency on Aging for Pinellas and Pasco County. We learned about the issues and challenges people face at this stage of life. Almost universally people when asked, will tell you they want to age in place – which means planning ahead now when choosing where to live. Thanks Roberta for sharing…
Baby Boomers – A growing part of Clearwater Beach and San Diego
Baby Boomers have always kind of been the noisy sort, and more and more we are hearing their wishes in unison. And for some reason, I doubt that boomers seeking homes in Clearwater Beach are very different from those seeking a coastal home in San Diego, perhaps a local farmers market ethnic bakery, museums, shopping and dry cleaners. They would happily go days without driving a car–unless it’s a golf cart. 
Though home prices in San Diego are still higher than those in Clearwater, the ones that hold their values best in both cities would be those near the beach, sand and other amenities. And that is the lifestyle so many retiring Baby Boomers are seeking.
We work with a number of baby boomers who are either moving to or within the San Diego area, and know that the Haydon team works with similar homebuyers moving to Clearwater. These folks are seeking to downsize and move away from soccer fields, elementary school crossings, cul de sacs, lawns that need mowing and windshields that need de-icing in winter.
What do many of these Boomers want & what are we hearing?
- They want to be able to lock and go. Boomers want to travel and not have to worry about security back home. Urban cottages are charming, but spacious mid and high rise condos also work really well–especially with security systems in place.
- They want to be able to walk no more than a block or two to get a morning cup of coffee or evening tapas. It would also be nice to take that sleeve-wrapped cup of coffee and the morning newspaper to a park or pier bench where one can read and enjoy the scent of fresh-mown grass or the salty sea air. Alternatively, that coffee might fit nicely into a golf cart’s cup holder.
- Boomers also want nearby restaurants, a bookstore, a
- Public transportation is good. In coastal San Diego, many village dwellers live not far from a train station, where the train will take them up and down the coast, where they can wine and dine in San Diego’s Gaslamp area and then catch the train back to Del Mar or Oceanside. No designated driver required.
- Views tend to be important with this group. It is good when they can see the ocean or mountains from their living and bedroom windows. Clearwater Beach has stunning views of its own.
- Proximity to the ocean is very important for many of the clients with whom both Cyndee and we work. It could be an energy attraction between the salt and water in our own bodies and that in the ocean. Then again, it may simply be the sound or smell or the hypnotic appeal of the waves.
- A casual local ambience that accepts shorts and flip flops (or running shoes) is also appealing. Most beach and resort restaurants really don’t care and it makes for easy wardrobe selection. Its also nice to have the climate that allows for this year-round dressing option.
- These Boomers are not seeking a Del Webb lifestyle. They want the energy of commerce, the diversity of people, and ocean proximity. They may or may not care about golf, but if they do, San Diego is loaded with golfing opportunities. Golf in Clearwater is pretty appealing, too!
- Quality medical care is important. San Diego is blessed with excellent medical facilities and physicians. Some of our country’s top medical practitioners have also chosen San Diego as the ideal place to live. Again, Clearwater and Clearwater Beach will also attract medical talent that wants a lifestyle most in the world would envy.
It is interesting to see how Baby Boomers are already beginning to reshape the urban and village landscapes in San Diego County and how the cities and builders are responding.
Roberta asked me what we’re seeing today in the Clearwater Beach area and I explained since we’re completely built out, we see people choosing to live in communities that are more condusive to walking and are properties that are remodeled with universal design in mind and of course nothing beats what our beach lifestyle has to offer (of course I”m a little biased).
How do you think an aging population will change where people choose to live?
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Grande on Sand Key~Sand Key Condos~Top 10 Reasons to Live Here
May 13th, 2011 Categories: Condos for Sale, Sand Key Florida
The Grande Condos on Sand Key – Clearwater Beach Florida
Sand Key Florida - The Grande on Sand Key is a wonderful place to live or call your vacation home way from home. These Sand Key condos offers some of the finest luxury on Clearwater Beach and Sand Key Florida. There are so many reasons to live here, but these are the ones I hear most frequently from residents and potential real estate buyers
Check out this quick video of this completely updated Grande Condo for sale:
Top 10 Reasons to Live in The Grande Condos on Sand Key
- Large secured private Sand Key condo community – 14 acres on the Gulf of Mexico, gated entrance on beach and street side
- Best of both worlds – gorgeous ocean views and magical intercoastal views offering sunrise & sunsets and dancing night lights
- Great style – Your guest walk under a “garage” to enter your building unlike most Sand Key condos for sale Read the rest of this entry »
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Oceanfront Clearwater FL Condos vs Sacramento Condos
May 9th, 2011 Categories: Clearwater Florida, Condos for Sale
Clearwater, FL was not a familiar place to me until I met Cyndee Haydon, Clearwater Realtor® years ago and with her blog site Sandbars to Sunsets it became clear (no pun intended) how Clearwater got it’s name. Love that clear water!
I am a Realtor® in Sacramento, the capitol of California where we have a Mediterranean climate and and rivers running through our city located in the valley floor and surrounded by mountains on the sides.
I was reading Cyndee’s article about how difficult it is for buyers to finance some of the ocean front condos in Clearwater and it brought to the forefront for me how difficult it is for home buyers in Sacramento to finance a condo, as well. Read the rest of this entry »
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Clearwater Florida Thanks for Fun N Sun Knology Sea-Blues Festival
May 8th, 2011 Categories: Clearwater Florida, Things to do
Clearwater Florida – Fun N Sun Festival always means lots of great events and fun things to do in Clearwater. This year the Blues festival was moved to be part of Clearwater’s annual Fun N Sun festival. Even the City of Clearwater is embracing social media like Facebook & Twitter. They ran a contest and asked you to share your favorite things to do in Clearwater and of course we shared with @myclearwater that we love the daily sunsets at Pier 60 and all the performers, artists and more. So if you’re on twitter, add @myclearwater to your list of people to follow. They are always sharing good info about the City of Clearwater and if you’re not following me, we’d love it connect with you there. You’ll find me @cyndeehaydon.
Well guess what connecting online brought us an unexpected surprise this week because we were the lucky winners of two VIP passes to the Knology Sea-Blues Festival this weekend held in Coachman Park. Man was it awesome – this is just one of the many reasons we love living in Clearwater. Coachman park always has great events going on.
Jack and I had a great time and the weather, food and music couldn’t have been better. I wanted to share some of the fun with you. Hope you enjoyed our short videos of Taj Mahal at my favorite time of day..sunset. Again, we want to thank the City of Clearwater as well as the sponsors and producers of Knology Sea-Blues Festival – it was a wonderful event and we enjoyed it thoroughly. Most of you know we stay busy helping others find their piece of paradise, however today was not about Clearwater Real Estate, it was just all about having fun living in Clearwater.
So Did you go to the festival? Who your favorite performers were? We’d love to hear your thoughts and connect with you on twitter 
PS Happy Mothers Day for all the mothers today!!
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Indianapolis Homes for Sale | Guide to Waterfront Homes
May 2nd, 2011 Categories: Real Estate News
Today we kick off a new series where each Tuesday we will be having Top Realtors from around the country sharing thoughts about real estate and their local markets. This week we are pleased to have Paula Henry, a top Indianapolis Realtor who also sells Indianapolis homes on the water. Many of our clients come from Indiana and Illinois to buy their Clearwater beach house, aka “their piece of paradise”. Today I think you’ll see that they also have some beautiful waterfront homes in Indiana as well- who knew? I learned some new things myself, so while we love sharing about living in Clearwater Florida …We hope you’ll enjoy this opportunity to learn more about waterfront Indianapolis homes for sale from their local expert……
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