Decorating Den Interiors — The One-Stop Design Shop That Comes To You! 

Decorating Den can help you find the unique pieces you need to create the living room (above) or bedroom (below) of your dreams. (All photos provided by Debbie Demboski) 

From Better Home & Gardens to HGTV to Instagram influencers, it seems like everyone is telling you that you can decorate (or redecorate) your home yourself “to the tens” on a minimal budget. But, let’s face it, there’s a lot of time, effort and money spent in shopping, woodworking, painting and crafting — and sometimes, you simply don’t want to “DIY.” If you need help furnishing a new home, refreshing your walls, artwork or carpets, or setting up a special look for the holidays, consider calling Debbie Demboski and her daughter Sara Nelson at Decorating Den Interiors. 

Established in 1969, Decorating Den Interiors has nearly 300 franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The company covers everything when it comes to home dĂ©cor — inside and out. Decorating Den designers offer design ideas and sell furniture, lighting, window treatments, bedding, paintings and artwork, as well as carpeting and rugs, patio furnishings and more. 

Whether you need help with one room or your entire home or office, Debbie and Sara offer a free, no-risk (or obligation) consultation and they will bring their design studio to you. They each travel with a Decorating Den van filled with thousands of design samples — wallpaper books, color swatches, fabrics, blinds and sample designs from other successful projects. 

After parking their studio in your driveway, Debbie and Sara begin by touring your home and asking questions to get a feel for your decorating vision and budget. Then, Debbie and Sara will get to work on a new design right then and there. They will take measurements, share samples and sketch out the sizes, shapes and colors of possible new designs. 

“With the two of us, you will get two different approaches,” Debbie says. “I am more traditional, so I still use pen and paper, but Sara is handy with technology so she’ll often use her Apple Pencil and iPad for her sketches.” 

She adds, “With our first visit, our goal is always to get it right the first time, so that the next time you see us will be for product delivery and installation of your new look. Sometimes, we will come back for a second visit to put together new design ideas or show a personalized design presentation, but I’d say about 50% of the time, we can help you choose your new design at the first appointment.” 

Decorating Den negotiates directly with more than 130 design suppliers through its LIVV Home Collection and passes on the savings to its clients. 

“Because we’re such a big interior design group in North America, we have tremendous buying power,” explains Debbie. “We buy wholesale directly from the manufacturers at very competitive rates and then sell at affordable retail prices to our clients. Of course, if you are looking to buy just one or two things, you may find them somewhere else at a similar or lower cost. But, for designing multiple things, instead of spending the time looking, price-comparing and negotiating at many different stores, we can save you time and money.” 

Debbie also says that people often don’t know that Decorating Den can even help them buy custom pieces. 

“We work with many name-brand manufacturers, such as Lexington, but we can also help you design and order custom, one-of-a-kind furniture, upholstery and bedding too,” says Debbie. 

The best part, she says, is that if you buy through Decorating Den, you don’t have to pay an hourly consulting fee to Debbie or Sara. Their compensation is derived from each item they sell. 

“Our model actually depends on us negotiating the best possible wholesale prices from manufacturers because we are then able to sell at prices that include our fees but still stay below suggested retail prices,” shares Debbie. 

The strength of their franchise is the amount of repeat business they receive through word of mouth/referrals. For example, Debbie has worked on Kay Morgan’s home in New Tampa as well as her daughter’s home and a friend’s home on Harbour Island. Sara also has many repeat customers, such as Vicki Reese, who have worked with her multiple times. 

“Working on the Harbour Island home was very satisfying,” shares Debbie. “The client selected a few things, went up north for the winter, came back for summer and everything was done. She didn’t have to deal with any of the stress and she came back to a brand-new-looking home.” 

Three Generations… 

Tampa Bay native Debbie Demboski has been a Decorating Den franchise owner since 1989. After earning her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Fashion Merchandising & Business from West Virginia University (WVU) in Morgantown in 1976, Debbie worked for several retail companies, including Montgomery Ward. About 34 years ago, she learned about Decorating Den from a friend and decided to buy her own franchise location when Sara was only 9 months old. 

Debbie’s mom Phyllis came to help care for Sara and found herself working with Debbie as a regional secretary and office manager as Debbie’s business and role within Decorating Den grew. As one of the company’s most successful and longest-tenured franchise owners, Debbie also is the Regional Director of Decorating Den’s Central Florida franchises and has the master license of all 13 franchises across the area from St. Pete to Melbourne. 

“Each franchise runs independently, but I do help them get started and check in with them one-on-one and with events, like our holiday parties,” explains Debbie. “Recently, a new location opened in Windermere, so the owner and I worked together to set up a Grand Opening event and I spoke there as well.” 

The award-winning local Decorating Den franchise is a story of three generations of designing women — Debbie Demboski, her mother Phyllis & Debbie’s daughter Sara Nelson.

Debbie has received many corporate accolades, including Decorating Den’s Region of the Year three times, President’s Club sales award and 2020 Franchise of the Year. Many of her designs also have been published in national design contests. 

“Debbie Demboski has decorated three homes for me now,” says Debbie G., a long-time client. “Thanks to her, they have all been beautiful and tasteful. The best thing is that she comes to you, and brings all of her books and materials. Debbie listens carefully to what you like, and creates beautiful rooms from your direct input. She will hunt until she finds just the right furniture, blinds, curtains, fabrics, flooring or accessories for your home. Debbie is the best!” 

It should come as no surprise that Sara caught the interior design bug from her mom — eventually. Sara graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Journalism and certification in business management. After graduation, Sara continued working with the “As Seen On TV” company that she started working with as an undergrad and worked all the way up to becoming Regional Manager for the Tampa Bay area. 

But, in 2014, she decided to join forces with her mom and pursue her own creative interests with Decorating Den. Sara completed a year-long internship with Debbie before starting on her own projects. She also went to training offered by Decorating Den in Texas, where she earned a window treatment certification and the prestigious Decorating Den Certified Designer (DDCD) certification. 

Structured to align with the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)’s national standards, the DDCD exam is given over three days with a written test and practical design portion. By earning the DDCD certification, Sara joined the ranks of only 5% of all Decorating Den employees. 

Now with nearly ten years of experience at Decorating Den herself, Sara is a design pro in her own right, especially with window treatments, and she takes on the majority of new consultations. She also tackles social media and marketing for the franchise. While Sara is well poised to take over the business someday, Debbie says she isn’t ready to hand over the reins just yet. 

“People often ask me if I am thinking about retiring, but then I point to my mom,” shares Debbie. “She’s 92 years old and she’s still working. So, I always say, I can’t think about retiring until Mom does.” 

But the real reason is simple — Debbie just isn’t ready to give up her love of designing. 

“Sara has grown up seeing my business evolve and expand from the very beginning,” says Debbie. “Still, there are so many challenges to deal with, such as unique projects and back orders. I work hard to stay up to date with design trends and I hope to work for as long as I can. I always tell Sara, ‘Franchises allow you to be in business for yourself, but not by yourself,’ and that we’re lucky to have a strong team with each other and with Decorating Den as a whole.” 

To schedule a free in-home or in-office design consultation with Debbie and Sara at Decorating Den Interiors, call (813) 817-2264, e-mail debbied@decoratingden.com, or visit DebbieD.DecoratingDen.com. 

Massive Two Rivers Development Taking Shape 

 Is The Two Rivers Development Expanding Both Wesley Chapel & New Tampa To East Of Morris Bridge Rd.? 

Research by Joel Provenzano 

This map of Two Rivers shows the portions that are currently under development, as well as the future plans in both Hillsborough & Pasco counties. (Two Rivers map modified by NN) 

 If you haven’t taken a ride on S.R. 56 eastbound past Morris Bridge Rd. recently, I believe you probably should do so. 

While Wesley Chapel and New Tampa residents online complain about how every remaining shred of land in our communities is being developed, adding to our ever-increasing traffic at the expense of open space and a more pastoral way of life, it seems that others outside of any known boundary of Wesley Chapel (as I presented in our Oct. 3 issue) are now creating new communities that may ultimately finally move what even I call Wesley Chapel (and, to a lesser extent, New Tampa) well to the east, too. 

Before the creation of the huge 6,000-acre Two Rivers Master-Planned Unit Development (MPUD), the only community in Zephyrhills that pretty much anyone would confuse with being Wesley Chapel-like was Lake Bernadette, which has fewer than 1,000 total households with entrances on both Eiland Blvd. and S.R. 54, all in zip code 33541. 

But, it seems that you could fit all of Lake Bernadette inside Two Rivers, which is being developed by Eisenhower Property Group, due east of Morris Bridge Rd. in both Pasco and Hillsborough counties. In fact, Two Rivers is actually larger than the 5,000-acre Wiregrass Ranch development to its west. 

And, like Lake Bernadette, the zip code for the Pasco portions of Two Rivers that began being developed in December of 2023 is 33541. That means that if I decide to start mailing the Neighborhood News there, I will be expanding our all-direct-mail distribution east of Wesley Chapel for the first time. 

More About Two Rivers 

Although I had heard of Two Rivers before now, I didn’t really take notice of it until I saw a billboard on S.R. 54 near mine and Jannah’s apartment (which has a Land O’Lakes address) that proclaimed Two Rivers as a “New Community — Wesley Chapel.” What? Did I somehow miss that Two Rivers was actually west of Morris Bridge Rd.? 

The answer is a resounding “No,” but the community is being marketed as basically an extension of Wesley Chapel — and who could blame the developer or the home builders? 

According to its promotional materials, Two Rivers is “near Wesley Chapel” and will “give residents a best-of-both-worlds living experience.” Two Rivers will feature more than 7,500 planned residential homes, townhomes, apartments and villas: “Those who make their home here will enjoy access to clubhouses, pools, parks, trails, sports courts and shared green spaces…and plans include K-12 schools, as well as retail space, future options for dining, cafĂ©s, groceries and beauty services, fitness and more.” 

One of the first two villages already selling homes in Two Rivers is Childers by Lennar Homes, with “447 total homesites, about 100 sold and 65 closed or moved into,” according to new home consultant Brooke Politano. Homes in Childers start in the mid-$300,000s. 

The other village now selling is Northwater by D.R. Horton, with 360 total homes, also starting in the mid $300s, with about 30 homes already with residents. Both subdivisions are north of S.R. 56. 

When Wayne Thomas purchased the first portion of the Two Rivers Ranch in the 1930s, he couldn’t possibly have known that his cattle ranch would expand to more that 17,000 acres stretching from northeast Hillsborough through Pasco and even reaching to Hernando counties. 

A little more than 500 acres of that property was located in Crystal Springs, sort of between Thonotosassa and Zephyrhills and which today is home to Poland Springs waters, the large company now bottling and selling Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water. 

But, the Thomas family has been good stewards of their land since before World War II, so much so that in 2014, Two Rivers Ranch was honored as one of seven regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) winners. The award, which is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, is presented to farmers and ranchers “who work hard to protect America’s natural resources.” 

Two Rivers Ranch began as a cow/ calf operation that has now been owned and managed by Robert Thomas’ family for more than 90 years. 

“The Hillsborough River supplies approximately 90 percent of the city of Tampa’s drinking water, so it’s very important for the city,” said Wayne Thomas, Executive Vice President, Two Rivers Ranch, and himself a fourth-generation cattle rancher. 

“We have a very high profile here as a result of the importance of our natural resource,” added his father Robert Thomas, who is the CEO of Two Rivers Ranch. 

The ranch was honored with the ESAP award for its proven land management techniques to enhance their operation. “The Thomas family keeps their herd size limited so as not to negatively impact wetlands, water quality of the adjacent river bodies, native vegetation or wildlife populations,” was part of the reason the family received the award. 

Today, as explained on this issue’s front page, the Thomas family is no allowing Two Rivers to be developed as another huge Master Planned Unit Development, but which promises to have more than 3,000 acres of wooded landscapes, with lots of open space, parks, walking trails, dog parks, passive parks, court and lawn space and more. 

Two Rivers Today & Tomorrow 
The largest homes currently available in Two Rivers are the Trenton model from Lennar Homes (left) in the Childers community and (right) the Hayden model from D.R. Homes in the Northwater village. (Photos taken from Lennar.com & from DRHorton.com) 

Also expected to be part of the Pasco portion of Two Rivers is a central health, wellness and dining club for residents. This facility will include tennis, pickleball, pools, playgrounds, various interior and exterior gathering spaces and a bar and restaurant. There also is a planned regional district park as well as shopping, dining and office spaces planned. 

At Northwater village, D.R. Horton’s smallest home is the 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom Allex II model, with 1,560 sq. ft. of living area, starting at around $344K. The largest is the 5-bedroom, 3-bath Hayden model with 2,605 sq. ft. of living area, starting in the $424s. 

Meanwhile, in the Childers village, Lennar’s smallest home is the 3-bedroom, 2-bath Annapolis model, with 1,448 sq. ft. of living space starting at around $329K. The largest is the Trenton model, with 6 bedrooms, 3 baths and 3,326 sq. ft. of living area, starting at around $489K. 

Now that the first two villages are well under way, here are the plans for additional villages and home builders that are planned to arrive this year: 

‱ Tamarack Village (early 2024) – This gated village will include homes by Park Square Homes and William Ryan Homes. 

‱ Ryals Field Village (mid-2024) – Gated village featuring Homes by WestBay. 

‱ Delyle Village (mid-2024) – Offering Pulte homes. 

‱ Shortgrass Village (late 2024) – Offering M/I Homes. 

‱ Additional villages and phases will feature Casa Fresca, Meritage Homes and Taylor Morrison Homes. 

But Wait, There’s More! 

As we also mentioned on pg. 1, Two Rivers also is planned to expand into Hillsborough County by sometime next year. 

The first new section to be built across Morris Bridge Rd. from New Tampa is Flatwoods, described in Two Rivers’ marketing materials as, “Our luxury section (that) will be home to Flatwoods Golf & Country Club. This community will feature a private country club with a spa, recreational amenities and an 18-hole golf course. The course, designed by renowned Scottish golf course architect David McLay-Kidd of DMK Golf Design, is estimated to be completed in 2025. DMK Golf has designed several very prestigious resort and private golf courses in the world, including The Castle Course at St. Andrews Links in Scotland, and Nanea Golf Club in Kailua Kona, HI. 

Some Transportation Info 

Although Two Rivers’ Flatwoods village will be set back quite a bit from both Morris Bridge Rd. in New Tampa and U.S. Hwy. 301 in Thonotosassa, according to plans filed with Hillsborough County, there will be another future connection from Two Rivers to Morris Bridge Rd, which will be located basically on the county line, adjacent to a TECO-owned power substation and aligned with Camerton Rd. on the west side. 

There currently are plans for three future traffic signals along S.R. 56, all of which the developer will pay for and construct (under permit) when warrants are met. The locations will be for the intersections with Two Rivers Blvd., Widewater Way, and Lodge Grass Blvd., all where the existing full median openings are currently located. A fourth signal along S.R. 56 might be considered between Lodge Grass Blvd. and U.S. 301 (also a full median opening), depending upon the amount of traffic that portion of the development, which will be commercial, might generate. 

In addition, there also will be a connection to U.S. 301 in Hillsborough, which also will be signalized by full build-out. Two more signals for U.S. 301, at Lodge Grass Blvd., and Morris Bridge Rd. at Colston Ave., also are planned. The right-of-way along Morris Bridge Rd. is now 80’ but the MPUD conditions for Two Rivers requires the family to convey a 44’ wide strip of its property over to the county. 

The River Landing development on S.R. 56 west of Morris Bridge Rd. also was required to provide a similar strip, which will allow for the potential widening of Morris Bridge Rd. to four lanes in the future. 

In addition to the signals, the county also will require Two Rivers to construct left and right turn lanes along Morris Bridge Rd. at Colston Ave. The only other entrance/exit along Morris Bridge Rd. for Two Rivers will be a gated emergency-only access near the southern part of the development. 

This will bring the grand total of traffic signals for Two Rivers to potentially eight: four on S.R. 56, two on Morris Bridge Rd. and two on U.S. 301, subject to meeting warrants and final approval by the transportation departments of the local and state governments. 

SOHO Wellness Med Spa Brings A South Tampa Experience To Wesley Chapel 

Becky (left) and her mother Debbie Dubikas are the owners of two SOHO Med Spas, including the location in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

Long-time former aesthetician Becky Dubikas and her mom, certified hypnotherapist Debbie Dubikas, came up with the idea to collaborate and open a business together in 2014, providing their services to clients in South Tampa at their SOHO Wellness Med Spa on S. Blvd. 

Over the past nine years, they have added services and considered how to make the experience of visiting SOHO Wellness Med Spa more relaxing and sensual as they offer personalized treatments in cosmetics (also known as cosmetic services) for skin and for body. 

Becky and Debbie have lovingly built up their business — even as they have stepped away from providing services at their med spa themselves — so much that they knew they needed to open a second location to keep up with demand. 

They chose Wesley Chapel, opening a new med spa this past May in the Seven Oaks Professional Park off of S.R. 56, between I-75 and Bruce B. Downs Blvd. 

They named their med spa SOHO, for the “South Howard” (Ave.) area of Tampa, a part of the Hyde Park neighborhood that is home to the pair’s original location. Becky and Debbie recognized that areas of large cities also called SOHO are often the most high-end areas of those cities throughout the world, and Becky and Debbie want their clients to know that SOHO Med Spa is a high-quality boutique spa that brings an abundance of services together. 

What started as a mother and daughter merging their specialties together has evolved into a relaxing, luxurious med spa that has any service you need in skin care, cosmetics and body treatments all under one roof. 

“Today we offer a wide range of services from each category,” says Becky, “From injections and Botox to cosmetic machines, body treatments such as wraps and scrubs and basic facials to dermaplaning, microneedling, and peels — even laser hair removal.” 

Becky says clients love that the place they go to get their monthly massage also can be the place they get a facial or even Botox or facial fillers. 

Laser hair removal with the Soprano ICE Platinum machine by Alma is quick and painless.

She says laser hair removal is a new service being rolled out at both locations. Debbie and Becky have held off on offering the service as they were evaluating the very large number of machines available on the market to ensure they chose the very best one for their clients — the Soprano ICE Platinum by Alma. 

“The machine is awesome,” Becky says. “It’s absolutely painless and we’re excited to launch it in both locations.” 

Becky says the Wesley Chapel location of SOHO Wellness Med Spa was designed to create a clean, modern space that is relaxing and calming, while their South Tampa location is a little more “homey.” 

Both locations feature a relaxation lounge, showers and an infrared sauna. Anyone taking advantage of the spa’s packages can use the relaxation lounge to wait between services. 

Anytime a client is scheduled for more than one service, they are given a robe so they don’t have to get dressed and undressed as they move from room to room. 

Use of the infrared sauna is complimentary with the purchase of spa services, along with extras such as champagne, wine or a mimosa, hot tea or coffee, and snacks. 

Amazing Reviews… 

Becky also says the Wesley Chapel location is growing and getting busier, and that people have had wonderful things to say about it when they come in. 

In fact, every Google review posted for SOHO Wellness Wesley Chapel so far has been five out of five stars. 

“I went in for a glow facial, infrared sauna and therapeutic massage and had the most relaxing experience,” says Emmalee Gregory in her Google review. “The spa was beautiful and decorated to perfection. The girls at SOHO all had a great attitude and I can’t wait to go back!” 

A review from Darieliz Lopez echoes Emmalee’s compliments. 

“This new location is so beautiful and I absolutely loved my experience,” Darieliz says. “The front desk staff were very welcoming and made me feel at home before my services. My aesthetician and massage therapist were so sweet and very knowledgeable, too. I can’t wait to book again!” 

Lip fillers are a popular service at the Wesley Chapel location of the SOHO Wellness Med Spa 
(Photo from SOHO-Wellness.com). 

Becky wants everyone who walks through the doors to feel comfortable and have as wonderful an experience as Emmalee and Darieliz did. 

“We want to provide people in the Wesley Chapel and New Tampa area with excellent services so they will hopefully find their home with us,” Becky says. 

She describes SOHO Wellness as “kind of an oasis of wellness where cosmetics and relaxation combine.” She believes so strongly in this idea that she and her mom made “Where Cosmetics and Relaxation Combine” their tagline for the spa. 

Becky explains that means your cosmetic procedures are provided as part of a spa experience. You won’t be rushed in and out for a 15-minute appointment like you might be at a clinical facility such as a dermatologist’s or plastic surgeon’s office. 

All medical procedures are performed by a nurse practitioner and overseen by medical director Joseph Castellano, M.D., a cosmetic surgeon who also has his own practice in Tampa. 

If you have questions about the wide variety of services, discounts and specials, or how to address a specific skin, cosmetic, or body issue, the friendly staff at SOHO Wellness Med Spa is happy to take your phone call and discuss the many options available. 

Every service starts with a consultation to make sure the staff understands each client’s goals and is ready to meet his or her expectations. 

There also is a variety of packages that are designed to help clients save money, or you can “buy and bank” services, such as purchasing a package of five services, for example, and get one free. 

Appointments can be made quickly and easily online at SOHO-wellness.com. Also, be sure to check the website for specials, which change every month. 

For those who read this article, Becky and Debbie are offering a new client special of $10 off any service at the Wesley Chapel location if you mention that you saw this story in the Neighborhood News. 

To make an appointment or for more information about SOHO Wellness Med Spa’s Wesley Chapel location (2008 Ashley Oaks Cir.)., call (813) 512-6920 or visit SOHO-wellness.com. 

Meet Award-Winning RealtorŸ Dee Strom Of Florida Executive Realty 

Let Realtor¼ Dee Strom (left) of Florida Executive Realty in Tampa Palms, who lives in New Tampa and specializes in homes in New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Lutz, Land O’Lakes and Odessa, help you buy or sell a home. (Photos provided by Dee Strom) 

Dee Strom, a multi-award-winning RealtorÂź at Florida Executive Realty (FER) in Tampa Palms since 2014, says she transitioned from hospitality management at the suggestion of her husband, Michael. She sought guidance and turned to Debbie Pearson, a friend and seasoned realtor at FER with 25 years of experience, who became her invaluable mentor. 

Dee expresses gratitude to Debbie, stating, “I have yet to work with an agent as wonderful and knowledgeable as she is. I am blessed to have learned from the best mentor and company.” 

In a unique move, Dee interviewed with FER Broker (Doug Loyd) before obtaining her real estate license and became the first agent he brought on who didn’t yet have a license. A USF business graduate, she initially entered the real estate field as, “a driven individual who saw nothing but success.” Marriage and motherhood followed, transforming Dee into one of the busiest working moms at the company. Dee commends Florida Executive Realty for its family-friendly environment, allowing children in the workplace and enabling moms like her to run successful businesses. 

Highlighting her experience and commitment, Dee asserts, “I have been a Realtor for over a decade, selling more than $20 million of real estate annually, placing me in the top 1% of the nation. My real estate business knowledge and experience put me far above most other agents.” 

In fact, Dee has been named FER’s “Agent of the year” each of the last three years. She says that building a solid relationship and chemistry with your Realtor is key in the real estate business. Both buyers and sellers should collaborate with a Realtor they genuinely connect with, like and trust. Dee’s work schedule is based on her client’s availability, not the other way around. 

“With me, you get me, and it’s a one-stop shop. As a Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LRE) member, I market my listings locally and globally and receive relocation clients who move to our local area. I also assist my clients who move out of state and refer them to a Realtor they can trust in all parts of the world.” 

What To Expect… 
Let Realtor¼ Dee Strom help you find the home — and the living room — of your dreams, too. 

As for what she expects the local real estate market to be like in 2024, Dee notes that recent interest rate decreases, have improved affordability for prospective buyers. She predicts an uptick in local real estate sales later in the year and a return to more moderate growth in pricing compared with the post-Covid period. Although she covers all of Hillsborough and Pasco counties, Dee says her primary focus is on New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Lutz and Odessa. 

Here is one recent trend Dee has noticed: As new construction continues to grow, younger Millennial buyers are seeking homes featuring wellness amenities like lap pools and gyms, with proximity to healthy restaurants. 

She takes pride in offering clients a substantial referral network for lenders, insurance providers and vendors. 

“I always say my clients are in good hands, not only with the real estate transaction but everything in preparation before selling or purchasing their home,” Dee says. “For example, packing and moving aren’t easy, so I have them focus on that, and I take care of the rest, literally.” 

Devoted to her clients, Dee shares her husband’s favorite anecdote about her: 

“Pregnant with my first daughter, Sloane (4), I had my computer in my lap negotiating in the hospital bed. After she was born, as soon as I was released from the hospital, I asked him if it was OK to go show a property, and off I went. As you can see, I am dedicated to my clients
.” 

Dee uses a restaurant analogy to describe why someone should work with an experienced, well-rounded Realtor for buying and selling. She explains that selecting the right Realtor is like choosing a steakhouse. Going to an average chain restaurant, there’s only about a 50/50 chance your steak will be cooked correctly. One time may be good, while another is an awful experience — both the meal and the customer service. 

“But, when you dine at a high-end steakhouse, like Ruth’s Chris,” she says, “the steak is perfect every single time and the customer service is always excellent. We frequent Ruth’s Chris; we have had the same server for over 10 years. Real estate, like dining out, is about developing relationships.” 

She adds, “My clients are like family! Without the proper knowledge, experience and resources, many agents out there do not know what should be known. We are working for buyers and sellers completing the largest purchase or sale of their lives.” 

Dee is proud that the majority of her business comes from repeat clients and referrals. She highlights a recent review she received out of the blue from a repeat client. 

The review said, “You will always be part of our family in the Tampa area, as everyone loves ‘Dee,’ the person and mom. I truly admire your work ethic and professionalism in handling your real estate business while juggling a growing family. You set high standards for others to emulate and follow, but only a select few can accomplish. By now, it should be paying off for you. In the business world, you are very rare… I now call it ‘The Dee Factor’ — a balanced combination of real-estate knowledge, professionalism, elegance, poise, perseverance, hard work, sales techniques, great attitude, well-spoken and charming. And, on top of that, someone who is more interested in the well-being of a satisfied customer than a simple commission check. That’s a major key to success. Well done.” 

“This is why my job is so fulfilling,” Dee says. “and I will do it a thousand times over.” 

Dee values the connections she makes with her clients, emphasizing her commitment to their lives well beyond the closing. Her overarching goal is to redefine and elevate the real estate profession and eliminate some of the horror stories of low-level representation. 

“We, Realtors, can change the public’s perception and reality of what real estate agents and brokers do for their clients to match other highly respected professions,” she says. “One client at a time.” 

Dee lives in New Tampa with her husband Michael, a Tampa Police Officer for 20 years, and daughters Sloane and Stella. When not surpassing client expectations, she and her family enjoy swimming and cooking out. 

Realtor¼ Dee Strom is based at Florida Executive Realty’s Tampa Palms office (15802 Amberly Dr.) For more information, visit DStrom.floridaexecutiverealty.com, search “DeeStromRealty” on Facebook, call (813) 525-7851.

New Tampa Business Briefs — Checking Out What’s New & Planned In Tampa Palms! 

Research & Photos by Joel Provenzano 

A view of the pool at the New Tampa Palms Luxury Apartment Homes rental community.

Although the only community in New Tampa where significant numbers of new single-family homes are still being built is K-Bar Ranch, there also are at least three current construction projects in Tampa Palms — one with new for-rent apartment homes, while the other two are commercial sites, one being a new office building and the other a new self-storage facility. The commercial projects are both adding to the Tampa Palms Professional Center, located on Primrose Lake Cir. off Commerce Park Blvd. 

New Tampa Palms Luxury Apartment Homes 

Located across Tampa Palms Blvd. from the Emerald Pointe townhome community near Lowe’s, there is a new rental apartment community that only recently had a monument sign erected announcing that the new development is called — even though it sounds more like a description than a name — New Tampa Palms Luxury Apartment Homes. 

New Tampa Palms, which is being developed by Tampa Palms Area 3 developer Warren Kinsler (who also developed the nearby Compton Place apartments), is a gated, resort-style rental community with a total of 402 spacious one- and two-bedroom apartment residences in 17 total buildings. 

The one-bedroom, one-bathroom “Palm Springs” model apartments at New Tampa Palms are all 1,264 sq. ft., and currently range in price from $1,705-$1,845 per month, depending upon location. 

The new monument-style sign at the entrance to that community. 

There also is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom “Palm Bay” model that offers 1,333 sq. ft. of living space currently ranging in price from $1,805-$2,245 per month, as well as two different two-bedroom, two-bath apartments — the “Palm Shores” model (1,409 sq. ft.), with rents now ranging between $1,905-$2,025 per month, and the “Palm Gardens” model (1,571 sq. ft.), with rents currently between $2,205-$2,325 per month. 

The rents for all of these different units currently are either $1.35 or $1.40 per sq. ft. and every unit has a patio or balcony with extra storage space, and ceiling heights of 9-16 feet. The residences feature gourmet kitchens with rich, dark wood custom cabinetry, granite countertops, gooseneck faucets, breakfast bars and pantries, walk-in closets and laundry rooms with full-size washers and dryers in every home. 

The community also offers a clubhouse, resident lounge, catering kitchen and fitness center, as well as a luxurious swimming pool (top photo), sundeck, veranda, pergola, al fresco dining and outdoor lounge areas with firepits. There also is a private community lake that offers nature trails, a walking path and a spectacular centerpiece fountain. New Tampa Palms also provides convenient resident parking with EV charging stations and is pet-friendly with a dedicated dog run. 

The community is expected to begin leasing and providing tours for prospective tenants either as you’re receiving this issue or shortly thereafter and the leasing agent we spoke with said that tenants could begin moving into the first two completed buildings by the middle of this month. In addition, for a limited time, New Tampa Palms is offering both one month free on a 13-month lease, plus a $1,000 move-in credit. Also remember to ask for the community’s special offer for first responders, active military, veterans and health care professionals. 

For leasing and more information, call (813) 513-1548 or visit RentNewTampaPalmsFL.com. 

Medical Office & Self-Storage 
The location (in yellow) of the planned self-storage facility in the Tampa Palms Professional Center on Primrose Lake Cir.

The Tampa Palms Professional Center, a large, multi-building complex located off Commerce Park Blvd., across from the New Tampa Recreation Center, Freedom High and Liberty Middle School, has been around for more than a dozen years, but still continues to occasionally add more along Primrose Lake Cir. (named for the Primrose School of Tampa Palms at the northern end of the complex), including a new self-storage facility located near both the Primrose School and the Discovery Village assisted living facility (see map right). 

Tampa Palms Professional Center developer Garrison (Gar) Urette says that the proposed three-story, 105,726-sq.ft. self storage building with 760 units has not yet pulled a permit but, on Dec. 21, requested a design exception from the City of Tampa Zoning Dept. to allow for eleven total parking spaces, rather than the 39 the city’s Land Development Code would normally require. 

We will update this story when we have additional information. 

The new 8,233-sq.-ft. medical office building (label in yellow) now under construction in the Tampa Palms Professional Center is located between the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Hotel & The Woman’s Group on Primrose Lake Cir. 

Much further along, however, is a new 8,233 sq.-ft. medical office building to be located on Primrose Lake Cir., between the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Hotel and the building that is home to The Woman’s Group. Although we weren’t able to reach the owner and general contractor for the project, Roberto Saez of Design & Construction Innovations, LLC, before we went to press, the permit with the City of Tampa appears to divide the building into four separate suites, each with their own entrances. 

In addition, on the title block of the site plan, one of the buildings is labeled “Derek Dental,”, but Gar Urette says he isn’t sure if the building had any officially signed tenants at our press time, so we won’t speculate as to who the tenant might be without confirmation from Saez. 

We also were told by a member of the construction crew that one of the suites may be a pharmacy for The Woman’s Group, but we had no confirmation of that as we went to press. What we did find, however, is an access agreement between the two property owners that has easement rights and shows that the building that is under construction and the Woman’s Group building will be sharing the existing parking lot. 

For more information about either of these projects or about spaces available for lease at the Tampa Palms Professional Center, call (813) 876-7697 or visit TampaPalmsCenter.com.Â