South Tampa Property ReportJune 2009

Steve Grum and Eileen O’Neil in front of the historic Hyde Parkbungalow they recently purchased for the bargain price of $240,000.

Attractive Pricing Fuels South Tampa Market Rebound - Page 2

Tips for “staging” your home for quicker, higher- price sale - Page 3

Meet E&V RealtorKristen Meyer - Page 3

Engel & Völkers Tampa Hyde Park718 S. Village CircleTampa, FL 33606813-258-9000

Do you have a vacant home that you need to sell?

Showhomes, America’s largest home staging company, is a special-ized staging service for realtors, home-owners, builders, and reloca-tion companies that professionally decorates and manages vacant homes. Unlike traditional staging, Showhomes of Tampa can do a whole house staging with no monthly staging costs.

We can save homeowners thousands of dollars by helping to cover monthly insurance costs, as well as utility, pool, and lawn care costs. Showhomes can provide an option for live-in “home stagers” or tra-ditional staging services, combined with beautiful design and decor.

“Showhomes” bring up to 20% more in sales dollars and can beat days-on-market sale times by up to 50%. Showhomes’ unique twist on home staging works! For more information, please visit Showhomes’ website at www.showhomes.com or contact Karla Dorsey at 813-394-7049.

Staging is a proven method of furnishing and accessorizing your home to create that “wow” factor in those crucial first moments when buyers enter your property. Staging has proven to bring faster sale times and higher sale prices than vacant properties, which can invite low-ball offers. Staged homes also showcase better on websites and marketing materials. Realtors and professional home stagers can help you highlight your home’s best features by advis-ing you to …

• Create a sense of energy and warmth

• Add curb appeal by placing fresh potted flowers next to the front door

• Set the tone in the foyer by creating an inviting entrance

• De-clutter and clean your home

• Kitchens and bathrooms typically create a good return on your investment; create “wow” spaces in those areas

• Take advantage of natural light, and be sure that all blinds and shades are open and windows sparkle

• Don’t leave rooms empty; buyers have a harder time visualizing use of the space

• Depersonalize the home by reducing the number of family photos

• If you are painting, choose neutral paint colors for broader appeal

• Make necessary repairs

• Consider hiring a professional home staging company

Meet Kristen Meyer - Engel and Völkers Realtor

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HER SPECIAlTIES: South Tam-pa, Seminole Heights, Down-town Tampa,and Palmetto Beach real estate, in particular residential home sales, property management, and tenant placement.

WHERE SHE lIVES: A proud resident of Palmetto Beach - Tampa’s oldest neighborhood.

PERSONAl: Kristen enjoys spending time with her husband Greg Meyer, a Tampa native, and their 2 year old son, lane. She is an avid reader, an enthusiastic sports fan, and has a passion for Tampa’s cultural arts.

WHy SHE lOVES REAl ESTATE: “I love to help people begin a new chapter in their lives. A home is more than a house; it is about the community you live in and the way you can envision your life unfolding there.”

This home, shown before and after staging, sold within 30 days of being showcased by Showhomes of Tampa.

CONTACT INFO: Kristen.Meyer@engelvoelkers.com or 813-244-2111

Tips on “staging” your home

Attractive Pricing Fuels South Tampa Market Rebound

Engel & Völkers Tampa 718 S. Village Circle 33606

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When Steve Grum and Eileen O’Neil bought a home on Bruce Street in South Tampa’s Hyde Park neighbor-hood three months ago, they got quite a deal. They purchased the 2,000 square-foot, 3-bedroom / 2-bath home for $240,000 in February. Compare that to what the previous owners paid in 2005 - $461,000.

“We were thrilled with what we were able to get at this price,” said Steve. “It’s nice being able to make improvements to a historic home like this. The price was so attractive that it’s allowing us to do what we need to do to the house.”

With home prices returning to 2001 - 02 levels, the South Tampa real estate market is showing signs of a rebound. It’s all about price: The average price of a home sold in the Hyde Park neighborhood in May 2008 - May 2009 was $634,226, compared to an average of $731,759 in May 2005 - May 2006.

“At this point, more conventional sales are occurring as opposed to a few months ago, when short sales and foreclosure sales completely dominated the market,” said Michal Winiarek, broker for the Engel & Völkers office in Hyde Park Village in South Tampa. “And while prices have dropped in South Tampa, values have held up well compared to many other markets.”

Engel & Völkers is seeing all types of buyer prospects, from first-time buyers to move-up buyers to people looking for a second home. First-time buyers are

Engel & Völkers provides Tampa Bay area home-buyers and sellers a unique combination of local, statewide and inter-natioal reach. locally, the real estate firm has offices in south Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg, along with offices around the state.

This coverage is a major advantage for buyers looking throughout the area and sellers who want wide exposure for their properties.

Also, Engel & Völkers offers a wide reach to other parts of the world, with 357 offices in 27 countries. In particular, the firm has extensive operations in such European countries as Great

motivated by a tax credit designed for people who have not owned a home in the past three years.

And the attractions of South Tampa remain in place – established neighborhoods with convenience to shopping and attractions, walkability, excellent public schools and the character of historic homes.

In recent months, demand in the South Tampa area has been increasing. Even as the market starts to come back, the E&V Realtors still get the same question again and again: “Have prices bottomed out?”

“I have the same answer every time I am asked that,” Winiarek said. “ People buying now might be missing the exact bottom, but the way we look at it, if you are buying close to the bottom, you are going to be making a good decision.”

Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Spain – key sources of buyers seeking Florida property.

For more information, see www.engelvoelkers.com, call us at our South Tampa office at 813-258-9000 or email us at tampahydepark@engelvoelkers.com.

Engel & Völkers: Reaching Tampa Bay and the world

- E & V Coverage

Steve Grum

# of closed sales onthe S. Tampa peninsula, including Davis Islands, and Harbour Island

87

70

97103Sales on the Rise

in South Tampa

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