Top 5 Things to Know Before Buying a Home in the Tampa Bay Area

Whether you're relocating, investing, or purchasing your forever home, Tampa Bay is one of Florida’s most desirable places to live — offering a unique mix of coastal lifestyle, booming development, and diverse neighborhoods. But before you dive into the market, here are the top 5 things every home buyer should know about buying in the Tampa Bay area:

1. Understand Flood Zones & Insurance Requirements

Tampa Bay is a coastal region, which means flood zones are a major factor. Some properties require flood insurance, especially those near the bay, rivers, or low-lying areas.
Tip: Check the FEMA flood zone map and ask your agent about a property’s flood zone status and insurance cost.…

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Why Home Sales Bounce Back After Presidential Elections





With the 2024 Presidential election fast approaching, you might be wondering what impact, if any, it’s having on the housing market. Let’s break it down.

Election Years Bring a Temporary Slowdown

In any given year, home sales slow down slightly in the fall. It’s a typical, seasonal trend. However, according to data from BTIG, in election years there’s usually a slightly larger dip in home sales in the month leading up to Election Day (see graph below):

Why? Uncertainty. Many consumers hold off on making major decisions or purchases while they wait to see how the election will play out. It’s a pattern that’s shown up time and time again, and it's particularly apparent for buyers and…

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New Real Estate Rules: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

The real estate industry is navigating new rules that shift how sellers and buyers approach broker commissions. Now, sellers must decide if and how much they’re willing to contribute toward a buyer’s broker fee—an option that reshapes business practices and transparency within transactions.

Traditionally, sellers covered the buyer’s broker fee, streamlining costs for buyers. Under the new rules, sellers can choose to pay the entire fee, only a portion, or none at all. This added flexibility, however, brings complexity: one seller might cover the buyer’s broker fee, while another might not, leading to inconsistent buyer experiences and potential questions about house pricing.

Up until…

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3 Must-Do’s When Selling Your House in 2024




If one of the goals on your list is selling your house and making a move this year, you’re likely juggling a mix of excitement about what’s ahead and feeling a little sentimental about your current home.

A great way to balance those emotions and make sure you’re confident in your decision is to keep these three best practices in mind when you’re ready to sell.

1. Price Your Home Right

The housing market shifted in 2023 as mortgage rates rose and home price appreciation started to normalize once again. As a seller, you still need to recognize how important it is to price your house appropriately based on where the market is today. Hannah Jones, Economic Research Analyst for Realtor.com, explains:

…

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What Every Homebuyer Should Know About Closing Costs




Before making the decision to buy a home, it's important to plan for all the costs you’ll be responsible for. While you're busy saving for the down payment, don't forget you’ll want to prep for closing costs too.

Here’s some helpful information on what those costs are and how much you should budget for them.

What Are Closing Costs?

A recent article from Bankrate explains:

“Closing costs are the fees and expenses you must pay before becoming the legal owner of a house, condo or townhome . . . Closing costs vary depending on the purchase price of the home and how it’s being financed . . .”

Simply put, your closing costs are the additional fees and payments you have to make at…

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Two Things Sellers Need To Know This Spring

2 Things Sellers Need To Know This Spring | MyKCM

As we enter into the spring season, many homeowners are considering selling their homes. After a tumultuous year, it's natural to wonder what to expect in the housing market this season. However, real estate experts are optimistic about the opportunities available to sellers. Here are two important things sellers need to know this spring:

Proper Pricing is Key

According to Jeff Tucker, Senior Economist at Zillow, homes that are priced correctly and updated to current market standards are still selling. Tucker stated, "sellers who price and market their home competitively shouldn’t have a problem finding a buyer." In today's market, it's crucial to price your home right because the landscape has…

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Experts Project Home Prices Will Rise over the Next 5 Years




Even with so much data showing home prices are actually rising in most of the country, there are still a lot of people who worry there will be another price crash in the immediate future. In fact, a recent survey from Fannie Mae shows that 23% of consumers think prices will fall over the next 12 months. That’s nearly one in four people who are dealing with that fear – maybe you’re one of them.

To help ease that concern, here’s what the experts say will happen with home prices not just next year, but over the next five years.

Experts Project Ongoing Appreciation

While seeing a small handful of expert opinions may not be enough to change your mind, hopefully, a larger group of…

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Buying a new construction home can be an exciting experience, but it can also be a complex and overwhelming process. That's why many homebuyers choose to work with a Realtor when purchasing a new construction home in Florida. Here are five reasons why it's smart to use a Realtor in this situation:

  1.        Expertise: A Realtor has the knowledge and expertise to guide you through the new construction home buying process. They understand the local market, the builders, and the available options. They can help you find the best deals, negotiate prices, and ensure you are making an informed decision.
  2.        Builder relationships: A Realtor can have relationships with local builders, which can provide advantages to buyers. They can help you find the…

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What You Should Know About Closing Costs

What You Should Know About Closing Costs | MyKCM

Before you buy a home, it’s important to plan ahead. While most buyers consider how much they need to save for a down payment, many are surprised by the closing costs they have to pay. To ensure you aren’t caught off guard when it’s time to close on your home, you need to understand what closing costs are and how much you should budget for.

What Are Closing Costs?

People are sometimes surprised by closing costs because they don’t know what they are. According to Bankrate:

“Closing costs are the fees and expenses you must pay before becoming the legal owner of a house, condo or townhome . . . Closing costs vary depending on the purchase price of the home and how it’s being financed . . .”

…

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For the eighth year in a row, Cornerstone Properties International has been named as one of the top residential real estate firms by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in their May issue.  TBBJ recognized Gulf Coast real estate firms from the four-county area covering Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Sarasota, Bradenton, and North Port.

Cornerstone Properties International is one of leading real estate brokerages on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The company specializes in luxury homes and clientele, acquisition and disposition services, and residential and commercial properties. Steve Eckhardt has been recognized by Who’s Who In Luxury Real Estate since 2002. Who's Who is an exclusive international network of prestigious independent real estate…

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