Broker/Agent with office in Boston, MA and lives in Saint Petersburg, FL

[Dillon Currier]

Hey everyone! I've been a broker/agent/investor for 22 years, with 25 of my own investments. I own a brokerage in Boston and have lived in St Pete, FL the last 8 years. I've never seen a city transform like this. EVERYONE that visits wants to live here. Not only is it great for retirees, but there is a massive community with young professionals, which most cities in Florida do not have. For me, it's easily the coolest city in the state, and it's not even close. Reminds me of Austin a bit with all the live music, breweries, art shows, restaurants, downtown area (of course beach area too), amazing new Pier, etc. My personal home almost doubled in value in 2 years and while many markets have gone down the last 6 months, we've been mostly flat. I feel like there's so much migration happening here that we are going to continue to be a top market in the US going forward, with great opportunity for investors. Personally, I'm betting my own money on it, looking for investments now that our inventory has creeped up to about 4 months supply, which is still pretty low compared to most markets. If anyone wants to talk about St Pete or Boston area real estate reach out anytime.

Here are some links to articles I found when I searched top real estate areas for appreciation in 2023:

1. https://www.doorloop.com/blog/best-real-estate-markets-2022
2. https://www.poplarhomes.com/real-estate-investment/best-locations-to-invest-in-rental-property-in-2023/
3. https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2023/02/27/tampa-bay-one-of-the-top-places-for-relocation.html
4. https://www.mashvisor.com/blog/best-places-for-buying-investment-property/

[Zach Kidd]

@Bruce Lynn it's never "St Pete's". Like fingernails on a chalkboard to us locals!

Sales are primarily driven by people relocating elsewhere for jobs, people up or downsizing, death, divorce, or the halfback run (they move down from the North, can't handle the heat, and move halfway back).

It has always been an area with a lot to offer, and demand has always been high, with the occasional dip from post-hurricane wariness.

Still, I would argue that it's some of the most undervalued real estate in the US. By comparison, the only other place with a close equivalent of theme parks, weather, base industry, etc. would be Los Angeles.

While we can't easily make the run to Tijuana on a weekend, the Caribbean is a short hop away.

No mountains, no snow, just flip flops and Jimmy Buffett songs.

Not bad at all.