Rates grabbed headlines. The average 30-year mortgage just slid to about 6.19%, the lowest in more than a year. Good momentum. Not a market makeover.
Most homeowners are still frozen by the “I’ve got a 3% loan” feeling, which keeps listings tight and the pace uneven across Tampa, St Petersburg, and Clearwater. That’s exactly where strategy pays.
Why many Tampa Bay owners still won’t move at 6 percent
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Rate lock is real. Roughly 8 in 10 mortgages carry a sub-6% rate, and about 1 in 5 sit below 3%. Trading that for a 6-something payment feels like a step backward, even when the house no longer fits.
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Local pulse. Tampa–St Petersburg–Clearwater saw closed sales jump 17.5% year over year in September, while the median single-family price ticked down 2.7%. Translation. Buyers have shots on goal, and selective pricing pressure creates leverage.
What we’re doing for buyers right now
Hesitation creates openings. We’re leaning into them.
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Target the soft spots. Longer days on market, fatigued sellers, and stale new-build specs.
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Sequence the asks. We push price first, then closing costs, then rate tools so you don’t spend a dollar twice.
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Real story. This week in a new-construction community, the on-site rep mentioned management wanted one spec home off the books. That’s our cue to ask for more. We did.
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Buydowns vs. price cuts. We often negotiate temporary and sometimes permanent buydowns. But if a straight price reduction plus closing costs wins on the spreadsheet, we take the money and keep the option to refinance later if the broader trend keeps easing. Builders are using incentives across the country, and you can see active promos here in Tampa Bay.
“Why move if I’ll pay around 6 percent?”
Two honest reasons.
Lifestyle ROI
If your house no longer fits your life, the cost of staying is real. Commute strain. Kids who need doors. Parents who need a first-floor suite. You can’t refinance square footage or sunshine.
Equity to opportunity
Tampa Bay owners are sitting on serious equity. We convert that into the right next place with a payment you can live with today, then keep a refi path open for tomorrow. Industry forecasts still see rates near the 6s on average, with room to drift lower if inflation cooperates. We plan for that upside without depending on it.
For sellers watching other listings sit
You’re not wrong. Some homes linger. Ours are selling and closing because we don’t just plant a sign and hope. At today’s rates buyers need clarity and confidence.
How we get it done in Tampa Bay
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Pricing that matches buyer psychology at 6-ish, not 3.
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Media and launch plans that win attention in Tampa, St Petersburg, and Clearwater search.
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Terms engineering that removes friction so buyers say yes faster.
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Weekly adjustments based on actual feedback, not wishful thinking.
Tighter markets expose the gap between ordinary and excellent. You’ll see it in time on market and in your net.
A quick story about skill vs signs
This week, someone told me they’d been listed with another agent for six months. No result. In one hour I diagnosed the issue and handed them a game plan. Sometimes it’s price structure. Sometimes it’s presentation. Usually it’s both. The difference is an agent excited to get a sign in the yard versus advisors who listen, diagnose, and advise.
Bottom line for Tampa Bay
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Buying. Stalled psychology is your leverage. We’ll find value in builder close-outs, aging listings, and terms other buyers leave on the table.
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Selling. Strategy over spectacle. We package, price, and negotiate for today’s buyer reality.
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Feeling stuck. We map a path from your equity to the lifestyle you actually want. If rates keep easing, we refinance. If they don’t, you still bought well.
Ready for a 20 minute strategy call that could save you time, money, and headaches
Email: [email protected]
Call or text: 727-777-3264
