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I run corporate training programs and I have moved four times inside the Tampa Bay area in six years, mostly because of work locations. Each move taught me something I did not know to ask about.
Flood zone before anything else. Two identical houses three streets apart can differ by a four figure annual insurance number. The listing will not mention it, you look it up yourself.
- HOA fees and what they actually cover. One place I rented had a fee that covered the pool nobody could use because it was being resurfaced for eight months.
- Ask what the electric bill was in August, not the average. Average includes January.
- Impact windows or not. It changes both your insurance and how many days of your year involve plywood.
- Compare the asking price to the neighbourhood before you fall in love. I keep a running list from https://florida-real.estate/ and check what similar places in the same zip are actually going for, because agents quote you the number for the house, not the number for the area.
Current place is in Seminole Heights, third floor, and the commute is worse than the last one. My wife reminds me that I chose it.