Florida

3 Amazing Reasons You Should Move To Clearwater FL

November 17, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Tired of where you live? Is it too expensive? Is it too cold most of the year? Need a change? How about moving to somewhere better… somewhere like Clearwater, Florida.

Get more house for less $$

If you’ve ever lived in “hot” areas of the country you know that the cost of living can be sky high. Areas like Denver, Colorado have higher housing costs. Areas like the Baltimore/Washington DC area have high housing costs and high taxes, both real estate and income. Same with New York, Philadelphia and most of California!

Why not choose somewhere hot, yet affordable? Housing costs are at a premium. Why not cash in and find a less expensive place to live? Why not find someplace where you get more house for less money?

About those taxes…

Did you know that Florida has no state income tax? Think about what that means for your paycheck, your interest, your retirement income. One return to file. More money in your pocket. Other taxes are lower too. Home prices are more affordable. Clearwater in particular has great communities with great schools, amenities and a lower cost of living. The few things that are more expensive, like homeowners insurance, are more than outweighed by the savings in taxes and lower housing costs.

Beautiful beaches

Of course there ‘s the best reason for moving away from where you are to the Clearwater area… the BEACHES! The Clearwater area has miles and miles of beautiful beaches, white sands and crystal clear turquoise waters. These beaches are warm and sunny all year long. No snow. No shoveling out your car to get to work. No shivering in subzero temperatures. Warm. Sunshine. The best of Florida living.

Why Florida Is The Best Place To Retire

November 11, 2021 By Deborah Ward

It seems cliché, but Florida really is the best place to retire. There are a lot of reasons, so let’s explore a few.

Top of the list: taxes

When you retire your income is no longer a guaranteed thing and is now limited to your pension/401K/IRA and Social Security. That can be a challenge if you live in some other states like New York or Maryland that feel that pillaging your retirement income is their prerogative. So why not move to Florida where Why Florida Is The Best Place To Retire there is no state income tax, no inheritance tax or estate tax?

Stretch that retirement dollar

You know what else goes right along with the lower taxes? A lower cost of living, generally (some areas are higher, but that goes for anywhere you look). Homes are less expensive, as are the other necessities of life. You can stretch that retirement dollar a lot farther.

Sunny days

You can’t ignore the weather in Florida. Yes, it’s hot in the summer. Yes, it’s humid in August. Guess what? It’s hot and humid a lot of other places too. Ever been in Washington DC in August? How about Michigan in February?

Snow!

You won’t be shoveling snow in Florida. Or blasting your heat either. You might need a light jacket or sweatshirt in January, but not a parka, scarf, hat and mittens just to go from the house to the car! You will have to be aware that the sun IS stronger in Florida in the summer, but like you adjust to freezing temperatures in the winter now, you can adjust your activities to avoid too much sun in July.

Enjoy water play

Along with those lovely warm temps comes water. Florida is surrounded by it on all but one state line. The Atlantic Ocean is on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. In between are lakes, canals and marshland. That means plenty of things to do like swimming, boating, fishing, biking, bird watching or whatever else you like to do on the beach or at the pool.

A great place to vacation for your family

You know those kids and grandkids left behind in the colder, more expensive climes? Grandma and Grandpa’s house now becomes a great place to vacation. Going to the beach or even to Orlando for some time with Mickey Mouse or at Universal Studios. Many towns have their own water parks and there is so much to do that the kids will be worn out in no time. There are plenty of airports to make their trip down quick and easy.

So why retire anywhere else?

Florida Luxury Real Estate – More Luxury for Your Money

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Florida luxury real estate gives you more bang for your buck. Want a lot more for your money? Buying big in Florida will get you a lot more house for your money! Want a luxury property that screams anywhere else “I’m snooty and have this amazing real estate”? Buy big in Florida.

Florida hit it big in the real estate bubble and building went bonkers. Luxury homes and condos were all the rage. Big homes with high end finishes, big lanais and pools. Condos with amazing beach views, high end finishes and amazing community amenities. Luxury real estate then meant you had money to burn. As with many other places in the US, real estate was the place to sink your hard earned cash. After all, historically it was a safe place to invest. Even in recessions real estate weathered the storms reasonably well. This one, however, was an exception to that rule and real estate took an amazingly hard hit, especially in Florida.

The problem was when the bubble burst; housing prices fell in a huge way. Overpriced home markets overcorrected. Builders left projects half built and people lost homes by the hundreds of thousands. Properties lost 3/4 of their value or more. While the overcorrection is now settling down, and prices are climbing a bit, finding a luxury home at a bargain price is definitely possible.

So if you weathered the storm and want to find a property that makes you feel rich, but at a price that makes your bank account happy, Florida is the place to look. There are many homes for sale. Want the beach life? Find a condo on the Atlantic or Gulf. A small hometown community? Got them too. A house on the intercoastal? With places to dock your boat if you have one.

Young or old, family or single, there is a luxury home for you in Florida.

Looking for a great Florida Luxury Realtor? Give Deb a call today! 727-410-0336

Why Choose Keller Williams Realty In Clearwater Florida

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Looking to relocate in Clearwater, Florida? Choosing the right Realtor, one like Deborah Ward of Keller Williams Realty, is important. You’ll need one that can help you find the right fit for you.

Do you know what kind of home you want?

Finding a Realtor that can help you figure it out is important, one who listens to your wants and needs and can get you what fits best. Even if you know, wouldn’t hiring a professional who specializes in what you want be even more important?

Deborah Ward & Associates

In Clearwater, The Deb Ward Team, who are affiliated with Keller Williams Realty is just that professional team! Deb, the Irish Realtor, and her team specialize in several types of real estate: waterfront, condo living and some multi-family homes. They are also relocation specialists. That’s important if you are relocating from another area. They know what to do to help you find a home, arrange for all the inspections, get the home to settlement and get you moved in.

Do you have a home to sell?

Picking a Realtor who specializes in selling the home you have is really important. Knowing how to price it, how to stage it and how to find the perfect buyer for it means you sell for the money you should and move to the next phase of your life.

So how do you get in touch with these great specialists?

Well, you can visit Deb and team online at http://cometoclearwater.com, call them at 727-410-0336 or email info@DeborahWard.com.

You can get to know them on YouTube as well:

Downtown Dunedin Real Estate… Fun, Creative and Food

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

Dunedin, Florida is a cute, creative and fun place to live. But it’s got more than just a cute and quaint downtown. It’s very name represents the Scottish families who founded it.

Dunedin is the Gaelic name for Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital.

Dunedin honors its heritage by holding annual Highland Games and Festival, which is held in nearby Highland Park which is close by.

Downtown Dunedin

Downtown has art galleries and home design stores. It has antique stores, clothing stores, and gift shops, restaurants, taverns and clubs.

Some of our favorites for eating out include:

Done with the shopping? The Pinellas Trail runs north and south through town perpendicular to Main Street. The Pinellas Trail is an old railway turned trail and is used for walking, jogging, or biking and it is one of the few places that is well lit at night on the trail. It even has a coffee house located in a renovated boxcar, reminiscent of the trail’s railway past.

More To Do In Dunedin!

It has two of the best beaches in America, Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island, and downtown is filled with shops, restaurants, and inns.

Looking for a house?

Dunedin real estate is replete with old style Cracker houses on properties with mature trees and landscaping. Sure there are also condos and such, but if you want to really live in the heritage and history, those cute homes are worth the extra cost.

Remember, all of that downtown charm, shopping and culture, and the Trail, are just walking distance.

So come on down and see what Dunedin has for you!

If you would like to find homes that are for sale in the Downtown Dunedin area give us a call today! 727-410-0336

St. Pete Real Estate | Check Out Coffee Pot Bayou

October 27, 2021 By Deborah Ward

If you are looking for real estate in St. Pete, you might want to check out the area called Coffee Pot Bayou. It’s a great location in Pinellas County, with amazing views and access to St. Pete.

Coffee Pot Bayou is an exclusive community just north of St. Pete. It is located between downtown St. Pete, historic Old Northeast, and Snell Isle. It is walking distance to beautiful parks and recreation in downtown St. Pete, and has plenty of waterfront properties. The top of Coffee Pot Bayou has a park with boat ramp access which is owned and operated by the City of St. Petersburg.

If you love the water and its native inhabitants, Coffee Pot Bayou has what you are looking for. The area is a common place to find all kinds of shore birds, from Great Egrets to Roseate Spoonbills, Brown Pelican, Tricolored Herons, Snowy Egrets, Cattle Egrets, Black-crowned Night-Herons, Great Blue Herons, Double-crested Cormorants and Anhingas. If you aren’t a bird watcher, there’s a wide variety of fish for watching and catching. Or just wait and look for the colonies of manatees. Want to see even more? Hop onto a boat and take a short ride out to the Gulf to see even more wildlife.
If you’re thinking of living in the area, Coffee Pot Bayou has the real estate for you. The area has different styles of homes and price ranges. Whether you’re looking for a year round home, or a vacation home from the cold northern winters, you can find it in Coffee Pot Bayou. With St. Pete so close, city life can be had, with a vibrant downtown, shops, restaurants, boating, fishing, golf, and beach living.

Coffee Pot Bayou offers Florida living at its best. Call a Realtor today to find the best fit for your needs.