Kristen Kurtz Real Estate

10/29/2026

Florida made the Top 10 in Wallethub's latest analysis, but the numbers behind the ranking tell an even more interesting story.

Florida ranks No. 3 for quality of life and No. 11 for safety, while affordability comes in at No. 32. For those of us who already call Florida home, that contrast matters. It can influence where people choose to buy, how homeowners think about value, and why one local market can behave very differently from another.

As a Florida real estate agent, I pay attention to the bigger trends and what they mean right here in our local market.

Whether you're buying, selling, staying put or simply keeping an eye on your home's value, I'm always happy to help you make sense of the numbers.

Source: https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2026/08/florida-ranks-among-top-10-states-live

10/28/2026

🏡 TAMPA BAY MARKET MINUTE | SELLERS, YOUR FIRST PRICE MATTERS.

Pinellas County homes sold for about 97% of asking price on average in September.

But that does NOT mean:

"Let's price it high and see what happens."

Today's buyers can see competing listings, recent sales, price reductions, and how long your home has been sitting.

Your first few weeks on the market matter.

The goal isn't simply choosing the highest listing price.

It's positioning your home so buyers recognize the value—and giving yourself the strongest opportunity to get it sold.

Thinking about selling? Let's talk strategy.

Kristen Kurtz
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group

10/27/2026

🚨 TUESDAY WAKE-UP CALL

Existing-home sales rose 1.5% in September, but we’re still hovering right around a 4 million annual sales pace.

Buyers are still out there — first-time buyers made up 31% of sales — but affordability is still the biggest conversation.

And this is why I keep saying: stop looking at the mortgage rate by itself.

The better questions are:

🏡 What’s my monthly payment?
💰 How much cash do I need to close?
📉 Are points or extra fees being used to get that rate?
🔑 What can I actually afford comfortably?

Because the lowest advertised rate doesn’t always tell the whole story.

If buying a home is on your radar, let’s look at the real numbers and build a plan that actually makes sense for you.

10/27/2026

Considering a move to Florida? Don't make your decision based on sunshine and home prices alone.

Florida ranks No. 10 among the best states to live in, with a No. 3 ranking for quality of life and No. 11 for safety. It also ranks No. 32 for affordability, which is where understanding the local Florida real estate market becomes especially important.

As a local real estate agent, I can help you compare communities, understand current home prices and inventory, and determine what makes sense for your goals.

Thinking about buying a home in Florida? Send me a message and let's start with the local numbers.

Source: https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2026/08/florida-ranks-among-top-10-states-live

10/27/2026

📼 TAMPA BAY HOT SPOTS | MONDAY EDITION

LET'S TAKE IT BACK TO THE '90s AND 2000s!

This week's destination:

📍 REWIND
Downtown Saint Petersburg

Remember Thirsty First?

Its former location has a new identity!

Rewind brings a nostalgia-inspired nightlife concept to downtown Saint Petersburg, celebrating the music and atmosphere of the 1990s and 2000s.

And what better time to feature a throwback destination than Halloween week?

If you're looking for somewhere different to explore on your next night out, add Rewind to your list!

Now I have an important question...

👇 WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE '90s OR 2000s THROWBACK SONG?

I'm Kristen Kurtz with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group, bringing you a new Tampa Bay Hot Spot every Monday!

10/26/2026

BHHS ST PETE Annual Chili Cook-Off! I’m ready for my Blue Ribbon 😝🎃

10/24/2026

These small tweaks can help you keep a cleaner home all week long.

Cleaning doesn’t have to be a hassle if you keep on top of it. Here are some small daily steps...

10/24/2026

Pack the sunscreen. Florida's migration rankings are in and it is the only state ranking in the Top 10 for net migration across all four generations,

Different generations can bring different ideas about where they want to live, what they want from a home and which community amenities matter most. That's why understanding who is moving can add important context to Florida's housing trends.

Four generations. One very popular destination.

Want to know what’s shaping your local market? Send me a DM and let's chat!

Source: https://www.floridarealtors.org/news-media/news-articles/2026/08/florida-draws-movers-across-generations

10/23/2026

🎉 **TAMPA BAY WEEKEND ROUNDUP | OCTOBER 23–25** 🎉

Seafood festivals, major concerts, professional soccer, comedy, and Halloween thrills! 🎃🌴

Tampa Bay has another packed weekend ahead!

🦞 **FOOD & FESTIVALS**

🦐 John's Pass Seafood Festival
📍 Madeira Beach
📅 Friday–Sunday
Fresh Gulf seafood, live music, waterfront views, and local vendors. FREE admission!

🌮 Tacos & Tequila Fest
📍 Tampa
📅 Saturday, October 24
Tacos, tequila, food trucks, and live entertainment!

🎤 **CONCERTS & COMEDY**

🎶 Teddy Swims
📍 Benchmark International Arena, Tampa
📅 Friday at 7 PM

😂 Jessica Kirson
📍 Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
📅 Friday at 8 PM

⚽ **SPORTS**

Tampa Bay Rowdies vs. Sporting JAX
📍 Al Lang Stadium, Saint Petersburg
📅 Saturday at 7:30 PM

🎃 **HALLOWEEN & NIGHTLIFE**

👻 Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream
📍 Tampa
📅 Friday–Sunday, starting at 7 PM

💦 AquaGlow Neon Paradise
📍 Adventure Island
📅 Friday at 8 PM
Neon lights, music, and nighttime water slides!

🧛 Dracula
📍 The Sarasota Players
📅 Friday–Sunday
A classic vampire story just in time for Halloween!

Between seafood, Teddy Swims, soccer, and Halloween scares, there's something for everyone!

👇 WHAT ARE YOUR WEEKEND PLANS?

I'm Kristen Kurtz with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group, bringing you some of the best things happening around Tampa Bay every Friday!

10/22/2026

You know it’s fall in Florida when __________. 🍂🌴

The pumpkin spice says October, but the thermostat says July.

Finish the sentence in the comments. Wrong answers, painfully accurate answers, and aggressively Florida answers are all encouraged.