“Don’t wait for the perfect rate—win the right house, with the right terms, in the right city.”

Why Buying Now in Tampa Bay Makes Sense

Regardless of what rates are right now!

Yes, mortgage rates have been bouncy. But Tampa Bay’s market is quietly stacking advantages for buyers: more selection, more negotiating power, and Florida-specific tax perks you can’t capture while renting. Here’s the plain-English case for buying now—and how to play it smart. Always know that our team @ Buy and Sell Tampa Bay is ready to run numbers, hunt assumables, and negotiate credits—just ask.

The case for “buy now”

1. More homes to choose from + more leverage. New listings in the Tampa–St. Pete–Clearwater MSA climbed in 2025, and months’ supply has risen versus last year—conditions that tilt toward buyers and make sellers more flexible on terms. In April 2025 alone, new single-family listings hit 5,587 (up 10.1% YoY). YTD months’ supply for single-family sat around 3.9, up sharply from 2024.

2. Sellers are paying buyers’ costs again. Nationally, 44% of home sales in Q1 2025 included seller concessions—credits you can use for closing costs or a rate buydown (hello, lower payment). We’re negotiating these locally every week.

3. Rent is real money (with no equity). Tampa’s average rent hovers near ~$2,100/month. Ownership converts part of your payment into principal every month while locking in your housing cost and letting you benefit from appreciation over time.

4. Florida’s homestead perks are huge. Once you homestead your primary residence, the Save Our Homes cap limits assessed-value increases to the lower of 3% or CPI annually. There’s also up to a $50,000 homestead exemption on property taxes, and you may be able to port some of your capped value when you move. Renting doesn’t get you any of that.

5. Tampa Bay’s long-term fundamentals are solid. The region keeps adding people and jobs—fuel for housing demand. Tampa Bay’s population reached ~5.24M in 2023 and continues to grow, while the metro’s unemployment has remained moderate with a larger labor force in 2025.

6. You can “beat the rate” with strategy.

   • Assumable loans: Many existing FHA and VA mortgages are assumable—meaning you may take over the seller’s existing rate (subject to approval). We’ll help you find them.

   • Seller-paid buydowns: Use credits for a 2-1/3-2-1 buydown to reduce your first-year payments while you get settled. (Those concessions in point #2 make this realistic.)

7. Most buyers aren’t bidding against a frenzy. Cash is still around, but it’s not steamrolling the market the way it did—cash share in April 2025 was ~26% of single-family closings, meaning most purchases used financing. Translation: financed buyers have room to compete and win.

What this looks like in real life (Tampa edition)

• We identify homes with assumable FHA/VA loans first, then widen to sellers offering concessions.

• We shop insurance early (roof/wind mitigation credits matter) and confirm flood zones before you fall in love.

• We pair your offer with one of three strategies: seller-paid buydown, price + repairs credit, or assumption path—whichever nets you the best total monthly and cash-to-close.

In other words,Buying now in Tampa Bay lets you trade a noisy rate headline for real advantages: more inventory, more negotiating room, more ways to reduce your payment, and Florida-only tax benefits that compound over time. Waiting might get you a lower headline rate—but if demand rebounds, you could face higher prices and tougher competition. Our job is to help you structure a win today.

Buyer’s mini-checklist (save this)

• Get pre-approved and ask us to screen for assumables (FHA/VA).

• Target listings advertising credits or rate buydown options. Request insurance quotes and four-point/wind-mit early.

• Verify flood zone and expected HOA/CDD fees.

• File Homestead after closing to lock in tax benefits; explore SOH portability if moving from a prior FL homestead.

• Revisit refinancing only if rates drop enough to make the math work (we’ll run it).

Curious what your monthly would look like with an assumption or seller-paid buydown? Message us “TAMPA PLAN” and we’ll send a custom side-by-side for 3 homes you love. Our team’s ready to answer any questions—just ask.