A SOURCE FOR REAL ESTATE & TAMPA BAY INFORMATION

What does Florida's Seller's Property Disclosure have to reveal, and what does Johnson v. Davis require? Florida's Seller's Property Disclosure is the seller's written statement of known defects that materially affect a home's value — structural and roof issues, water intrusion and drainage, floodin

Should you take a cash offer over a financed offer on a Tampa Bay luxury home? Not automatically. Cash removes the two contingencies that most often kill a deal — financing and the lender's appraisal — and can close in as little as one to two weeks instead of the 30–45 days a mortgage usually needs.

How do you establish Florida domicile after buying a Tampa Bay home? Florida has no state income tax and no day-count residency test of its own, so establishing domicile is about proving you intend to make Florida your permanent home — and severing the ties that let your former state keep taxing you

How does a Florida wind mitigation inspection save a Tampa Bay luxury homeowner money on insurance? A licensed inspector completes a Uniform Mitigation Verification Inspection Form (OIR-B1-1802) — required by Florida Statute § 627.0629 — that documents seven hurricane-resilience features on a Tampa

What's a jumbo loan in Tampa Bay in 2026, and how is it different from a conforming mortgage? In Tampa Bay, any single-unit purchase that requires a mortgage above $832,750 is a jumbo loan in 2026 — that's the FHFA baseline conforming limit for Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and every Florida county

What should a Tampa Bay buyer negotiate in a luxury new construction contract? The four levers that matter most are the deposit and escrow structure, the allowance and change-order schedule, the warranty (with Florida's new statutory one-year backstop under F.S. §553.837 layered on top of the builde

What actually transfers when you buy a Tampa Bay home with a dock or boat slip? Riparian rights — the legal right to dock, fish, and access the water from your property — generally pass with the deed when you buy a Florida waterfront home. The dock structure itself, the seawall, and any boat slip ri

Should you waive the home inspection on a Tampa Bay luxury home? In most cases, no. The Tampa Bay market in 2026 no longer rewards waived inspections the way the 2021–2022 frenzy did, and the issues an inspection tends to surface on a $1.5M–$5M home — aging seawalls, insurance-disqualifying roofs, o

Once you go under contract, you’ll move through inspections, appraisal, title and lien review, loan approval, and a final walkthrough before closing — typically within 30 to 45 days in most financed transactions. You Accepted an Offer — Now What? The champagne moment is short-lived. You’ve reviewed

How Property Taxes Work for Luxury Buyers Relocating to Florida If you’re moving to Florida from a high-tax state — New York, New Jersey, California, Illinois, Connecticut — the tax math is probably a big part of why. No state income tax. No estate tax. And a property tax system built around protect

  Are waterfront homes or inland high-end properties in Tampa Bay likely to appreciate better in 2026? Waterfront homes often command higher premiums and scarcity-driven value, while inland high-end properties can deliver steadier, less volatile appreciation with lower insurance and carrying costs.

  Where should you buy in Tampa Bay in 2026—Downtown Tampa, Downtown St. Petersburg, or the suburbs—and how do you decide based on lifestyle, value, and timing? Tampa Bay’s 2026 buyer’s market favors well-prepared buyers: choose Downtown Tampa for job access and new towers, St. Petersburg for walkab

  Where can you find the best value in Tampa Bay’s high-end single-family homes—Pasco County or Hillsborough? Pasco offers newer builds, larger lots, and lower taxes per square foot, while Hillsborough delivers closer proximity to Tampa’s core, top schools, and established neighborhoods. Your best v

  Which custom luxury home builders in Tampa Bay are best for Odessa, Lutz, and Westchase—and how do you compare them confidently before you sign? If you want the “best” builder, choose the one whose portfolio matches your neighborhood, whose process is transparent (budget, allowances, change orders

Introduction Getting a high-end home ready to sell fast in Tampa takes more than just sweeping through the rooms and hoping for the best. Buyers looking at luxury homes expect more than basic charm. They want a home that looks fresh, feels comfortable, and makes moving in feel seamless. That’s why p

Which Tampa Bay neighborhoods are best for $750K–$1.5M move-up buyers when you compare South Tampa, Snell Isle, Westchase, Odessa, and similar areas? For $750K–$1.5M, South Tampa and Snell Isle often win on prestige and proximity, Westchase balances school logistics + commute + amenities, and Odessa

What do high-net-worth buyers need to know about the $5 million+ luxury market in Tampa Bay before 2026? High-net-worth buyers in Tampa Bay's $5 million+ luxury market should focus on emerging trends, investment opportunities, and the area's unique lifestyle offerings to make informed decisions by 2

Seller Strategy Should You Go “Private” When Selling? Why Most Tampa Bay Sellers Lose Money (and Exposure) “Private,” “exclusive,” or “off-MLS” listings can sound appealing if you want a quiet process. For a very small minority, they’re useful. For most sellers in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwat

Typical costs of selling a Tampa home include agent commissions, title fees, state transfer taxes, and potential repairs. Shane Vanderson helps you understand and plan for these expenses. 1. Real Estate Commissions In Tampa, seller-paid commissions are usually around 5–6% of the sale price, split be

Accepting a cash offer can speed up your Tampa home sale and reduce risk, but it may come at a lower price. Shane Vanderson helps evaluate when a cash offer makes sense for your goals. 1. Advantages of Cash Offers Faster closings, often 2–3 weeks Fewer contingencies Less risk of financing falling th