Cash buyers for an older, built-out county

Pinellas filled in early. Much of its housing went up between the 1950s and the 1980s: concrete block ranch homes, garden condos, villas, and manufactured-home communities, plus older bungalows in St. Petersburg and the county's historic downtowns. Very little open land is left, so most new construction is infill or a rebuild on an old lot.

Our team has been buying as-is properties for more than 10 years. Each Pinellas property gets its own review, from its flood zone and roof age to its association and permit history, and we walk you through how the offer was built.

Helene, Milton, and what they left behind

In September 2024, Hurricane Helene stayed well offshore but pushed record storm surge into Pinellas. Water filled homes in Shore Acres in St. Petersburg and along the barrier islands, from St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island up through Madeira Beach and Clearwater Beach. Less than two weeks later, Milton brought damaging wind and heavy rain across the county.

Many owners are still deciding what to do. In a flood zone, if repairs reach 50 percent of the building's market value, FEMA rules generally require the whole structure to meet current floodplain standards, which often means elevating it. Each city makes that determination for homes inside its limits, and the county handles unincorporated areas. We buy flood-damaged homes as they are, whether or not repairs have started.

What else sets Pinellas sales apart

  • Condos. Older beachfront and bayfront buildings three stories or taller face Florida's milestone inspections and structural reserve studies, and some owners are paying large special assessments.
  • 55+ communities. Age-restricted condos, villas, and parks limit who can buy, which shrinks the pool of buyers for a traditional listing.
  • Insurance on older roofs. An aging shingle roof or a failed four-point inspection can stop a financed buyer, and some owners have ended up with Citizens, the state-backed insurer of last resort.
  • Flood disclosure. Since October 1, 2025, Florida sellers have had to tell buyers about any flood insurance claims on the property and any federal flood aid, such as FEMA assistance.
  • City or county. Palm Harbor, East Lake, Lealman, and Tierra Verde are unincorporated, so Pinellas County, not a city, handles their permits and code enforcement.

Owners we often hear from

  • Adult children handling a parent's house or condo after a death or a move to assisted living
  • Owners of flooded homes who don't want to elevate or rebuild
  • Landlords with aging rentals or tenants who have stopped paying
  • Condo owners facing an assessment they can't absorb
  • Homeowners with code enforcement fines or open permits
  • Anyone behind on the mortgage or property taxes

Courts, closing costs, and timing

Pinellas and Pasco make up Florida's 6th Judicial Circuit, which handles probate and foreclosure cases for both counties. If a case is open, send us the case number so the contract can follow the court's timeline. When you sell, a title company searches the title, checks for municipal liens, and pays off your mortgage and any liens at closing. The deed carries Florida's documentary stamp tax of $0.70 for every $100 of the sale price. Who pays it, and every other closing cost, is set out in your contract.

Besides the cities listed on this page, we review properties in Seminole, Gulfport, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor, the beach towns, and unincorporated areas across the county.

Frequently asked questions

Do you buy Pinellas homes that flooded during Helene?

Yes. Tell us how high the water got, what has been repaired, and whether you received a substantial damage letter. We evaluate the home as it stands today.

Do you buy on the Pinellas barrier islands?

Yes, including homes and condos from Clearwater Beach and Sand Key south to Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach.

How do I know if my home is in a city or unincorporated Pinellas?

Your mailing address may not tell you. The property appraiser's parcel record shows the taxing district, and we check it as part of our review.

Can I sell a condo in a building with a special assessment?

Yes. We review the association's inspection reports, reserve study, and assessment schedule, and the offer reflects them.

How soon can a Pinellas sale close?

Once the title work is clear, often within a few weeks. If you need more time to move, you can set a later date.