Getting Real on Real Estate

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The Real on Real Estate

If you’ve lived in Brandon for a while, then you’ve seen it all. From orange groves and cow pastures to $10 million estates and $2 million “starter homes.” Florida real estate knows how to party, and that party has been going on for a long time.

But lately, the vibe has shifted. Not crashed, not sobered up completely, just… shifted. The DJ quietly swapped “Cash Offers Only” for “Please Sit Down and Review These Terms.” Florida is still one of the hottest places in the country, but the stampede has turned into more of a brisk, slightly anxious walk.

Interest rate anxiety is its own sport now. Buyers are out here doing 30-year mortgage math like it’s the SAT, refreshing rate calculators, and saying things like, “If it goes up another quarter point, I’m moving into a shed behind my cousin’s house.” And because prices didn’t really get the memo about coming down, the phrase “50-year mortgage” has entered the chat. That used to sound like a joke. Now people are like, “Okay, but what are the payments, though?”

Sellers who got used to listing on Friday and fielding 12 offers by Saturday are getting reacquainted with words like “price adjustment” and “open house.” Homes are sitting a little longer. Good photos, staging, and realistic pricing actually matter again. You can’t just take three dark iPhone pics and expect a bidding war.

Buyers, on the other hand, finally have a tiny bit of leverage. You might still not get everything on your wish list, but at least you don’t have to waive inspection, appraisal, your firstborn, and your right to ever complain about the HOA.

Meanwhile, builders are still cranking out new communities on what used to be cow land and dirt roads. Insurance is still acting like you live in a treehouse over a volcano. Property taxes keep hopping around like they had an energy drink for breakfast.

And now, just to spice things up, we’ve got the big debate: Should Florida get rid of property taxes altogether? On paper, it sounds amazing. No property taxes? Sign me up yesterday. But then the follow-up question hits: Okay, cool… so how exactly is the state planning to make up that money?

Because that bill doesn’t just vanish. Schools, roads, police, fire rescue, parks, all of that has to be paid for somehow. So if property taxes go away, does that mean higher sales tax? More fees? Toll booths every 12 feet? A surcharge every time you look at the Sunshine Skyway?

That’s the tension right now: everyone wants lower bills, but nobody wants fewer services, and the math has to work for more than a campaign slogan.

So where does that leave us? Somewhere in the middle of a very Florida moment. The wild, anything-goes seller’s market is calming down. Buyers are cautiously re-entering the arena with calculators and antacids. Politicians are tossing around big ideas about taxes. And the rest of us are just trying to figure out if we’ll ever own something that isn’t attached to a 50-year payment plan.

One thing hasn’t changed, though: Florida real estate is still a party. It’s just that now, instead of doing shots at the bar, everyone’s sipping water, checking their credit score, and asking, “So… what’s the rate and what’s the catch?”

Things to do

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Don’t Put That There

Turkey time is around the corner, and you know what that means. Don’t you? deep-fried turkeys and the occasional house fire. We’ll give you some best practices for your cook-off in the next issue, but today we wanted to cover something most people don’t think about, how to dispose of all that turkey grease without saddling yourself with an expensive plumbing bill. (We happen to know a great plumber, just in case.)

Here’s the deal: when you’re done drooling over that golden bird, it’s tempting to toss the leftover grease straight down the drain or out in the yard. Bad move. That fat cools, hardens, and clings to your plumbing like a cousin who never leaves your house. Next thing you know, you’ve got a backed-up pipe, a call to a plumber, and a budget meltdown.

Instead, let the grease cool completely. Then pour it into a sturdy container with a lid, like an empty coffee can or a plastic jug. Don’t just chuck it in the trash loosely or hose it into the yard where it’ll sneak into storm drains. And if you’re looking to go the extra mile, Hillsborough County has drop-off programs for used cooking oil that turn it into things like fuel, instead of trouble.

Do that, and your turkey cleanup stays simple, your plumbing stays intact, and the only thing burning this holiday is the bird, not your budget.

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First Watch

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There’s no better time to say thank you. Whether it’s friends, family, or someone who made your year brighter, share your gratitude with a real card from SendOutCards. Thoughtful connection, made easy.

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A Final Note

The Brandon Buzz, more than news, it’s a lifestyle.

Until next time,

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