Shane's Real Estate Blog

Can you buy a Tampa Bay home without seeing it in person?

Yes. Florida’s transaction framework supports a fully remote purchase.

How do construction loans work for a custom build in South Tampa?

A construction loan funds a custom build in stages — the lender releases money in four to six draws as inspections confirm each phase, and you pay interest only on the drawn balance during the build.

What is the FEMA 50% rule for Tampa Bay homes?

The FEMA 50% rule — formally the substantial improvement and substantial damage standard under 44 CFR 59.1 — says that when the cost of repairing or improving a home in a Special Flood Hazard Area equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure alone (not the land), the entire building must be brought into compliance with current floodplain regulations.

How to position an older roof before you list?

Whatever route you choose, the sequence matters: Order your own inspections first. A pre-listing roof condition report — and ideally the full four-point inspection insurers ask for on older homes — tells you exactly what the buyer’s carrier will see, while you still control the timeline. Pull the permit history. A roof replaced in 2012 with a closed permit and a documented installation date is an asset.

What does a boundary survey catch before a Tampa Bay closing?

A boundary survey maps your legal property lines, plots every recorded easement, and flags encroachments — fences, driveways, pool decks, or docks that cross a line in either direction. In Florida, the buyer typically orders and pays for the survey, and any lender will require a current one.