Robert Carlson, Real Estate Agent

05/24/2026

I’m see many people relocate to Tampa Bay and rent first before buying — which can be a smart move while they learn commute patterns, neighborhoods, insurance realities, and where they actually want to live.

I’m helping renters compare homes, townhomes, condos, and apartment options in Wesley Chapel, Lutz, New Tampa, Tampa, Riverview, Brandon, Lakeland, the MacDill AFB area, and many others.

If you know someone moving here who needs to rent before buying, send them my way.

A quick renter's questionnaire is in the comments, to help me tailor a Tampa Bay rental strategy to the renter's needs.

04/17/2026

🏠 Florida & Tampa Bay Home Market Update: March 2026 💥

The latest Florida Realtors® data shows a market that is active, but more selective than the pandemic-era market of 2021 into early 2022.

Florida statewide:
Closed sales rose from 23,128 to 24,497.
Median sale price rose from $412,500 to $420,000.

Tampa Bay MSA:
◾ Closed sales dipped from 3,691 to 3,618.
◾ Median sale price held steady at $400,000.

What stands out:
◾ Homes are taking longer to go under contract, with median days to contract rising from 47 to 51 statewide and from 37 to 43 in Tampa Bay.
◾ Inventory remains tighter in Tampa Bay at 3.7 months of supply versus 4.8 months statewide.

👉 My takeaways:
◾ Florida is showing better sales momentum than Tampa Bay, while Tampa Bay remains tighter on supply but softer on transaction volume.
◾ Like over the past year, this is more of a balanced market, with buyers gaining more leverage and more room to negotiate, but not so much making this a full-fledged, extremely strong "buyers market"
◾ This is a "strategy" market for both buyers and sellers. Having the right advisor in these times is key.

👉 If you want to know what these numbers mean for your neighborhood, price point, or timing ---> message, email, or call me.

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04/09/2026

For my military network, both active/reserve and fellow veterans, here are some key insights about a valuable VA benefit – the VA loan:

- Can a VA loan be assumed? Yes. ✔️
- Can it be used to buy a 2–4 unit property if you live in one unit? Yes. ✔️
- Is there a streamlined refi option? Yes. ✔️
- Does it avoid PMI? Yes. ✔️
- Can you get one with no down payment? Yes. ✔️

While the answer to all five is yes, there are important details and caveats associated with these features (along with many other features and details). VA financing is one of the most powerful benefits for the military community, especially for first-time home buyers.

As PCS season approaches, many active military families will be transitioning from one base to another, making housing a critical focus.

- If buying, understanding the processes and timelines involved with the VA loan and other financing options is essential.
- If selling a home financed with a VA loan, it's important to know key points, including how a VA loan can be assumed and how a VA entitlement can be restored.

As a military veteran who has personally utilized the VA loan multiple times (including financing and refinancing with an IRRRL) , I recognize the significance of having both a real estate agent and a lender experienced with VA loans. As a Tampa Bay real estate agent and certified Military Relocation Professional (MRP), I am here to assist fellow veterans and active-duty families in exploring their options.

For questions or more information about using your VA benefit in the Tampa Bay area, whether through a PCS move or as a military veteran looking to buy or sell, feel free to send a message.

04/05/2026

I'm always thrilled when a happy client expresses their happiness.

See more: https://www.realsatisfied.com/Robert-Carlson

03/26/2026

🏠 JUST SOLD: 11535 Pala Verda Ave, Leesburg, FL

Excited for my out-of-state buyers who closed on this charming, renovated home today! 💥

Sitting on a quarter+ acre corner lot minutes from shopping and downtown, this property is a great deal! It also shows that good homes at affordable price points can still be found in Florida — this one sold for only $137,000! Buyers often have much more leverage now in Florida compared to the pandemic years.

The right home or investment property is still out there, and having the right guide helps. If you’re planning a move to Florida or starting your home search, send me a message.

You can also browse homes and search the Florida market on my website here: https://robertcarlson.exprealty.com

03/21/2026

The Permanent Change of Station (PCS) season is once again upon us, and MacDill AFB like the many other bases will have yet another seasonal inflow and outflow of military families.

If you or someone you know will be moving into our out of the Tampa Bay area for a military move, I would be happy to assist in the planning and ex*****on of a successful transition!

👉DM me for a free 2026 Tampa / MacDill PCS Real Estate Guide I put together as a primer to help guide the process and decision-making. It covers considerations for where to live, buying vs renting, selling vs renting out homes if leaving, and much more!

As an active and experienced real estate agent in the Tampa Bay area and a retired Air Force officer with my share of PCS moves and VA loans, I am ready to assist families make the move much less stressful and efficient whether, buying, selling, renting, or renting out homes.

Reach out for the free guide I mentioned and a personal consultation on your next PCS!

05/05/2024

Tampa Bay has a great mix of city, great job opportunities, beach, water, nature, and location to other attractions in Florida. If you know anyone looking to move here or to other Central FL locations, please let me know. I'd love to help them along that journey to a new home in this tropical paradise.

Call 813-825-5292

Tampa and two other Florida cities were among the top places to live, according to a report from Livability.

08/23/2023

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa was ranked as one of the best places to buy a home in 2023, according to a new study by WalletHub. WalletHub compared 300 cities across 17 metrics, including home v…

08/07/2023

Great to see Tampa and many of its surrounding towns on this list of safest metro areas in Florida...Wesley Chapel, Brandon, Riverview, and Tampa proper are all great options...Tampa Bay is a great area for quality of life, job opportunities, and more!

If you or someone you know is looking to move to Florida in the near future, I can help find that right new home in this thriving market!

The safest metro in Fla. isn’t too surprising. The Villages – Central Fla.’s mega 55-plus community of 60,000 residents – ranks as No. 1.

06/23/2023

Very happy for my father-daughter team of buyers and friends, as they just closed on a great 2BR/2BA condo in a gated community here in Tampa! 😀🌴🎉☀️

We looked for properties and found this great deal that will be both a nice primary residence and later an investment rental unit. I wish them the best in with this new home in the years to come!

Although both buyers and sellers may be hesitating with interest rates settled at their current levels, there are great deals out there. If you or someone you know are looking to buy and sell in Tampa Bay or other Central Florida location, I would be happy to help!

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Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC in Florida. Serving home buyers & sellers the Tampa Bay area,