Resources
Guides, market insights, and news for Tampa Bay home buyers and sellers.
Home Buyer's Guide: Buying Your First Home in Tampa BayWhat you need for a down payment, which assistance programs Tampa Bay buyers qualify for, and every step from the first lender call to the day you change the locks.Oct 21, 2026
Would You Buy Your Rental Again Today?The same Tampa Bay house that cost $1,453 a month in 2021 costs a new buyer $2,880 today. If you own a rental at the old rate, that gap is what you'd be giving up. Four questions to work through before you decide.Oct 14, 2026
Three Ways to Sell Your House Fast in Tampa BayThree ways to sell quickly in Tampa Bay, what each one takes in days, and what each one costs you in price. The fastest option is real, and so is the discount.Oct 7, 2026
Tampa Bay Housing Market Update: Week of September 27, 2026Mortgage rates jumped to 7.28% while Tampa Bay's 30-day median sale price held at $390,000, about 2% above a year ago.Oct 5, 2026
Using Your VA Loan in Tampa BayA VA loan needs no down payment and carries no mortgage insurance. The one-time funding fee is what replaces them, and whether you pay it depends on your down payment and your disability rating.Sep 30, 2026
Tampa Bay Mortgage Rates Rise After the September Fed MeetingThe Fed raised rates in September and mortgage rates followed. For Tampa Bay buyers that means a bigger payment and less competition. For sellers it means a smaller pool.Sep 23, 2026
Tampa Bay Housing Market Update: Week of September 13, 2026Tampa Bay sale prices held flat year over year in mid-September as listings grew, while 30-year mortgage rates jumped to 6.95%.Sep 21, 2026
CDD Fees in Tampa Bay, and How to Check Before You BuyA CDD fee can add a few hundred dollars a month to a home that looks affordable on paper. It sits on the tax bill rather than the HOA bill, and you can check any address in a few minutes.Sep 16, 2026
Florida Homestead Exemption and Save Our Homes: How to FileIf the home you just bought is your permanent residence, two things cut your property tax bill: the homestead exemption, and the cap on how fast your assessment can rise. Here's how to claim both.Sep 9, 2026
Pricing Your Home From Recent SalesYour home is worth what a buyer will pay for it today, and recent sales nearby are the best evidence of that. Here's how to read them, and where sellers go wrong.Sep 2, 2026
How Much House Can I Afford in Tampa Bay?A lender may approve you for more than you want to spend. Here's how to find a price that fits your life, with Tampa Bay insurance, flood, and CDD costs built in.Aug 26, 2026