For the average Tampa Bay resident, buying a home in 2023 was an uphill battle. Rising interest rates and stubborn home prices shut first-time buyers out and kept others trapped in starter homes.
But in the world of luxury real estate, it was a banner year.
Tampa saw the largest increase in luxury home sales in the country, with sales surging 35.8% year over year in the third quarter, according to data from Redfin.
Luxury buyers tend to pay with cash, said local Realtor Jennifer Zales. That means they’re not impacted by higher mortgage rates.
Tampa Bay has seen an influx of wealthy buyers from places like California, New York, Palm Beach and Miami.
“Part of that is due to the value pricing we can offer in Tampa compared to those markets, which were extremely high-priced this year,” said Zales.
Many of those buyers sought out brand-new homes. Zales said she expects this trend to continue in 2024 as buyers consider the impact that storms and flooding could have on their properties. This may lead to more tear-downs of older homes on desirable waterfront properties.
Here’s a look back at the most expensive homes sold in the Tampa Bay area this year:
1. $17.85 million — 42 Ladoga Ave.
The basics: This 1920s home is on one of the largest waterfront properties in Tampa’s Davis Islands neighborhood, spanning 1.45 acres. The sale is the second-most expensive in Tampa Bay’s history, preceded only by Derek Jeter’s former home.
The 9,038-square-foot house has seven bedrooms, seven full bathrooms and two half-bathrooms.
The agents: Dina Sierra Smith, Mary Beth Byrd and Leslie Minder with Smith & Associates were the listing agents. Heidi Odio and Kerry Lather from Compass Florida were the buyer’s agents.
Special features: Amenities include a gym, a wine cellar and two office spaces. Outdoors, there’s a pool and a boathouse with two lifts. The home is situated on three separate lots, so it may be torn down and redeveloped.
2. $14.95 million — 5524 W. Neptune Way
The basics: Located in Tampa’s Beach Park neighborhood, this 10,123-square-foot home has five bedrooms, six full bathrooms and two half-bathrooms. It was built in 2007.
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The property spans more than half an acre with 164 feet of water frontage.
The agents: The listing agent was Jennifer Zales from Coldwell Banker Realty. The buyer’s agents were Christina Barone and Vincent Barone from Signature Realty Associates.
Special features: The centerpiece of this home is the unique three-level cascading pool and spa overlooking the bay. Each of the bedrooms has its own private bathroom, water view terrace and walk-in closet. There are also two elevators, a game room, a gym, a wine cellar, a theater room and a four-car garage.
3. $12.35 million — 42 Sandpiper Road
The basics: This 10,474-square-foot home sits on 0.42 acres of waterfront land in Beach Park.
Completed in 2023, it features seven bedrooms, eight full bathrooms and one half-bathroom.
The agents: Jennifer Zales from Coldwell Banker Realty represented the seller. Andre Kashou from Smith & Associates Real Estate represented the seller.
Special features: This is an energy-efficient smart home with modern touches like a floating staircase and white quartz countertops. There’s an office, a media room, a gym, a massage room and two separate garages with space for eight cars.
4. $10.8 million — 104 Ladoga Ave.
The basics: This Davis Islands home was finished in 2023. It has six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, one half-bathroom and 7,416 square feet on a 0.34-acre waterfront lot.
The agents: Adriana Silver of Tomlin St. Cyr Real Estate Services represented the seller. The buyer was Carmen D’Ambrosio from Coldwell Banker Realty in Key Biscayne. She represented herself in the deal.
Special features: Inside, find a glass-enclosed wine room and a glass-enclosed office with waterfront views. The outdoor space includes a full kitchen, a gas fireplace and deep water…
Read More: Tampa Bay’s most expensive luxury home sales of 2023