Recent Business Developments Energize Tampa Real Estate Market

Published by nora | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Market Trends, Miscellaneous, Real Estate

Business developments in recent months have been helping perk up the Tampa real estate market. As more people move to Tampa to pursue their jobs and as more residents gain better jobs from expanding companies, more Tampa homes are getting sold.

Tampa has been among cities where builders and homeowners continue to sell new and existing homes despite the country’s economic problems and mortgage financing difficulties. Recent reports show that Tampa builders have increased their annual housing starts in September and that the Tampa real estate market has increased their sales of new and pre-owned homes.

Following are some of many great business developments in the Tampa area that are creating jobs and giving more opportunities for selling and buying Tampa homes:

One Touch Direct

One Touch Direct, headquartered in Tampa, has announced its creation of 700 more jobs at its center near Tampa International Airport and at another facility near Lakeview Center Drive. From only one client and 20 agents when it started in Tampa in 1998, One Touch is on its way to managing nearly 2,000 employees and running the accounts of Fortune 500 companies.

Norwegian Cruise Line

The thousands of cruise passengers passing through Tampa every departure day are leaving thousands of money footprints in the city, increasing the coffers of restaurants, hotels, theme parks, shops, and transportation businesses. Cruises are also giving opportunities for the city of Tampa to show cruise ship guests how buying and owning Tampa real estate can put them close to cruise vacations and other adventures.

Norwegian Cruise Line is expected to add about 130,000 visitors to the thousands of people traveling to the city of Tampa this year. The Norwegian Star cruise ship, which has a capacity of 2,348 passengers and which has launched a series of seven-day cruises to the Western Caribbean, is expected to add more than $8 million to Tampa’s economy. More is expected when the Norwegian Dawn comes to Tampa and replace the Norwegian Star.

Progressive Car Insurance

This insurance firm, part of the Progressive Group of Insurance Companies, is set to hire 130 people for its operations in Tampa by the end of December 2011. Prospective employees want to work for Progressive as it was known for its flexible working arrangements, performance bonuses and fitness centers. It’s also considered as one of the best places to work in the Tampa Bay area by the St. Petersburg Times.

Hotels in Tampa and St. Petersburg Posted Highest Occupancy Rate Jump

St. Petersburg and Tampa hotels increased their occupancy rates sharply to 53.5 percent in September, according to hotel industry research firm STR Global. The rate of increase was 13.6 percent, the biggest jump among the country’s top 25 hotel markets, and almost three times higher than the national increase rate of 5.7 percent. The nationwide occupancy rate was 63.3 percent and the average daily room rate was $103.40. The Tampa area surpassed even that of the Miami area, which was 12.6 percent.

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