It’s almost here! The Big Game is being hosted this year in Tampa at iconic Raymond James Stadium, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers facing off against the Kansas City Chiefs. This is the fifth time in the city’s history that they’ve hosted the Big Game, and (in keeping with an unprecedented past year of firsts) the first time a team will play in the Big Game in their home stadium!
Both cities and their surrounding areas have its own unique flavor, attractions and vibe, so we consulted with our “game day” experts within the Coldwell Banker family for an inside look on what makes the Tampa Bay and Kansas City real estate markets so special and dynamic.
Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay area, home to roughly 3.1 million residents, consists of the City of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater. “This is one of the most affordable markets in Florida, offering the types of properties and cultural attractions that people dream of buying when they come to the Sunshine State,” said Charles Richardson, regional vice president, west central region for Coldwell Banker Realty in Florida. “Our market is unique, with the high number of waterfront homes and condominiums offering breathtaking Gulf of Mexico views, proximity to museums, theme parks, award-winning restaurants, heralded beaches, boating and fishing opportunities in your own backyard! The Tampa Bay market also has an increasingly growing job base, and since Florida has no state income tax, this market makes it one of the best places in America to live, work or retire.”
The Tampa Bay housing market is in high demand, with excellent affordable values and an appreciating market which continues to be “The best value in all of Florida,” said Richardson. With the market being the home of the reigning Stanley Cup champions (Tampa Bay Lightning), the reigning American League baseball champions (Tampa Bay Rays) and the current Super Bowl participant, there arguably isn’t a professional sports town in America enjoying greater success this year. The region also has a substantial amount of golf course communities that host PGA championship tournaments throughout the year. Local attractions within and around “Cigar City” (named for the industry that once dominated Tampa) include historic Ybor City, Riverwalk, Tampa Museum of Art, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and the annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival. You can find information on other sites and attractions at www.visittampabay.com.
Kansas City
Kansas City, famous for its renowned barbecue food culture (over 100 restaurants to choose from) and nicknamed the “City of Fountains” for reportedly having more fountains than Rome, Italy, has been called “The Best Kept Secret.” Straddling both the Kansas and Missouri state lines, Kansas City has over 2 million people. “Due to the city’s central location in the country, Kansas City is the headquarters for many large companies, which makes for a healthy economy and employment opportunities,” according to Karen Bergin, owner of Coldwell Banker Good Life Real Estate Group. “Single family homes make up the largest percentage of the marketplace, featuring cozy bungalows to spacious mansions or acreage properties for those that want to enjoy country living with easy access to the City.”
Kansas City is an enthusiastic sports town, including last year’s Big Game champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, along with the Kansas City Royals baseball team. The city has a vibrant art scene including local galleries and the famed Art Alley, located at 18th and Vine Streets, which sees artists travel from around the world creating murals on the exterior brick walls of buildings. Galleries offer the local artist creations. Other local attractions include the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (which is a repository for the league from its beginnings after the Civil War to the 1960s) located in the city’s historic Jazz District, the Kaufman Center, the National WWI Museum and Memorial, the Kansas City Zoo and much more. If you want to learn more about what Kansas City has to offer, visit www.visitkc.com.
Wherever you’re celebrating the Big Game from, and whoever you’re rooting for, remember that Coldwell Banker agents have you covered for all your real estate needs!
