Property TaxesProperty taxes are the various fees and taxes you have to pay in a given locality in the United States. Typically, taxes are split between your local municipal tax and state tax, which varies depending on where you're home is located. There are also specialty taxes to consider, which affect specialty areas that are zoned for various uses. If you're planning to purchase a property, reviewing the taxes you have to pay is an important consideration to ensure you can properly pay for your home without breaking the bank. In this blog post, we'll share the various property taxes involved within Hillsborough County and the state of Florida. Property Taxes in FloridaFlorida is well-known for its relatively good tax rates, especially when compared to other major coastal cities. The... 12/08/2020

I represent taxpayers in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota as well as throughout the state of Florida who have federal and state tax issues.Each and every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights they should be aware of when dealing with the IRS. Explore your rights and our obligations to protect them. The IRS grouped all of the rights taxpayers have under the law into the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Included in the list is the right to retain representation.Here’s what the right to retain representation means to taxpayers: Taxpayers have the right to retain an authorized representative of their choice to represent them in their dealings with the IRS. Taxpayers who are heading to an interview with the IRS may select someone to represent them. Taxpayers who retain representation don’t have... 11/11/2020

Why are Average Down Payments Shrinking When Buying a Home? Most of today’s first-time Tampa FL area home buyers are aware that they’re no longer tied to strictures laid down in previous eras—especially the one dealing with 20% down payments. For buyers with stellar credit histories, that’s horse-and-buggy material. Last year, the U.S. average down payment was just 12%—but for first-timers, that average dropped to 6%! Relaxing steeper down payment requirements makes sense for everyone. It expands the field of buyers, so sellers and lenders benefit. But most of all, for first-time homebuyers who would need many years to save up the cash required for a 20% down payment, the advantage of being able to buy sooner (and thus, to begin building equity sooner) couldn’t be clearer. And today, wi... 09/13/2020

Cost of Living in South Tampa, FLCost of LivingThe Cost of Living is the total amount of funds a family or individual has to spend to maintain a good quality of life in any given community in the United States. There are several factors affecting the cost of living in an area, including groceries, healthcare, housing, utilities, transportation, and many more. We've created a friendly guide for those considering a move into the area. If you're new to Tampa or are moving in from a nearby city, compare the various costs and your potential new employer to see if the move would be financially right for you and your family. If you need help finding the right home and would like to work with a realtor to find a good deal for you, our team would be glad to help. We've worked in the South Tampa ... 09/05/2020

Buyer Preferences Shift as COVID Changes Our Daily Lives After months of lockdown, many homebuyers are rethinking what they want in their next home. Although the pandemic will not continue forever, it will have some long-term effects on our lifestyles and how we feel about public gatherings. During the quarantine, many people’s homes became their office, gym, and restaurant. The changes we made to our lifestyles during this time have changed what we want out of our living spaces.    When restaurants closed, we were limited to our homes to indulge in some good food. Luckily, many local restaurants opted for takeout options, even 5-star restaurants like Del Friscos and Capital Grill. However, the ambiance of eating at your dining room table or in front of your TV just isn’t the same. When... 09/04/2020

A Look into Tampa's Growing Neighborhoods in 2020 In the past few years, we have watched the once sleepy bay area transform into a vibrant city with pockets of lively neighborhoods. A variety of creative restaurants and rooftop bars emerged as well as chic residential dwellings. A billion-dollar investment from Bill Gates attracted technology and consulting companies like ConnectWise and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. Multiple new Amazon facilities and the possibility of becoming the headquarters for Space Force is also sparking interest in the Tampa Bay Area. Many neighborhoods have been brought to life such as Channelside, Hyde Park, and the southernmost point at Tampa’s Marina Pointe Westshore! The sprawling city is still experiencing massive growth in areas outside of the downtown areas. E... 08/10/2020

 Which home buying option is best for you? Do you prefer the charm of a home with history or the idea of a bright and shiny untouched single-family home in a new community? One of the first decisions you will make as a homebuyer is whether new construction or resale home is for you and your family! Below we explore a few pros and cons of both options. Remember that you’ll want to hire an experienced real estate agent that has experience with both scenarios to help guide you in making an informed decision. The best part? Your real estate professional will be at no cost to you as a buyer. No cost, only benefits! New construction homes! If you are in the custom home building option, you will be able to customize and personalize your home and select different upgrades prior to your home bei... 07/31/2020

New Home Sales on the Rise Due to Pandemic New stats have come in via LinkedIn that shows an interesting real estate market trend. New home sales have jumped a whopping 55% since last year.   This is a HUGE increase! We are observing that more and more people are taking a preference towards less congested areas with their own living space. This is not only due to COVID and the lockdown, but many millennials have begun to settle down and have families. The mortgage rates also have increased buyer interest in homes of all types!   New construction homes are gaining more popularity as well for the following reasons:        There is limited inventory as many occupied resale homes have been pulled from the market due to Coronavirus. Sellers do not want showings in their homes while they are ... 07/24/2020

Tampa, FL Closing CostsClosing CostsClosing Costs are the various fees you have to pay when finalizing a real estate transaction. There are many costs involved at the end of your deal, and it's essential to understand what these are and the reason you're paying for them. If you're a home buyer and you're looking for ways to save on your purchase, negotiating some of these closing costs and having the seller pay them is a great way to reduce your overall payment. Our team can walk you through the various closing costs involved when buying a home in South Tampa. Check out our original blog post at https://yoursouthtampahome.com/. Closing Costs for Home Buyers Appraisal Fee (If Financing) Credit Report Fees Financing Fees (e.g., Loan Origination Fee) Home Inspection Fee (Generally Paid Bef... 07/21/2020

Palma Ceia Pines, South Tampa, Florida Neighborhood Information and Market ReportThe Palma Ceia Pines NeighborhoodPalma Ceia Pines is a highly developed urban neighborhood with a good mix of residential and commercial areas in the northern part of South Tampa, Florida. The community is bounded by Kennedy Boulevard, Henderson Boulevard, W Swann Avene, and S Armenia Avenue, with easy access to Downtown Tampa to the east and the Tampa International Airport and St Petersburg to the west. Homebuyers looking for a home that's moderately priced with easy access to the city center will find the area quite attractive.Real Estate in Palma Ceia Pines is a combination of single-family and multi-family residential developments. Apartments and condominiums provide affordable housing options with prop... 07/15/2020

Culbreath Bayou - Culbreath Heights, South Tampa, Florida Neighborhood Information and Market ReportThe Culbreath Bayou - Culbreath Heights NeighborhoodCulbreath Bayou and Culbreath Heights are a couple of luxury subdivisions in South Tampa, Florida. The neighborhood is a short drive away from the downtown district of Tampa as well as the city center of St Petersburg. Families who have members working in both areas will find this neighborhood quite convenient, providing easy access to both city centers. Residents enjoy easy access to everything they need, including schools, shopping malls, public parks, restaurants, and many more community amenities.Homes for Sale in both Culbreath Bayou and Culbreath Heights are beautiful single-family homes, which include some of the most beautiful lu... 07/14/2020

Hyde Park, South Tampa, Florida Neighborhood Information and Market ReportThe Hyde Park NeighborhoodHyde Park is a mixed-use urban neighborhood in the northeasternmost part of the South Tampa district of the city of Tampa, Florida. The community is directly south of the University of Tampa and is a bridge crossing away from Downtown Tampa. Residents enjoy easy access to all the attractions in the city center, as well as the world-class educational institutions in the area. If you're a busy professional looking for a home a short drive away, you'll love the excellent property options in the Hyde Park neighborhood.Real Estate in Hyde Park is quite diverse, providing lots of options for buyers considering a purchase in the neighborhood. For those looking for affordable home options or oppo... 07/14/2020

North Hyde Park, South Tampa, Florida Neighborhood Information and Market ReportThe North Hyde Park NeighborhoodNorth Hyde Park is a suburban neighborhood to the west of the University of Tampa bordered by the I-275 to the north, N Willow Avenue to the east, W Kennedy Boulevard to the south, and N Armenia Avenue to the west. The neighborhood is a convenient bedroom community perfect for busy professionals working in the city center or the nearby university. There are mostly single-family homes in North Hyde Park, which were developed in the early years of the city. If you're looking for a good deal and find an affordable starter home, you'll find this area quite attractive. For those looking for excellent real estate investment opportunities, there are lots of planned developments in th... 07/14/2020

New Suburb Beautiful, South Tampa, Florida Neighborhood Information and Market ReportThe New Suburb Beautiful NeighborhoodNew Suburb Beautiful, as the name implies, is a lovely suburban neighborhood in the northeastern portion of South Tampa, Florida. The community is bounded by Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway o the east, W Prospect Road to the south, S MacDill Avenue to the east, and W Morrison Avenue to the north. The suburb includes notable subdivisions such as Golfview and Parkland Estates. The area has easy access to the downtown district, which is a 10-minute drive from the neighborhood. Families looking for a new home close to the city center will find this community quite attractive.Homes for Sale in New Suburb Beautiful feature classic suburban designs, including ranch styl... 07/14/2020

Harbor Island, South Tampa, Florida Neighborhood Information and Market ReportThe Harbor Island NeighborhoodHarbour Island is a well-developed luxury island community south of the Downtown District of the city of Tampa, Florida. The suburb is directly east of Davis Islands and is connected to the mainland via two bridges. The island is a masterfully planned neighborhood known for its many beautiful residential developments. There are tons of condominium buildings, apartment complexes, townhouses, and luxury homes, spread throughout Harbour Island. The district serves as one of the best bedroom communities for the downtown area of the city and is an excellent place for buyers looking for a new home close to the primary business centers of Tampa.Homebuyers considering a purchase in Harbou... 07/14/2020

Gray Gables, South Tampa, Florida Neighborhood Information and Market ReportThe Gray Gables NeighborhoodGray Gables is a suburban neighborhood in the northern part of South Tampa, Florida. The community is bounded by W Kennedy Boulevard to the north, Henderson Boulevard to the east, W Azeele Street to the south, and S Himes Avenue to the north. The location of the subdivision provides residents easy access to the downtown district and is conveniently located ten minutes away from the University of Tampa. Students and staff working at the university will find this community quite attractive.The relatively small size of the subdivision means that the number of homes in the area is quite limited. The excellent quality of the houses and a relatively reasonable price also makes the demand fo... 07/14/2020

Golf View, South Tampa, Florida Neighborhood Information and Market ReportThe Golf View NeighborhoodGolfview is a masterfully designed golf community in the central portion of South Tampa, Florida. The neighborhood is centered around the Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, which serves as the primary highlight and selling point of the subdivision. Residents enjoy world-class amenities and fantastic golf facilities. There are ample attractions available to residents in the suburb, including various shopping, dining, and commercial options. If you're a golfer and enjoy regularly playing games, you'll surely love the championship golf course designed by architect Bobby Weed.Golfview homes are luxury homes featuring beautiful custom designs, exquisite architecture, and spacious floor layouts.... 07/14/2020

Gandy-Sun Bay South, South Tampa, Florida Neighborhood Information and Market ReportThe Gandy-Sun Bay South NeighborhoodGandy and Sun Bay South occupy a vast area in the southern district of the city of Tampa, Florida. The well-developed neighborhood incorporates lots of suburban neighborhoods, public community spaces, and various commercial developments. There's a good mix of different developments in the area, making it quite convenient for residents living in the region. The suburb also has easy access to MacDill Air Force Base, St Petersburg, and Downtown Tampa, making it an excellent place for buyers who have members that work in both locations.Since it occupies a large land area, you can expect a highly diversified selection of residential real estate available to buyers looking a... 07/14/2020

Fair Oaks, South Tampa, Florida Neighborhood Information and Market ReportThe Fair Oaks NeighborhoodFair Oaks is a well-developed neighborhood with residential and commercial areas in the central portion of South Tampa, Florida. The suburb features lots of shopping centers, chain stores, department stores, restaurants, and many more local businesses, making it one of the most convenient neighborhoods in the district. Being centrally located, the community is an ideal option for families who have members that work in Downtown Tampa as well as the nearby city of St Petersburg.Real Estate in Fair Oaks is quite diverse, offering both multi-family developments such as apartment complexes and suburban areas with lovely single-family homes. Apartments tend to come in studio-type to two-bedroom... 07/14/2020

Davis Island, South Tampa, Florida Neighborhood Information and Market ReportThe Davis Island NeighborhoodDavis Island is a beautiful island connected to the mainland through a couple of bridges directly south of the Downtown District of Tampa, Florida. Although primarily residential, there are some notable establishments on the island, including the Peter O Knight Airport and the Tampa General Hospital campus. There are a few low-density multi-family developments in the neighborhood, providing relatively affordable property options in Davis Island. These units start at around the mid $500,000 price point and come in one to two-bedroom layouts. Although relatively small, these residences provide the benefit of being located in the highly sought after community of Davis Island. The typic... 07/14/2020