Clearwater Homes For Sale

Should You “Test The Market” With A High Price To Start

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

It sounds like a good strategy, “test the market” by asking a high price for your home. I mean, what harm could it do and you could even luck out and get asking right? Well, not so fast. It’s not a good strategy and here’s why.

Who will and won’t see your home?

For one thing, when you “test the market” the people who can actually afford your home at the right price won’t even see it. Most people start searches online but even if they start with a Realtor, the searches the Realtor does won’t include your home. Those that do see it won’t be interested. Your home will be too small or not what their price range usually offers. Of course, that means you won’t be getting any offers. Unfortunately, your neighbor who is also selling will. Your overpriced home makes their correctly priced one look good. Not to mention that the first few days your home will be on the market are the golden ones. Most deals are made then.

Remember today’s buyers are very savvy

People know what a home is generally worth. They do their homework. They also will be less likely to want to try and negotiate a deal. If they even see the listing. That means your home is sitting and a stale house doesn’t sell for asking, or even for less than the true market price. It’s true. When you lower a price because you asked too much to begin with, those who are interested will demand a bigger discount and more concessions.

What if you do get an offer?

So let’s say you actually get a bite at your first price. Guess what? The house won’t appraise at the high price and the buyer won’t get a mortgage. No mortgage, no sale.

Oh, and if you find a Realtor who thinks it’s a good idea, find a different one!

What are the Top Clearwater Beach Hotspots for Condos?

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

If you want a condo, Clearwater has some of the best. So what are the Clearwater Beach hotspots for condos? Here are two of the best: The Residences at Sandpearl and Clearwater Point.

The Residences at Sandpearl are found at 11 Baymont Street in Clearwater Beach. A gorgeous neighborhood with views that are to die for. You have a choice of two stunning water views either views of the Intracoastal Waterway or Gulf front views. Condos range from 2 bedroom 2 bath units to 3 bedroom 3.5 bath units. The 3 bedroom units are over 2,600 square feet. Prices range from $769,000 for the smaller units to $2.3 million for the larger ones. No matter the size each unit has amazing amenities. Updated and high end finishes are the norm for these units, and even the smaller units feel spacious. The community also has resort style living that includes a concierge, 24 hour security, pool and spa, outdoor cabanas, social room, boardroom, fitness with steam and sauna.

Clearwater Point actually encompasses several buildings located at the southern tip of Clearwater Beach. The community also covers all kinds of lifestyles, from buildings that are restricted to 55+ to others that welcome singles and families alike. You can find a place that fits your life no matter where you are in it, from single to newly married to young family to empty nester! The buildings vary as well from mid rise to three story buildings. Units can be water view, but some aren’t. Those with water views range from Intracoastal Waterway views, bay views and others that overlook the community’s private beach. Prices for units here range from $200,000 to $400,000 and the units are 2 bedroom and 2 bath. Different buildings have different prices. Community amenities include 3 pools, a hot tub, grills, a tennis court and that private beach. No need to deal with traffic to go to the beach with everyone else!

Selling A Clearwater Beach Property – What You Need To Know

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Selling a Clearwater Beach property is much like selling any other home, except for the fact that there are some really good upsides and just a couple of downsides to consider!

Clearwater Beach is a great location for living, and is filled with both second homes and vacation homes. There are areas of high concentration with high rise condos and even some back of the path areas that buyers may not know are even there. As a Clearwater Beach seller, your Realtor needs to know how to reach the buyers who are out there looking for these types of properties!

One of the best ways to do that is to make sure they have a strong presence on the social media and that they are using those channels to help sell your home!

Another thing to ask about is if they have listings in the area. The reason this is so important is that listings up and down the Clearwater and St. Pete Beaches means that they will have a pool of buyers available who expressed an interest in other beach properties and who might not have bought yet.

Additionally, when you are selling in this second home, vacation home market, you need to make sure your listing is top notch as the buyers in the higher end markets are looking for turnkey and ready to move in! Make sure to get your home spruced up BEFORE putting it on the market to get the best sale price.

Last but not least, make sure you are ready to answer all of their questions and have made strategic considerations:

If you are in jumbo loan area (over $417,000) it may pay to lower your price to just below that so that buyers can use conventional mortgages.
Finding out about insurance rates and required flood coverage can help alleviate fears of buyers.
KNOW the HOA rules if you are selling a condo, nothing looks worse than not knowing if they can have their beloved pet or not.
Consider having a pre-home inspection and repairing all the items on the list. Knowing that your home is in tip-top shape can make yours the one they choose.
Pick a Realtor wisely. You need to know that they have a good relationship with the other beach agents AND that they have a strong listing business with years of experience negotiating on your behalf. When searching for homes, you will often find buyers agents who do an amazing job of helping buyers, but you need to know that your realtor is a selling agent who works primarily with listings!

If you are considering selling a Clearwater Beach Property, please give us a call today, we are always happy to help! 727-216-9247

Selling a Seminole Home? – Keller Williams Seminole FL

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Selling your home in Seminole? Seminole is a great place to live, but you know that already since you have a home there. Seminole was first settled in the 1840’s. The settlers found a native American tribe named the Seminoles, so they named the area after them.

Seminole is located about 17 miles West of St. Pete. If you are relocating and thinking of the commute, it is about 45 minutes to an hour during rush hour to Tampa.

Real Estate Agents at Keller Williams Seminole

The real estate agents at Keller Williams Seminole are pros who will help you sell your home for the best price to the best buyer. They’ll start by talking with you about what you need to know – what to expect step by step. They do this by talking with you to find out your situation and future plans.

Knowing your wants and needs will help them give you the best service. Remember that Keller Williams Seminole represents you and although they are happy to help buyers, your needs and wants are their responsibility.

They take that responsibility seriously and will show you at each step. They’ll do a thorough evaluation of your home via a detailed walk through. They’ll take that information and use it to do comparisons to other homes that have sold in the area that are similar to yours. Using that information and their extensive knowledge they will price your home at the best price to sell. Your Keller Williams Realtor is there to walk you through the process and make sure you have the knowledge you need to make the best decision in the sale of your home.

Seminole is a great community

You and they know the community so well, but you won’t be around to help the new owners of your home settle in. Your KW agent will. They will be that local expert for buyers who will advocate for your community, neighborhood, schools, shopping, restaurants and trends.

Seminole is a fantastic area. Help someone else find that out by listing your home with Keller Williams Seminole. You won’t regret it for a second.

Looking to sell your Seminole home, give The Deb Ward Team a call today! 727-410-0336

Should You Worry About Sinkholes in Pinellas County

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Sinkholes in Florida are not uncommon. Some areas are more susceptible to them than others, but as a general rule the entire state has the same kind of porous carbonate rocks that help create sinkholes. You want to buy a property in Pinellas County and wonder if you need to worry about sinkholes there.

Why do sinkholes happen?

Sinkholes are caused by the wearing away of the limestone rock that makes up the substrata of Florida. Limestone dissolves away over time leaving holes. Usually those holes are filled with water which holds up the surface.

Sometimes the rocks, soil or clay on the surface is too heavy and a sinkhole happens. Other times if the water is drained for one reason or another, the water is no longer there to hold up the surface and a sinkhole happens.

There are generally three types of sinkholes: collapse sinkholes which are frequently triggered by fluctuations in underground water; subsidence sinkholes which generally form gradually; and clay shrinkage which vary seasonally and with annual precipitation changes.

So is Pinellas a worry?

To some extent, yes, anywhere in Florida has some risk of sinkholes. On the west coast in the Tampa area Pasco County and towns in Pinellas like Tarpon Springs and Palm Harbor have a lot more sinkhole activity than further South in Pinellas County.

Here is a great resource for checking if your potential property is in a dangerous area… you can search by zip code for an overview! https://sinkholemaps.com/pinellas-county-fl-sinkhole-subsidence-properties/

If you want to be sure, us a call or check with your insurance company. Both will have a good idea and when checking with your insurance company you can be sure if you will be able to get insurance for the property because of sinkhole activity.

So go ahead, buy in Pinellas!

10 Great Organizing Ideas For Your Next Move

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Let’s face it, moving is a pain. Being really organized will help it be less of a pain. Here are some great organizing tips to make your next move less of a pain and more of a breeze!

Declutter first

The best thing you can do to start your organizing is to declutter. So here is a quick way to figure out what gets packed: Pick up each thing and think about whether it’s worth the effort to pack, carry and unpack it in your new space. No? Then decide if it’s in good enough shape that someone else might want it. Yes? Then donate it. No? Throw it out.

Electronics

Now is also a good time to clean up electronic clutter too. Since you’ll be moving things like computers and printers, be sure to back up what’s on the computers either on an external hard drive or by using an online data storage service. Heaven forbid something happens to your electronics, your data is safe. Also label or color code each cord as you pack them up. That way setup is easy once you get there. For computers or printers with multiple cords, use colored dot stickers to label each cord and the hole it plugs into on the back of the device.

Important documents

Make sure important papers are kept in a fireproof lock box. Things like birth certificates, passports, deeds, financial documents and the like. Also keep a binder with important information about the move: moving company or truck rental contracts, master packing list, pet vaccination, flight information if you are flying to your new home and change over information for the utilities for each property. Keep the binder and lock box with you.

Color coding system

Next, as you pack each room, try using a color coding system. Assign each room a color, and then number each box as you pack it. Then keep a list of which room has what color and what is in each box.

Make a box of toiletries, jammies, etc.

Make an easy to find box or stash of things like toilet paper, pajamas and coffee for the morning. Maybe add travel sizes of shampoo and other bathroom things you will need so you don’t have to unpack everything to find it. Other things you might need could be one set of dishes or some plastic throw aways, a teakettle and small jar of instant coffee or tea bags, a small tool set with screwdrivers and a hammer, trash bags, a box cutter, light bulbs, paper towels, a few bath towels, a set of sheets per bed, and some snacks.