Pinellas County Real Estate
Pinellas County Real Estate Update – Property Tax Amendment 5 Ripped from November Ballot
August 15th, 2008 Categories: Pinellas County Real Estate, Real Estate News
Pinellas County Florida – Well all home owners, investors and others got some bad news today – Leon County Circuit Court ripped Amendment 5 off the November ballot. We still have a chance because the State will appeal the ruling and it will ultimately be decided by Florida’s Supreme Court.
Govenor Crist Weigh’s In on Court’s Ruling
In the Florida Capital News Crist weighs in. Crist said Cooper’s ruling “doesn’t mean anything” because whichever side lost was certain to kick it up to the Supreme Court. “I was disappointed but not dismayed. It will be appealed – I think everybody knows that,” said Crist. “I hope it stays on the ballot because I like the will of the people. I want them to weigh in. I want them to have that power because they’re the boss.”
The Florida Association of Realtors, which supported the amendment, decried Cooper’s ruling saying “Homeownership is a fundamental right, and Floridians deserve a say on how their property is taxed,” said Chuck Bonfiglio, president of the Florida Association of Realtors, in a prepared statement. “We are shocked that the court decided to deny property owners’ the ability to dramatically lower their property tax rates.”
We as Clearwater Realtors and home owners we are definitely planning to Vote YES for Amendment 5 Property taxes. We believe it’s good for Clearwater Real Estate buyers, residents and renters because everyone should experience savings. We also believe it will help home sellers since it will make homes more affordable and more appealing to buyers who do not qualify for homestead exemptions.
Did you know that Florida property taxes have doubled over last 6 years?
Amendment 5 is proposing a sales tax 1% or less to fund education.
If approved it is predicted that Florida property owners could see 25-40% property tax deduction in 2010 if Amendment 5 had passed. This would help local Floridians across the board by sharing the cost of education with all local residents and tourists.
One of the most important things Amendment 5 will do for our clients (people buying vacation homes or invests in Clearwater Beach and the Clearwater area) is provide a 5% annual property tax cap on all non-homestead property (which was set at 10% this past February) It’s important for Florida home owners to understand what’s at stake.
Additional aritcles discussing Amendment 5 being removed from the ballot:
Amendment 5 creates these projected savings for Tampa Bay property owners
- Hillsborough property owners = 23%,
- Pinellas County property owners = 25%
-
Pasco property owners = 32%
Amendment 5 Property Tax Details
You can get more details on the Amendment 5 proposal at Give Me 5 Florida and the actual Amendment 5 property tax proposal. Benefits: Amendment 5 would have provided much-needed tax relief to Florida’s seniors, many of whom fear losing their homes because of an inability to pay higher property taxes on a fixed income.
Amendment 5 proposal built on what Ammendment 1 already gave us:
- Portability
- +25K Homestead exemption
- 10% cap for non homestead property owners
Other articles of interest
- Pinellas County Real Estate matches up to Pinellas County Schools
- Get 25% more Property tax savings in November
** CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS **
Buyers and Sellers tell us that selecting the best Clearwater Beach real estate agents especially online or from a distance, can be a challenge. Some of our past clients agreed to share their experiences and tell you why they think you should work with us.
Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends…wed love to be YOUR choice too! 
The above information and images are Copyright © 2007 Jack and Cyndee Haydon, Clearwater REALTORS and your Clearwater Real Estate Consultants serving Pinellas County and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published. All rights reserved. Plagiarism will be detected and is punishable by law.
Call us Today at (727) 710-8036 to hear more about how we can help you sell your home or buy a new one!
About Cyndee Haydon
Cyndee Haydon, Realtor with Future Home Realty specializing in luxury waterfront and beach homes of Clearwater Beach - St Pete - Tampa Bay area with her husband and partner, Jack Haydon Cyndee's Google Profile
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Dunedin Homes for Sale – Highland Woods – Luxury Pool Home – Gated Community
August 10th, 2008 Categories: Homes for Sale, Pinellas County Real Estate, Pool Homes
Dunedin Homes for Sale – Highland Woods Home in Dunedin, FL 34698
Dunedin Florida Luxury Properties – This is a beautifully kept, impeccably maintained and spacious Kensington model home for sale in Highland Woods. It features 4-bedrooms (Master Suite downstairs), 3-full baths and a pool half-bath. Looking for a 3 car garage – this luxury Dunedin property has it all.
This Highland Woods pool home was built in 2002 and is one of only 87 homes in this deed restricted community. The Highland Woods HOA (Home Owner’s Association) fee is $363 twice a year. This covers the common grounds and two gated entrances.
Dunedin Homes for Sale – 4 Bedrooms 3.5 Baths Pool Home in gated Highland Woods neighborhood
Are you looking to buy Dunedin Real Estate? Check out this Luxury Property…
This Dunedin home has a huge Bonus Room with Wet Bar and room for your pool table. This is a great home for entertaining and family living. French doors open onto the hardwood floors on the second floor landing.
This Dunedin FL home for sale also has vaulted ceiling in the large family room that opens up to the second floor as well as into the kitchen and breakfast nook, then pockets open to the covered lanai with heated pool and spa.
Relaxing is easy…Check out..Dunedin Pool Homes for Sale
This heated pool in Highland Woods also has a heated jacuzzi with a fountain, spill over spa and lots of room for entertaining and grilling on your covered patio lanai area. Mature landscaping gives you total privacy in your resort like pool area – just bring your towels.
You’ll love the direct access to the lanai area from your master suite. Also the master bath has a relaxing garden jacuzzi tub.
One of the nice features for Highland Woods homeowners is that there is a Residents Only Entrance and exit right onto US19 just south of Curlew Road. This is expecially convenient if you are going to other parts of Pinellas County.
Additional features of this Highland Woods home for sale include formal dining room, hardwood flooring, zoned AC (NEW air handlers), water softener, reclaimed water for irrigation, alarm system, built-in surround sound, and a stacked 3-car garage that allows for: a workshop, boat storage, or 3rd vehicle.
Located in the Highland Woods gated community with easy access to Tampa, and Honeymoon Island and all points north and south via US19, McMullen Booth Road, Curlew Road and Belcher Road.
Convenient to airport, country clubs, shopping, hospitals, schools, beaches, and several GREAT golf courses including the Dunedin Country Club and the Countryside Country Club.
Relate Pinellas County Real Estate articles:
- Highland Woods – Dunedin Real Estate Market Update
- Property Taxes in Pinellas County
- Pinellas County Schools Assignments
Dunedin Real Estate for Sale
Are you looking to buy or sell a Pinellas County Pool Homes, Gated Community? Luxury Properties? Dunedin real estate? Looking for a home like this – You can search all the Dunedin homes for sale in the Dunedin MLS
Call Us Today at (727) 710-8036 to hear more about how we can help you!
Dunedin Florida Home Buyers tell us that selecting a Dunedin Real Estate Agent especially online or from a distance, can be a challenge. Some of our past clients agreed to share their experiences and tell you why they think you should work with us. Meet some of our clients and now friends…we’d love to be YOUR choice too!
*The above information and images are Copyright © 2007-2008 Cyndee and Jack Haydon, Clearwater Realtors your Pinellas County Real Estate resource and may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published. All rights reserved. Plagiarism will be detected and is punishable by law. All information deemed reliable however not guaranteed and subject to change at anytime.
About Cyndee Haydon
Cyndee Haydon, Realtor with Future Home Realty specializing in luxury waterfront and beach homes of Clearwater Beach - St Pete - Tampa Bay area with her husband and partner, Jack Haydon Cyndee's Google Profile
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Pinellas County Schools Assignment Update at Pinellas Realtor Organization
August 7th, 2008 Categories: Community News, Pinellas County Real Estate, Real Estate News
Clearwater Florida – Wednesday I was one of about 50 Pinellas County REALTORS (out of 9000 members of the Pinellas Realtor Organization) who attended a special session with Jim Madden from Pinellas County Schools.
Jim is the man in charge of Pinellas County student school assignments – he joked that “he’s got job security” – I can only imagine :). We recently had changes to the School Choice plan and Pinellas County home buyers and current residents have lots of questions about..
Where will by child go to school?” -That’s why we made sure we were there - up-to-date information is critical to the families we help that are moving to Pinellas County or want to sell their home and move within the county. The most important thing we took away was the fact that No school is automatic for non-entry level grade students.
If you’re wondering how we got here – School Choice was court-ordered to end the 30 year desegregation ruling / plan in Pinellas County. The 2007/2008 was the first year that the School District didn’t have specific min / max ratios to manage for each school.
When creating a new plan the parents, the community members and the School Board members found people overwhelmingly wanted a Student Assignment plan that included these 3 things:
- Give us Predictibility
- Still wanted Choice(s)
- Diversity
A major issue is the rising cost of transportation. In the future, Pinellas County will continue to transport students to their school of “Choice” for 4 more years then parents will have to provide transportation to their “non-close-too-home” school.
Note: The new Pinellas County Student Assignement plan doesn’t change anything for Magnet and Fundemental schools
Key Components of the new Pinellas County School Plan
- Transition from the Pinellas County Choice Plan
- Getting Back to Close-to-home schools or zoned schools
- Predictable feeder patterns
- Multiple choice options
- Reduce transportation issues and costs
- Diversity
- Equitable distribution of resources
What Pinellas County Home Buyers / Residents Should know during the Transition Period
- All students except those entering Kindergarten, 6th grade and 9th grade – will stay where ever they were last year
- Students entering Kindergarten, 6th grade and 9th grade will get their close-to-home school this year (or they can also opt for an older sibling’s school)
- New students (not in one of the 3 grades listed above) are assigned on a space available basis to the close-to-home school or the next closest school. The challenge here is that the Florida Class Size Amendment limits the number of students that can be assigned to a school.
- 3 schools were closed this year – South Ward, Largo Central and Riviera Middle that are impacting mid county assignments
Jim Madden explains how new School Assignment will work to Pinellas County REALTORS
I’ve included some video of Jim’s presentation so you could hear how Pinellas County School assignments will be handled in Jim’s words:
Jim talks about the new Pinellas County Student Assignment software and interactive map functions that are coming soon (hopefully by mid-September)
Got More Questions?
- If you have any questions you can contact Jim Madden directly at 727-588-5186 or email him at maddenj@pcsb.org or
- Call the Student Assignment Department at 727-588-6210 or
- District Call Center at 727-587-2020
- Visit their website at www.Pinellask12.fl.us
What do you need to enroll in school? Proof of residency – a power bill, rent receipt, cable bill, phone bill, etc. – in some cases a purchase contract to buy a home or a lease agreement will also be accepted. Exceptions handled on a case by case basis.
Pinellas County Real Estate matches up to Pinellas County Schools
Get 25% more Property tax savings in November
Buying Pinellas County Real Estate less Complicated Now
Want more info about all our Pinellas County Real Estate – feel free to call Cyndee and Jack,your Pinellas County Realtors at (727) 710-8035. Want to see all the Pinellas County homes for sale – Feel free to search the Tampa Bay MLS.
Cyndee and Jack Haydon, Clearwater Real Estate Agents, Charles Rutenberg Realty 1545 S. Belcher Rd Clearwater FL 33764
Call me at (727) 710-8035
About Cyndee Haydon
Cyndee Haydon, Realtor with Future Home Realty specializing in luxury waterfront and beach homes of Clearwater Beach - St Pete - Tampa Bay area with her husband and partner, Jack Haydon Cyndee's Google Profile
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Largo Homes for Sale | 2 bedroom Villa under $115000 2 Pools near Golf Course
August 6th, 2008 Categories: Condos for Sale, Pinellas County Real Estate
Largo Florida Villa For Sale under $115,000 (UPDATED: SOLD)
Calling all Largo First time home buyers or investors looking for a vacation or winter home – you can’t beat this Belle Oaks Largo Villa for Sale. It is in a great location (East Bay and Belcher area) and shows pride of ownership. Enjoy hardwood floors, cathedral ceilings, updated kitchen with newer appliances and granite countertops and inside washer and dryer. You’ll also enjoy relaxing in one of the Belle Oak Villas two community pools or by the two ponds while watching the otters and ducks playing.
Quiet Largo Neighborhood with 2 Pools and 2 Ponds
You will enjoy this secluded neighborhood with not 1 but 2 pools each next to a peaceful pond. You can walk out your backdoor and be a few steps to the pond and pool. What are you waiting for…all the fun and none of the maintenance and work. Are you someone looking for maintenance free living? Look no further…just bring your towel and sunscreen.
Why buy a home in Largo Now?
Largo First Time Home Buyers if you’re renting now you really need to think about it! Right now the interest rates are low and there’s also a new a tax credit for First Time Home Buyer of $7500 (only available for a short time – call and we can explain how it works) for anyone who hasn’t bought a home in the last 3 years – this Largo villa for sale may allow you to own a home for less than it’s costing you to rent. Don’t you think you owe it to yourself to check it out.
With the price of gas today we all want to save gas and living Belle Oaks Villas will give you easy access to most things because this Largo home is close to several Largo golf courses as well as being near the beaches and is only 10-15 minutes from Indian Rocks Beach. Also it’s only 20 minutes from Tampa International Airport and 3 miles from the Clearwater / St Petersburg Airport.
Pets and Big Dogs can call this Belle Oak Villas Home
If you have pets, especially dog lovers, then this is a great find because owners say there are no pet restrictions – even if you’ve got big dogs…bring them! All pets welcome at Belle Oaks Villas – a deed restricted community.
Also if you are only using your villa for part of the year you are able to lease it – nice to have options.
If you would like to see this villa just call Jack or me at 727-710-8036.
This villa is move-in ready, no fixer upper here – neutral colors, update and just waiting for you. Cathedral ceiling, open floor plan and large windows onto ponds and patio make villa seem much larger.
About Cyndee Haydon
Cyndee Haydon, Realtor with Future Home Realty specializing in luxury waterfront and beach homes of Clearwater Beach - St Pete - Tampa Bay area with her husband and partner, Jack Haydon Cyndee's Google Profile
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Dunedin Duplex for Sale under $200,000- Income Property – Tampa Bay Real Estate
June 29th, 2008 Categories: Homes for Sale, Pinellas County Real Estate, Tampa Bay
Dunedin Florida - While we usually write about Clearwater Real Estate this Dunedin duplex home for sale is just north of Clearwater (off Belcher Drive just north of 580 /Main street and we think it’s a rare find because it is in a great central location in a popular area of single family neighborhoods and it’s design actually makes this look like a single family home.
If you are looking to purchase Dunedin Florida real estate with most flexibility you’ll love 
this potential investment property. This is Pinellas County real estate you can live in yourself and / or have the option to rent it and generate rental income to help pay your expenses.
Many buyers call us looking to buy Tampa Bay properties that will break even. It is not typical with investment properties here in the Tampa Bay area, however, if you’re looking for a and Tampa Bay income property that can cash flow this is one that I believe has the potential to do so – it’s definitely worth taking a look at. Why?
This Dunedin duplex home for sale which is a rare find since it is in a popular residential area and actually much looks like a single family.
It offers all of the benefits of an income generating duplex and none of the sterotypes. It is in a great location close to Clearwater, Countryside Mall, Mease Hospital and less than 2 miles onto US 19 for easy access to North and South Pinellas County as well as downtown Tampa.
Related Information:
Dunedin Florida Real Estate - Property Features
One side of this duplex home is producing $895/month in rental income now and this duplex home for sale is attractive at an asking price of $199,900. Here is the detailed description of this prime Dunedin real estate:
About Cyndee Haydon
Cyndee Haydon, Realtor with Future Home Realty specializing in luxury waterfront and beach homes of Clearwater Beach - St Pete - Tampa Bay area with her husband and partner, Jack Haydon Cyndee's Google Profile
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