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Guides, market insights, and news for Tampa Bay home buyers and sellers.

Assumable Loans
BuyingSelling
Assuming a Seller's Mortgage in Tampa BayHomes where a qualified buyer can take over the seller's mortgage, often at a lower rate than a new loan today.Oct 28, 2026
A home buyer's guide booklet on a desk with a set of house keys and a home buyer's checklist
Buying
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
A house with an American flag on the porch
BuyingPCS to MacDillVA loans
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
Couple comparing mortgage quotes at a kitchen table
BuyingSelling
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
Waterset amenities, a master-planned community in Apollo Beach, Florida
Buying
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
Calendar with March 1st circled for the homestead exemption filing deadline
Buying
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
Couple reviewing a home budget on a laptop at their kitchen table
Buying
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