St. Pete ranks in the top 25 best places for first-time homebuyers

First-time home buyers are struggling to find places to live within the ever-increasing housing market; however, a new report by SmartAsset shows one Tampa Bay city could be an ideal location for newcomers. SmartAsset, a financial technology company, compared 181 of the largest U.S. cities across 12 total metrics that span four categories: home market favorability, affordability, livability and employment. St. Petersburg ranked No. 20, a three-spot rise from last year, and was the only Florida…Original Article

72 Sold forms partnership with Keller Williams to take unique sales program worldwide

Scottsdale-based 72 Sold has forged a partnership with the largest global real estate franchise company to take its unique selling program worldwide. Here's the structure of the deal and what it means.Original Article

Development teams pitch mixed-use projects for downtown Clearwater sites

Two city-owned parcels along the downtown Clearwater waterfront are up for bid and the Business Journal obtained the proposals.Original Article

Report: Tampa Bay is not in a housing bubble, but recession could be near

As home prices continue to break growth records, a panel of housing experts and economists surveyed by Zillow do not believe the market is in a bubble. The latest survey polled more than 100 experts from academia, government and the private sector to seek a consensus opinion on the state of housing and the outlook. Sixty percent of respondents said they do not believe the U.S. housing market is currently in a bubble, compared to 32% who think the country is in a bubble; 8% said they were unsure. “Americans…Original Article

Guest column: Tampa Bay businesspeople should act on the affordable housing crisis

The skyrocketing cost of housing is a full-blown crisis in the Tampa Bay area. As businesspeople, it’s our responsibility to do something about it, the author writes.Original Article

35-story condo tower in downtown St. Pete tops out

It will be one of the tallest residential towers in St. Petersburg.Original Article

Report: US mortgage lending activity drops at fastest rate in 8 years amid rising interest rates

U.S. mortgage lending activity continued its descent in the first quarter of 2022.Original Article

Exclusive: Developer lands $19M loan for Madeira Beach condos

The Residences at Town Center is the next phase of Bill Karns' plan to invest in Madeira Beach.Original Article

Bayshore synagogue to sell a portion of its property to Related Group for high-end residential development

Congregation Rodeph Sholom is staying put on Bayshore Boulevard, and the deal guarantees that the synagogue will have a visible presence in South Tampa for decades to come, the synagogue president said.Original Article

Developer closes on property for 15-story apartment tower near Tropicana Field

An Indiana developer has closed on the Tuxedo Court property near Tropicana Field, where it plans to build a 15-story mixed-use tower. A corporate entity linked to White Peterman Properties closed on the property on June 3 for $8.75 million, according to a deed filed in Pinellas County. Records show the entity also secured an approximately $6.46 million loan from Centier Bank. The tower, which will rise on the 1.15-acre lot at 720 Charles Court S, will include 260 residential units and 2,700 square…Original Article