- To further acquaint yourself with the Tampa community, you may want to visit the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau. Plenty is covered here, from the history of the Bay Area and the current nightlife, to area attractions and sports franchises.
- Find out about the Quality of Life and Housing in Tampa Bay. Whatever your lifestyle and interests, the statistics and information found here can help you in the house hunting process.
- If there's anything else that you need to know about the Tampa Scene, chances are you'll find it in the Bay Area Guide. With listings for local restaurants and shopping, the Department of Transportation, and even a community forum, you'll feel like a local before you even move in!
Local Procedures
No matter which community you're considering, it's always smart to be aware of local practices. Following are a few pointers on what to expect within the Tampa Bay real estate community:
Who Pays?
In the Tampa area, it is customary for the seller to pay for the owner's title insurance policy.
It is also traditionally the buyer's responsibility to pay the costs associated with the loan on a house (also known as "prorations").
Details can be found in the FAR/Bar contract, which is a contract agreed upon by the Florida Association of Realtors® and the Florida Bar Association. The contract is tailored to a particular region in Florida.
Flood Insurance
Flood insurance should be considered by all potential Tampa residents.
The following sites are good resources for more information on hurricanes and flooding in the Tampa area:
Map of Region
A zoomable map of Tampa and the surrounding area including surface streets, landmarks and major attractions is available here.
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