Why Choose Todd Howard, Realtor®?
I'm Todd Howard, a full-time Pinellas County Realtor® with Charles Rutenberg Realty, serving buyers and sellers since 2018 and a local resident since 1979.
Real estate decisions in Pinellas County can get complicated quickly. Flood zones, insurance, inspections, appraisals, property condition, condo requirements, and neighborhood-level pricing can all affect what a home is worth and whether a transaction reaches closing.
My approach is simple: identify risks early, make decisions using good information, and protect my client's position from the beginning of the transaction through closing.
Get Your Pinellas County Home Price & Sale Plan
Quick Answer 🏡
Why choose Todd Howard as your Pinellas County Realtor®?
Todd Howard is a full-time Pinellas County Realtor® with Charles Rutenberg Realty, serving buyers and sellers since 2018 and living locally since 1979. His background includes more than 50 renovation projects, financial planning and asset management, and extensive experience with Pinellas County flood zones, insurance, property condition, pricing, and negotiations.
For sellers, every listing includes a professional pre-listing appraisal and licensed 4-Point inspection to identify potential pricing, insurance, and property-condition issues before the home reaches the market.
Todd Howard at a Glance
- Pinellas County resident since 1979
- Full-time Realtor® since 2018
- Charles Rutenberg Realty
- Florida Real Estate License #SL3411027
- GRI • RENE • PSA • SRS • ABR
- 50+ renovation projects with real estate investors
- Professional pre-listing appraisal included with every listing
- Licensed 4-Point inspection included with every listing
- Experience with sellers, buyers, and relocation clients
- Serving St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Seminole, Largo, Tarpon Springs, and the Gulf Beaches
A Better Way to Sell a Home in Pinellas County
One of the biggest lessons I've learned in real estate is that problems become much harder to solve once you're already under contract.
That's why my listing strategy starts before your home goes on the market.
Instead of simply determining a price, taking photographs, and putting the property into the MLS, I want to understand the property, identify potential problems, and develop a strategy before buyers begin making offers.
You can see the complete process on my Pinellas County home selling strategy page.
Professional Pre-Listing Appraisal
Pricing a home correctly requires more than choosing a number from nearby sales. Condition, location, improvements, competing inventory, buyer demand, and the specific characteristics of your property all matter.
I include a professional pre-listing appraisal to provide an independent layer of information when developing our pricing strategy and to help identify potential appraisal issues before accepting an offer.
The objective isn't simply to put the highest possible number on your home. It's to establish a pricing strategy that we can defend with real market evidence.
Licensed 4-Point Inspection
Roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC can directly affect a Florida buyer's ability to obtain insurance.
Instead of waiting for the buyer to discover a problem after we're under contract, I include a licensed 4-Point inspection before listing.
If something needs attention, we know about it first. That gives you time to understand the issue and decide how you want to handle it instead of reacting under the pressure of an inspection or insurance deadline.
Why Preparation Matters
The goal isn't simply to get your home listed. It's to put you in a stronger position when buyers begin making offers.
- More defensible pricing
- Fewer surprises after accepting an offer
- Greater buyer confidence
- Stronger inspection negotiations
- Better preparation for appraisal
- Better understanding of potential insurance issues
- A cleaner path toward closing
I've Lived in Pinellas County Since 1979
I didn't learn Pinellas County from an MLS map.
I've spent decades living and working throughout Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Largo, St. Petersburg, Seminole, and the Gulf Beaches.
That matters because Pinellas County isn't one real estate market.
A Gulf-front condo in Clearwater Beach presents different considerations from a single-family home in Dunedin. A waterfront property can behave differently from an inland home only a few streets away. Flood exposure can change quickly. Insurance considerations vary by property. Condo requirements create another layer of due diligence.
Even buyer behavior and property values can change significantly between neighborhoods and ZIP codes.
If you're comparing communities, my Pinellas County neighborhood and area guides break down the cities, beaches, neighborhoods, and specialty searches I work with throughout the county.
Pinellas County Flood Zone & Insurance Knowledge
Flood zones and insurance have become major considerations when buying or selling real estate in Pinellas County.
I regularly help clients understand issues involving:
- Flood Zone X and higher-risk flood zones
- Waterfront versus inland properties
- Flood insurance considerations
- Roof age and condition
- 4-Point inspections
- Property insurance concerns
- Condo reserve requirements
- Property condition and insurability
These issues can affect affordability, marketability, negotiations, and sometimes whether a transaction works at all.
For a deeper breakdown, see my Pinellas County Flood Zone Guide.
50+ Renovation Projects Changed How I Look at Homes
Before becoming a full-time Realtor®, I worked alongside investors on more than 50 renovation projects.
That experience changed how I evaluate property. I've seen which improvements create value, which repairs become expensive, and which projects sellers sometimes spend money on without getting that money back.
For sellers, that experience helps answer questions such as:
- What should we repair before listing?
- What should we leave alone?
- Which improvements could actually affect marketability?
- Which property issues could concern buyers or insurers?
- Where is money better spent preparing the home for sale?
For buyers, that same experience helps me look beyond attractive finishes and recognize property-condition issues worth investigating before making a major investment.
Financial Planning Taught Me to Focus on Risk
Before real estate, I worked in financial planning and asset management, helping families with insurance, retirement planning, and investment strategies.
The lesson that carried directly into real estate was simple:
Good financial decisions require understanding both the opportunity and the risk.
I bring that mindset into pricing, property condition, inspections, appraisals, contract terms, and negotiations.
I'd rather have a difficult conversation with a client before a problem develops than explain afterward why nobody saw it coming.
Negotiation Experience When the Pressure Is On
During the foreclosure market, I handled Cash for Keys negotiations involving asset managers and homeowners.
Those situations required patience, clear communication, and the ability to keep negotiations moving when emotions were high.
Today, that experience carries into:
- Inspection negotiations
- Repair requests and credits
- Appraisal challenges
- Contract terms
- Multiple-offer situations
- Difficult transactions
Real estate negotiation isn't about who makes the most noise. It's about understanding the other side's position, knowing your client's priorities, and protecting those priorities without losing sight of the objective.
For Buyers & Relocation Clients
Buying in Pinellas County isn't simply about finding a house you like.
My role is to help you understand what you're actually buying and what could affect that decision.
That includes:
- Neighborhood and micro-market values
- Comparable sales
- Flood and insurance considerations
- Property condition
- Inspection findings
- Offer strategy
- Contract terms
- Negotiation
For clients relocating to Florida, I also provide detailed neighborhood guidance and video walkthroughs so you can begin understanding communities and properties before you ever arrive.
See My Pinellas County Home Buying Plan
What My Clients Say
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Prioritize reviews involving selling a home, communication, negotiation, local knowledge, problem solving, pricing, marketing, or situations where you went beyond what the client expected.
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Why My Background Matters to You
This isn't about building a résumé. It's about whether my experience helps you make a better real estate decision.
When you work with me, you're getting:
- Decades of firsthand Pinellas County knowledge
- A financial and risk-management mindset
- Hands-on renovation experience
- Proactive seller preparation
- Local flood and insurance knowledge
- Calm negotiation when problems arise
- Straightforward communication throughout the transaction
My job isn't to tell you what you want to hear.
It's to give you the information and strategy you need to make the right decision for your property, your money, and your future.
Still Comparing Pinellas County Realtors?
You should.
Hiring a Realtor is an important financial decision, and buyers and sellers should understand exactly what they're getting before choosing an agent.
My separate guide explains what to look for, which questions to ask, the red flags to watch for, and how to compare agents before making your decision.
How to Find a Good Realtor in Pinellas County
FAQ — Working With Todd Howard & Selling in Pinellas County
What areas does Todd Howard serve?
Todd Howard serves buyers and sellers throughout Pinellas County, including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Seminole, Largo, Tarpon Springs, and the Gulf Beaches.
What does a pre-listing appraisal do for a Pinellas County seller?
A pre-listing appraisal provides an independent opinion of value that can be considered alongside comparable sales, competing inventory, property condition, and current market conditions. I include a professional pre-listing appraisal with every listing as another tool for developing the pricing strategy and identifying potential appraisal concerns before accepting an offer.
Why get a 4-Point inspection before listing a Florida home?
A 4-Point inspection evaluates the roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems — areas that can affect insurance eligibility and buyer confidence in Florida. I include a licensed 4-Point inspection with every listing so potential issues can be identified before a buyer discovers them after the home is under contract.
How long has Todd Howard been a Realtor® in Pinellas County?
Todd Howard has been a full-time Realtor® since 2018 and has lived in Pinellas County since 1979, providing decades of firsthand familiarity with the area's cities, neighborhoods, beaches, and real estate market.
Does Todd Howard specialize in selling homes in Pinellas County?
Yes. Todd works with Pinellas County homeowners on pricing, property preparation, marketing, negotiations, inspections, and appraisal strategy. His listing approach includes a professional pre-listing appraisal and licensed 4-Point inspection designed to identify potential issues before the property reaches the market.
Does Todd Howard work with buyers and relocation clients?
Yes. Todd works with local buyers and people relocating to Pinellas County, providing neighborhood guidance, property analysis, flood and insurance insight, video walkthroughs, offer strategy, and negotiation assistance.
What real estate credentials does Todd Howard have?
Todd Howard is a Florida-licensed Realtor® with Charles Rutenberg Realty and holds the GRI, RENE, PSA, SRS, and ABR designations and certifications. His Florida real estate license number is SL3411027.
How can I talk with Todd Howard about selling my home?
You can call Todd Howard at (727) 304-3398, schedule a consultation, or request a Pinellas County Home Price & Sale Plan.
Let's Talk About Your Real Estate Plans
Whether you're thinking about selling, buying, relocating to Pinellas County, or simply trying to understand your options, I'm happy to talk through the situation with you.
Your Local Real Estate Advisor
Todd Howard, Realtor® | Charles Rutenberg Realty
GRI • RENE • PSA • SRS • ABR
Serving Pinellas County homeowners since 2018
