Bruce Bernstein

Tampa, FL - With all the talk about the weak real estate market, one important message seems to get lost, especially in the news media.

The real estate market is not global. It is made up of thousands of local markets and not all behave the similarly all the time - in up and down market environments - even within a very defined area. For example, South Tampa has always been considered a market area.

During the recent real estate downturn it has behaved differently than other market areas within the larger Tampa market, such as the Wesley Chapel and Riverview areas. Both of these have suffered many more foreclosures and downward pricing pressure than has South Tampa. And, differences exist even within the South Tampa area. Prices on Davis Islands have not dropped as far or as fast as, say, some of the areas south of Gandy Blvd.

So, if you're a buyer, depending upon where you'd like to buy, don't automatically assume that a seller's unwillingness to meet your price demands means that the asking price of that property is too high. Usually, there are good reasons for one area to maintain price integrity while others cannot. And, when the overall market turns upward, the areas that haven't dropped as far and as fast usually increase in value first, and fastest.

To optimize your buying (or selling) opportunity, think long term and try to understand the factors that cause an area to be desirable, or undesirable. If you take this approach, you'll likely make a better overall investment and be happier with your choice.

For more information on the South Tampa, FL real estate market, you can visit our web site: www.PrettyDogRealty.com.

Tampa, FL - While talking to a neighborhood acquaintance, a nice woman who's been trying to sell her home for over 2 years, I realized that she'd been given some advice that many realtors would likely offer... "Don't do a thing to fix up your home." While this may have been reasonable advice during Florida's real estate heyday, I disagreed with it then, and disagree even more so today.

Her home is considered by many to be a 'tear-down'. It is very likely that a couple or a developer will build a big, new, McMansion on this property, and I do agree that this is probably a good idea. However, this home is liveable - the seller has been living there for several years - and real estate is a game, especially when it comes to pricing strategy.

If one wants to sell a 'tear-down' for the highest possible price, a home must be attractive to buyers who want to live there. Otherwise, there is no way anyone who intends to build something new on the property will pay top dollar. Why would they? If a place is not up to market standards, whatever they may be, most buyers will not pay market price. They'll likely offer something well below market, (I'd offer at least 25% below in our current environment), especially today. But, if the same buyer realized that the property could be used by someone else as their home, they would have to pay more - and savvy buyers know this.

Another good reason that sellers of real fixer-uppers should invest some money to make their home more appealing to folks who'd consider living there seems obvious, and is even more important in the slow real estate market we've been stuck in: A home that people would consider living in will appeal to a much larger pool of buyers. In today's market, the larger the buying pool, the more likely that a property will sell - at any price.

One does not have to spend a fortune. A home just needs to give a good first impression and, often, simple fixes that don't cost much can be enough to make a huge difference. For more about pricing strategy, please visit: www.PrettyDogRealty.com.

Tampa, FL - I feel badly for all those suffering the cold, gray days of early winter. I like winter, especially in the Rocky Mountains, where I have lived for about 4 of my 52 years. My current residence in Florida, however, deprives me of the joyful colder temperatures I came to love while growing up on Long Island in New York.

In fact, this Fall in Tampa has been spectacular... by Florida standards. Cooler, dryer weather came to the area in October and it hasn't left yet. Our days have been in the high 60's to the mid 70's, with low humidity (for Florida) and clear, blue, sunny skies. I'm not a weatherman, but this has been something special that should be shared. And, with prices here in Tampa as low as they've been for many years, perhaps as low as 2003 levels, once again, affordable, wonderful homes are available. Please visit www.PrettyDogRealty.com for more information.

Tampa, FL - For those who know little about Tampa, or who have never visited this growing city in west central Florida, here's the real scoop:

1) The weather here is awful from May to October - very hot - unless that's your thing, then you'll love the Summer. However, from November to May, unless we're having a spell of bad luck (warm fronts!) the weather can be spectacular. Today, October 27, is one of those wonderful mornings... Cool temperatures (for those of you in the north, that means 70's) with a slight breeze, low humidity, and clear blue skies. If you're planning a visit, the time to come is early December - before the big crowds - which will increase the odds of great weather.

2) The south Tampa area is surrounded by water - the Hillsborough Bay to the east and the Tampa Bay to the west, with a river or two flowing gently into the bays. This makes boating here a very popular recreational activity. The bays connect to the Gulf of Mexico via the waters under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Plus, many homes here have in-ground pools.

3) If you're into watching sports, the Tampa area is blessed with 3 professional sports teams of note: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Tampa Bay Rays. All are fun to watch and the Rays and Lightning ownership seem very committed to winning championships. The Buccaneers ownership group seems happy with the championship they won several years ago, and has not recently taken the steps necessary to properly compete - but they're defense is fun to watch.

So, "Come on down!" to quote a 1960's Tropicana Orange Juice commercial. You'll love our airport, too.

Tampa, FL - I recently came upon a report that said over 31 million Americans described themselves as Avid bicycle riders - those riding for health and wellness. That's about 10% of the total population of the United States of America, with most falling into a specific demographic pool. (About 55% were women, educated, over 40, and earned a decent living.) My initial thought was great... We're getting healthy.

Then, after making a point of looking more closely at people who seemed to match this demographic during my daily errands and travels, I noticed that so many appeared to be very out of shape. I was puzzled... Could these folks be that out of shape and also ride a bicycle for exercise? Or, was I only seeing those individual who didn't ride (I guess the others were out riding)?

To satisfy my curiosity, I decided to begin a little experiment and take an informal survey... If you ride a bicycle on a regular basis for exercise, especially if you're over 35 years old, I'd love to hear from you! In addition to letting me know if you cycle, I'm also curious about what, if anything, you eat for energy DURING your ride, and what you drink - water, energy drink, other?

If you'd like to respond to this very informal survey - names, addresses, and phone numbers are unnecessary, and will not be shared or abused in any way - please CLICK HERE to email us. ***Please put "Bike Survey" in the subject line.