The Impact of Rising Rent and Development Trends in the Tampa Bay Area: An Interview with Casey Babb
The Tampa Bay area has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, attracting more residents and investors to the region. However, this growth has also led to a significant increase in rent prices, with rates spiking by 38% in Tampa and 36% in St. Petersburg since 2018, according to data from CoStar.
Casey Babb, an executive vice president for Colliers in Tampa, noted that the influx of investment and development in the area has contributed to the rising rent prices. However, the multi-family housing market has recently slowed down, with transaction volume dropping by 64.8% year over year in the first quarter of this year.
Babb shared his insights on the local market, highlighting the challenges faced by developers and renters alike. He pointed out that the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes have had a significant impact on the market, causing a slowdown in property values and rents.
One unique challenge facing the local market is an insurance crisis, with insurance rates increasing three to five times in the past six months. Additionally, environmental concerns, such as wetlands and waterways, make development in the area more complex.
Looking ahead, Babb predicts a wave of new multi-family construction projects hitting the market in the next few years, followed by a slowdown in 2025. He emphasized the need for more affordable housing options to address the rising rent prices and the impact on essential workers like teachers and first responders.
Babb also highlighted the recently passed Live Local Act, which aims to incentivize developers to include affordable housing units in their projects. This law could help alleviate the housing crisis in the long term by increasing supply and lowering prices.
Overall, while the Tampa Bay area continues to face challenges related to rising rent prices and limited housing supply, initiatives like the Live Local Act offer hope for a more affordable and accessible housing market in the future.