Realtors from Lido Key to Clearwater Beach cite a recent increase in showings of multimillion-dollar homes as sellers lower expectations.

"The high-end market is thriving," said Martha Thorn, who specializes in Clearwater Beach-area homes. "There are more [sales] pending in the high-end market than there have been in quite awhile."

Real estate agent Carole Merritt, who specializes in waterfront homes in South Pinellas, also has seen more interest.

In early May, Merritt sold a Tierra Verde home for $5.6 million -- one of the highest prices paid for a Pinellas home in recent years, according to the Multiple Listing Service. The price was about $1.4 million less than the 9,400-square-foot home's listing price.