Tarpon Springs, FL

Tarpon Springs Florida - 2011 Housing Market Review

Looking back on 2011 we find some interesting figures. In the group of Single Family Homes sold this past year in Tarpon Springs, from highest price sold to lowest:

418 single family homes sold

List: $9,995,000. Sold: $8,000,000. (most expensive)

List: $ 15,999. Sold: $ 13,500. (least expensive)

Sale price/sq ft:

High: $378.60

Low: $ 13.42

Average Days On Market: 131

Now let us look at townhomes, condos and villas for 2011:

165 townhomes, villas, condos sold

List: $674,900. Sold: $640,000. (most expensive)

List: $ 21,900. Sold: $ 21,900. (least expensive)

Sale price/sq ft:

High: $183.10

Low: $ 26.32

Average Days on Market: 153

When we compare 2011 residential sales in Tarpon Springs Florida to the 2010 residential sales we find:

2010 residential sales: 506

2011 residential sales: 583

2010 average sale price: $200,282.

2011 average sale price: $208,644.

2010 average days on market: 121

2011 average days on market: 119

From this information, we can conclude that the average number of days on the market remained the same and while the number of sales did indeed increase, the average sale price increased minimally. Still, even this slight increase shows that Tarpon Springs is following the trend that has been reported by the Florida Association of Realtors. Residential prices have bottomed out and there is a slight increase in price taking place around the state.

What does this mean to the potential buyer? Simple, NOW is the time to take advantage of the prices since the reports and statistical figures all show that prices are starting to edge their way back UP.

Tarpon Springs Florida - Epiphany Celebration January 6 2012

Each year, on the Feast of the Epiphany, young Greek boys between the ages of 16 and 18 attend mass at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox cathedral in at 36 N Pinellas Avenue in Tarpon Springs. The services begin at 8 in the morning and once the services are over the boys head to the bayou to await the tossing of the cross.

At approximately 12 noon, once the services are complete, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Georgia, will lead the procession to the bayou. In the procession will be Greek school children, dressed in their native costume.

Anna Athanasatos, a student at the University of South Florida, will be the Dove Bearer this year. The white dove that she will release symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Once the dove is released, Archbishop Demetrios will toss the cross into the chilly waters of the bayou just two blocks away from the cathedral.

This year there will be 60 boys waiting in row boats for that toss so they can jump into the waters to retrieve the sacred cross. The young man who comes up with the cross will be blessed by the archbishop. It is believed that he will have a year of special luck. This celebration is a reminder of Jesus being baptized in the River Jordan.

Once the cross has been retrieved and the lucky youth blessed, everyone heads over to Spanos Pappas Community Center's Theophiles Hall at 348 N Pinellas Avenue for food, drink, music and dancing. This is one event you want to be sure to attend if you are in the Tarpon Springs area!

Tarpon Springs Florida - Market Report December 2011

In December there were 32 Single Family Homes that sold in Tarpon Springs Florida. These homes ranged as follows:

On the high end:

5 bedroom 4 bath home with 3734 sq ft

List Price: $649,000 Sold Price: $592,000

71 days on the market

On the low end:

3 bedroom 1 bath home with 750 sq ft

List Price: $ 19,000 Sold Price: $ 10,000

448 days on the market

Sold price/sq ft:

High: $158.54

Low: $ 13.33

Average: $ 85.14

Condos/townhomes/villas:

On the high end:

3 bedroom 2.5 bath villa with 1704 sq ft

429 days on the market

List Price: $289,000 Sold Price: $269,000

On the low end:

1 bedroom 1 bath condo with 740 sq ft

List Price: $ 39,000 Sold Price: $ 35,000

19 days on the market

Sold price/sq ft:

High: $157.86

Low: $ 34.90

Averaage: $ 73.16

There was the usual rush to get contracts closed before the end of the year and many title companies were overwhelmed. 2012 looks like it is going to be a good year for Florida Real Estate! Stay tuned for updates!

Northside Seafood Market - Tarpon Springs Florida

Northside Seafood is located on the north side of the Anclote River in Tarpon Springs at 1078 Island Avenue. It is open seven days a week and my favorite place for fresh fish and shrimp.

If you haven't discovered Northside Seafood Market, you REALLY need to check it out! What could possibly make a better brunch than fresh shrimp sauteed in olive oil together with onions, tomatoes, garlic, zucchini slices and feta cheese? That is one of my VERY favorite dishes for a wonderful Sunday brunch! Serve that with a cup of hot tea and you have a little bit of heaven right on your table! Enjoy!