What I’m Seeing in the Tampa Market Right Now – A 2025 Mid-Year Check-In

What I’m Seeing in the Tampa Bay Market Right Now – A 2025 Mid-Year Check-In

As we move through the second half of 2025, the Tampa Bay real estate market continues to evolve—and from where I sit, both as a listing agent and a buyer’s agent, it’s a mixed bag that heavily depends on price point and strategy.

The $400K and Under Market: Still Moving Fast
Homes under $400K, especially those ideal for first-time FHA buyers, are still getting scooped up extremely quickly. Despite higher interest rates, there's strong demand at this price point, especially for homes that show well and are move-in ready. Buyers here are rate-conscious but willing to move fast if the numbers make sense. High quality inventory is relatively tight, which helps keep this segment active.

The $400K–$700K Range: All About Price
This middle tier is where the market gets interesting. Homes in this bracket are sitting longer if they’re overpriced - even by just a little. With so much inventory on market in this segment, overpriced homes struggle to even receive low-ball offers as buyers simply move on to other options. Sellers in this range are still adjusting to the 2025 reality: this is a buyer’s market, and it's unforgiving to listings that aren’t priced right. However, for those that come to market with a strong presentation and realistic pricing, we’re still seeing relatively fast movement and solid buyer interest.

High-End Market ($800K–$2M): Still Competitive
While interest rates have sidelined some buyers, the higher-end market in Tampa Bay remains surprisingly strong. Well-priced homes in desirable locations are still seeing multiple offers and moving quickly. There’s no question that Florida continues to attract affluent buyers, and that trend may be heating back up. Major NYC brokerages are noting that many of their high-net-worth clients are pressing pause on deals up north and once again eyeing Florida—especially for second homes and long-term investment.

Shift in Deal Terms: More Buyer Leverage
Across the board, we’re seeing more sale and appraisal contingencies than we’ve seen in years. Buyers are also negotiating harder and winning more seller concessions at closing—including everything from rate buydowns to credits for repairs. Sellers are being asked to make more repairs than at any point in the last few years. This marks a big change from the post-2020 frenzy where buyers were waving contingencies just to compete.

Still, sellers aren’t hurting. Home values are up 55% since 2020, and even with a slight dip of around 5% year-to-date in 2025, many sellers are sitting on tremendous equity. That equity continues to drive sales, especially for those who are realistic and willing to meet the market.

The Bigger Picture: What’s Next?
Looking ahead, the market remains sensitive to macroeconomic trends. Tariffs have so far not been inflationary—but the Fed isn’t fully convinced that will hold. Their hesitation to begin cutting rates, despite solid inflation data, stems from this uncertainty. A flare-up in inflation could put a damper on buyer activity and cool the market. That said, 1–2 rate cuts are still expected before year-end, and that could give a meaningful boost to buyer purchasing power—especially in the mid-tier market where most local residents are buying.

Bottom Line
If you’re a buyer who can absorb today’s rates, it’s an excellent time to negotiate. You’ll likely get repairs covered, concessions at closing, and better overall terms than you’ve seen in years.

If you’re a seller sitting on equity, it’s still a great time to sell—as long as you price strategically and are ready to meet a more demanding buyer pool.

Tampa Bay remains a dynamic and resilient market. The key right now is understanding your lane and playing your cards smart.

If you're interested in gauging your purchasing power or your home's value, feel free to get in touch for a free consultation!