Peter Murphy

Charlene,
I just read your question on having a condo that you can't seem to rent out. Who are you using for property managment? There's a slew of Realtors that "dabble" in property management but aren't really equipped to help you market or manage your rental. You can tell pretty quickly if that's the kind of Realtor you presently have.
We have a full-service property management department, and If we can be of service to you, please contact us. You can read about our Tampa property management services at http://www.HomeEncounter.com or you can call us at 813.425.2566.
All the best. - Thu Mar 13 2008, 18:05

Those of you who read my posts are probably wondering about Mr. De Pury's comments below. Let me assure you that his accusations are patently false and I have asked him to remove his comments from this blog as they have nothing to do with the content of this posting.

I will also be shutting down this string to further comments by removing my question, but before I do, let me restate the results of our January Residential Real Estate Report for interested agents, buyers and sellers.

For the resale marketplace in the Tri-County Area:
- Total sales were down 37% from December
- Average sales prices were down 5.8%
- Buyer negotiation power increased 7.6%
- Average days to sale increased 1.5%
- Percent of sales to listings dropped 40%
- Total listings increased 2.7%
- Continuous days on the market increased 1.6%
- Total new listings increased 37.5%
- Average list price per square foot of new listings rose 0.6%.

January was a rough month in the resale market. But we have heard that it was considerably better for new construction.

For all the details, go to http://www.HomeEncounter.com/learn.php and click on the link to the January 2008 Residentail Real Estate Report. - Sat Feb 16 2008, 14:26

Theace,

You're answers make as little sense as those who say "now is the best time to buy".

Time is one of the least relevent factors in a buying decision. The specifics of the deal determine whether or not "now" is a good time to buy. For example, if someone's prospective purchase is priced lower than the market will ever fall (all other factors being reasonable) then it's a good decision to buy, irrespective of the timing. - Sun Feb 10 2008, 19:00

Antiono, Our data is not spin, it's the facts. Analyzed sales data from MLS closings that we present - unadorned - every month.

Your presentation below is nothing but anecdotal information and your "great news" is entirely secondary to one all important requirement - buyers must want to buy and sellers must agree to sell. No rate cut or insurance adjustment or tax plan can do this alone, and to date, no rate cut or insurance adjustment or tax plan has succeeded in changing buyer or seller patterns.

When the facts say the market is in recovery, then we'll proclaim that fact from the house-tops. Until then, it's unethical and self-serving to say otherwise.

Everyone seems to know that... but Realtors. - Wed Feb 6 2008, 12:38

Enough, folks. I will withdraw my statements above and publish the full account of the converation on our web site - on a private link, so that clients are not exposed to this any more.

Read for yourself and decide. This is a cut and past of an email string. Read from the bottom up. - Tue Feb 12 2008, 06:56

There is a valid business reason for this post.

Our clients expect the truth from us, not our version of the truth. When our President/Association makes statements that we believe to be incorrect, that's something we're obliged to stand against. Our fiduciary duty is to our clients - not to each other.

All of us are fighting a battle against marketplace misperceptions that Realtors are disconnected with reality and with the needs of their clients. NARs/GTARs "positive spin campaign" is only solidifying this in our client's minds.

Our clients are not stupid. They know when they're being politicked, and our present "party line" - that everything is getting better - is politicking of the worst kind. Home Encounter thrives because we are direct with our clients. We treat them like adults. When the market is bad, we say so, and we give them good advice on how to deal with it.

My comments in this public domain are supported by buyers/sellers who are looking for honest representation. We've earned the trust (and the dollars) of clients because of our directness on sites like these. Can you say the same?

If our President doesn't object, I will publish the full content of our conversation on Home Encounter's web site. Then you can decide for yourselves whether or not I've been fair with the facts. - Tue Feb 12 2008, 04:53

You opponents have this all wrong.

The only private information on this site is so sparse that it can only be used to confirm information you already have (first three digits of DL number, for example, is useless, but it does give you an indication that you've got a match if you're using it to identify someone.)

There's nothing more on TheTenantList.com than what's on Angie's list - or Court Records - or the appraiser's office, for that matter. And should someone find fault, it will be between an individual landlord and a tenant - not the List. The List itself doesn't require any information other than name, former address and the most general of comments.

Look closer - I think you'll see its much more useful than harmful. - Sun Feb 10 2008, 18:56

Call me at (813) 598.2704. We specialize in investment properties in the tri-county area. - Mon Jan 21 2008, 04:31