First Time Home Buyers Services Tampa

YOUR TRUSTED REALTORS AND REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS IN TAMPA, FL

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Personalized Guidance for First-Time Buyers Across Tampa

Tampa Real Estate Experts for First-Time Buyers

At The Lewkowicz Group, we specialize in helping first-time home buyers confidently navigate the Tampa real estate market. Whether you're looking to purchase in Carrollwood, Lutz, Westchase, Hyde Park, or South Tampa, our team offers personalized support, unmatched local knowledge, and trusted relationships with lenders and inspectors to make the process seamless. From understanding financing options to negotiating offers, we’re here to simplify every step of your first home purchase. We provide complete buyer representation designed for those purchasing a home for the first time, including guidance with FHA and VA loans, Florida first-time buyer programs, pre-approval preparation, competitive market analysis, and trusted referrals for inspections and legal support.

We’re committed to making homeownership accessible for Tampa’s first-time buyers through expert market insight, financial education, and responsive service. Our team takes pride in helping buyers feel confident, protected, and informed—ensuring no question goes unanswered and no opportunity is missed.

 

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Your First Home in Tampa Starts Here

✅ First-Time Home Buyer Services in Tampa, Florida | Trusted Local Experts

  • Instant property valuation estimate
  • Expert advice
  • Sell for more

EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE

 45+ Years of Tampa Bay Real Estate Experience

Joe has proven himself to be a prominent figure in the Tampa Bay real estate market and one of the most trusted real estate agents in the region.

904

Homes in Tampa Sold in the Last Decade

#1

Real Estate Agent By Volume in Northwest Tampa

47

Years of Real Estate Expertise in Northwest Tampa

Tampa Real Estate Appraisal FAQs

For accurate, up-to-date information on getting your home appraised in Tampa, including valuation methods, legal requirements, and market trends, you can talk to us.

 

Tampa offers several first-time home buyer programs, including Florida Housing’s First Time Homebuyer Program, down payment assistance options, and FHA loans. These programs are designed to make homeownership more accessible with lower interest rates and reduced upfront costs.

 

First-time buyers in Tampa may only need as little as 3% down with conventional loans, or 3.5% with FHA loans. Additionally, local and state assistance programs can help cover some or all of your down payment and closing costs.

 

Most lenders in Tampa require a minimum credit score of 620 for conventional loans. FHA loans may be available with a credit score as low as 580. However, higher credit scores can help you qualify for better rates and loan terms.

 

Yes! Programs like the Hillsborough County Down Payment Assistance Program and Florida’s Hometown Heroes initiative offer grants or forgivable loans to qualified buyers, especially those working in public service fields or living in designated areas.

 

To get pre-approved, you’ll need to provide your lender with income statements, tax returns, credit history, and employment verification. A pre-approval strengthens your offer when house hunting in Tampa’s competitive real estate market.

 

Popular Tampa neighborhoods for first-time buyers include Seminole Heights, Carrollwood, Westchase, and Brandon. These areas offer a mix of affordability, strong schools, and great access to downtown Tampa.

 

Closing costs in Tampa usually range from 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price. These may include appraisal fees, title insurance, loan origination fees, and other administrative charges. Some assistance programs may help cover these expenses.

 

Yes, you can still qualify for a mortgage with student loan debt. Lenders will assess your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, and if it falls within acceptable limits, student loans won’t necessarily prevent you from buying your first home.

 

With Tampa's rising rental prices and strong property appreciation, buying can often be a smarter long-term investment—especially with low-interest loan options and buyer incentives available for first-timers.

 

A local Tampa agent with first-time buyer expertise can guide you through every step—negotiating offers, explaining financing, finding grant opportunities, and helping you avoid costly mistakes. It’s a crucial advantage when navigating your first home purchase.

Tampa Real Estate Testimonials

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  • We recently listed our home with Joe. We had been in our home for 16 years and so we did not have any recent experience in the home selling process. We wanted professional help that we could trust. We had watched the changes in the area, the homes that sold, the ones that took a long time to sell, and the ones that sold quickly. We saw that Joe's name was frequently attached to the sales of properties that were similar to ours. When it came time to downsize and to sell our home of 16 years, the decision for us was simple. We asked Joe Lewkowicz to work with us through this process. From the first meeting at our dining room table, Joe set the standar...
    — Daniel
  • We chose Joseph Lewkowicz because of his years of successful experience selling homes in our neighborhood. We knew others in our neighborhood who listed and sold with him and they all were very pleased with his service. We were not disappointed! Joe met with us and helped us decide what price we should ask for the home and advised us on the preparation of the property for the sale. The day the house was listed we received two offers, one above the asking price, and signed a contract within 24 hours of listing. The sale closed in 30 days. We could not have been happier with his service. He was always available to answer questions and guide us through...
    — Daniel
  • Working with Joe was a great experience. We had watched him for years as the homes he listed in our neighborhood sold more quickly and at better prices than others. We started the process long before we put our house on the market. We had him come by and look at our house and give us recommendations for what we needed to take care of and do before putting it on the market. He kept in touch with us and once we were at the point where we would list, it went very smoothly. He recommended a listing price that was very good for us, yet priced well to sell. Joe did a great job marketing the house and responding to our questions. We had a showing the day i...
    — Seller
  • This guy is awesome! Very professional. He strives for making the house selling/buying trip an interesting and exciting experience rather than a stressful one. When we decided to buy our first house he explained every step to us. Also helped us to get a fair price based on some issues he found during the inspection. Since English is not our first language they made all the necessary effort to keep us informed about every single detail or step that needed to be taken each time.
    — Buyer
  • What a great job. The house was listed and sold in one week. Joe was there for me throughout the listing and sale of my home. He walked me through the process and kept me abreast of all activity as it happened. The listing was beautifully presented and showed all the best features of my home. He also advised me as to how to best stage my rooms for the best presentation. If you list with Joe Lewkowicz you can be sure that you are working with a real dynamic professional.
    — Josette B.
  • Joe knows the Hillsborough real estate market better than anyone around. He and his team were quick and efficient, and helped us stage and prep the house at the right level without overdoing it, were quick to get a photographer, get the listing. And even better, we had an offer within a week. Joe was great in guiding us through the process into closing, and always quick to respond when we had any questions.
    — Seller
  • Joe was very professional, knows all the in and outs of the real estate business, and was great at getting back to you quickly whether to see a house or ask a question or sign an offer. Got us into homes as quickly as we saw them come up so we could see the new houses on the market. We came from Virginia so he even did FaceTime tours with us when we couldn't be here in person. Would recommend Joe.
    — Buyer
  • Joe was outstanding! The entire process (staging, listing, showing, and closing) went so smoothly, we knew we chose the right Realtor®! We had never sold a house and thanks to Joe, our experience was truly enjoyable. In our first meeting, Joe predicted our house would sell within 2 weeks. We sold our house in less than 1 week!
    — Shannon P.
  • My experience with Joe Lewkowicz was awesome. He came out and evaluated my home to come up with the correct price for the listing. I sold my home within 3 days of listing and over the asking price. Joe was extremely familiar with the Carrollwood area and that was to my advantage I feel. I would strongly suggest him as a Realtor®.
    — Seller
  • Joe is the most knowledgeable, effective, and efficient Realtor® with whom we have ever worked. Over our lifetime we have purchased 11 homes. No Realtor® has delivered the quality of work that we received from Joe. If we were to sell or buy another home, Joe would be our unquestionable choice to represent our interests.
    — Nancy & David S.
  • Joe's greatest asset is his knowledge of the local area he sells in as well as his ability to price appropriately on a property. He does a wonderful job of being on top of all of the local information needed to sell a home quickly and at the most money, you can receive then.
    — May B.
  • Joe quickly lined up a buyer at a fair price. He handled all aspects of the sale seamlessly at what was a stressful time for us. Joe's knowledge of the area allowed him to give us realistic guidance on what we could expect, and the process played out as he predicted.
    — John H.
  • Joe helped me sell my house in Northdale. His expertise allowed me to sell it in three days! Based on his advice, we were able to show it 15 times, received 6 offers, and closed for $9,000 more than we asked! I cannot recommend him more highly. Thanks, Joe.
    — Steven B.
  • Joe did a super job. We were interested in a reasonable time on the market. Joe assisted us in arriving at a fair price and made us aware of potential issues like the age of the roof. House sold quickly and we were very happy.
    — Seller
  • I wouldn't recommend any other Realtor® to sell or buy a home. He is extremely knowledgeable of the area and keeps in constant contact throughout the entire process. No one would work harder for a client. He is the best!
    — Emily
  • List price offer and under contract within 7 days of listing! Joe guided us through the entire process. Very professional and responsive to all our requests. Wonderful to work with and recommend highly!
    — Seller
  • Joe was instrumental in selling our home in Cheval. Very responsive, beautiful brochure, professional photos, open house. I would recommend him highly.
    — Lou
  • Joe is a great agent. He was very helpful and guided us well. He gave us good resources to meet the needs of getting our house ready to sell. He was there each time we needed advice.
    — Seller
  • I had never sold a home and contacted Joe. He was fantastic through the whole process. I would recommend Joe to anyone. He was direct, courteous and his local knowledge was evident.
    — Seller
  • Joe was excellent and always available. Helped negotiate a great price and provided local insight. I would certainly use him again.
    — Tony R.
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Contact Details

Joe & Emeri Lewkowicz

Phone

813-215-6374

Email

[email protected]

Address

500 N Westshore Blvd #850 Tampa, FL 33609

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