For the past several years, Tampa Bay’s housing market has felt like a roller-coaster.
First, there were the highs of the pandemic-fueled homebuying frenzy, when homes were selling at breakneck speeds for eye-popping prices.
Then there were the lows of the post-2024 hurricane season, as the region struggled to recover from the destruction caused by Helene and Milton.
2025 felt like a transitional year for many, even those in the highest income brackets.
“The luxury market did not stop after the hurricanes, but activity paused as buyers and sellers reassessed,” said Jennifer Zales, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker who specializes in high-end properties.
Despite the threat of rising tides, buyers still are willing to pay a premium to live on the water. All of 2025’s most expensive properties were on the waterfront.
There’s also continued demand for new construction. Two of the top sales were land deals, where buyers jumped at the rare opportunity to build from scratch in a sought-after neighborhood.
“The luxury market is being driven more by fundamentals and long-term value than by emotion or speculation,” Zales said.
The basics: This 5,662-square-foot mansion was owned by the co-founder of 717 Parking, John Accardi. He sold it in October. The house has five bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms. It was built in 2008 on a 0.45-acre lot in the Culbreath Isles neighborhood.
The agents: The home was sold in an off-market transaction.
Special features: This Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home was built by local architect Sol Fleischman and was featured in an episode of Mansion Global. It has a large backyard facing Old Tampa Bay complete with a pool, hot tub and concrete dock.
The basics: This five-bedroom, five-and-a-half bathroom house was built in 2006 on a 0.46-acre waterfront lot in the Davis Islands neighborhood. It spans 7,825 square feet.
The agents: Zales from Coldwell Banker Realty was the seller’s agent. Heidi Odio from Compass Florida was the buyer’s agent.
Special features: Wooden beams, indoor fireplaces, hardwood flooring and statement lighting give this home a refined look. There’s a wood-paneled office/library with built-in bookshelves and a mother-in-law suite with its own sitting area and private entry staircase.
The basics: This 0.8-acre Davis Islands property was sold at land value. There is a 3,614-square-foot home on the lot, but it suffered hurricane damage and is set to be torn down.
The agents: Brooke Brate from Smith & Associates Real Estate was the listing agent. There was no buyer’s agent.
Special features: This property has 124 feet of water frontage. The City of Tampa has granted preliminary approval for it to be split into two lots.
The basics: This brand new, 5,625-square-foot home has five bedrooms, five bathrooms and two half-bathrooms. It was built in 2024 and is on a 0.36-acre lot along the Gulf of Mexico.
The agents: Paul Simon with Coastal Properties Group represented the seller. The buyer was represented by Meltem Birey with 1 Palm Realty.
Special features: The crown jewel of this waterfront property is the deep-water private dock, which is able to accommodate a 100-foot yacht. The modern home has an open and airy feel with oversized windows, wall-to-wall sliding glass doors and 12-foot ceilings in the main living area.
The basics: This 5,867-square-foot home in the Snell Isle neighborhood was built in 2022. There are five bedrooms — each with en suite bathrooms — as well as three half-baths. The waterfront lot spans 0.55 acres.
The agents: Leslie Minder from Smith & Associates was the listing agent. Todd Edwards from Redfin was the buyer’s agent.
Special Features: This home has two primary bedrooms, one on the main floor and one upstairs. There is an indoor spa with a sauna overlooking Tampa Bay, a pool, several outdoor showers and a three-car garage.
The basics: This 5,274-square-foot home in the Beach Park neighborhood was built in 2017. It has five bedrooms, five en suite bathrooms and two half-bathrooms situated on a 0.34-acre waterfront lot.
The agents: Al Bennati Jr. with Re/Max represented the seller. Lisa Steed with Sand Key Realty represented the buyer.
Special features: Sand dollars, starfish and various shells mixed into the tabby walls give the exterior of this home a beach vibe. An elevator provides easy access to all three floors.
The basics: This is a five-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bathroom home in Snell Isle. It spans 7,640 square feet and is on a 0.52-acre waterfront lot. It is new construction, built in 2024.
The agents: The seller was represented by Zach Zehnder, an agent with Keller Williams. The buyer’s agent was Rachel Sartain Tenpenny, broker/founder of The Tenpenny Collection.
Special features: The primary bedroom features vaulted ceilings, a private balcony, two walk-in closets and a luxurious en suite bathroom with a freestanding tub and large walk-in shower. Outdoors you’ll find an infinity pool with fire bowl features overlooking Snell Isle Harbor, a boat dock with a lift, a private beach and an outdoor shower.
The basics: The home on this Davis Islands property was torn down, and the remaining lot sold for land value.
The agents: Toni Everett, broker/owner of the Toni Everett Company, represented both the buyer and the seller.
Special features: This is a 0.54-acre lot. It has 133 feet of water frontage on Hillsborough Bay with views of Bayshore Boulevard
The basics: Spanning 8,766 square feet, this new construction home was completed in 2023. It includes six bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms. It was built on a 0.22-acre waterfront lot in the Beach Park neighborhood.
The agents: The listing agent was Zales with Coldwell Banker. The buyer’s agent was Andre Kashou with Smith & Associates.
Special features: This home comes decked out with a floating staircase, glass elevator, wine cellar and movie theater. Full retracting glass doors open onto an outdoor terrace complete with a pool, fire fountains, a floating spa and dual sundecks.
The basics: Located in Culbreath Isles, this five-bedroom, six-bathroom home was built in 2018. It spans 6,497 square feet and is on a 0.34-acre waterfront lot.
The agents: Mary Kelly with Smith & Associates represented the seller. Mary Pond with Smith & Associates represented the buyer.
Special features: The home has a European-inspired design with luxurious finishes like marble, terrazzo and hardwood flooring, crown molding and high ceilings. There is a pool and spa out back and a dock overlooking a canal.
The basics: No deed has been filed yet for this two-story penthouse unit. Construction on the building hasn’t even begun. But in July, the developers announced this deal, shattering the record for most expensive condo ever sold in the Tampa Bay region.
The agents: The tower is being developed by Property Markets Group and Feldman Equities. Smith & Associates is the exclusive sales team.
Special features: Once completed, the building will become the tallest in St. Petersburg, rising 50 stories. The penthouse unit will span 10,684 square feet and feature a 50-foot private pool, a private foyer entry and custom closets.
