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Officials launch ad campaign: Bay Area beaches are open

Some beaches in northern Florida are fighting off the oil, but here in the Bay Area, we're fighting perceptions.

The TV and radio ads developed by state tourism officials are clear: Florida is open for business and most of the state's beaches remain free of oil.

Even so, it is still unclear just how many people are getting the message.

"Our challenge right now is there's an HD camera, 24-7, of oil spewing into the Gulf of Mexico," said David Downing of Visit St. Pete Clearwater. "We're the number one tourist destination on the Gulf of Mexico. It's really hard to separate that image from our destination."

To fight the images and the perception, Pinellas tourism officials are launching a new ad campaign this week, saying in part:

"Here in St. Pete-Clearwater, our beaches are still America's best beaches. As pristine as ever. We're open. Wide open."

The ads are paid for with $1.15 million in BP grant money.

Florida’s existing home, condo sales rise in May

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Sales of existing homes in Florida rose 18 percent in May, marking 21 months that sales activity has increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.

A total of 16,745 single-family existing homes sold statewide last month compared to 14,172 homes sold in May 2009, according to Florida Realtors. The statewide existing-home median price of $140,400 in May was slightly higher – by $300 – than April's statewide existing-home median price of $140,100. It marks the third month in a row that the statewide existing-home median price has increased over the previous month's median.

Across the state, a variety of housing opportunities continues to be available at attractive prices while mortgage interest rates remain historically low, said 2010 Florida Realtors President Wendell Davis, a broker with Watson Realty Corp. in Jacksonville.

Foreign buyers are flocking to Florida condos again

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Nearly 800 Canadians jammed a hotel ballroom near the Toronto airport Sunday to hear the gospel of Florida real estate.
High-end Brazilian buyers prefer to be wooed more intimately – perhaps at a cocktail party or a small private dinner – but they are just as pumped. Lured by rock-bottom prices, international buyers are now flocking to buy Florida properties. It’s especially true in countries where the currency is strong against the dollar. “We’re telling Canadians this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – the perfect storm,” said Brian Ellis, who heads Toronto-based Florida Home Finders of Canada. “The prices are just incredible and the Canadian dollar has been so strong.” At least three of five buyers in the Greater Downtown Miami condo market are coming from abroad, estimates Jenny Huertas, international sales director for Condo Vultures, a real estate advisory and research firm. The stampede from overseas is “kind of like a foreign subsidy helping us resolve our real estate problems,” said Peter Zalewski, a Condo Vultures principal.

Florida’s existing home, condo sales up in 1Q 2010

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Salesof existing single-family homes in Florida rose 24 percent in first quarter 2010 compared to the same period a year earlier, according to the latest housing statistics from Florida Realtors®. A total of 38,846 existing homes sold statewide in 1Q 2010; during the same period the year before, a total of 31,410 existing homes sold. It marks the seventh consecutive quarter that Florida has seen higher existing year-to-year home sales, according to the state association.

Statewide sales of existing condominiums in the first quarter rose 67 percent compared to the same time the previous year. This marks the sixth consecutive quarter for increased statewide sales in both the existing home and condo markets compared to year-ago levels.

Florida’s existing home, condo sales up in October 2009

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Florida’s existing home sales rose in October, marking 14 months that sales activity has increased in the year-to-year comparison, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. October’s statewide sales also increased over sales activity in September in both the existing home and existing condominium markets.

Existing home sales rose 45 percent last month with a total of 15,160 homes sold statewide compared to 10,444 homes sold in October 2008, according to Florida Realtors. Statewide existing home sales last month increased 5.1 percent over statewide sales activity in September.

Florida Realtors also reported an 82 percent increase in statewide sales of existing condos in October compared to the previous year’s sales figure; statewide existing condo sales last month rose 6.1 percent over the total units sold in September.

All of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported increased existing home sales and higher condo sales in October. A majority of the state’s MSAs have reported increased sales for 16 consecutive months.

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Pinellas Property Online

Florida News

Officials launch ad campaign: Bay Area beaches are open

Florida’s existing home, condo sales rise in May

Foreign buyers are flocking to Florida condos again

Florida’s existing home, condo sales up in 1Q 2010

Florida’s existing home, condo sales up in October 2009