Half the fun of moving to Tampa is finding all of the unique and interesting restaurants available. If you are moving from one of the northern states, chances are, you will welcome the opportunity for a little dining “al fresco”! It’s no secret, Tampa summers are HOT and HUMID, so finding a “cool” spot for outdoor dining gets a bit tricky!

One of my favorite places to eat, Chez Bryce, a little French Bistro on Davis Islands, in South Tampa, has made some changes to make the patio dining experience “tres magnifique”!

I have written about Chez Bryce many times, but it just keeps getting better. Bryce has just added “mister fans” all around the patio dining area! I love them…a cool breeze is always flowing, despite the heat and humidity!

Then,there is the guitar player… strumming sweet melodies every night! This is as good as it gets!

Summer specials are also very popular! Tuesdays are busy with a “Moules Frites” special…the popular french dish of Mussels with French Fries, along with a glass of the house wine is just $15.00. The mussels are delicately prepared in a white wine, butter, garlic and herb sauce. And the “frites”…well…you haven’t tasted anything quite like them, since your last trip to France!

Wednesdays you can feast on Bryce’s “Mediterranean Grill”, or join him for lunch for “Dejeuner a Deux”…a daily lunch special for two at under $16.00!

Try some of my personal favorites: Cod Beignets, Clams with Chorizo, Roasted Pork and anything with Duck Confit! I have a favorite table, too, but, please… don’t sit there…chances are I am on my way for lunch, or dinner!

You can read more about Chez Bryce in my previous article.

Want to learn more about life on Davis Islands, or the homes available on Davis Islands?

It is a “Buyer’s Market” in Tampa, with plenty of inventory of homes to choose from! I can help with your move to any Tampa neighborhood, including: South Tampa, Harbour Island, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Channelside, Culbreath Isles, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunter’s Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate…contact me!

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We are in “Hurricane Season” in Florida. Though Tampa has not been hit by a MAJOR storm in many years, we still need to prepare when a storm heads into the Gulf of Mexico.

One of the first questions every Homebuyer asks me, when they are moving to Tampa, is “Do I Need Flood Insurance?” The answer: YES. While a mortgage company may only REQUIRE a homeowner to carry flood insurance in certain flood zones, , here are some facts every homeowner should know. Just a glimpse of flooded Bayshore Boulevard, where my office is located, tells the story…

1.One in Four flood claims, are in a “low -moderate” risk zone! Chances are good that nearly 25% of those homeowners did not have flood insurance because it was not REQUIRED by their lenders.

2. A car can be swept away by just 2 feet of water!

3. Flash floods occur in all 50 states! Look at the tragedy of the flooding in Iowa and other midwestern states recently. Many of them had no insurance because the risk of flooding was very low.

4. Homeowner’s Insurance generally will not cover “rising water”. That coverage requires a separate “flood insurance” policy.

5. You must add “contents coverage” to a flood insurance policy, if you want your belongings to be covered.

6. Premiums in “low-risk” areas are very reasonable, but damage from a flood is costly…do you want to take that chance?

7. It takes 30 days for insurance to take effect, so do not wait until a storm is coming to call your insurance agent.

For more infomation on Flood Insurance, visit FloodSmart.gov.

If you enjoyed this article, you may want to read my series on Hurricane Preparedness:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

If you are buying a condominium, most of your insurance on the building is generally covered under your Monthly Maintenance Fees.

For information on the Tampa Real Estate Market, or any neighborhood in Tampa, please call me at 813.629.5757 or send me an email!

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You can read more about it in an article from the National Association of Realtors.

Enjoy some of my other articles about Waterfront Homes and Gated Communities in Tampa:

Harbour Island…A Gated Community in Tampa

Tampa Waterfront Home Buyers Have Many Choices

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It is a “Buyer’s Market” in Tampa, with plenty of inventory of homes to choose from! I can help with your move to any Tampa neighborhood, including: South Tampa, Harbour Island, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Channelside, Culbreath Isles, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunter’s Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate…contact me!

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Many Americans find themselves dreaming of living outside the United States someday. Increasing numbers of Americans are choosing to live in foreign countries, with “quality of life”, as one of the most influential factors in their decision-making process about where to live.

The latest rankings, from Business Week magazine, show the Best Places to live in the World.

1. Zurich, Switzerland

2. Vienna, Austria and Geneva, Switzerland(tie)

4.Vancouver, Canada

5. Auckland, New Zealand

6. Dusseldorf, Germany

7. Munich, Germany and Frankfurt, Germany (tie)

9. Bern, Switzerland

10. Sydney, Australia

Clearly, the Swiss and the Germans know a thing, or two, about creating a fabulous place to live! I lived close to Bern, so I can attest to the “sweet” life in Switzerland! I have been to all, but 3, of these places. If I could only select one of these amazing cities to live in, it would be a very difficult choice.

How about the U.S. rankings? The highest ranking city was Honolulu, Hawaii, which came in at number 28.

The lowest ranking city in the world? No surprise…Baghdad!

If you are dreaming of a life “off shore” someday, or just looking for a home in the Tampa Real Estate Market, contact me. As a Certified International Property Specialist, I can help you with the ideal property, anywhere in the world!

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When you are buying a home in the Tampa Real Estate market, or anywhere in the World, you should ALWAYS get a Home Inspection done to check for any structural or mechanical defects in the home you are buying.

Very often, buyers are trying to save money by having a “friend” who claims to be a contractor do the inspection. BAD IDEA. Home Inspectors are certified through ASHI, a professional association of Home Inspectors. They have specialized training, standards to uphold and checklists they can follow, eliminating the likelihood that they might “miss” something. While no inspector is perfect, the more training the inspector has, the more thorough he is likely to be in examining the home for any possible defects, especially those not visible to the untrained eye.

Occasionally, you will need to hire additional inspectors, depending on the home. A waterfront home generally will require a seawall inspection, or a dock inspection. Property in a rural area may warrant a septic inspection or well inspection.

Wood-burning fireplaces should really be inspected for any loose mortar, or creosote build-up. I recommend a local chimney sweep for those inspections. A fellow blogger, St. Louis Real Estate Voice, posted an excellent article about Fireplace inspections. The photo alone will scare you!

Radon inspections are common in many areas East of Tampa and that requires a cannister to be placed in the home for several days, then collected, and tested, for the presence of Radon Gas.

While the cost of inspections is not inexpensive, the cost of NOT uncovering a problem until after you are the homeowner can be HUGE. Ask your Real Estate Professional for the best inspectors, not the cheapest ones!

I can help with your move to any Tampa neighborhood, or Real Estate Listings in the Tampa area, including: South Tampa, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Culbreath Isles, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunter’s Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate…contact me!

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I have relocated many military families to Tampa in the past 14 years, and they always ask about the “best neighborhood” to live in. The answer? It depends. Families with children are often on a budget and need a combination of larger homes, good school districts and reasonable prices. Most families don’t want to commute more than 30–40 minutes to get to MacDill AFB, so that narrows their focus to Westchase, New Tampa or the Brandon, Valrico, Riverview areas.

For those with smaller families, singles, or couples, they may want to live close to the base in South Tampa. Housing prices are higher, but offer many options with condos, townhomes and single-family homes in historic neighborhoods. Living in South Tampa keeps them close to the base, as well as downtown Tampa, and just minutes to the airport, and the neighborhoods include some of the top-rated schools in the U.S.

Check on the “Tampa Neighborhoods” section on right sidebar on The Real Estate Sizzle, or you can search for any category in the search box on the right, for more information on the Tampa Real Estate Market.

You can read some of my previous articles on Tampa Neighborhoods:

Palma Ceia…the “Plant High School” neighborhood

Hyde Park..a historic neighborhood in the Tampa Real Estate Market 

If you are taking an assignment at MacDill AFB, or searching for Tampa Real Estate, I can help with your move to any Tampa neighborhood, including: South Tampa, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Culbreath Isles, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunter’s Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate…contact me!

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Many Americans would tell you that things in the U.S. seem pretty “miserable” these days.  Gas Prices are up, along with the price of anything that needs to be “transported”, including groceries. Home Prices are down, and there is plenty of talk that the stock market is about to “tank” any minute. I know, the home sellers in Tampa are feeling pretty miserable. Yes, everyone is feeling a financial “pinch”.  But, is this the worst that we have seen in our lifetime? NO

It’s time for a “reality check”!  The graphic below, from the Wall Street Journal details the “misery index” for the past 38 years, divided by various Presidential Administrations. What is the “Misery Index”? It is the sum of the unemployment and consumer price inflation rates! It makes perfect sense: Job Loss + High Prices = Misery. When I read this on Saturday, I knew that I had to talk to my readers about it. I have a Psych degree and I love statistics. You can argue any point with me, as long as you have facts to back up your opinion. But, opinion without fact is fiction.  You see, so many of us have no historical knowledge of what has “REALLY’ happened during our lifetime. So, here it is in Black and White.

When was the U.S. at the height of the “Misery Index”? 1981.  During the Carter Administration. The Inflation rate was over 20%. Mortgage rates were in the “teens”. Ironically, the dollar was strong.  I studied in Europe that year and lived like a queen for a mere pittance!

When was unemployment at an all time high? 1983. The early Reagan years. It was over 10% for the only time in those 38 years. Since then, statistics show, we have become increasingly “less miserable”.

When was the U.S. the “least miserable”?

Two years ago, during the current Bush administration. With unemployment below 5%, along with the lowest rate of inflation, combined with “cheap money” in the mortgage industry, life was good. And, the “misery index” TODAY, shows we are still below the “MISERY” level at the beginning of ANY previous presidential term, dating back to Richard Nixon.  Those are the facts. 

Historical facts, not political opinion. Good information for all Americans.

Yes, Americans are feeling the “pinch”, as is the Tampa Real Estate Market.  It ’s too bad our memories don’t serve us as well, because the numbers prove us wrong! We are not REALLY miserable, history tells us that!

As always, I present the facts, and welcome your thoughts, every day, on The Real Estate Sizzle!

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You can own a piece of “Tampa History! No stranger in the Tampa Real Estate Market, the stately “Maas” house, on prestigious Bayshore Boulevard, in Hyde Park, has just been listed for sale. Ideal for families, it is located in the Gorrie Elementary, Wilson Middle and Plant High School District.

This elegant home was originally designed for Isaac Maas, one of the founders of the Maas Brothers Department Stores. The design below the eaves, in the photo below, was the original store logo, and was imprinted on the shopping bags. I remember them well! The recently remodeled kitchen boasts the same design on its’ walls!

Enjoy bayviews from the front porch and balconies…the perfect perch for the Gasparilla Parade!

Many of the original features of the home have been lovingly restored over the years, including mahogany-paneled walls and European sandstone fireplaces, while being updated for the 21^st century.

The home is offered for 2.35 Million dollars. It includes a guest house and lovely pool area. A gourmet kitchen, cozy bar/family room and formal living and dining rooms make it an “entertainer’s dream home”. For a personal showing of this unique property, please call me at 813.629.5757 or email me.

Contact me for information about the Maas House, waterfront homes in Tampa, Luxury Homes in Tampa, or the perfect home in any Tampa Neighborhood!

You can read more about Historic Hyde Park, and other South Tampa neighborhoods, in some of my previous articles:

Hyde Park One of Tampa’s First Neighborhoods

Tampa’s Hyde Park Neighborhood…One of the Best School Districts in the U.S.

Listing courtesy of People’s Choice

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