Today was just a regular workday. I had some calls lined up, was checking in with the Graystone team, and then—boom—I get this call. Not just any call. It was from the Tampa Bay Times. That’s right. One of Florida’s biggest and most respected news outlets wanted to chat.
No big intro. Just straight into it.
“Hey Jorge, we’re working on a story about what’s happening in the housing market after Hurricane Helene, especially in Pinellas County. We know you’re deep in the investor space—would you mind sharing your thoughts?”
I said, “Sure. Let’s talk.”
And wow, what a conversation it turned into.
The Storm Hit—and the Questions Started Rolling In
If you’ve lived in Florida for more than a minute, you know hurricanes are part of the deal. But Helene? That one packed a punch. Especially in Pinellas, parts of Pasco, and all those beautiful beach towns we love—Clearwater Beach, Madeira Beach, and the Westshore area in Tampa.
Some homes made it through fine. Others weren’t so lucky. And now, everyone wants to know:
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Are investors still buying homes in these flood-hit areas?
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What can sellers do if they’re stuck with a damaged property?
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And how bad is it really?
So that’s what the Tampa Bay Times wanted to dig into with me. I don’t know when they’ll publish their piece, but I wanted to share the story from my side—what we discussed, what it made me think about, and what I believe people really need to hear right now.
How It All Started: My Background, Just So You Know
I gave them a quick version of my story. If you don’t know me yet, here it is:
I started off as a licensed financial advisor. Did that for about five years. Loved numbers, loved helping people build long-term wealth. But something clicked, and I realized I could do even more in real estate.
So I made the jump. That was about 20 years ago.
Since then, I’ve:
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Closed over 3,500 deals
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Built a team of 60+ agents
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Started five companies, including a property management firm, a lending company, an off-market acquisition division, and a real estate brokerage
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And I personally own a pretty decent chunk of real estate across the Tampa Bay area
But all of that aside, I’m just a guy who likes to help people use real estate as a tool—to build, to recover, to create options where there didn’t seem to be any before.
So, Are Investors Buying in Flood Zones After the Hurricane?
Let’s get into the meat of what we talked about.
The reporter asked, “Are investors still buying properties in Pinellas after Helene?”
My answer:
Yes—but only the smart ones.
Let me explain.
After any storm, there are two kinds of people:
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The ones who panic and walk away from everything—homes, deals, even communities.
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The ones who stop, assess, and get strategic.
The second group? That’s where the best investors live.
They don’t throw money around without thinking. They look at the numbers. They say things like:
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How bad is the flood damage?
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What’s the insurance situation?
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Can I assume a low-interest mortgage?
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Can I structure a win-win deal with the seller?
That’s the kind of thinking I’ve built my career around.
Insurance Is the New Mortgage
After this storm, one of the biggest issues we’re seeing isn’t just damage—it’s insurance. Flood insurance is getting more expensive by the day, especially in zones now flagged as “high risk.”
I told the Times:
“Insurance is becoming the new mortgage. Some monthly premiums are higher than the actual loan payments.”
That’s a scary thought. But it’s true.
And when investors look at properties now, they don’t just run comps and rehab estimates. They check the flood zone, ask about the current insurance policy, and try to figure out what’s even insurable anymore.
That’s where things get tricky.
But There’s a Secret Weapon: Creative Financing
This is where the lightbulb goes off.
I told the Times that sellers in tough spots still have something powerful—even if their home has damage.
It’s this:
Their low-interest mortgage.
If you bought your house in 2020 or 2021, there’s a good chance your rate is somewhere around 3%. Maybe even lower.
Today’s buyers? They’re staring down 7% and higher.
So if you’re in a flood zone, and you’re wondering how to sell… this is where creative financing comes in. And I explained two main strategies:
1. Subject-To
This is where the buyer takes over your existing mortgage—as is. They start making the payments. You don’t have to refinance or pay it off.
“It’s like passing the baton without restarting the race,” I told them.
It helps sellers walk away clean, and helps buyers lock in a low rate they could never get on their own today.
2. Seller Financing
This is where the seller becomes the bank. You don’t pay off the mortgage right away. Instead, the buyer agrees to monthly payments, and you agree on terms that benefit you both.
Both strategies give sellers a way out—and give buyers a chance to buy smart, especially in areas where banks are hesitant to lend.
We Have to Stop Villainizing Investors
This part of the conversation got a little deeper.
I told the Times something that’s been on my heart lately:
“The narrative that investors are the bad guys? It’s dangerous.”
Because if you make investors out to be the enemy, you scare off the only people willing to take the risk to bring neighborhoods back to life.
Think about it. What happens when no one wants to buy the flooded house at the end of the block?
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It sits empty
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Mold spreads
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Vandalism starts
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Property values for the whole street go down
Now flip that.
What happens when an investor steps in?
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They take over the payments
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Rehab the property
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Rent it out or resell it
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And keep the neighborhood alive
That’s not greed. That’s courage. And that’s what we need more of.
“It’s Not As Bad As It Looks”
Another thing I shared: this storm hit hard—but it didn’t destroy the whole region.
We manage over 300 rental properties through Graystone in the Tampa Bay area. You know how many had wind damage?
Zero.
Now yes, some homes in low-lying areas flooded. And those sellers are struggling. But there are also hundreds, maybe thousands, of homes that made it through just fine—and are still worth buying, renting, or flipping.
We can’t throw out the whole market because of a few red zones. That’s fear. And fear is not a strategy.
What Sellers Need to Hear
If you’re reading this and you’re a homeowner in a tough spot, here’s what I want you to know:
You have options.
Even if:
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Your house flooded
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Your insurance company bailed
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You’re behind on payments
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Your property value dropped
There are still strategies to help you exit clean—and sometimes even profit.
The trick is talking to someone who understands subject-to, seller finance, or wraparound mortgages. Not every realtor or buyer will. But the ones who do? They’ll change your outcome.
Final Thoughts: Why I’m Grateful for That Call
I don’t know what version of our conversation will make it into the Tampa Bay Times. Maybe it’ll be a big feature. Maybe just a quote.
But either way, I’m glad we talked.
Because too often, the media shows one side of the story—the flooded homes, the insurance hikes, the angry neighbors.
But today, I got to share the other side:
The story of investors stepping up.
The story of sellers finding solutions.
The story of recovery that actually works.
Last Word from Me
We’re not in a housing apocalypse. We’re in a transition—one that requires better tools, better thinking, and way more education.
So if you’re an investor, get strategic. If you’re a seller, get informed. And if you’re stuck, reach out. That’s what Graystone is here for.
Keep it consistent, stay patient, stay true—if I did it, so can you. This is Jorge Vazquez, CEO of Graystone Investment Group and all our amazing companies, and Coach at Property Profit Academy. Thanks for tuning in—until the next article, take care and keep building!
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