The master-planned, 2,000-acre Westchase community in northwest Hillsborough County offers many home styles, parks and essentials, amid hundreds of acres of preserved land. Just 16 miles northwest of Tampa, this deed-restricted community is in a prime location for easy commuting to the Tampa International Airport, Clearwater and St. Petersburg. Kim Raffaele, local Realtor with Robert Slack, LLC, who’s been selling in the area for 19 years, says, “The community is so amenity-rich. You have paved trails, sidewalks, swimming pools, breakfast places and coffee shops, and it’s all walkable. Plus, you’re close to the beaches and have highly-rated schools.” Comprised of more than 30 distinct neighborhoods, Westchase brings essentials and luxuries close to home.
Home styles for all lifestyles
Condos, townhouses, villas and single-family homes are all found in Westchase, in gated and non-gated developments. Raffaele adds, “Anyone can find a home that works for their lifestyle. It’s just a great mixed-use community, and the HOA fees are low.” Pricing can range from $350,000 for a two-bedroom townhouse built in 2002 to $1.5 million for a sprawling six-bedroom mansion, custom-built in 2011. A two-bedroom condo in a gated community can be found for around $250,000. Single-family homes in contemporary stucco and farmhouse designs vary from $620,000 to $820,000, depending on size and location.
An example of a suburban Westchase housing area.
An overview of a typical townhome complex in Westchase.
1/2
A-grade HCPS Alonso High
Public schools are within the Hillsborough County Public Schools District, which earns a B-plus on Niche. Kids may start at Lowry Elementary, given a Niche A-minus, or Westchase Elementary, which earns a Niche A grade. Students then move on to Davidsen Middle, which gets a B on Niche, and advance to Alonso High, earning a Niche A-minus and featuring an award-winning theater program. University of Tampa and University of South Florida campuses are also nearby.
Glencliff and Baybridge Parks
Westchase residents can walk to community-managed parks, pools and rec centers. In the 15-acre Glencliff Park, kids play in a shade-sail-covered playground or shoot hoops on several basketball courts. Westchase Soccer Association athletes play on Glencliff Park’s grass fields, and nature lovers find peace at the pier on the pond. In addition to playscapes, Baybridge Park has a pathway equipped with fitness stations. Both parks offer rentable park pavilions and plenty of room for long walks. In West Park Village Town Center, adds Raffaele, “There’s a center green called West Park Village Park that has a covered playground and a dog park.” There's even an outdoor pavilion on the lawn at the Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library.
Resident golfers are close to several golf courses, including the Lloyd Clifton-designed Westchase Golf Club course, recognized by the National Golf Foundation as a top 10 course. The private Old Memorial Golf Club offers membership by invitation.
Homes line the outskirts of the tennis/swimming club.
Westchase is luxurious and has some of the best golf in the state.
Westchase also has a local library.
1/3
Walk to West Park Village, Westchase mall
In West Park Village, adds Raffaele, “People go out for date-night dinners at Catch Twenty Three, which has everything from sushi to seafood to burgers, and a nice outdoor patio. There’s also Irish 31 pub that’s popular for watching games or trivia nights. And for pizza, everyone’s go-to is Marina’s in the Westchase shopping mall.” The Westchase mall is anchored by a Publix grocery store and flanked by salons, a Pilates studio, and a pharmacy. In Westchase Town Center, casual eateries share the plaza with Grind Coffee Bar and an F45 fitness center. Equestrians appreciate living within a few miles of Tampa Bay Downs, a live thoroughbred horseracing track with a golf driving range and poker room. Tampa Bay Downs hosts a high-energy calendar of tournaments, festivals and a Kentucky Derby Day party.
Westchase has lots of different shopping options.
Westchase has lots of different shopping options.
1/2
First Fridays and movies in Baybridge Park
Says Raffaele, “There’s always something going on in the [community] that residents look forward to doing together. We do a lot of First Friday nights in West Chase Town Center, where vendors come in and there’s live music. You also have movies in Baybridge Park and food truck rallies. Westchase just feels so all-inclusive.”
Close to Tampa International Airport
Residents mostly walk, bike, or drive within Westchase, as bus stops are not readily available; however, there are Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority bus routes around Tampa Bay Downs. Traveling for business or pleasure is easy because the Tampa International Airport is only about 15 miles from home.
There are many qualities and skills that go into being an excellent real estate professional - integrity, in-depth community and market knowledge, marketing savvy, effective negotiation skills and a high-quality professional network, all of which are hallmarks of how she works.
That said, in her experience as a Wesley Chapel real estate professional, she's also found that providing the very best service is essentially about putting her clients first. This means keeping herself accessible, being a good listener as well as a good communicator, and responding quickly to your needs.
This "client first" philosophy has always been her approach and it requires her to continually improve her skills and ways of doing business. In addition, She's found that the latest technologies are enabling her to do everything she's always done, only much more quickly and efficiently. They've also helped her to extend the range of services she provide to my clients.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
