Tina Marie's Blog Site

Sometimes it is hard to continue in this market without looking back and saying to yourself... why didn't I know better or why didn't I sell when I was offered $3.5 million for my parcel of land... and now a certified appraiser from the bank and my commercial specialist and my aunt and my uncle... even my own son is telling me it isn't at that value anymore.

How am I suppose to respond to... It is only worth what someone will pay for it!" and I ask... what the h--- does that mean?

Well, first let's take a step back and analyze the whole picture.

Yes, you were once offered a significant amount of money for a property that you own. And Yes, I mean NO you did not sell it. Ok, Let's move on.

Now we are in the present. You own a parcel of land or a building that you would like to sell. We need to look at the entire picture.

What do you owe on the parcel? What is the current value of the parcel? Is it income producing or a vacant parcel of land? What can we do in the meantime to increase income, lower debt, lower real estate taxes (if possible) and re-examine our loan with the bank? If there is not a loan due and this is a cash out deal, let’s evaluate what you can do with the cash at the market value. Does it make sense to sell at the present market or to hold on to the parcel and wait for the market to go up slightly? Yes- the market will go up eventually. But it will be at a snail pace.

Forget what happened 5 years ago! Okay- Let me Say that Again! FORGET WHAT HAPPENED 5 YEARS AGO. We are in the present and moving forward toward an even greater future than 5 years ago.

The Prices that we saw… the inflation that we encountered… Yes, that will happen again- in approximately ???? years from now. We are on the Longest Roller Coaster Ride of your life. Enjoy it.

Get yourself back in the Present and be prepared for what is happening now. Focus on what you can do Now to improve your income for the future.

You need to concentrate what is currently at hand and play your cards accordingly. The Market has changed dramatically in the commercial market and is still changing. We have not seen the lowest of numbers in sales and we have not seen an upward price adjustment. Banks are now coming due with adjustable mortgages and balloons. It is still a Buyer’s market. There are many great deals in the commercial market. Seller’s are being creative, holding paper, lease options and so forth.

I will help you with all your real estate endeavors. It takes an investor to understand how to invest properly. That is where I come into the picture. To help you analyze your property- whether we sell, lease, exchange into another property. There are many ways to be Extremely Creative in the current environment. Let me Help you find what is right for your portfolio.

Sincerely,
Tina Marie

Blog for 10-29-09

Sitting at the newly opened Joffrey’s Coffee in Historic Ybor City in Centro Ybor, I am having a fabulous Café Mocha with a freshly made Cuban Egg Sandwich. This is one of the toughest markets that Tampian's have seen in quite awhile, but we always have time for a coffee. Joffrey’s Coffee, located in Centro Ybor is less than 1 week new and is doing a wonderful business.

The tourists, employees of Ybor, Residents of Ybor and just plain folk like me love to know that the closed Starbucks location is now a Vibrant and very Open Location Home to Joffrey’s Coffee. The owners, Jessica and Gladys, had a dream and made that dream Come True. Even in this tough economy!

That is my advice to all of you… Don’t let this economy get you down. If you have a dream, do what it takes to make it happen. Put a business plan together along with a financial analysis of what it is going to take to go into business and allow yourself enough money for renovations, inventory, employees pay and money to pay rent for at least 12 months. Most Landlords like to see a healthy bank account, good credit reports and financial statements.

However, Landlords are happy to have new inspired businesses. Landlords are willing to work with new owners of these businesses! DO NOT let this economy get you down. Be positive and keep plugging away until you get to where you want to go… and don’t stop there.

Look to the future. Think of ways to make your business better. Think of ways to be pro-active and ways to expand or create a future franchise or ownership of more franchises down the road.

The future is Yours! Take it now!

In regards to Joffrey’s Coffee… I helped them find this Excellent location in the Heart of the Historic District of Ybor City located in Centro Ybor, assisted with all negotiations and created a great relationship between Landlord and Tenant! The entire Transaction was smooth, easy and Joffrey’s had an easy and very welcoming “soft” opening this past week. The Grand Opening is yet to come… most likely just after Guavaween this coming weekend.

On a Business note, if you are seeking a location to put your business, whether for an office user or opening a new business or an existing franchise, I can help you on all levels.

Call to set up an appointment to discuss how to get moving to your new Location! 813-935-9600

Tina Marie Eloian  10-29-09

04-20-2009

The upside of Florida real estate:

15 market positives

Let’s take a look at some of the opportunities and positive indicators for the future of Florida’s real estate market.

1. Great prices. Statewide, home prices have fallen about 20 percent in the past year. FAR statistics show the existing-home median sales price was $185,400 in the third quarter of 2008, compared with $233,200 in third quarter 2007. By the way, those numbers are still significantly higher than in the early years of the decade. In 2003, the third-quarter sales price was $163,700, which reflects an increase of about 13.3 percent over the five-year period. (The median is a typical market price where half the homes sold for more, half for less.)

2. The time is right. Home sales volumes are rising again – a signal that the market recovery may be underway. In third quarter 2008, statewide sales of existing single-family homes were up 5 percent compared to the same period last year, according to FAR statistics.

3. High inventory levels. Conditions are ideal for buyers to find their dream home. Inventory is plentiful in all price ranges. But as sales volumes increase, inventory levels are likely to shrink. That reality translates into this advice for buyers: Don’t wait too long.

4. Low mortgage rates. Mortgage rates are still at the lowest levels since the 1960s. Lower rates multiply a buyer’s financial power. Even half a percent can make a sizeable difference. For example, on a $200,000 home, half of 1 percent could save the homeowner about $815 a year. Buyers can get more home for the money, which is a perfect scenario for families looking to upsize.

5. Incentives to buy. Federal, state and local housing programs can help buyers make that big purchase. The U.S. Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 includes a $7,500 tax credit for first-time buyers on a home purchased between April 9, 2008, and July 1, 2009. President Obama’s 2009 economic stimulus package promises to enable programs that will assist homeowners. Talk to a local mortgage lender about state and federal incentive programs.

6. A long-term-growth state. Long-term economic and demographic trends continue to favor Florida. By 2010, economists forecast that Florida will be the third-most-populated state in the country. Florida has been one of the 10-fastest-growing states in the U.S. for each of the past seven decades, and often the state has been in the top four, according to Census data. Population growth will continue to provide a foundation for other economic development, such as new jobs and growing incomes. All of these trends are positive indicators for real estate growth.

7. A migration magnet. Even with a slowdown in economic growth nationally, projections call for Florida’s population to return to more normal growth levels of about 317,000 a year between 2010 and 2020, similar to the 1980s and 1990s, said Stan Smith, director of the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. That’s a lot of new buyers coming into the market.

8. A favored retirement destination. Over the long term, Florida stands to benefit from the migration of the aging Baby Boomer generation, roughly 80 million strong. Demographic studies show that the Sunshine State’s mild climate and outdoor amenities continue to make Florida a favorite retirement destination.

9. A diverse economy. Florida’s economy, like that of the rest of the nation, is impacted by the recession. Some business sectors, though, appear promising for the Florida economy. The healthcare and technology sectors are quickly becoming an important economic force in South and Central Florida. The Milken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners ranked five Florida communities on its “Best Performing Cities Index 2008,” which ranks U.S. metropolitan areas by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. Florida’s business climate ranked fourth among executives and sixth overall on “Site Selection” magazine’s 2008 Top State Business Climate rankings.

10. Investment outlook. Every quarter, the University of Florida’s Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies conducts a survey of industry executives, market research economists, real estate scholars and other experts. In the fourth quarter 2008 survey, the investment outlook for various types of Florida properties declined from the third quarter of 2008, although it is noted that the investment outlook remains higher than it was at times in 2006 and 2007. “We have 40 pages of comments from our respondents, and although the dominant theme is the disruption of financing, perhaps the second theme, as one person put it, is people being on the sidelines with full pads and helmets just waiting to jump back in,” said director Dr. Wayne Archer, when referencing the 2008 third quarter results.

11. Homeownership has value. Realtors believe – and research supports that belief – that homeownership provides a variety of tangible and intangible benefits to the community and homeowners. Studies show that home equity is still the largest single source of household wealth.

12. Greater sense of well-being. Owning a home leads to increased personal well-being. Research shows that people who own their own homes tend to show higher levels of personal self-esteem and life satisfaction, which in turn helps to make homeowners and their children more productive members of society.

13. Beneficial for kids. Studies show that children raised in homes owned by their families are more likely to stay in school and more likely to graduate high school. They’re also shown to have a higher lifetime annual income.

14. Community involvement. People who own homes have a strong financial stake in what happens to their community and tend to become more involved in community and civic affairs. Studies show that homeowners also interact more with their neighbors and communities. Compared to renters, homeowners join up to 41 percent more civic and/or nonprofessional organizations, such as the PTA or Scouts; vote in local elections 15 percent more often; enhance their neighborhoods with gardens 12 percent more often; attend church about 10 percent more often; and have a 3 percent greater chance of being interested in public affairs.

15. An unsurpassed lifestyle. Finally, let’s not forget the things that brought people to Florida in the first place, and will continue to attract them – beautiful beaches, fabulous weather and a friendly business climate, with no state income tax. It’s no wonder that Florida’s combination of temperate climate, outstanding recreational amenities and economic opportunity has consistently put Florida in the top three of Harris Poll’s “Most Desirable Places to Live” survey.