11.06.2024

From our friends at

88º | 40% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 6:45 a.m. | Sunset 5:41 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | Low: 12:31 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 4:13 p.m. | Low: 8:38 a.m. + 7:08 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

You can put a price on home

A Mediterranean-style white house near Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa. It has steps up to a founded front door, European windows, a garage, greenery with flowers, plants, and grass out front. There are blue skies overhead and neighboring properties are visible either side of the home.

Maybe one day.|Photo by TBAYtoday

Whether you’re planning your next move or just love scrolling Zillow, NBC’s home buyer index — which debuted which is updated monthly — might help you keep better tabs on the Tampa Bay real estate market as it shifts from month to month.

How it works

The study uses a 0-100 scale to measure the level of difficulty when purchasing a home; the higher the score, the more difficult. It’s measured using four factors: cost, competition, scarcity, and economic instability (think: market volatility, unemployment, and interest rates).

Is it legit? A real estate industry analyst, bank economist from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and other experts helped develop the tool, according to NBC News. Examine the methodology.

A few caveats: The index does not capture additional homebuying difficulties for certain groups, such as those with lower credit scores, and it can’t always capture data for more rural communities.

Tampa Bay’s rating

The data listed below comes from October 2024, but it’s updated monthly — in other words, you can check back whenever you’re curious. Check out our counties’ numbers, on a scale of 0 (easy) to 100 (difficult):

Hillsborough County

Overall difficulty index | 67.1
Cost index | 87.6
Competition index | 36.5
Scarcity index | 33.8
Economic instability index | 91.2

Pinellas County

Overall difficulty index | 58.2
Cost index | 85.4
Competition index | 10.2
Scarcity index | 25.5
Economic instability index | 90.9

The index also shares that a median income buyer here in Hillsborough County can afford a $381,000 home — compare that to the median list price for a home, which is $425,000.

Feel good about buying, but want to stay updated on what it’s like to live in the Tampa Bay area? Check out our City Guides for the 411.

Asked

As of October, 2024, what is the overall home buyer difficulty index for the entire nation (100 being most difficult)?

A. 88.4
B. 52.6
C. 80.6
D. 92.3

Take a guess

Events

Wednesday, Nov. 6

TFO: “Expect the Unexpected” | 11 a.m. | Ruth Eckerd Hall | $32.50+ | Join the Florida Orchestra for a performance of Haydn’s Symphony No. 45, “Farewell,” and Wieniawski’s Fantasia on Themes from Gounod’s Faust for violin.

Sunset Yoga w/ The Body Electric | 6-7 p.m. | Family Park, St. Petersburg | Free | Flow underneath the Pier’s shimmery art installation in this all-skill levels class — bring your own mat.

Wine Cork Christmas Tree Workshop | 6-8 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | $50 | Pop it, then craft with it — create your own cork Christmas tree while sipping on Keel & Curley drinks.

“The Mountaintop” | 7:30-2 p.m. | American Stage Theatre Company at Raymond James Theater, St. Petersburg | $23 | Set on April 3, 1968 at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN, this show tells the tale of the MLK’s final night.

Thursday, Nov. 7

Artist Talk by Chip Weiner for “Photo Ybor: Then and Now” | 5-7 p.m. | Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, Tampa | $12 | The photographer shares about retaking the historic shots created by the Burgert Brothers from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and creating new images of these same locations.

Holiday Gift Market | 6-10 p.m. | Florida State Fairgrounds Special Events Center | $12 | Knock out your holiday shopping list at this massive market featuring 200+ vendors.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Philadelphia Flyers | 7 p.m. | Amalie Arena | $38.25+ | The Bolts are back on the ice to take on the boys from Philadelphia.

Friday, Nov. 8

Corey Smith | 8 p.m. | Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa | $25+ | The American singer-songwriter and guitarist brings his latest album to the laid-back venue.

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

Tropical Storm Rafael is on its way. The storm is expected to grow into a hurricane, but we likely won’t see its worst impacts, as of Tuesday afternoon. TBAY residents should still prepare for heavy rain, waves, and coastal flooding today and tomorrow. (Tampa Bay Times)

Announced

Meet River Hills. Impact Development Partners plans to build 11 three-story buildings in Temple Terrace along the Hillsborough River. The developer paid $8.25 million for the land, and hopes to start construction on the 330-unit complex “immediately.” (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Coming Soon

What’s going up across from the Trop? Plans for Gallery Haus, a 23-story apartment tower bordering the Pinellas Trail, are coming into focus. The industrial and arts-themed building will house 253 units, a tenant lounge and coworking space, a coffee shop, and retail space. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Development

Kolter Urban just scored a prime St. Pete Beach parcel. The developer paid $9.85 million for 2.9 acres along Corey Avenue. Kolter plans to create a mixed-use development on the land, which was once earmarked for Corey Landing, a residential tower by Ram Realty. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Real Estate

And in even more development deals, The Rockpoint Group just bought 17.5 acres at the Gateway Logistics Center. The private equity group paid $11.075 million for the property, and plans to build three industrial buildings. Once finished, the total 331,800 sqft will be used for manufacturing, warehouse, and distribution. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Plan Ahead

Getting tickets to this game is gonna be messi. International soccer superstar, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF will take on Orlando City SC in the Florida Derby on Friday, Feb. 14, at Ray Jay. Sign up for the presale interest list to make sure you don’t miss your chance. (That’s So Tampa)

Sports

The Gators and the Dawgs will face off on Tampa turf in 2027. That’s when the legendary college football matchup comes to Raymond James due to renovations to the Jacksonville stadium. (That’s So Tampa)

Number

$1 million. That’s how much the Horton Family Foundation donated to the University of South Florida to go toward the new football stadium. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Sports

Break down the Bucs’ loss in overtime to the Chiefs. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Home

A brand-new printer. Automatic ink refills. And 24/7 Pro live assistance — try the HP All-In Plan risk-free for 30 days + transform your business or home office.*

Finance

This expert-recommended credit card allows you to pay zero interest until 2026 — a game-changer for those trying to pay down outstanding credit card debt. See what all the hype is about.*

The Buy

Simple (and cheap) upgrades that will elevate your cleaning routine:

🧼 This sleek, self-cleaning mop.
🧼 A nifty ”angry mama” microwave cleaner.
🧼 A pair of modern glass spray bottles.
🧼 A set of wildflower-adorned Swedish dishcloths.
🧼 This highly rated wool and cashmere shampoo.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Now that Election Day has come and gone, it’s time to get dialed into the results — if you aren’t already. Our friends at WTSP have you covered with all the live results + analysis.

Answered

Last week, we asked “What’s your favorite part of the Pig Jig?”

A hand holds a Tampa Pig Jig sticker in front of a the bustling event. — Crowds take over Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park for Tampa Pig Jig every October.

And our readers were pretty split — like a rack of ribs — with 40% voting for eating heaps of barbecue — for charity, and 40% of folks saying the entire experience. There’s no wrong answer.

And of course, 20% of people said they go for the music obvi. Which is no surprise with the always stacked lineup.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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