Related Group sees a St. Petersburg condo tower in its future

ST. PETERSBURG — Miami’s Related Group, one of Florida’s top developers, would like to build an “iconic’’ condo tower in downtown St. Petersburg, the company’s chairman and CEO says. Though the idea is very preliminary, it shows the continuing interest in what has become one of the trendiest downtowns in the state. And while Related
Tagged under: , , ,

2018 look ahead: Luxury hotels, new flights and airport projects mark Tampa’s tourism industry

Tampa International Airport and the prospect of two new luxury hotels promise to make the region an even hotter tourism destination. The pressure is on in 2018 for Tampa International Airport to match or surpass a strong year of passenger growth and move into the second phase of its massive $2.6 billion, multiyear master plan. A
Tagged under: , , , ,

30 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Snowbirds

They’re not just heading south to get away from you. Each December, my grandparents pack their bags, load up the RV, and enthusiastically wave goodbye to the cold weather while they head for the warm, Florida shores. And of course, every year I find myself awaiting the same inevitable phone call from my grandma. She’s
Tagged under: ,

Remodeling for profit? Unlikely

Home renovations as an investment for a future sale with hopes of recovering the improvement costs are a dicey prospect at best. Real estate agents and remodeling construction specialists caution against that assumption. “Hardly anything will offer a net profit,” says Barry Grooms, Realtor, broker and co-owner of SaraBay Real Estate with his wife, Sherry.
Tagged under: , , , ,

Tips to prepare your budget before buying a home

It’s virtually impossible to know what size home you can afford if you aren’t fully aware of how much money you are earning and how much you are spending each month. Start with your income: How much do you bring home after taxes and retirement plan contributions? Next, look at your expenses: What are your

Water Street Tampa to include residential building with grocery store, apartments and condos

The first residential building at Water Street Tampa will have one tower with rental apartments and a second with condominiums, both rising from a base featuring a full-service grocery store, developers said Thursday. The building at 815 Water Street is planned for the intersection of Water Street and Channelside Drive, next to Amalie Arena and
Tagged under: , ,

Two Clearwater Beach hotels among top 10 in Florida

Both the Sandpearl Resort and Opal Sands Resort were ranked near the top on Conde Nast Traveler’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards for top resorts in Florida. The 253-room Sandpearl was No. 7 while the 230-room Opal Sands was ranked No. 8 on the list, which also has the Resort at Longboat Key in Sarasota in

New 2024 Howard Frankland plan: 8-lane bridge with bike path

The Florida Department of Transportation announced Monday that it now plans to build an eight-lane bridge, complete with a bike and pedestrian trail, to replace the northbound span of the Howard Frankland. That part of the bridge, built in 1960, is old and needs to be replaced. DOT expects the new bridge to open by

Kitchen remodels offer big paybacks at resale

Homeowners looking for a remodeling project may be smart to tackle a kitchen renovation if they’re looking for projects with the strongest buyer appeal and higher returns on their investment at resale. Kitchen renovations and upgrades are among the top remodeling projects most likely to add value to a home at resale and most likely

Will Hurricane Irma slow Tampa Bay’s booming real estate market?

Expecting the worst from Hurricane Irma, Tampa real estate agent Jeff Shelton fled to Atlanta where wind-whipped trees toppled onto two rental properties he owns. Back in Florida, his house and beachfront condo both survived Irma unscathed. That’s the kind of story he’s happy to share with clients. “I’ve got two executives with a major
Tagged under: , , , ,