One of Pass-A-Grille’s Most Unique Homes Recently Sold!

May 21st, 2013 | +Smith & Associates | Add a Comment

In 1930, on Pass-A-Grille Beach, this beautiful English manor was built on a small strip of land surrounded by Boca Ciega Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The picture perfect home has been sort of a family heirloom throughout the years. It was originally designed and constructed by the Scott family who went on to sell it to the Maginniss family as a vacation home in 1960. Over 50 years later, the small children that once roamed the halls of the home are now grown and have recently parted with their childhood beach house.

Belleair Realtor, Wendy Fields, brought the buyers to tour this beautiful home and they immediately fell in love. We chatted with Wendy as the home closed to get a few details on what makes this house so unique & here’s what she had to say:

Q: How did the home get the nickname “Sand Castle”?

A: The home’s was named “Sand Castle” because of the Turret in the front of the house that contained a quaint dining area.

Q: This beautiful Pass-A-Grille Beach home was built in 1930. Have they preserved the original details of the home or has it been modified?

A: I was able to spend some time alone in the home after the final walk though and was taken back by the beauty and bones of this Pass-A-Grille Beach home. The home had been owned by the same family for generations. It was kept in pristine 1930’s condition with a new roof and new wiring but the light fixtures were as functional and pretty as the day they were installed.

The pecky cypress vaulted ceilings were both practical (kept the termites away) and impressive as you entered the home. The golden oak floors & tile work in the bathroom and sun room looked as if they were installed last week with a retro flare (and yet they lasted the test of time).

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the home’s location and water views?

A: The home was situated on the lot to capture both sunrise over Boca Ceiga Bay and sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. Which means the house is located on a very thin strip of land on Pass a Grille and has withstood many hurricanes over the years with no water damage what-so-ever to the property. The home inspector commented the home was built better than some of today’s standards and they even received insurance credits because of it!

Q: This home was somewhat of an heirloom being in the family for nearly 50 years! How did the real estate transaction go with such an emotional attachment?

A: As I was working with the buyers to look at it one more time, one of the owners from California was there explaining some of the mysteries of the property, such as two large water cisterns that were used during the dry months. As they were talking, it turns out the two ladies went to the same small women’s college in NY and started to sing the college alma mater song! From there on out, they were instant friends, and the negotiations went smoothly!

Q: Do the buyers have any exciting plans for the home?

A: This is such a cool and historic home that the Pass A Grille neighborhood will be happy to know that the new owners are going to keep as a home – Unlike many of the developers that wanted to destroy it and put up 3 mac-mansions on the lots (those offers were turned down).

If you’re interested in seeing more homes like this in Pinellas County, Wendy would be happy to show you around! Be sure to find her online here: Website | Facebook

Have you worked with Wendy before? If so, you can leave a review of your experience here!

You’re Invited to the Smith & Associates Real Estate and LUXE Title Grand Opening!

May 17th, 2013 | +Bob Glaser | Comments (11)

On behalf of Smith & Associates Real Estate and myself, we are proud to announce that, in collaboration with Rob Bowen Design, we have officially completed the redesign of our newest office at 1100 4th Street. We will opening the doors to the public on Wednesday, May 22nd from 5-8pm for a ribbon cutting & Grand Opening Celebration and would love to see you there!

The 3 story building mixes residential with retail and commercial in a prime location, directly on fourth street’s booming corridor. The ground floor will be the new home to LUXE Title, Smith & Associates’ newest Title brand. Floor #2 will be the second St. Pete location of Smith & Associates Real Estate. And the third floor boasts several spacious apartments, allowing residents to be at the door step of their work place.

Just one year ago, the 4th street office was a nothing but a shell. Rob Bowen Design provided top of the line services, creating state of the art work spaces from the ground up. Uniquely designed, imported Spanish tiles greet you at the entry as well as throughout the LUXE Title suite. And custom hand crafted light fixtures accent the new black and grey branding. Private elevators take you to the Smith office suites, which have been designed to provide both communal selling space as well as privacy for associates.

Rob & I were able to enjoy both the residential and commercial aspect of the building during the renovation as we occupied a new apartment on top of the building as the development progressed. We got a great personal feel for what the building offers, grilling on the roof and enjoying first hand the 4th street corridor and its benefits. This area has become a major commercial feeder for the neighboring communities, offering a collection of restaurant and services just blocks away from beautiful community parks, easy transit and some of the finest neighborhoods in the area (such as The Old NE & Allendale Terrace), .

This new office location will provide Smith & Associates Real Estate with a long term solution to the need for offering an expansion of services (and markets) not available from our signature Beach Drive office due to constraints on parking and square footage.

We have been fortunate to be involved in the residential development activity in the core of St. Petersburg and see the long term potential of the significant offering this city has on the west coast of Florida. This new Smith & Associates location and LUXE Title expansion ensures that we have the adequate brick and mortar in place to serve the Real Estate and Title needs of our wonderful community.

The market will continue to become more sophisticated as will the housing offerings. Through affiliations with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and Luxury Portfolio, Smith has been a market leader for over 40 years. With a sales volume of $750M, 25 employees and 200 top-notch associates, we are the largest privately owned real estate company in Tampa Bay.

With the ribbon cutting May 22nd, our team will celebrate the commitment and opportunity this investment will provide to local businesses and residents. We look forward to seeing our brand deliver a significant change in the St. Pete community we call home.

Please join us for drinks, hors d’oeuvres and networking this Wednesday, May 22nd from 5-8pm. And be sure to join in the online conversation using the hashtags #SmithGrandOpening and #LUXEgrandOpening for a chance to win a catered picnic and day at some of Downtown St. Pete’s world renowned museums!

Feel free to RSVP using Facebook or Google+. See you Wednesday!

Grand Opening Image {via}

Home Improvement | Create a Backyard Sanctuary on a Budget

May 16th, 2013 | +Bob Riner | Add a Comment

Gardeners on a budget may not believe their yards can look like the magazines and home improvement shows; but, with a little know how, you can get much closer than you think. Of course if you’re a rookie in the landscaping department, you may not even know where to begin.

Here’s the good news: even on a budget, trial and error can be okay. You can learn what you like by doing, as long as you follow these two rules:

Buy inexpensive plants first
Make your setup as portable as possible

Why inexpensive?

Well, if you’re not completely sure what you are looking for, you want to give yourself plenty of room for improvement. Just because it looks good in the magazine or in the store does not mean it will work in your backyard. When you keep the budget lean and the selections relatively cheap, you can afford to try a few things to see what works best for you.

Yes, some of those pricier plants look amazing, but you can work up to that. Taking the time to get the experience may take patience, but you – and your wallet – will be happier in the long run. If you are set on a particular plant, be sure to get a lot of advice first. Talk to neighbors who have those plants or chat with the folks at the local garden department. Pay attention when they say things like:

I can’t believe how fast it grew
That thing got HUGE, seriously
It died on me after that week of heavy rains we had

All of these statements are clues to the proper care of that particular plant. Listen, and be prepared to ask follow up questions.

Why portable?

Like arranging your furniture in your new home, you will probably not be happy with your first setup. You need to live in the layout for a while to get a real feeling for how well it works for you (and the plants). Trellised vines and container gardens make picking up and moving fairly simple and much easier on the clock and your back. Plus, portability allows you to:

Put the best plant in the best place
Try different centerpiece plants
Spread out, rearrange and regroup various styles to create totally different looks
Rearrange accent pieces like birdbaths, stepping stones and yard furniture

One final tip…

Focus on ideas, not specifics. In some cases you may see a design that looks ideal, and, in the picture at least, the plants look perfect. Sure, the colors don’t quite work with your décor or paint scheme, but they look divine in the picture, so why not take them home?

Before you buy, ask yourself: “Is it the design I’m digging or the color scheme?” If it’s the design, focus on that and find comparable plants that will work with your theme and palette. If it’s the colors that have your heart, check out several different design ideas before you make your purchase. And of course…

Watch a few home shows
Attend a gardening class at your local home improvement store
Surf Pinterest

Follow these few tips and you will go from rookie gardener to back yard architect in no time. Enjoy your sanctuary. Don’t make it look like the picture. Make it look like it’s yours.

What are some of your tips for first time gardeners?

Image Sources | 1 | 2

Real Estate News | Residential High-Rise Coming to Tampa’s Riverwalk

May 15th, 2013 | +Bob Glaser | Add a Comment

The Tampa City Council is planning on turning over ownership of the intersection of Cass and Tyler streets downtown – one more strep in the process of building a 400-foot-tall residential tower along the Hillsborough River.

Currently, the Central Business District has a 120-foot height restriction. This rezoning effort would eliminate that hurdle in the construction of the tower. The new tower would join two other fully occupied residential towers downtown. Skypoint is a condominium complex, and Element is a multiunit rental space.

While residential tower projects have stalled and struggled to maintain occupancy in past years, downtown Tampa living is on the rise with the rest of the Tampa Bay Real Estate Market. According to the City of Tampa, “The project includes 350 residential units and approximately 10,000 sqft. of retail space on the ground floor in a high rise construction of 36 stories.” This could easily accommodate some of Tampa Bay’s rapid growth.

The one-acre site of the proposed residential tower is bounded by the Straz Center for the Performing Arts and the John F. Germany Public Library, in the very heart of a growing arts district along the Riverwalk. Developers plan to pay $4 million for the lot on the north side of Cass. These funds will allow the city to re-route Cass Street around the new development.

While the project announcement is good news for downtown Tampa real estate in general, developers do have some hurdles to get over. The first, of course, if the rezoning issue. If they can’t build it tall, they can’t build it, period. Also, the new street plan must be approved before the project can get a green light.

However, one of the most visible hurdles that remain is the question of library access. Currently, patrons can enter JFG Library via a skywalk between the library and Poe parking garage. There has been some indication that the current plan would eliminate that access, something city councilmen do not favor.

Several alternative ideas have been offered, and plans are in the works. No word yet on which will be submitted. Developers are also working on solutions to the re-routing of both Cass and Tyler Streets.

Construction is said to be completed by the closeout of 2014, so this project should prove to be an interesting one to watch over the next few months. The project serves as an indicator of where both developers and the city stand on promoting residential real estate growth in downtown Tampa.

One thing is for certain, after years of stagnation, development in Tampa Bay is heating up again. This is great news for those who enjoy an urban lifestyle and all the amenities luxury living in downtown Tampa can offer.

Residents enjoy:

Close access to the Riverwalk, Bayshore trail and several downtown parks.
Easy access to the Forum for sports and entertainment.
Convenient proximity to the Straz Center, Glazer Children’s Museum and other downtown arts destinations.
Minimal commute to work downtown or classes at UT, HCC Ybor and USF.
Boutique shopping in Hyde Park
Nightlife in Ybor City

And, of course, downtown Tampa real estate also offers the priceless opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Tampa Bay just out the window or within walking distance.

What are your thoughts about this proposed development?

Relocation Tips | How to Have a Worry Free Family Move

May 14th, 2013 | +Jane Gowarty | Add a Comment

Family moves can be tough. There’s a lot to think about and long to-do lists…and you usually have to get it all done in a relatively short amount of time. In all the hustle and bustle it can be easy to forget that your kids may not have any idea what to expect. To help you manage your next family move in a worry free way, here are 4 tips to keep your kids informed and involved.

#1 | Host a family meeting

Grab some soft drinks and pop some popcorn then sit around the table and lay it all out there. The move, your expectations, the reasons you made this decision. All of it. Show them you are excited, and explain that you understand this will be new and different – for you as parents too. Then give them the floor. Let the kids ask questions, vent, share, whatever they need to do. Once you have covered all of their current questions and concerns, make sure they understand they can come back to you at any time if they think of others. Let them know that, the day before the move, you will go back over a list of what needs to be done and when, so they know what’s happening and what’s expected on moving day.

#2 | Have a clutter crusher day

Before you pack it all up, purge. Get rid of anything and everything you can. Have your kids fill a box with precious things that must go with them. Make sure everyone understands these are NOT to be touched. Then sort everything else into three other, larger boxes, bins or shelves.

Keep it
Sell it
Donate it

Anything, and this includes you too mom and dad, that isn’t in the precious box but has not been touched in six months might need to go. Sure, there’s some leeway here, but with kids you are likely looking at broken toys, clothes that no longer fit and stuff they’ve simply outgrown in one way or another. This is a great opportunity to teach your kids about finances, charity and recycling.

#3 | The moving sale

Let your kids help plan it. Depending on their age, they could make snacks and drink to sell, help decorate the sale signs and help put out the items being sold. Older kids can even learn to haggle, handle cash and make change. If you give them a chance to be responsible, your kids will likely surprise you with their ability to rise to the challenge.

#4 | Get to know the new place

If you are close enough, take a drive over with the kids and let them see the new neighborhood. Cruise by the park, the schools and the restaurants. If they had hobbies “back home” let them see similar places in the new neighborhood and even sign them up for the same activities. Let them meet the coaches, organizers and, if possible, some of the other kids. Have a picnic day at the park nearest your new place. Help them get comfortable with their surroundings before the move. Most importantly, let the kids see other kids doing the same things kids were doing in their old neighborhood. This will help assuage some of the fear of the unknown that accompanies a move. If you are too far away, do as much of this as you can online and over the phone.

Be sure to check out some more terrific tips on moving with kids and teens here! What are some of your tricks to family moves? We’d love to hear about them in the comments below!

Image Sources | 1 | 2

Home Improvement | Kid Friendly Remodeling Tips

May 13th, 2013 | +Mary Beth Byrd & Leslie Minder | Add a Comment

When it comes to home improvement, including the kids in the project may seem like a touch of insanity. Visions of small children with power tools are enough to give any parent the shakes.

That doesn’t mean your kids can’t learn how to use all those interesting things in your garage or workshop. But before you turn them loose to produce This Old House: Preschool Edition, give them a chance for some hands on learning with these kid friendly home improvement projects.

#1 | Adding solar lighting to your walkways

Bring the kids with you to the store to help pick out designs. Talk to them about color and style matching, giving them options you would pick and let them choose. Mark the spots where the lights should go with chalk or spray paint, then let the kids stick them in the ground. The payoff comes at dusk when the whole family can gather and watch those lights switch on.

#2 | Spreading mulch in the garden

This is a fun outdoor project where the kids won’t even get messy. Well, they won’t get too messy. When you pick up the mulch at the home improvement store, grab a “kid sized” rake as well. If they don’t have one, find a small broom with an interchangeable pole that unscrews. You can also buy a cheap full sized rake and just lop off the end. Dump out the mulch and explain that you need an even layer in the whole area. This is a great opportunity to teach kids the proper use of a leaf rake.

TIP: if you are using colored mulch, particularly red, you may want to pick up some gloves as well. That stuff tends to bleed.

#3 | Custom & decorative stepping stones

Most kids love to get creative. Feed this need with some custom stepping stones. First, gather up some things you can use as forms for a two-inch-thick stone. This could be old cake pans, wooden rings or custom shaped forms. Next, grab some ready-mix concrete. Two bags will yield 6 to 10 stones. Mix the concrete and pour into the forms. While it is still wet the kids can write their names or decorate their stones with marbles, beads or tiles. Once the concrete is dry (follow instructions on the bag) you can remove the concrete from the forms and either place them out along the walkway or even add a custom paint job.

#4 | Paint your mailbox

Speaking of paint, have you checked out your mailbox lately? This is the one item in our front yard most folks routinely overlook. As long as you are not in a deed-restricted community that requires a certain style of mailbox, this can be a fun afternoon art project. First, prep the mailbox. It may need cleaning, sanding or washing. If your box is metal, be sure to add a coat of metal primer before the little Picassos get to work.

Tip: while you’re at the home improvement store getting supplies, be sure to pic up new house numbers or a stencil to update your mailbox address.

What are some of your favorite kid-friendly home improvement projects? Let us know in the comments below! And for some ideas for moving with kids, click here!

Image {via}

Happy Mother’s Day | A Video & Photos to Make You Smile

May 12th, 2013 | +Smith & Associates | Add a Comment

To all of the moms out there, we hope that today is just as relaxing and stress free as you want it to be! And if you’re looking for a little something to make you smile, here are all of the entries from our Mother’s Day Photo Contest:

And here is a little video to make you smile:

Just Like Me – Happy Mothers Day from Impact Community on Vimeo.

Happy Mother’s Day! You are loved and appreciated!

Real Estate News | Luxury Condos in Development on Indian Shores

May 9th, 2013 | +Nikki Phillips | Add a Comment

Indian Shores, a beautiful Gulf coastal community between St. Petersburg and Clearwater, has long been a magnet for those interested in high end luxury beachfront living with a laid back atmosphere.

Though a small residential town of barely 1,400 permanent residents, the area’s 2.6 miles of pristine white sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico make Indian Shores a prime tourist draw for out of state guests in the winter season and in-state “staycationers” in the summer time.

But new development in Indian Shores lagged long before the rest of the state began to feel the result of the real estate bubble. Developers, encouraged by rising real estate prices and shrinking inventory, recently announced they will begin the first new multi-unit housing project in Indian Shores since 2006.

Ashton Woods, a Georgia-based builder, announced plans to build 54 three-story townhomes at a commercial property located at 19915 Gulf Boulevard. Best of all, home prices are expected to be very affordable for the area, beginning in the high $300’s. This property has been a prime target for a project of this sort for years, but previous projects fell through for one reason or another. Ashton is confident that the time is right.

The location certainly is. Right on the Intracoastal Waterway, just a stone’s throw from some of the best beaches in the country, the future residents of these townhomes will certainly be indulging in an affordable luxury version of the Florida lifestyle.

But the Ashton Woods project is just one sign that the real estate picture is picking up in Pinellas County. The Tampa Bay Times is reporting that local restaurant owner, Steve Westphal, recently received approval to build 5 luxury condominiums at 20254 Gulf Blvd. This complex will be called Pinnacle of Indian Shores, and each of the 4,000-square-foot condos will offer 360-degree waterfront views of both the Gulf and the Intracoastal. These are expected to be pricier than the Ashton development, starting at around $1.4 million.

These two proposed new developments will join many other well-established enclaves of Florida Gulf coast luxury living in communities such as The Grande (pictured), Beach Cottage, Golden Shores, Indian Sands, Sunplace, Vista Bay, Gulf Shores, Sunburst Cove, Tahitian Towers, Alta Vita and Tuscany by the Sea.

Overall, the real estate market in Pinellas is sunnier than it has been in years. Sales are up and sales prices are rising from Tierra Verde to Tarpon Springs. This is even better news for investors who have the money but have been reluctant to get back into the market during a recession.

Risk is decreasing while costs and mortgage rates remain low, prime conditions for interested investors and those looking to get the most possible home for their money.

If you are interested in learning more about homes in Indian Shores or Pinellas County luxury real estate, contact your Tampa Bay luxury real estate experts at Smith & Associates today.

Real Estate Tips | Home Inspection Facts you Need to Know

May 8th, 2013 | +Bobbie Donaldson | Comment (1)

Home inspections remain a hot topic in Tampa Bay Real Estate, both before and after transactions. But did you know that there are several different kinds of home inspections? And several different reasons to get them before you buy your Tampa Bay dream home?

In general, there are three sorts of home inspections: transaction inspections, new construction inspections and maintenance inspections. Transaction inspections are those that you must (or should) get before buying or selling a property. Maintenance inspections are not required but are generally a good idea to schedule from time to time.

Transaction inspections

Termite or pest inspections are conducted prior to a home sale to protect the potential buyer from any potential unseen damage to the property. Some termite damage may be obvious, but other damage can be more difficult to see.
Survey inspections determine property lines, easements and boundaries.
Appraisals help to determine real market value for lenders.
Title reviews protect the interest of the buyer, making sure the title is properly owned and free of any ambiguity or encumbrance.
Structural inspections examine the property for any physical defects that might lead to expensive repairs or renovations.

In some cases, the buyer need not be present during an inspection. However, when it comes to structural inspections, it is best for the prospective buyer to be there. While the home inspector will prepare a comprehensive report, this is also a good opportunity for the potential buyer to ask questions about the mechanics and structure of the property.

New Construction

New construction inspections often happen in three phases during the construction process. Slab inspection happens just after the forms have been removed from the foundations. Slab inspections include the footings, foundation walls, surface prep, vapor barriers, rebar, contouring and grading.

Phase 2 (framing) inspections are completed prior to the drywall installation. Inspections in this phase include plumbing, electrical, ductwork, roof structure and roof surface.

The third phase of a new construction inspection is the final inspection. This inspection takes place just prior to the buyer signing with the builder. In this phase the inspector should perform a thorough visual examination of both the interior and exterior of the property. The idea is to create a final deficiency or “punch” list of any items the builder must fix before closing.

Maintenance Inspections

Maintenance inspections are designed to catch potential problems before they become big problems for a homeowner. Anything you build can deteriorate, and it is a great idea to have a full maintenance home inspection conducted at least every ten years in your home.

Roof and attic
Interior and exterior of home
Major systems (electrical, plumbing, AC, heat, etc.)
Appliances
Foundation
Walls, floors, ceilings and other surfaces

No matter what sort of inspection you need, be sure to hire a licensed, professional inspector. If you’re having trouble finding one, feel free to ask your Tampa Bay Real Estate Professional for a recommendation. We work with them frequently and know who you can trust!

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One of Pass-A-Grille’s Most Unique Homes Recently Sold!

You’re Invited to the Smith & Associates Real Estate and LUXE Title Grand Opening!

Home Improvement | Create a Backyard Sanctuary on a Budget

Why inexpensive?

Why portable?

One final tip…

Real Estate News | Residential High-Rise Coming to Tampa’s Riverwalk

Relocation Tips | How to Have a Worry Free Family Move

#1 | Host a family meeting

#2 | Have a clutter crusher day

#3 | The moving sale

#4 | Get to know the new place

Home Improvement | Kid Friendly Remodeling Tips

#1 | Adding solar lighting to your walkways

#2 | Spreading mulch in the garden

#3 | Custom & decorative stepping stones

#4 | Paint your mailbox

Happy Mother’s Day | A Video & Photos to Make You Smile

Real Estate News | Luxury Condos in Development on Indian Shores

Real Estate Tips | Home Inspection Facts you Need to Know

Transaction inspections

New Construction

Maintenance Inspections

Our Marketing Affiliates

Join the Conversation

Submit Story or Event

Popular Posts

News By Neighborhood

Archives

Categories

Tampa Bay Community News

Why inexpensive?

Why portable?

One final tip…

#1 | Host a family meeting

#2 | Have a clutter crusher day

#3 | The moving sale

#4 | Get to know the new place

#1 | Adding solar lighting to your walkways

#2 | Spreading mulch in the garden

#3 | Custom & decorative stepping stones

#4 | Paint your mailbox

Winner #1

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Transaction inspections

New Construction

Maintenance Inspections

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