In the Florida Scholastic Rowing Association Sweeps, Plant High Rowing Association had it’s best showing in history, placing Third in Overall Points Statewide…Six Boats, and 58 members of the Plant High Rowing Assocation, qualified for the SRAA National Championships Regatta in Camden, New Jersey, to be held May 25 and May 26. This is a well-deserved honor for these athletes who train six days each week, on the water, rain or shine!

Here is the line-up for the outstanding athletes from Plant High School, who will be heading to the National Finals.

Plant High School Rowing Association offers “Learn to Row” summer camps, for middle school and high school students, who attend any school! For more information about Plant High School Rowing, or to help support the athletes, visit their website, or contact the club!

If you are traveling Memorial Day weekend and spot a large “sea” of “Yellow and Black” at Tampa International Airport, congratulate the Plant High Rowing Team for a fantastic year!

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My role, as the Buyer’s agent, with nearly 20 years of experience, is to guide those relocating to Tampa to find what is “Best” for them. I ask a lot of questions about lifestyle and their current neighborhood, city vs. suburbs, commute time, work location, ages of the children, any special needs…you name it, I ask it! Lately, I have had to inform the potential buyers that our market has changed. The “Best” houses, and the “Best” neighborhoods are selling quickly. Multiple offers are common. I tell buyers to focus on a few neighborhoods that they like because the house they saw on the internet yesterday, might, very well, be under contract today. If you are planning a move to Tampa, please contact me as soon as possible, so I can start to search the perfect neighborhood for you and your family. There is no substitute for “seeing” a neighborhood in person, or chatting with me on the phone about all of your options.

I can help with your move to any Tampa neighborhood, including: South Tampa, Channelside, Harbour Island, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Culbreath Isles, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunters Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Clearwater Beach, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate .

For assistance in finding a house in Tampa, or any of the surrounding suburbs, the Plant High School District, which is #38 in the US, or any questions about the Tampa Real Estate market, please contact me. PCS to MacDill AFB or Moving to Tampa?

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I also LOVE Great Food, so check out my Restaurant Reviews on the Urban Spoon….!

I follow some of my fellow Real Estate Bloggers around the US and one of my favorites, Mary Pope-Handy, in Los Gatos, California, recently experienced a “natural gas explosion” in her neighborhood! Many of my clients LOVE to cook with Natural Gas and having “gas” in the neighborhood is a “plus”, as not all Tampa neighborhoods have gas lines in the street, so homebuyers would have to install a Propane Tank. Few of us realize the implications, or possible dangers, of having gas lines underground, so let’s see how Los Gatos handled the gas explosion and how Mary Pope-Handy blogged about the gas explosion, so neighbors could stay on top of a very dangerous situation.

I can help with your move to any Tampa neighborhood, including: South Tampa, Channelside, Harbour Island, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Culbreath Isles, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunters Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Clearwater Beach, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate .

For assistance in finding a house in Tampa, or any of the surrounding suburbs, or any questions about the Tampa Real Estate market, please contact me. PCS to MacDill AFB or Moving to Tampa?

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I love great food, too, so check out my Tampa Restaurant Reviews on Urbanspoon!

Not a fan of Oysters, I had to trust my friend when she showered praise on her PoBoy, especially the house-baked Ciabbata bread and fresh horseradish on the side. Now, really full, but what’s a food review without dessert, right? In deciding to “share”, we were discussing our options in front of Erika and had narrowed it to Hot Chocolate Truffle “Bon Bons” with Strawberry Fields Cream or The Homage to Ybor…a red apple cobbler with dolce de Leche Ice Cream, Nutella Ganache and smoke Coconut Crumb. We never actually “told” Erika what our choice was, but she overheard me discuss my aversion to Strawberry(and only Strawberry) Ice Cream and placed our order for the Homage to Ybor. Great service!
Upon exiting, we were greeted by the chef, Chad McColgin, who took our “flatbread” critique very well and we chatted about our enjoyable dining experience. We left with a basket of assorted, locally grown tomatoes, as Boca Kitchen Bar is also a “market” for some local produce and unique products made in-house.
I can’t wait to head back to Boca for dinner!

Plae…the unusual name of this amazing restaurant is an acronym for “People Laughing and Eating”…and they were! Nestled in a quiet spot on Amelia Island Plantation the menu was varied and filled with enviable choices. I started with a beet, arugual and fried goat cheese salad, while my companion chose the iceberg wedge with blue cheese and bacon. All delicious and served up with a plate of warm focaccia bread. Always up for an adventure, I chose the “Chef’s Surprise”! The waitress “hinted” that it contained a “bone”, so I was hoping for a “shank”! Not to be disappointed, a huge, lucious, slow braised lamb shank was my reward! It was amazing. We also ordered the short ribs, which were equally delicious. Plae was so enjoyable, we returned the next evening to enjoy the piano singer in the bar AND an decadent Chocolate Torte for dessert! Plae is MUST on the Amelia Island dining scene!

Le Clos…located in a tiny bungalow in Downtown Fernandina Beach, this is a “must reserve” if you have any hope of snagging a table. The setting is charming, the food is French and the staff very attentive. I loved it. If Escargots are on the menu, ordering them is a “given”. I have eaten Escargots all over Europe and the US and, as I told the waitress, these were the most perfectly seasoned, most perfectly EVERYTHING that I have EVER had!

Our entrees were a Parmesan Crusted Grouper in a Lemon Caper Beurre Blanc and Duck Breast with Chive Whipped potatoes. Delicious!

New Home in Tampa

If you are looking for a new home, that is BRAND New Construction, in the Tampa Real Estate Market, and you are not working with an agent, it is VERY difficult to find what you are looking for. Most New Construction is not listed in MLS, or on Realtor.com, and is often under contract before the slab is poured!  The demand for new homes is high, so if you are relocating to Tampa, and you need expert advice, contact me today!

What is the cost of a “new” home in Tampa?

That depends on size, and, of course, location. Prices range from $300,000 to several million. Let me know if I can help!

If you are buying a house in Tampa, or Selling a house in Tampa, I can help with any Tampa neighborhood, including: South Tampa, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park Historic District, Culbreath Isles, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunter’s Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate…contact me! Just give me specifics of what you are looking for and you will receive the newest listings on the market!

You can search my site, on the right sidebar, for any article related to Tampa Real Estate, Neighborhoods, or

Restaurants. Just type in a search word in the search box!

You can read my restaurant reviews on Urban Spoon, too! Any questions about Tampa Real Estate? Contact me today! And, if you like this post, please share it on Twitter, using the “Tweet” button below!

Moving to Tampa? PCS to MacDill Air Force Base?  Looking for expert advice in the Tampa Real Estate Market?

When you are buying a home in the Tampa Real Estate market, or anywhere in the World, you should NEVER fail to get a Home Inspection done to check for any structural, or mechanical, defects in the home you are buying. With the number of “foreclosures” on the market being sold “as is”, it is VERY important that you have any home you are intending to buy inspected by a PROFESSIONAL Home Inspector.

Very often, buyers are trying to save money by having a “friend” who claims to be a contractor do the inspection. BAD IDEA. Home Inspectors are certified through ASHI, a professional association of Home Inspectors. They have specialized training, standards to uphold and checklists they can follow, eliminating the likelihood that they might “miss” something. While no inspector is perfect, the more training the inspector has, the more thorough he is likely to be in examining the home for any possible defects, especially those not visible to the untrained eye.

Occasionally, you will need to hire additional inspectors, depending on the home. A waterfront home generally will require a seawall inspection, or a dock inspection. Property in a rural area may warrant a septic inspection or well inspection.

Wood-burning fireplaces should really be inspected for any loose mortar, or creosote build-up. I recommend a local chimney sweep for those inspections. Radon inspections are common in many areas East of Tampa and that requires a cannister to be placed in the home for several days, then collected, and tested, for the presence of Radon Gas.

While the cost of inspections is not inexpensive, the cost of NOT uncovering a problem until after you are the homeowner can be HUGE. Ask your Real Estate Professional for the best inspectors, not the cheapest ones!

If you would like to receive a list of homes in a certain price range…send me an email! I have been relocation families to Tampa for 17 years and have had three children in Private Schools, Magnet Schools and Public Schools! If you need help finding the RIGHT Neighborhood for your family, please contact me today.

I can help with your move to any Tampa neighborhood, or Real Estate Listings in the Tampa area, including: South Tampa, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Culbreath Isles, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunter’s Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Waterfront Homes, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa and International Real Estate…contact me!

Tampa is a great, family-oriented city. Located between the attractions in Orlando and the Gulf Beaches, along with one of the Best School Districts in the U.S., it is a fabulous place to live! I promise that you will NOT have to drive in snow, sleet, or freezing rain!

For more in-depth information on Tampa Schools and Tampa Neighborhoods, you should contact me today. I have been relocating families to the Tampa area for 17 years. I have three children who have been educated in both the public and private schools, along with the Magnet Schools. Most of my clients are busy professionals, or  families with children and I counsel them about the BEST choices for THEIR families.

Tampa is a large metropolitan area with many neighborhoods and many options at all price ranges, ranging from Gated Communities to Waterfront to City Living.  I can set up an online search for your specific needs, so send me an email, or give me a call, at 813.629.5757, so I can help narrow your options and find the Best Place to Live in Tampa for YOU!

When you are moving to Tampa, or anywhere in the world, contact me, to find the right home for your family’s needs!

For more information about the Tampa Real Estate market, Tampa Neighborhoods, including Culbreath Isles, MacDill AFB,  South Tampa, Harbour Island, Davis Islands, Beach Park, Sunset Park, Hyde Park, Channelside, Palma Ceia, Westchase, Waterchase, Odessa, Cheval, Avila, Brandon, Riverview, FishHawk, New Tampa, Tampa Palms, Hunters Green, Arbor Greene, Apollo Beach, South Shore, MiraBay, Golf Communities, Waterfront Homes, Houses in the Plant High School District, Tampa Schools, Luxury Homes in Tampa, Condos in Tampa, the Best Tampa Neighborhoods, or International Real Estate contact me

Osso Bucco

From start to finish, Cafe Pont is always amazing.  We enjoyed sips of Mushroom Bisque and Pumpkin Curry Crab Bisque, while awaiting our first course.  All agreed that our choices were delicious: from the Beefsteak Salad and Beet Salad  to the Sea Bass and THREE orders of Osso Bucco, we were very happy.  For dessert, we ordered a Raspberry Creme Brulee, Chocolate Tart and Artisinal Cheese Plate.  A selection of assorted chocolates topped the finish to a lovely evening. A bottle of Ferrari Carano Tresor was the perfect wine on a perfect night!