“Wait, Wait…” How a Tampa Agent Sold a Panhandle Property Without Ever Leaving Town

You ever get one of those listings that feels like it was dropped out of the sky—beautiful property, right price point, but way out of your usual stomping grounds? I’m talking hours away. Like, “Pack a lunch and load up the podcasts” kind of far.

Well, one of our top retail agents, Osvaldo Gonzalez, got hit with that exact situation. He’s based in Tampa Bay, right in the heart of Central Florida real estate action. But the listing? It was all the way out in the Panhandle.

Now most agents in that position would’ve said, “Eh, it’s too far. I’m out.” And that would’ve been a fair call. But not Osvaldo. He said: “Wait, wait… I can do this.” And what came next is a blueprint every agent and investor in Florida should be paying attention to.

Let me walk you through it.

Step 1: Start With What You Know – The Local MLS

So naturally, like any good agent, Osvaldo started with the basics. He listed the property on his local MLS—Stellar MLS. And thanks to Florida’s MLS Advantage program, that was already a smart move.

MLS Advantage is one of the most underrated tools in a Florida agent’s toolbox. If you’re a licensed real estate agent in Florida, you’ve got access to every MLS in the state. All of them. Through one login.

So by listing that Panhandle property in his own local MLS, Osvaldo didn’t just blast it to Tampa agents. He pushed it statewide. Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, Pensacola—you name it. It’s basically the real estate version of “post once, seen everywhere.”

But here’s the thing… sometimes, even that isn’t enough.

Step 2: Recognize When You Need More Firepower

A few days went by. Some clicks, a few inquiries… but no serious action. Osvaldo felt it. That listing needed real local love.

He could’ve just sat back, waited for someone to eventually stumble across the listing, and hoped the buyer came around. But he’s not built that way.

So he flipped the script.

Step 3: Go Old School—Google the Hustlers

Here’s where things got interesting. Instead of relying solely on automated systems and platforms, Osvaldo took it way back. He opened up Google. Yup—just plain old Google.

He typed in something like: “Top real estate agents in [Panhandle zip code]”

Then he took the top 25 names that came up, did a little homework, and sent them a personal message. Not an email that gets lost in the void. A group text.

He didn’t overthink it. Didn’t write a 10-paragraph novel. Just kept it simple:

“Hey, I’ve got a property listed in your area—here’s the price, link, and quick info. Let me know if you’ve got a buyer or want to collaborate.”

Boom. Direct, human connection.

One of those agents he reached out to—Crabb—didn’t just respond… he took it a step further. Crabb put up the yard sign. Installed the lockbox. Helped facilitate showings. Without Osvaldo ever having to leave Tampa.

Let that sink in. He sold a property hours away—without stepping foot on it—just by leveraging relationships, tools, and hustle.

Step 4: The Takeaway? Agents Sell Anywhere in Florida

This is what most Florida agents forget: our license isn’t just for our local neighborhood. It covers the entire state of Florida. All 67 counties. You can sell a house in Key West or Pensacola. Downtown Orlando or way out in the middle of nowhere near Suwannee.

But too often, we act like we’re stuck in our zip code.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

Osvaldo proved it. And here’s the recipe he followed:

• Use MLS Advantage to push your listing state-wide

• Don’t stop at MLS—directly engage local agents who know the area

• Go old-school if needed: phone calls, group texts, Zoom meetings, whatever it takes

• Be open to partnerships—sometimes you split the deal, but everyone wins

Why This Matters for Agents and Investors

Now, I know some of y’all reading this are investors, not agents. But this applies to you, too.

Let’s say you’ve got a rental in Lake City, but you live in Fort Myers. Or you inherited a property from grandma up in the Panhandle, and you don’t know the first thing about the local market.

Same playbook.

• If you’re working with an agent—ask if they’re using MLS Advantage.

• If you’re selling yourself or off-market—research the top agents in the zip code and network with them.

• Use title companies and boots-on-the-ground vendors to handle inspections, photos, and showings.

• Partner with someone local, even if it means sharing some of the profit. You’ll likely make more in the long run because the deal actually gets done.

We’re in a Statewide Market Now

Florida’s changing fast. You’ve got Californians buying sight unseen. New Yorkers investing via Zoom. Hedge funds scooping up portfolios. It’s not just about what’s happening in your backyard anymore.

That means you need to be adaptable. Whether you’re an agent trying to win more listings, or an investor trying to move a flip—think statewide.

Florida is one giant sandbox, and the tools are already there. You just have to use them:

• MLS Advantage – leverage the syndication.

• Google + group text – leverage the relationships.

• Creative follow-through – leverage the hustle.

Why Most Agents Miss This

Here’s the part that really gets me: We’re trained, almost programmed, to rely only on what the MLS feeds us. It’s a beautiful system—but it’s not everything.

Some of the best deals I’ve ever done were never on the MLS. Some of the best buyers I’ve worked with came from direct conversations. And some of the best closings happened because someone picked up the phone, not because of a listing link.

This mindset isn’t just old-school—it’s effective school.

Too many agents forget that it’s relationships that move real estate, not just listings.

Final Thoughts: What Would You Do?

So let me flip it to you…

• Would you have taken that listing in the Panhandle?

• Would you have just posted it and hoped for the best?

• Or would you have done what Osvaldo did—get scrappy, get creative, and get it sold?

That’s the difference between an average agent and a top producer.

It’s not just about knowledge. It’s about initiative.

100% Credit Goes to Osvaldo Gonzalez

Now listen—I didn’t write this to pat myself on the back or make it sound like some mastermind plan I gave him. This was all Osvaldo. He found the listing, strategized, pivoted, and executed. He deserves the spotlight on this one.

So if you’re reading this and thinking: “Dang, I need an agent like that,” or you’re another agent who wants to team up and learn how we do things at Graystone…

Visit Osvaldo’s page:

👉 https://graystoneig.com/osvaldo

Reach out, pick his brain, or heck—send him a referral. You won’t regret it.

And for You Reading This…

Whether you’re an agent stuck in one zip code…

Or an investor with properties across the map…

Just remember:

The game has changed.

Creative beats comfortable.

Execution beats excuses.

And a good Google search can sometimes beat the MLS.

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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