Signature Place - downtown St. Petersburg Florida

Three weeks ago the wrecking ball hit the old Kramer Federal Building for the first time. Today this is what the building looks like. Once the building is down, site preparation and construction will start on Signature Place, the magnificent skyscraper shaped like a sail, with lots of glass and view of Tampa Bay from every tower unit. The condominium development will take up the entire block from 1st St S to 2nd St S and 1st Ave S to 2nd Ave S in downtown St. Petersburg Florida.

Condominium homes are still available for sale: units in the Lofts (single story units in low rise buildings on 1st St S and 2nd St S) range from $409,000 to $690,000; tower units range from $469,000 to $959,000 and estate homes (penthouses) range from $1,316,000 to $2,750,000.

You can view more information at www.signaturestpete.com but please call The Simms Team for additional information, so that you can have buyer representation and an advocate. Visit www.SimmsTeam.com call 727-866-0048 or e-mail Sharon@SimmsTeam.com

Ovation ready to begin sales

This morning Ovation held a Realtor Preview, in anticipation of sales beginning the first week of July. JMC Development, a local company with a sterling reputation, now in its 65th year of construction, continues its premier buildings with Ovation, a 40 unit high rise on Beach Drive, in a prime location at 2nd Ave N. looking out at Tampa Bay, with The Pier in the center. Only 2 units per floor, each with 3,657 sq ft of living area, with multiple balconies, ten foot ceilings, and walls of glass bringing in the magnificent water view, prices range from $1,900,000 to $2,750,000. There are four penthouses, each taking up an entire floor, ranging from $4,400,000 to $4,750,000 - only one is still available for sale. We've attached a link to Ovation's web site, but request that you contact us directly for any information, so that you do not lose the right to be represented by your own agent. Even with a very reputable developer, it pays to have your own advocate! Contact The Simms Team at Sharon@SimmsTeam.com, call at (727) 866-0048 or visit our website at http://www.ssimms.com We look forward to exposing you to the wonderful lifestyle of downtown St Petersburg Florida and the limited opportunities to live on Beach Drive.

What if there's a better deal next week?

With builders continuing to offer incentives, it puts buyers in the position of wondering if they should wait to buy, hoping for better incentives. Bruce Williams Homes, of Bradenton, Florida, is now offering a price guarantee at their Preserve at Lexington in Parrish, Florida. If prices decrease or incentives increase between contract and closing, the buyer will be able to get those - if prices increase, the buyer is still locked in at contract price. A few weeks ago Lennar and US Home made similar offers. For buyer representation on these homes, contact The Simms Team at RE/MAX Metro (727) 866-0048 www.SimmsTeam.com

Destination Clubs

Destination clubs are a luxury vacation option - you pay an initial membership fee, of which perhaps 80% is refundable when you leave, and then an annual fee, which entitles you to a determined number of nights at luxury homes in various destinations around the world. Exclusive Resorts, chaired by former AOL chairman, Steve Case, has reached 2,000 mambers, making it the largest destination club in the industry. A good source for information on the various clubs is www.heliumreport.com

Homes to Withstand Storms & Decrease Insurance Costs

Think designations are only for people? The Institute for Business & Home Safety IBHS, located in Tampa, Florida, and set up by the insurance industry, has come up with its FSL designation - Fortified for safer living for homes build above and beyond the strictest building codes. Further, insurance companies are offering discounts of as much as 25% on premiums for these homes. They increase the home's resistance against high winds, floods and wildfires.



Jason Comer is building FSL homes in Alys Beach on the Florida Panhandle. This is a community of white stucco homes with white ridged concrete roofs, similar to styles in Bermuda and Antigua. Because these are all FSL homes, the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies and S.S. Nesbitt & co have partnered to offer a special Masterpiece Personal Insurance Program for these homes. Homes in this area range from $500,000 to $5,000,000.

The St Petersburg Times describes the ridged roofs of Comer's homes as follows: "They start with a base of three-quarter-inch plywood nailed to frames strapped to the walls. Then comes a think sheet of rubberized, waterproof material. Next comes a coating of adhesive foam. Inch-thick concrete tiles are pressed into the adhesive, then screwed into the plywood. The tiles are then covered with a slurry of concrete that fills in all the joints and cracks. Finally, the roof, with foreshortened eaves, gets four coats of waterp[roof paint to further smooth and seal the surface."



Starting in the low $200s, Kristin Beall builds FSL homes that take inspiration from bungalow style homes. She's building in Eustis, outside of Orlando.

Features of FSL homes often include concrete "safe rooms", thicker concrete, hip roofs, exterior doors that swing out, and of course hurricane straps, reinforced windows and storm shutters.

An increasing number of people are willing to pay for additional storm protection on their homes. Discuss these options with your builder - or for homes in the Tampa Bay area, contact The Simms Team, RE/MAX Metro in St. Petersburg, sharonsimms@ssimms.com

Tami in Las Vegas

Tami Simms-Powel has finished another course offered toward the Certified Residential Specialist CRS designation. This one focused on specific skills for listing agents. As soon as she returns, she'll be briefing the entire Simms Team on new ideas she's learned for listing, marketing and selling homes in a high inventory environment. We're always continuing our education to improve our services to our clients.

Parkshore Plaza retailers announced

Beach Drive Retail has announced most of the occupants for the space at Parkshore, a downtown luxury condominium project by Opus. Parkshore Grill, occupying the corner of Beach Drive NE and Third Avenue NE, will be a fine dining restaurant seating 175. Paciugo Italian Gelato signs have been in the window, and lots of us are waiting for a refreshing cool, tasty gelato on these hot days. Colorful outdoor displays will be provided by Kabloom, a Tampa Bay florist. Additional tenants announced are: Croatian Native Art & Museum, Hooker Tea Co, Fluffy Puppy and Ronay Jewelers. Four additional spaces are in negotiations. The shops and restaurants are expected to open in July.

CRS Technology Course

Tami Simms-Powel successfully completed the Technology Course offered by the Residential Specialists section of the National Association of Realtors. This course was held in Las Vegas. Tami registered for this course to fulfill one of the requirements toward the Certified Residential Specialist CRS designation. Tami is a member of Allen F Hainge's CyberStars (only about 200 real estate agents have been selected as members of this elite group of agents who successfully utilize technology) and the CyberProfessionals organization, and for several years has been using the technology skills and systems taught in this course. She and the Simms Team are always looking for ways to better serve their clients.

Bella Grande on St Pete Beach

Live on St Pete Beach and enjoy island living. Bella Grande is a new condominium project located on the Intracoastal Waterway of Boca Ciega Bay, and is steps from a beach access to the Gulf of Mexico - just across from the Sirata Beach Resort. This spacious bright corner unit has a peaceful waterview as well as a peekaboo view of the Gulf on the opposite side. 2,338 sq ft allows for a media room as well as a huge great room. All 3 bedrooms open on to balconies, as does the living room. Master bath features a heart shapped jetted tub for two, and a double entry doorless shower. Priced on the low end of units in the building at $675,000. For more information call The Simms Team, REMAX Metro at 727-896-1800 or visit our website at www.SSimms.com
e-mail: sharonsimms@ssimms.com

Tai Chi on the Beach

Master Gary Grooms, a highly experienced, internationally recognized Master of Tai Chi Chuan and various Chinese martial arts, is teaching Tai Chi on the Northshore Beach in downtown St Petersburg. Classes are held from 7:30 am to 8:30 am on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Fee is $65 per month or $10 per class. Sign-up is at the North Shore pool office 727-895-7727.

The sensation of being on the beach, looking at the water or the park, with a breeze blowing gently (on good days), is so much better than being closed in a room. Master Gary not only shows you what to do, he tells you why you're doing it. Tai Chi improves your balance, strength and flexibility and reduces stress as well. What a great way to start the day!

Master Gary holds the rank of 7th Degree Black Belt/Sash (Senior Master Level) and moved to St Petersburg in 2005 from Atlanta, where he lived for 20 years. You can contact him at gary@mastergary.net

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