Happy 4th of July! We've complied a list of the best places to throughout Pinellas County and Tampa Bay to catch a fireworks show tonight. Enjoy!
WANT TO WIN a $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO CARRABAS ITALIAN GRILL and have your photo published on www.PinellasPeach.com? Send in your best fireworks photo from tonight with a brief description of where the photo was taken by Monday, July 6th at 12:00PM. The photo entry with with the most "pizazz" wins! (Hey, we're Pinellas Realtors not wordsmith's, but you get the idea!) Contact us here or e-mail directly to Julia@PinellasPeach.com. Stock photos will not be considered - they must be your originals.
Clearwater Celebrates America
Coachman Park- 301 Drew St. - Clearwater
July 4th 4PM - 10PM
Family activities, Mostly Pops Orchestra, fireworks display
Crystal Beach (Palm Harbor) Annual 4th Celebration
Crystal Beach Pier- take Crystal Beach Ave West to Gulf Drive - turn North (right) .. you can't miss it!
July 4th Sunset to - 10PM
Informal gatherining with all the locals, many driving their golf carts, fireworks display
Dunedin Hometown USA
Knology Park - 373 Douglas Ave - Dunedin
July 3rd 9:30 PM firworks display
City of Gulfport Celebrates
Gulfport downtown waterfront district- 2401 53rd St. S - Gulfport
July 4th fireworks display
Safety Harbor's July 4 Celebration
Safety Harbor Marina Park - 110 Veterans Memorial Ln - Safety Harbor
July 4th 5 PM - 9:30PM Events and fireworks
Madeira Beach Fireworks
Maderia Beach
July 4th fireworks
Redington Shores Fireworks
County Beach Park- Gulf Blvd & 182nd Ave W - Redington Shores
July 4th shortly after dusk
St. Pete - Fireworks at the Pier
St. Petersburg Pier- 800 Second Ave. N.E. - St. Petersburg
July 4th events and fireworks from 1 PM - 11 PM at the Waterside Courtyard & The Pier
Independence Day Channelside
615 Channelside Dr. - Tampa
July 4th events starting at 2 PM and fireworks after dark
Pasco County Fairgrounds- 36722 State Road 52 - Dade City
July 4th fireworks at 9:15 PM Gates open at 4PM
Fireworks and entertainment
Marina Jack Restaurant - 2 Marina Plaza - Sarasota
July 4th 8 PM - The 4th of July Fireworks in Sarasota starts at dusk over Sarasota Bay at Bayfont Park.
4th of July Rock 'n Wings Concert
Albert Whitted Airport- 107 8th Avenue SE - St Petersburg
July 4th 4 PM - 10 PM Gates open at 3 p.m.
Largo 4th of July Celebration
Largo Central Park - 101 Central Park Drive - Largo
July 4th 7 PM - 10 PM Fireworks display at 9 p.m.
St Pete Beach fireworks
St. Pete Beach Access Park- 4700 Gulf Blvd. - St. Petersburg beach
July 4th starting at dusk
Treasure Island fireworks
Treasure Island- Treasure Island
July 3rd
Enjoy some great BBQ, live music, and you can even park right on the beach.
Siesta Key 4th of July Fireworks
Siesta Key Beach
July 4th 9:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Fireworks can be seen from Midnight Pass to the Siesta Key Village
The Florida Aquarium 701 Channelside Drive Tampa, Florida (813) 273-4000 Fireworks at 9PM
See you at the show!
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We are the Managing Agents at Suncoast Partners at Keller Williams Realty.
We provide expertise and relentless representation for our clients throughout much of Tampa Bay, Florida.
We specialize in Pinellas County waterfront communities including Palm Harbor (including Crystal Beach & Ozona), Dunedin, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach and All Gulf Beaches.
Portions of Hillsborough and Pasco counties are serviced with a smile, too.
Expect professionalism with some fun along the way!
(727) 366-0324 Julia | Info@PinellasPeach.com | (727) 366-0325 Matt
A great deal of justifiable fuss is made over Main Street in Dunedin; it is presented as a feature to potential purchasers of Dunedin Real Estate and it is just a beloved part of town to the long time residents. Chock full of charm and tremendous places for cocktails, shopping, dining, and just general loitering -- it is the place to be.
One of our favorite spots is The Black Pearl Restaurant at 315 Main Street. We've dined in some excellent restaurants in big cities in the states and across Europe, and the Black Pearl stands up very well against that kind of competition. 
It is not the least expensive place to dine in Dunedin, Florida; but as a treat, or to celebrate a significant event, or to toast your favorite Palm Harbor business partner, you cannot beat the cuisine and the service.
We love being one of the hard working Palm Harbor Realtors, but after a long day of showing Pinellas short sales and Pinellas foreclosures, we love to treat ourselves to the exceptional service and soothing ambiance of this very fine establishment. Enjoy!
See our other Pinellas County favorite restaurants at The Pinellas Peach!
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was the heavily debated economic stimulus package that was signed into law in February of 2009. The home buyer tax credit is a component of this package and was created to promote home ownership. The bill originally provided for an $8,000 tax credit available to first-time home buyers for the purchase of a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009.
There's great news, however, if you're in the market to purchase Pinellas Real Estate! Buyers may now use the credit upfront as extra down payment money, to lower payments, pay discount points (reducing their interest rates), or to supplement closing costs.
The big "BUT" here is that buyers CANNOT use the first time home-buyer tax credit toward the 3.5% minimum that is required of FHA insured loans. The buyer still has to present those down payment funds, yet they can be a gift from a relative. And now .......
The Truth About the Misinformation Currently Being Circulated Amongst the Mis-Informed:
There's a lot of misinformation out there saying that the $8,000 can be used for your down payment, but that's just not the case! It's a convoluted mess because HUD originally released this Mortgagee Letter 2009-15, later rescineded it (the details as to why are unclear other than they realized they made a mistake), and now it's up for public speculation as to what's going to happen with that aspect of it. For crying out loud, we reported last October that the FHA had just done away with all seller-funded closing costs - now they want to essentially reverse that?! For the real facts, keep checking back, or better yet subscribe to The Pinellas Peach and you'll be notified automatically.
Eligibility for the $8000 tax credit can be found on the IRS website. It is always wise to consult with a tax advisor and a licensed Realtor to discuss your particular situation. At this time the key components to this upfront monetization of the $8,000 tax credit it that:
I'm going out on a limb here, and this will probably tick some of you off, but making sure buyers have the discipline to save 3.5% for a down payment is probably a good indicator as to whether or not they'll be able to keep up with mortgage payments in the event of an unforseen needed repair, life change, etc. Otherwise we're essentially back to 100% financing which is what got us all into this pickle in the first place. 100% financing with a rainy day savings account?! Fabulous. Otherwise, maybe it's not time to take the home ownership plunge just yet.
As Pinellas real estate prices have continued to drop each month, some Pinellas home buyers continued to play it cool, sit back and wait until a particular Dunedin Fl neighborhood becomes affordable in their eyes. Beware! There's another boat you don't want to miss.
Conventional interest rates had been hovering at historic lows of 4.75% - until this week, where they ended at 5.27%! It is unlikely they will stay in these low ranges, whether the 4's or the 5's for any length of time say most experts. Mortgage interest rates are tied to the bond market which has begun to take hits due to the state of the economy. Money.com had this good synopsis Thursday if you want to delve deeper.
So, if you're waiting for that $200,000 home to fall another $10,000 or 5% - this will take about three months in our current market. Now its September 1st and you're going to offer $190,000 and save about $50/mo on your mortgage payment. But wait! Interest rates have risen one point to 5.75%. Now your mortgage payment is $125.00 MORE than it would have been last week. This scenario has now cost you an additional $75.00/month - for the next THIRTY YEARS!!
$200,000 home with an 3.5% FHA 30 year loan:
4.75% = $1006.78/ mo payment
5.75% = $1126.30/mo
6.75% = $1251.79/mo
Some will say, "not a big deal." Really? A 2% jump in interest equates to an additional $3,000 per year and over $162,000 over the life of the loan. Hmmm...
What's the other boat? Trying to time the bottom of the market. A post for another day!
In the mean time, visit us at The Pinellas Peach or Suncoast Dream Homes for lots more Pinellas County Real Estate info.
While visions of palm trees dance in the heads of the Florida real estate buying public, there are neighborhoods and towns in Florida that offer SO much more than swaying foliage. Case in point: Dunedin Florida. It has it all. 
Dunedin Florida is a waterfront town nestled between Palm Harbor (including Ozona Fl and Crystal Beach) and Clearwater. Two of Dunedin's claims to fame are the very celebrated Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands situated off the Dunedin shore. The Florida pride is justified in the recent proclamation of Caladesi Island as #1 on the list of best beaches in America. Honeymoon Island is just a 3 minute drive from the mainland and Caladesi Island State Park is reachable via ferry or private boat from Honeymoon Island.
Because of the recent #1 nod, Dunedin Florida has become a hot place to host weddings and to celebrate life's milestones. Your guests can enjoy a pampered experience and then kick up some sand and rejuvenate!
The Dunedin lifestyle runs the gamut of outdoor activities like: windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and jet skiing. This active way of life is only rivaled by spectacular dining offered at local restaurants like Bon Appétit and tranquil evenings of star gazing from one of the yachts that dot the blue water of St. Joseph Sound.
For pursuits further inland, Dunedin real estate is architecturally interesting. As one of the premier Dunedin Realtors in the area, we've sold Dunedin homes with styles that run the gamut from spectacular waterfront Dunedin homes to retro ranches. From any number of these special homes, Dunedin visitors and residents can just take a spectacular stroll to the picturesque and lively downtown Dunedin area with its 
beautiful parks, Dunedin Marina, and all manner of pubs, ice cream parlors, an eclectic array of restaurants, and shops owned by merchants of distinction.
While any day is a good day in Dunedin, there is a plenitude of multiple fine art and antique shows, festivals, parades, and all kinds of special events that pepper the calendar. To name just a few of the annual festivities: Art Harvest, full scale parades during Mardi Gras, the famous Dunedin Wines the Blues, The Celtic Festival, the Annual 9-day Highland Games, and The Honeymoon Island Seafood Fest & Boat Show.
Bottom line, Dunedin Florida is a lively yet relaxing and picturesque place to call home.
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Pinellas County Licensed Real Estate Consultants specializing in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Ozona, Crystal Beach, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs and all gulf beaches yet also service all of Tampa Bay!
Ugh! We hate talking about ourselves and prefer to talk about real estate and how we can help buyers and sellers. These bios below were written by a pro who interviewed us.
ABOUT JULIA FISHEL
A seasoned real estate veteran, Julia has earned many prestigious awards during her career. It is not
the awards that motivate her; it's the challenge and the personal aspect of the real estate business.
"No two transactions are alike," explains Julia. "The properties, the circumstances, the market and
the people are always changing. The most rewarding part of being in real estate is helping people
accomplish their goals while building great relationships."
Julia is at the top of her game when busy and challenged. "I'm a person that's 110% on. I love to
multi-task and am happiest when I'm juggling a multitude of priorities," says Julia. "I can't stop my
mind from constantly thinking about every angle of a given situation." Julia's personality is therefore
a perfect fit for the real estate business. Real estate transactions are complex and require monitoring
every step of the way. A client requires a strong negotiator who pays particular attention to all the
details and keeps the lines of communication open. These are Julia's specialties.
Empathetic and efficient, Julia doesn't think of herself as a salesperson. She prefers to focus on the
customer and his or her particular set of needs. Respect and honesty are paramount. These are the
foundations of a successful relationship and the hallmarks of Julia's reputation in the industry.
Prior to joining Keller Williams Realty, Julia spent 12 years in commercial real estate. She has
successfully negotiated several hundred transactions for both buyers and sellers. Julia earned the
much-coveted Real Property Administrator designation from The Building Owners and Management
Institute and the Master of Corporate Real Estate designation from CoreNet Global, an association
for top corporate real estate executives. She is also the recipient of several corporate awards for her
excellence in customer service. To help serve her clients in the most effective way possible, Julia
has completed numerous hours of advanced real estate studies in law, negotiations, management,
development, marketing, and sales.
Julia is honored to work with her husband, Matt Fishel, and the rest of the Suncoast Partners at Keller
Williams Realty.
Keller Williams' record of excellence, integrity and professionalism attracted Julia to the company.
ABOUT MATT FISHEL
When most people think about sailing, they picture beautiful spinnakers aloft in the breeze, the boat
gliding through the blue water, the sailor basking in the bright sunshine. Few realize how challenging the
sport of sailing can truly be and the number of tasks that must be coordinated to ensure smooth sailing.
There is a defined preparedness that is essential and makes a dramatic difference in the outcome.
Matt has faced those challenges head on as he sailed professionally in the TransPac and the
PanAm Clipper Cup. The same qualities that make an excellent sailor: multi-tasking, perseverance,
commitment, and preparedness, serve to make an excellent Realtor.
"The real estate process is not simple," says Matt. "You have to balance the needs of your client against
the realities of the market, negotiate the contract so all parties are satisfied, and ensure the smooth
progression of many events until closing. I love the art of making a deal and making it come together.
Real estate is more than just sales; it's about shepherding people through a difficult process."
Matt's distinguished career in commercial construction project management gives him unique insight
into the property side of real estate. "I have been a licensed general contractor for over 20 years and
built stores for Starbucks and World Savings," explains Matt. "I know quality construction and I know
what to stay away from. I can help my clients determine if the property is right for them."
A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Matt has a degree in Architectural History and
Art. His dedication to his community led to him serving as a City Councilman in Gustine, California.
Matt enjoys being a Floridian and is involved in the Palm Harbor Kiwanis Club. You may visit him and his wife and real estate partner, Julia Fishel, at http://www.PinellasPeach.com, http://www.SuncoastPartners.net or http://www.SuncoastDreamHomes.com.
We are in the Top 1% of Agents in Pinellas County, specializing in west Pinellas Real Estate, includng CLearwater, Palm Harbor (including Ozona & Crystal Beach), and Dunedin, but routinely list and sell homes throughout Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. If we don't know the area well, we'll tell you straight up and refer you to another one of our team members. We're short sale / Pre-foreclosure certified, too!
We represent both buyers and sellers who appreciate an extraordinary amount of care, dilligence and market knowledge, and an overall professional yet enjoyable home buying or selling experience. Yes, we'll actually have some fun, too.
We also are HREU Certified Short Sale Experts and can navigate sellers and buyers through this process, too.
You go to "market" the way I do - its strategic, you lead, manage chaos, resolve potential conflicts before they erupt and you focus on professional service. You can quote me on this."
Bob Howard
"YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH! I am forever indebted to you both who have worked so hard on getting my home sold."
Steven Vincelli
"Matt and Julia are very straight-forward and honest. They thoroughly understand the current market and have taken the time to explain it to us. They're very aggressive and went the extra mile to market our home with the best virtual tour we've ever seen. They get results! Now we can't wait to go home shopping with them!"
Leon and Nancy Johnson
"Thanks for all of the hard work and a job well done! Twice!"
Stephen Dalton
"We are so happy that this whole thing is over! We are absolutely convinced that we would not have sold that place if we had not chosen you two as our Realtors! If you EVER need a reference or testimonial just let us know!"
Chuck & Sheila Jordan
"I wanted to thank you for your immediate good action that caught the attention of the other KW agent and his client and got my mother's home sold. I wanted you to know that you've blessed us tremendously and we wish you continued success and you will definitely be hearing from me if I have any friends looking to buy or sell real estate."
Rand Scholet
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