Posts made by author 'Jay D'Abramo'
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1
Feeling Priced Out of Homeownership? Here's How Young Buyers Are Making It Happen in 2025
If high home prices, rising interest rates, or the thought of "am I really ready?" has you feeling stuck on the sidelines of homeownership, you're definitely not alone.
According to the 2025 NextGen Homebuyer Report, almost 60% of Gen Z and Millennial buyers believe they'll own a home one day—but only 19% feel now is the right time to buy.
So what's everyone else doing?
They're getting creative.
From teaming up with friends to turning part of their house into an income stream, young buyers in Tampa Bay are finding new ways to get the keys. Here are four popular strategies that are helping first-time buyers break into the market this year—plus how to know if one might work for you.
25
So Your Kid Wants to Buy a House: How to Help Without Causing a Headache
So your kid wants to buy a home, and you're thinking about stepping in to help. Good news: you're not alone. Bad news? If you do it the wrong way, it can trigger taxes, tension, or both.
Today's first-time buyers are facing a tough combo—stubbornly high prices, steep interest rates, and fierce competition. In the Tampa Bay area especially, where home values have remained strong even as rates climb, it's getting harder for younger buyers to break in.
The average down payment nationwide climbed to $63,000 in 2024, and monthly mortgage payments are still hovering near record highs. A recent Redfin survey showed that nearly 1 in 4 Gen Z and Millennial buyers relied on family support—through a cash gift or inheritance—to make homeownership happen.
And while "nepo-homebuyer" might be trending online, let's be real: helping your ki...
16
Why Pricing Strategy Matters More Than Ever in Tampa Bay
If your home didn't sell the first time, or you're thinking about listing soon, there's one question that can make or break your entire experience:
How do you price your home?
Not "what's it worth" on Zillow. Not "what you need to net" to buy your next home. And not even "what your neighbor's house sold for."
We're talking about a real pricing strategy—one based on data, buyer psychology, and local market conditions.
Unfortunately, a lot of agents skip this step.
Instead, they lean into the number you want to hear, list the property, and hope for the best. But hope is not a strategy.
8
What Will Your Home Actually Sell For?
If you're thinking about selling your home, you've probably already asked the big question: What's it worth?
But here's the better question: What will it actually sell for?
The answer depends on far more than just your home's condition or recent comps. It comes down to the decisions you make before the listing ever goes live. And according to recent research from Zillow, many sellers are still missing the mark on some fundamentals.
Here are five of the most common mistakes sellers make—and what to do instead.
1. Overspending on the Wrong Upgrades
30
Why the 30% Rule Doesn't Work Anymore—And What to Do Instead
For decades, homebuyers were told one thing: Don't spend more than 30% of your income on housing.
It was the gold standard. The budget benchmark. The line between "comfortable" and "stretched too thin."
But in 2025, that line no longer holds up.
According to Realtor.com®, the typical U.S. household now needs to spend 44.6% of their income to buy a median-priced home. And in some cities, that number jumps to 100% or more. Even here in Tampa Bay, we're feeling the pressure. Rising home prices, high insurance premiums, and elevated interest rates have all shifted what "affordable" really means.
So if you're staring down housing costs and wondering why the math doesn't make sense anymore—you're not alone.
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