Dunedin, FL

As Palm Harbor Realtors, we're often asked exactly how much Pinellas real estate prices have fallen. It's usually the buyers that are asking because Pinellas home sellers are having a harder time accepting the reality of today's market. Prices will rise again to those crazy 2006 levels, but it's going to be many years before that happens (speculation for another post). Yet this Zillow graph helps put perspective on the fact that homes always appreciate over the long term. In the mean time, if you know someone selling their Palm Harbor home now, give 'em a hug and a stiff drink and then, and only then, share this.

Before we get to the numbers, it's important to acknowledge that the fall in Ozona Florida or Dunedin real estate prices is actually a market correction from the falsely inflated prices we saw in the peak in July 2006. Things were nuts then, and would you agree that we've had a wake up call about the current state of the US economy, helped largely in part by the lending madness we saw a few years ago?

So the numbers.... The St. Pete times reported on November 26th that Tampa Bay homes lost 18.5% of their value the past year, according to September's S&P Case-Shiler home price index. As of end of 3rd Quarter '08, Zillow's reporting a 17.1% drop in Tampa Bay home values over last year. Last month, The Pinellas Peach reported a 16% decline in Pinellas home prices based upon our MLS research, so I guess you can say that we're optimists.

Pinellas home buyers, rejoice, and start shopping! Sellers, take heed, assuming our mere 16% decline, that's an average of 1.33% drop per month. Let's say your home was worth $300,000 last year, you lost $4000 a month EACH MONTH your home didn't sell last year, and today's it's worth a paltry $252,000.

If you're thinking of selling, and, by the way, there are still lots of wonderful reasons to sell now (buying up, anyone?!), it's time to talk turkey with a real estate professional that will get your home sold now.

If you ride out to the causeway, you will find some beautiful views, a bike/walking path and a place to rent a kayak and kayak around the intercoastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The causeway's end is the entrance to Honeymoon Island, renamed from Hog Island in 1939, when a developer built fifty thatched roof cottages for honeymooners. Take a short ride by ferry to one of the few completely natural islands along Florida´s Gulf Coast, Caladesi Island's white sand shores have been rated as the nation´s #1 best beach by Dr. Beach every years since 1991. Beach lovers can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing.

I have lived and worked in Dunedin, Florida for the past ten years. Call me if you wish to visit or relocate to Dunedin. I am the broker for Celtic Realty, where we provide great service and that's no blarney. Visit our web cite at www.Celtic-Realty.com or just call me at 7f27-412-8558. I look forward to a chat about my hometown.

Even if you live here, you may not know that Dunedin, Florida has several lovely pocket parks. It's a city park that's small but has a beautiful view of the water. A great place to watch the sunsets. We have several of them, these two are off Alternate 19, or Bayshore Blvd.

The Dunedin Art Harvest will take place this year on November 1st and 2nd in Highlander Park, which is on the corner of Michigan Blvd and Pinehurst Road. The event kicks off at 10 am with some of the best artists from across the country displaying and selling their work!

There are over 200 artists participating again this year! Remember that this is the perfect place to start your holiday shopping!!! What could be more thoughtful than a true work of art?

Hours are 10 am to 5 pm on both days! See you there!!!

Remember, if you are considering purchasing or selling in the Clearwater, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Palm Harbor area give us a call! With years of experience in the local market, we are here for all of your real estate needs!

Call Barbara-Jo at 727-512-0910 or Bill at 727-512-0910 today!

Yesterday I was in a pensive mood and needed to take a break from the office. It was a day I needed to get out and enjoy my hometown of Dunedin, Florida. I brought along my camera so I could take some pictures to share of our quaint little town. Dunedin has lots to offer. You can start at the western end of town and find our city's marina which is a beautiful spot for a sunset. Head further downtown and you will find unique shops and restaurants to enjoy lunch or dinner and perhaps a cocktail. Dont' forget your sweet tooth!! There's a chocolate shop and an a brand new ice cream shop on Main. You can taste wine at the Wine Tasting shop and you can listen to Irish songs at Flanagan's Pub.

Dunedin shares the Pinellas Trail, bike and walkway which goes through downtown Dunedin. In fact there's a bike shop and a small cafe located adjacent to the trail.

History buffs will enjoy a trip to the Dunedin Historical Museum located in the 1923 Atlantic Coast Railroad Station in the center of downtown. Visitors can enjoy learning about our history and locals enjoy many of the exhibits throughout the year.

With so much to do and see in Dunedin, it's no wonder that visitors return and local folks come often to dine, shop and just enjoy our town.