Beware of The Insurance Onion - What You Don't Know Stinks and Will Make you Cry

When we discuss personal insurance we're discussing the insurance that protects your home, your cars, your boat, your motorhome, umbrella policies and even the extras like your jewelry, antiques, etc. Most of us have coverage we bought because an insurance agent recommended it - but do we really understand what we have?

 I know I don't! Experience shows that what you don't know can definitely make you cry! Kim Marshall, top Pinellas Luxury Insurance Agent with Carlisle Fields in Clearwater Florida is our Personal Insurance Chef.

She skillfully peels back the layers of the Insurance Policy Onions (especially our Homeowners) for us so we can make informed choices and not have any unwanted surprises and find ourselves crying when we least expect.

 I love surprises, I just don't want them when it comes to finding out my home or my family don't have the financial coverage or protection we thought we did. Kim takes a consultative approach to educating her clients, explaining all the layers of insurance onion and her Insurance Recipe (her recommendation) is tailored to each individual's needs. This is why she's our Personal Insurance Chef

The Home Insurance Dish with Kim Marshall

We are pleased to announce that Kim will be a frequent guest here on Sandbars to Sunsets and she will continue peel back the different layers of the Insurance Onion oand dish out the straight scoop on Clearwater Florida Home Owners Insurance. Kim will also answer the Insurance questions we hear most often and will keep us posted on what is new on the Insurance Menu and what's changing with regards to home owners insurance in the Tampa Bay area.

The Florida Legislature continues to work with the insurance industry to address the need for improved home owner insurance options. We sat down with Kim today and discussed Onion Layer #1 - The New "fine print" in many home owners insurance policies today that means you don't have sinkhole coverage. It's often these little changes that can be overlooked or misunderstood and can cause Clearwater home owners a get costly education down the road.

Did you even realize that "Pinellas County, is located in one of the more active and least understood karst regions of the world. Some of the more common karst features found in this area are sinkholes." - excerpt from The Karst Research Group's report out of the University of South Florida. 

Onion Peel #1 - Are You Really Covered for Sink Holes in Florida - Understanding the Fine Print?

In the video interview Clearwater Home Insurance Agent, Kim Marshall explains why you may not be covered for sinkholes anymore ....<click to read more and see video> 

Spend Winter Living in Clearwater Florida

It's that time of year - the leaves are beginning to change colors up north and the first hints of the impending winter chills remind people living in places like Canada, New York, New Jersey, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and more that having a warm relaxing vacation home in Clearwater Florida is a great idea.

Clearwater Florida Condo Affordability Factor

I had a call this week asking if now was a good time to buy a Clearwater Florida condo - my belief is "yes". We have seen prices their lowest in almost 2 years and now we are seeing properties in Clearwater that are priced right are selling. Because of the excess supply we've helped Clearwater condo buyers negotiate great deals.  We are even seeing hundreds of beach condos for under $250,000 - that's not something you could have found a year ago. Forbe has predicted that the Tampa Bay area may have a "V" recovery - and with a sharp rise back to previous values the buyers on the fence may have missed their window of opportunity.

Here's a Clearwater Condo for Sale that we found offers many unique features:

6 Top Reasons to Buy this Hot Condo for your Cold Winters:

1. You can rent this Clearwater luxury condo weekly when you're not using it. Fewer and fewer communities are allowing this and so it is getting harder and harder to find this option. For a real estate investor or seasonal resident hoping to buy a condo that will break needs to have this option. Finding a condo like this for under $150,000 is a bargain.
2. This Clearwater Condo allows pets - many second home owners want to bring their pets, including dogs for their extended stays and again this is an option that most Clearwater area condos don't allow.
3. There are no age restrictions in the luxury condo community so you have all options on renting or even having family come and use it when you're not. This is an often overlooked restriction. Typically Clearwater condos that don't have age restrictions have a higher value since they can draw from a larger condo buyer pool.
4. This luxury condo has an amazing resort style pool area so you could have a great time never leaving the premises. Take a look at the photos and imagine relaxing by the bubbling spill-over pool. Cook out with friends, read that book you've been waiting to read or just get your daily Vitamin C the natural way!
5. This luxury condo is in a secure, gated community for additional peace of mind and additional security when you're here.
6. Finally, with this Clearwater luxury condo you'll be very close to the beach (just 3.5 miles to Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach) - back your flip flops and towels - we provide the crystal clear beach water, the sugar white sand and the sunsets that put any painting to shame - Does life get any better than this?             

Clearwater Luxury Condo for Sale in Avalon
1234 S Missouri Ave Unit# 305, Clearwater, FL 33756 Click to View Show This is a great condo for anyone looking to be close to Clearwater beach or just close to everything. 9 Top Reason's this Condo is Special: * Allows Weekly Rentals; * No Age Restrictions; * Pets are Allowed; * Can walk to shopping; * Can walk to lots of places to eat; * Secure, gated community; * Luxury Resort style Pool Area; * Newly remodeled complex; * All neutral colors and move in ready;
Details Asking Price: $149,000 MLS: 7302736 Sq. Feet: 1096 Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Subdivision: Avalon Year Built: 2000 Property Amenities - Range/Oven - Full Refrigerator - Microwave - Dishwasher - Vaulted Ceilings - Balcony - Secluded Setting - Central A/C - Central Heat - Walk-in closet - Living room - Laundry area - inside Community Amenities - Guest Parking - Security Gate - Secured Entry - Gated property - Swimming Pool(s) - Recreation Center - Clubhouse	Contact Info Cyndee & Jack Haydon Main 727-422-8901 Cell 727-710-8035 Dir 727-710-8036 Email | Website Other Shows

So looking for something else? Want more Clearwater Florda Real Estate information?  

Clearwater Real Estate Info

Buyers tell us that selecting a Clearwater 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.

Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends...we'd love to be YOUR choice too!

Relocations ~ Waterfront Homes for Sale, Townhomes Condos & Villas ~ Beach House of Your Dreams ~ Find the Perfect Vacation Home or Florida Investment Property in Pinellas County ~ Luxury Homes ~ Luxury Condos for Sale in the Tampa Bay resort areas ~ 1031 ~ Pool Homes ~ Homes for Sale ~ Condos for Sale ~ Golf Homes ~ Golf Communities ~ Second Homes

Fun Things to do on Water in Tampa Bay's Bluest Backyards 

I was driving the other day from Pinellas County, heading over the Gandy Bridge and Tampa Bay to South Tampa when I was reminded of one of my favorite past times - paddling. 

No I'm not talking about "paddling" as in spanking, though I must say I received a few of those in my youth.  Paddling is what locals call "kayaking" around here in the Clearwater Florida area.  Pinellas County is actually surrounded on three sides by water  (the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay) which is why we are blessed with so many blue backyards and so kayaking is one of the popular ways of sightseeing or even flats fishing when you're looking for a relaxing eco-friendly day - now that's my kind of Green Living.

So what jogged my memories? Seeing Dave Camp and the guys from Sweetwater Kayaks helping some local kayakers put in to the mangroves along the side of the road and off they into the waters of Tampa Bay. I have to confess I was even running a little late to a friends wedding (which I was the photographer for) and couldn't resist quickly pulling off the side of the road for a few shots and a quick video interview . I'm always excited to be able to bring great info back to the readers of Sandbars to Sunsets. Here is the interview with lots of good info on kayaking around Clearwater | Saint Petersburg | Tampa Bay...   

Dave tells about Local Kayaking | Weedon Island Self-Guided Tour 

So have you had a good paddling lately? If so, what's your favorite place to kayak?  

Clearwater Florida Real Estate

Are you looking to buy a Clearwater Beach Condo or Clearwater Home? Here's what some of our past clients have to say about how we helped them....

************ CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS ************

Buyers tell us that selecting a Clearwater Beach 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. 

Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends...we'd love to be YOUR choice too!    

Clearwater, FL Homes Find New Roof Codes Break the Bank

Beware....Monday October 1,2007 - Clearwater Florida homeowners will see roof prices for their homes sky rocket. Anyone putting a new roof on a Clearwater home or condo (association) may have to break open your piggy bank to pay for your new roof since new Florida House Bill 7057 goes into effect tomorrow.

The bill had great intentions and was designed to make Clearwater Florida homes safer and more secure in hurricanes. The end result is that all homes getting new roofs after October 1^st.now need added materials, reinforcement and labor which will add anywhere from 15% to 50% to the cost of a new roof for your Clearwater home. Most agree it will be closer to 30% on average.   

I met with local expert, Matt Cetta, Owner and CEO of Metro Roofing and asked him to give our readers the straight scoop on these new law changes that were just passed focusing on Hurricane Mitigation retro-fitting of roofs in Florida.

Matt Cetta, who is also Certified with the My Safe Florida Program, explained the effects of the new law on home owners are that,

1. "Homes assessed under $300,000 they will be required to have their new roof re-nailed to new code requirements and use a new waterproofing membrane which may increase the price of replacing their roof by an additional 15-30%. 
2. Homes that are assessed for $300,000 and greater will now require extra gable braces and truss straps which will increase the cost to replace these roofs by 30-50%."

Also Matt reminds us "that if you've had a recent quote, realize that the new cost will be higher by maybe 50%." 

My Complete Interview with Matt Cetta, Owners of Metro Roofing

If you have any additional questions feel free to call Matt Cetta of Metro Roofing at (727)-787-7663 or email him at metro1@tampabay.rr.com

Matt has graciously offered the readers of Sandbars to Sunsets a free Video Roof Inspection so just call Matt and let him know you read his offer here. We highly recommend Matt and his team of roofing professionals.   

Clearwater Florida Real Estate

Are you looking to buy a Clearwater Beach Condo or Clearwater Home? Here's what some of our past clients have to say about how we helped them....

************ CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS ************

Buyers tell us that selecting a Clearwater Beach 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. 

Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends...we'd love to be YOUR choice too!    

Clearwater Homes for Sale - Rainforest Neighborhood  

Moving to Clearwater Florida and looking for a large home with many extras and a great location?

Then look no further when relocating to Clearwater Florida because you can move right in this lovely home since it's open a spacious and done in neutral colors. Calling all nature lovers - this is a hard to find property with lots of yard, mature trees and even 3 citrus trees. 

Rainforest Subdivision - This well maintained deed restricted neighborhood of 34 homes is just minutes from Tech Data's Corporate Headquarters, The Icot Center, St Petersburg College's new Icot location and the Clearwater / St. Petersburg International Airport. It is also close to the growing

Clearwater Home buyers are excited to know that you can usually make it to Downtown Tampa in 20 minutes or less. These Rainforest homes are located between Ulmerton and East Bay Drive @ 1 mile west of the Bayside Bridge.         

If you like Golf - this Clearwater neighborhood is close to several courses. Rainforest is only about 2 miles from Clearwater's public golf course - Airco Golf Course - located off Ulmerton Road just before the I-275 exit. 

You are also less than 5 minutes to the East Bay Country Club and Golf Course located west off East Bay Drive and there is a full Golf and Tennis Club at The Feather Sound Country Club, also less than 5 minutes away.  

Since this neighborhood is located in mid-Pinellas County it is an easy commute to downtown Saint Petersburg, Palm Harbor and downtown Tampa. With the price of gas and the value of time this house offers more than a great place to call home. 

Looking for Clearwater Homes for Sale under $350,000 - Check our this home...

Clearwater Florida Home for Sale 33760
14901 Sugarcane Way, Clearwater, FL 33760 Click to View Show Welcome to one of the largest homes in Rain Forest Subdivision with over 2460 sq ft of living area conveniently located near the Icot Center and the Clearwater/St Petersburg Airport. This home provides an easy commute to Tampa and Saint Petersburg. You will love this luxury home hidden away on a tree filled lot at the end of a cul-de-sac, the open floor plan with neutral color scheme, large double-pane windows, French Doors to the patio, plant shelves, vaulted ceiling, 140 bottle wine rack in the kitchen, and ceiling fans throughout. The Master Suite features double walk in closets, double sinks, enclosed shower, enclosed toile, a jet-tub, and large master bedroom. The family room and kitchen are open making them great for entertaining and just steps away from your living room and dining room. There is a spacious inside laundry room with sink and large closet along with a 3 car garage and lots of storgae space. Outside you'll enjoy playing and relaxing in the shade of this treed lot because the owners have planted native vegetation and shade tolerant St Augustine grass that requires very little work or water. ** For your convenience we have made this flyer available online with extra photos as well. Visit: www.realestateshows.com/flyer.php?id=208885
Details Asking Price: $344,900 MLS: 7302891 Sq. Feet: 2464 Lot Size: 72X116 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Garage Size: 3 Subdivision: Rainforest Year Built: 1994 Property Amenities - Range/Oven - Sink Disposal - Full Refrigerator - Microwave - Washer/Dryer - Dishwasher - Kitchen Island - Vaulted Ceilings - Security System - Patio - Grass Lawn - Yard - Secluded Setting - Central A/C - Central Heat - Walk-in closet - Tile floor - Family room - Living room - Dining Room - Breakfast nook - Stainless steel appliances - Laundry area - inside - Custom Wine Rack -		Contact Info Cyndee & Jack Haydon Main 727-422-8901 Cell 727-710-8035 Dir 727-710-8036 Email | Website Other Shows

Clearwater Real Estate Info

Buyers tell us that selecting a Clearwater 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.

Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends...we'd love to be YOUR choice too!

Relocations ~ Waterfront Homes for Sale, Townhomes Condos & Villas ~ Beach House of Your Dreams ~ Find the Perfect Vacation Home or Florida Investment Property in Pinellas County ~ Luxury Homes ~ Luxury Condos for Sale in the Tampa Bay resort areas ~ 1031 ~ Pool Homes ~ Homes for Sale ~ Condos for Sale ~ Golf Homes ~ Golf Communities ~ Second Homes

Clearwater Real Estate - Castle Woods

Pinellas County is popular because living in Clearwater and Mid-County means these home owners are very close to our world famous beaches and have a short commute to Tampa, Saint Petersburg and other business areas along I-275 and US 19.

Because Pinellas County is one of the most densely populated counties and we are mostly built out - finding homes with this much land under $500,000 is Clearwater or in mid-Pinellas County is rare. Often to find a dream home with this many extras means your have to trade off a longer commute and more time away from family and friends each day - not to mention the rising cost of gas.

16 lucky homeowners in the secluded Castle Woods Subdivision have found the best of both worlds. Larger wooded lots in a conservation area on quiet cul-de-sacs where no two homes are alike and yet this upscale Clearwater neighborhood makes it one of Clearwater's best places to live . The added bonus is it's so convenient to everything, being less than 1 mile from the intersection of McMullen Booth and Sunset Point Road and less than 1 mile from the intersection of US 19 and Sunset Point - which makes it a great Location, Location, Location!

Homes in Castle Woods rarely come up for sale and don't stay on the market long. Here is new Clearwater luxury pool home for sale- just bring your pool towel and come relax this special home is move-in ready. Do take my word for it - Want to see this home in person, just give us a call (727) 422-8901 - It's easy to see this home with just 30 minutes notice.

Luxury Clearwater Pool Home for Sale 33759
1875 Castle Woods Drive, Clearwater, FL 33759 Click to View Show Welcome home to your peaceful Castle Woods neighborhood conveniently located between US19 and McMullen Booth Rd for an easy commute to Tampa, St Petersburg, and northern Pinellas County. This secluded Clearwater subdivision features 16-custom homes on larger wooded lots culminating in a cul-de-sac in a conservation area for your privacy. You will love the large screen enclosed updated pool and spill-over spa accessible from the inside of the home through two sets of French doors for year round outdoor living, and there is plenty of room in the large fenced and shaded yard for your family and pets. On the inside, this home features plant shelves, ceiling fans throughout, wood burning fireplace with wood bookshelves, large master bedroom suite with walk-in closet, a large jet-tub, and shower with 2 luxurious shower heads, inside laundry and sink, oversized 2-car garage, updated bathrooms, updated kitchen with desireable glazed maple cabinets, granite counter tops, and stainless steel appliances, and a newer roof. ** For your convenience we've provided almost 70 photos and a virtual tour online at: RealEstateShows.com/210764
Details Asking Price: $464,000 MLS: 7302899 Sq. Feet: 2630 Lot Size: 90x175 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Garage Size: 2 Subdivision: Castle Woods Year Built: 1984 Property Amenities - Range/Oven - Sink Disposal - Full Refrigerator - Microwave - Dishwasher - Fireplace - Vaulted Ceilings - Wet Bar - Attic - Patio - Fenced Yard - Swimming Pool - Jacuzzi/Whirlpool - Secluded Setting - Central A/C - Central Heat - Walk-in closet - Tile floor - Family room - Living room - Breakfast nook - Granite Countertops - Stainless steel appliances - Laundry area - inside		Contact Info Cyndee & Jack Haydon Main 727-422-8901 Cell 727-710-8035 Dir 727-710-8036 Email | Website Other Shows

Clearwater Real Estate Info

Buyers tell us that selecting a Clearwater 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.

Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends...we'd love to be YOUR choice too!

Relocations ~ Waterfront Homes for Sale, Townhomes Condos & Villas ~ Beach House of Your Dreams ~ Find the Perfect Vacation Home or Florida Investment Property in Pinellas County ~ Luxury Homes ~ Luxury Condos for Sale in the Tampa Bay resort areas ~ 1031 ~ Pool Homes ~ Homes for Sale ~ Condos for Sale ~ Golf Homes ~ Golf Communities ~ Second Homes

Clearwater Florida Condos Under $100,000

Buyers often ask me, "Can I buy a condo in Clearwater Florida for Under $100,000?" Today the answer is YES!

Well today there are still some great choices for living in Clearwater for under $100,000. There are options for both buyers looking to find their full time home and also for our seasonal buyers looking for hassle free condo living.

Today we'll introduce you to one of the best condo buyswe know of in Clearwater: Chateau Belleair. Chateau Belleair is an extremely desirable, quaint, peaceful community of 114 condos with 14 larger garden units.

It is centrally located in Clearwater Florida off Belcher and Belleair Road with the added benefit of having a totally private and tropical retreat feel. You can look forward to coming home nightly and relaxing in the large heated pool or the largest hot tub/spa I've ever seen or sit on your patio and enjoy the lush landscaping out your back door  (check out show below)

Buyers tell us they feel this is one of Clearwater's nicest condo communities of 1 and 2 bedroom condos. One of the things that makes it unique is that they have no age restriction. Many affordable condos in Clearwater are designated 55+ Communities. For this reason Chateau Belleair is great for first time home buyers and retirees alike. It is a quiet, well maintained complex. You will also appreciate the lushly landscaped grounds giving you the peaceful feeling of being on vacation whenever you are home.

These Clearwater condos are located within 10 miles of the sugar white sand of Clearwater Beach or Indian Rocks Beach - take your pick. It's also just a 20 minutes drive to the Tampa International Airport.

I checked our MLS for you today (9/17/07) and there are currently 6 condos for sale ranging in price from $74,000 for a 1 bedroom 1 bath condo to $101,990 for a 2 bedroom 2 bath condo.

If you have been thinking about buying a condo in Clearwater or the Tampa Bay area and want to stop renting - these could be just the Clearwater condos you're looking for. If you would like to know what your monthly payment would be and what you financing options are then just ask for a free mortgage quote and consultation with one of the best Clearwater Home Loan | Mortgage Experts we've found.      

Clearwater Beach Real Estate

Are you looking to buy a Gulf Beach Home or Condo? Here's what some of our past clients have to say about how we helped them....

******************* CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS ******************

Buyers tell us that selecting a Clearwater Beach 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. 

Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends...we'd love to be YOUR choice too! 

Relocations ~ Waterfront Homes for Sale, Townhomes Condos & Villas ~ Beach House of Your Dreams ~ Find  Perfect Vacation Home or Florida Investment Property in Pinellas County  ~ Luxury Homes ~ Luxury Condos for Sale in the Tampa Bay resort areas ~ Condos for Boaters ~ Homes for Boaters ~ Boat Slips  ~ Pool Homes 

Clearwater Beach Florida ~ Boat Docks compliments of Sandpearl and JMC Corporation

Sandpearl Residences will be home to more than luxury condos now - Calling all boaters - the vote is in and docking in Clearwater Beach just got easier.

In my previous article, Sandpearl Condos & Luxury Resort Boat Docks Questioned by Home owners in Clearwater Beach FL, I discussed that not all Clearwater  and Clearwater Beach Residents agreed with the new proposed Clearwater Beach Boat Docks on Mandalay Ave.

The issue caused a heated discussion at the last City of Clearwater Commision meeting however, the Sandpearl Residence and the Sandpearl Resort won out!

The good news is that instead of the original 54 boat docks on Clearwater Beach the scaled back plan of 42 new boat slips is approved and I believe it's great news for Tampa Bay boaters.            

27 of these boat slips would be for boaters buying condominiums at the luxury development, Sandpearl Residences - Clearwater Beaches newest luxury beach condos. The finalized deal allows the Sandpearl Resort to get 27 boat docks in the Mandalay basin area while they would build 15 more for Public use.

To learn more about Sandpearl Residence - Luxury beach condos and Resort check out this article:

Clearwater Beach Real Estate | Sandpearl Opens - Luxury Condos - Condo Hotel - Hotel with History

Clearwater Beach Real Estate

Are you looking to buy a Gulf Beach Home or Condo? Here's what some of our past clients have to say about how we helped them....

******************* CLICK ON PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE CLIENT VIDEO TESTIMONIALS ******************

Buyers tell us that selecting a Clearwater Beach 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. 

Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends...we'd love to be YOUR choice too! 

Relocations ~ Waterfront Homes for Sale, Townhomes Condos & Villas ~ Beach House of Your Dreams ~ Find the Perfect Vacation Home or Florida Investment Property in Pinellas County  ~ Luxury Homes ~ Luxury Condos for Sale in the Tampa Bay resort areas ~ Condos for Boaters ~ Homes for Boaters ~ Boat Slips   

Largo Florida Home Buyer Celebrations

Yesterday was a special day. One of our clients who bought a Largo Pool home recently had a house-warming party with friends and neighbors and invited us to be a part of it.

We had worked with this family for over a year to find the perfect home.  Leah Ross, the best mortgage professional we know, also helped them with their Mortgage and did a great job and was at the party. As you can see even my 2 boys got to give the pool a test drive - they gave it two thumbs up.

Getting to share moments like these are the really special parts of our job. As we have said before, we don't do closings - we do Celebrations. We are fortunate to build long-term relationships with our clients and they often become special friends -that is the case here. 

Knowing my family would be there from the late afternoon into the evening I changed my voicemail to let anyone who called know my plans and it also allows me to focus on enjoying this get together. 

My real-time voice message was something like this...

"Hello, You've reached Cyndee Haydon with  Belloise Realty. It's 4pm on Saturday September 9th and Jack and I will be out of the office the remainder of the day celebrating with a family we just helped purchase their dream pool home. We've been invited to meet their family and friends at a housewarming bar-b-que and I'm sure you can understand that due to the party I won't be returning calls today however, I will return calls Sunday from 11am - noon except in case of an emergency." (which there shouldn't have been any)      

Most people appreciate that I change my message daily and let them know when they can expect a return call. So this morning I got up and checked my voicemail at 9am (Sunday morning) before changing my message for  the day and to my disbelief I got the following messages....

A message from 7:35am on Sunday morning from a sign call:  "This is Mr Homebuyer, No I don't get it at all and I want to see a house you have listed at xyz address and I want you to call me as soon as possible." (In a terse and angry voice)

Another message at 8:00am on Sunday morning from Mr Homebuyer again "Just forget it, I got another agent to work with me so disregard my last message and don't return my call - they can arrange a showing for me"    

Please note the time and date - Both before 8 AM on SUNDAY!While buyers may be scarce in this market - this one thankfully moved on. It's not like this person had called before and I hadn't returned his call - he was calling me before electronic lockboxes are even activated daily. For a moment I felt guilty and then I thought about it and realized that...

As much as I love what I do, I also believe life is too short to work with nasty people - my friends and family don't treat me that way - why would I let a stranger?

So if you know someone thinking of buying or selling a home in the Largo or Tampa Bay area you can feel confident knowing that as Real Estate Agents...

• We work hard for our home buyers and home sellers;
• We will treat you like we would treat our own family;
• We are available 7 days a week if needed;
• And can accommodate most requests;

But we do have a life outside of real estate though they often overlap and we do sleep nightly (though at times there are rumors to the contrary). 

I hate to disappoint anyone, however, I've come to realize that not everyone is meant to be my client and that's ok. At the end of the day, when I see the joy and happiness of our clients experience in their new homes I can feel comfortable listening to the phone message above and peacefully saying NEXT....      

I'm curious, regardless of the business you're in - Do you choose your clients as much as they choose you?

Largo Real Estate Info 

Buyers tell us that selecting a Largo 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. 

Click on the photos below and meet some of our clients and now friends...we'd love to be YOUR choice too! 

Relocations ~ Waterfront Homes for Sale, Townhomes Condos & Villas ~ Beach House of Your Dreams ~ Find the Perfect Vacation Home or Florida Investment Property in Pinellas County  ~ Luxury Homes ~ Luxury Condos for Sale in the Tampa Bay resort areas ~ 1031 ~ Pool Homes ~ Homes for Sale ~ Condos for Sale

Clearwater Florida Pool Homes - Safety Tips

Pools & Kids that can't Swim Don't Mix

Whether you have a Clearwater pool home or not if you have kids then teaching them how to swim should be a priority in the Tampa Bay area. Unfortunately drowning is the leading cause of death for children under the age of 5 in Florida.

We don't have a pool at our home and so as life would have it our youngest son has avoided becoming a proficient swimmer - now this is hard for me to believe since I've been swimming since I was 2 years old and swam competitively into High School. 

It just kind of happened and then before we knew it he had a "phobia" of putting his head under water. He would even voice that he thought he would drown. (it broke my heart) When I had approached taking lessons he would become hysterical and obviously terrified. I asked around to find a good swim teacher. The same name kept coming up..Mollie Brauer, owner of Making Waves Swim School    

As life would have it - several new friends moved into the neighborhood and they all had pools - so now my youngest was being left out because he couldn't be around these pools (with all the other kids) since he couldn't swim. This forced me to face his fears with him and enroll him in private swim classes with Ms. Mollie. He may have been one of her toughest students yet because at his age his fears were real and hard to overcome - the first lesson he screamed for his life - she calmy and patiently engaged him - with clever activities and a even-keel disposition. She just has a calming presence (even for the nervouse Mom sitting on the edge) and she encourages and motivates the kids to keep going one step further. It was truly amazing to watch.    

Ok, so as far as results go - she had him putting his head underwater and beginning to swim on his second lesson. The results we absolutely amazing and the thing I appreciate most about Ms. Mollie is that she is so caring and sensitive yet firm.  She never yelled just encouraged and praised his progress, while acknowleding and not just dismissing his feelings or concerns. Mollie kept working within his capabilities and building his confidence and trust. Below you will get to hear him talk about his experience in his own words (after just 6 lessons) - and trust me he tells things like they are!

I have some video of her teaching him, however, they are not loading properly but I hope the pictures will give you a sense of what it was like.

We have several private swim schools locally that just throw kids in the pool until they "just learn to swim" - while they are effective, personally, the way she connects with her students is quite impressive and was the kind of experience we wanted for our son. If you're lucky enough to have her teach your kids - I promise you won't be disappointed. 

Sean Swimming

Swimming Phobia to Fish Swimmer - thanks to Ms. Mollie Brauer

Here's what he had to say after his 2nd lesson with Ms. Mollie

What a difference only 6 half hour lessons make - everyone's happy, now that's success. 

Pinellas County | Hillsborough County Swimming Lessons

• Mollie Brauer, Owner and Certified Swimming Instructor
• 1628 Scott Street Clearwater Florida 33755
• www.MakingWavesSwimming.com
• Private classes or Group Lessons
• Ages 6 months to Adults

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