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Giant crescent-shaped kites are seen soaring along coastlines all over the globe, as kiteboarding becomes the fastest-growing water sport in the world! As well as being an enjoyable, social sport, kiteboarding can boost your levels of health and fitness.

The most extreme of water sports, kiteboarding fuses three challenging disciplines: windsurfing, wakeboarding, and power kite flying. It is considered tougher, faster, and more exhilarating than any other water activity.

History

There is much dispute about where kiteboarding was invented, with some kiteboarding aficionados claiming it was France and others saying it was Hawaii. But, no matter where skateboarding originated from, there’s certainly no arguing that this sport has seriously taken off all over the world!

What it involves

The concept of kiteboarding is relatively simple: kiteboarders use a small surfboard with straps and are powered along the water by a large power kite. The kite is attached via 30m (98.5ft) long lines to a horizontal bar, which the rider uses to steer the kite. This type of wind-powered surfing allows you to cruise at a vast speed, jump as high as a house in slow motion, as well as perform triple loops and spins — that is, once you’ve got to grips with the equipment, speed, and power. Kiteboarding is a sport for extreme thrill seekers who love water, waves, speed, and a whole lot of power in their hands.

Health and fitness benefits of kite surfing

Kiteboarding offers several benefits to its competitors. These include:

• Develops arm and leg muscles to match the different disciplines required for successful, strong surfing.
• Refreshes and energizes the mind with open-air combined with fast-paced water activity.
• Boosts coordination skills, requiring a large degree of concentration to stay on course.
• Improves hand-eye coordination.
• Strengthens the hand muscles.

St. Pete is probably most famous for offering numerous flat water spots to kites. Next to the skyway bridge and Ft Desoto park are the most popular spots.

The season brings us wind between October and May, so while much of the United States is cold and snowy, St. Petersburg experiences perfect conditions for kiteboarding.

I also highly recommended taking a lesson(s) from a professional certified trainer before you head out to begin your new sport. Below are a few places I recommend. 

Elite Water Sports

Best Pro Kiteboarding

SA Kitesurf Adventures

Remember, although kiteboarding is an extreme sport, there’s nothing worse than bad sunburn, so slap on some sunscreen before getting out on the waves!

If you put a pause on your home search because you weren’t sure where you’d go once you sold your house, it might be a good time to get back into the market. That’s because today’s market is undergoing a shift, and the supply of homes for sale is increasing as a result. That means you may have a better chance of finding a home that will meet your current needs. Here are some options to consider.

Buying an Existing Home Can Give You That Lived-in Charm



According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the supply of existing homes (a home that’s been previously owned) has steadily increased since the beginning of the year. The graph below indicates inventory levels are rising, and that’s largely due to more homes coming onto the market and the pace of sales slowing:

As the graph shows, if you’re looking for a home with lived-in charm, supply is rising, and that’s great news for you.

Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for realtor.com, gives insight into why more homeowners are listing their homes and adding to the growing supply of existing homes today:

“Home sellers in many markets across the country continue to benefit from rising home prices and fast-selling homes. That’s prompted a growing number of homeowners to sell homes this year compared to last, giving home shoppers much needed options. We’ve seen more homes come up for sale this year compared to last year . . .”

There are several benefits to buying an existing home. Many buyers want to purchase a home with history, and the character of older houses is hard to reproduce. Existing homes can often be part of an established neighborhood featuring mature landscaping that can give you additional privacy and boost your curb appeal.

Plus, timing can be a consideration as well. With an existing home, you can move in based on the timeline you agree to with the sellers, rather than building a new home and waiting for construction to finish. This is something to keep in mind, especially if you need to move sooner rather than later.

Just remember, while more sellers are listing their homes, supply is still low overall. That means you’ll have more options to choose from as you search for your next home, but you’ll still need to be prepared for a fast-moving market.

Purchasing a Newly Built or Under Construction Home Means Brand New Everything

Census data shows there’s an increasing number of new homes available for sale. It includes homes that are under construction, soon to be completed, and fully built. As the graph below highlights, the supply of new homes for sale has also grown this year:

When building a new home, you can create your perfect living space and customize it to your lifestyle. That could mean everything from requesting energy efficient options to specific design features. Plus, you’ll have the benefit of all new appliances, windows, roofing, and more. These can all help lower your energy costs, which can add up to significant savings over time.

The lower maintenance that comes with a newer home is another great advantage. When you have a new home, you likely won’t have as many little repairs to tackle, like leaky faucets, shutters to paint, and other odd jobs around the house. And with new construction, you’ll also have warranty options that may cover portions of your investment for the first few years.

Keep in mind, purchasing a new home could mean waiting a considerable amount of time before you can move. Robert Dietz, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Economics and Housing Policy at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), explains:

“New single-family home inventory remained elevated at a 7.7 months’ supply. . . . However, only 8.3% of new home inventory is completed and ready to occupy. The remaining have not started construction (25.9%) or are currently under construction.”

That’s an important factor when making your decision and one you should discuss with a trusted real estate advisor. They’ll help you think through all the pros and cons of both new and existing homes to help you arrive at your best decision.



Bottom Line

With the supply of homes for sale rising, you have options for your next home no matter what your preferences are. If you have questions or want help deciding what’s best for you, connect with a local real estate professional and start the conversation today.

*Source - Keeping Current Matters

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