The Douglas Elliman brokerage hired a new leader for its downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, office, at a time of transition for the housing market in the Sunshine State.
Tracey Strube, a Florida native and St. Petersburg resident since 2009, took over as managing broker of the 28-agent office, according to the New York-based firm. Strube, who previously worked at Engel & Volkers Americas, replaced Matt Sevarino, who left Douglas Elliman.
Strube has more than 24 years of real estate experience and first became a managing broker in 2006.
She assumes the new role as the Florida estate market adapts to more listings, longer selling times and softer prices.
"It's not like it was a few years ago," Strube said in an interview.
St. Petersburg is a city of more than 261,000 residents east of Tampa on Florida's west coast. More than six out of 10 residents are homeowners, according to Homes.com data. The median single-family price in St. Petersburg at the end of February was $459,900, up 1% from the same period a year earlier.
When housing markets are more robust, real estate agents often don't have to market the homes vigorously to get showings and offers. But Strube said the current environment calls for a return to traditional techniques, such as holding open houses for both buyers and other brokers to drum up interest.
"You never know if a neighbor knows someone looking to move into the neighborhood," she said.
Meanwhile, St. Petersburg and other parts of Pinellas County, Florida, are still recovering from hurricanes Helene and Milton that hit the state in the fall. She said some Pinellas homeowners still don't know if they can and will repair damaged properties, or if it makes more sense to raze the homes and sell the land.
"There's a lot of uncertainty still," Strube said. She added that she hopes to help her agents support clients still figuring out their best options.
Even though she's lived in St. Petersburg for years, Strube said she still manages to find new destinations to visit. An avid tennis player, she is also involved in charity work with the St. Pete Free Clinic, Toys for Kids and Boys & Girls Club. In addition, she organizes home renovation projects for foster children.
