E072: Is Now a Good Time to Buy or Sell in St. Pete? The Truth Behind the Headlines | with Doug Wagner, CrossCountry Mortgage

Is the St. Pete real estate market actually slow — or is that just the national headline?In this episode of Selling St. Pete, I sit down with Doug Wagner of CrossCountry Mortgage to unpack what's really happening in Pinellas County right now — and why the story here looks different from what you're seeing on the news.Whether you bought in 2021 and feel trapped by your low interest rate, you're renting and wondering if now is the right time to buy, or you just want honest numbers, this conversation is for you.What we cover:Why existing home sales have been stuck near 4 million nationally — and what that means locallyHow COVID artificially pulled demand forward, and why rates returning to "normal" isn't bad newsThe absorption rate trend in Pinellas County that the media isn't talking aboutWhy 70% of real estate agents didn't sell a single home last year — and how to make sure yours didThe bridge loan strategy that lets equity-rich homeowners make non-contingent offersWhy renting is almost always more expensive than owning — and when the math finally tipsThe condo market split: why Downtown St. Pete (33701) is a seller's market while beach communities sit at 15 months of inventoryHow to use seller concessions and rate buydowns to improve affordability without waiting for rates to dropThe starter home strategy: why your first home doesn't have to be your forever homeKey stats from this episode:Average net worth of a renter: ~$10,000Average net worth of a homeowner: ~$400,000Historical average 30-year mortgage rate: high 6% rangeDowntown St. Pete condo inventory: seller's market over $1M, buyer's market under $1 M (different dynamics)Beach community condo inventory: ~15 monthsConnect with Doug Wagner: 📞 727-543-2897 | CrossCountry Mortgage | knowmyhomebudget.comSelling St. Pete is your hyper-local guide to the St. Petersburg, Florida real estate market — hosted by luxury real estate advisor Nicole Saunches of Coastal Properties Group International and Forbes Global Properties.