Ybor City Homes For Sale
City life isn’t for everyone, but if you want to live in Tampa, Ybor City is a great place to buy. Long known as a nightlife destination, it is also a fun place to live. There are plenty of condos and single-family homes for sale, all within easy walking distance to all of the art, culture, cuisine, and fun that Ybor City has to offer.
For many buyers, Ybor City is also attractive because it is so affordable. The median sale price of a home is just $200,000, which makes it possible to make your dreams of homeownership in the city come true. While these homes tend to be on the smaller side, living in Ybor City means everything that you could want is just steps away.
At Eaton Realty, we specialize in helping our clients find homes in the place that is right for them. Whether that means a far-flung Tampa suburb with plenty of green space or a condo in a converted factory in Ybor City, we will work with you to find a great property. Reach out to talk to a top Ybor City real estate agent about buying a home in the city.
Living in Ybor City
Ybor City is a historic neighborhood within Tampa. Originally built by cigar manufacturers, it is now a thriving cultural district with nightclubs, restaurants, art galleries, boutiques, and charming homes. Many homes in Ybor City are both historic and affordable, making it a great option for anyone who wants to purchase a house in the city.
Population & Size
Historic Ybor City is about 1 square mile in size, stretching from I-4 in the north to Adamo Drive to the south and 22nd Street to the east and Nebraska Avenue to the west. As in any city, there is some debate as to what streets make up Ybor City, with many people considering some surrounding areas part of the neighborhood.
When it comes to residents, Ybor City remains fairly small, with a population of around 4,000 people. It’s a diverse area, as it was when originally founded and populated by immigrants (largely from Cuba, Spain, and Italy).
History
Ybor City was established in the early 1800s when Spanish cigar manufacturer Vicente Martinez Ybor moved his operations to the northeast side of Tampa. He built his factory there, along with hundreds of small houses for workers. These workers followed Ybor from his previous factories in Cuba and Key West. Many of the workers came to Tampa from Cuba, Spain, and Italy to make cigars.
By 1887, Tampa had annexed the Ybor City neighborhood, helping the city to grow and prosper. Ybor City became known as “Cigar City” and was home to a vibrant culture that combined Cuban, Spanish, Italian, and Jewish cultures. The residents of Ybor City formed mutual aid societies to provide services like sports teams, social functions, medical care, libraries, and educational programs.
After the Great Depression, the area declined due to a lack of jobs, as factories replaced hand-rolling cigar operations. Ybor City deteriorated over the decades until the 1980s, when a period of revitalization began. Ybor City became known as a nightclub destination, but has evolved over the years to be a hub for artists. Today, many older buildings have been restored and converted into condominiums, and the district has plenty of restaurants, shops, and art galleries.
Schools
While Ybor City isn’t known for being the most family-friendly neighborhood in Tampa, if you want to raise your kids in a more urban setting, it can be a great choice. Ybor City - and Tampa more broadly - is part of the Hillsborough County School District. Students who live in Ybor City can choose to attend public or private schools in the city, including Lutz Preparatory School, Horizon Charter School of Tampa, Terrace Community Middle School, Walker Magnet Middle School, Tampa Bay Technical High School, and Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School.
Things To Do
Ybor City is full of things to see and do. If you’re into history, you can check out the Ybor City Museum inside the historic Ferlita Bakery, take a cigar tour, or visit the Tampa Baseball Museum. If you’re into art, you can browse the Hoffman Porges Gallery, the art gallery at the Hillsborough Community College Ybor City Campus, or check out the Ybor City Architecture Hop. You can also take a class at the Ybor City Art Studio or the Singing Stone Gallery and Studio.
Ybor City is also a mecca for foodies. Given its rich history, Ybor City is a great place to eat, especially when it comes to traditional Cuban sandwiches at La Tropicana Cafe, Columbia Restaurant, or Carmine’s Seventh Avenue. There are also many different bars and microbreweries to try out in Ybor City. For music lovers, you can take in a show at the Orpheum, the Ritz Ybor, or Crowbar.
With a nickname of “Cigar City” and a reputation for nightlife, Ybor City often isn’t viewed as being family-friendly. That being said, there are fun things for kids and families to enjoy in Ybor City. This includes taking a ride on the TECOline Streetcar from Ybor City to downtown Tampa and the Channelside District. You can also stroll through the Ybor City Saturday Market at Centennial Park or visit during one of Ybor City’s many festivals and celebrations.
Why Buy a Home in Ybor City?
Ybor City isn’t the right neighborhood for everyone. But for anyone who wants to live in a more urban neighborhood with plenty of history and charm, it is a wonderful option.
As an initial matter, Ybor City is a pretty affordable place to live. It’s possible to buy a condo for under $200,000 in Ybor City, putting you right in the heart of Tampa. There are also charming single-family homes for anywhere from $200,000 to $350,000. The homes in Ybor City tend to be smaller given their location, but the median sale price in this neighborhood is $200,000.
Ybor City offers history and culture. If you are into more unique homes and want to live in a diverse, multi-cultural community, Ybor City is a great choice. It is also full of unique things to do and fun experiences (beyond nightclubs and bars).
Ybor City is also incredibly walkable. In fact, you might not need a car if you live in Ybor City. You can hop on the trolley to get to downtown Tampa. Many stores and restaurants are within easy walking distance in Ybor City.
Finally, Ybor City is directly in Tampa, which means that you can take full advantage of everything our beautiful city has to offer. Whether you want to go to a professional sporting event, get out on the water, or go to Busch Gardens. It’s also not far from many Gulf Coast beaches and destinations like Orlando.
How Our Ybor City Realtors Can Help
Making the decision to buy a house is a big step. The next steps can also be daunting. How do you know how much you can afford and what house is right for you? Where do you even start when it comes to the homebuying process?
Our Ybor City realtors are here to help. With decades of experience in real estate, we can help you with every aspect of buying a home in Tampa. From helping you set a budget and narrow down neighborhoods to making an offer, we will work with you to make the process as smooth and low-stress as possible.
Our Ybor City real estate agents use a three-step process to help our clients buy a home. Here is how it works:
- Pre-approval: Most homebuyers need to stay within a budget, whether that budget is large or small. We believe that starting with a mortgage pre-approval is one of the best ways to stick to that budget. The process of gathering your financial documents and applying for pre-approval can help you get a better idea of what you can truly afford. With your pre-approval, you will understand what you can realistically spend on a house. You can also use our mortgage calculator to estimate your monthly mortgage payment.
- Search: Once you know your budget, the next step is to figure out what you want (and don’t want) in a house. We ask our clients to come up with a wish list and then narrow it down based on what they consider non-negotiables (such as having off-street parking). With a list in hand, we can find homes for you to view based on your budget and criteria. If you’re open to it, we can also suggest neighborhoods outside of Ybor City that might be a fit for you.
- Close: Once you find your perfect home, we will help you decide on a number and make an offer. We can assist with any negotiations if the owner makes a counteroffer, helping you get a great deal. When your offer is accepted, we can begin working on the final steps, like a home inspection, appraisal, and financing. We will then schedule a closing, which is when you’ll sign a lot of paperwork in order to transfer the title of the house to you. After closing, you will be able to move into your new house.
Ready to buy a new home in Ybor City? Click the button below to contact the Eaton team.
Other Neighborhoods to Consider
If you want to look at neighborhoods beyond Ybor City, we can help you find a great home in Tampa or one of its many beautiful suburbs. Eaton Realty works throughout Hillsborough County, helping buyers searching for homes in the greater Tampa area, including: