Selling Commercial Property in Tampa Bay: Opportunity Zone Buyers Still Pay Premiums

If you plan to sell commercial property Tampa Bay investors notice one detail first: Is the parcel inside an Opportunity Zone? That simple yes or no often lifts a sale price by ten percent or more. The federal program may date back to 2018, yet demand is peaking now because investors must place gains by 31 December 2026 to lock in full tax relief on future appreciation.

Why the clock matters more than the rules

The mechanics have not changed. Sellers with capital gains still have one hundred eighty days to move money into a Qualified Opportunity Fund, which defers the original tax bill until 2026. Any value that the new asset earns after that point is tax-free if the buyer holds it for ten years. The difference today is urgency. Funds compete for land and adaptive-reuse sites in Ybor City, South St Pete, and along the Skyway corridor because the window is closing fast.

Proof on the street

A seventy-year-old warehouse near Adamo Drive changed hands late last year for eighteen percent more than a similar building two blocks away that lacked OZ status. Two flex-industrial pads in the Skyway Marina District went under contract within four days of listing. In each case, brokers pointed to the Opportunity-Zone incentive as the reason buyers outbid the market.

How 1031 exchanges sweeten the deal

Family offices now pair a traditional 1031 exchange with an Opportunity-Zone purchase. The 1031 defers yesterday’s tax, while the Opportunity-Zone shields tomorrow’s gain. That double benefit widens your buyer pool and lifts offers, especially from wealth managers who want long-term tax efficiency.
For a concise overview of the program, see the IRS Opportunity Zones FAQ

List now, not later

Putting your building on the market this year means selling into a pool of buyers who must close before the deadline. Wait until 2027, and that built-in urgency disappears. Hillsborough County continues to streamline permits for adaptive reuse, and the city actively promotes thirty-two OZ tracts, which keeps fresh money flowing into industrial and mixed-use sites.

Map first, value second

Confirming OZ status is as easy as checking a public census-tract map. Estimating the premium takes more work. Our valuation team tracks every Opportunity-Zone sale in Tampa Bay and can show you what buyers paid yesterday, what they will pay today, and how timing shapes tomorrow’s price.

Ready to act?

Request a complimentary opinion of value and discover how we help Tampa Bay owners sell commercial property in Opportunity Zones for the best possible price before the 2026 deadline. Visit our Expert Valuations page or call us to start the conversation.