All Forum Posts by: Christian Tateo

Hi Nick,

So sorry to hear about the damage to your home — that sounds incredibly tough. For casualty loss tax relief, you may want to look into IRS Form 4684 for reporting disaster-related losses. If the area was federally declared a disaster zone, you might also be eligible to claim the loss on the prior year’s return for quicker relief.

It’s also worth checking with your county property appraiser about a possible reassessment of your property value post-storm to lower your tax burden.

Wishing you a smooth recovery — happy to connect if you need help finding local contacts in Florida.

Hi Emilio — first off, thank you for your service!

That’s a great position to be in. If stability and peace of mind during your transition are top priorities, buying 1–2 properties outright could reduce stress with no mortgage obligations. On the other hand, leveraging to buy 3–4 could grow your portfolio faster, but comes with added risk — especially during a major life shift.

It really depends on your comfort level with risk and your income stability post-transition. Happy to connect if you want to chat more about the Sarasota market!

Hey John! We’re also active in the Tampa area and have flood insurance in place—even for condos in Zone X. It’s often overlooked, but definitely smart for peace of mind. We work with reputable providers and can help you get set up if you need recommendations or guidance. Let me know—we’d be happy to help!

-Christian Tateo

Hi Sean!

Congrats on getting ready for your first investment — that’s a big step! Both long-term rentals in Tampa and Airbnb in North Myrtle Beach can be great options, but it really comes down to your goals and risk tolerance.

✅ Long-term rental (Tampa) — tends to offer more stability, predictable cash flow, and less day-to-day management.

✅ Airbnb (North Myrtle Beach) — can bring in higher income potential, but usually comes with more work (guest turnover, cleaning, managing reviews) and can be impacted by local regulations or seasonality.

If you’re looking for something more hands-off to start, long-term might be easier. But if you’re comfortable with a little more involvement and want to maximize returns, short-term could be worth exploring.

If you ever want to connect about the Tampa market, feel free to reach out. Best of luck with your first deal!

Hi VeLora!

Congrats on planning your first multifamily purchase — that’s an exciting step! In my experience, the most important thing is working with someone who really understands your goals and the local market, whether that’s a broker or an agent.

A buyer’s broker can help you negotiate and represent your interests, but sometimes you may trade off a bit of that personalized, hands-on guidance, especially as a first-time buyer. A great agent who specializes in multifamily can often provide just as much value — and help you avoid costly mistakes.

If you'd like, I’d be happy to connect or recommend someone local in Lakeland who knows the multifamily space well. Best of luck on your journey!

Welcome to the community, Matt! 

Tampa, Sarasota, and Lakewood Ranch are great markets with lots of potential. As a physician household, you may qualify for physician loan programs that are more flexible with student debt — definitely worth looking into.

Start networking early with local agents and investors to stay ahead in a competitive market. I’m based in Tampa and happy to connect or answer any questions as you prepare for your first deal. Wishing you and your wife all the best on this journey!

-Christian Tateo

Welcome to the community, Stephen! 

Great to see a fellow real estate enthusiast based in St. Pete! Love that you're bridging both investing and a home service business — sounds like a great way to stay connected with the market and build strong relationships.

If you're ever open to chatting about multifamily, local opportunities, or just want to bounce around ideas, I’d be happy to connect. Looking forward to learning and growing together too!

Wishing you continued success! 

-Christian Tateo

Hi VeLora, welcome to the BP community!

Exciting to hear you’re exploring house hacking in Lakeland! I'm familiar with the area and would be happy to help however I can—whether it’s sharing insights on neighborhoods, tips for out-of-state buyers, or connecting you with local resources. Lakeland has some great opportunities, but like any market, there are areas to research closely.

Feel free to reach out if you have questions—I’m happy to point you in the right direction!

Best of luck to you and your husband on your first investment!

-Christian Tateo

Hi Alfredo,

Flood insurance in Florida can be tough, especially for investment properties, but there are options:

1. NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) – This is a common choice and does cover rentals, though it has limits.

2. Private flood insurance – Companies like Neptune Flood, TypTap, and Wright Flood often provide good alternatives with more flexible coverage.

3. Independent insurance agents – They can shop around and find the best option for your specific property.

It’s worth getting quotes from both NFIP and private insurers to compare. Feel free to reach out if you want more info—I’m happy to help!

Hey Antoine, welcome to the Florida market and to the BiggerPockets community!

I’m active in the Tampa area and would be happy to connect. Always great to see motivated wholesalers looking to collaborate and grow. There’s a lot of opportunity in SWFL and Central Florida, and networking is definitely key.

Feel free to shoot me a message — let’s see how we can bring value to each other. Looking forward to connecting and possibly working together! 💪

-Christian Tateo