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Featured Story

How’s Housing in Your Hood?

Housing is a funny thing. It’s one of the few things in life whose value is nearly entirely subjective, yet tied to so much. We judge our economy by it, the emotional state of our citizens, and even the president’s success or failure. Tip: You wanna know who’s gonna win an election? Look at the housing market. No incumbent has ever been defeated when housing was strong.

Now, don’t get me wrong, housing is important. A roof over your head is essential. But people need homes, and the market is full of houses.

A house is an investment. You should be cold, calculating, and focus on nifty little acronyms like ROI, CAP, and NOI. Fluctuations in the interest rate certainly matter, and so do the days a house has been sitting and how motivated the seller is.

A home, on the other hand, is an emotional purchase. And while you shouldn’t lose your shirt, the biggest factor shouldn’t be the likelihood you can sell it 40% higher in three years. This is where you live. Where you’ll mark lines on the walls as your kids grow. Where you’ll spend an entire summer remodeling and painting a spare bedroom, only to do it again in the fall. The neighborhood, the traffic, the schools—those are the factors that should move the needle for a home purchase.

And that’s my point. Too many people are buying and selling houses these days. Not enough people are buying homes. And why would they, when the world is telling them their home is nothing more than another financial instrument?

Buyers are taught to look at these purchases like investments, which is why everyone is watching interest rates like hawks. And “For Sale” signs are starting to outnumber the houses for sale, while everyone looks for the right time to buy. But when is the RIGHT TIME?

Rates just eased down 6 basis points this past week. Critics will point out that they’re still up 15 points from this time last year. But does that mean it’s time to put in an offer on that house you’ve been eyeing?

I don’t have the answers, but as new developments pop up all over Southshore and open houses reach pre-pandemic levels, it’s time we start reevaluating how we think about and view residential real estate. What are your thoughts on the real estate market? Shoot us an email to [email protected] and let us know.

Southshore Story Time

Where Did Boyette Go? A Riverview Story

Part 1: A Town Takes Root

South of the Alafia, east of 301, a farming community called Boyette took shape in the early 1900s. It had the bones of a proper town: a post office opened in 1902, a general store, a sawmill, a church and cemetery, and a small depot where crops were loaded out by rail. Families grew fruit and vegetables, shipped what they could, and walked dusty roads that would one day be called Boyette and McMullen.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

We Know a Guy…or Girl

Stellar Notary Services

Click here to check out our growing list of service pros.

“Keep it Local!”

How AI is Shaping Southshore -

You may love or hate AI, but let me be the first to tell you it’s already playing a major role in our area’s growth. Every day, Southshore gets a little smarter and AI stretches its tentacles into more parts of our lives. As an ‘80s baby, Sarah Connor’s warnings echo in my head as visions of Terminators walking out of the bay play like a movie. But the truth is, we have already passed the point of no return. So let’s look at a few ways AI is shaping Southshore.

Let’s start with the roads. Tampa and Hillsborough engineers are leaning on AI to watch real-time traffic, spot crashes faster, and adjust signals so fewer drivers stew at red lights for no reason. Think of it as a second set of eyes that never blinks, helping crews clear hazards and keep people moving. Shame they cannot AI up all these potholes.

In health care, Tampa General Hospital has rolled out “ambient” AI tools that listen during patient visits and draft the clinical notes for doctors and nurses. Less time typing, more time looking you in the eye and answering questions. It is already live with physicians, and this summer, TGH expanded it to nurses through Epic’s mobile app.

Schools are getting their footing too. Hillsborough County Public Schools approved an AI policy and released an implementation guide this year, laying out where AI tools make sense, how to protect student data, and what stays off limits. Morgan High School in Wimauma is pushing hard on tech-forward learning and AI readiness.

AI is literally all the rage out here. The real question is whether it makes life better on your street. If smart signals shorten the car line, if your doctor spends more time talking and less time typing, if classrooms use AI with clear rules and privacy in mind, that is a win. Keep telling us where you see it helping or missing the mark. We will keep tracking the good, the bad, and the “please fix the potholes.” For now, call it what it is. Not Skynet. Just a growing set of tools that, used well, can help Southshore run a little smoother.

Southshore Spotlight

Veterans Helping Veterans

Veterans Helping Veterans USA is an Ocala-based 501(c)(3) that runs a one-stop resource center for veterans and their families, offering emergency financial help, counseling, housing and utility assistance, employment support, and a food pantry. The nonprofit is independent from the VA and relies on private donations and grants, and it currently holds a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator.

Nominate your local hero by emailing us at [email protected]

Foodies Only

Roots Southern BBQ

South Carolina style, slow smoked, and served with love — that’s ROOTS Southern BBQ.

Check out where to find them below:

Nominate your local hero by emailing us at [email protected]

Local Sports

Coming soon, Battle of the Southshore QBs!

Be on the lookout this week for the poll and nominate your favorite quarterback for an upcoming feature.

Football

Lennard vs Gateway, Friday 9/12 @7:30 PM - Away

East Bay vs Bloomingdale, Friday 9/12 @ 7:30 PM - Away

Sumner vs Newsome, Friday 9/12 @7:30 PM - Away

Riverview vs Plant City, Friday 9/12, @ 7:30 PM - Home

Spoto vs King, Friday 9/12, @7:30 PM - Home

News or Events you’d like to share? Email us at: [email protected] 

Until next time,

Keep It Local.