Jason Outman is coming in with a plan for the Greater Tampa REALTORS (GTR). He wants to give realtors the tools they need to guide them through the home-buying process. He also plants to address the dire shortage of affordable housing with state and national legislators.
Outman will become the new CEO for the Greater Tampa Bay REALTORS beginning April 5. He plans to hit the floor running in what can be a tumultuous real estate market in the Tampa Bay area.
“Right now, one of the things I have been communicating with the board about is from an education standpoint, the housing market in this high destination and whether high interest rates that are volatile are having an impact on decisions,” he said.
“TIME magazine named Tampa as one of the best places in the world to live,” Outman said. “That will continue to draw and attract more professionals to the area. Visit Tampa Bay is doing a $1 million marketing campaign to promote moving to the Tampa Bay area. We need to be ready for that.”
More about Jason Outman
Outman earned his Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Interpersonal & Public Communication and Sport Studies from Central Michigan University and his Master of Business Administration in Hospitality & Tourism Management from Strayer University. He also holds the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) and Certified Association Sales Executive (CASE) designations.
And he is ready for the unique challenge Tampa presents.
“It was a simple decision to come here, really. I’ve always wanted to move to Tampa and make it my home through retirement. Visiting Florida from Michigan a lot when I was a child growing up, I always hoped to land in Tampa.”
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Now he is on his way from Branson, MO. There he served as CEO for the Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau for two years. Outman has already found a house and is already talking to his board about the way forward during these tricky times. Especially with prices slightly dropping and interest rates for mortgages climbing.
“I saw the opportunity with Greater Tampa REALTORS and what they are about and the opportunity. So it was kind of a no brainer,” he said. “I lived in Tallahassee for a short period when I was working on my Masters Degree and I also lived in Miami. I always wanted to get back to Florida. So, when they offered me the job, I jumped at it.”
Educating people moving to Florida
As this area promotes itself as a moving destination, there needs to be education on what challenges new residents will face in finding a home, and finding the right home, he said. “For example, are you in the flood zone?”
People who are unfamiliar with Florida need some education on how to make their home buying decision, he said. “For members of the association, education opportunities will help them grow on how they can work with potential clients and educate both the buyers and the sellers. We are coming out of a period where houses were getting turned over in 24 hours and well above what the house appraises for. Sometimes you had no chance to just breathe. We need to help the team gain the tools they need to work with the buyers so they understand the situation, based on the search and volatile interest rates, on a personal level.”
Addressing national issues
Jason Outman said Branson has been facing many of the same issues. “Most of the houses are well above what the average person can afford. That message needs to be taken to Washington, D.C., to our senators and representatives. Government needs to understand we need to find a way to find affordable housing for the entire country. Including programs to help developers build these places, how developers can put money into these projects.”
That message will need the board’s support, he said, so that is an area he will be working on.
Outman does not see carrying that message as lobbying, per se, but as an opportunity for him to sit down with national and state leaders and have the conversation, he said.
“These are some of the things we need to improve on for the Tampa area.”
Jason Outman succeeds Carol Austin, who has served as GTR’s Interim CEO while the board conducted a national search to fill the permanent position.
“Outman is the right leader for GTR,” said Jay Quigley, 2023 GTR President. “His extensive leadership background and business development skills should take GTR to new heights. He has a vision for the future of the Association. It includes expanding our offerings, improving member experience, exploring new opportunities and more.”
During his time in Branson, the Chamber reported a double-digit increase in membership and saw record-setting levels of tourism for both years.
More about GTR
GTR is the largest professional association of real estate brokers and agents in the Tampa Bay area, representing over 15,000 members. It provides professional development and networking programs, supports REALTORS® in accelerating their business with access to the best tools and resources in the industry, and works to remain at the forefront of innovation and change to meet the dynamic needs of the real estate industry.
GTR represents REALTORS® involved in residential sales, commercial and investment sales, property management, and appraisals and abides by its strict Code of Ethics.
