Yesterday's St. Petersburg Times had a news item headlined Condo's First Step Will Mean Big Traffic Jam. Wanting to watch the progress on this architecturally unique sail-shaped building, I went to see. Pouring the foundation for Signature Place is a big pour, requiring 147 concrete trucks, according to the article, which is almost enough to lay a 5 mile sidewalk. Well - there wasn't any traffic jam. While watching for about 15 minutes I saw a dozen trucks, not even lined up along the streets, but coming two at a time every few minutes, coming around the corner and entering the construction lane along the south side of Signature Place. There were numerous trucks on the site, but no congestion in the surrounding roads. Joel Cantor, developer of Signature Place, estimates that the project... 03/03/2007

Pinellas County, Florida, which encompasses St. Petersburg, Clearwater, various beach communities along the Gulf of Mexico and many small municipalities, sold 15,386 properties in 2006 through the Multiple Listing System. 341 of those (2.2%) were over $1,000,000; 703 (4.6%) were over $750,000; and 1,622 (10.5%) were over $500,000. More of these were on the mainland than on the beaches, and more were in south county (St. Petersburg) than in north county (Clearwater). There are currently 17,852 properties listed as Active in the Pinellas County Multiple Listing System, a 1.16 year supply, based on 2006 sales. There are, however, 1168 properties listed over $1,000,000, a 3.4 year supply, based on 2006 sales.What does this mean? It partly means that more properties were built over $1,000,00... 03/02/2007

St. Petersburg, Florida, once had the reputation of being a retirement haven - now the average age is 39.3 and it's hard to find a green bench in the city. The distorted clock seems an appropriate age for this shift in demographics.The New York Times analyzed data from the Censur Bureau and determined that people are still moving to Florida in their 60s, but older people are reversing this move. For people 75 and older, more are leaving Florida than coming. The same is true for people over 85 - more are leaving than coming.Much of this is due to aging and family location. Many are widowed. Some are failing in health, and no longer able to live independently. Rather than be alone here in an assisted living facility or nursing home, families are calling them home up north, where they can ... 02/26/2007

Home tours have been a good way to raise money for charities, schools, and the arts. Sometimes it's a single day tour of a group of homes or gardens, sometimes it's a single home that's open for a few weeks. (Our European friends don't always understand that the entrance fee benefits an organization, not the owner of the home.)125 Lamara Way NE on Snell Isle in St. Petersburg, Florida is a designer show house to benefit the Florida Orchestra. Sponsored by the Florida Orchestra Guild, the home is open from 11 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Saturday, and noon to 4:30 pm on Sundays, and tickets are $15 at the door. This is a new home in an established neighborhood, designed in Mediterranean style by Hernan Molina, and decorated by various local decorators, including Decker Ross Interiors and... 02/24/2007

 Looking for an early morning wake-up cup of tea? a mid-afternoon tea latte cooler? an evening put-me-to-sleep tea? The Hooker Tea Company at 300 Beach Drive NE in downtown St Petersburg, Florida, is the place to find it. Shawn Hooker and his associates not only offer more than 100 varieties of loose tea, they help you choose among them. They offer free internet access for those who want to tea online, and comfortable chairs for conversationalists. They have a wide selection of tea pots, tea cups and assorted tea accessories - many choices for gifts.Green tea, black tea, white tea, red tea ... tiramisu tea, passionberry tea, Dr. Feelgood tea, pina colada rooibos, sri lankan chai  ... the list goes on.There are tables outside as well, if you want to people watch and enjoy the weather. Th... 02/23/2007

Located across from Straub Park on Beach Drive in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, at the base of Parkshore Plaza, is Croatian Naive Art, a gallery and museum collection of Croatian art. Founded and owned by Jim and Donna Nannen. What a wonderful, colorful collection!   Sue Cooper-Street is the Museum Director, and is quick to welcome you to the gallery and make you feel at home. Comfy leather furniture encourages you to talk with Sue or Jim about the art and artists - and anything you want to know about St Pete as well. Hungry after seeing all this art? Moon Under Water is just to the north, Parkshore Grille is just to the south, and the Italian gelato shop is next door. All of these have outdoor seating, which is perfect on the current balmy days.For more information and a closer loo... 02/23/2007

Downtown St Pete will once again be the location for the Grand Prix. The 2007 Honda Grand Prix will take place along the downtown waterfront on the weekend of March 31 - April 1.  Roads and part of the Albert Whitted Airport will be blocked off; viewing stands will be erected; floating docks for visiting yachts will be placed in the South Yacht Basin. The American Le Mans Series will be raced on Saturday, March 31 and the IndyCar Series will race on Sunday, April 1st. It will be a loud and exciting time. Some condo owners invite friends to party and watch the races from their balconies - others leave town. Come enjoy a long weekend in Saint Petersburg and bask in the Florida sunshine. Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tamp... 02/17/2007

St. Petersburg, Florida:  The Tampa Bay Devil Rays have been changing things since Matt Silverman took over. The prior owner of the Devil Rays didn't care much about the public, and they responded in kind. Since ownership changed and Silverman came on the scene, the team and its owners are reaching out to the public. Fans are welcomed and encouraged. Parking fees went away, food prices came down, renovations took place. This year the Devil Rays will be adding a quarter of a million dollars in landscaping near the entrance of Tropicana Field. The improvements will not only be seen up close, but also from the interstate. The landscaping was designed by a local landscape designer, Phil Graham, and will educate fans about natural ecosystems and water conservation, and features nearly 50 var... 02/17/2007

St. Petersburg, Florida once has a reputation of being a retirement city, one that appealed to old people (I can use that word, because I'm one of them). That's been changing for a long time, as the average age is under 40.Colin Powell's group, America's Promise has just named two Tampa Bay area cities, St. Petersburg and Bradenton, as  part of the 100 Best Cities For Young People. The decision was based on five community efforts critical to young people: "caring adults who are actively involved in their lives; safe places in which to learn and grow; a healthy start toward adulthood; an effective education that builds marketable skills; and opportunities to help others".Mayor Baker is already touting the city's latest award.Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg... 02/16/2007

Ovation, an exciting luxury condominium in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, held their groundbreaking, appropriately, on Valentine's Day. A tent was erected on the site for an excellent catered breakfast and for congratulatory speeches and recognition of the various participants in the project. Speakers included the development partners: Mike Cheezem from JMC Communities, Ambassador Mel Sembler from The Sembler Company and Jimmy Aviram. Mayor Rick Baker once again proclaimed, "It's a great day in St. Petersburg." Even the weather cooperated, with a balmy, sunny day.  After the speeches, officials shovelled some dirt.  Following the official ceremony, Sharon Simms also got in her two shovels' worth.Ovation will have less than 50 luxury condos with extraordinary views, a fabulous Beach D... 02/16/2007

January 31, 2007 Market Update on Bayfront Towers, 1 Beach Dr SE, St Petersburg Florida - Pinellas County While Bayfront Towers may not be the most beautiful of the downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, condos, there's no questioning the wonderful location. This is a view of the Grand Prix race from one of the tower units.  The condominium units vary in size and view. There are currently 18 condos listed in the MLS for sale, ranging from 1,180 sq ft to 3,988 sq ft and ranging in price from $349,000 to $1,650,000. In 2006 the Multiple Listing Service showed 11 closed sales, ranging from $335,000 to $1,135,000.  There has been one closed sale in the MLS for 2007, sold at $469,000. Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area... 02/03/2007

January 31, 2007 Market Update - The Cloisters Condominium - Beach Drive - Downtown St. Petersburg, Florida - Pinellas County.   The Cloisters, directly across from the Museum of Fine Arts in downtown St Petersburg, Florida, has three units per floor, below the Penthouses.There are currently three units listed in the MLS ranging from 1,719 sq ft to 2,065 sq ft. The prices range from $750,000 to $880,000.      Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area.   02/03/2007

January 31, 2007  Market Update - Parkshore Plaza condominiums - 300 Beach Dr NE - St. Petersburg, Florida - Pinellas County Parkshore Plaza opened in late summer 2006 in a prime location on Beach Drive in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. Across from the park and the Museum of Fine Arts, it has magnificent views of Vinoy Basin and Tampa Bay. The main tower building has four units per floor, below the penthouses, and there are city homes condos surrounding the tower. There are currently 21 units listed in the MLS, from $800,000 to $3,500,000. Two city homes and one penthouse are under contract. Sales in 2006 were primarily preconstruction units purchased in 2004.Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area.      02/03/2007

January 31, 2007 - Market Update - Florencia Condominium - downtown St. Petersburg, Florida - Pinellas County  The Florencia, at 100 Beach Drive NE in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, rarely has units available for sale. The building looks across the park and marinas out to Tampa Bay. Other than the penthouses, there are three units per floor.  There is currently only one condo unit on the market, which is 3,000 sq ft and is listed for $1,975,000.  During 2006, only two condos sold in the Florencia, both just over 2,700 sq ft, for $950,000 and $1,250,000. Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area.   02/03/2007

The market is improving in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida.Our activity started picking up in mid-December and January has been very busy - lots more showings, offers and contracts. The prices haven't started up again yet, but it's very encouraging to see the stand-off broken and properties going to contract.Most offers are still low in relation to list price, but in most cases these can be negotiated. If you have a non-flexible buyer or seller, this usually doesn't happen. I often tell sellers not to be upset with someone who has written an escrow check and signed an offer - be upset with all the people that didn't make offers. Let's see if we can make this work for everyone.Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tamp... 02/02/2007

The University of Florida announced yesterday it's largest private gift ever - from St. Petersburg, Florida, resident and investment banker, William R. Hough. Both Tampa Bay area newspapers, the St. Petersburg Times and the Tampa Tribune had articles and photos relating to this recent gift. Hough gave $30 million for graduate business programs. Since his gift qualified for $20 million in matching state funds, the value of his gift is $50 million. His gift will establish an endowment for programs in the graduate business school., and will help pay for a new building, to be named William R. Hough Hall. The graduate school will be renamed the Hough Graduate School of Business. The renaming needs to be approved by various bodies at the University of Florida. Several years ago Hough donated ... 01/20/2007

College President Carl Kuttler, president of St. Petersburg College, knows how to get things done. Locals know this, and so do leaders of Russia!  Dr. Kuttler works quietly behind the scenes, but somehow comes up with not only a plan, but action when somethings needs to be done. The latest art coalition in St. Petersburg, Florida looks like a Win-Win-Win-Win, with  SPC as the central link. St Pete College has been expanding its satellite locations for some years, including expansion into downtown St. Pete. Dr. Kuttler envisioned an arts and museum studies program for SPC, and worked with the Florida International Museum to the advantage of both institutions.Back to the Win-Win-Win-Win. If all approvals come in as expected, the following will happen:The row of storefronts across from Wil... 01/19/2007

Pinellas County, Florida is on the central west coast of Florida, bordering the Gulf of Mexico - separated from Tampa by Tampa Bay, with three connecting bridges and various land connections in the north. It's main cities are St. Petersburg and Clearwater.There are currently 1,089 properties over $1,000,000 listed in the MLS, nearly equally divided between single family homes (565)and condos-townhouses-villas (526).  101 properties, approximately 10% are under contract - 22 single family and 79 condos.  Last year 360 properties sold, showing about a 3 year supply.  The supply of single family homes is 2.5 years (224 sold) and the supply of condos is 3.9 years. If you view the supply from a three month history rather than a year, the figures change and you have increase from a 3 year sup... 01/18/2007

We've had warm weather while the rest of the country freezes. The headlines this morning led to a story commenting that this was the warmest stretch of warm winter weather that we've had in 73 years! Really strange weather all over the country.San Antonio was pleasant last week, and now the Riverwalk is frozen over and the Alamo closed down. People all over are without power.Many people are changing their vacation plans and heading to Florida - just be sure you don't fly through Denver or even Dallas.  You may only get part way. Sharon Simms, Real Estate Agent selling homes in St. Petersburg, Florida, the Gulf Beaches and the Tampa Bay area.    01/18/2007

Florida International Museum, in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, has announced the opening of it's new exhibition,  Wolf to Woof: The Story of Dogs. This interative exhibition will run from January 19 to May 13, 2007. There is a series of events planned during that time, the first of which is the opening reception, Puttin' On The Dog, on January 19th. Information on the events and tickets for the show is available at the link for the museum. The museum opened January 11, 1995, with Treasures of the Czars, a wonderful exhibit from the Kremlin Museum in Moscow. This one, and The Titanic, have been the most popular.The museum was originally located on 2nd St and 1st Ave N., which will soon be the Grand Bohemian Hotel and Condominiums.  The museum moved this summer to a new location aroun... 01/13/2007