Safety is a major concern for most home buyers in today’s market, which is why crime statistics can be so valuable to anyone in search of the perfect new place to live. 

Recently, consumer research company SafeWise released its fifth annual Safest Cities Report for the state of Florida, and this year, the list was expanded from 20 cities to 50 cities. 

During their research, SafeWise compared each city’s violent crime rate and property crime rate to the national figures overall. Not surprisingly, each of the cities on this year’s list recorded a lower crime rate than the nationwide average of 4.49 incidents per 1,000 people. 

What also stood out is that four cities in the Tampa Bay area specifically made the list of Flordia’s 50 safest cities,

It seems more and more home owners throughout Florida are starting to capitalize on the state's year-round sunshine and blue skies as residential solar installations are on the rise across the Sunshine State. 

Based on research from two different agencies, Florida was fourth in the country for 2018 when it came to increased solar capability, adding 850 megawatts in all.

Overall, Florida maintains a strong showing as the eighth largest solar state in the U.S., but statistics continue to reveal we're well on our way to moving further and further up the list. In 2015, Florida only installed 202 megawatts of solar capability compared to a whopping 2,290 in 2018.

Not surprisingly, solar-related jobs are also on the rise statewide. According to a

Last week we offered up 5 things to do while visiting Tampa for Yankees spring training. This week, we’re heading about 22 miles west of Tampa to provide Phillies fans with a similar list of things to do in Clearwater while in town watching the Phillies gear up for a very highly-anticipated baseball season. So, without further ado, we're off...

Visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium 

This tops our list but not just because it provides a fun and educational experience. Along with that, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is also dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sick and injured marine animals, so the cost of admission is also going towards a great cause.  

Spend a Day at Moccasin Lake Nature Park

If you’ve never been here,

The Florida Grapefruit League is officially underway, which usually means lots and lots of Yankee fans will soon be making their way to Tampa for a closer look at this year’s squad. After a disappointing defeat to the hated Red Sox in last year’s ALDS, expectations for 2019 are once again high.

If you’ve never been to a Yankees Spring Training game and are planning a visit this year, there’s no denying you’re in for a treat. George M. Steinbrenner Field is the largest spring training ballpark in Florida, and 2019 projects to be another memorable season for the Yankees. But if you’re hoping to get the most out of your experience, we also recommend taking in more that Tampa has to offer, starting with these 5 things to do while in town: 

Go To a Tampa

According to analysts and economists at Zillow, home values in the Tampa Bay area are projected to appreciate at a higher rate than the national average, although not but much. 

As recently summarized in the Tampa Bay Times, nine industry experts predicted our housing market will outperform the rest of the country while another eight expects it to underperform. As a result, Tampa was given a net score of 1+ in Zillow’s survey, which represents one of the lowest scores for markets that are expected to see home value appreciation outpace the national average in 2019. 

Other major cities where home values are expected to see an increase include Denver, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, and Las Vegas. For comparison, Chicago and Baltimore were among the

We’re already a few months into 2019, but that’s not stopping some of the experts from weighing in on Tampa Bay’s real estate market. It seems we’ll want to keep tabs on several factors could that come into play in the coming months.

Many people knowledgeable about local real estate are predicting a slowing for 2019. Even so, it’s expected to stay a relatively healthy market for both existing homes and new homes in the area.

While Tampa Bay’s still outperforming the nation as a whole, current trends show slowing appreciation. The threat of rising interest rates led to a strong selling season in 2018, but things could taper off. 

Some experts believe prices will remain high, making it more difficult to find homes under $300,000. Trade wars could

Thinking about buying a condo in St. Petersburg FL but also want to make sure you find a unit with the best views money can buy? Take a closer look at our short list of St. Pete condo buildings that offer the best views in town.

400 Beach Drive

With its downtown, waterfront location, 400 Beach Drive is hard to beat. With walls 

of glass too, it’s possible to enjoy the stunning surrounding scenery from the privacy of your home at 400 Beach Drive. 

Signature Place

Incredible views of the city, the bay and the marina are possible from the condos of Signature Place. This exceptional St Pete property offers up floor-to-ceiling glass and spacious terraces for further admiring the surroundings.

Ovation

The downtown Ovation high-rise,

If you’re looking for ways to show your appreciation for a certain someone special this Valentine’s Day, you’ll find plenty of unique opportunities this year in Tampa.  We explore a a few below...

Valentine’s Day Cruise

First up, head out on the water for a romantic cruise. Options include a three-course lunch cruise, dinner cruise or even a dessert cruise, topped off with dancing and a champagne toast.

Galentine’s Party 

If you’re looking for some alternatives to date night, grab your girlfriends and head out to celebrate Galentine’s Day! Tampa Beer Works is putting on a night of fun including mimosas and a waffle bar.

Valentine’s Day Hockey

Another option is to head downtown to watch the Lightning take on the Dallas Stars this coming

Looking for a new construction townhouse to call your own in 2019? Take a closer look at several of Tampa's top new construction developments heading into the busy housing market season...

Inlet Park at Westshore Marina

With a private marina and an easy walk to dining, shopping and area nightlife, Inlet Park at Westshore Marina offers an appealing location for new buyers in the Tampa area. The new construction townhomes also supply an impressive three-stories of living space, with at least three-bedrooms and starting at around 2,100 square feet.

Palm Ranch Townhomes

New contemporary townhomes in a more suburban setting mark the location of the new Palm Ranch Townhomes. The modernly appointed townhomes of this property come in two- and

In case you haven't noticed, there are some seriously impressive condominium residences currently under construction in Tampa right now. From the super tall tower dubbed Eleve 61 to the ultra-luxe condos at The Sanctuary, here's a closer look at some of Tampa's high-profile condo projects coming through the pipeline. 

Riverwalk Place

Stretching up more than 50 stories, Riverwalk Place presents a waterfront setting complimented by high-end amenities. Current selections include one-, two- and three-bedroom residences, some of which top 2,300 square feet of living space high above the Tampa area.

The Sanctuary

Another new luxury property is The Sanctuary. New buyers are treated to the exclusivity of just one residence per floor in the building,