Condo Relief Bill Will Help St Pete Condo Owners: A Game-Changer for Florida Real Estate
By Rob Johnson, Realtor
Avalon Group Realty – St. Petersburg, FL
If you’re a condo owner—or thinking about buying one—then you’re going to love this update. The new Florida Condo Relief Bill 2025, recently passed as HB 913, has officially been signed into law. This is big news for our beautiful city of St. Petersburg and all of Florida’s coastal condo communities.
Governor Ron DeSantis signs the bill, and with one swift pen stroke, he’s created real change that benefits condo owners, buyers, sellers, and even lenders. As a St Petersburg Realtor, I can tell you that this is the kind of policy shift that transforms entire markets—and it’s already having an impact here locally.
Let’s take a closer look at why the Condo Relief Bill will help St Pete condo owners, what it means for you, and why now might be the perfect time to get into the condo market.
What Is the Florida Condo Relief Bill 2025?
The Florida Condo Relief Bill 2025 is designed to help stabilize and strengthen condominium associations across the state. It addresses three core problems that have caused financing issues and elevated costs for both owners and potential buyers: high HOA fees, lender hesitancy, and a lack of transparency.
This bill brings powerful solutions to those concerns, including:
The ability to temporarily pause reserve contributions
Required insurance policies and board member education
Mandatory transparency with budgets and building reports
Banning no-bid and unethical long-term vendor contracts
Allowing video meetings and digital document sharing
Why This Matters for St. Petersburg
We love our historic condo buildings and high-rise waterfront towers here in St. Pete. But over the past few years, many of these communities have struggled to meet reserve study demands. High HOA fees, deferred maintenance, and low reserves scared off many buyers and lenders.
As Aaron Hunt, Broker of Avalon Group Realty, puts it:
“This bill finally brings balance back to the condo world. Buyers will be able to qualify again, and buildings will be held accountable—without being punished by impossible regulations.”
Lower HOA Fees = Easier Mortgage Approval
One of the biggest perks of the Condo Relief Bill will help St Pete condo owners because of the new ability for condo associations to pause reserve contributions for up to two years.
By doing so, monthly HOA fees are lowered. This gives buyers a better debt-to-income ratio when applying for loans—especially FHA, VA, and conventional financing options.
“This is a major win for our buyers,” says Yvette Kim, Realtor with Avalon Group. “Many were previously priced out due to inflated fees. This bill opens doors that were firmly shut.”
Stronger Oversight = More Lender Confidence
Lenders like Fannie Mae and FHA need to know that buildings are well-managed and financially secure before they approve loans. In the past, some buildings were flagged due to opaque contracts or inadequate insurance.
Now, with clear education standards for board members and new rules for competitive vendor bidding, confidence is restored.
“The changes require associations to be run more like businesses,” notes Pam Amante, another Avalon Group Realtor. “That means no shady deals, full insurance coverage, and smart financial planning.”
More Transparency = Fewer Red Flags
Under the new law, associations are now required to:
Share their financials and reserve information online
Report property data to the state database
Allow owners to attend video meetings
Make documents accessible to lenders and underwriters
All of these improvements make it easier for lenders to say “yes.” Buyers get approved more often, and sellers enjoy a broader pool of qualified offers.
Nora Sturgill, Avalon Group Realtor, adds: “It’s a total shift. Instead of buildings hiding issues, now there’s open communication. That builds trust and helps everyone involved.”
The Big Picture: Stability + Opportunity
The Florida Condo Relief Bill 2025 isn't just about paperwork—it's about people. It helps seniors on fixed incomes stay in their homes. It helps young professionals buy their first property. It helps investors restore confidence in coastal real estate.
Governor Ron DeSantis signs the bill at just the right time. With rising interest in Florida property, especially in cities like St. Petersburg, this bill brings a sense of calm and progress.
And yes, this is the fourth time we’re saying it because it’s that important:
The Condo Relief Bill will help St Pete condo owners in real, tangible ways.
St. Petersburg Real Estate: The Condo Market Reawakens
Here in St. Pete, we expect to see a major uptick in condo transactions thanks to this legislation. We’re already seeing renewed interest from first-time buyers, snowbirds, and investors.
“Many of the condos that were stuck on the market for months are suddenly seeing offers again,” I explained to a client just yesterday. “The wave of confidence is growing.”
Want to know what this means for your condo’s value? Contact us for a free market evaluation. We're here to help you navigate this new, exciting terrain.
Bullet Recap: Why This Is a Win for Everyone
✅ Lower HOA fees = Easier mortgage approvals
✅ Boards get educated = Smarter building management
✅ No more shady contracts = More trust and fairness
✅ Lender transparency = More loan approvals
✅ State oversight = Long-term financial health
✅ Owners get relief = More affordability
FAQ: Florida Condo Relief Bill 2025
Q: Can my condo board pause reserves immediately?
Yes, if your association votes to do so and complies with state guidelines, the pause can begin now and last up to two years.
Q: Will this affect my ability to sell my condo?
Absolutely—in a good way! Buyers who were previously denied loans due to high fees or unclear finances are now getting approved.
Q: Is this only for older buildings?
No, this bill benefits all Florida condo buildings, regardless of age, as long as they follow the new rules.
Q: Will buyers still need to do due diligence?
Yes. Even with these reforms, it's vital to review condo docs, budgets, and meeting notes before making an offer.
A Great Time to Live (and Buy) in St. Pete
All this progress is just another reason why St. Petersburg is such a great place to call home. With incredible beaches, walkable neighborhoods, and a thriving arts scene, there's truly something for everyone.
Plus, with Dutch Bros Coffee coming to St Petersburg in 2026, our coffee scene is about to get even better!
A Closer Look: How the Condo Relief Bill Will Help St Pete Condo Owners in Real Life
While we’ve broken down the highlights of the Florida Condo Relief Bill 2025, it’s worth diving deeper into how this transformative legislation will directly impact the day-to-day lives of condo owners and prospective buyers in St. Petersburg. This isn’t just a headline—it’s a relief valve that local residents have been hoping for since the 2022 Surfside tragedy led to stricter reserve requirements and skyrocketing HOA fees across the state.
Local Buildings Already Making Moves
Several buildings in the St. Pete area are already taking action to implement the options allowed under the new bill. One Gulfport-area building with over 100 units has voted to pause its reserve contributions, giving current residents an average monthly HOA fee reduction of $180. That’s more than just pocket change—it could mean the difference between someone staying in their home or being forced to sell.
“I’ve seen several listings get a second life since the bill passed,” shares Pam Amante. “Buyers who had walked away before because of high fees are coming back to the table.”
This real-world example is just the beginning. With buildings gaining more flexibility to manage their finances in ways that suit their unique situations, more HOAs will be empowered to prioritize immediate repairs, safety updates, and overall building improvements—without breaking the bank for residents.
It Also Helps Owners Age in Place
Another way the Condo Relief Bill will help St Pete condo owners is by allowing seniors and retirees—many of whom are living on fixed incomes—to remain in their homes. Before this bill, the mandated reserve contributions were causing many long-time owners to fall behind or feel forced to sell.
“We’ve had heartbreaking conversations with people considering selling just to avoid a $500 hike in monthly dues,” says Yvette Kim. “Now, they have breathing room.”
That breathing room isn’t just financial—it’s emotional, too. It gives longtime residents the peace of mind that they can remain in the communities they love, surrounded by neighbors and memories, without being priced out by well-intentioned but overly burdensome policies.
The Outlook for Investors and New Buyers
For real estate investors and snowbirds, the bill removes a lot of guesswork and red tape. Condos are once again seen as viable investments. That renewed optimism is already showing up in the form of increased showings and multiple-offer situations on listings that had been sitting stale.
As we’ve said before, and will say again, the Condo Relief Bill will help St Pete condo owners—but it also helps bring vitality and vibrancy back into the local real estate market.
It’s not just a relief bill—it’s a recovery bill. And that’s something to celebrate.
Wrapping Up: A New Chapter for Condo Owners
The future is looking brighter for condo buyers and owners alike. With the Condo Relief Bill will help St Pete condo owners, we’re entering a new era of smarter oversight, fairer fees, and more financial opportunity.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy or sell your condo in St. Petersburg, the time is now. Reach out to Avalon Group Realty, and let’s make your goals a reality.
Rob Johnson
Realtor – Avalon Group Realty
St. Petersburg, FL
📞 Contact Aaron Hunt directly to start your real estate success story:
Phone: 727-262-7920
👥 Join Our Community:
Follow us for more Tampa Bay real estate tips, market updates, and insider information:
Facebook: Avalon Group Tampa Bay
Instagram: @avalongrouprealtors
Twitter/X: @AVALONGROUPRE
TikTok: @avalongrouprealty
Because every great condo story deserves a great beginning. Let’s write yours together.
