May « 2010 « Smith and Associates Blog

Making Moves Easier May 28, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter

No matter how little or how much ‘stuff’ you’ve actually got, moving isn’t ever at the top of the list of fun things to do. Once the initial excitement of gaining access to your new Hillsborough County home wears off, the reality of packing, moving, and unpacking soon sets in. It can be a source of aggravation for months if you let it. To help ease the process, here a some quick tips for simplifying the process.

Plan Ahead. Having a schedule will help to avoid last minute panic. Interview movers early, to ensure that they’re able to work with your schedule and that the prices are inline with your budget. For long distance moves whether traveling by road or airline, make any necessary reservations for hotels and tickets at least a month in advance to help avoid stress.

Reduce, reduce, reduce! We all seem to accumulate items that have no use, but we end up keeping them anyway. From old books to clothing to children’s toys – it all starts to pile up. Prior to a move, it’s best to clean house – it’ll save you both time (when unpacking) and money. If you haven’t used something in over a year, and it has no sentimental value, consider getting rid of it. If you’re not going to use it, what’s the point in moving it to your new Hillsborough County home? Also, keep in mind that donating such items to your local Salvation Army is not only good for your community – it’s also beneficial to the bottom line of your taxes next year.

Change the address. For the month before you move, keep track of the mail you’re getting and make sure to change your address on all your bills, contracts, insurance, financial institutions, etc. It’s easier to keep track ahead of time, rather than realize too late who’ve you’ve forgotten.

Know It All. Research your mover and read the fine print of the contract. It’s easier to know ahead of time what they are (and possibly, are not) responsible for. Also, undertsanding the contract will help you to avoid any unexpected charges. Most importantly, always make sure your mover is insured. It’s pretty typical for at least one item to be broken during transit from your old Hillsborough County home to the new one – make sure you’re covered if it should happen to you.

For more tips & tricks on moving visit the FMCSA’s website, ProtectYourMove.gov.

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Downtown St. Petersburg Creative Revival May 27, 2010
By David B Moyer

In 2005, the real estate boom had the 600th block of Central Ave in downtown St. Petersburg ready for the next big new construction tower.

In 2007, Crisip Arcade was an empty space in St Petersburg, home to no tower – another hole created by a slow market.

In 2010, the rejuvenated block is home to studios and creative businesses that have inspired the Arts District.

The Crislip Arcade is a rebirth of a 1920′s shopping block which provides shades and shops along Central Avenue. Nestled between bars, restaurants, and businesses, artists who call St Petersburg home now have a space to showcase their poetry, song, art, and photography. It took a lot of like minds to create such an amazing turn of events including inspired artists, a willing landlord, a creative city council, and cooperative code/city departments. A major change in real estate focus also allowed an opportunity for all of this to take place.

The property changed hands from a developer who envisioned a high rise to an owner willing to take the investment at a lower price and wait out the market. The city stepped in and offered to renovate the property and give it a new use while the new owner also upgraded the block. “It is a much more realistic world,” says Bob Glaser, President/CEO of Smith & Associates Real Estate. “People are starting to own property at the right price range. (Rents) are almost equal to the debt service. There are probably other sites in the Bay area that would qualify.”

This is a great example of how you can take advantage of what is existing and use it to improve the downtown area. What an amazing thing for the city and for all to be a part of. For the many artists and creatives who call St Petersburg home, there is now an all-new place to flourish.

What’s there? The businesses in Crislip Arcade are: Gallery Woo, Kimberly White Gallery, Rex A Million Gallery, MQC Fine Art Gallery, Croatian Naive Art Gallery, Vivian Knot Thompson Studio and Gallery, Art on Central, Elwell Gallery,All Sewn Up Boutique, Misred Outfitters, Dazzio Art Experience, Donna Gordon Gallery & Studio, Robinson Brand Builders, The Sebastian Thomas Gallery, The Department – Design, Branding, Environment, Vitale Art Studio, Blue Lucy, Sleeperwoods, Rhino Film Studios, Studio@620 Annex, and 1 of 1 Customs.

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Hyde Park Village Live Music Series May 26, 2010
By David B Moyer

It is here. The 23rd Season of the Live Music Series in Hyde Park Village!

On the last Wednesday of every month from May to October, Hyde Park Village hosts live music. Locals gather to mingle in a fun urban atmosphere. Great restaurants like BT’s, The Wine Exchange & Timpanos become filled with patrons and the Village comes to life.

Why not join in the fun? CineBistro, the new movie theater/restaurant is a perfect spot to finish the evening. Or, maybe a stroll down to Howard Avenue in order to continue your evening out is more your scene. This free event is open to all, and usually a friendly spot for dogs on leashes.

Everyone usually leaves the evening wondering, “Why do they have this event in the Summer heat??!!” The idea of having it in a cooler season, or better yet, all year long would be fun. Regardless, it is a good time and we fully encourage you to check it out!

Below is the schedule of dates & music.

2010 Live Music Series Concert Line-Up:

*May 26

Charity: Epilepsy Foundation

Band: Sweet Spot

*June 30

Charity: Big Brothers Big Sisters

Band: Jason Young Band

*July 28

Charity: HARC

Band: John Miller Band

*August 25

Charity: The Academies

Band: Shout

*September 29

Charity: The Nephcure Foundation

Band: De Lei’ed Parrots

*October 27

Charity: Humane Society of Tampa Bay

Band: Shakes Society

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Make Your Yard Earth Friendly
By Stephanie Streeter

Everyone talks these days about ways to go green and lessen our impact on the planet. If you’re interested in ways to contribute to the effort, look no further than out your own window! After learning that our country is home to more than 32 million acres of lawn which absorb over 270 billion gallons of water every week and use more than 800 million gallons of gas a year – we think it’s an important place to start. Here are some easy ways to get started in having a more green conscious yard for your Hillsborough or Pinellas County home.

Don’t drown it. Most lawns are overwatered, especially here in Florida. Know the signs of a thirsty lawn . If your grass doesn’t spring back when you step on it in the heat of the afternoon, it’s time to water. Also, be aware of your automatic sprinklers during our rainy season – how many times have you seen a home or business where the sprinklers are on during a rainstorm? It’s better to water deeply than frequently, giving the water a chance to seep in which means the roots will grow deeper.

Let it breathe. Aerating your lawn loosens the roots and allows waters and fertilizers penetrate much easier. Keeping your grass taller will reduce the ability for weeds to thrive, which means less chemicals needed to kill them.

Go natural. Many products have been developed which allow for natural remedies to combat bugs and weeds. Also, lawns can sometimes be over-fertilized. Try keeping your grass clippings and distributing them through your lawn with a rake. It’s free fertilizer which is rich in nitrogen. The less chemicals the better when you’re going for green friendly, so check what’s available at your local home center to see what your options are.

Getting your Pinellas County home‘s lawn to go green is easier than you might think. Give it a try! For more information, take a look at FloridaYards.org.

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Keeping Your Home Healthy May 24, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter

We all take a deep breath of relief when we come home after a hard day – but what if that air isn’t healthy? There are a few things which you can easily control in order to make sure the air in your St Petersburg home is as healthy as possible.

First things first, take a look at your furniture. What it’s made of can have a big effect on the air you breathe. Pressed woods, which are used in certain types of furniture can have a very unhealthy affect on the air in your home. Products containing particleboard, plywood, and medium density fiberboard (MDF) contain a material which releases formaldehyde into the air. Formaldehyde, along with being a suspected carcinogen, is also known to cause headaches and skin rashes. Choosing furnishings which avoid these materials will start you on your way to cleaner air.

Paints and other finishes can also have negative effects on your St Petersburg home‘s indoor air quality. These products emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), which can cause breathing problems and increase asthma rates in children. Most companies now produce products which have low VOC content or none at all, which has no affect on the durability or quality of the product. Those types of products are a much better choice for homeowners concerned about the air quality in their home.

Also, be aware of the products your bring into your St Petersburg home for everyday activity like cleaning. Household cleaners can contain harsh chemical which pollute the air in your home. If the product has a serious warning or danger level, chances are it’s not good for the health of your family – or your home. Choosing plant-based or natural cleaning products or methods will help to improve your indoor air quality.

To learn more about indoor air quality, visit the EPA’s web page on the topic by clicking here.

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Quick Tips For Aspiring Green Thumbs May 21, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter

We’ve all seen them…Those houses that you drive by and just say, “Wow.” What you’ve seen is a house with great curb appeal. It could be a tiny cottage or a huge custom built masterpiece. Either way, it makes you stop and take notice. Though part of curb appeal of course depends on the home itself, a large factor is the landscaping. A great way to improve the landscaping of your home with a few small, easy projects is to start adding some containers or window boxes. It’s an easy way to add a wow factor to your front yard without having to be a professional green thumb. Here are some great tips for creating beautiful and easy to manage container gardens or window boxes for your Hillsborough County home.

Great combinations. Combining plants in a container that need the same amount of water and fertilizer will make your life much easier when it comes to caring for your plants.

Size matters. When planning which plants will go in what type of container, keep in mind how large they’ll become as they grow. Putting a plant which will grow to be 2′ tall would probably best be placed in a larger pot, instead of a window box.

Shop smart. To make sure you’ll get the most out of the plants you purchase for your Hillsborough County home, choices should look healthy from the start and be growing in good-size pots. Plants that have outgrown their pots while still at the store can possibly be root bound and not grow well without some extra assistance. If a plant looks unhealthy at the store, it may be in need of more than just a good watering – may be best to move on to another if you’re looking for quick & easy options.

Choose wisely. The container you place the plants in should always have good drainage – typically in the form of holes on the bottom. If using it for a window box, your choice should be lightweight. Also keep in mind where water will go when draining from the container (for instance, don’t place a container with holes directly on wood which will become discolored).

Quality first. Good soil can make or break any landscaping project, no matter how large or small. Your soil should be fast draining and of good quality. Soil that has a water-holding agent, while more expensive, can be more practical in the long run by reducing watering frequency.

Avoid growing pains. In planning your planting, make sure you allow room for your new babies to grow. Cramming them in too tightly to start off with won’t allow your plants to thrive in our beautiful Florida sunshine.

Feeling competitive? Lots of local communities have local garden clubs where you can put your newly gained skills to the test. Great little neighborhoods all over the Tampa Bay area have organizations for like-minded folks! For example, check out neighborhoods like Hyde Park and Davis Islands which have Garden Clubs for their local green-thumbs. One will surely be easy to find that’s close to your Hillsborough County home.

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Existing Home Sales On The Rise May 19, 2010
By Stephanie Streeter

According to the latest data provided by Florida Realtors®, existing home sales in the state of Florida have risen by 24 percent. Great news for home owners in our local market. From January 1st of this year till March 31st, 38,846 homes were sold in Florida. That’s a wonderful upswing from the 31,410 sold during the same time period in 2009. According to the organization, this is the seventh consecutive quarter where the state has seen higher existing year-to-year home sales.

Good news for the Tampa Bay area comes from two important metrics. First, more homes sold in the Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater area than any of the other major MSA’s in the state. Also important was that our area was among those with the lowest percentage of decrease in the median sales price. We experienced a 1% decrease while areas such as Orlando, Ocala, Daytona Beach, among others are experiencing losses in the median price of over 10%.

Things continue to look up for owners of Tampa homes for sale! For more in depth information, please refer to the complete press release found here.