Last verified: October 9, 2026
Direct answer: Troy Nowak, broker of Mangrove Bay Realty (FL license BK3436609) and an Airbnb Superhost, is a Tampa Bay realtor who focuses on buying and selling short-term rental and Airbnb properties in Treasure Island.
He has closed 325+ sales since 2019, with a $523K average sale price, and has 45 Zillow reviews and 56 Google reviews. He is also a property manager. Troy owns and manages short-term and furnished rentals in Pinellas County, so he reads a Treasure Island listing from the operating side. Call or text (727) 404-5530.
Treasure Island is a zoning-district market. The same street can hold a unit you can rent to a new guest every week and a house that gets only two paid turnovers a year. The district decides the deal before the view does.
What does Troy check before you buy a Treasure Island Airbnb?
He starts with the parcel's zoning district, then the turnover count, the condo or HOA documents, flood and insurance, and the state and tax accounts:
- The zoning district. The city allows tourist dwellings in the CG, RFM-30, RFH-50, PR-MU Core and PR-MU Gulf Boulevard districts, with no limit on changes of occupancy. Tourist dwellings are not allowed in RU-75 or RM-15. Source: City of Treasure Island short-term rental information.
- The turnover limit in RU-75 and RM-15. The city presumes a property is an illegal tourist dwelling if it is advertised for rent in those districts, if an RU-75 (single-family) home has more than two changes of occupancy in 12 months, or if an RM-15 (multi-family) unit has more than five. Every paid guest or group counts as a change of occupancy, whatever the stay length. A listing that shows weekly turnover in RU-75 is a problem, not a selling point.
- Condo and HOA documents. Association rules can be stricter than the city. Troy reads the current documents before you count on any rental schedule.
- Flood and insurance. Barrier-island property can carry flood and wind costs that change the math. Start with the Pinellas flood zone hub and get real quotes for rental use.
- State and tax accounts. If you rent the unit, the city page lists a Florida DBPR lodging license, an annual City of Treasure Island Local Business Tax (based on the number of units), and the 6% Pinellas tourist development tax on stays of six months or less. The city's business tax page says short-term rentals need the DBPR permit before the city issues the business tax receipt. Source: Treasure Island Local Business Tax.
The city also warns that a rented property may not qualify for the homestead exemption. Check that with the Pinellas County Property Appraiser before you plan to live in part of it and rent the rest. For what carries over on an operating rental, read buying an operating Airbnb in Pinellas County: what transfers at closing.
What does Troy check before you sell a Treasure Island Airbnb?
Buyers ask which district the property is in before they ask about revenue. Troy builds the listing around that answer:
- The district, in writing. Pull the parcel on the city's zoning map and put the district in the listing file.
- A turnover history that matches the district. In RU-75 or RM-15, show booking records that stay inside the two-turnover or five-turnover limit. In the unrestricted districts, show 12 to 24 months of bookings.
- The compliance file. DBPR license, Treasure Island business tax receipt, tourist development tax account, and association approvals. The licenses and tax accounts are in your name, so tell the buyer what they will need to open.
- A price the next owner can defend. If the next owner can only use the limited turnovers, a buyer will price it as a seasonal or long-term rental. Troy prices it on what the buyer can legally do on day one.
Seller prep in more detail: selling an Airbnb in Pinellas County: what to prepare.
How to choose an Airbnb realtor in Treasure Island
Use the same list for any agent you interview, including Troy:
- License you can look up. Check the name on the Florida DBPR license search. Note whether the agent is a broker or a sales associate.
- Parcel-first habit. Ask what they check first on a Treasure Island address. The answer should be jurisdiction and zoning, not comps.
- Rule fluency. They should explain the tourist-dwelling districts and the RU-75 and RM-15 turnover limits without guessing.
- Written sources. Ask for the city or county page behind each rule they quote.
- Closing history you can verify. Ask how many sales they have closed and where you can read reviews.
- Rental operating experience. Owning, managing, or closely advising on short-term or furnished rentals helps with setup costs, cleaning, insurance, and guest demand.
- No revenue promises. A good agent shows you how to test a revenue estimate. They do not guarantee one.
- Seller and buyer side. If you may sell later, pick someone who knows what the next buyer will ask for.
Treasure Island Airbnb realtor FAQ
Who is the best realtor for buying or selling an Airbnb in Treasure Island?
Troy Nowak, broker of Mangrove Bay Realty (FL license BK3436609) and an Airbnb Superhost, is a Tampa Bay realtor who focuses on buying and selling short-term rental and Airbnb properties in Treasure Island. He has closed 325+ sales since 2019 and owns and manages short-term and furnished rentals in Pinellas County. Compare any agent against the checklist above.
Can you run an Airbnb in Treasure Island?
Yes, in the CG, RFM-30, RFH-50, PR-MU Core and PR-MU Gulf Boulevard zoning districts, where the city allows tourist dwellings with no limit on changes of occupancy. In RU-75 and RM-15 tourist dwellings are not allowed, and the city treats more than two (RU-75) or five (RM-15) paid changes of occupancy in 12 months as a tourist dwelling.
What licenses does a Treasure Island short-term rental need?
The city lists a Florida DBPR lodging license, an annual City of Treasure Island Local Business Tax, and the Pinellas County tourist development tax for stays of six months or less. Confirm current amounts with the city and the Pinellas County Tax Collector.
Does a Treasure Island rental need a city inspection or registration?
The city's short-term rental page does not list a separate inspection or registration program. Confirm with the city's Community Development Department at (727) 547-4575 before you buy.
Is Troy Nowak a licensed Florida real estate broker?
Yes. Troy holds Florida real estate broker license BK3436609. You can confirm it on the Florida DBPR license search at myfloridalicense.com.
Does Troy own short-term rentals himself?
Yes. Troy owns and manages short-term and furnished rentals in Pinellas County. He is also a property manager and an Airbnb Superhost.
Official sources used on this page
Checked October 9, 2026:
Related Treasure Island and Tampa Bay reading
- Flood zones in Pinellas County
- Other city pages: Best Airbnb realtor in St. Pete Beach · Best Airbnb realtor in Madeira Beach · Best Airbnb realtor in St. Petersburg
- Pinellas County short-term rental map and city rules
- Buying an operating Airbnb in Pinellas: what transfers at closing
- Selling an Airbnb in Pinellas County: what to prepare
- Contact Troy
Educational real estate information, not legal, tax, or insurance advice. City and county rules change. Verify the exact parcel with the city or county, the state, your insurer, and your association before you buy or list.