Tampa Category
A Hero in Life, A Hero in Death
Posted By Dave Tipton on September 20th, 2009
As an old law enforcement type, I felt obligated to go to a memorial service for a fallen U.S Air Force Security Officer from Mac Dill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
It was a very sad occasion when I learned more of the facts of this great and untimely death. It was a loss that greatly affected the officer’s family and friends, and it was a loss to all of the U.S. military forces, and as I learned, it was the first U.S Air Force Security Officer lost since Viet Nam.
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Six Excellent Reasons To Get An Appraisal
Posted By Rick Frissell on August 12th, 2009
Every year, countless people in the United States buy, sell or refinance their own slice of the American Dream. Most, if not all, of these transactions include a simple line item for an appraisal. It has become an understood and accepted part of a real estate transaction. “Let’s bring in the expert and make sure we’re not spending too much on this property.”
But is this the only reason to get an appraisal? Are there other times when the services of a certified, licensed, independent real estate professional might come in handy? You bet.
PURCHASE OF A HOME- One of the most important issues involved in purchasing a property is developing an opinion of what it’s worth so that you can make an informed offer to purchase. A professional appraisal report performed by a qualified, state-licensed appraiser can provide you with an objective, third party opinion of a property’s current Market Value. And for the small price of this service, you can give yourself “peace of mind” prior to making an offer to purchase that you’re offering a fair price for the property.
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Reflections of the Super Bowl Chauffeur
Posted By Rick Frissell on February 4th, 2009
If you were wondering, I was behind the wheel of the Lincoln Towncar for 57.5 hours over a span of 4 and a half days. The average time driving the client per day was 2 hours. The rest of the time is waiting.
The restrictions were greater than I thought they would be. You have to be 2 to 5 minutes within range of when you are called by the client. That gives them enough time to call down for their driver (me) and take the elevator to the lobby.
I had no surprises and if I had any disappointments it would only be that use of my lap top was more restricted than I thought it would be. WiFi was never available and so blogging as the day would pass was not realistic.
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Using social networking as a marketing tool to sell homes
Posted By Dave Tipton on February 2nd, 2009
Our friend and associate Lane Bailey of Diamond Dwellings Realty Lilburn, GA office (near Stone Mountain) was recently interviewed by the Atlanta Journal Constitution about his unique niche in the home market and his ability to market homes via the internet and social networking tools such as ActiveRain, Facebook, Twitter to name a few.
Lane also specializes in what he terms Garages with Homes Attached. In case you didn’t get it, Lane is a certified car nut, but all around good guy. In the area of web 2.0 and social networking, he is somewhat of a guru and has quite a following of others in the real estate industry who seek his thoughts and ideas.
The whole Diamond Dwellings Realty concept is built around the premise that in the “New Age” of real estate, internet marketing via what is termed web 2.0 platforms and the use of other 21st century tools such as using video and social networking is the wave of the future, but it’s being utilized today by various Diamond Dwellings offices.
To hear more about the concept and how Diamond Dwellings Realty- Florida can market your home our assist you in finding just the “right” home for you, please give us a call or send us an e-mail. Careful though, this isn’t your grand daddy’s real estate company. Don’t expect the huge brick and mortar office or our agents to drive a Mercedes Benz, just expect great service utilizing all of the marketing tricks we have learned thus far and great service. If you are in the real estate business, we offer an unprecedented opportunity for you to be cutting edge and to control your market area.
Dave Tipton, Broker- Diamond Dwellings Realty- Florida
About the Author: Dave Tipton is a Florida licensed real estate broker with Diamond Dwellings Realty- Florida. Dave’s office is in Brandon, Florida which serves eastern Hillborough County. Dave Tipton can be reached at dave@diamonddwellings.com or 813-653-1241.
If you are interested in a career in real estate or associating with Diamond Dwellings Realty, please contact Dave! All calls and inquiries will be held in the strictest confidence.
Super Bowl Chauffeur- Super Sunday update # 1
Posted By Rick Frissell on February 1st, 2009
I will be submitting as many posts as I can today, but it is shaping up to be a busy day for the Super Bowl Chauffeur.
Let me first begin by digressing. Yesterday was my second day as the driver for the wife of one of the owner’s for a NFL team.
So what is it like to be plugged in to a super rich person that has come to town for the Super Bowl? Well, it is just as if I were driving for any of you that read this if you were here on vacation. You may question that, but in my two days with this lady and her friends, I have seen nothing but down to earth people on vacation.
We went to the mall to buy a sweater because it was cooler in Tampa than expected. A birthday present for a friend was purchased while there. Friends going out to see the sites. Of all of the places that they could visit, Bush Gardens, Channel Side, Orlando mega monster mouse … they chose Lowry Park Zoo. And, they were impressed.
Now, for today. It is now 2:18 PM as I am writing at this moment. The build up during the week is now about to erupt into what we usually expect on Super Sunday.
Earlier this morning I was asked to “stage” at the NFL HQ hotel Marriott Waterside. The valet and hotel traffic managers who have been working hard and long have a noticeable increase in seriousness as everything begins to move. Fans are milling about and buses that will carry the coaches and support staff to the stadium are in place for their cargo to be loaded.
The police have been surprisingly patient and courteous. But security, which has been in the background, is now very visible. Dogs are sniffing … and not for a place for them to park their thoughts.
Downtown traffic is nearly non existent. I have spent two full days in downtown and the mob has been huge. This morning, you could hardly tell there was an event in town except for all of the Pittsburgh jerseys.
And to that point, I would bet (and I am being conservative) that for every obvious Arizona fan there are 100 Pittsburgh fans. And the bars are aware of it as well. Every food and beverage location I have seen have banners stretched across their building shouting “GO STEELERS!” I have yet to see a Cardinals banner.
So picture this. Pretend the Steelers were really the Redskins. Who would the other team mascot be? That mascot does not exist in the NFL. It would be Custer and his 198 soldiers.
I can almost imagine what it would be like, after seeing the Steeler fans in Tampa, for General Custer. The Cardinals are going to enter the stadium and they will look up as if they are in Little Big Horn. And surrounding them will be thousands and thousands of Steeler fans with their yellow/gold and black war paint all over their faces. Instead of tomahawks, their hands will be moving in a frenzy with Steeler towels.
Well, I won’t be able to see that. Chauffeurs stay out in the parking lot. But, good news! They are putting on a tail gate party for the chauffeurs during the first half of the game. Food, ice tea (alcohol would not be looked upon favorably for chauffeurs) and a giant screen TV. We were told that we would need to be back at our cars following the half time show.
I hope to have another post before the game. The balance of my posts will be via Twitter. I will get as many Twitpics out to you as time permits. You can follow me @RickFrissell
Until then, this is the Super Bowl Chauffeur driving you crazy!
Rick Frissell ~ 813-340-6828 cell
