What Helene and Milton did here
Helene made landfall near Perry on September 26, 2024, far to the north, but pushed a surge of more than seven feet onto Madeira Beach, and the Clearwater Beach tide gauge recorded its highest level since records began in 1973. Across Pinellas and Hillsborough, the National Hurricane Center counted more than 400 homes destroyed and over 18,000 structures with major damage. Two weeks later Milton came ashore to the south; Tampa Bay itself saw offshore winds and little surge, though wind damage was widespread.
What lenders look at in a storm-affected building
- Whether damage has been repaired and the building's systems restored.
- Whether insurance claims are settled, and whether a shortfall became an assessment.
- Whether the association is in a dispute with its insurer — which counts as litigation.
- The current master policy and deductible, since coverage often changed at renewal after the storms.
The Tampa Bay condo market, August 2026
Florida Realtors reported a median condo-townhouse price of $274,000 for the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater metro area in August 2026, up about 4%, on 949 sales. In Pinellas, condos are selling more slowly than houses: about 13% of condo listings sold during the month, against 28% of single-family listings, according to the Pinellas Realtor Organization.
Where Tampa Bay buyers get stuck
- Gulf-front buildings from St. Pete Beach to Clearwater Beach with open repairs — see assessments.
- Insurance disputes — see litigation.
- Downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa towers still selling units — see new construction.
- Owners who want to refinance before repairs are finished — see refinancing.
Sources, checked September 2026: Florida DBPR condominium project counts (downloaded September 29, 2026) · National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Helene report · National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Milton report · Florida Realtors, August 2026 metro-area report · Pinellas Realtor Organization, August 2026. Agency guides change; a lender confirms the rules in force on your application date.
Common questions
Can I finance a Pinellas beach condo that is still repairing hurricane damage?
It depends on how far along and how well funded the repairs are. Portfolio lenders often proceed once work is funded and underway; conventional loans usually wait.
Does an insurance dispute make a condo non-warrantable?
It usually counts as litigation for agency purposes if the association is a party to a claim dispute, which makes the building ineligible until resolved.
What is the median condo price in Tampa Bay?
$274,000 for the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater metro in August 2026, per Florida Realtors.
Do you work in Tampa and St. Petersburg?
Yes. West Capital has a presence in Tampa, and Korbin works across Pinellas and Hillsborough.