Here’s an Unusual Florida Selling Strategy

Due to a lack of Florida home mortgage demand, we’ve talked a lot about the need for sellers in the state to come up with creative selling strategies. One man has certainly taken our advice to heart …

In a community known for its million-dollar homes and magnificent waterfront views - Belleair Beach - the view of one rooftop is causing some residents to see red.

That’s because Bruce Sparks has taken selling his home to a new level … almost literally. He has painted a 12 foot-high message on his rooftop, in the glossiest, brightest red he could find, that his waterfront home is for sale. Sparks’ rooftop is visible from the Belleair Beach causeway and the Intracoastal Waterway in this area near Clearwater on Florida’s west coast.

Trust us - if you have been pre-qualified for a Florida mortgage loan and are looking in this area, you won’t miss this property.

“It’s been slow and I thought this would give me an added possibility for some added attention and added possibility for sale,” Sparks said.

However, the City of Belleair Beach says this real estate investor’s rooftop advertisement, violates the city’s sign ordinance. Sparks could be fined $250 a day. It would be an unusual, unfortunate side effect of the current Florida housing market.

Diana Maxant, a neighbor across the street, praises Sparks’ creativity in a cooling real estate market, but Sparks expects he’ll be forced to paint over his sign. He still wants his rooftop to stand out.

“I can’t see where it’s hurting anybody, it can be painted back,” Maxant said.

Sparks says so far, his rooftop sign has been disappointing - no one has made an offer yet. He’s asking $1.6 million for the waterfront property and expects someone will tear down the home to build a new one.