Home buying doesn’t have to feel like decoding a secret language. We sit down with mortgage pro Carlos Ramos to unpack what has changed since 2021, why lenders ask for so much documentation, and how to position yourself for a payment that fits real life. If headlines about “rate cuts” leave you wondering why your mortgage quote didn’t budge, you’ll get the clean breakdown of the 10-year Treasury, short-term vs long-term rates, and what actually moves mortgages in Tampa Bay and beyond.

We get practical fast: how seller concessions can beat a small price reduction, when a 2-1 temporary buy-down makes sense, and why paying big points right now may not be worth it if a refinance window opens within a year. Carlos walks us through the math mindset that matters—starting with credit checks to catch errors early, building a budget using minimum monthly payments (not balances), and accounting for full ownership costs like taxes, insurance, HOA, and potential flood coverage. We also highlight the expenses buyers forget: moving, furniture, and the surprise repairs that show up even in newer homes.

To keep you out of the “house poor” trap, we outline five steps: pull your credit, set a real budget, trim recurring spending, stack savings and gift strategies, then secure a strong preapproval before touring. For many offers today, requesting concessions and applying them to a temporary buy-down or closing costs can lower monthly payments more effectively than negotiating a small price cut. If the numbers say “not yet,” we help you design a timeline so six months from now you’re shopping with confidence instead of guesswork.

If you found this helpful, follow the show, leave a quick review, and share it with a friend who’s gearing up to buy. Your support helps more Tampa Bay buyers get clear, calm, and ready to close.

If you are in need of a great lender, please feel free to reach out to Carlos Ramos with The Ramos Mortgage Team at (813) 767-1887‬ and let him know you heard him here!

Have questions about the area or suggestions on a topic, send us a text here!

Thank you for tuning into "Snapshots Tampa Bay with Candace and Lisa." We're thrilled to share our insights and adventures with you. To keep the conversation going and explore more about Tampa Bay and Central Florida real estate, connect with us on social media and other platforms!

Ways to Connect with Us: Visit our Linktree for all the links to our social media pages, latest episodes, and more information.

We look forward to connecting with you and hearing your thoughts. Don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode. Until next time, keep loving and exploring Tampa Bay!

What happens when a life built on movement finds a new stage in real estate? We sit down with Lisa to follow her arc from Spring Hill to Disney entertainment, onto the Olympic floor in Atlanta, through a brutal knee reconstruction, and into a ballroom career that taught her timing, trust, and poise under pressure. The story is part grit, part artistry, and fully human—rooted in family, community, and a deep need to help people feel at home.

We unpack the pivots that shaped her path: choosing Atlanta for creative opportunity, discovering ballroom by chance at a salsa and swing club, rising fast to win Ohio Star Ball, and partnering with her now-husband both on the dance floor and in life. When the pull of living by the water, taking care of parents, and a better rhythm for their kids called, the family left landlocked Atlanta for Tampa Bay. That move sharpened Lisa’s understanding of relocation—from military moves to senior living decisions to finding the local spots that make a neighborhood feel like yours.

What makes her approach to real estate different is everything that came before it. A builder father taught her how homes are made. Coaching figure skaters gave her a language for flow and balance. Costume design honed her eye for fit, finish, and story—skills she now uses for staging and marketing. Most of all, performance trained her to manage nerves, read the room, and keep the experience warm, clear, and steady when the stakes feel high. If you want a people-first guide who knows Tampa Bay and believes preparation beats panic, you’ll find practical takeaways and a lot of heart here.

If this story resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s navigating a big move, and leave a quick review—what part of Lisa’s journey inspired you most?

Have questions about the area or suggestions on a topic, send us a text here!

Thank you for tuning into "Snapshots Tampa Bay with Candace and Lisa." We're thrilled to share our insights and adventures with you. To keep the conversation going and explore more about Tampa Bay and Central Florida real estate, connect with us on social media and other platforms!

Ways to Connect with Us: Visit our Linktree for all the links to our social media pages, latest episodes, and more information.

We look forward to connecting with you and hearing your thoughts. Don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode. Until next time, keep loving and exploring Tampa Bay!

Craving the October vibe without the jump scares? We pulled together a warm, welcoming Halloween game plan across the Tampa Bay Area—one that works for allergy-aware families, sensory-sensitive kiddos, and anyone who wants more delight than dread. From teal pumpkin tips to a pirate cruise on the bay, consider this your easy-to-use map for a sweeter, calmer season.

We start with a verified resource for kid friendly events in the area. Then we dig into standouts: an allergen-friendly party at Steinbrenner Stadium with non-food trick-or-treating, and sensory-friendly options at the Florida Aquarium and Glazer Children’s Museum where lights and noise are dialed down. Prefer motion over lines? Hit costume jams at Carrollwood Village and Jackson Springs skate parks, or glide through a Halloween session at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel.

If you’re chasing unique experiences, Weeki Wachee’s Wicked Nights blends a carnival vibe with iconic mermaid shows at 8, 9, and 10 p.m., perfect for family memories that don’t require a tolerance for terror. Nostalgia more your speed? The Florida Railroad Museum’s Pumpkin Patch Express in Parrish delivers hayrides, crafts, and the simple joy of a train day. For grown-ups and older kids, the Lost Pearl Halloween pirate adventure cruise adds skyline views, complimentary drinks, and easygoing pirate fun without the chaos.

Want more Tampa Bay finds like these? Subscribe, share this episode with a friend, and tell us which event you’re trying first so we can feature your picks next time.

Links to all events mentioned:

General Information for the area: www.Fun4TampaKids.com

Allergen Friendly Halloween Party at Steinbrenner Stadium

The Florida Aquarium - a sensory-friendly Guppyween

Glazer Children’s Museum Sensory Friendly Halloween Spree

Carrollwood Village Skate Park Halloween Skate Jam

Halloween Skate Jam at Jackson Springs Skate Park

Advent Health Center Ice Hallowrink Themed Skate

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Wild N' Wicked Nights

Florida Railroad Museum Pumpkin Patch Express

Lost Pearl Halloween Pirate Adventure Cruise

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Spookquarium

Busch Gardens Kandy’s Sweetacular

Have questions about the area or suggestions on a topic, send us a text here!

Thank you for tuning into "Snapshots Tampa Bay with Candace and Lisa." We're thrilled to share our insights and adventures with you. To keep the conversation going and explore more about Tampa Bay and Central Florida real estate, connect with us on social media and other platforms!

Ways to Connect with Us: Visit our Linktree for all the links to our social media pages, latest episodes, and more information.

We look forward to connecting with you and hearing your thoughts. Don’t forget to subscribe, so you never miss an episode. Until next time, keep loving and exploring Tampa Bay!