Thursday, May 18, 2006

Progress on Signature Place



Signature Place has announed that they have sold 70% of the units in their architecturally distinctive high rise designed by Ralph Johnson. The building currently on the site is scheduled to be demolished in early June. The tower building, designed like a sail of glass, features various floor plans, all with a view of Tampa Bay. Joel Cantor, the developer, chose Smith & Associates to market this property. For buyer representation and advocacy, as well as additional information, please contact Sharon Simms at The Simms Team, RE/MAX Metro, at (727)-896-1800 or visit www.ssimms.com

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Functionary vs Fiduciary

There is so much information on real estate available on the internet that it's important to identify whether you're hiring a functionary or fiduciary to represent you.
As a buyer, you can search for homes on the web, check neighborhoods and schools, map out the distance to work or the beach - so you don't want to pay top dollar to someone who is just sending you this information, or showing you house after house that you find, without giving you any input. The agent's value is as a fiduciary - as your interpreter, counsellor, and advocate. With information overload you need someone to sift through it for you, determine what meets your needs, explain the local processes to you, and be your negotiator. Once you have a contract you need someone who will help you find the best inspector and handle those negotiations, to be sure the financing process is progressing timely, and to look out for you. Is an agent representing you or the transaction - or neither of these?
As a seller, you, too, can easily find out the sale price on homes in your neighborhood, can put a sign in your yard, make some flyers and post your home on a website. A functionary can do this. A fiduciary will advise you on where (and why) your home fits among the sales, what the trends are, who the target buyer is and how to reach them. You'll want advice on pricing strategies, staging your home, and market timing. For negotiating and successfully getting from contract to closing, you want someone with experience, who's been through good markets and bad, and who can control the issues that come up along the way. Do you want an advocate or an order taker?
When you choose an agent, keep in mind - are you hiring a functionary or a fiduciary? For more information visit our website at www.ssimms.com or call The Simms Team, RE/MAX Metro, at 727-896-1800.

Friday, May 12, 2006

Marquesas Condos announced for Clearwater Beach

Mike Cheezem with JMC Communities has announced the construction of twin 15-story condominium towers on Clearwater Beach, Florida. These will take the place of the Holiday Inn Sun Spree Hotel, which opened in 1964 as the Clearwater Beach Hilton, at 712 S. Gulfview Blvd. The first Marquesas building is expected to open in late 2008. There are many new buildings on Clearwater Beach which will combine hotel units and condominiums, but this project is all condominium units. JMC is a quality builder with many successful projects in Pinellas County and Hillsborough County. JMC is based in St. Petersburg, Florida and has built nearly 4,000 condominium homes. JMC built the Mandalay Beach Club on Clearwater Beach, and The Grand at Sand Key - where the Simms Team has a first floor luxury condo on the market for $1,750,000 (it has a private access to the beach, high ceilings, and approximately 1,500 sq ft of patio/deck overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. JMC built the Florencia in downtown St. Petersburg and is now selling luxury units in Ovation, a luxury condo project on Beach Drive in downtown St Pete, where the smallest unit will have 3,600 sq ft. For more information on any of the JMC projects visit www.ssimms.com or call the Simms Team at 727-896-1800.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Free Museum Day 5/20/06

Saturday May 20 is Free Museum Day for Pinellas and Hillsborough County residents.

Visit the following museum 9 am to 6 pm:
Salvador Dali Museum
Florida Holocaust Museum
Great Explorations the Children's Museum (open til 4 pm)
Museum of Fine Arts
The Pier Acquarium
St Petersburg Museum of History
Sunken Gardens (open til 4 pm)

Ride the Looper Trolley to all downtown locations - only 25 cents a ride!

Free shuttle from BayWalk to Sunken Gardens 9 am to 4 pm.

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Parkshore closings delayed

Parkshore Plaza, a luxury condominium project in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, was scheduled to begin closings this week. Thursday night a sprinkler pipe failed on the 23st floor of the building, causing electrical and water damage. City Home units were not affected and are expected to begin moving in in mid-June. Tower closings will be delayed at least 2-3 months.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Kazillions?


We're used to seeing signs with condo prices in the millions, but even I turned my head when I first passed this sign - condos to 6.5 Kazillion!