Creating a standout vacation rental
Here's how to furnish a space that will attract guests — and withstand the wear and tear that comes with them.Original Article
Developer pays $2 million for future townhouse site in downtown Tampa (Renderings)
A small townhouse development along one of downtown Tampa's most active construction corridors is moving forward. Ariel Homes has closed on two vacant parcels of land at 205 E. Fortune St., between North Franklin and North Tampa streets. The builder paid $2.15 million for the property, which is around 18,000 square feet. The group is planning 14 four-story townhouses on the site with open rooftop decks, according to plans filed with the city. The homes will range from 1,600 to 3,000 square feet…Original Article
Florida mansion, one of most expensive homes in the US, is going up for auction (Photos)
A Broward County mega mansion with its own IMAX home theater and a 20-car garage will be auctioned digitally next month. The property, on Hillsboro Beach's "Millionaires' Mile," is appraised at $159 million, making it one of the most expensive residential listings in the U.S. Bidding for Playa Vista Isle, which has 11 bedrooms and 22 bathrooms in 58,000 square feet, will open Nov. 12. The sale will be non-reserve, meaning the home will be sold to the the highest bidder on Nov. 15, regardless of…Original Article
The hot property that’s next on tech’s agenda: Real estate
Having watched tech startups upend old-line industries like taxis and hotels, venture capitalists are casting about for the next area to be infused with software and data. Many have homed in on real estate as a big opportunity because parts of the industry — like pricing, mortgages and building management — have been slow to adopt software that could make business more efficient.Original Article
Former quarterback Michael Vick sells Florida mansion to New England Patriot (Photos)
Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick and his wife, Kijafa Vick, sold their Davie home to a former gridiron opponent for $1.4 million. New England Patriots defensive tackle Lawrence T. Guy and his wife, Andrea Paola Guy, bought the 6,295-square-foot mansion at 12529 S. Stonebrook Circle. Vick was represented in the deal by Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate’s Giselle Bonetti. The price equated to $222 a square foot. “The gorgeous property went under contract after just a few weeks on the…Original Article
Aid available for Irma home repairs
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity said Monday it has started making assistance available to low-income residents in certain counties whose homes were damaged last year in Hurricane Irma. The department opened its first “Rebuild Florida” center in Marathon and started accepting online registrations for the program, which is aimed at connecting eligible Floridians with federal disaster-recovery funding to help repair homes. The program, announced by Gov. Rick Scott and U.S. Housing…Original Article
USAA will eliminate hundreds of real estate jobs, including in Tampa
San Antonio-based USAA is eliminating hundreds of jobs in its real estate lending and real estate rewards network operations, citing competitive factors, the Business Journal has confirmed. About 265 employees across San Antonio, Tampa and Phoenix will be laid off in mid-November. It was not immediately clear how many positions will be eliminated in each market. USAA plans to offer support for the employees affected, including other roles in the company. Roughly 100 people were offered “other…Original Article
Sotheby’s is moving its South Tampa office to Hyde Park Village
Premier Sotheby's International Realty is moving its South Tampa office to Hyde Park Village. The developer of Hyde Park, Boston-based WS Development, said Thursday that Sotheby's has signed a 3,381-square-foot lease on the second floor of the building at 744 S. Village Circle, which is above Juxtapose and Level Salon. Sotheby's will open in Hyde Park in November. Its current office is at 202 S. Moody Ave. “As Hyde Park Village continues to diversify and engage the right fit of business, retail,…Original Article
Austin-based homebuying website emerges from stealth with $1.3B behind it, launches in Tampa
A quiet real estate and technology giant based in Austin is behind the venture.Original Article
Placing a value on your time spent on Zillow
Brokers say that Zestimates can be off base, but that doesn’t stop sellers from obsessing over what the website says their home is worth.Original Article