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Feature Friday: 851 Brightwaters Boulevard NE October 21, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

When Windstar Homes built the “Casa de Encanto” at 851 Brightwaters Blvd NE, they created a masterpiece nothing short of Mediterranean enchantment (hence the name “House of Enchantment/Charm/Fasination”). Located in the heart of Snell Isle, one of St. Petersburg’s most desirable communities, this 5 bedroom, 6.5 bath home features everything your heart desires; from the beautiful grande foyer, to the smart house technology and a luxurious guest casita for the next time you have friends in town. St. Pete Realtor, Rebecca Lemmon from The Malowany Group shared a few intricate details on this fabulous fortress:

Q: What distinctive features set this home apart?

A: This is a Windstar Homes masterpiece built to the highest industry standards with the finest craftsmanship & technological advances available today. This 7000+ sq. ft. residence features 5 bedrooms, 6.5 baths, a magnificent entryway courtyard leading into the grand foyer, formal living room, family room, formal dining room with climate controlled wine room, beamed ceilings, Spanish tiled details, elevator, 4 fireplaces, low voltage lighting, whole house surround sound system, smart house technology, impact windows, up/down laundry rooms, kids retreat, outdoor kitchen, dock, boat lift, double jet ski lift, & protected sailboat depth water, and so much more! 

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

A: The St Pete home is best described as Spanish Mediterranean. Architectually, the home is designed with the warmth & elegance of a bespoke Mediterranean villa within the walls of fortress.

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

A: The property is located in St. Petersburg‘s Snell Isle on one of the most exclusive boulevards in all of Tampa Bay. From Casa de Encanto one can walk or bike into downtown St. Petersburg via one of the city’s finest waterfront promenades and by boat one will enjoy direct unobstructed access out to Tampa Bay from the property.

Q: Can you tell us a fun fact about the home?

A: Each Windstar Home is a custom designed masterpiece. Casa de Encanto features a separate and hidden guest casita that rivals any luxury hotel suite. The home also features a fantastic climate controlled wine room that will please the most discriminating of wine collectors.

This luxurious Mediterranean Villa at 851 Brightwaters Blvd NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33704 is like none other in the area. Contact The Malowany Group for a view inside the fortress-esq walls.

About The Malowany Group:

From waterfront estates in Snell Isle, the Old Northeast, Tierra Verde, and Belleair Bluffs to multi-million dollar luxury condominiums in downtown St. Petersburg, Clearwater and St. Pete Beach, The Malowany Group’s knowledge of the area’s finest neighborhoods is unmatched. With over 38 years of combined real estate experience, a proven track record as one of the leading sales teams in the St. Petersburg area and an unyielding dedication to all of their clients, Frank Malowany and Rebecca Lemmon are the clear choice when selling or buying a property.

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How One Local Builder is Improving South Tampa October 20, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

In an effort to improve South Tampa homes, Tampa Realtor, BG Holmberg has teamed up with Martin Ryan, a 3rd generation spec builder of almost 30 years and founder of M. Ryan Homes. These two have known each other for nearly 7 years now, however, 2 years ago, they came up with a concept and started a plan that would keep growing families in the area they love.

The concept:

* All homes will be in the Plant High School district but will vary in elementary schools, giving families more options for younger children
* Homes will be located in various areas of central South Tampa
* The average price point varies from the high $400s to $600K
* 4 Bedroom minimum in each home
* Lot size will vary but will range from 50′ x 80′ to 80′ x 130′
* All are built following several consumer expectations: hardwood, granite, beautiful cabinetry, stainless steel appliances & double paned windows for energy efficiency. Many of the homes also feature tankless gas water heaters & gas stoves to reduce the use of electricity.
* While the homes all lean towards more of a traditional/mission style combination with a square shape & clean lines, there will be 5-6 different floor plans

The past two years….

BG Holmberg led Ryan to his first lot purchase in September of 2009 and the duo have since collaborated on 17 more lot purchases, 13 home completions (12 of which have already sold) and 3 homes are currently under construction. Since these are all built to specifications to remain in the realm of the original concept, very few changes are made by the buyers and the homes are not typically listed until near completion. That doesn’t mean you should wait until the last minute if you are looking to purchase one of these beauties; 10 out of the 12 that have sold were under contract before the home was even move-in ready.

What should you be looking for in the future?

Since Ryan oversees all of his projects on his own, he works on a maximum of 5 homes at a time, all of which are exclusively marketed by BG Holmberg via Smith & Associates Real Estate. The two plan on knocking out (or rather, building up) 8-10 homes per year with an undecided end point or until South Tampa meets all of their specifications.

If you are interested in one of these South Tampa homes, contact BG Holmberg to arrange a meeting.

What do you look for when it comes to purchasing a new home? Do their specs meet your requirements?

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The Newman & Allen Team Have Done It Again October 19, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

If you have been following us for a while, then you know that there’s no party like a Signature Place party and this past Friday, St. Pete Realtors, Scott Allen (pictured below right) and Debbie Newman did it again! After this pair sold out one of downtown St. Pete‘s luxury high rises, Signature Place, they decided that the residents deserve to have regularly scheduled events that will not only allow them to get to know their neighbors but to gain an appreciation for the amazing community as well.

On Friday, October 14th, the Chihuly Exhibit closed it’s doors to the public from 6-8pm, allowing for a private more intimate atmosphere open to only the Signature residents and their guests. While the museum was closed, that doesn’t mean it was empty; The event summoned up an amazing turnout with upwards of 140 in attendance. Guests enjoyed great company, food & wine as well as a documentary on Dale Chihuly and a private tour of his installations & works residing in the St. Petersburg exhibit. Many attendees have already visited the museum but loved the opportunity to visit again with friends & neighbors. According to feedback from Scott Allen, “Those that visited the museum for the first time were thrilled and impressed.”

While the Newman & Allen Team continues grow their market share in the Bay area, they will never cease to take care of their community and the Signature residents. Scott claimed that “The Morean Arts Center’s relationship with [Smith & Associates Real Estate President/CEO] Bob Glaser (pictured above middle) was key to this event’s success”. However, we know that not only the event’s success but St. Petersburg as a whole would not be the same without he & Debbie either. The Newman & Allen Team is one of the top producing collaborations in the area, yet their humbleness is always present and genuine.

To see more photos from the event, click here. Have you attended one of the Newman/Allen events? What did you think?

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Smith Agents & Bay Area Residents are Making Strides Against Breast Cancer October 17, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

Are you or someone you know making strides against breast cancer? If so, then you may be aware that October has officially been deemed “Breast Cancer Awareness Month“, meaning that communities come together, hosting events nationwide to celebrate lives that have been saved and to raise money in hopes of finding a cure.

This month, the American Cancer Society (ACS) encourages women to “Put on your pink bra and join us in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The pink bra is an empowering symbol of how personal the fight against breast cancer is. During our Making Strides events, a sea of participants in pink bras will join together to take up arms against the disease. This noncompetitive, 3.2-mile walk that celebrates breast cancer survivors and raises funds to save lives by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures and fighting back.”

Smith & Associates Real Estate has formed a team to participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on October 22nd and are accepting donations online at www.putonyourpinkbra.com. Look for Team Smith & Associates or drop off a check at our Tampa office (3801 Bay to Bay Blvd), made payable to “American Cancer Society, Making Strides.” Donations of all amounts are welcomed and any amount over $100 or more will get you an event t-shirt!

Tampa Realtor, Janet Mendez welcomes & encourages friends, family, survivors & and clients to decorate a pink bra, wear it over your t-shirt and join our team for the walk. It’s a great way to show your children & grandchildren how a lot of people doing a small part for a big cause makes for huge results!

Event Details
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Saturday, October 22, 2011
7:30am Registration
9:00am Walk Begins

Location:
St. Pete Times Forum
401 Channelside Dr.
Tampa, FL 33602

A few fun facts on the American Cancer Society & why we are so eager to support them:

Helping people get well and stay well:
* The American Cancer Society’s screening guidelines are the gold standard for doctors and patients.
* Every 30 seconds someone calls the American Cancer Society and breast cancer is the top reason for calling. ACS provides support and information 24 hours a day via 800-227-2345 and online at cancer.org.
* The ACS is there with a sympathetic ear, cancer information, a ride to treatment, help accessing other resources in their community and many other services.

Finding Cures:
* The American Cancer Society has been involved in nearly every major breakthrough in the fight against breast cancer, helping make less radical surgery possible and finding lifesaving treatments such as Herceptin and Tamoxifen.
* ACS funds more research than any other nonprofit, next to the federal government.
* Fourty-four ACS funded researchers went on to win the Nobel Prize.
* The American Cancer Society invests more in breast cancer research than any other cancer type. Today, ACS invests $115 million in 220 breast cancer research projects nationwide and more than $6 million for 11 research initiatives in Florida.

Figthting Back:
* The American Cancer Society is the leading voice for cancer patients in the Florida capital as well as Capital Hill. Because of their advocacy, Florida developed two cancer research programs over the past decade and since just 200, has funded $7 million in breast cancer research.
* ACS is currently fighting for state funding to ensure ALL women in Florida have access to mammograms and breast cancer treatment.
* Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events bring communities together and give people a voice to fight back against the disease. The events raise both awareness and vital funding to make more progress and save lives.

If dropping off donations at the office, look for our “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” flags and for a $25 donation, a pink flamingo will be placed in our yard honoring or remembering a loved one of the donor’s choosing. Have you or someone you know fought the battle with breast cancer? What are your favorite supporting charities?

(Photos courtesy of American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer)

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Feature Friday: 10620 Pontofino Circle October 14, 2011
By Judy Olinger

This remarkable listing at 10620 Pontofino Cr dons 4,679 sqft, 4 bedrooms & 3.5 baths. The luxurious Trinity home is listed by Belleair agents, Brandi Gabbard & Christine Knighton and is part of the Smith & Associates Signature Collection. Let’s see some of the home’s details:

Q: What distinctive features set this home apart?

A: Campagna Homes designed this custom residence with a feeling of grandness and attention to detail. As you step into the home your breath will be taken away by the spiral staircase and stunning chandeliers featured in the entryway. The decorative ceiling details throughout, two story stone fireplace in the formal sitting room that can be overlooked by the bridge style corridor to the upstairs living quarters, the relaxed open floor plan family room with gourmet kitchen, media/billiard room, formal study and additional den all make this home a true one of a kind.

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

A: The Champions’ Club is located in the midst of the tri-county region, only minutes away from the culture, commerce and conveniences of downtown Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg. Just a short drive from home you have access to everything from beaches, sporting events, airports, shopping, theme parks and more. Residents will find that Trinity offers some of the best schools in the area, retail stores and restaurants, a multi-million-dollar YMCA, a performing arts center and leading medical facilities.

Q: Does the community have any amenities we should know about?

A: At the heart of The Champions’ Club is the exclusive resident’s only clubhouse. The “Club” features a versatile Club Room with a catering kitchen and pass-through bar for indoor or outdoor dining. There’s a tennis pavilion as well as a fully equipped fitness center including a spa and treatment room with men’s and women’s locker rooms. The pool area features a lushly landscaped sundeck and resort pool lined with chaises and umbrella tables. Access to everything The Champions’ Club has to offer can be orchestrated by the concierge who will handle every detail.

Q: Can you tell us a fun fact about the home?

A: The grand homes of The Champions’ Club wind along the tree-lined Fox Hollow Golf Club and the Trinity home on Pontofino overlooks the 11th Fairway. This was the last course ever to be designed and built by legendary golf course architect Robert Trent Jones.

10620 Pontofino Cr, Trinity, FL 34655 is packed full of luxurious amenities. Between that & the perfect location, this luxury home will not stay on the market long. To take a tour of the property, contact Brandi & Christine.

About Brandi & Christine:

Not only do Belleair Realtors Brandi Gabbard & Christine Knighton bring a wealth of Real Estate, mortgage & banking experience to the table, but their #1 goal is to help you achieve your hopes and dreams during your next home buying or selling adventure. These two local residents stay up-to-date on the entire Bay Area market, from Pasco to Pinellas to Hillsborough and are committed to making every transaction better than the last.

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Let’s Talk Facebook for iPad… October 12, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

The networking monster we call Facebook has completely changed the Social Media game. With over 750 million monthly active users world-wide, they seem to be ahead of the times when it comes to technology, except for in one area…the iPad. If you are anything like the majority of the Apple loving Social Media population, you have been (ever so patiently) waiting to work (possibly read lurk) on Facebook via iPad. Well, my friends, the day has come. Say goodbye to all of those 3rd party Facebook applications and the anti-touch screen capable website because today is a new day and you are getting the Facebook app for iPad right from the comfort of your Tampa home.

While this app looks very similar to the one that was previewed a few months back, to many it is new and absolutely fabulous. It is built in layers to keep everything clean and prevent the need to navigate away to an external source so users can watch videos, play games, browse photos and chat all at the same time without leaving the comfort of the application. There is also a swipe-down feature (similar to the iPhone app) that allows you to refresh your feed without much effort at all and a nifty little “nearby” section that actually pulls up a google map showing all of your closest friends…in the most literal sense possible. Not to mention, photo functionality is superb and you can now experience everything in HD.

Due to the longstanding anti-Flash view Apple has, this new exciting new Facebook app was developed in HTML5. What does that mean to all of us non-tech savvy folks? According to an article on Arctic Startup, “HTML5 allows the game play to continue across devices in a seamless fashion as users don’t need to install any specific apps. More concretely, you can play a game in the office, continue on your mobile as you walk towards the bus and take out your iPad and continue where you left off.” Not that I am promoting gaming at work but for those of you that have a little “free time” every now and then and a passion for Facebook games, this app is for you. Apparently having this HTML5 platform is quite revolutionary so keep an eye out for new games to come!

Of course there are always going to be things that need improvement. After all, it is only version 1. For us newbies, the layers can be a bit confusing. It is difficult to navigate at first use, however once you get the hang of it, it sticks. (we all know Facebook is ever changing though, so don’t go getting too attached). My personal biggest peeve is the inability to quickly share links and posts that you have seen on other users’ pages but in all honesty, it has been my only true complaint so far, making it an over all success in my book.

Have you tried the new Facebook iPad app yet? What did you like or dis-like? Would you benefit from an app that made it easier to find your next Tampa home?

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Morning Meetings Just Aren’t What They Used to Be. October 11, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

When thinking about a top of the morning sales meeting, the first sound you probably hear is a groan and attendance is often forced. At Smith & Associates Real Estate, however, we try to stand out from the crowd by making our Tuesday morning rituals a bit more entertaining while still delving into “the facts”. Being October, this month will feature a few exciting Tuesdays with a “Reality TV” costumed meeting and a pumpkin carving contest but we can talk about (and share fun pictures of) those later. A re-cap of today’s meeting is a good place to start…

Community involvement plays a huge role in Real Estate. Not necessarily because your community is filled with potential clients but because it is great to give back. With October not only comes fun meetings, but it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month as well. We have several agents participating in runs, walks and golf tournaments, but today we got to see the fruits of a particularly spectacular fundraiser…a bra decorating contest! Yes, you heard correctly. Two of our Tampa Realtors, Laurie Garrett and Janet Mendez (pictured right) modeled bras that they recently decorated at an event to honor all of the birthdays that have passed due to breast cancer research made possible by grants, donations and fundraisers nationwide. BRA-vo to them on their creative skills.

This Tuesday also gave us a chance to meet one of our newest staff members (whom you will be hearing from on the blog as well), our talented Relocation Director, Jane Gowarty (pictured left). Jane has been in Real Estate for the past 19 years, starting in land development and has spent the past 10 years focused on relocation. She will be the first point of contact for out of towners looking to call Tampa Bay home, introducing the city and learning about clients’ stories in order to match them up with a like-minded realtor. You may have seen Jane speak at several Leading Real Estate or Relocation conventions and we are excited to stand by her side as she continues to educate others on the importance of her department.

All in all, this has been a successful Tuesday. What are your favorite things about meeting with your colleagues and what kind of community involvement would you like to see from Smith in the future?

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Smart Phone, Smarter House October 4, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

Living in the age of smart phones, we have become accustom to having nearly everything at our fingertips. I always find myself in deep thought, wondering “what can I do with my handy little iPhone next?” Well now I know…

When driving down West Bay Way Place in Beach Park Isle, you may come across one of the most amazingly modern 3 bedroom 3.5 bath homes in the area. Not only does this fabulous Tampa home feature a 13 seat movie theater, air conditioned 1,700 sq ft garage with a 2 car lift, an elevator, and a state of the art kitchen with custom wood cabinetry and a dual sub zero refrigerator (and we are not talking about mortal combat here), but the majority of this fabulous man cave can be remotely controlled by none other than the iPhone 4 itself. Welcome to the future!

Forget to lock the doors, turn off the theater screen, shut the blinds or adjust the a/c before you left for work? No problem! And, just to be sure nothing fishy went on before you were able to lock up, you can check the footage from the 4 cameras watching the home….all from your iPhone via a special $50 app. Well worth the money.

While we haven’t found a way to beam you up to a listing appointment yet, Tampa Realtor, Larry Pollin would be happy to show you around until we do.

If controlling this Tampa rental with your iPhone is the present, what kind of stuff do you think we will see in the future? I’m seeing a viewing party…

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It’s a Hole-In-One Race for the Cure October 3, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

It’s that time of year. We are seeing Susan G Komen “3-day” banners, t-shirts, runners and walkers popping up everywhere and now we are seeing golfers too! On Sunday, October 9th, one of our very own Belleair Realtors, Ted Anderson will be sponsoring a hole and handing out goodie bags at the 6th Annual Bosom Buddies Forever Golf Classic. The event takes place at the Belleview Biltmore Golf Club in Belleair and the proceeds will be given to the Susan G Komen Foundation.

If you have a heart for both golf and charity, then this 4-person scramble is for you. Entry is only $100 per person and includes green fees, golf cart, on-course beverages, awards, lunch, dinner and participant prizes. For $100, you can also promote your business and support the cause via hole sponsorship. Or if you’re feeling confident in both your company and your golf skills, for $450, grab a couple of work buddies for a Corporate Team and hole sponsorship combo.

Various local merchants will be donating items for participant goodie bags and there will be prizes given out for competitions including: hole-in-one, putting contest, closest to the pin on all par 3s and longest drive for men & women. If you show up in this awesome breast cancer awareness themed golf cart, I vote automatic win!

The shotgun start is at noon but be sure to leave your Belleair home with enough time to get there before 11am for open registration and a light lunch. Enjoy on-course drinks throughout the day and the award dinner will begin at 5:30pm. All in all, the day should be delightful. Nothing like a fun competition for a great cause to kick off the fall weather!

We do however, know competitions can get serious, so choose your team wisely…Who will you have on your side?

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Designer Thursday: We’re Crazy About Pumpkins! September 29, 2011
By Kortney Gentry

Fall is finally here and despite the fact that Florida doesn’t see much of a color change, we love a season that allows for pumpkin spice lattes and Smith-y orange foods, clothes and decorations!

When decorating for fall, what better to use than pumpkins: the most versatile little (or big) squash of all? There is just so much you can do with this fabulous food! After spending the morning researching cheap & easy DIY ways to decorate my St. Petersburg home , I wanted to share my findings with you.

Fall decorations don’t have to be difficult, which it is a huge relief when attempting to cram seasonal decorating into an already busy schedule. Prepping your Tampa home for Autumn can be as easy as filling your unused fireplace with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes (above), placing candles & lantern glass on top of mini pumpkins to be used as centerpieces, carving out the insides (baking the delicious seeds of course) & creating environmentally friendly flower pots and candle holders, or paint them shiny fall colors and add a few twigs and berries for an out-of-this-world front porch decoration (below).

If you want to make amazing and colorful fall foods, pumpkin ingredients are also a MUST in my book. (Did I mention baked pumpkin seeds yet?) You can easily edit your stuffed pepper recipe to read stuffed pumpkin, and how about these adorable bite-sized pies for your fall get together? (below) For a little extra fun, blend a slice of pie with a cup of milk (or milk replacement) & vanilla ice-cream then top it off with a pumpkin pie mini for a fantastic milkshake to share with friends. (recipe found here)

When it comes to pumpkins, pies and fall decor, whichever route you choose, you can’t go wrong. The beautiful colors pared with the breezy weather and a handful of pumpkin seeds make for the perfect start to an amazing season.

What’s your favorite simple ways to decorate for fall? Do you have a secret pumpkin pie recipe you’d like to share?

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