If you were shopping for a home in Tampa a couple of years ago, you probably remember how intense it felt. Homes flying off the market in days. Multiple offers. Buyers waiving inspections, appraisal gaps becoming the norm, and “highest and best” emails landing in inboxes by Sunday night.
So the big question we hear every single week now is this: Are Tampa buyers finally stepping back from bidding wars?
Short answer: yes—but with important caveats.
And as Tampa real estate experts with over 40 years of combined experience, we can tell you this shift is creating real opportunities for buyers, sellers, and investors who understand how the market is moving.
What We’re Seeing on the Ground in Tampa
Here’s the biggest change: buyers are no longer desperate across the board. They’re more thoughtful, more patient, and more strategic.
During the peak frenzy, demand far outpaced supply. Today, inventory has improved in many Tampa neighborhoods, giving buyers something they haven’t had in years—options. That alone naturally cools bidding wars.
We’re seeing:
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Homes staying on the market longer (especially if they’re overpriced)
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Fewer automatic multiple-offer situations
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Buyers negotiating again—on price, repairs, and even closing costs
That said, bidding wars haven’t disappeared entirely. They’ve just become more selective.
Where Bidding Wars Are Still Happening
In Tampa, bidding wars haven’t vanished—they’ve narrowed.
Well-priced homes in:
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South Tampa
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Hyde Park
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Seminole Heights
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Desirable school districts
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Move-in-ready properties under key price points
…are still attracting multiple offers.
Why? Because Tampa’s fundamentals remain strong. People are still relocating here for jobs, lifestyle, no state income tax, and long-term growth. When a home checks the right boxes and is priced correctly, competition shows up quickly.
The difference now is buyers aren’t throwing logic out the window. They’re competing smart, not emotional.
Buyers Are Reclaiming Leverage
This is where we see the biggest mindset shift.
Buyers today are:
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Walking away from overpriced listings
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Refusing to waive every contingency
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Asking for repairs or credits again
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Taking time to compare neighborhoods and long-term value
We’re advising our buyers to focus less on “winning” a bidding war and more on winning the right home at the right price. That’s a huge cultural shift from 2021–2022.
And honestly? It’s healthier.
What This Means for Tampa Sellers
Sellers, this market still works for you—but expectations matter more than ever.
Homes that are:
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Accurately priced
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Properly staged
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Professionally marketed
…are selling well and sometimes still receiving multiple offers.
But homes priced based on last year’s headlines? Those are sitting.
One of the biggest mistakes we’re seeing is sellers assuming bidding wars are automatic. They’re not. Strategy matters now. Pricing matters now. And working with agents who understand hyper-local trends—not just national headlines—makes all the difference.
Opportunities for Investors
For investors, this shift is especially interesting.
We’re seeing:
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Less competition from emotional buyers
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More room to negotiate
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Strong rental demand continuing across Tampa Bay
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Better numbers appearing on value-add and long-term hold properties
In other words, this market rewards patience and local insight. It’s no longer about speed alone—it’s about timing and analysis.
Our Take After 40+ Years in Tampa Real Estate
Markets don’t move in straight lines—and Tampa is no exception.
Bidding wars are no longer the default, but they haven’t disappeared. They’ve evolved. Buyers are smarter. Sellers must be realistic. And the winners in today’s market are the ones who understand where demand actually lives.
That’s what we help our clients do every day—whether you’re buying your first home, selling strategically, or investing for long-term growth.
If you’re wondering how this shift affects your specific situation, that’s a conversation worth having. Tampa’s market is nuanced, local, and constantly changing—and experience matters more now than ever.
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Emeri & Joe Lewkowicz
Tampa Real Estate Experts | The Lewkowicz Group
