Shore Acres and the bayfront after Helene
Helene's surge filled homes across Shore Acres, one of the lowest parts of the city, and reached other waterfront neighborhoods along Tampa Bay and Boca Ciega Bay. Many of the affected houses are 1950s and 1960s ranch homes built at ground level, well below the floor heights required today.
For owners, the big question is the substantial damage determination. If the city finds that repairs would cost half or more of the structure's value, the house generally has to be elevated or rebuilt to current flood rules before anyone can live in it again. A drywall-and-flooring job can turn into a far larger project, and repair permits in a flood zone usually wait on that determination.
You can sell before settling that question. We buy flooded homes that are gutted, partly repaired, or untouched, and we build the elevation question into the price instead of leaving it with you.
Old Northeast, Kenwood, and the historic districts
St. Petersburg's oldest neighborhoods date to the 1910s and 1920s. Old Northeast has brick streets and early homes near the downtown waterfront, Historic Kenwood is known for its Craftsman bungalows, and Roser Park climbs the unusual hills along Booker Creek.
Houses this old often come with knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized pipes, termite damage in the framing, raised floors on aging piers, or additions from decades ago. Parts of the city, including Roser Park, are designated local historic districts, where new windows, roofing, additions, or demolition may need a certificate of appropriateness. We price in both the work and the review, so neither lands on you.
Where St. Petersburg ends
The city is ringed by separate governments. Gulfport, St. Pete Beach, and Kenneth City are their own municipalities, and Lealman, just to the north, is unincorporated county land. Many homes with a St. Petersburg mailing address sit in one of these instead. That changes who issues permits, whose liens show up in a search, and who made any flood-damage determination on the property. We confirm the jurisdiction for your parcel early.
Other St. Pete properties on our list
- Mid-century block homes on the north and west sides that need roofs, windows, or panel upgrades
- Duplexes and garage apartments in the older neighborhoods near downtown
- Condos in older waterfront buildings working through milestone inspections
- Rentals with tenants who have fallen behind
- Houses with open permits from post-storm repairs that stalled
Frequently asked questions
The city sent me a substantial damage letter. Can I still sell?
Yes. The determination stays with the property, and we account for it in our offer. Share the letter and any repair estimates you have.
Do you buy homes in St. Petersburg's historic districts?
Yes. We check whether the property is designated and what approvals repairs would need before we make an offer.
Can I leave furniture and storm debris behind?
Yes. Take what matters to you and leave the rest. Clearing it out becomes our job after closing.
How does closing work if I've already moved away?
A title company handles the paperwork, and you can usually sign with a mobile notary or remotely. Your mortgage and any liens are paid from the proceeds, and you receive what's left, usually by wire.
Do you also buy in Gulfport, Kenneth City, and Lealman?
Yes. We review properties throughout Pinellas County, including St. Pete Beach, Gulfport, Kenneth City, and unincorporated Lealman.