U2 Performs At Raymond James In Tampa Tonight!

October 9, 2009: Bono and the U2 360 degree tour chose Tampa as the only Florida city out of their 16-venue tour across the USA and Canada. They will be performing live tonight at Raymond James Stadium (home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) at 7pm. Over 70,000 fans are expected!

The stage is a massive 360 degree structure (looking somewhat like a giant claw) that 1500 local workers have been hired to help the 350-person crew that travels with the show construct. Its purpose is to allow fans in all directions a good view of the show. Once completed, the tour manager realized they had additional room and have opened more tickets. U2 has a huge fan base and from the reports of the previous concerts, tonight's performance should be outstanding!

Again and again, we realize how much Tampa and the surrounding cities of Clearwater and St Petersburg have to offer! Whether it is entertainment, cultural events, museums (like Salvador Dali in St Petersburg), fine restaurants, international shopping, cruise port and Tampa International Airport... there is never a lack for something to do. And when you add to all of that our gorgeous white sandy beaches and breathtaking sunsets, well... definitely makes for a great lifestyle! Just check out our "Why Tampa Bay?"

Stone Crab Delicacies Back On The Menus!

It is that time of the year again! Beginning October 15th, Stone Crab season begins and extends until May 15th. Throughout the gulf coast and keys of Florida, fishermen are getting prepared to set their traps... marking the start of an anticipated 3.1 million pound harvest, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

The stone crab claws are definitely a delicacy... the meat is incredibly sweet and has a distinctive taste found in no other seafood. The claws make up half the weight of the whole crab, they are removed by carefully grabbing from the rear and twisting. There are serious rules to be followed in harvesting the claws. Only one claw may be removed so the crab can defend itself. Egg bearing females are not allowed to be declawed.The crabs are captured in baited traps. No spears or hooks are allowed. The crab is returned to water and the claw regenerates. It takes between 12 to 24 months to reach legal size again.

For those of us Florida residents and visitors lucky enough to be here next week, Frenchy's 25th Anniversary Stone Crab Weekend will launch the season in style! October 16th, 17th & 18th, they will be offering Stone Crab at wholesale prices all weekend, while supplies last! We LOVE the Beach Party atmoshere and this year there will be a huge block party with live music. The PURTEE Team can't wait!

On the other hand, if you are not able to join the celebration we have found a place that will ship directly to your home. At Joe's Stone Crabs, "We'll ship them overnight wherever you are in the continental United States and they'll arrive fresh, ice cold and ready for cracking. Our complete package meals come with a mallet, a cracking board, cocktail forks, bibs, and instructions."

Social & Economic Implications Of An Aging Population

We see it every day... older Americans are very different from their predecessors: they live longer, are more educated and fewer are disabled or live in poverty. And baby boomers, the first of whom celebrate their 60th birthdays this year, redefine what it means to grow older in America.

I have gathered some key statisics in regards to our aging population... here are some:
1. The U.S. population age 65 and over is expected to double within the next 21 years. By 2030, almost one out of five Americans (72 million people) will be age 65 or older. At that time, those age 85 and older will be the fastest-growing segment of the population.

2. Older Americans are healthier than seniors of previous generations, though many are disabled and suffer from chronic conditions.

3. Higher levels of education — which are linked to better health, higher income and a higher standard of living in retirement — will continue to increase among people age 65 and older.

4. As the United States grows more diverse so does the population age 65 and older. In 2003, older Americans were 83 percent non-Hispanic white, 8 percent black, 6 percent Hispanic and 3 percent Asian. By 2030, an estimated 72 percent of older Americans will be non-Hispanic white, 11 percent Hispanic, 10 percent black and 5 percent Asian.

5. Despite the economic downturn, the population of affluent Americans (those with household income and income producing assets (IPA) of $100,000+) has grown and now makes up the top 19% of all US households, according to a Nielsen Company analysis. “There are more higher-earning Americans than ever, signaling a growing opportunity for many business sectors to capitalize on reaching this market. This group controls $22 trillion in assets.”

To relate these statistics to Florida real estate makes sense. An aging population of baby boomers just now moving into their 60's have many years left and all indications are that we will see an active aging population unlike any before. Florida is still the number 1 destination for retirement with its moderate climate and active lifestyle. As the current economy may have put early retirement plans on hold for many, some forward thinking buyers are taking advantage of the market value today to ensure they have the property they want in the future (without paying a premium as the market rebounds and appreciates). Because the area is also a strong vacation destination, rental income potential is an attractive option to defer some of those carrying costs. Vacation Rental Investment

Sunday's Clearwater Super Boat National Championship!

2009 Clearwater Super Boat
National Championships & Festival

Oct. 4th, 2009 - The Gieco team wins the race today!

Yesterday was a BIG day in Clearwater Beach! With over 20,000 fans gathered and 1000 boats or more behind the spectator lines, some of the fastest boats in the world battled it out. Click on the link above to learn more and see the Utube video of the race. "All of the teams were appreciative of Clearwater and the reception they received from the people who live here. They love the city, they love the beach and they want to come back next year!"

Next in store is the Clearwater Jazz Holiday October 15-18, free to the public in Coachman Park. This major international jazz festival will feature Al Jarreau, Chris Botti, Boney James and The Neville Brothers! Clearwater is the perfect backdrop for this event with its warm breezes, brilliant sunsets and one of the world's greatest beaches, on the Gulf of Mexico.

On November 14, The Foster Grant Ironman 70.3 Series, culminates with its world championship in Clearwater, FL. More than 1,800 domestic and international competitors will earn the right to compete in the Ford Ironman World Championship 70.3 by qualifying at one of the 22 Ironman 70.3 events held around the world. Ironman 70.3 events consist of a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run. The race will start and finish at Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach.

There is so much to see and do! We feature some beautiful seasonal rental condos right in Clearwater Beach that make a perfect home base for visiting these many events. Jill was actually staying at Harborview Grande over this past weekend and said she and her husband "had the best seats in the house... right from the balcony! We could see the entire race and all the fans, plus the fireworks Saturday night were spectacular. We didn't want to leave!"

Clearwater Beach Seasonal Rentals

Mortgage Rates Dip Below 5%

McLEAN, Va. – Oct. 2, 2009 – Rates on 30-year home loans dropped below 5 percent for the first time in four months, but still remained above this year’s record low, Freddie Mac said Thursday. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was 4.94 percent, down from 5.04 percent last week, Freddie Mac said. The last time the 30-year home loan averaged less than 5 percent was the week ending May 28, when it was 4.91 percent. Rates hit a record low of 4.78 percent hit in the spring, and remain appealing for people interested in buying a home or refinancing.

On Thursday, the National Association of Realtors said the number of signed sales contracts rose for the seventh straight month in August, as homebuyers rushed to take advantage of a tax credit for first-time owners that expires in November. “Low mortgage rates are helping to stabilize home sales,” said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. But borrowers may want to consider the Federal Reserve’s announcement last week that it is slowing down a program intended to lower mortgage rates and boost the housing market. Analysts say mortgage rates should remain low for now but could eventually move higher, and homeowners who want to refinance mortgages shouldn’t delay.

The primary reason mortgage rates are destined to move up is the HUGE amount of money recently printed by the Fed which helped stabilize the declining economy and avoid a financial collapse. This money will eventually have to be pulled back out of the system, which will result in substantial increases in lending rates. The banks will have less money to lend which in turn will drive rates up.

On The PURTEE Team website, we have a great feature which allows a potential buyer to review competitive mortgage rates and even apply online! Mortgage Info

Tampa Bay - Beyond the Beach: Focus on Gulfport

From Clearwater Beach at the northern end to St Pete Beach on the southern end of the 23-mile stretch of Tampa Bay barrier island communities, there is a mindset that could feel like any Caribbean island. But there is so much more! Individual quaint communities add a great ambience to the larger, more cosmopolitan cities of St Petersburg and Clearwater.


Gulfport is a charming neighborhood community with a waterfront district bordering Boca Ciega Bay. Beach Blvd is lined with colorful buildings and poular reaturants such as O' Maddy's, La Fogata Brazilian Steakhouse, Backfin Blue Cafe, Habana Cafe, La Cote Basque and Wine Bar, Domain Restaurant, Peg's Cantina, ECCO Bistro and Tapas, and more! We love Backfin Blue Cafe for outrageously delicious crabcakes!

Tonight is the first Friday of the month and that means at 6pm the streets will come alive with street vendors and artisans of all kinds. A perfect stroll, ending at the waterfront Casino (that is now a venue for dancing) and William's Pier. Since the pier faces west, this is also a great spot to come take pictures of the sunset! And on the 4th of July, we think Gulfport has one of the most spectacular fireworks displays.

Gulfport Map

Nature's Nightly Beauty... What A Way To Spend The Fall!

We are on the phone daily with clients from all over the USA, Canada and Europe. Recent conversation seems to turn to the weather. The northern states and Canada are enjoying cooling temperatures and the beautiful colors with the turning of the leaves. Colorado has turned quite chilly.

Well, here on the beach in Tampa Bay we actually had a cold wave come through yesterday! That means highs only up to mid-80's and lows hovering around 70! Hummm... so last night with the sliding doors open, we listened to the sounds of the rolling waves from the Gulf of Mexico and felt the gentle breeze as we slept. This, of course, after witnessing one of the more spectacular sunsets!

Sunsets here on the west coast of Florida are always special. Every night of the year Pier 60 on Clearwater Beach holds their sunset festivities 2 hours before and after sunset with live entertainment, food and handicrafts. Often, we will walk along the beach and find people mesmerized at the colors changing throughout the sun setting. Inevitably, we will offer to take pictures of couples with the sunset behind them. Beach weddings are a favorite all along the beach communities and sunset photos are a must for a romantic bride and groom.

Each night, depending on the cloud formation and probably a million things only a climatologist would understand, we watch as shades of blues and aqua begin to mix with pinks and corals... and then on the lucky night - the fiery reds like in the photo we took last night. Just wanted to share it!