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Talk of the Bay: Housing recovery? Not quite yet

The housing recovery in Hillsborough County will have to wait.

By Times Staff
Published January 13, 2008

Housing recovery? Not quite yet

The housing recovery in Hillsborough County will have to wait. December home sales fell 42 percent, from 1,898 in 2006 to 1,099 last month, according to the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors. The average sales price increased 3 percent year over year, from $259,363 to $267,117, but the association didn't publish the more commonly used median sales price, which would have likely shown a decline. The Hillsborough numbers followed reports from Pinellas and Pasco counties that showed December sales dropping more than 30 percent and prices more than 10 percent. The Greater Tampa association includes part of east-central Pasco in its statistics.

Gov. Crist charms British diplomats

Jolly good show, Charlie. Gov. Charlie Crist addressed British diplomats and politicians in Miami this week in a bid to build bigger business ties with the European nation. Crist said he'll lead a trade delegation to Britain in July timed to the Farmborough International Air Show. The United Kingdom is Florida's 12th-largest trading partner. Brits visit Florida more than any other overseas nation. More than 330 British-affiliated companies operate in Florida, representing one-third of British firms in the United States. They employ 41,000 Floridians.

Chinese are coming ... but to bay area?

More Chinese tourists should visit the United States with a recent agreement between the countries easing travel rules. But will Florida and Tampa Bay be on their must-see lists? The Travel Industry Association is working with the University of South Carolina and Commerce Department on an extensive survey of Chinese views on U.S. travel destinations. Tourism groups representing Orlando, the Florida Keys and Miami - along with the statewide agency Visit Florida - are among the survey sponsors. But not the bay area's tourism groups. Lee Daniel of Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater didn't know if the agency was asked to sponsor the study. But China doesn't rank as a top target like Europe, Canada and, most recently, South American countries such as Argentina.

He makes his point with CAPITALS

Nothing vague about this message: "I suggest to the Board that a MAJORITY of shareholders believe that the bank should be sold NOW. On behalf of ALL shareholders, I AGAIN implore the Board to act accordingly." That's what John McMullen wrote in a Jan. 8 letter to South Financial Group's board. McMullen, retired president and CEO of the Tampa market of Florida Banks Inc., wants South Financial sold because of underperformance. South Financial bought Florida Banks in 2004 and merged it into Mercantile Bank.

[Last modified January 11, 2008, 21:48:51]