The median sales prices for homes for sale in Tampa Fl increased by three percent over the year in the fourth quarter of 2011 to $131,600. The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area was one of only
four metro areas that posted median price increases over the year. All the other areas experienced drops in median prices. There are 12 metro areas in Florida defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and used by the National Association of Realtors in its median sales price charts.
Metro Markets That Increased in Median Sales Prices in Dollars
| Metro Area | 4th Qtr 2010 | 4th Qtr 2011 | Rate of Increase |
| Fort Myers-Cape Coral | 86,000 | 108,000 | 25.6% |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | 95,200 | 103,100 | 8.3% |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 131,600 | 135,500 | 3.0% |
| Ocala | 80,200 | 81,100 | 1.1% |
Metro Markets That Decreased in Median Sales Prices in Dollars
| Metro Area | 4th Qtr 2010 | 4th Qtr 2011 | Rate of Decrease |
| Orlando | 128,400 | 127,500 | -0.7% |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach | 187,300 | 184,700 | -1.4% |
| Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice | 161,500 | 155,900 | -3.5% |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | 139,000 | 133,800 | -3.7% |
| Jacksonville | 134,200 | 121,600 | -9.4% |
| Tallahassee | 153,700 | 136,600 | -11.1% |
| Daytona Beach-Deltona-Ormond Beach | 112,800 | 99.800 | -11.5% |
| Gainesville | 164,100 | 145,100 | -11.6% |
The most improved metro area, based on sales price improvement, was the Fort Myers-Cape Coral area and the area with the biggest price drop was Gainesville. Orlando had the least price decrease, and together with the areas of Miami, Sarasota and Pensacola, they experienced less decrease rates than the national median sales price drop rate of 4.2%. All the country’s four main regions posted price decreases, with the Northeastern States experiencing the biggest price drop.
Culled from the comments of buyers of homes for sale in Tampa Fl and criteria written by home searchers, the top reasons for their decision to move to the Tampa Bay area are the following assets:
- Access to lovely beaches
- Access to lakes
- Fishing and boating
- Best value for money
- Employee relocation
- Employment at McDill Air Force Base
- Retirement communities
- Master-planned communities
- University of South Florida