Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles. Odessa/Lutz/Land O' Lakes. Vol. 10. Issue 10. October 2019 by Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Magazine

Vol. 10, Issue 10, October 2019

Your community. Your magazine. ™

The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 20,000 Homes In Odessa, Lutz & Land O’ Lakes Areas This Independent Community News, Business & Dining Guide Is Directly Mailed Once Each Month To:

Ashley Lakes, Ballantrae, Belle Meade, Calusa Trace, Canterbury, Cheval, Citrus Greens, Concord Station, Devonwood, Dolce Vita on Lake Keystone, Echo Lake, Farmington Village, Fern Glenn, Grey Hawk at Lake Polo, Heritage Harbor, Ivy Lake Estates, Keystone Groves, Keystone Manors, Keystone Reserve, Keystone Shores, Lake Charles, Lake Church, Lake Parker Estates, Lakeside Grove Estates, Northlake Village, Northbridge at Lake Pretty, Northton Groves, Oakstead, Orange Blossom Creek, Reflections, Steeple Chase, Starkey Ranch, Stillwater, Stonegate, Suncoast Crossings, Suncoast Meadows, Swan Cove, Van Dyke Estates, Van Dyke Farms, Villa Rosa, Wyndham Lakes

Doctors Herscovici and Linberg Provide Patients Relief at The Center for Bone and Joint Disease By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Accidents happen. You don’t expect to slip, trip, and sprain or break a bone, causing an orthopedic injury, but if you do, Dr. Christopher Linberg, Dr. Dolfi Herscovici and The Center for Bone and Joint Disease, will be there consult on your post-injury treatment and care. Dr. Dolfi Herscovici provides patient care for injuries,

problems, and diseases of the foot and ankle. “These can range from the simple care of bunions, hammertoes or painful feet to those who present with more complex problems such as diabetics, patients with severe arthritis, fractures and dislocations of the foot and ankle, those with congenital abnormalities, including polio, cerebral palsy and clubfeet, patients presenting

with disabilities as a result of tendon, ligament or nerve problems, infections involving the foot and ankle, or those who have developed problems as a result of prior injuries to the foot or ankle,” Dr. Herscovici explained. His training and experience in the care of trauma

Flooring Master Makes the 2019 Inc. 5000 List! On August 22, 2019, the noted small business publication, Inc. magazine, unveiled its annual list of the fastest growing private companies in the United States. Flooring Master, a young Land O’ Lakes home renovation and construction company, founded in Tampa in 2004 by Camilo Mejio, was named to this year’s prestigious list for the very first time. Companies on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S. are considered the

patients and those with posttraumatic complications allow him not only to care for patients who have sustained a recent injury but also to treat

See “CBJD” on page 32

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From The Editor......................5 Tech Talk with Bob..............6-7 Ehrlich Animal Hospital....10-11 Trinity Family Physicians.....14-15 Healthcare Associates of Pasco County - Dr. Machhar......18-19 Angela Thomas and Dee Strom........................24-25

most competitive within their spotlight on each of the industries, and in their partic- most successful companies in ular markets. The list casts a unique See “Flooring Masters” on page 28

2 OCTOBER 2019

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

OCTOBER 2019 3

4 OCTOBER 2019

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

Boos, Breasts & Bolts October is all about Halloween, fall leaves, candy, hockey, and breast cancer awareness. This month we raise awareness by taking a stand against breast cancer by walking, donating, and simply repping pink. So every day of this month, we should show our stand against cancer by remembering a few important points: About 1 in every 8 women will develop breast cancer. That is a whole 12.4% of all women. Breast cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer among women. Breast cancer can be significantly reduced if spotted early on, usually in your early to mid-twenties. Awareness can save a life. Check your own boobies for lumps and irregularities. Not sure how or where to start? Visit www. nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-self-exam The color pink was officially adopted by the American Cancer Society as a color for Breast Cancer Awareness. The National Football League, or the NFL has also become a sponsor of the American Cancer Society by wearing pink socks, bands, and some teams have even donned pink shoes. Wear pink, for your grandmother, mother, daughter, future daughter, niece, friend, yourself. Remember this cancer can also affect men, so wear pink for everyone. Please check out the Making Strides of Tampa Race/Walking Event on Saturday, October 19th at the Raymond James Stadium. The event will be Presented by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. Every year, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events unite communities with a shared determination to save lives from breast cancer - all while raising money to help the American Cancer Society fight breast cancer through

research and early detection. Every event is an inspiring opportunity to honor breast cancer survivors and to ensure that no one with this disease ever has to walk alone. Join or donate to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer today and help save more lives. For more information about this and other Breast Cancer Awareness events please visit www.eventbrite.com. With plenty of breast cancer awareness events, amazing fall festivals, Halloween parties, hockey games, and pre-holiday celebrations across the city, you’ll have plenty of fun choices for you and your loved ones this October. For us Lightning fans, it’s been a painful offseason as we’ve had plenty of time to relive the disastrous and heartbreaking first-round sweep in last year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs. But, hopefully, this year will be our year! The bolts will take on the Florida Panthers on Thursday, October 3 in Tampa to open up the regular season, and I am ready to support our team… are you? Obsessed with Halloween? Ditto. Have you purchased your Howl-O-Scream tickets yet? Time is ticking. Howl-O-Scream 2019 celebrates “20 years of fear” as it unearths longburied icons of the past and new nightmares with sinister surprises at every turn. Brave souls can venture though horrifying houses, terrifying scare zones, and thrilling rollercoaster rides in the dark for 22 select nights. Run for your life from September 20th until November 2 as gruesome ghouls emerge from their tombs to twist your daydreams into nightmares. If you’re looking for something you can enjoy with your little ones, consider Tampa Bay’s No. 1 Family Fright Fest events; “Creatures of the Night,” recording weekly on Friday and Saturday until 10/26 at the Lowry Park Zoo. Enjoy and be safe!

Carla Selby.

Tech Talk with Bob: SSD’s...The Gift of Speed!

By Bob Dalles

When computers first came out, we were all amazed by the cool things they could do. Over the years, computers could do more and more. Today we are not amazed as much as what tasks computers can do but how quickly they can do them. Typically, what has been done in the past is to speed the computer up by replacing its central processing unit (CPU) with a faster one and/or adding more random access memory (RAM). Those methods are still used today. But now we have another option to speed up our computers… the solid-state drive (SSD).

6 OCTOBER 2019

Your programs and data are stored on the computer’s HDD which is comprised of mechanical parts and electronics. A SSD is comprised of only electronics so it is not subject to the physical constraints of having mechanical parts. The HDD has spinning platters that hold your data and a read/write head that transfers data back and forth to the platters (similar to a record player’s platter and tone arm). The HDD’s moving mechanical parts make the HDD’s response time slower than a SSD. Which in turn makes your waiting time for a program to boot up or a file to load considerably longer. A computer with a SSD will serve

up those files and programs much faster. I always get asked, “how fast?” I hate to put myself on the spot because everyone will experience different results. I will tell you this. My computer boots up four times faster with a SSD than it did with a HDD. Everyone that I know who upgraded from a HDD to a SSD were amazed with the performance increase and were

happy they decided to upgrade. In addition to being fast, SSDs are lighter than HDDs because SSDs do not have the HDD’s mechanical parts. Instead, SSDs use microchips similar to the well-known flash drive. No moving parts also means that SSDs do not generate any noise or vibrations that the HDD’s spinning platters are known to produce. SSDs also create less heat where HDDs can get very hot. Another benefit is SSDs are durable. The HDD is one of, if not, the most fragile component in your computer. HDDs are susceptible to damage caused by the computer being dropped or banged around when it is moved. SSDs can tolerate a

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

greater impact; a real benefit to laptop users. SSDs also consume less energy. Another major benefit for laptop users because battery life will increase. How much? My battery life doubled on my laptop. Again, your results may vary. If you are looking to increase your loading speeds or want more battery time between charges, this is one of those rare times when you can have the best of both worlds. Be advised that SSDs cost more than HDDs but most people have found them to be a worth-while investment in their computing experience. Be Safer Out There! Never enter confidential information into any web site

until you know the web site and your computer system is safe. If you are not sure your system is safe, please have it looked over by a Professionally Certified Computer Technician. If you need a certified professional, call us now at 727-534-4000. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been helping folks restore their peace of mind, and sanity, with their technology for decades. Have a tech question? Email it to TechTalk-TBNL@ BobTheComputerGuy.NET. Questions will be selected by the popularity of a topic and answered in this column. If you have a more urgent need or have a unique situation you may schedule an appointment with one of my Professionally Certified Technicians by calling 727-534-4000.

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

OCTOBER 2019 7

8 OCTOBER 2019

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

OCTOBER 2019 9

Ehrlich Animal Hospital & Arthritis Therapy Center Provides State of the Art Arthritis Treatment for Pets By Deborah Bostock-Kelley At Ehrlich Animal Hospital & Arthritis Therapy Center, a canine companion suffering from the pain of arthritis, joint and weight issues now has safe treatment options that could give him a better quality of life. Founded by Dr. Farid Saleh and Dr. Langbenh, for over 25 years, the Center has been the place for pet owners to find comfort and resolution for their pet’s health issues. Offering the latest technologies to help a pet rehabilitate and regain mobility, the Center features a state-ofthe-art underwater treadmill for hydrotherapy. The hydrotherapy unit is surrounded by glass to make a tank. Water is added to support the body and create a low impact exercise environment by reducing the effect of gravity on decreasing weight-bearing up to 50%. This decreases pressure on the dog’s joints and muscles and is safe for unstable animals. It t is an ideal therapy for dogs that are suffering from joint disease, recovering from an injury, experiencing a neurologic issue, suffering from arthritis, or healing from surgery. Overweight pets or dogs that are in training for sporting events will find the water treadmill is good for their muscles and ligaments. “Dogs with arthritis will

10 OCTOBER 2019

experience with hydrotherapy since it takes the pressure of the joints and keeps the muscles toned and allows the pet to exercise. Just like people, if you don’t move, you get stiffer, and other problems arise. Hydrotherapy is very beneficial.” Along with Dr. Saleh, Shelise Lientz, certified in animal rehabilitation, will evaluate the dog to determine the best course of treatment. The 16-session, 8-week hydrotherapy rehab works not only for arthritis. Pets suffering from obesity can come for therapy so they can exercise and lose weight without harmful impact on their joints during the 20-minute sessions. “If a dog is developing or has arthritis and it doesn’t exercise, it gains weight, and the weight puts more stress on the joints. By doing hydrotherapy, you help the joints, they get exercise and have the chance to lose weight.” Dr. Saleh relayed a story about a dog who’d had multiple knee surgeries. He was unable to find relief from arthritis that was so severe that he continually lifted his hind leg. After regular hydrotherapy treatments in combination with K-laser therapy, the dog was able to put weight on his foot. The noninvasive K-laser treatment works on the cellular level and targets affected areas to improve blood flow, decrease pain,

and reduce inflammation. The procedure can be done in-house on the same day with the owner in the room. “You can see now that his leg touches the treadmill, which before it was totally off the treadmill.” In addition to hydrotherapy and laser therapy to provide relief to sore pets, Ehrlich Animal Hospital & Arthritis Therapy Center offers the same treatments used for humans – stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma therapy, joint injections, and nutritional supplements. Platelet-rich plasma therapy is derived from the pet’s own blood. The doctor removes blood from the pet, separates the platelet-rich plasma, activates it, and injects it back into the sore joint. For stem cell therapy, through a minor surgical procedure, the doctor harvests the stem cells from the pet’s own fat, processes and combines them with the plateletrich plasma. This gets injected into the arthritic joint, and some also get the anti-inflammatory treatment intravenously. “Stem cell therapy and platelet therapy is most beneficial when used early in the condition,” explained Dr. Saleh. “Many times pets come to us at an older age where they’ve been dealing with these issues for a while, and though the treatments can still be effective, they are much more

effective if we are dealing with a dog who is eight years of age versus a dog who is 12 years of age. Seeing a pet at earlier times result in better outcomes. If it is investigated early, than the treatment can be much more successful.” Nutritional supplements include prescription oral and injectable glucosamine. The doctor or staff can teach the pet owner how to do injections if they are interested. Dr. Saleh said that a combination of modalities works best with the water treadmill. He has seen the firsthand positive response to platelet-rich plasma and stem cell therapies. These therapies offer a safe and natural

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

cell alternative to relieve the pain of joint disease or injury, promote healing, and reduce recovery time using your dog’s blood and tissue. Results may be seen as soon as one week. Proactively, for a medium to

large breed prone to arthritis, pet parents can bank their dog’s stem cells for future therapy needs. They simply make an annual payment for storage. Stem cells are not only helpful for arthritic conditions but can be beneficial

in many diseases. Stem cells can be collected from a younger dog during a spay or neutering procedure and then be saved for injection in the future when the need arises. “We can collect the fat cells and store them. When the dog needs the cells in the future, they can be used immediately instead of having to anesthetize an unhealthy pet to collect the stem cells.” Although arthritis has a genetic component, measures can be taken to minimize the effect of arthritis. That includes keeping the pet at an optimum weight, regular exercise, and avoiding table food. Dr. Saleh recommends that pet parents pay close attention to early symptoms like a dog that is slow to rise or lay down, not being able to walk as far as he used to, appearing slower after exercise or showing signs of tenderness. Many times this is misinterpreted that the dog experiencing normal aging. “Most pets will not vocalize during the early stages of pain,

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

and that is what most owners are looking for. Owners will say, ‘My pet doesn’t cry out so it must not be in pain,’” said Dr. Saleh. “Typically with arthritic conditions, it’s not one treatment alone that makes the difference; it’s usually a combination of multiple therapies, based on the pet because like people, every pet is different.” Ehrlich Animal Hospital and Arthritis Therapy Center is located at 8009 Gunn Highway Tampa, FL 33626. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 813-920-0566 or email ehvet@ ehrlichanimalhospital.com. You also can get more information from their webpage www. ehrlichanimalhospital. com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ EhrlichAnimalHospital.

OCTOBER 2019 11

12 OCTOBER 2019

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

OCTOBER 2019 13

Patients Benefit From Married Doctors’ Calling to Create Practice By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Serving Trinity and its surrounding areas for twelve years, the husband and wife team of experienced boardcertified family physicians, Dr. Stephanie Eldridge and Dr. Amir Shirmohammad (Dr. Shirmo) opened Trinity Family Physicians to provide personalized care for their patients – from age 8 to 108. As private practice owners and not another corporate-owned medical entity, Trinity Family Physicians treats their new and established patients like family. In fact, it’s in their motto “Let Our Family Care for Yours.” That difference is huge, especially for anyone who has struggled to have five minutes of a doctor’s time before he darts off to the next patient. These caring doctors have no problem

14 OCTOBER 2019

spending quality time to listen to patients. “Our biggest advantage is our bedside manner and how we truly care about our patients. We are notorious for taking time with our patients. That’s one of the things that people love about us,” explained Dr. Shirmo. “When they come here, they know that they are going to get excellent care. If we can’t handle your situation, we’ll find the right person that can for you. Patients at our practice feel like they are heard and are not just a number.” Not only are patients not a number at Trinity Family Physicians, but they will soon be expanding their service hours to accommodate often busy schedules. Patients will be able to see the doctors as early as 8:00 am and as late as 5:15 pm. Dr. Shirmo recommends calling early for the extended hour

Dr. Amir Shirmohammad “Dr.Shirmo” and Dr. Stephanie Eldridge of Trinity Family Physicians appointments, as those time slots tend to fill the fastest. For those unable to make

the drive to the practice, Drs. Eldridge and Shirmo conveniently provide superior

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

care to established patients via their new state-of-the-art televisit service. Current patients can download an app and connect face-to-face with the doctors via a computer or smart device. If insurance doesn’t cover televisits, the practice is offering a discounted rate of $39 for the next 60 days. “We try to understand the obstacles patients face and we try to address those,” said Dr. Shirmo. “As the owners of the practice, if things make sense and changes need to be made for the betterment of the community and our patients, we are motivated and excited to help. It doesn’t take an act of congress to get it done.” The doctors are proud that they handpick all of their staff – from the front desk receptionist that greets their patients coming and leaving, to the nurse that takes them to the examination room, to the providers overseeing their wellness and care. “If we wouldn’t trust them

with our own family – our kids, we certainly wouldn’t trust them with your patients’ family, kids, and grandparents.” Sometimes, even if children have had their annual physical covered by insurance earlier in the year, sports participation in the new school year requires an additional sports physical for completion of a sports participation form. Without insurance covering a second physical, the cost can often be more than a parent wants to pay. To help reduce the expense, parents can schedule their child’s sports physical with the practice for the reduced price of $25, now through September 31st. Please call the office for details. When not busy taking care of patients in their office, the doctors also support their community through participation with local charities. “One thing that patients want is to make sure that doctor caring for them has their best interests in mind. Whether it’s

Dr. Eldridge, myself or our staff, we always genuinely have the patients’ best interest in mind. We want to do what’s right for them. That’s first and foremost. We’re committed to our patients and our community. When patients make the switch from their doctor to us, they come to understand that and wish they had changed a long time ago,” Dr. Shirmo paused. “We don’t just clock in and clock out. This isn’t a job for us. This is a calling.”

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

Trinity Family Physicians is located at the corner of Trinity Blvd. and Duck Slough Blvd. at 1817 Cypress Brook Dr., Suite 101 in Trinity. Hours are Mon. – Fri., 8:30 a.m.– 5:00 p.m. Starting October 1, hours will be MonThurs 8:00-6:00 p.m., Friday 8:00-5:00 p.m. For more information, call (727) 8348377 or visit their Facebook page or website at www. trinityfamilyphysicians.com.

OCTOBER 2019 15

16 OCTOBER 2019

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

OCTOBER 2019 17

Patient Focused Care by Physician Who Has Earned Humana’s Highest Ranking Dr. Prakash Machhar, MD and Healthcare Associates of Pasco County ranked #1 Physicians’ Practice in Quality Care by Humana in the state of Florida By: Kelly Stuart Williams, MA When was the last time you visited your doctor’s office and actually met with your MD: not their triage nurse or physician’s assistant? If Humana is your insurance provider and you live in Pasco County, you have likely seen Healthcare Associates of Pasco County in New Port Richey where Dr. Prakash Machhar, MD has practiced medicine for over 20 years. His is the only practice in Pasco County to receive MULTIPLE 5 STAR RATINGS BY HUMANA IN THE LAST 4 YEARS! From over 75 reviews on www.Healthgrades.com, a patient recently wrote, “Dr. Machhar always takes the time to explain procedures and answer any questions you might have in full. The office staff is very professional and helpful. Dr. Machhar is very caring and I’m glad to have found a doctor who is willing to take time with his patients.” In their own words, patients’ testimonials are consistent with third party reviewer, www.health. usnews.com, a research firm that assessed Dr. Machhar with the highest ranking: EXCELLENT. According to US News, “When choosing a provider, it can be helpful to review other patients’ experiences. [We] publish patient experience ratings from Fountain Analytics, which aggregates patient reviews from over a hundred sites to compile information about 10 different patient experience metrics.” Dr. Machhar’s ratings are based on 74 patient reviews in the past 12 months. His EXCELLENT rating was measured according to the following criteria: Ability to Answer Questions, Clarity of Instructions, Providers’ Follow-Up, Amount of Time with Patient, and Provider’s Attitude. He received a “Very Positive” rating for Thoroughness of Examination. Aligned with the US News assessment, a patient wrote, “Dr

18 OCTOBER 2019

Machhar.is very caring, takes time to listen to you, he keeps you well informed about your meds, labs, etc., and has very caring and knowledgeable staff. He will answer any of your questions at any time. I am so grateful he is my doctor.” At Healthcare Associates of Pasco County, Dr. Prakash Machhar, MD and his team are not only recipients of Humana’s 5 Star Award of Excellence, but they are involved members of the Greater Pasco community where they specialize in Internal Medicine, Primary Care, and Geriatric Care. Located at 6811 State Road 54 in New Port Richey, Dr. Machhar, a Board Certified Internist, is also affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Medical Center of Trinity and Morton Plant North Bay Hospital. “It really gives one peace-of-mind to know that Dr. Machhar will oversee hospital care if necessary.” Dr. Machhar explained that his practice focuses on preventing the need for hospital care whenever possible, so he provides critical care in his New Port Richey office, “What is most important to my patients is that they are able to see me on an emergency basis…I see them right away when necessary.” A trained team of professionals staff the office and make every effort to schedule patients when they need to be seen by the doctor immediately. A focus on going above and beyond with his patients is part of the reason that Humana has recognized Dr. Machhar and Healthcare Associates of Pasco County as the #1 Ranked Physicians’ Practice in Quality Care by Humana in the state of Florida. In an article published by Cleveland Clinic, one of the nation’s top health providers explained the importance of having a relationship with their physician, “A family physician can be the right answer for most healthcare situations. Medical emergencies are an exception. An

Dr. Prakash Machhar, MD of Healthcare Associates of Pasco County emergency is a valid reason to visit the emergency room — but far too many Americans use the ER or urgent care as their primary source of care. It’s one reason among many we spend more as a country on healthcare than anyone else, yet still rank far from the top in health outcomes.” Dr. Machhar focuses on creating relationships and producing good outcomes with his patients whose needs range from preventative care to urgent care. If you are covered by a qualified Humana health insurance plan, you have access to state of the art care at Healthcare Associates of Pasco County where Dr. Machhar has been an exclusive Humana Health Care Provider for over 20 years. By partnering with one

specific insurance provider, Dr. Machhar is able to spend less time on paper work and more time with his patients. As well, Dr. Machhar is very familiar with other Humana physicians to whom he can refer and follow-up with his patients. Patients Jim and Diane Rizzo wrote, “My husband and I have been going to Dr. Machhar for approximately seven (7) years, and we couldn’t be happier. He takes the time to get to know you and doesn’t do any service he thinks is unnecessary and will refer to other medical professionals when needed.” Together with his wife Paresha and team of caring staff at Healthcare Associates of Pasco County, Dr. Macchar continues

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

to focus on providing quality care with established patients, and he continues to accept new patients. Both new and existing patients report receiving dependable, reliable care that is hard to find. Dr. Machhar offers same-day appointments, and patients like knowing that the doctor on call is the one who knows them personally and will treat them himself.

To inquire about becoming a patient of Dr. Machhar at Healthcare Associates of Pasco County, call 727-815-1550. For more information on becoming insured by Humana, call 1-800-457-4708, and reference Healthcare Associates of Pasco County #125287. Join Dr. Machharâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s practice to receive the time and care from a physician who will treat you personally and thoroughly.

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

OCTOBER 2019 19

20 OCTOBER 2019

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

OCTOBER 2019 21

22 OCTOBER 2019

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

OCTOBER 2019 23

GOOD TO KNOW! • 52.6% of homes under contract in less than 30 days. • Home prices continue to increase, but at a slower rate. • Real estate prices typically increase for a period of 6-8 years. We are one month away from the end of year 8 in the expansion side of the market. • Interest rates have dropped near historic lows. • Refinancing may make sense for some homeowners. 24 OCTOBER 2019

BE IN THE KNOW

Summer is winding down, but as is customary in Florida, the heat of the season isn’t letting up! That’s exactly what we are finding in the current real estate climate as well. There is great news to be had in the marketplace for active sellers, homeowners, investors and buyers alike. As school gets back into full swing for students, a lesson or two in what is happening in the current market metrics is both useful and practical for general knowledge and edification.

Home Sales Continue At A Fast Pace

As we have grown accustomed to in the Tampa Bay area, we continue to outpace the average of 90 days for homes to sell. With over 50% of homes on the market going to contract in less than 30 days, and nearly 70% of homes under contract in less than 60 days, new homes to the market continue to go under contract at a blazing fast pace. At a time in our seasonal market cycle when we typically anticipate the market to slow, we have actually accelerated. More homes sold in July this year versus last year and went to contract in a shorter period of time. Additionally, contract formations in the month of July have increased over the month of June – a leading indicator that the market is still sizzling hot. Sellers that price their homes correctly and have them in good condition should expect to reap the benefit of a short time to secure a buyer and should sell at around 97% of the list price.

Home Appreciation Continues in A Positive Direction

As the famous fable of the Turtle and the Hare so masterfully demonstrates, hasty gains are not always the best recipe for long term success. As in many areas of life, this lesson holds true for home appreciation as well. Long term, sustainable home value growth has long been measured at 3.5% in year over year appreciation. A departure from that value, be it positive or negative, has been what has defined For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

the continuous rise and fall of our real estate values. While modest, sustainable gains are not as exciting as the double digit increases in our recent past, they are highly attractive as they indicate that our home values will not lead us off the proverbial cliff as they did in 2006-2007. I am happy to report that while the annualized 4 year average home appreciation in the Tampa Bay area is at 7.5%, our most recent 6 month average is at 2.69%. When looking at July’s numbers in a year over year analysis, home appreciation is at 4%. While we continue to have a very low inventory of homes on the market, we expect this to put upward pressure on home prices.

Interest Rates Have Improved

In recent months interest rates have dropped! According to Faxon Bissett with First Security Mortgage, mortgage interest rates are currently around 3.5% for a 30 year conventional loan. Buyers looking for the best rates may want to also consider looking at a 15 year note with rates starting at 2.99%. This is a positive drop since the recent past has seen interest rates at over 5%. While this number seems quite shocking to younger buyers, others will remember a time when rates were much higher. Lenders are seeing an increase in mortgage refinances as homeowners are able to enjoy lower payments. For homeowners that are able to sustain their payments, refinancing to a shorter term can be a wise option and long term wealth builder. For all parties – buyers, sellers, and homeowners not on the market - these lower rates have far reaching benefits to all vested or thinking about becoming vested in the real estate marketplace.

Tampa Ranks Well Compared to the US

While Florida’s beautiful beaches, sunny days and mild winters have always had a knack for drawing in new residents, the numbers have been escalating recently thanks to a few other factors. Tampa’s economic growth and ability to attract businesses brings a steady stream of relocation buyers in from other states, while changes to the U.S. Tax Code have brought others from around the country seeking relief from taxes. Median prices for homes in the Tampa area have risen to $250,000 as compared to the national median sales price of $284,000 according to FloridaRealtors.org. Our affordability is another reason to make the Tampa Bay area home. These factors combined with the very attractive home values make for a compelling reason for others to take a hard look at Tampa when considering a move.

GOOD QUESTION!

Q: Is it a good time to buy? A: Yes it is! Tampa markets are incredibly affordable and interest rates are nearly the lowest they have been in several years Q: Is it a good time to sell? A: Yes it is! Home values are nearing the peak of the expansion side of the market. (See Fast Facts) Q: Is it a good time to hold my property? A: Yes it is! Real estate held for the long term is always a beneficial asset for wealth building. Q: Is this a good time to flip a home? A: No it’s not. Unless you are a professional investor, market data tell us this is not a good time to buy and sell within a short period of time. Costs of selling more than likely will outweigh any profit made and the number of distressed properties on the market is very low.

KNOW THIS!

Recently homeowners have received a TRIM (Truth in Millage) notice for any Florida properties owned. This TRIM notice will show the Property Appraiser’s opinion of your property’s value as of January 1st 2018 and 2019 along with your Homestead Exemption, Save Our Homes and Portability benefits, if you qualify and have applied for them. These tax benefits are easy to overlook. Have you applied for all of the tax benefits applicable to you? If you have any question about this, or would like help to secure these benefits, Angela and Dee are able to help! Call us to ensure these important matters are in right order on your home.

Thinking of Making A Move? Call Dee and Angela for more information Dee Strom 813-525-7851 | Angela Thomas 813-468-3724

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

OCTOBER 2019 25

26 OCTOBER 2019

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

OCTOBER 2019 27

“Flooring Master” Story continued from page 1 dynamic business segment: Independent small business. While companies on the list have arrived at their spectacular success by following different paths, what the Inc. 5000 business owners all share is persistence, and the ability to identify and seize opportunity when it presents itself. Founder Camilo Mejio and Flooring Master’s coowner, Willie Sanchez - who joined the Florida company in 2009 as managing partner - have built Flooring Master from the ground up in just 15 years. Flooring Master currently has showrooms in four locations: Tampa, Orlando, Lutz and Apopka. The flooring company maintains

28 OCTOBER 2019

a five-star Home Services Review rating in the home renovation business, and has built its stellar reputation in each of these four locations through selection, service, and savings on popular flooring products. From its beginning in 2004, Camilo Mejio was dedicated to making his company the first choice for flooring products in the Tampa Bay Area, and later, in the firm’s Northwest and Central Florida locations. He and his partner have since committed themselves to ensuring that Flooring Master becomes Floridians’ first choice whenever building or renovating a home or business. Without a doubt, future expansion is in the cards. By exceeding customer expectations and

an emphasis on personalized service, professional and timely project management, expert installation, and a wide selection of quality, attractive and durable flooring products in stock, Flooring Master is well on its way to achieving that goal.

The company’s first five years established its reputation for excellence. But the company really took off in 2009 when Willie Sanchez joined Flooring Master as co-owner and managing partner. A record of spectacular growth has seen Flooring

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

Master showrooms opened in Orlando, Lutz, and Apopka in just the last decade. As evidence of rapid company growth, Flooring Master is currently ranked on the 2019 Inc. 5000 List as being #265 in the state of Florida, #171 among honorees in the Construction field, and #71 in the Tampa Metro area. An award-winning company in its field, Flooring Master is highly respected in the industry. Flooring Master orders its stock from North American manufacturers, and imports specialty flooring from various manufacturers around the world. Currently, Flooring Master has over 100,000 square feet of flooring in stock, and is a big supplier of wood trim items such as baseboards in a number of styles. Flooring Master’s selection is unmatched. Beautiful product choices cover every type of material you might consider a possibility for your home or business flooring design, including a wide variety of carpet, ceramic tile, vinyl, hardwood, and laminate, plus specialty products such as

slate or bamboo, and accents like glass and iridescent tile. Major flooring manufacturers that Flooring Master stocks include over 28 such notable and familiar names as Mohawk, Congoleum, Quick Step, Shaw Floors, Bella Cera, Mirage, Glatzio, US Floors, American Guild, Nuvelle, Parkay Floors, Emerson Tile, Karndeen Design Flooring, and many more. The Flooring Master customer experience, however, is what truly sets the company apart from any other. With Flooring Master, a skilled design associate will actually come to your home or business, by appointment, to work with you on-site in order to suggest and design the perfect flooring solution - one that’s guaranteed to inspire you, and garner compliments from friends, associates and customers. FlooringMaster design experts are knowledgeable about the features and benefits, or possible drawbacks of the various types of flooring when utilized in your particular situation and space, always recommending flooring that

is most appropriate to your needs. They can create spectacular designs for you, utilizing various flooring materials, and always follow up with customers, post-installation, to answer any questions and demonstrate how to properly care for the flooring installed. Referrals from happy customers have benefitted the company in each of its locations. Flooring Master’s pledge to its customers is to achieve complete customer satisfaction before, during and after installation. It is a pledge that has spurred the company’s rapid growth, and has landed FlooringMaster a spot on this year’s Inc. magazine’s 5000 list of the fastest growing companies the nation. The full 2019 Inc. 5000 List includes individual

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

company profiles and an introduction to the owners, plus an interactive database capable of sorting companies by industry and region, as well as other criteria. It can be viewed at www.inc.com/inc5000, then search “sanmejio” (the corporation name for FlooringMaster). Flooring Master is located at 21105 Leonard Rd., Lutz, FL 33558. Hours of operation are Mon-Fri: 7:30am to 5:00pm and Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm. CLOSED Sundays. For more information, or to schedule your appointment today, call 813-713-1066, or visit their website at www.FlooringMaster.com OCTOBER 2019 29

30 OCTOBER 2019

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

OCTOBER 2019 31

“CBJD” Story continued from page 1 patients who have failed to heal properly. This also includes those who have developed infections or arthritis due to their injuries along with patients who have developed deformities as a result of their accidents. “I hope that by providing treatment not often available, I may help to improve the quality of care patients receive when they present with their orthopedic problems.” A graduate of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri, Dr. Herscovici was selected for a one-year rotating internship at Detroit Osteopathic Hospital, through the Michigan State University program. Upon completion, he entered a four-year orthopedic residency at Mt. Clemens General Hospital in Michigan. Toward the end of his residency, he spent two months at

32 OCTOBER 2019

the Harborview Trauma Center, in Seattle, Washington, and was then selected for a six –month trauma and trauma reconstruction AOfellowship, in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Upon his return, he was then accepted and completed a one-year trauma fellowship at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. After completion of this one-year trauma fellowship, Dr. Herscovici relocated to Tampa and joined the practice. A general orthopedist and board-certified orthopedic surgeon in the practice, Dr. Linberg focuses on sports medicine and minimally invasive options for shoulder and knee problems. A graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, he attended the University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine where he trained in orthopedic surgery. He completed his surgical training at Wayne State

University and Mayo Clinic. He was on active duty for nine years and was the Chief of Orthopedics, Surgical Services Chief at MacDill AFB and then joined The Center for Bone and Joints Disease. “On MacDill Air Force Base is where I got interested in minimally invasive surgical options, particularly for the large number of activeduty individuals that we used to take care of there. The idea was to try to maximize their return to function. Knee and shoulder are the most common problems and we try to get them back to their full duty as soon as we can.

Dr. Christopher Linberg Using the minimally invasive techniques became very useful.” Dr. Linberg first became interested in this field when as a child, he had shoulder surgery and saw the dedication his team had in taking care of him.

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

college. This kept me with a good crowd of people and I don’t think I’d be here today without the work ethic I learned from those activities,” he said. Founded in 1972, the fullservice orthopedic practice with four Florida locations employs state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge techniques like ultrasoundguided injections, platelet-rich plasma, stem cell therapy, and radiofrequency ablation to help with pain and to aid in your recovery. Dr. Linberg said the most important a patient should ask a physician upon his first visit is

Dr. Dolfi Herscovici “I think it drastically improved the quality of my life and I don’t think I’d be here today if it wasn’t for the folks that took care of me and allowed me to continue to play sports from high school through

how the treatment will impact his daily life. “Here, instead of treating the x-ray or MRI, I like to treat the individual patients. I like to figure out what their goals are, what they like to do and consider the wide variety of treatment options for various conditions. That way I can tailor the treatment to their actual goals and usually try with least invasive options first.” These treatment methods include physical therapy, injections with anti-inflammatory medication or biologic medications. “Frequently patients exercising, or certain physical therapy approaches, can give a lot of pain relief. When we need to do surgery, we do it as a last resort.” The doctors recommend staying active and not sedentary, walking and exercising, keeping weight at a reasonable range and following a healthy lifestyle like avoiding cigarettes, cigars, and

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

e-cigarettes are key elements to keep your joints moving and you mobile. Should an injury require orthopedic treatment, Dr. Herscovici and Dr. Linberg will do everything in their power to help you recover and get back to your life. “Seeing a joint-replacement patient being able to walk without a cane or a walker is a thing that makes you smile,” said Dr. Linberg. “It’s wonderful when patients say thank you for helping them – it’s such a huge impact on people’s lives just being able to leave the house and be active again.” The Center for Bone and Joint Disease Lutz office is located at 16506 Pointe Village Dr., Suite 109, in Lutz. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. To learn more call (727) 605-3808 or visit www.centerforboneandjoint.com.

OCTOBER 2019 33

34 OCTOBER 2019

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

OCTOBER 2019 35

For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

OCTOBER 2019 36