"How are you marketing internationally?" is a question that is coming up more and more frequently from homeowners. I think part of it is because they're reading in the media about what a bargain US real estate is for other countries, and part of it is because they think they rich foreigners will
...
08/31/2008
Ever wished you could pick up the phone and ask a knowledgeable friend what's happening with the latest hurricane or tropical storm? Here's the next best thing - visit Jyotika Virmani's blog. It has a conversational tone and her predictions have been right on more often than not. Jyotika has a Ph
...
08/30/2008
Progress Energy is proposing to increase electric bills by 31% in Pinellas County, Florida, starting in January 2009, according to an article in the St Petersburg Times. Progress Energy says this is due to increases in fuel prices and commodity prices and increased transportation costs. 31% is a
...
08/30/2008
For months I haven't taken the time to go over to Trulia and see what's happening there (after all, how many places can we visit each day?). This morning I did. My listings are there on Trulia, from luxuryrealestate.com and other "providers". So, should I register and "claim" them, so that inquir
...
08/30/2008
It's hurricane season here in Florida, and once again we are tuned to the updated coordinates that come out every 3 hours, and plot the course - or just listen to the news. There's a lot of hype on the news, so some of us just plot the coordinates and avoid the tv. Unlike earthquakes or tornados
...
08/30/2008
Tonight I was reminded once again of a phenomenon I've noticed here in Broadwater. a waterfront neighborhood in southwest St. Petersburg. Having many clients and friends in the neighborhood, I'm often invited to parties, or over for dinner or sunset cocktails. Regardless of which cul-de-sac or st
...
08/30/2008
Can you imagine this view from your new waterfront home in St. Petersburg, Florida? You can watch dolphins and manatee playing in the water. You can watch cruise ships, cargo ships, and occasionally Tall Ships as they pass under the Skyway Bridge. You can build a dock for your boat or yacht; you
...
08/29/2008
Once upon a time, buyers would look and look until they found a house they loved. Then they'd make an offer on it, and usually we'd negotiate to a contract. That was then. It's not uncommon today for buyers to look and look, and then say, "OK, after this weekend we're ready to start makin
...
08/29/2008
St Petersburg, Florida is a peninsula, and since home construction started around 1910, there's very little land left, especially premium waterfront land. So - if you want to build, you generally have to buy a house, then tear it down, and then start to build. That was the case with this home, w
...
08/29/2008
Agents listing short sales will probably get to closings - for agents representing buyers, it's a real long shot. We've written offers on probably two dozen short sales this year, and today, for the first time, got to a closing. Rob (my son and colleague) worked with this buyer starting in mid-Se
...
08/28/2008
