About Palm Harbor's Indian Bluff Island

What are you afraid of? Overpaying for your Pinellas home while being wham-blasted with negative news about the economy and the housing market? Or perhaps secrets horrifically and seemingly worse? OK. I'll go first.

I am dreadfully frightened of:

1. Public Speaking
2. Snakes
3. Having to work for someone else (translation: fear of failing with our real estate business - which, by the way, is the opposite of reality, but a fear nonetheless)
4. Slugs, snails and leeches (they belong in the same category, don't you think?)

In these times, more than ever, it's easy to venture into the realm of being fearful. Yet, I think we all now, more than ever, must encourage our friends and neighbors to not only to survive these times but to thrive within them. We're fortunate, we have family (note: not colleagues or friends) at Keller Williams Realty Palm Harbor that have helped our successes and continue to propel us forward. We give back, yet are at a point where it's our duty and honor to do so more.

How do we conquer fear and catapult into the realm of fabulous? I'm not quite sure, but after 43 years I think I might be on to something. I've been pushing the limits of my comfort zone. I invite you to stick your toes in the WATER OF FEAR, just to test the temperature. In the last 30 days I:

1. Chopped a 1' square, 1" thick piece of plywood in half with my bare hands (see picture above) - in front of 50 people.
2. Watched an entire show on Animal Planet about slithering snakes with my son.
3. Have pushed myself, more than ever, with my routine of doing the thing I like to do least (lead generation), first thing in the day, and track my results.
4. Public Speaking: As a newly appointed member of the ALC - Agent Leadership Council - in our Keller Williams Realty Palm Harbor office - I, with my dear friend Patty Neri, had to speak for a mere couple of minutes in front of a group of about 45 (which felt like 45,000). Five minutes before speaking, my face was heating up, my was heart racing, and had that same 'Oh my gosh I'm going to VOMIT' feeling just like when doing oral reports in 9th grade history class and again in college. Oh my!

Many of you are laughing about #4 and public speaking. Maybe some of you can relate? In retrospect, I managed to not throw up, my voice only cracked a few times, and I only stammered once or twice. Afterward, I made my way to the water cooler and my hands were still shaking. It's all a blur now. My stomach churns just thinking about it. Yet, somehow, the next time it think it might be just a bit easier. Afterward, more than ever before, I knew that everything was possible - if we just dare to try.

What's my point? It's summed up in a quote from an old book we started reading as part of a book club in our office (the brainchild of the amazing Ken Rossi) - Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway. I'm paraphrasing here, but it's this:

At the end of the day, I'd rather have said that I'm glad I tried or did than I wish I had.

How many of you have tested your fears? For those of you that have, what have been your experiences? Maybe it all just comes down to not overly analyzing whatever it is that scares us the most and just getting out there and facing it head on?

We can't control Wall Street, but maybe it's time to dip our toes in the waters of our inner fears - those fears that we actually CAN control?

Some of you now, are fearful of buying a Pinellas home in our current market. That, I can share with you, with full-hearted enthusiasm - is nothing to be afraid of! It's perhaps the best time in history to buy your Dunedin home! There are concrete facts to back that statement up if it's a concern. If you're scared and have doubts about investing now, I invite you to post your comments and chat about them. It's o.k. to just dip your toe in.

After all, talking about buying real estate, within the type of market when historically millionaires are made, is a lot better than stepping on a snail in your bare feet (been there, done that).

Indian Bluff Island is Palm Harbor's best kept secret neighborhood. Most Palm Harbor residents have never even heard of Indian Bluff (the residents refer to it as IBI), and that includes many folks that have lived in Palm Harbor for years. Indian Bluff is a secluded neighborhood north of Alderman Road, West off of DeSoto Avenue and then West on Oceanview (the causeway to the island), just south of Wall Springs Park. Most of the homes are either on the Gulf of Mexico or on canals with easy access to the gulf. The more luxurious homes are well appointed and stunning in their own right, and feature luxurious finishes.

Many classify IBI as prestigious and exclusive, as there are many $1M+ estates on the gulf. Yet part of the charm of the island is that there are still many of the original ranch homes here, and so it's certainly got an eclectic and sometimes funky flair to it. Homes here were built anywhere from 1957 to 2008, are anywhere from 1 to 4 stores, and include many architectural styles. Most of the waterfront homes include docks, boat lifts, davits, etc. and the gulf-front homes feature unsurpassed gulf views.

Perhaps the best part of Indian Bluff living is that everyone on the island knows each other. There are the annual Christmas, Easter and Halloween events for the children, hosted on a rotating basis amongst the residents who choose to participate (and most do). Then there's the annual Indian Bluff Island Summer Slam and Fishing Tournament, with a roaring barbecue with live music in recent years. All proceeds go to support local charities. IBI is a non-deed restricted neighborhood and there's a voluntary $35 per year homeowners association.

Originally, Indian Bluff was a separate island from the mainland. In 1914, Robert Guase paid $27.93 for the entire island, as homesteading records show. It wasn't until 1957 that the causeway was built and the island was subdivided into lots and modern home development began. Sadly, there were discussions about building a community boat ramp, but they never came to fruition. However, nearby there are numerous nearby public and private boat ramps for those residents not on the water.

The Pinellas trail meets the end of the short causeway to the island, and Wall Springs Park is a block to the north. Wall Springs features playgrounds, fishing docks, trails and picnic areas. Just across the street is the renowned Innisbrook Golf Resort. There's plenty of shopping, restaurants, museums and recreational activities in the area, and major sporting events and Tampa Bay cultural activities are a short drive away. The Pinellas County schools serving the Island are highly acclaimed. The school bus picks and drops of kids at the end of the causeway, and, to make Island living just that much sweeter, a very special island resident has lovingly sat at the bus stop supervising the kids each day for more years than any of us can remember.

Contact us here or give us a call at (727)366-0324 to schedule a tour or receive the latest offerings on Indian Bluff Island.

Since HR3221 went into effect on July 30th, there's been enough nationwide analysis and debate to make even a Palm Harbor Real Estate professional's head spin! Today, let's focus on one wonderful little piece of that legislation - the $7,500 tax credit!

Am I Eligible?

• The $7,500 tax credit is for first-time home buyers only for any home in the U.S. If I haven't owned a home in the past 3 years, I qualify!
• I must be a U.S. Citizen and file my taxes.

Will the Palm Harbor Home I'd Like to Buy Qualify?

• Any Tampa Bay home qualifies as long as it's my principle residence.

Do I Earn to Much Money to Qualify?

• Dunedin home buyers filing as single or head-of-household can claim the full $7,500 if my adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than $75,000.
• Married couples filing jointly can double that to $150,000.
• Single or head-of-household taxpayers who earn between $75,000 and $95,000 are eligible to receive a partial credit.
• Married couples filing jointly who earn between $150,000 and $170,000 are eligible to receive a partial credit.
• If my AGI is greater than the limits above, I am out of luck.

When Must I Buy My Palm Harbor Home?

• I need to have closed on the purchase of my home on or after April 9, 2008 and before July 1, 2009.

Will the IRS Write Me a Check for $7,500?

• If I pay less than $7,500 in taxes for the year, then they IRS will cut me a check for the difference. For example, if I owe $5,000 in taxes, I will pay nothing to the IRS and they will cut me a check for $2,500. Or, if I am due to receive a $1,000 refund, my refund will grow from $1,000 to $8,500. SWEET! (We'll ALL be paying for it in other ways but let's not digress!)
• If I purchased my home in 2008, the credit must be claimed with my 2008 tax return. If I plan to buy my Palm Harbor home in 2009, then I have the option of filing it either with my 2008 or my 2009 tax return.

The Catch .... Payback Provisions

• The tax credit is an interest-free loan that must be repaid over 15 years.
• The minimum repayment amount must be 15 equal annual installments. For example, if the credit amount is $7,500, then I must repay a $500 each year for 15 years.
• If I didn't take advantage of the tax credit and borrowed that same $7,500 from my mortgage lender at 6% for 15 years, I would pay $11,392.96 of interest in addition to repaying the $7,500 principle!
• I must begin repaying the credit two tax years after claiming the credit.

What Happens When I Sell My Palm Harbor Home?

• When I sell my home for a profit, then I must repay the remaining credit during the tax year I sell my home. The amount of of my repayment depends upon the amount of profit from the home sale:
  • If the profit on the sale is more than the remaining credit, then I must repay the entire remaining credit.
  • If the profit on the sale is less than the remaining credit, then I must repay an amount equal to the profit on the home sale. The remaining credit payback will be forgiven.
• If I sell the home but did not make any profit on the home sale, then the remaining credit payback will be forgiven.

Oh, The Silly Disclaimer

As always, please don't construe this article as legal, accounting or tax advice. Always contact a tax accountant for advice specific to your situation. That being said, we think you'll be hard-pressed to find a professional that says this isn't a fantastic opportunity for free money!

How Do I Get Started?

It's easy. Give us a call at (727)366-0324 or contact us here to start your Tampa Bay home search today. Of course, you can also search the MLS like a Realtor!

Apparently this divorced single mom, who happens to be ‘hot' (I'll let you decide) and her "agent", have HER included with the sale of the house on both eBay and Craigslist. Yes, that's right, you get the house and the gal!

Aside from the Ewwwwww Gross factor, has this agent no professionalism? Have we all lost our minds?

Matt and I have seen some desperate measures from people in the wrong hands, but folks, if you're trying to sell your Dunedin home, find yourself an agent with a professional and PROVEN MARKETING STRATEGY to get your home sold!

If you're smarter than this gal, I bet you can find your own dates.