06.15.2023

Today’s Forecast

🏡 Boost that home value

Projects to boost home value in the Tampa Bay area

A bungalow in Hyde Park. It is painted light green and there is a porch out front.

One of Hyde Park’s iconic bungalows. | Photo by TBAYtoday

Looking for a change in scenery? Our real estate market can be a little scary — especially since Tampa ranked No. 9 on FAU’s “10 Most Overpriced Housing Markets in the US” list.

We’re here to tell you that relocation isn’t your only option. There are tons of ways to make it feel like you’re living in a new home.

We’ve constructed four project ideas to help make your abode better, more comfortable, eco-friendly, and, in most cases — more valuable to potential buyers.

Go solar

If there’s one thing we have in the Sunshine State, it’s the sun, and solar panels offer a sustainable way to turn rays into energy. There’s no denying this project is an investment, but with rising electricity bills, it’s one that pays back. Just how much? Here’s some home economics to help:

Qualified systems + installations can receive a Federal Investment Tax Credit of up to 30%.
According to Zillow, as of 2019, homes with solar panels sell for 4.1% more.

Make your yard water efficient

A yard that uses less water will be easier to maintain and lower your bill. Tampa Bay Water Wise is a regional water conservation program from Tampa Bay Water. It offers rebates for homeowners who want to waterscape their land to optimize water usage.

For example, there is a $250 rebate for a free intelligent irrigation controller that prevents overwatering by tracking soil and weather conditions.
Want some more info on conserving water during the drought season? We whipped a few up for you.

Smart appliances

Whether your residence is a single-family, multi-family, or condo, new appliances can improve efficiency and reduce energy consumption. This could be simple as lightbulbs, cool as a smart thermostat, or clean as a washer + dryer. Consumer Reports says new appliances boost home value and support county-wide initiatives to save water and energy.

Get covered outside

We don’t mean to throw shade, but covering your patio or balcony will allow you to spend more time outdoors while consuming less energy. According to the University of Washington, the mere presence of tall trees improves property values throughout a neighborhood by three to 15 percent. Plus, Realtor Magazine says poor landscaping can reduce your home’s value by 30 percent.

ASKED

What sort of DIY projects are you planning to tackle next on your home improvement list?

A. Painting the walls is on our bucket list
B. I’m trying to be a crown molding king/queen
C. Installing some doorbell cameras
D. Revamping the bathroom
E. Updating knobs and pulls
F. Other

🏚 > 🏡 Let us know

Events

Thursday, June 15

Trivia Thursdays | Thursday, June 15 | 7-10 p.m. | Big Easy Bar Ybor, 1704 E. 7th Ave., Tampa | Price of purchase | Enjoy $2 oysters and happy hour libations.
Intro to Line Dancing | Thursday, June 15 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Safety Harbor Library, 101 Second St. N., Safety Harbor | Free | Learn the basic line dancing movements and lingo with a local instructor — wear your cowboy boots.

Friday, June 16

3rd Friday Street Celebration | Friday, June 16 | 6-10 p.m. | Main St., Safety Harbor | Free | Shop, eat, and sip from nine blocks of restaurants, bars, shops, and nonprofits — the street is open carry.

Saturday, June 17

Father’s Day Mug Handle Building | Saturday, June 17 | 10 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Practically Pikasso, 1912 Fourth St. N., St. Petersburg | $76 | Spend Father’s Day learning how to make hand-built stoneware mugs — each ticket is good for two people.
6th Annual Pride Bar Crawl | Saturday, June 17 | 4 p.m.-12 a.m. | Whiskey Exchange, 540 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | $18-$22.50 | Crawl with the group chat — tickets come with shots, food and drink specials, free entry to a drag show, and access to an after-party.

Sunday, June 18

Richard’s Father’s Day Walk and Jog | Sunday, June 18 | 8 a.m. | Ulele, 1810 N. Highland Ave., Tampa | $0-$35 | The 10th annual Father’s Day family walk, jog, or dog run includes a doggie bandanna or tee and free breakfast — benefits go to the Moffitt Cancer Center.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

Grab your sunblock, TBAY. Tampa is seeing its hottest weather so far this year. Tampa’s heat wave season has grown by 92 days since 1961, according to a report from USAfacts. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Concert

Speaking of waves. Burg-born rapper Rod Wave is coming to Amalie Arena on Friday, Sept. 1. Tickets start at $50 and go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Travel

Breeze Airways is adding a nonstop flight service from TPA to Raleigh-Durham International Airport — starting on Thursday, Sept. 7. Flights will operate thrice weekly. See ya soon, RALtoday. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Community

New to town? Hillsborough officials just launched Home Sweet Hillsborough, a digital one-stop-shop for services, programs, and alerts that will make your transition into Tampa living a little easier. And, if you’re looking for a guide to both sides of the TBAY, try ours.

Development

Final touches are being made to Clearwater’s Coachman Park. The $84 million Imagine Clearwater project is set to open on Wednesday, June 28. The public space features a pirate island-themed playground for the kiddos, a botanical garden, and, of course, TBAY’s newest concert venue, The Sound. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Environment

California’s Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute donated its $11.7 million research vessel, Western Flyer, to USFSP — and it’s now docked at Bayboro Harbor. The team operating the 117-ft floating laboratory aims to educate and grow a fresh wave of young marine experts. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Plan Ahead

Love watching professional wrestling, or know someone who does? WWE + AEW are coming to TBAY this summer. Amalie hosts Monday Night Raw on Monday, July 24, while the Yuengling Center hosts AEW Dynamite on Wednesday, Aug. 2. (That’s So Tampa)

Tampan

Sean “Moobs” Baker, a former USMC helicopter pilot, won this year’s TPA “Voice of Tampa” competition. Passengers inside the airport’s transport shuttles will soon have the pleasure of hearing his voice. (WFLA)

Asked

We want to hear from you. What are the “unwritten rules” of TBAY? Pretend you’re giving some secrets away to an out-of-towner. Send us your unspoken tips + need-to-knows for the chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

Finance

A Banksy painting that gave everyday investors 32% returns? Yep, you read that right. Thousands of investors are smiling all the way to the bank thanks to the fine art investing platform Masterworks. Masterworks investors have benefitted from sales with returns of 13.9%, 35.0%, and 27.3%. Skip the waitlist and join.*

Eat

Your new excuse to go to Big Storm Brewing Co.: You just became an Offline member and have up to $15 to spend there. The local restaurant club rewards its members with exclusive discounts at two local restaurants each month + more perks. Snag a membership reserved for our readers with code “TBTODAY.”*

Featured Deal

Need a last minute Father’s Day gift idea? Treat dad to the ultimate smart home upgrade by converting his manual window shades into motorized SmartShades. Easy-to-install, energy savings, and smart sophistication all in one package. RYSE is offering 10% off the entire store. Snag the deal here.*

Events

🎆 TBAY, you’re a firework

Boom by the Bay 2023 preview

Bring fold out chairs and blankets for the fam to enjoy. | Photo via the City of Tampa

Mark your calendars, TBAY.

The annual Boom by the Bay Hard Rock Takeover is around the corner — setting up at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park in Downtown Tampa on Saturday, July 1.

The party starts at 4 p.m. and ends with a magnificent bang (i.e., a giant fireworks display) after the sun goes down.

Pre-firework festivities

The yearly Independence Day celebration offers something for everyone:

A pickleball tournament
An apple pie bake-off — Because what’s Independence Day without a bite of apple pie?
A free concert
Face painting
Bounce houses
Sack races
Cornhole
Food trucks

Mayor Jane Castor emphasizes that the event is more than just a firework display; “It’s a chance for our community to gather, connect, and appreciate the beauty of our city and the spirit of togetherness,” she said in a release. “This will be a highlight of the summer.”

Parking

All City garages will be available, including street parking, private lots, and City of Tampa parking garages (including the Fort Brooke garage). For those opting for the City garages, a day’s worth of parking will cost $10.

Pro tip: Opt for a ride share, water taxi, TECO Streetcar, or scooter so you don’t have to worry about navigating traffic yourself.

And for those who need accommodations, there will be a Sensory Relief Zone.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Brad

From the editor

Around 2,500 new people move to Hillsborough County each month, according to the county. That’s a lot of people.

So, if you happen to meet a new resident, tell them we say hi + to sign up for our daily newsletter for all their good news and hyperlocal current events needs.

You can actually win prizes for referring your neighbors. Check out the “Share TBAYtoday” section below for more info.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_2}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

Claim your rewards

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY