When Buying Pinellas County Real Estate - Now youll know your Close to Home School!

Pinellas Countys new Neighborhood School Maps are now available. As a Pinellas County Realtor I have to tell you I am thrilled. One of the hardest things we have to do when selling Pinellas County Real Estate is explain our previous 'School Choice and how you would have to buy a home without knowing where your child would end up going to school.

I had a good friend move from Tampa last year with 2 boys - one in 2^nd grade and one in 3^rd. When moving to Pinellas County mid-year and these 2 boys were assigned to DIFFERENT elementary schools. How crazy is that???

I think as Pinellas County parents and taxpayers the rising cost of gas helped stop this School Choice madness. I still cant believe that weve been bussing school children in a way that sustantially raises transportation costs since it was NOT an efficient plan having buses from multiple schools have to go to the same neighborhoods.

In addition, many home buyers relocating to the Tampa Bay area told us that this was a substantial negative in their decision process to buying real estate in Pinellas County versus Hillsborough County or Pasco County. 

My Kids go to Pinellas County Schools Now - so whats it mean to Us?

Heres the info provided by the Pinellas County School Board in their recent press release:

If in 5^th-8^th grade now¦

For currently enrolled 5th- and 8th-grade students you will be mailed a notification letter by April 18 that tells you your childs assigned close-to-home school except in the following cases:

• Siblings will be assigned to the older siblings school.
• Students eligible for extended grandfathering will be assigned to the extended grandfathered school.
• Those who would prefer the close-to-home school may make that change using the Student Reservation System that will be available beginning April 21.

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Clearwater Florida Election Results are In - Real Estate a Big Winner!

Clearwater Florida - Pinellas County is reporting a 37% voter turnout - which tops even the 2000 and 2004 Presidential Primaries.

Amendment 1 did pass so for many of my Clearwater Florida real estate clients looking to buy a second home or condo in the Clearwater or Tampa Bay area - theyll be happy to know that the 10% per year tax cap passed for all non-homestead owners Clearwater home owners!

Many of us think it should have been 5% but our thought is half a loaf is better than no loaf - especially in this Clearwater Florida real estate market! Were making progress and the journeys not over but I believe its moving in the right direction.

Ive included full detail how to calculate your new Save Our Homes Tax Equity and Portability.

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Tomorrow is more than just Super Tuesday in the Presidential Primary Election and local elections here in Clearwater Florida and the Beaches. In the state of Florida we have another big issue that will get decided on by Tampa Bay residents - it is Florida Constitutional Amendment 1 that has 4 components that will affect our future property taxes if it passes with 60% of the voters voting YES! Provision #3 is the one most of my real estate investors and second home owners are watching since it will provide much needed help to our non-homestead Clearwater Beach property owners. Remember when you vote it's ALL or NOTHING! If the Amendment passes it will be retroactive to January 1, 2008. So I will give you an overview of the four Provisions Amendment 1 covers:

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