Details about this story

• Source: St. Petersburg Times
• Date: April 20, 2008
• URL: Read the story
• Bylines: John Martin , Catherine E. Shoichet
• Topics: Real Estate
• Data Types: Local Data , Mapping
• Description/Excerpt: A mixture of owners and renters has long been common in Florida neighborhoods. But the balance shifted after the housing boom, a St. Petersburg Times analysis of local property records shows. From urban streets to gated communities, the percentage of single-family homes without homestead exemptions increased in Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough and Hernando counties. That means more homes are owned by non-residents, and are likely to be rented or remain vacant. The effects are most evident in some of the area's newest neighborhoods, where investors snatched up homes during the boom. In several Pasco and Hills­borough neighborhoods, the proportion of such homes increased more than 130 percent between 2003 and early 2008.
• Database or Graphic: Go to site (com/specials/2008/interactives/rentals/)