By Peter Roos
“ASK BEGGINS, THEY KNOW” BEACH OPTIONS
Jim Beggins, was president of Beggins Century 21 real estate on St. Pete Beach, located just south of Crabby Bills for many years. Jim was a longtime writer of the Real Estate column that appeared in every issue of Paradise News until Jim at least semi-retired, in early 2019. As a beach property owner myself I often found Jim’s advice helpful and thought provoking. This final column, which appeared in our February issue five and a half years ago, was particularly good advice that is still as true today as it was then. People who heeded it in the meantime are likely sleeping better today.
“Here’s what I learned about Florida real estate from 1972 till now. From a cheap VA house in Miami to a gulf front townhouse in Madeira Beach with a dozen residences in between, I’ve learned a lot. Our team of “trusted advisors” can help you sort out any beach real estate stuff without obligation. Real estate prices are in direct proportion to the size of the body of water it’s located on. Buy on the biggest body of water you can afford. Don’t sell real estate unless you have a better use for the money. Never buy or sell without having someone represent you. Find out why Pinellas County barrier island real estate is the best value in the State. Flood insurance increases will make living on the ground a bad option. Don’t waste money improving old homes with living areas below the flood plain. Responsible development on our beaches betters everyone’s lifestyle. The next generations don’t like to drive, so don’t worry about traffic. New construction methods are making new builds more affordable. You won’t believe the affordability of 3D printed houses. Multigenerational co-housing will enhance lifestyle choices. Rent before buying unless you know the features, advantages and benefits of the 19 little Pinellas beach towns along our barrier islands. Which towns need the most beach nourishment? Find out the rental restrictions in the area you choose before buying. Explore all your personal options before selling. Do not trust the internet to price your house. Get a current elevation certificate before buying or selling. Get a soil test to see if building new would be more profitable than selling old. Before investing in a business on the beaches remember that up to half of your market area is in the Gulf. Under all is the land. If you don’t care much about beach living, you can get much better deals on the mainland except for appreciation and income potential. In my opinion the main value of a real estate agent is her or his ability to gather and transmit knowledge to sellers and buyers. Technology is changing the industry that I love back to our 1973 slogan “CENTURY 21, WE’RE NATIONAL BUT NEIGHBORLY.” We only focus on our local beach neighborhoods. If you don’t see my article next month, I didn’t die (hopefully). Future articles will be in my e-mail signatures on my Facebook page. Thanks for your support over the past decade.” Jim Beggins.
In case you are interested in what else Jim wrote about, the Paradise News website www.paradisenewsfl.com is your gateway to more than 10 years of our work, and the area’s
history. Behind the Current Issue button is one for Past Issues. Go there, start at the January 2019 issue and work backwards. Each edition is readable and downloadable page by page or in its entirety. Jim’s column generally ran on page 16 or 18 most months. Page 4 of each edition has a table of contents. Real Estate was a department, which will give you Jim’s page number in that issue. While you are on the website, take a look around. There are a dozen years of local history to be found. In the April 2014 edition, for example, on pages 22-24 you will find a “Hurricane Update” by Steve Traiman, President Obama was in office.