First-Time Home Buying in Tampa Bay What to Know

Published On: March 3, 2023|Categories: Blog|Tags: First Time Home Buyers, Tampa Bay home Buying|

Are you thinking about buying your first home in Tampa Bay? If so, congratulations! Buying a home is a big step, but it can also be a little overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to do your research and know what you’re getting into. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what you need to know about first-time home buying in Tampa Bay.

Get Your Finances in Order

Before you start looking for a home, it’s important to get your finances in order. This means figuring out how much you can afford to spend on a home, getting pre-approved for a mortgage, and saving up for a down payment. The more you can save for a down payment, the better. A larger down payment can help you get a better interest rate and lower monthly payments.

Hire a Real Estate Agent

A real estate agent can be a valuable resource for first-time home buyers. An agent can help you find homes that fit your needs and budget, negotiate on your behalf, and guide you through the home-buying process. They can also help you understand the local real estate market and answer any questions you may have.

Do Your Research

Before you start looking at homes, it’s important to do your research. This means figuring out what you’re looking for in a home, what the different neighborhoods in Tampa Bay have to offer, and what you can expect to pay for a home in each neighborhood. You should also research the local real estate market to see what homes have recently sold for and what the average home prices are.

Inspect the Home

Once you’ve found a home that you’re interested in, it’s important to have it inspected. A home inspection will tell you if there are any major issues with the home, such as a leaky roof or a faulty foundation. An inspection can also give you peace of mind and help you make an informed decision about whether to buy the home.

Buying your first home in Tampa Bay can be an exciting and overwhelming experience, but with the right information and preparation, you can make it a successful one. Just remember to get your finances in order, hire a real estate agent, do your research, and inspect the home before you buy.

Under contract-accepting backup offers. This 3 bedroom 2 bath home plus loft is located in the sought after Forest Hills area. The home is in a quiet neighborhood and offers an easy walk to Lake Magdalene Elementary School and thriving Roy Haynes county park. Being sold by the original owner, this home has been very well-maintained with many updates throughout. You will enjoy natural light and plenty of windows and a large yard featuring mature landscaping. Relax on the ample pavered patio. The downstairs is all tile and the fireplace is the centerpiece of the cozy living room, also downstairs is the master bedroom with a large walk-in closet are easily accessible. The open loft offers excellent flex space. This is a superb location minutes from neighborhood hub Babe Zaharias Golf Course. Also minutes from Carrollwood dining and shops, Dale Mabry, I-275 and much more. No HOA and no CDD!

$379,900 Pending

12410 N Oakleaf Avenue Tampa, Florida

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,319 SqFt 0.22 Acres

Under contract-accepting backup offers. This 3 bed, 2 full bath home is located on a large 72x118 homesite with a 1 car garage, covered & screened lanai, and a large fenced back yard with a pool. Some of the many updates include: Roof 2021, Impact resistant windows 2021, A/C 2019, Water heater 2018, Dishwasher 2022, Microwave 2024, Washer/Dryer 2023, Exterior paint 2022, updated kitchen, renovated bathrooms, and more. The spacious living room has a vaulted ceiling and sliding glass doors leading to the covered and screened lanai. The living room leads to the kitchen and formal dining room with a faux fireplace. The kitchen has lots of cabinets and countertop space, backsplash, island with breakfast bar, pantry, and a window that lets in lots of natural light. The primary suite has room for a king size bed, a walk-in closet, and an attached bath that has been nicely updated. The secondary bedrooms are spacious and the 2nd bedroom has a bay window and French doors. There is a coat closet in the foyer for additional storage and the washer & dryer is located in the garage with additional shelving above. Relax after a long day or enjoy grilling on your deck that overlooks the outdoor oasis with solar lights attached to the fence, a large 24’ round above ground pool, fenced yard, and 3 sheds that will stay. The driveway is wide enough to fit 2 rows of cars & there is a pet fence for when the garage door is open. NO CDD fee & the VOLUNTARY HOA is only $25/year which includes a playground, tennis, basketball, and more. Conveniently located near restaurants, grocery stores, gyms, shops, malls, airport, theaters, the Veterans Expressway, and so much more!

$409,900 Pending

4928 Hi Vista Circle Tampa, Florida

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,328 SqFt 0.2 Acres

Under contract-accepting backup offers. Well-maintained 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath END-UNIT townhome w/ detached 1 CAR GARAGE & almost 1,700 square feet of living space available now in Lake Ellen Walk. This home is MOVE-IN READY featuring Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring throughout the main level, gently used carpet upstairs & several UPDATES including WINDOW BLINDS, CEILING FANS, LIGHT FIXTURES & more! The living room/ dining room combo space is open and spacious, great for entertaining. The kitchen is complete w/ ALL STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, GRANITE counters, GLASS TILE BACK SPLASH, a 9" DEEP SINK, breakfast bar, CLOSET PANTRY & the LAUNDRY CLOSET. The PRIMARY SUITE is located on the 1st LEVEL featuring a massive WALK-IN CLOSET, DOUBLE SINK vanity w/ GRANITE counters, updated sinks/mirrors/light and access to the SCREENED PATIO. The OVER-SIZED secondary BEDROOMS are located on the 2nd level, both with vaulted ceilings. Bedroom 2 has a WALK-IN CLOSET
& additional space that is perfect for an office or sitting area. The 3rd bedroom has a spacious closet & sliders leading out to the PRIVATE BALCONY. The 2nd full bathroom is located on the second level as well, boasting a DOUBLE SINK vanity w/ GRANITE counters and updated sinks, mirrors & toilet. A half bathroom is conveniently located on the first level also w/ updated sink, mirror & light. Take a short stroll to the COMMUNITY POOL area to cool off, relax in the HOT TUB, grill your favorite foods on the provided GAS GRILLS or release some stress in the community FITNESS CENTER. This PRIME LOCATION keeps you in the heart of the city with easy access to I-275, the Veterans Expressway, Tampa airport, plenty of shopping, restaurants & great schools.

$315,000 Pending

3416 Waterbridge Drive Tampa, Florida

3 Beds 3 Baths 1,690 SqFt 0.04 Acres

Under contract-accepting backup offers. Located in a gated community on one of the most desirable homesites in Inlet Shore. Perfectly situated with the best and most expansive views of the water!!! Enjoy the incredible views from inside or from one of your 3 outdoor spaces. This stunning townhome has a highly sought-after floor plan and is loaded with upgrades both before and after construction…the attention to detail is impeccable! Some of the many features include a private elevator, a huge rooftop deck with a custom outdoor kitchen, a first floor bedroom suite, smart home light switches, 2 smart thermostats, custom built-in shelving, porcelain tile floors & engineered wood flooring, double pane impact resistant windows, gas tankless water heater, and so much more!! Enjoy cooking & entertaining in your gourmet kitchen located on the 2nd floor that boasts a large center island, quartz counters, large undermount single basin sink with air switch for the disposal, built-in soap pump, hidden sponge tray, soft close doors & drawers with custom pull-outs, trash & recycling drawer, under cabinet lighting, custom backsplash, Bosch stainless steel appliances, and more! The kitchen has a large walk-in pantry and overlooks the spacious living & dining areas with stunning views of the water and access to the balcony. There is a powder bath on the 2nd floor for convenience. The bedrooms are located on the 3rd floor and the primary bedroom suite has plenty of room for a king size bed, space for additional furniture, and a walk-in closet with custom built-in shelving. The attached bath has a large vanity with dual undermount sinks, quartz countertop, frameless glass enclosed shower with a built-in niche, linen closet, and a separate water closet. Down the hall are the spacious secondary bedrooms, a full bathroom, linen closet, and laundry room with custom shelving for lots of additional storage space. The 4th floor has an interior storage closet making entertainment a breeze on the rooftop deck that has incredible sunset views! The rooftop features a custom outdoor kitchen equipped with a Sonoma natural gas grill, built-in sink, Zephyr outdoor refrigerator, built-in 55" Samsung TV in a weather resistant cabinet, plenty of room for outdoor furniture, and more! The 1st floor bonus area has a large closet and can be used as a guest suite, game/media room, fitness area…the options are endless! There is a full bathroom on the 1st floor with a walk-in shower and the 4th bedroom has views of the water and a covered lanai. Head over to the community firepit nearby, enjoy the scenic sidewalk along the water, or relax at the community pool with cabanas, lounge chairs, grill, and more! This gated community is nestled within the Westshore Marina District with restaurants, retail shops, market/grocery store, and more coming soon!

$1,399,000 Pending

5351 Bridge Street 31 Tampa, Florida

4 Beds 4 Baths 3,190 SqFt 0.04 Acres

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