Looking out my front window this morning I saw some young ladies walking up and down the steps of the Museum of Fine Arts - obviously working on their posture. Learning to model? Just gaining poise?
It's another day of sunshine in St. Petersburg so the umbrella is for keeping the sun off, not the rain.
By the time I got my camera and went out the door, I no longer could get the group ascending the stairs in harmony, heads held high and straight, but I think I caught a bit of the moment.
Sometimes it's tai chi, sometimes bicycles, but there's usually something going on along Beach Drive.
Antonino Fabiano, one of our favorite clients and friends, and author of Dreamcatchers, will be holding two book signings at our office, ALVA International, Inc., 238 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, Florida, on Friday, August 28th from 5-8 pm and Saturday, August 29th from 10-1.
Why a book signing at a real estate office? Well,
Why Not?
It's a win-win in our opinion - exposure for the book, the author, and our new (since Christmas) real estate office. It's a great downtown St Pete location where lots of people walk by.
Egmont Passage: Tale of the Dreamcatcher uses the St Pete area as a backdrop, and weaves history and current events into an interesting tale.
In the current economic environment, the more we can help each other succeed, the more each of us will thrive. I think making more people aware of this interesting book will enrich their lives as well.
If you can't make it to St. Petersburg to get your autographed book, you can order Dreamcatchers online.
We rather ignore hurricane season which lasts from June 1st until November 30th unless there's a named storn. Then some people are glued to every weather report to guess which direction it's going to take. I prefer to get the advisories directly from the National Hurricane Center rather than listen to the hype. The advantage of hurricanes is that you know about them days ahead of time. The disadvantage of hurricanes is that you know about them days ahead of time.
Personally, I keep track, but don't get concerned until much later when it's evident if it's really headed our way. But then, we keep our hurricane supplies on hand all the time, and we know where we'll go if we need to evacuate. Not being worried is NOT the same as not being prepared.
Egmont Passage: Tale of the Dreamcatcher is the latest novel from Antonino Fabiano. Combine local geography and lore (Tierra Verde and the Bayway Islands) with a captivating tale, a mystery, a ghost, and characters we knew from Fabiano's first novel Egmont Passage: Tale of the Seventh Mystery (available on amazon or for your Kindle) Though there is continuity from the first novel, this one stands on its own.
Zeke, JJ, and Izzy work on the campus television station of Bayway High School (and yes, there are high schools with their own television station and daily broadcasts) and tend to get involved in the news in addition to reporting it.
For Pinellas County locals, this has the interest of an ancient shipwreck with doubloons, familiar ghosts, time travel, history, and even weaves in the current events of annexation and the possibility of a gambling ship for Tierra Verde.
For those in real estate, the plot thickens with attempted takeovers, a missing land deed, and a corrupt politician.
Originally intented to appeal to young people, I found that I couldn't put the book down, so it obviously has wider appeal.
Disclaimer: I know the author, Nino Fabiano, and count him as a friend as well as a client. I don't believe that it colors my opinion on the book, but without knowing Nino I might never have found the book, and that would have been a loss. But then, not knowing Nino would have been an even greater loss. Yo Creo !
Step aside, Seattle, and let me tell you about the role that Pinellas County, Florida, plays in enjoying coffee:
Terry Davis, of Ambex in Clearwater, is the third largest builder of coffee roasters in the US - machines that cost from $3,500 to $150,000. Whether it's St Petersburg, Oregon, or China - you're likely to find one of Terry's coffee roasters.
There are then about two dozen small coffee roasters in Tampa Bay, including Kahwa.
Then there's the matter of coffee filters. Enter Melitta cone filters. Melitta has been here in Pinellas County for 15 years.
You like flavorings in your cup or in the beans? Monin's Flavors, in France since 1912, is also in Clearwater, with labs and tastings. The bottles of flavorings you see on the shelves in your local coffee shops, and that you smell in the beans, may well come from Pinellas County, Florida.
It's worth reading the entire coffee article and seeing the photos that were published this morning in Bay, a bi-monthly magazine published by the St Petersburg Times. To go directly to the article, after you've clicked to Bay, go to Page 49.
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Representing buyers and sellers in St. Petersburg, Gulf Beaches, Clearwater & Tampa Bay area, Florida. Luxury, resort & international. Waterfront specialist. Downtown condos. New construction. 1031s.
The Simms Team is a mother, daughter, son team (Sharon, Tami Simms-Powel and Rob Johnson) with expertise and enthusiasm, backed up by a wonderful Strategic Execution Officer (Amy Grashel). Sharon has been a full time REALTOR® in St. Petersburg, Florida, since 1986. She started with Merrill Lynch Realty which became Prudential Florida Realty which became Arvida Realty, which was bought by Coldwell Banker. Sharon then moved to RE/MAX Metro for 5 years before starting her own real estate company, ALVA International, Inc. Sharon and Tami are also instructors for the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, and both are national speakers, often quoted in publications. Originally from Newport, Rhode Island, in her life before real estate, Sharon was a financial advisor, oil company executive (handling oil and gas leasing, investor relations, contracts and managing the office staff), teacher, innkeeper, and was in hotel sales in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.
Our mission is to make a significant difference in our clients' lives by best meeting their real estate needs and providing a home base. Continuing education is very important to us and each team member has real estate designations as well as a college education. As a family, we bring unique talents to the team, but all share in serving all our clients, so each of us is familiar with every client and the status of their search and transactions. Sharon brings a background as a business owner and financial analyst, Tami owned a graphic design company and was head of Concierge services at a luxury resort hotel, and Rob entered real estate after retiring as a major in the United States Air Force, with many years living in Europe. Our varied ages, interests, families, and community involvements allow us to help our clients become part of the community.
We enjoy living in this beautiful waterfront community, which encompasses small towns with unique character; cities with dynamic activities, arts, entertainment and recreation; a warm climate with lots of sunshine, access to an international airport, a vibrant business community and a wealth of choices. Please let us share our community with you and help you with all of your real estate needs. Whether helping you buy or sell here, or work with selected colleagues throughout the country and internationally, we're here to counsel you and help you.
We sell real estate, and we're good at it. We listen carefully and talk straight - believing that's how we can best serve you. Visit our website to learn more about properties in this area, our team, our expertise and track record, and recommendations. We like matching nice people with nice properties.
We cover areas that are within a 45 minute commute of the main work centers of Pinellas County, from the Gateway/Carillon area to downtown St. Pete. Sharon specializes in luxury homes, waterfront (and waterview) homes and condominiums, including the exciting development of downtown Saint Petersburg and the Gulf Beaches.
Sharon, Tami and Rob are all Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialists, with many international clients. Sharon, Tami and Rob's wife, Paqivi, are multilingual. Rob is also very knowledgeable in new home construction, and has been the team expert in short sales. Sharon works with many empty nesters, local clients as well as second home and resort property owners. Tami has many clients who are young professionals, and Rob works with many families - but none of us are limited to those and we work as a team to offer a variety of skills and personalities to our clients. Amy is our Strategic Execution Officer, who is generally in the office in charge of our Command Center, keeping all of us in line, and making sure every deadline is met, and every detail of listings and contracts is taken care of.
Designations:
Sharon:
ABR Accredited Buyer Representative
ACRE Accredited Consultant in Real Estate
ASP Accredited Staging Professional
ASR Accredited Seller Representative
CIPS Certified International Property Specialist
CLHMS Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist
CNHS Certified New Home Specialist (earned but no longer current)
CRB Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager
CRS Certified Residential Specialist
CSP Certified New Home Sales Specialist
Ecobroker Certified
e-PRO e-PRO Certification
GRI Graduate, REALTOR® Institute
LTG Leadership Training Graduate
PMN Performance Management Network
RECS Real Estate CyberSpace Specialist
RSPS Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist
SRES Seniors Real Estate Specialist
TRC Transnational Referral Certificate
Sharon is a graduate of Salve Regina College (now University) with a major in English, and has done
post-graduate work in German at the University of California (Berkeley), the University of Wisconsin, and
Middle Tennessee State University.
Tami:
CLHMS Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist
CRS Certified Residential Specialist
Tami graduated from Eckerd College with a degree in Fine Arts.
Rob:
ABR Accredited Buyer Representative
CLHMS Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist
CSP Certified New Home Sales Specialist
RECS Real Estate CyberSpace Specialist
Rob attended Rollins College and subsequently graduated from Middle Tennessee State with a degree in
Mass Communications, and while serving his career as an Air Force officer, earned his master's degree.
Amy:
successfully completed all of her course work for the GRI
Amy graduated from Eckerd College with a degree in International Business
Please let us help you with your real estate needs.
Sharon Simms has been our realtor for the past 6 years, and has represented us on three occasions; she helped us buy two houses and sell one. We have used her and her team exclusively because they respond to us in a personal way and treat us in a professional manner. We first met Sharon through a search on the internet when we were living in Chicago and looking for a house in Florida. We were impressed by her website and contacted her. She was immediately responsive to our questions. ..Ultimately, she saved us thousands of dollars, based on her thorough understanding of the procedures involved in buying a home...She assisted us at every turn, and was immediately responsive to our calls long after our initial transaction with her was completed..Sharon and her team helped us to sell the house...the booklet they put together to represent our first house was beautiful, with pictures that truly captured the house's strengths...The help provided by the Simms team, during each of the closings, was significant. Because they informed us thoroughly of what we should expect, we were never caught by surprise. All the paperwork was impeccably prepared and so were we. We would not think of buying or selling a home without the help of Sharon and her team. Her knowledge of real estate in our area, and of the procedures required, has continually been of tremendous help to us. We remain grateful for all that she and her team have done on our behalf.
Lori and Linda
Sharon was great and earned out trust quickly. In selling she sold it in 24 hours - she had website set up with tons of info - unbelievable! She put all docs on CD, followed up to check on things.
Dave
We selected the Simms team based on Sharon's reputation in the St. Petersburg community. After our first meeting with Sharon and her team, we knew we had made the right decision. I am pleased to say we consistently experienced a team of professionals, well versed in their jobs and always on top of each situation that presented. The Simms team made the sale of our home seem effortless. Each and every detail was addressed promptly and with confidence. We actually found selling our home could be a "fun" experience. If you are looking for a team of professionals to sell your home, handle all the various issues that arise and have fun while enduring such an ordeal, I would highly recommend the Sharon Simms team.
Terri and John
Sharon and Team are A+ number 1! Very professional, prompt. Great attention to detail. Stay diligent in their efforts to market and sell your property. Would use and/or refer them again. Marketing of property on many fronts, technology. Great flyer! Property analysis!
Jim
We have bought and sold 6 homes over the last 19 years, dealing with 11 different agents/real estate companies. Not one of the realtors we did business with could hold a candle to the service you gave us from the very beginning. The fabulous visual tour and brochures, constant contact and availability, the work behind the scenes you had to do regarding inspections, lenders, etc to get everything in order for the closing date...You certainly earned your commission.
Bob & Peg
When we moved due to a job transfer, the only call we even considered was to Sharon. Once again, we closed the house long distance without any problem whatsoever. Sharon is the BEST!
Rip and Suzie
The Simms Team were devoted and dedicated time to me until transaction completed. Gave grand tour of area (St. Petersburg/Gulfport) to ensure knowledge of big picture - understanding of how local neighborhoods fit into city and their unique character. Took time to understand my individual "style" and incorporated it into search, saving time and providing quality service...helped me celebrate and were willing to share social time with me...Team approach made them always available with support throughout.
Barbara
Sharon did everything we expected in a professional and friendly manner...honest & straight forward - very attentive - always responded quickly to phone calls.
Hunter and Julie
Thank you for the superb job you did selling our home. We were really dreading the sale "process" - that is, until you arrived. From the very beginning it was evident that you and your staff are as professional as they come. You told us exactly what to expect, exactly what you would do and you did just that. It is just unbelievable that our house sold in 6 days for more than we had ever hoped! We thank our lucky stars that we called "The Sharon Simms Team" first.
Bob and Sue
Sharon is conscientious, pleasant and a joy to work with. Sharon is the best. Period.
Darlene
Sharon is the single most professional agent it has ever been my pleasure to work with. She is efficient, informative, prompt and courteous, very thorough and knowledgeable. I firmly believe that without Sharon acting as intermediary, the closing would never have taken place. Sharon's capacity for calm, reasoned and decisive words and actions, combined with her genuine caring for the welfare of her clients is on an extraordinary and exemplary level. Sharon has my greatest and most heartfelt recommendation for both her professional abilities and personal ethics.
Bill
Thank you for your professionalism in working with us, and also for your personal warmth and friendship during the "ordeal". You're a gem!
Rebbie and Dan
The deal would not have gone through without the help of Sharon. She was of immeasurable assistance.
Joy
Just a note to tell you how much we appreciated all the excellent service you gave us when we recently sold our home. We already knew it would work out smoothly, since you had sold our previous home. From the moment we called you to list the property on Tierra Verde, you showed us such professionalism. All our messages were returned promptly, and you answered our many questions completely. You took care of it all, which was very helpful to us, living so many miles away. All in all Sharon, it was a pleasure working with you. We would recommend you highly to anyone.
Randy and Rebecca
Signe and I are pleased with the outcome and remain impressed with Sharon's professionalism from the pre-listing conversation through the closing. Her presentation package and advertising plan, combined with your success, convinced us from the start that we wanted to work with you. Sharon's counsel about pricing and when we had an offer was also appreciated. If we had it to do over again, we wouldn't hesitate to list with Sharon.
Tom
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