Lysette Portales Ketterer - Realtor

06/10/2026

Two housing headlines caught my attention this week (one day apart from the same news source).

One said sellers are pulling homes off the market at the fastest pace in years. Another said U.S. home sales surged to the strongest pace of the year.

At first, those headlines seem to conflict. But in real estate, both can be true.

The market is not one single story. Some sellers are stepping back because their homes are not getting the activity or offers they expected. At the same time, serious buyers are still moving forward on homes that are priced well, presented well, and aligned with current expectations.

This is especially true in Tampa Bay, St Petersburg, Treasure Island, St Pete Beach, and the Gulf Beaches.

A waterfront home, a luxury property, condos, a storm-impacted home, and an inland family home are not all moving the same way. Insurance, flood zones, elevation, condition, renovation costs, buyer demographics, and lifestyle demand all matter.

The market is not frozen. It is selective.

And selective markets reward dynamic strategy.

06/08/2026

Coastal living meets island charm 🌴✨

Welcome to 343 8th Ave N in Tierra Verde — offering over 2,400 sq ft, water views of the Pass-a-Grille Channel, an oversized pool, and indoor/outdoor living designed for the Florida lifestyle.

Enjoy impact windows & doors, solar panels, a wood-burning fireplace, newer systems, and the opportunity to make this move-in ready home your own. Plus, open-water access at both ends of the street for fishing, sunsets, and enjoying life on the water.

Tierra Verde living = boating, biking, waterfront dining, and being minutes to Pass-a-Grille, St. Pete Beach & downtown St. Pete.

📍343 8th Ave N, Tierra Verde
DM me for details or a private showing.

05/05/2026

2018 ➡️ 2026
Cinco de Mayo - my favorite day and our family’s anniversary (as the kids like to call it)
8 years. So grateful for this life we’ve built. 🤍

04/30/2026

✨Apparently blue homes and coastal dreams were the theme of today 💙🏡🌴 Two closings today with some awesome clients 🤍

📍11850 7th St E, Treasure Island
Last offered at: $1,690,000

📍842 2nd Ave S, Tierra Verde
Last offered at: $1,199,000

One repeat client upgrading their waterfront lifestyle in Treasure Island, and one amazing family of six relocating to Tierra Verde through a referral from great friends and past clients.

Grateful to be part of these big life moments and trusted through every chapter! ☀️🌴

04/29/2026

Some full-circle moments in real estate feel extra special. A few years ago, I had the privilege of helping Cristina buy her very first home while she was engaged and preparing for a new chapter. Today, I helped her sell that same home as she begins another season of life, while these first-time buyers step into homeownership for the very first time as they prepare for marriage and everything ahead.

There’s something incredibly meaningful about helping young couples plant roots, build memories, and start their lives together in a place they can call home. Watching one chapter close and another begin, all within the same home, is a reminder of why I love what I do.

So grateful to be part of these milestones and to help guide people through one of the biggest and most exciting moments of their lives 🏠

04/24/2026

Some backyards come with dolphins 🐬

Just a random Thursday afternoon off my dock. I love this Florida life ☀️

03/11/2026

ICF construction is becoming increasingly popular because it uses reinforced concrete walls with built-in insulation, creating homes that are stronger, quieter, and significantly more energy efficient.

In my newest blog, I break down:

• What ICF construction actually is
• How it compares to wood frame and block homes
• Why it’s becoming so desirable in coastal Florida

I also highlight a local ICF-built home with elevated construction, impact windows and doors, soaring 22-foot ceilings, and rooftop views of the Intracoastal and Gulf of Mexico.

If you're researching storm-resistant homes in Tampa Bay, this is worth understanding.

Read full article here:

Whether you're a prospective homebuyer, seller, or investor, my approach is uniquely tailored to meet your specific real estate needs. I am wholeheartedly committed to offering you top-tier service ensuring every decision aligns with your goals.

03/02/2026

✨ SOLD!✨

12155 5th St E went under contract in 13 days, compared to a neighborhood average of 101 days

But this transaction wasn’t about speed. It was about creating a strategy to sell a flooded home. 💪

We received multiple early investor offers. Instead of accepting the quickest path, we positioned the property for an end-user buyer who valued lifestyle, not just returns.

Waterfront transactions require more than opening doors. Buyers need clarity around canal water depth, access, insurance considerations, and long-term ownership realities. Having personally renovated a flooded property, I’m also able to guide those conversations with firsthand experience.

🌊 Coastal real estate operates differently. Pricing, buyer psychology, risk tolerance, and lifestyle alignment all matter.

This sale reinforced what I see daily: buyers don’t fall in love with houses. They fall in love with how they’ll live in them.
If you’re considering selling waterfront property, start with a strategic conversation, not a listing appointment.

Congrats to my seller, Holli! Thank you for trusting me with your home 🤍

01/03/2026

Home isn’t just an address.
It’s the people who show up.
The moms who help you raise your babies.
The families who love your kids like their own.
The neighbors who slowly became your closest friends.

This is why I always encourage my buyers to walk the neighborhood, go to the neighborhood events, and talk to the people around you. Because the neighbors you see every day often become some of your closest friends.❤️

Add a beautiful sunset over the water and this coastal life I love, and it’s a reminder that home is so much more than a house.
This is what “home” really looks like 🤍🌅