Flor M Vergara

02/10/2026

🏡 Florida Homeowners: Don’t Miss This Simple Property Tax Savings

If you own and live in your home as your primary residence, filing for Florida’s Homestead Exemption could save you $400–$600 per year in property taxes—and help protect you from sharp increases in the future.

✅ Deadline to apply for the 2026 tax year: March 2, 2026
📌 You must own and occupy the property as your permanent residence by January 1, 2026

Why it matters:

Homestead doesn’t just reduce your taxable value—it also activates Florida’s “Save Our Homes” cap, which limits annual assessed value increases to 3% or inflation (whichever is lower). That means more predictable property taxes over time.

Important reminder for new homeowners:

Even if the previous owner had Homestead, it does NOT transfer automatically after a sale. Your assessed value may reset, so filing early can make a real difference.

What you’ll typically need:

Florida Driver’s License

Voter Registration

Vehicle Registration

Social Security Number

Proof of residency (for all owners/spouse)

💡 Good news: It’s FREE to file, and if you qualify but haven’t applied, you may be paying more than you need to.

If you recently bought a home—or plan to this year—make sure this is on your checklist. It’s one of the easiest ways to protect your budget long-term.

Eligible Florida homeowners can save about $400–$600 a year by filing for homestead by March 2, 2026, while also limiting future assessed value increases.

02/04/2026

Market Mondays | St. Petersburg ✨ January 2026 Snapshot

We’re kicking off 2026 with a citywide look at all property types in St. Petersburg — and January showed a mix of strong pricing with shifting inventory.

The average sales price came in at $798K, while the median landed at $460K, showing continued strength across price points.
Homes sold for 96.2% of list price, keeping sellers in a solid position overall.
The pace of the market improved, with average days on market dropping to 65 days.
Price per square foot climbed to $460, reinforcing that buyers are still paying for location and quality.

Inventory remains elevated with 2,341 properties for sale, and months of supply sits at 5.25, pointing toward a more balanced environment compared to late 2025.
New listings jumped to 877, which is a big increase in fresh options for buyers.

👉 What it means
St. Pete is starting the year with strong pricing and faster movement, but the rise in new listings is giving buyers more choices. Sellers still benefit from demand, but presentation and pricing strategy matter more than ever in a market that’s becoming more competitive.

📍 Next Monday: Zip code breakdowns continue.

01/28/2026

☆ Wondering what the economy and real estate market have in store for the year ahead?

Get clarity straight from the source. Join internationally acclaimed economist Dr. Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D. as he breaks down what’s coming and how to plan strategically in the months ahead. This is a must-attend conversation for anyone watching the market closely.

Don’t wait — RSVP today for this highly anticipated event.

🔗 Register at CBEconomicSummit.com

01/26/2026

Market Mondays | December Snapshot ✨ (Last Zip Code)

Wrapping up December with one more look at how this pocket of St. Pete closed out the year.

🏡 All Property Types

Homes averaged $1.29M, with a median of $868K, showing continued strength across mid-to-upper price points.
Properties sold for about 95.2% of asking, and the pace was slower here, averaging 114 days on market.

Inventory remained relatively tight with 125 properties for sale and 28 new listings added during the month. Months of supply came in at 2.98, keeping the market slightly seller-leaning despite the longer selling timeline.

A total of 42 properties sold in December, showing steady activity to close out the year.

👉 What it means
This area is moving at a more measured pace than downtown, but limited inventory is still supporting prices. Sellers who price strategically and prepare well continue to do best, while buyers have a bit more room to negotiate compared to hotter zip codes.

01/22/2026

on a budget? no worries...

Here in Tampa, you don’t need to empty your wallet to enjoy a bite of high-quality, fresh bites. Our food scene is abundant in options that offer a taste of

01/21/2026

🎨 2026 Home Trends You Need to Know

Design is getting bolder, warmer, and more personal in 2026. Here’s what’s leading the way:

✨ Art Deco revival with glam details & bold geometry
🎨 Color-drenched rooms (one shade, walls to ceiling)
🌿 Warm, dark-wood kitchens that feel cozy and refined
🛁 “Jewel box” powder rooms with statement wallpaper & sculptural sinks
🛋 Patterned and skirted sofas making a stylish comeback
🖼 Wraparound murals that turn walls into art
🖤 Classic checkerboard floors
🧘 Wellness spaces at home (saunas, meditation rooms, spa vibes)
💡 Vintage-inspired statement lighting

Full article here 👉
https://houseandhome.com/gallery/top-trends-for-2026/

2026 is all about personality, richness, and intentional design.
Which trend would you bring into your home? 👇

#2026

We asked leading designers to weigh in on the biggest interior design trends for 2026. Here's what the polls revealed!

01/20/2026

🏡 Open House this Saturday | 1–3 PM
Offered at $1,295,000 | 2152 Burlington Ave. N | St. Petersburg

There’s something truly special about Historic Kenwood — the brick streets, the 1920s architecture, and the strong sense of community. This 2018 custom-built home delivers the rare combination of timeless character and modern luxury, fitting right in while offering all the comforts of newer construction.

With 3 bedrooms + a den, 3 full bathrooms, and 2,487 sq ft, the layout is thoughtful and easy to live in. You’ll find a first-floor guest suite (also great as a pool bath), a private den for working from home, and a beautiful open kitchen and living space made for everyday life and entertaining — Sub-Zero fridge, induction cooktop, oversized island, custom built-ins, gas fireplace, and views out to the pool and lanai.

Upstairs, the primary suite is calm and spacious with a spa-style bath and walk-in closets, plus a loft, guest bedroom, full bath, and laundry room. Outside, the paved lanai, waterfall pool, and playful yard create a space you’ll actually use and enjoy.

Alley-access two-car garage, not in a flood zone, and just minutes to Central Ave, downtown St. Pete, the arts district, and the beach.

If you’ve been waiting for a home that blends Kenwood charm with modern living, come take a look 💛

Listed by D. Vetere

01/19/2026

Honoring a leader.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

01/19/2026

Market Mondays | 33701 ✨ (December Market Snapshot)

Downtown St. Pete closed out the year with a strong finish — driven largely by condos and townhomes, which made up the majority of activity.

🏙️ All Property Types in 33701

The average sales price reached $1.44M, with the median at $1.51M, reflecting continued demand at the upper end of the market.
Properties sold very close to asking at 98.9%, and homes moved fast — just 15 days on market on average.

Inventory stayed tight in December with 233 properties for sale, while 147 new listings came to market. Months of supply landed at 1.75, keeping conditions firmly seller-leaning.

A notable shift month over month: in November only 26 properties sold, while December jumped to 133 sales — the majority of them condos. At the same time, inventory compressed rapidly, moving from roughly 9 months of supply to under 2 months in just one month.

👉 What it means
Downtown’s condo-driven market is clearly in high season. Strong buyer demand, limited inventory, and fast sales continue to favor sellers, particularly for well-located units with solid buildings and amenities.

01/14/2026

🛋 2026 is all about space that feels like you. From cozy comfort to bold personality, these are the trends that are shaping homes this year:

· Warm Minimalism
· Rich Hues
· Tactile Textures
· Sustainable Style
· Statement Walls

What trend are you trying first? Drop a comment below!

01/12/2026

Market Mondays | 33713 ✨ (December Market Snapshot)

Let’s zoom into one of St. Pete’s most active pockets to close out the year.

🏡 Single-Family Homes in 33713

Homes averaged $442K, with the median around $377K — still one of the more accessible price points in the city.
Most properties sold very close to asking (97.2%), and the pace stayed healthy at about 68 days on market.

Inventory remained tight in December: only 123 homes for sale, with 31 new listings added. Months of supply came in at 2.46, keeping conditions seller-leaning.

👉 What it means
33713 closed out December in competitive shape. Fewer homes on the market and steady buyer activity meant well-priced properties continued to move quickly. Sellers held an advantage, and buyers needed to stay ready when the right home came up.