Clearwater Beach, Fl September 14,2007.Sandpearl finally opens to the public and guests on 8/27/2007 just before Labor Day weekend. My first reaction to the Sandpearl Resort and Spa was that it exceeded my high expectations. The resort is going to do wonders to bring in a sorely needed upscale cleintele that has been lacking since the Mandalay Beach Club and Belle Harbor commuities opened in 2000 and 2004. The 253 room 4 diamond resort has all the nice touches that you would expect from an upscale Resort. I felt transported to the islands and couldn't believe that I was still in Clearwater Beach when relaxing by the beach side fire pit located just off the boardwalk near Tthe Sandpearl's Tate's Island Grill. The staff at the Sandpearl were friendly and eager to satisfy my needs and seem... 09/14/2007

Clearwater Beach Florida ~ Private Boat Docks for BoatersSandpearl Condos and Resort received what some home owners are calling a sweet incentive to gets some boat docks built on city owned land in the inlet just east of the Sandpearl Condos. Developer Mike Cheezem plans to build boat docks on city-owned submerged land in the inlet shown in this picture which is near the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center. This would be for boaters buying condominiums at the Sandpearl Residences. The deal would allow the Sandpearl Resort to get 33 boat docks while they would build 21 more for Public use. (the numbers may be reduced to 27 and 15 respectively) Some local residents say giving JMC Developer, Mike Cheezem, this priviledge for $5000 ayear is too much of a perk at the expense of local homeowne... 09/06/2007

Sandpearl Luxury Condos on Clearwater Beach Florida 33767Clearwater Beach Real Estate is excited to be one step closer to having our first ever five star beachfront condo resort - The Sandpearl Resort is located at the corner of Mandalay Avenue and Baymont Street.  For the first time in 25 years the Tampa Bay area has an new Resort Hotel on the beach and they've set out to deliver the ultimate resort destination. The Sandpearl Resort was built where the old Clearwater Beach Hotel stood since 1917. The good news is that the history of the Clearwater Beach Hotel didn't end when it closed down 2 years ago. The old hotel's bar was salvaged, restored and placed on in the Sandpearl's beachside tavern.  Our family was having dinner at one of our favorite beach restaurants, Bobby Heilman's Beac... 09/03/2007

 Clearwater Beach Real Estate - Beach Walk UpdateThe 268-Unit Aqualea Resort Condominium Hotel and Residences got it's financing this week and now it's official the project is moving forward. The rendering on the left is what's coming by the end of 2009. The photo on the right is how it looks today - just south of Pier 60. As you can see Aqualea is in the very beginning stages of it's construction phase. The look of Clearwater Beach is changing dramatically with the on-going development of Beach walk and all the new luxury condos being built. Aqualea is located on South Gulfview Blvd on Clearwater Beach and is considered the centerpiece of Clearwater's new Beach Walk. It will be managed by Hyatt's resort Management. The Aqualea Resort Condominium Hotel and Residences will be almost 1 mi... 09/01/2007

Clearwater Beach Luxury Homes - The Good, the Bad and the On-Going Battle The Good- For years snow birds and others could rent their Clearwater Beach neighborhood homes out for usually a week at a time when they weren't using them, particularly on North Clearwater Beach in the Mandalay and Carlouel subdivisions. Beach Investment Homes - Then and NowFor example, in the late 1990s a 1950's 2 bedroom 2 bath 1600 concrete block ranch beach home was going for around $120,000 - imagine 7 years later in 2004, that same home sold for $400,000 and then in 2006 it was going for over $600,000. It is easy to see why when Clearwater Beach home prices started rising it became more attractive for real estate investors to purchase these affordable houses and rent them to help cover their costs. Short t... 08/28/2007

Clearwater Beach - Sand Key 33767 Ocean Front PropertiesWe often get questions regarding Beach Front properties on Clearwater Beach and Sand Key so here's an update on what's going on with the Beach Condos and Luxury Homes market on Clearwater Beach and Sand Key.As of August 27, 2007 there are currently 337 Gulf front Condos and Homes for Sale in the 33767 zip code which covers Clearwater Beach to Sand Key. The prices range from a high of $6,750,000 for a waterfront Luxury Home down to $269,000 for a 1/1 beach front Condo at the Regatta Beach Club located on North Clearwater Beach.  The current cost of having this renown beach at your back door is $300/sq ft to $800/sq ft.What's sold lately on Clearwater Beach & Sand Key's Beach front? 3 Condos are currently Active with Contracts. 1 uni... 08/27/2007

Sand Key - Clearwater Beach - Island Estates - 33767 UpdateOne of Clearwater Beaches moving landmarks is the Jolley Trolley's - these open aired Trolleys are a Fun and Economical way to get around on Clearwater Beach, Sand Key and Island Estates. This is a great service for Clearwater beach condo and home owners from Sand Key to Island Estates as well as the local tourists.The Jolley Trolley had 2 routes covering Clearwater Beach, Sand Key, Island Estates and Downtown Clearwater. Recent budget cuts by the City of Clearwater in mid-July have forced this non-profit organization to cut their services down to 2 trolley's and only one route. Currently there was only limited use of the Route between downtown Clearwater and the Beaches so they have decided to stop this route for now. This shou... 08/26/2007

Sand Key Beach Florida As summer comes to an end for many we are blessed to call Clearwater Florida home. We get to enjoy amazing Clearwater beaches here year-round. I got a new digital camera and decide to spend the day photographing Sand Key Park on Sand Key ~ Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 Sand Key Beach is home to fine sugar white sand and a large wide beach that's great for building sandcastles or just relaxing in the sun; Sand Key has Clean and Healthy Beaches - you'll find water clear enough to snorkle in right off shore;We have lots of wildlife and Sand Key Park is part of the Great Florida Bird Trail - enjoy a wide variety of birds;There are currently 2 Turtle nests also found on the south end of the beach - for the endagered turtles;Jet Skis and Parasailing is also available hereB... 08/15/2007

Sand Key Florida 33767Home to Finest Oceanfront Condos, home to Beach Wildlife and home to some of the Finest Beaches in the US - it's up to all of us to work together to sustain and protect all of them for the future. Sand Key Sand Dunes play a vital role in protecting our Pinellas County Florida Beaches from erosion each year. Sand Key Sand Dunes are important for 3 main reasons:They protect waterfront homes and businesses and are the first line of defense against storms. They acts as a buffer protecting both property and natural habitats.They Enhance the Quality of our Life - they are attractive and promote wildlife. Tourism accounts for over $15 Billion a year towards our states economy so good beaches is good for all of us.They provide a home and habitat for many beach Plants and A... 08/14/2007

Clearwater Beach FL | Protecting our BeachesClean Beaches Council is a not-for-profit organization that has been around since 1998 pioneering America's first environmental certification program for our beach - the Blue Wave Campaign. The Blue Wave Campaign's goal is to promote public awareness and a community partnership that involves a voluntary pledge and voluntary participation towards taking care of our beach along with responsible beach management.      In Tampa Bay Florida and especially on Clearwater Beach, tourism is our major industry and plays a vital role to our local economy. We're not alone, the Clean Beaches Council explains that our United States beaches and coastal areas "offer unique recreation, support maritime commerce and provide jobs for coastal communities.   In fa... 08/11/2007

Clearwater Beach Florida | Promoting Clean Beaches in Pinellas County  Recently I wrote an article explaining that Pinellas County Florida is home to some of the Best Beaches in the United States and it got my thinking - what can we do to keep them this way!Clearwater Clean Beaches | How do we keep them that way? Pinellas County and the City of Clearwater had done their part to set a plan and process in place to help keep our Beaches Clean by embracing the Clean Beaches Council's Blue Wave Designation, now we need to pitch in and do our part.  7 Easy Things You Can do Keep our Pinellas County Gulf Beaches Clean & Healthy   1) Just like you learned in Scouts -  Leave no Trace behind - if you brought it with you take it out or throw it away;2) Use the Public Restrooms - this helps keep ou... 08/10/2007

Clearwater Florida Real Estate Blogs 33767 -Things they are a changing in the Clearwater Real Estate Market..Are they changing in your area too?Experience shows that consumers used to read "static" Real Estate Agent resumes or profiles on your web-page or corporate web sites when looking to choose a real estate agent and that seemed to suffice.I'm not seeing that as much today. Have you considered that the bar's been raised since we now live in the electronic multimedia world of Youtube, Blogs,Email, Automated MLS? Our Consumers are demanding up-to-date info and agents that are thinking out of the box for today's "dynamic" Clearwater FL real estate market.    Have you considered thatyour real estate BLOG is now your "dynamic" resume? Are you sharing:Your negotiating successes;Your effec... 08/03/2007

Living in Tropical Paradise - Pinellas County Florida Beaches Pinellas County Florida is 280 square miles of pure Tropical Paradise which is home to around 1 million residents. Pinellas County has 35 miles of amazing beaches that have been recognized as some of the best beaches in the world. It is also one of the few places in the world able to claim three award winning beaches that have received the Blue Wave Award, be named Top Beaches in the US and win a Healthy Beach award. Pinellas County's beaches go from Ft Desoto Beach near Tierra Verde, Florida at the southernmost point up to Fred H Howard Park in the north in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Come Home to Pinellas County's Top BeachesDr. Stephen Leatherman, known as "Dr. Beach," the director of the International Hurricane Centre at Flo... 08/02/2007

 Clearwater Beach, Florida ~ Ok it's Sunday and you're thinking I want to relax, go somewhere casual and enjoy a laid back, friendly ambiance on Clearwater Beach - so where do you go? For the Haydon family, one of our favorite places on Clearwater Beach is the Palm Pavilion Beachside Grille. It's a family owned establishment and it's been around for years. It is located right on the sugar white sands of North Clearwater Beach.  It is located across from the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center, Pool and Tennis courts. There is also a public boat dock where on a first come first serve basis you can tie up and enjoy this beachside grill. Clearwater Beach Florida FunThey always have live music on the deck and great casual seafood and specialty drinks - my favorite is the Grouper Sandwich.Loo... 07/15/2007

Pinellas County Real Estate Market Report for Waterfront Beach PropertiesWe have taken the time to do the in-depth analysis for you of what's REALLY selling on the Gulf of Mexico in Pinellas County Florida today. Our analysis includes both beach homes and condos, all of which are "Gulf Frontage" beach properties that have sold in the last 12 months.* As Pinellas County Beach Specialists focused on helping Buyers interested in Waterfront Real Estate on our Gulf Beaches, we put little stock in a Seller's "asking price" - We approach buying real estate like an appraiser with the point of view that focuses on understanding what the Tampa Bay Beach Real Estate market is doing right NOW - not yesterday or tomorrow. We believe Real Estate is a "Real Time" business.  If you are considering buyi... 07/06/2007

Clearwater Beach FLorida Condo Hotels are popping up more and more often as a Hassle Free Alternative to  Tampa Bay Luxury Vacation Homes. Condo Hotels are now finding a Home on Clearwater Beach, FloridaHave you heard about the latest craze in vacation homes - buy into a  Condotel  or also known as a Condo Hotel. Many boast that they offer a great alternative to luxury vacation home ownership.  How do Condo Hotels work?You actually buy into a Luxury Vacation Resort and the Condo Unit is then rented out when you're not using it but you can use it as much as you want with proper notice and then when it's rented out this rent helps offset your cost of ownership.  The Condo Hotel concept actually started in Miami and Ft Lauderdale, Florida and now you can find luxury Condo Hotels cropping u... 07/04/2007

"Sand Key FL Real Estate is unique since it is a small waterfront community in Clearwater Florida. It has one 2 lane road that is a little over a mile long. Sand Key real estate is comprised of the Gulf of Mexico / Beach on one side and the Intercoastal Waterway / Clearwater Harbor on the other. Everyday someone calls or emails us asking for Clearwater beach or Sand Key real estate bargains. Yes there are bargains but they're not giving it away. Realize they aren't making anymore waterfront on Clearwater Beach or anywhere else - so oceanfront demand will always exist and after a lull in sales we are seeing properties selling again. In May we saw sales of condos jump up from the low of 4 Sand Key condos sold in March at 82% of asking price to 12 Sand Key condos sold last month at 91.85% ... 06/22/2007

Are you thinking of buying an investment property in Clearwater, Florida?  Maybe you are interested in future planning for your retirement.  Or, maybe you are planning to take advantage of the market in Clearwater.  Whatever your long term goal for the property, there are some important guidelines to follow when purchasing your property.Here are three guidelines to follow to purchase your Clearwater investment property:1. Find out what you can afford and the best way to finance the property that meets your long term goalsWhen a consumer sets out to become a real estate investor, the first step should be securing financing.What type of mortgage will be the best fit for my financial goals?How do I determine the cash flow for my Clearwater investment property?How much do I need to put down... 06/18/2007

                                                          Clearwater Real Estate Expert in Homes and Condos has a Michigan Connection. Cyndee Haydon of Clearwater Beach, Florida sent me a article about a condo community in Clearwater Beach, called the Dearborn Towers. It is part of Dearborns Public Housing and is located at 223 Island Way in Clearwater Beach, Florida.Michigan is considering selling the Towers due to budget shortfalls. That is too bad as it is a 88 unit building that has been renting for $475.00 per month to the Michigan Snowbirds. Preference has been given to those Michigan residents that live in Dearborn, MI. Many people wait months to get into the Dearborn Towers.This is unfortunate, but we have seen several Michigan cities unloading properties to aid in our Budget Sh... 06/18/2007

Sand Key Real Estate on Clearwater Beach Florida 33767 The Grande of Sand Key Address: 1180 Gulf Boulevard Clearwater, Florida 33767The Grande, Tampa Bay Luxury Real Estate Community:The Grande has 2 buildings, The Somerset and The Watermark. This is an oceanfront Sand Key community of 237 Luxury Condos that were built in 1997-98. Boasts Fine Majestic Gulf Views of Sand Key Beach from the 22 Floors of the Watermark or the Somerset. Each offers 118 of the finest Clearwater beach condos. The Grande is the northern most oceanfront condo community on Sand Key's Gulf of Mexico sugar white sand. The Grande condos have the Sheraton Resort to the north and then Sand Key Park before the bridge over to Clearwater Beach. It's easy to get around via Clearwater Beaches Jolley Trolley. The Grande Con... 06/16/2007