- Community Stories (108)
- Belleair (1)
- Belleair Beach (2)
- Belleair Bluffs (1)
- Belleair Shore (1)
- Clearwater (8)
- Dunedin (1)
- Gulfport (4)
- Indian Rocks Beach (2)
- Indian Shores (2)
- Kenneth City (1)
- Largo (5)
- Madeira Beach (2)
- North Redington Beach (2)
- Oldsmar (1)
- Palm Harbor (2)
- Pinellas Park (1)
- Redington Beach (2)
- Redington Shores (2)
- Safety Harbor (1)
- Seminole (1)
- South Pasadena (1)
- St. Pete Beach (7)
- St. Petersburg (42)
- Tarpon Springs (3)
- Tierra Verde (17)
- Treasure Island (3)
- Consumer Information (4)
- Gems of Pinellas County (25)
- Photo Galleries (27)
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Belleair Bluffs
The City of Belleair Bluffs, a tiny hamlet measuring less than three-quarters of a square mile, is home to about 2,200 residents who enjoy life in a peaceful, close-knit community.The city borders the Intracoastal Waterway, making it a haven for boaters. The Belleair Causeway, gateway to the barrier islands just beyond, provides residents easy access to a sandy beach with calm waters, and a boat launch for access to water sports.
With more than 200 commercial and professional businesses, Belleair Bluff provides for the needs of its residents right at home. For many who live here, a quick visit to a shop or lunch at a neighborhood restaurant is just a stroll away.
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Factoids:
Population: 2,203
Land Area: 0.46 Sq. Miles
Median Age: 59.6Points of Interest: Intracoastal Waterway, Boating, Bellaire Causeway, Sandy Beaches, Boat launches, Water sports, More than 200 commercial and professional businesses, Visits to a shop or lunch at a neighborhood restaurant is just a stroll away.
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Belleair Beach
The 1,600 or so residents of Belleair Beach enjoy a relaxed lifestyle on a barrier island, proud to have preserved their peaceful town as one of the last purely residential beaches in Pinellas County. Aside from a motel and a couple of timeshares, Belleair Beach is strictly residential and its citizens have every intention of keeping it that way.
Two miles of white sandy beach front and man-made fingers of land extending into the Intracoastal Waterway offer magnificent Gulf sunsets and superb water access to those fortunate to call Belleair Beach home.
Because the city is but two miles long and less than a mile wide, every resident either lives on the water or within an easy stroll of the water. While many Belleair Beach residents maintain private boat docks, a city boat ramp and municipal marina provide access to all who wish to take to the sea. Walking paths through the town or along the beach make outdoor life here truly enjoyable. The city also maintains tennis courts, a basketball court and eleven public parks.Property Search:
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Factoids:
Population: 1,614
Land Area: 0.58 Sq.
Miles Median Age: 52.4Points of Interest: Municipal marina, Walking paths through the town or along the beach, Tennis courts, Basketball court and eleven public parks.
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Belleair
The town of Belleair may be small – encompassing just 2 square miles – but within its boundaries are three 18-hole golf courses, a well-appointed community center and seventeen public parks. Brick-paved streets shaded by dramatic tree canopies are lined with stately mansions, private estates and upscale condominium residences.Wonderful History
Early Spanish explorers called the area Pescua, or Place of Flowers, and Belleair today retains its incredible natural beauty. Perched on a bluff above Clearwater Bay, Belleair also maintains an air of grandeur, perhaps stemming from the 1890s when railroad magnate Henry B. Plant built the magnificent Belleview Biltmore Hotel there.
Still in operation and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Belleview Biltmore continues to attract visitors from around the world. Some of the area’s first homes, constructed with a view of the Belleview’s golf course, still stand today. Luxury and opulence extend throughout the town; Belleair boasts some of the most magnificent upscale neighborhoods in all of Florida.Busy Enjoying
The 4,500 residents of Belleair enjoy a wealth of activities organized by the Belleair Recreation Department, including summer camps and tennis lessons for kids to yoga classes and bridge clubs for adults. The many city festivals, races and celebrations culminate at the end of each year with the popular Holiday Tree Lighting.Property Search:
Find a Home in this CommunityFactoids:
Population: 4,500
Land Area: 1.79 Sq. Miles
Median Age: 52.7Points of Interest: Belleview Biltmore Hotel, Some of the area’s first homes, Belleview’s golf course, Belleair Recreation Department, Summer camps, Tennis lessons for kids, Yoga classes, Bridge clubs for adults, City Festivals, Races and the popular Holiday Tree Lighting.
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Hope in Pinellas during Gulf oil crisis
Our area is largely dependent on tourism and we are getting more and more concerned about how our businesses are going to stay open during the Gulf Oil Crisis. This video shows we are open for business and ready to share our paradise with others. Video by Tammy Taylor, Director – Pinellas Realtor Organization.
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Quick Facts about the Homebuyer Tax Credit
Earlier this year Congress passed legislation that provided first-time homebuyers a tax credit up to $8,000. As you may have heard, President Obama recently approved the first-time homebuyer tax credit extension, which extends the credit until April 30, 2010.
Here are the basics of the extended home buyer tax credit for 2009/2010:
As part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges facing our nation, Congress has passed new legislation that:
- Extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010.
- Expands the credit to grant up to $6,500 credit to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
Who Qualifies for the Extended Credit?
- First-time home buyers who purchase homes between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.
- Current home owners purchasing a home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010, who have used the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight.
To qualify as a “first-time home buyer” you, and your spouse, may not have owned a residence during the three years prior to the purchase.
Which Properties Are Eligible?The Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit may be applied to primary residences, including: single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and co-ops.
How Much Is Available?The maximum allowable credit for first-time home buyers is $8,000. The maximum allowable credit for current homeowners is $6,500.
How is a Buyer’s Credit Amount Determined?Each home buyer’s tax credit is determined by tow additional factors:
- The price of the home.
- The buyer’s income.
PriceUnder the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, credit may only be awarded on homes purchased for $800,000 or less.
Buyer IncomeUnder the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, which is effective on November 7, 2009, single buyers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000-may receive the maximum tax credit. These income limits have changed from the 2009 First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit limits.
If My Income Exceeds These Limits, Can I Still Get a Credit?Yes, some buyers may still be eligible for the credit. The credit decreases for buyers who earn between $125,000 and $145,000 for single buyers and between $225,000 and $245,000 for home buyers filing jointly. The amount of the tax credit decreases as a buyer’s income approaches the maximum limit. Home buyers earning more than the maximum qualifying income-over $145,000 for singles and over $245,000 for couples- are not eligible for the credit.
Can I Still Qualify If My Home Purchase Closes After April 30, 2010?Under the Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit, as long as a written binding contract to purchase is in effect on April 30, 2010, you will have until July 1, 2010 to close.
Will the Tax Credit Need to Be Repaid?No. You do not need to repay the tax credit, if you occupy your home for three years or more. However, if you sell the property during this three-year period, the full amount credit will be recouped on the sale.
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Thinking about Buying Your First Home?
Are you thinking about buying your first home? Good thought! Now is a great time to buy, especially with an $8,000 tax credit available for those who qualify.
As part of its plan to stimulate the U.S. housing market and address the economic challenges facing our nation, Congress has passed legislation that grants a tax credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers. And those who qualify for the federal $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit will be able to apply for down payment assistance through the state of Florida or the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) before they close on the purchase of their home; then repay the amount borrowed when they get their tax credit. FHA now permits its lenders to provide a short-term bridge loan to qualified homebuyers for the purpose of accessing the federal $8,000 tax credit at the closing table.
But time is of the essence. You must buy your new home by December 1, 2009.
Click here for more information.
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St. Petersburg is My Pinellas
Tim Barber,
Bay Way Isles resident since 2004We’re real homebodies – because it’s so nice to be at home! Our typical Sunday is grilling, swimming and fishing right off our dock. Friends and family gather here. After living in South Tampa for many years, we wanted to be near the water, and we found this neighborhood to be perfect for our family. The community is wonderful, too. I coach basketball for each of my three sons’ teams, and I’m very involved in child advocate work. Josie has a successful shop in downtown St. Petersburg. Bay Isles is centrally located to the expressway and the beach, so it’s ideal to get to places. But being here is the best. It’s so laid back and resort-like. In addition to the wonderful weather, there’s the spectacular business climate, professional sports, so much to offer in terms of entertainment. People are happy to be here – it’s so beautiful and peaceful. We travel the world, but we always look forward to coming home.

St. Petersburg is My Pinellas.Click here to find out more about St. Petersburg.
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Largo is My Pinellas
Charles Harper,
Lifelong resident of LargoI never thought of living anywhere else. Growing up, Largo was the classic small southern town. The streets were crushed coquina shells, and there was one traffic light in town. Friday night high school football games were our biggest social event. It was a wonderful place to grow up in, and a great place to retire in. I’ve watched the city grow, and I enjoy how diversified Largo is today. We may be one of the “older” cities, but we have a vibrant younger population, too. Any type of home you’re looking for, any type of neighborhood – I believe you can find it in Largo. We’re a good size city that’s kept many of the qualities of a small town. You can find your own niche in Largo.

Largo is My Pinellas.Click here to find out more about Largo.
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Gulfport is My Pinellas
Alexandra Kingzett, long time Gulfport investor;
Resident since 2000; owner of the Peninsula Historic Inn & SpaFor a large part of my life, I’ve been at large in the world. This is the first time I’ve had a sense of belonging. When we retired from a career in the Peace Corps, my husband and I visited Gulfport to see what kind of opportunity was there. We purchased four investment homes on that first visit. In 1999, we purchased a hotel that had been boarded up for seventeen years. We had to build it practically brand new from the inside out. The following year, we also purchased our first home for ourselves here – the fabulous Brumer Estate, a sprawling house with huge old live oaks and a lawn that ran down to the water. The inn was a real catalyst for change – for a renaissance, as new people and investors and businesses came to Gulfport. For the first time in my life, I feel as though I’m part of a community — that I’ve contributed … that I’m valuable. My sense of belonging is also due to the richness of Gulfport. The town is made up of so many kinds of people. It’s a very tolerant community. Being here and owning the inn has defined a significant part of my adult life. We will continue the stewardship of the inn, to be passed on eventually. We’re just trying to set the table for the next decade.

Gulfport is My Pinellas.Click here to visit the Peninsula Inn and Spa website.
Click here to find out more about Gulfport.
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Palm Harbor is My Pinellas
Rob Randelman,
Resident of Palm Harbor since 1997As a family we spend a lot of time outdoors. The outdoor recreation here is just fantastic. Kids ride their bikes in the neighborhood and there are plenty of parks all around – ball fields, dog parks, beautiful beaches. The Pinellas Trail is just a mile away from our home, and we often ride our bikes over to it. We play a lot of golf as a family on the weekend, or we’ll take our sailboat to Caladesi Island. But we don’t have to go far to find something to do – we even have a YMCA right in the neighborhood. It’s been a great place for making new friends.
Palm Harbor is My Pinellas.Click here to find out more about Palm Harbor.
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