Clearwater, FL
Clearwater real estate, local broker.
From downtown Clearwater to Clearwater Beach and Sand Key — current market data, the real story on short-term rental zoning, and a broker who’s sold here for years. No 1-800 numbers.
The Clearwater market right now
Clearwater splits into very different micro-markets: Clearwater Beach and Sand Key (vacation + waterfront premium), Belleair / Belleair Bluffs (established, lower flood exposure), Skycrest and Morningside (inland, family-driven), and downtown Clearwater proper (in transition with the new waterfront development).
Post-Helene/Milton (2024–2025), insurance cost-of-carry is now the price-discovery driver on the beach side. Inland Clearwater in Zone X is appreciating faster than the barrier-island side for the first time in a decade.
Short-term rentals in Clearwater
Clearwater allows short-term rentals in specific zoning districts and requires a city registration on top of the state DBPR license. Not every Clearwater address qualifies — and the penalties for unregistered STRs are steep.
Troy operates STRs in Pinellas himself and walks you through the zoning map, the registration, the tax accounts (state sales, county TDT, city), and the realistic gross-rent numbers from comparable listings.
Pros & cons of living in Clearwater
Pros: beach access, lower density than St. Pete proper, strong school options in Belleair and Dunedin fringe, walkable downtown coming online, marina access, short commute to Tampa via the Courtney Campbell.
Cons: insurance is high on the barrier islands, flood-zone reality is unavoidable on the gulf side, summer tourist traffic peaks on Memorial Bridge weekends.
Ready to buy or sell in Clearwater?
Drop your info — Troy will text you back within the hour.
Or call us: (727) 625-1777