Business

Is Tampa a Good Place to Invest in Retail Real Estate?

Tampa, in central Florida on the Gulf Coast, is a sunny and vibrant place with a rich history. People can enjoy its beaches and modern culture. There’s something for everyone in Tampa.

But what is truly unique about Tampa? In the ever-changing landscape of business opportunities, Tampa stands out as a compelling place for motivated entrepreneurs. The state’s diverse and robust economy offers numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to start profitable businesses. Moving to Florida can be a big move for any business person.

Tampa Retail Development Companies Report

Florida is the nation’s fastest expanding state in terms of population, with many people relocating to Tampa in particular. In general, Tampa’s retail demand has been consistently robust for much of the past decade, due to significant population growth, salary growth, and sustained consumer spending. The current vacancy rate is 3.3%, up +0.2% from Q3 2023, and the vacancy rate for real estate in Tampa has stayed stable over the previous year and is significantly lower than the national average, which is anticipated to be approximately 4.5%.

There is now 563,141 square feet of new retail space under construction, with approximately 1 million square feet delivered in the last 12 months. While new development is slowing compared to prior years, an increase in demand bodes well for future growth.

Retail investment sales activity over the last year has totaled around $1.6 billion in transaction volume, driven by significant investment volume in Q4 and Q2 2022. Q1 2023, which occurred a little more than a year ago, still maintains records for transaction volume, with approximately $600 million in retail property sales. It was the second biggest quarter for retail real estate companies sales in the area, demonstrating how strong investor demand has been over the last year.

Retail investors continue to pursue purchases in secondary areas like Tampa and Orlando in search of greater yields, which are proving increasingly difficult to get. Increased competition for assets is causing an acceleration in total retail pricing, with the average price per square foot increasing by 10% year over year and over 15% in the last two years.

Investing in Tampa Real Estate

Look into it yourself and talk to local real estate pros to make a smart choice. Check out Tampa’s past and future to see if it lines up with your investment goals and how much risk you’re okay with.