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Water’s Edge To Re-Open in Clearwater July 21, 2010
By David B Moyer
 

Once upon a time there was a church sitting on an unused piece of waterfront property in downtown Clearwater.  Opus South, a successful developer whose previous projects in the area are much admired, saw the land as the prime opportunity it was and began developing another luxury high rise.  Since the project began when the market was booming, contracts came flying in and the building quickly filled up with buyers.  Construction of the Water’s Edge tower began.

As time passed during construction, so did the hot market. Price values fell, economy woes continued, and buyers lost interest.  Whether units were being purchased as a primary residence, a real estate investment, or a second home, many could no longer financially afford the new condo.  Buyers still excited to move in to the building found it difficult to obtain financing since the banking industry was hit so hard. The condominium market encountered new rules and regulations in order for banks to offer loans.  Since the project was no longer affordable to hold on to, Opus exited the development.  Their beautiful vision for Water’s Edge, however, remains.

Now, 5 years after the project began, a new buyer has acquired Water’s Edge at a discount price.  The building is now ready to be sold back to the public on the open market at today’s values, which are 50% less than original prices. Doors will open at the new Sales Office on property starting July 30th.

Smith & Associates Real Estate is proud to have been brought back into the fold as the on-site brokerage.  Having been involved in the project since the beginning, we look forward to offering our vast amount of product knowledge to the sales center and prospective Clearwater buyers. “We are enthusiastically suprised with the large amount of interest we’ve had thus far” says Dave Traynor, Director of Developer Services for Smith.  “We haven’t seen this many prospects interested in a new building in several years.”

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Rise In Vacation Home Sales April 2, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter
 

Clearwater Beach homes for saleA recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that great  things are happening on the national front that will have an affect on the coastal areas of Tampa Bay, where vacation homes are common.  Clearwater Beach homes for sale as well as other beach front properties have suffered with the downturn in the local real estate market.  Sales of properties in Redington Beach, Indian Shores, Madeira, and St Pete beach homes have all declined.

The 2010 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey  was conducted in March of this year and surveyed individuals who purchased residential property in 2009.  The published results show that vacation home sales are on the rise. 

Vacation home sales increased from 513,000 in 2008 to 553,000 in 2009, which is a 7.9% jump.  In addition, a 10% increase in market share was seen for vacation homes.  “The typical vacation home buyer is making a lifestyle choice,” says Lawrence Yun, the association’s chief economist.  “9 out of 10 said they intend to use the property for vacations or as a family retreat.”

This could mean great news for the Tampa Bay real estate market, specifically in coastal areas.  Clearwater beach homes for sale, for example, are quite common right now with 410 residential properties listed for sale.  An upswing will mean good things for both local property owners and the economy.

According to the report, 1/4 of all vacation home buyers purchased with the intent to rent the property to others.  More good news for the Tampa Bay area is that half of the properties sold in 2009 were located in the South.  In addition, Yun reports that “Prices are going up, and as a result the investors have determined that the bottom has passed.  We are actually staring to see an inventory problem on the horizon for Southern California and Southwest Florida.”

Great news for those owners of coastal vacation home property like Clearwater Beach homes for sale.