Of course, you could always just find a waterfront park, kick back and do nothing. Either way, here are 5 quick tips when you are in the mood to spend the day strolling around the Sunshine City.

#1 | Stroll the Garden Path

A few decades back Sunken Gardens was THE go to place in St. Petersburg. The four-acre botanical garden has seen interest drop off over the years, but still has plenty blooming to make it worth a visit. More than 50,000 tropical plants, a butterfly garden, walk through aviary and a delicate orchid arbor, make this place a quiet and understated place to visit natural beauty. And if you have kids, they are sure to love Great Explorations, a children’s museum within the Garden’s main building.

#2 | Just relax…but watch your head

If your tastes run more toward relaxing with nature, curl up under a palm tree at the Palm Arboretum at North Shore Park. To call it “unique” would be an understatement. To call it “Florida” would be redundant. More than 500 palms line a winding brick pathway where strolling is encouraged. Of course, the handy benches are also quite inviting.

#3 | Stroll through history

The downtown walkways provide a stroll through history. Hexagon block sidewalks direct you where to go and St. Petersburg’s Mediterranean-Revival architecture evokes a time nearly a century ago, when northern industrialists first discovered the Sunshine City and made it their summertime playground. Plus, St. Pete boasts two-dozen properties on the National Historic Register.  Check it out!

#4 – Go out of this world

Visit the planetarium at St. Petersburg College and gaze at the night sky through the star theater domed projection ceiling. Discover how the night skies appear in other places and in other seasons.

#5 – Hit the beach

And, of course, no stroll through St. Petersburg is complete without a trip out to St. Pete Beach to walk along the shoreline. From Fort Desoto to Treasure Island, St. Pete offers some of the most beautiful (and cleanest) beaches in the country. Chat with fishermen casting lines in the surf or watch the gulls and pelicans dive for their dinner. Carry your flip-flops in one hand and hold the hand of someone special in the other. Let the incoming tide lap against your feet and luxuriate in the sand between your toes. Stay a while and watch the sun go down, painting a Technicolor panorama across the horizon.

Is it a dream? Nope, it’s just life on Florida’s gorgeous Gulf Coast…and the perfect way to end your stroll through St. Petersburg, the Sunshine City.

What are some of your favorite things to do in The Burg?

Photo Sources | 1 | 2

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Putting in a deck or a pool or renovating the rec room? Sure you will get the most use out of it, but you can bet it will also be the place where your family and friends make many memories for years to come. Remodeling projects are exciting, fun and full of potential.

But there are horror stories. You’ve probably heard one or two. Blown budgets, broken homes and projects that never quite seem to get finished.

How can you embrace the imagination, fun and the reward of a job well done while dodging all the hurdles that hamper some remodeling projects? Follow these steps and you will be well on your way.

Budget Smart

Know what each project will cost. Really cost. Don’t just make a trip to your nearest home improvement store and take an “educated guess.” For larger projects, contact several contractors and get multiple estimates. Be sure to request cost breakdowns for materials, subcontractors and other ancillary costs.

Plan Well

Changes during the project account for some of the biggest reasons remodeling budgets get out of hand or bust their budgets. While some minor changes, alterations or switches are to be expected, be sure you know what you want, before anyone swings the first hammer. Changing colors or trim types or textiles may not seem like a big deal, but making those changes in the middle of a project can really add up. Remember, when you make changes as the homeowner, you are not just paying for materials, you are paying for labor to uninstall the old and reinstall the new. Save yourself the time, aggravation and money, by doing it right the first time.

Know Your Systems

This is not about money, but it is a practical tip many homeowners skip. Be sure that, before you begin the project, all of the adults and older teens in the home know the location and operation of all shutoff switches and valves in the home. Not only is this a great way to involve older kids in your remodeling project, but it also saves time when you’re stuck under the sink in the back bathroom and you need the water shutoff NOW!!!

Shop Cheap

Always make a trip to your local re-use center or thrift store a part of any remodeling project. You will be surprised at the interesting and inexpensive stuff you can find if you are willing to look. Sure, most of it may not fit your style, but you might just find a hidden treasure that will delight you for years to come.

But then again…

Buy quality materials. It may be tempting to save some cash by going cheap on materials such as paint and fixtures. But, in this case, you get what you pay for. You really won’t save much on paint if you need multiple additional coats to get the right coverage, and cheap fixtures are just that. Expect to repair or replace them much sooner than you would quality products.

Follow these simple remodeling tips and your next renovation project will create a lot less headaches and lot more fun!

The post Renovation Tips | Before You Begin Your Remodeling Project appeared first on Tampa Bay Luxury Real Estate.

In this occasional series we will put together a fun day or weekend itinerary to help you get to know St. Petersburg and make the most of living in Tampa Bay. Here are a few ideas for Father’s Day weekend!

Cruise the Skyway

If you drive anywhere in this city you pretty much can’t miss it. The twin triangles of the Sunshine Skyway dominate the skyline across Tampa Bay, a view every bit as iconic in St. Petersburg as the Golden Gate is in San Francisco. The Skyway connects Pinellas and Manatee counties, the longest bridge and the farthest west crossing of Tampa Bay. The Skyway rises 19 stories above the Tampa Bay shipping channel offering an unbeatable view of Tampa Bay. If you do decide to go, bring a couple bucks to pay the $1 toll each way.

Stop for a little fishing

In the early 1980s a tanker collided with the old Skyway Bridge, permanently damaging the structure. When the old bridge was demolished, the city planners decided to turn the remaining sections of the old span into twin fishing piers on either side of the Bay. A fishing trip to the north side fishing pier is a quiet, peaceful and fun introduction to the laid back lifestyle of St. Petersburg.

Get a little history

St. Petersburg was not always a bustling tourist driven seaside metropolis. In its early days it was a quiet escape town and a hotspot for citrus growing. For a whirlwind glimpse of the history between then and now, stop by the BayWalk Parking Garage on First Avenue N near Second Street. The display includes replicas of several front pages from what was, until recently, the St. Petersburg Times. The Pass-A-Grille hurricane in 1921, the winter home of the Amazin’ Mets, the Skyway collapse and several other important points in the city’s history.

Go gallery hopping

Living in St. Petersburg you are surrounded by terrific art exhibitions. From major galleries to small shops, downtown is flush with artistic expression. Every second Saturday evening, more than two-dozen galleries open their doors for a downtown gallery hop. These galleries are located in three distinct arts areas – the Warehouse Arts District, the Florida Craftsmen Guild gallery and the Morean Art Center and Hot Shop. This last stop is home to a working glass blowing shop, where visitors can get in on the action.

And this is just one weekend of fun in the Sunshine City. With all there is to see and do no wonder St. Petersburg real estate is in such high demand. What are some of your favorite weekend activities in The Burg?

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1. Sure, I can do that
2. Piece of cake
3. Maybe with help
4. I’m going to break it
5. You better call somebody

Two projects that often fall squarely in the “I’m going to break it” category are drilling through tile and patching drywall. Here’s the good news. YES, you can drill through tile without breaking it, and NO, you do not have to replace huge pieces of drywall every time you need to do a larger patch job.

Drilling Through Tile

One of the reasons bathroom remodels scare DIYers is the knowledge (or fear) that, at some point, the project will require you to drill through tile. Not sure when you might encounter this? Here are several examples.

• Tiling a shower stall
• Repairing a cracked or broken tile
• Moving fixtures or faucets
• Replacing the tile you broke while moving a fixture or faucet (it happens)

While it is true that tile is fragile and can easily crack, chip or break, there are a few steps you can take to better your chances.

1. Drill as close to the center of the tile as possible.
2. Place masking tape or, preferably, painters tape over the spot you plan to drill. This helps prevent bit slippage and chipping.
3. Drill straight up and down, not at an angle. Do not correct the angle while drilling, this will almost always break your tile.

Follow these few steps, take a deep breath and know for certain you CAN do this. In fact, you WILL do this.

Patching Larger Drywall Holes

Anyone who has attempted to patch a hole in drywall a bit larger than a golf ball knows slapping a little putty in there does not get the job done. Here are two different (and simple) DIY solutions to a larger drywall patch job.

• If possible, pick up a drywall patch cover. This is a metal-mesh-backed sticky patch that will allow you to mud over it to create a flat and even repair.

Unless the hole is larger than the patch. If that’s the case, read on…

If you have a piece of scrap wallboard, here’s a trick to create a “false” backing for your drywall patch without have to find wall studs.

1. Take a 1×3 or 1×2 depending on the width of the hole.
2. Cut a 1×3 about eight inches wider than the hole.
3. Grab two drywall screws and place the stick in the wall, holding it firmly by the middle.
4. Screw through the drywall on either side, into the board. Do not bury the screws too deep, and be sure to place them about two inches away from the edge of the hole.
5. Now you can cut a patch to fit the hole and screw it into the board.

Whatever drywall patching solution you choose, here are your next steps.

1. Apply a light coating of drywall compound
2. Using a larger drywall knife, taper the coating until it is as flush to the wall as possible
3. Dry, sand, and, if necessary, apply another layer of compound
4. Once the drywall compound is dry, sand and texture

You can pick up an aerosol can of wall texture that can be adjusted to match your wall texture. Test it out on a large piece of cardboard or wood before you spray it on the wall. To best blend your texture, spray about a foot in every direction around your patch job.

Follow these steps and you can eliminate these two common fix-it issues. With complete confidence you will get the job done right the first time!

Photo Sources | 1 | 2

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But even with a pro’s help, there are a few things sellers do to sabotage their sale and leave thousands on the closing table. But, instead of dwelling on the negative, here are 4 ways to avoid those pitfalls and get the best price for your St Pete home.

#1 | Relax and understand the process

In many cases you will receive at least one, if not several, lowball offers for your property. Don’t be insulted. This is all part of the process. Most buyers understand that, if they shoot low, their initial offer will not be accepted. But it gives everyone a point at which to start negotiations. The misstep here is when offended sellers decide to end negotiations without ever responding with a counter offer. Sometimes the initial offer is a test of resolve. Other times it is an indicator of specific issues the potential buyer has with the property. Either way, it is almost always the opening of a discussion. Be careful not to close it prematurely.

#2 | We’re all people, people

Looking at all the contracts, paperwork and hoops related to selling a home, it can be easy to forget this transaction is about people. People are selling a home and other people are buying it. Each of these parties has a particular mindset and set of priorities. In short, while money is a powerful motivator, it is not always the most important motivator. Know what motivates the buyer in each situation. Afterall, this is not just a house – it’s a home.

#3 | Home staging matters

Your home looks like “your” home. Your prospective buyers want to be able to imagine that property with their things in it. This can be difficult at times, but home staging can go a long way toward making that possible. Simple, inexpensive upgrades throughout the higher traffic areas can make the difference between an offer and a pass from your buying prospects. Ask your real estate professional for advice on how to “set” your home to sell. If they don’t have direct experience with this, chances are they have a home staging pro on call that can transform your home’s look from “lived in” to “livable.”

#4 | Offer options

Instead of just one open ended price or counteroffer, work with your agent to come up with several acceptable scenarios to present to the potential buyer. It can also be helpful to determine what the buyer’s priorities are and how those can be leveraged. Are they in a hurry to move? Are they looking for something very specific your home has that other nearby properties do not? These and other situational specifics can be used to offer multiple options to the potential home buyer. Their response can tell you quite a bit about their priorities.

With you Realtor’s help, apply these Real Estate Tips to your next real estate sale and you will have set yourself up for success.

The post Home Selling Tips | 4 Ways to Get the Best Price appeared first on Tampa Bay Luxury Real Estate.

#1 | Great weather for browsing

The sun is shining the birds are singing, every neighborhood feels like a movie produced by Southern Living or Better Homes & Gardens. Buyers are much more apt to be comfortable browsing homes when the cool of winter has gone away and the heat of summer is not yet at its peak.

#2 | Yards look amazing

Flowers are blooming, trees are full and you just cut the grass for the first time since February. Your landscape looks absolutely pristine. You just know that any potential buyer coming to see your home will likely fall in love…and you may just be right. Even buyers shopping on “potential” will want to see a property at its best, and the vibrant colors of spring are definitely up to the challenge.

#3 | Late summer rains have yet to start

While your buyers may want to carry an umbrella, chances are they won’t be needing it. Summer showers in Florida can cut a day short for anyone, but it can be particularly brutal on sellers hoping to see a few more potential buyers come by. These random thunder boomers not only chase everyone inside, they chase real estate shoppers away to look again another day. But with the longer days and brighter skies of late spring, sellers can expect to get much more attention on a daily basis.

#4 | Kids will see kids out playing

You may be looking at homes, but if you are shopping for a house with your kids, you can bet they are looking for “their people.” Kids may be nervous about meeting new friends, but they are much less enthusiastic about the prospect of having no friends at all. Beautiful weather and longer days will mean that your children will see other kids out playing, and this also gives mom and dad a chance to get a bit of a look at how their potential neighbors parent their children. This may not be foremost in your mind when home shopping, but for any parent, it is a concern.

Again, while it is true that, in Tampa Bay, there may never be a “bad” time to list your home, there sure are a lot of reasons to consider doing it right now. For the best real estate representation anywhere in Tampa Bay, contact The Malowany Group – your Tampa Bay Area real estate experts!

The post Home Selling Tips | The Perfect Time to List Your Home appeared first on Tampa Bay Luxury Real Estate.

#1 | Amaranth

Considered one of the top flowers to offer you awesome returns on a minimal investment, Amaranth is widely available as a full-grown plant. Of course, if you want to start from the seed you can get these gorgeous flowering plants for next to nothing. Not ordinarily used as a focal point, Amaranth provides beautiful flowerbed filler for spots where you want the most return for least amount of time and money invested. The blooms can either be pendulous or upright, so be sure to pick the variety that goes best with the rest of your landscaping.

#2 | Hyacinth

This vine plant not only creates beautiful flowers but also offers an intoxicating fragrance that just sings of warm summer nights. The blossoms are stunning attention grabbers. But beware, hyacinth can grow fast, so stay on top of that plant or it might overwhelm the rest of your garden.

#3 | Bee Balm

Of course, if you are looking to fill a large area, bee balm is just the ticket. This plant will spread quickly but not necessarily aggressively, so you do not need to worry too much about bee balm crowding out your other plants. Blooms are generally spiky and run in shades from hot pink to deep crimson. Best of all, bee balm lives up to its name as an “attractor” plant. It not only draws bees, which can help to pollenate the rest of your garden, but also hummingbirds and butterflies. Plus, bee balm smells fresh and minty, a delicate and flavorful balance to the rich honey aroma of hyacinth.

#4 | Castor Bean

Okay, so this sounds like something your grandmother gave you when you had the flu, but it is actually a stunning exotic plant that grows quickly and multiplies well. Handle the seedpods with extreme caution and cut the flowers before they seed. The castor plant can be very toxic.

#5 | Celosia

Perfect for garden cuttings, this annual flowering plant comes in all sorts of varieties, shapes and sizes. Whether you choose the fluffy arrow-like shape, the softer plumes or the crested look, Celosia provide unique colors, profiles and textures to any garden setting.

So next time you are thinking about what to add to your garden this year, consider these gorgeous and inexpensive additions that will enrich your flowerbeds with color, fragrance and beauty to rival any garden in your neighborhood.

What are some of your go to Spring flowers?

The post Home Improvement || 5 Cheap Flowers to Make Your Garden Look Like a Million Bucks appeared first on Tampa Bay Luxury Real Estate.

Joggers, cyclists and skaters all cruise the trail on a daily basis. While most use it for fun and fitness, not a few folks use the trail for an easier commute to work.

The Pinellas Trail is currently under construction and, when finished, will extend 47 miles. One of the most unique features of the trail is its location. While most recreational trails cross green spaces or rural areas, much of the Pinellas Trail winds through urban areas. Users should be cautious. But, if you are careful, the Pinellas Trail offers a tremendous opportunity for Pinellas urban residents to stay fit and have fun.

And across the Bay…

Many residents of downtown Tampa and the nearby Bayfront area would like to see more pedestrian friendly sidewalks and bike lanes for commuters who would like to travel on two wheels…or none at all. Well, these folks are about to get their wish.

Plans are in place to make four popular downtown Tampa streets much more bike-and-pedestrian friendly. These new “shared use pathways” will be installed at Palm Avenue, Bougainvillea Avenue, Cypress Street and Willow Avenue. Though the city is coming out of pocket to pay for the construction up front, the FDOT will eventually reimburse the citizens of Tampa.

This latest announcement comes only a few weeks after a similar statement announcing that new bike lanes will be built along Doyle Carlton Drive, Palm Avenue and Laurel Street. These new bike lanes should prove to make downtown Tampa a much friendlier place for cyclists and pedestrians to get around.

Of course, Tampa is already home to the longest continuous sidewalk in the world. Roughly 4.5 miles long, Bayshore Boulevard is paradise for joggers, cyclists, skaters and walkers. This beautiful concrete pathway runs right along the gleaming waters of Tampa Bay. There’s nothing quite like jogging or walking the path, enjoying the view and breathing that cleansing sea air to help you leave your troubles behind.

Bayshore is also terrific for people who enjoy historic architecture. While the trail is bordered on one side by Tampa Bay, some of Tampa’s most stately historic homes can be found across the street. The Gasparilla Children’s Parade is also held each year along Bayshore.

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City Councils in Tampa St. Petersburg and Clearwater continue to work toward making Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties the perfect destination for families interested in moving to Florida. These convenient bike trails are just one more reason living in central Florida really is real estate in paradise.

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With competition as fierce as it is these days, your relatively minor home maintenance issues could end up becoming deal breakers. Remember, your potential buyer is on the lookout for exactly this sort of thing. When they see what you might consider one more item on the to-do list, they might wonder what other more major maintenance issues your property may have. You do not want them thinking about that while they tour your property.

With that in mind, here is a handy Basic Home Maintenance Checklist for potential sellers.

Throughout the living area

• Check or replace all light bulbs, don’t forget the ones under your range hood or microwave and in the fridge.
• Check or replace the batteries in smoke detectors, fan remotes and security systems.
• Make sure all your cabinet doors line up and spritz all the hinges with WD40.
• While you have the grease out, hit your interior door hinges too.
• Make sure your bi-fold closet doors line up.
• Polish your brass door hardware. Particularly on the front and back doors.
• Make sure all the outlet covers match and are not chipped, cracked or colored on. If they’re looking dingy, replacing them for a few dollars is well worth it.

In the kitchen

• Clean your burners and keep them clean. Replace any non-working burners.
• Check your faucets for leaks (see how to repair a clogged/leaky drain here)
• Look under your sink for drip spots on the inside of the cabinet. If you find new leaks get them fixed. If you find evidence of old leaks, slap a coat of Kilz on that.
• Keep your counters clean and relatively free of appliances.
• Limit the items in your fridge, pantry and cabinets to daily necessities. Cluttered areas look smaller.
• Clean the inside front edge of your range hood if you have one or replace the filter in your above the stove microwave.

In the bathroom

• Check your toilet seats and handles. Clean and tighten.
• Clean the grout in the shower and floor tile.
• Clean or replace the caulking in the tub and shower.
• Limit the amount of toiletries in medicine cabinet and under sinks and make sure what you must keep is neatly organized.
• Replace your shower curtain and liner and/or clean your shower door.

Outside

• Clean and paint your mailbox.
• Replace the address numbers on your mailbox and façade.
• Replace that broken exterior or walkway light. You know the one.
• Check your soffit, fascia and trim for dry rot or chipped paint.
• Straighten or reattach your drainpipes.
• Clean your gutters. Teenagers absolutely love this chore!
• Touch up chipped or faded paint.
• Replace bulging or curling shingles.
• Pull up and replace dead or dying plants.
• Where possible, add some containers with seasonal flowering plants.

Keep this list handy and start on it before you call your listing agent. They may find a few additional things, but they will love you for getting a head start. Chances are, your potential buyers will love you too!

Is there anything we’ve missed? Leave your additions in the comments below!

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There is no doubt that this step in a real estate transaction can be an emotional roller coaster. You are not only mentally invested in the property, you are emotionally invested at this point. All the days or weeks or searching have led you to this point and you are certain this is the one. So you sit down with your St. Pete Real Estate Agent and start talking about making an offer.

TERMS

Suddenly you are discussing terms and payments and costs, when you thought it would be all about the price. But here’s something you may not realize: Terms matter as much or more as the asking price. The right terms can turn a good deal into a great one and a shaky deal into a no-go.

While most homebuyers focus almost entirely on PRICE, there are really TWO FACTORS of vital importance in any real estate transaction. You better understand the TERMS before you sign on the dotted line.

PRICING

Pricing is not just about perceived value and sales tactics. It is a delicate mix of sales art and hard science. What houses are going for in that neighborhood is just one of the factors. What about demand? Uniqueness? Intangible factors and level of desire? These factors – and many more – all influence asking price. Who else wants the house? How long has it been on the market? How many serious lookers have there been and how does it stand up against competition? Any recent offers?

Your St. Pete Realtor can help you sort through all these factors and determine which ones should have the highest impact on your offer. Of course, this dynamic can be completely flipped the moment the seller sees your offer. Their estimation of value may be exactly the opposite of yours. Don’t take it personally. Just approach it with a solid plan and stay in touch with your agent.

WHAT MAY CHANGE

The short answer to this is: EVERYTHING. So just be ready. Know ahead of time what your bottom line is for both price and terms. Be willing to listen to your agent and negotiate with the seller in good faith. Be honest, up front and specific. If something is a non-starter, get it on the table early. If something else offers wiggle room, be sure your agent is aware.

Making an offer is an exciting time where everything can move very fast. Understanding what to expect going in will help you prepare for the process and take you one step closer to the closing table. As always, if you have any questions or stories, we’d love to hear them in the comments below or give is a call any time!

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