February « 2011 « Smith and Associates Blog

Belleair Grand Opening! February 25, 2011
By Jenny Lee

Smith & Associates Real Estate with a 41-year history of helping families and individuals purchase luxury real estate in Tampa Bay, expanded into their new location in Belleair Bluffs on Thursday, February 24th. The company, which currently holds offices in Tampa and Downtown St. Petersburg, looks at the Belleair Bluffs office as an investment, as well as an embracement of the community and an opportunity for further development.

Smith & Associates Real Estate has become the powerhouse of Tampa Bay real estate, selling $500 million dollars in real estate annually. The company had the highest sale in Pinellas County in 2008 and 2009; and the most expensive single family home in 2010. Smith & Associates Real Estate represented either the buyer, seller or both in every single residential sale over $3 million in Pinellas and Hillsborough County, within the first quarter of this year. This includes the most recent notable sale of basketball player Matt Geiger’s estate at $8 million.

Smith & Associates Real Estate has been a mainstay of the Tampa Bay real estate market for over 40 years, providing clients with new definitions of service and luxury. CEO Bob Glaser leads the real estate team and is backed with the power of Smith & Associates Real Estate’s dedicated staff and more than 100 experienced agents. Smith & Associates Real Estate understands the world is changing including how customers buy and sell their property. Smith & Associates provides the following services to their clients: new and existing home sales, development, mortgage and title, individual and corporate relocations, rentals, commercial, and global properties. With now three locations across Tampa Bay, they have earned their leadership position by knowing the market, having great listings and a dedication to their local roots.

Smith & Associates Real Estate
716 N Indian Rocks Rd Belleair Bluffs, FL 33770
Phone: 727.282.1788
Fax: 727.282.1798
www.smithandassociates.com

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Featured Property: 7000 Beach Plaza #806 February 22, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

As one of the best priced waterfront condos in the area, we had to share with you 7000 Beach Plaza #806. This 1 bedroom 1 bath is located in the Starlight Towers building in St. Pete Beach where you can enjoy fabulous Gulf sunsets through your floor to ceiling sliding glass doors or from your 8th story balcony each evening! St. Pete realtor, Isabel Caruso shared a few more details on the property that you may want to hear…

Q: What amazing views will the new homeowner be able to enjoy?

A: This St. Pete Beach home is Gulf-front! From this 8th floor balcony the views of the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding areas are spectacular. Watch sea birds, dolphins, sailboats and sea crafts to your heart’s content.

Q: Have there been any recent renovations or upgrades?

A: The apartment has been freshly painted and the kitchen updated to include granite counter-tops and high-end appliances, plus a washer & dryer. This unit is one of only a few left in the building with an open balcony for catching some sun and glorious sunsets!

Q: What makes the price of this home so great?

A: The apartment is a co-op, so the monthly maintenance fees are low, compared to other properties on the beach. The Co-op Association is well established and strong. Last year there was a major renovation of the building including exterior maintenance and painting. And where else will you find a Gulf-front property for $229,500?

Q: What are the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A: The building is close to the trendy Corey Avenue Shopping District of St. Pete Beach, where there are terrific restaurants, shopping, art galleries, a movie theatre, beauty salons, post office, you name it. There is also a local free taxi that will drive you up and down the beach, so no car is needed. Take a short drive down to the beautiful Don Cesar Hotel and Resort and really pamper yourself!

Whether you are looking for an everyday condo or a place to get away, 7000 Beach Plz #806, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 is for you. Contact Isi today to see how to turn your life into a vacation!

About Isabel:

Specializing in everything from the Gulf Beaches to Downtown St. Petersburg, St. Pete Realtor, Isi Caruso has this side of the bay covered! After joining the industry in 2003 and achieving multi-million dollar production by 2005, Isabel proved that Real Estate is truly her calling.

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Featured Property: 6011- 3rd Street South February 16, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

Today’s featured home for sale in St. Pete is amazing to say the least! Situated on an oversized lot at 6011- 3rd Street S in the Bahama Shores neighborhood, the home features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a custom kitchen, a 24 ct gold leaf treatment on the foyer ceiling and a fabulous home theatre. Two of our St. Pete Realtors, Connie Lancaster and Cynthia Serra spilled a few more exciting details on this home.

Q: What are the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A: Located in beautiful Bahama Shores on an oversized lot just minutes to downtown St Petersburg and the interstate. Close to the excitement but quiet and private, perfect for entertaining.

Q: What distinctive features set this home apart?

A: This St. Petersburg home has many distinctive features including a high end state of the art theater, complete with amphitheatre seating, computer controlled lighting, sound and picture settings. The home has a 5 zone climate control system and a whole house sound system with controls in every room.

Q: Have there been any recent renovations or upgrades?

A: This St. Petersburg home features upgrades galore. The owner put on an addition and completely upgraded the pool with pebble tech and new mechanicals, put in new thermal windows, a new kitchen with high end appliances and a Trane HVAC system that controls five zones and includes ultraviolet treatment. The lanai and the rest of the home has gorgeous ceiling art lighting, indirect lighting, all new crown moldings, and two gorgeous chandeliers.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about the home?

A: No expense was spared for the large great room just outside the theater, complete with art lighting, gorgeous flooring as well as a wet bar and refrigerator. There are numerous French doors that all open up to the caged pool and views of a lighted water wall feature. There’s just too much to write about!

This home is definitely a must see! Contact Connie & Cynthia to see all of the features 6011- 3rd St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705 has to offer.

About Connie:

Spending even her vacations checking out new properties, St. Pete realtor Connie Lancaster lives and breathes Real Estate. As a local to the area, she has a knowledge of the market that cannot be beat.

About Cynthia:

St. Pete Realtor Cynthia Serra is not only entrenched in local Real Estate, but she is heavily involved in the community as well. Between her community involvement and professional market knowledge, she is a Realtor you want by your side when buying or selling a home.

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Small Clearwater Community With A Big Idea! February 14, 2011
By Jenny Lee

The South Beach IV Condominium Association of Clearwater has not only started a new way of communicating, but has proven that it works! You can reach manager Ron Vassallo by phone, but you probably won’t need to. Your questions have more than likely already been answered on the association’s website.

Manager Ron Vassallo, moved to Clearwater three years ago and started the association’s website with the intention of developing better communication between himself and the residents, and realtors. He soon realized how much time he was saving by referring the residents to the website instead of taking all of their routine phone calls. He also saved himself time and money by putting all of the docs, for realtors, on the website.

“Our website is loaded with all kinds of information-from pictures of parties to selling real estate, renting property, chatting, who’s good/who’s bad as a contractor, weather, traffic information, meetings, county emergency plans, application forms, and more.” He also includes other important information on the website such as: board meetings, surveys, association budgets and all of their Clearwater homes for sale.

All of this hard work won the Southbeach IV Condominium Association the Best Website & Internet Communications category, for smaller communities, in the 2010 Communities of Excellence Awards. To see other awards given at the event please visit www.communitiesofexcellence.net.

Vassallo recommends that all association managers use communication as the foundation of their association. “Communication is the key-in my opinion-and without it nothing positive is ever accomplished. You can know every regulation in the book, but if you cannot implement an action plan that produces positive results for the residents, you’re are in the wrong job description or with the wrong management company”.

Smith & Associates Real Estate would like to congratulate South Beach IV Condominium Association for their hard work and forward thinking. If you are interested in a condominium, or other Clearwater homes for sale, please visit www.smithandassociates.com.

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St. Petersburg: The #1 Mid-Sized Art Destination in the US February 9, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

Yes, you heard right- According to The American Style’s Top 25 Art Destinations, our St. Petersburg home is officially 2010′s #1 mid-sized art destination in the entire United States! Moving up 21 spots since 2009, the city has made quite the comeback.

When asking President/CEO Bob Glaser why he thought St. Petersburg deserved such a high ranking, he concluded, “There is a confluence at once of activity related to both small and larger organizations and exhibits that have found a home in St. Pete’s community. From Dali and Chihuly in visual arts to American Stage, Studio 620, and The Palladium in performing arts, the community has embraced activity with record audiences and financial support not seen in other cities and that is leveraging state, national and world attention.”

The recent relocation of the fabulous new Salvador Dali Museum could be partly responsible for this amazing success. The museum features 20,000 square feet filled with 96 oil paintings and a vast selection of drawings, fine prints, photographs, videos and Surreal Objects by the one and only Salvador Dali. Residents and visitors alike can purchase memberships or daily passes to view all of the breathtaking artwork and participate in classes including everything from Sunday morning yoga to Coffee with the Curator and children’s activities such as Dillydally with Dali.

Just a short walk from the Dali Museum, right past the Smith & Associates downtown St. Petersburg office, you will find The Morean Art Center’s Chihuly exhibit. Here you will find 10,000 square feet packed with a permanent collection of works by the world-renowned glass artist, Dale Chihuly. The museum is open 7 days a week and is available for tours and facility rentals as well.

Massive art museums may have played a role in St. Petersburg‘s #1 spot, however that is not all the city has to offer. According to St. Pete Realtor, Drew Glaser, “St. Pete is not only great for large museums filled with big name artists, but the city encourages the growth of local artists as well. It is nice to be able to walk around downtown and see all of the shops and museums featuring everything from locally made jewelry and clothes to oil paintings and installments.”

When it comes to local art, Central Avenue, right in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, is quite the hotspot. You have places like ArtPool, a gallery and boutique, hosting events throughout the year where local artist can feature their creations, participate in fashion shows, try food from local restaurants and often enjoy music from local artists. Then just a few blocks down, across from the Holocaust Museum, you will find Central Art Supply, offering everything from a first time sketch book to gigantic canvases and top quality brushes and easels.

While one could go on for days talking about the amazing art culture of St. Petersburg, the best way to take it all in is by visiting in person. Put on your walking shoes or rent a bicycle and spend an entire day absorbing all of the creations that make St. Petersburg the #1 Mid-sized Art Destination in the US.

Do you love St. Pete and the amazing art culture? Whether you call St. Petersburg home or just love to visit, let America know that you want to keep the city as the #1 mid-sized art destination in 2011 by voting now through March 5, 2011 at www.americanstyle.com.

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Eat Fast, Healthy & Vegan in Downtown St. Pete February 8, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

At some point each week, we all find ourselves rushing out the door of our St. Petersburg home or office to find something quick and healthy to eat for lunch. While it may not seem legal to put those two words in the same sentence, let me introduce you Lettuce Eat Healthy, a vegan hot dog and philly cheese steak stand located in downtown St. Pete.

Long time vegan and previous St. Pete Realtor, Jim Janolek, decided it was time to help the city win back the title of “Health City USA” that was claimed in the early 1900s. After stopping by for a bite, I took a few minutes to find out how Jim is going to become a hero “one veggie dog at a time!”

Q: What are the benefits you have gained from taking on a vegan lifestyle?

A: I have been a vegetarian for fifteen years, a vegan for ten years and have witnessed tremendous changes in the eating habits of nearly everyone around me. In some form or fashion we have become an extremely unhealthy country with regards to diet and a vegan lifestyle is an easy way to fix that. Most folks think I am ten years younger than my actual age and I attribute that to my dietary choices.

Q: What sparked your decision to open a vegan hot dog stand?

A: As a former St. Pete Realtor, I often chose to eat french fries for lunch just because they were right around the corner. We all love to eat fast food because it seems there is just not enough time, but when we choose fast foods we are usually limited to unhealthy choices. The hectic life of an agent stopped me in my tracks one day when I had a stroke in my eye. I permanently lost partial vision in one eye and all of the results from medical test showed the cause to be simple stress and a spike in blood pressure. I then decided that I needed to step back for a bit, setting out to walk the entire Appalachian Trail, a mere 2,179 miles through fourteen states. Along my journey I crossed a highway and found a concession trailer selling of all things, veggie burgers. From that point I knew what I wanted to do after completing the trail.

Q: Why did you choose to open up shop in St. Pete?

A: I decided when I returned home [from the Appalachain journey] I would open a hot dog vending cart and chose the downtown St. Petersburg area as what I believed is the best place to offer, fast, healthy and tasty foods for the lunch crowd. In St Petersburg‘s early years, around 1910, the City declared itself “Health City U.S.A.” I want to help make that declaration a renewed reality, one veggie dog at a time!

Q: What does the Lettuce Eat Healthy’s menu consist of?

A: I wanted to be true to my eating beliefs and decided to sell only vegetarian foods. A niche market, yes. Filling a need, yes. The basis of my hot dog menu is veggie dogs, regular and jumbo with almost any topping you’d like. Some daily specials are veggie Italian Sausage Hoagies and veggie Philly Cheesesteak Hoagies. All of the foods are vegan meaning they do not contain any meat, dairy, eggs yet they are all delicious!

You can find Jim’s cart almost everyday between 10am and 2pm at the corner of 2nd Avenue N and 1st Street N- just a short walk from Smith and Associates‘ St. Pete office! Look for the sandwich board that says “LETTUCE EAT HEALTHY“. It sits right in front of a 15 minute parking zone so feel free to stay and chat or enjoy your ever so deliciously healthy and fast lunch at a local park or on nearby benches around Baywalk.

Feel free to contact Jim Janolek and Lettuce Eat Healthy about upcoming activities as well as new times and locations in which he can be found:

Facebook: Search for lettuceeathealthy
Twitter: @lettuceeatveg
Email: lettuceeathealthy@gmail.com
Phone: 727-639-0071

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Featured Property: 6158 Palma Del Mar Blvd S #506 February 7, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

Located 6158 Palma Del Mar Blvd S #506, today’s featured property has been completely renovated and sits waterfront with views from the Don Cesar to the Skyway. This 1,050 SF St. Petersburg home boasts 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and a 1 car garage. I caught up with St. Pete realtor Isabel Caruso to learn a little more about what this property has to offer.

Q: What distinctive features set this home apart?

A: This home for sale in St. Pete was totally renovated by the current owners in 2005. They replaced all the electrical wiring, the plumbing, the floors, both bathrooms and kitchen with top of the line finishes. It also has a washer and dryer, a water softener and a reverse osmosis water filtration system. The kitchen has recessed lighting and granite countertops and there are porcelain tile floors throughout the condo.

Q: What amazing views will the new homeowner be able to enjoy?

A: From the balcony of this 5th floor condo there are terrific views of the Bay, the golf course and even the Don Cesar Hotel. Being a corner unit, there are views from every room. It is a clean, bright condo, move in ready!

Q: What are the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A: This is located in the area known as Isla Del Sol, and is close to St Pete Beach, Fort DeSoto Park, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, I-275, and just a 10 minute drive to downtown St. Petersburg. The Isla Del Sol Yacht and Country Club is right across the street and offers tennis, a resort style swimming pool, beautiful country club and naturally…a golf course!

Q: What makes the price of this home so great?

A: The Owners have just recently reduced the price and are still negotiable. They are aware of the market conditions and are ready to sell.

If you want to be perfectly placed near the ocean while still enjoying the activities downtown has to offer, this fabulous condo at 6158 Palma Del Mar Blvd. S. #506, St. Petersburg, FL 33715 is for you! Contact Isi for a private tour.

About Isabel:

After spending years of her life as a clinician in Philidelphia, St. Pete Realtor, Isabel Caruso, decided to make a career change and joined the Real Estate industry. She has proved to be an amazing success, recently taking the title of 2010 Top Listing Side agent for Smith and Associates‘ St. Pete office. Isabel is undoubtedly the agent you want on your side when it comes to St. Petersburg Real Estate!

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The Time To Buy Tampa Real Estate Is Now! February 4, 2011
By Susie Timmerman

For prospective buyers looking at Tampa real estate who are still “on the fence”, here is something to think about. With interest rates slowly rising, your cost of purchasing a home over the long haul is also rising – if your thought process is to wait until the Tampa real estate market has dropped further, you should consider when interest rates increase over a point from the current rates – and what this will cost compared to today’s interest rates in your monthly payments –this can amount to a substantial amount over several years which adds to the cost of the home.

So – if you are focused on the purchase price and hoping to see the price reduced over the next six months, you should consider the actual COST of this purchase due to the rising interest rates. Tampa real estate has never been the bargain that it is today – the purchase price combined with historic low interest rates make it a prime time to purchase. This scenario will not likely repeat itself in your lifetime. It is time to get “off the fence” and start looking for your piece of the Tampa real estate market!!

For a comparable scenario showing the difference in monthly payment between current interest rates and projected interest rates, please contact Susie Timmerman, Sr. Mortgage Consultant for FBC Mortgage LLC at stimmerman@fbchomeloans.com, or by calling her office direct at 813.200.8322. You can also apply online at www.fbchomeloanstampa.com. FBC Mortgage LLC is a full service Direct Mortgage Lender offering expertise in every area of residential lending. I look forward to working with you to provide the mortgage product to enable you to become a proud homeowner of Tampa real estate!!

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Bobbie & Jerry Rendel Join Smith!
By Jenny Lee

We are proud to announce that Bobbie & Jerry Rendel have recently joined Smith & Associates Real Estate. They will be working at our new Belleair Bluffs office location. I caught up with Bobbie & Jerry to ask them how everything was going. “We feel so blessed to be with such a great group of professional associates. We are excited about our new office in Belleair Bluffs and look forward to a long and successful career with Smith & Associates Real Estate” said Bobbie.

Belleair realtors, Bobbie & Jerry Rendel have over 38 years of real estate experience. Before joining Smith & Associates Real Estate Bobbie was the executive Vice President of Jerry Rendel Realty. Bobbie & Jerry had their real estate business in Winter Park Fl, they then moved to the Clearwater Beach area in 1994. Bobbie has worked in corporate relocation for Fortune 500 companies such as: Hartford Insurance, Sears, UPS and Texaco, for over 30 years. This has given them a profound understanding of how emotional relocation can be on families. These same families still call on them for that second home or condo on the beach.

Living in the Clearwater Beach area for over 17 years has given Bobbie & Jerry great insight into the Belleair real estate market and the surrounding areas. They have a great knowledge of luxury real estate on the mainland and on the beach. Their sales experience as Belleair realtors has been very successful. Charity is also a big part of their lives. Bobbie is the Chairman of the American Cancer Society Silent Auction for the Cattle Baron’s Ball. She is also is a member of the PEO Sisterhood sending girls to college.

Amy Seeks, Vice President of Real Estate Services at Smith & Associates Real Estate said “With Bobbie and Jerry’s long standing real estate history, depth of knowledge and commitment to their customers, we could not ask for better agents to be affiliated with”.

If you want more information on Belleair real estate or the surrounding areas please visit www.smithandassociates.com.

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Featured Property: 3418 W. Tacon Street February 3, 2011
By Stephanie Streeter

Today we’re featuring a wonderful Tampa home for sale located at 3418 W. Tacon Street. This 5 bedroom, 4 bath home still under construction is almost complete and ready for its new owners! B-G Holmberg stopped by for a few minutes to tell us a little more about this fantastic opportunity to purchase a new construction home in South Tampa.

Q. What distinctive features set this home apart?

A. This Tampa home for sale was built on a spacious home site (75x 100 feet), with space for a family with kids – inside as well as outside. There are four great bedrooms upstairs and a full bedroom suite on first level that can accommodate a second generation or guests.

Q. Can you describe the architectural style of the home?

A. This home features very clean lines and an open layout between the kitchen and family room.

Q. What are the advantages of the location & neighborhood?

A. Located in the heart of South Tampa, with easy access to Bayshore, SoHo, shopping and entertainment. Close to Roosevelt Elementary, and within Plant High School district as well.

Q. Have there been any recent renovations or upgrades?

A. The home is brand new and ready for its new owners in March of 2011!

Q. Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about the home?

A. This is the 7th home built by M. RYAN HOMES in South Tampa in the last 12 months. Five are already sold to very happy customers!

Working as a Tampa realtor allows B-G to know a great opportunity when he sees one, and this is it! Contact us for a showing on 3418 W. Tacon Street Tampa FL 33629 today!

About B-G:

B-G has been a successful Tampa realtor since 1997, and his co-workers at Smith & Associates awarded him the 2010 Mary Smith Conover Award for outstanding service and dedication.

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