Best Places to Buy a Beach House in Tampa Bay

The beaches. The weather. The amenities. Nothing says beach life like Tampa Bay. Along with being named one of the best places to live in the US (thank you Money magazine), the beaches of the Tampa area are among some of the finest in the country. So, if you're looking to buy that dream beach home, here are some of Tampa's most pristine beach spots.

 

St. Pete Beach

Set on a barrier island west of St. Petersburg, St. Pete Beach is known for its beach life. With the 1928 Don CeSar Hotel looming over the shore, the beach town sets itself apart with the Gulf of Mexico's alluring turquoise water and soft white sand. Home to historical museums and nature preserves filled with seabirds and turtles, St.…

1275 Views, 0 Comments

Luxury Living In Florida: Best Places to Live

Long recognized as one of the best places to live in the country, the Tampa area is home to some of Florida's grandest luxury neighborhoods. If you want it, Tampa has it. Waterfront oases. The beach life and metropolitan living. Family-friendly. Arts. Culture. To help give you a peek at Tampa’s luxury offerings, here’s a snapshot of some of the area’s most sought-after luxury neighborhoods.

 

Bayshore Beautiful

With its perfect blend of urban/suburban living, Bayshore Beautiful is one of Tampa’s most appealing luxury areas. The neighborhood, built in the early 1920s, features an eclectic mix of  Spanish-style and airplane-style bungalows, Tudor, and traditional homes—many of which feature exteriors…

1063 Views, 0 Comments

How to Price Your Home to Sell In Tampa

It's all about the price. One of the most important factors in selling your home is price. Is it marked at the right value? How does it compare to homes in your neighborhood? Other neighborhoods? Or should it be based on an online search?

As you can see, there is more to it than just putting a figure on a piece of paper. The right price gives your home its cache. It attracts buyers. It enables you to get the best possible return on your investment. And it goes a long way to how fast it moves on the market.

So, how do you get started? The best piece of advice is to do your homework. And while that sounds simple, the strategy involves taking a deep dive into all of the factors mentioned above.

The best…

492 Views, 0 Comments

Top Most Expensive Places to Live in Tampa Bay: Cities & Neighborhoods

The livability. The amenities. The exclusivity. The allure. There are a number of reasons why Zillow named the Tampa Bay area one of the country's hottest real estate markets. For starters, Tampa area home values are on pace to grow 24.6% this year—10% higher than any other area.

When it comes to luxury, Tampa continues to place itself in the conversation alongside other statewide spots like Miami and Orlando. And while there was a time when this growth, wealth, and exclusivity may have been a secret, those days are changing. 

Defined by its vaunted restaurant and shopping meccas, nightlife and art scenes, and cultural and sports attractions, the Tampa Bay area is one of…

518 Views, 0 Comments

$12.5M WATERFRONT HOME HITS THE MARKET

Villa LoVullo" is a one-of-a-kind waterfront home for sale in the exclusive Tierra Verde community of St. Petersburg, FL for $12.5M. Located at 1523 Oceanview Drive, this estate has six bedrooms, each complete with private bathrooms and balconies overlooking the stunning Gulf of Mexico.

Built by the nationally acclaimed Windstar Homes, the 9,463-square-foot home sits on an acre of well-conserved land, which is nearly impossible to find in the greater Tampa Bay area. The Tierra Verde community is one of the most exclusive in the region and home to Fort DeSoto Park, which has award-winning beaches and miles of pedestrian and kayaking trails for adventurous outdoor activities.

The estate's interior is designed…

387 Views, 0 Comments

Save Money on Your Taxes by Buying Your Home by the End of The Year

Most property owners are familiar with Florida’s Homestead Exemption, but do you know how it can help reduce your taxes?

Now that we have your attention, here's a snapshot of the benefits for Tampa homeowners—and why they matter to you.

If you own residential property (or are thinking about it), you are eligible for the Florida Homestead Exemption—a property tax break that can reduce the taxable value on your primary home by as much as $50,000. That's approximately $750 per year in savings.

When you purchase a home, Florida state law requires your property value to reset to the current market value. So when you file for a homestead exemption, you are protected from the value…

637 Views, 0 Comments

Historic Home in Old Pasadena Hits The Market

  “The Spanish Castle” built by the acclaimed Samuel Schooley Is for sale

Built by the renowned builder Samuel Schooley in the 1920s, "The Spanish Castle" sits on nearly a full acre of land in the quaint Old Pasadena, just east of downtown St. Petersburg. The home has maintained many elements of the original 1920's architecture with premium updates to suit the modern lifestyle. Located at 7003 Park Street South, this home is a rare find with lush tropical landscaping and spacious property that is rarely available so close to the stunning St. Petersburg beaches and its vibrant urban core. The home is listed for sale at $3.326 million.

"This a home that harkens back to Florida's tropical beauty of the…

577 Views, 0 Comments

Living in South Tampa: Is it the Right Move for You?

The arts. The history. The restaurants and shopping. The nightlife. The beaches. The schools and neighborhoods. If you're looking to stack the plusses onto your "why move to South Tampa" to-do list, there are many options.

South Tampa continues to be one of the country's most desirable places to live, work, and play—defined by an eclectic choice of neighborhoods, recreational opportunities, and entertainment options for every taste.

One of the biggest appeals of South Tampa is its proximity to the water, where you will get the taste of beach life and the look and feel of a down-home historic district. Depending on what you are looking for, homeowners can choose from luxury waterfront…

384 Views, 0 Comments

 

Smith Listings, Agents and Sales in the News

  • Mansion Global: For U.S. Home Sellers, the Days of ‘Putting a Sign in the Yard and Getting 10 Offers’ Is Over

  • The US Business Report: The Top 50 Business Leaders of Tampa for 2022

  • New York Post: Derek Jeter’s Florida mansion that Tom Brady rented to be demolished

  • Tampa Bay Times: Demolition planned for Derek Jeter’s former $22.5 M Tampa mansion

  • WFLA: Derek Jeter’s $22M Tampa Bay mansion to be demolished

  • Fox 13: Davis Islands home once owned by Derek Jeter, rented by Tom Brady could be demolished

  • Luxury Portfolio: LuxeSelect September 2022: Curated homes starting at $3 million

  • Tampa Bay 100: Altura Bayshore Opens Newly Expanded Sales…

401 Views, 0 Comments

Your primary residence. A vacation home. An investment property. When it comes to investments, real estate continues to be one of the more relatively safe bets. On the luxury side, investors typically focus on exclusive, unique, eclectic properties or sit in ideal locations (think beachfront properties like homes, condos, or townhomes).

Put another way: Luxury properties are not all about the price. Investing in a luxury property means buying a property that offers unique and exclusive amenities—for example, location, location, location (you knew we were going to go there). Luxury homes in the Tampa area typically are near the water and have access to activities such as high-end shopping, dining, the arts, and outdoor enthusiast areas. Being in close…

787 Views, 0 Comments