All Forum Posts by: Eric Odum

@shane In an ideal world, there is a collaborative solution.  I, however, am past that. There is not a readily apparent practical collaborative solution to manage all of the variables and ever changing faces.  Even if I did have the time and resources, I am not convinced throwing more time and effort in to managing a collaborative solution would have  much effect. 

@Dawn Anastasi we have no such laws that I am aware of. Grocery stores are particularly rich targets.

Thanks for all the comments. I found a tech who has had some success in the neighborhood.  He is coming out to inspect the property next week and do an evaluation. I will come back to the thread in a few weeks and let you all know what happened.  

homelessness is a massive problem in Tampa.  There does not appear to be a silver bullet solution and everyone has fatigue in dealing with it.  Resources are the primary issue, or lack thereof....mostly human resources.  There are just not enough bodies to deal with it...not at the police, not at the shelter level, not in the community.  But, the issue is much more nuanced than just human resources. 

  The main issue is most have mental illness, alcohol and/or drug problems.  They don't want help and you can't incarcerate them all. There are too many here.   The police focus their attention on the ones committing violent crimes. At the end of the day, the  homeless help orgs try to deal with those who actually want help and that is where the resources are applied. I understand everyone's stress point. I would hope there is a solution for my center or at least a compromise, before going down a legal path. 

Dunkin is a contributing factor and they are on a food donation program.  But, they are not the only issue.  Both Dunkin manager and I have had conversations with some of the homeless.  The ones that hang out there are really not that interested in dealing with a shelter, which is why they sleep behind our building.    

Thanks for the comments everyone.  

@Ryan Dossey I have had trouble finding a creative security person in Tampa.  The ones I have spoken to have their packages and can't think outside of the box. 

We have a small retail strip in Tampa.  It has been a real challenge because of the homeless.  It is actually in a decent area, close to Carrollwood, but it is also close enough to suit case city that the homeless can just walk to the property.  It has become a favorite stopping point, b/c there is a Dunkin Donuts on a shared outparcel.  They dumpster dive at night and get donuts and bagels out of the bin, bring them over to our strip center and have a party.  You can imagine the mess left there every morning.  They also intimidate the hell out of the tenants, most of which are office workers.  

Human security is very expensive and the size of the property does not warrant the cost.   Alarm companies are not allowed (by regulation, apparently) to put alarms on the outside.

I am thinking about getting a motion detector and install an outdoor speaker myself, with noxious noise.  If they come underneath the over hang, the noxious noise will start playing.

 We have tried everything...from asking them nicely, to calling the police (the police won't even come out any more for the homeless calls) and leaving a barking dog in a vacant space at night where they like to hang out (they just move away from the dog and find another cozy spot).  

Does anyone have any suggestions?  It is killing occupancy in the center.   

I am assuming single family homes?  

In my opinion, you match the asset class to the manager. I see single family managers take on commercial and I cringe at how they handle the properties. I have never seen a commercial manager try to take on SFR's, but if they did, I would think the results would be equally bad. Multifamily +50 units is a specialty all on its own. There is a lot of overlap in the smaller multi's and single families, though.

Dearborn or ReCampus (same thing) are/were my favorites

Welcome to the site, Rodrigo.  What are your investing goals in Tampa?

Lots here on the site in the way of assistance. 

Xceligent, CoStar and the local CIE, (usually catalyst) are your other main listing services.  

Nothing better than dropping a letter or making a few calls, though.

The listing services tend to be picked over pretty well.  You have to be patient to the point of frustration with the services.  

oh...and it is probably best to PM me.  I am not sure mods on BP want to turn threads in to referral sources.  Thank you in advance.