I stopped in for a bite after a movie at the Tampa Theatre nearby, and was pleasantly surprised.  A female vocalist, Kim, was crooning sweet melodies and keeping the back room crowded, so we headed to one of the sofas in the front room and settled in for a bite.   The atmosphere was very relaxing and the servers were very apologetic about being busy. I thought they were fairly attentive, though they continued to apologize for the slow service.  Though the menu is a beer drinkers delight, we focused on the wine list and perused the dinner menu. I ordered the Ridge Zinfandel, which I really enjoy and  is hard to find on a wine list. One of the managers, “Matt”, suggested I try the Prisoner Zinfandel Blend instead.  His suggestion was “right on” with a blend of Zinfandel, Cab and Syrah, it was bold and rich with just the right “berry” fruit finish. Next up, he suggested the Carmenere, from Chile and poured me a sip! Rich and dark, but not heavy tannin, I could taste a hint of current and oak.  It was very smooth and a great alternative for Cabernet drinkers. With a glass of that in hand, I was ready to order a bite to eat.

The variety and reasonable pricing would please most palates, from appetizers to salads, sandwiches and desserts, it was a decent “noshing” menu.  The Far East salad was delicately flavored and loaded with fresh Ahi Tuna.  It was delicious.  The cheese plate featured five very generous portions of various domestic and imported cheeses, salted nuts and sliced fruit.  My only complaint was the lack of a “blue” cheese and a sharp knife. Overall, the food and wine pairings were very good and I will definitely be back for more “sampling”.

Servers were busy, but they continued to check on us and Matt seemed thrilled to have a couple of adventurous “guinea pigs”  for his wine recommendations.  The music was great and the atmosphere cozy…check it out and tell me what you think!

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The Tampa Real Estate Market, especially homes in the Tampa suburbs, has a unique “fee”, or “tax” that out-of-town buyers are unfamiliar with. That is, what is known as a “CDD fee”. If you are looking for a newer home in the Tampa area, chances are good that you will buy a home in a community with a CDD fee, since some of the best neighborhoods, in the best school districts in Tampa, have CDD fees.   What, exactly,  is a CDD fee?” Since that term is very unfamiliar to most buyers who are moving to Tampa from other cities, here is a brief explanation of CDD fees.

A CDD is short for Community Development District, which finances and manages community developments.

Tax-Free Bonds are issued to the developer to finance the cost of building the infrastructure of a development, including roads, utilities and many amenities including, pools, clubhouses, tennis courts, golf courses, etc. Homeowners in the development pay the costs of the CDD over the span of 15 to 30 years. There are a number of communities with CDD fees in Tampa, and throughout the State of Florida, so if you are looking for real estate in Tampa, or anywhere in Florida, you should know about these fees.

Can CDD fees go up? Yes. The CDD fees appear on the homeowners tax bill. Each Community has a CDD board, initially appointed by the developer, which decides whether to include additional assessments into the CDD fee. If a community decides to do additional landscaping, revamp the golf course, add gates, or any other amenities, those costs may be added to the existing CDD fees. That would increase a total tax bill and increase the escrow required by your lender.

What can you do if you live in a community with a CDD fee? Stay informed. Know who the members of the CDD board are and attend any meetings regarding CDD fees.

Looking for the “best” neighborhood in Tampa? It depends on your lifestyle!

I can help with your move to any Tampa neighborhood, including: South Tampa, Channelside, Harbour Island,  Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Culbreath Isles, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunters Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Clearwater Beach, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate contact me today!

For assistance in finding a house in Tampa, or any of the surrounding suburbs, or any questions about the Tampa Real Estate market, please contact me. PCS to MacDill AFB or Moving to Tampa?

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Ciro’s Speakeasy is the latest venture by Gordon Davis and is located in the first floor of the Bayshore Royal Condominium. I was anxious to see his latest creation, as I loved Le Bordeaux and Ceviche is one of my favorites. The entry to the restaurant is unmarked! Ring the bell and they “peek” before granting entry! Step into the bar and your eyes must adjust to the very dimly lit (pitch black) bar area which features the same high tops as the old Ceviche, but with a fabulous aquarium, as the focal point of the room. The “sultry experience” and prime seating is definitely achieved via the “private booths” with curtains, so plan to get there early if you want to snag one of those precious spaces. They are first-come, first-served.  Positioned well away from the bar, they offer a very intimate lounge experience. Draw the curtain, dim the light and press the button to summon the wait staff for your hand made libations. Enjoy some of the “french inspired” items on the menu, which are  more tapas-style than full-course. The menu has some nice options.  The tuna poke was fabulous.  A huge fan of “pork belly”, we also ordered the flatbread but the barbecue sauce was overwhelming and the “flatbread” was really focaccia. Please, Gordon, leave the barbecue sauce over at Smoke, but keep the pork belly.  Overall, I really enjoyed it.  On the plus side, the atmosphere is intimate and romantic. The small tables and booth configurations can be cramped, as the tables are tiny and won’t hold more than a couple of drinks and plates.

A large, loud group seated across from us was “cramping my style”. I think being “loud” is against the rules (yes, they have rules), but they never did get around to telling us what the rules were!

If you are looking for the most interesting and romantic spot in South Tampa…this is it! It’s on my “Best Places” list.

Looking for the perfect house in Tampa? Wondering about the best Tampa neighborhoods? Contact me today!

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Are you looking for a home in the Tampa Real Estate Market, relocating to Tampa, or have orders to MacDill Air Force Base? Do you need information about the Best Schools in Tampa? Every week, I receive inquiries about Tampa Real Estate in the Plant High School District.   I live, and work, in the Plant High District in Tampa, so I know it very well!

Plant High School is located in the South Tampa neighborhood of Palma Ceia , just south of the Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, which is part of Tampa zip code 33629. A variety of housing styles, from 1920s Bungalows to Stately homes along the fairways, sit on brick streets, lined with grandfather oaks.

It is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in South Tampa!

In this little “nook” in the Tampa Real Estate Market, Prices range from $300,000 to several million! Just 5 minutes to downtown Tampa or Tampa General Hospital, and 10 minutes to the airport, it is a very convenient neighborhood for the busy professional. The proximity to Plant High school makes it a top choice for families moving to Tampa!

You can read some of my previous articles about homes in Tampa neighborhoods, which are located in the Plant High District:

Tampa Neighborhoods:

New Suburb Beautiful

Parkland Estates

Culbreath Isles

For more information about the Tampa Real Estate market, Tampa Neighborhoods, including Culbreath Isles. South Tampa, Harbour Island, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Channelside, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunters 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!

Tags: South+Tampa, Tampa+Schools

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I LOVE to support the small, local businesses in Tampa, and South Tampa is filled with unique shops, restaurants and locally owned businesses, including the Real Estate company that I work for.  When I learned of the 3/50 project, I felt compelled to blog about it!

The 3/50 Project, or “Eat Down the Street”, encourages each of us to choose three  locally-owned restaurants, or businesses, and spend $50.00 at each of them. What a great idea! Just drive down Howard Avenue, or Davis Islands, and take your pick!  Stop in at Dishtopia for a spot of tea and a blueberry scone! Try the Queen of Sheba for some great Ethiopian food.  The idea is to support our LOCAL economy.  Have you been to Stowe, Vermont?  That is the “utopia” of “small businesses”…they ran McDonald’s out of town! Kudos to them!

Three local businesses….spend fifty dollars. Simple. Do it today! AND, be sure to comment below and tell me what YOUR favorite places are.

You can check out some of my Local “hot spots” in some of my previous articles:

Great Places to Eat in Tampa

New Dining Choice in St. Pete is “tres bon”

Queen of Sheba

My Restaurant Reviews on Urban Spoon

When you are moving to Tampa, or anywhere in the world, contact me, to find the right home for your family’s needs!

For more information about the Tampa Real Estate market, Tampa Neighborhoods, including Culbreath Isles, MacDill AFB,  South Tampa, Harbour Island, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Channelside, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunters Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, Pasco County, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Waterfront Homes, Houses in the Plant High School District, Tampa Schools, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa, the Best Tampa Neighborhoods, or International Real Estate contact me.

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The entire country is empathizing with Nashville residents who are reeling from the worst flood in a century! The saddest part, is that most of those homeowners did not carry Flood Insurance. Why? Because it was not REQUIRED by their lenders, or they lived in a “low risk” area for flooding.

We are almost to  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, in Tampa,  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 Nashville. Many of them had no insurance because the risk of flooding was very low.

4. Homeowners 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.

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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Beach Park and Sunset Park, two well-established South Tampa neighborhoods, run South of Kennedy Boulevard and East and West of Westshore Boulevard and border Tampa Bay.  Large lots, along with grandfather oaks, line the winding streets that have been popular since their development in the 1950’s.  Brick ranches, Mediterranean and Traditional styled-homes fill these neighborhoods which include waterfront homes in Beach Park Isles and Sunset Park Isles, commonly known as the “fingers”.

Grady and Dale Mabry Elementary Schools, Coleman Middle School and Plant High School are all “top” rated, making Beach Park and Sunset Park an ideal choice for families with children.

Prices range from $400,000 to several million. For a list of the homes available in Beach Park, or Sunset Park, you can contact me today!

You can read some of my previous articles about Tampa neighborhoods:

New Suburb Beautiful

Parkland Estates

Culbreath Isles

For more information about the Tampa Real Estate market, Tampa Neighborhoods, including Culbreath Isles. South Tampa, Harbour Island, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Channelside, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunters 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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This is “relocation time” for many families, civilians and active duty military who are moving to Tampa for a job transfer, or position at Centcom, SoCom or MacDill Air Force Base.  While the Homebuyer tax credit is expiring in June, there is a special exception for active duty military who have been deployed for at least 90 days, prior to May 1, 2010.  For those who qualify, the homebuyer tax credit has been extended for one year.

If you have more questions about the tax credit extension for active military, or are looking for a home in Tampa, or need advice on the best Tampa neighborhood for YOU, please contact me today!

For information on any neighborhood in Tampa, homes in the highly-rated school districts, or if you are relocating to Tampa, please contact me. It’s a “Buyer’s Market” in Tampa! If you would like to receive listings in a certain neighborhood, or price range, just let me know!

Looking for Real Estate in Tampa or information about the Tampa Real Estate market? Moving to Tampa? Are you looking for assistance in choosing the best neighborhood in Tampa for your lifestyle? 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, Hunters 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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