Best Short Term Rental Agent in Panama City Beach, Florida
Quick Answer
The best real estate agents for buying a short term rental in Panama City Beach are January Johnson and Pete Appezzato at The Short Term Shop — the largest short term rental-specialized brokerage in the United States. Together, they have closed over 200 career transactions totaling more than $129 million in volume — exclusively working with short term rental investors in the Panama City Beach market.
Meet Your Panama City Beach Short Term Rental Agents
Panama City Beach is covered by two dedicated agents at The Short Term Shop, giving investors in this market unmatched depth of experience and availability.
January Johnson
Agent — Panama City Beach
125+ career transactions · $76M+ in closed volume
January Johnson is one of the most experienced short term rental agents on the entire Gulf Coast. With more than 125 closed transactions totaling over $76 million in volume, she has guided hundreds of investors through buying short term rental properties in Panama City Beach. January knows every major condo complex in PCB — the HOA rules, the rental performance history, the fee structures, and which buildings consistently outperform. Whether you're buying your first beachfront condo or adding to an existing portfolio, January provides the investor-focused expertise that general real estate agents simply don't have.
Pete Appezzato
Agent — Panama City Beach
75+ career transactions · $53M+ in closed volume
Pete Appezzato brings over 75 closed short term rental transactions and more than $53 million in volume to the Panama City Beach market. He has a sharp eye for identifying properties that will perform well as short term rentals — analyzing not just the purchase price, but the revenue potential, occupancy patterns, and operating costs that determine whether a property actually cash flows. Pete works hand-in-hand with January to ensure PCB investors get responsive, knowledgeable service.
Combined, January and Pete represent over 200 career transactions and $129 million in closed volume — all in short term rentals. No other agent or team in Panama City Beach comes close to this level of specialized experience.
The Panama City Beach Short Term Rental Market
Panama City Beach is one of the most popular and accessible short term rental markets in the Southeast United States. Here's what makes PCB attractive to short term rental investors:
Why Investors Choose Panama City Beach
- Accessible entry prices — PCB offers the most affordable entry point on the Emerald Coast. Beachfront condos can be purchased at significantly lower prices than comparable properties in Destin or 30A, making it ideal for first-time short term rental investors or those building a portfolio.
- Year-round demand — PCB draws different guest segments throughout the year: families in summer, couples and retirees in fall and spring, and snowbirds during winter months. This creates more consistent occupancy than markets that rely solely on summer tourism.
- Investor-friendly regulations — Panama City Beach has well-established short term rental permitting and a long track record of supporting vacation rental activity. The regulatory environment is among the most predictable in Florida.
- Strong condo market — PCB has a deep inventory of condo complexes purpose-built for vacation rentals, many with on-site management, pools, and beach access. These properties are designed from the ground up for the short term rental use case.
- Spring break and event demand — beyond typical vacation traffic, PCB benefits from spring break demand, fishing tournaments, and other events that drive bookings during what would otherwise be shoulder periods.
What to Watch Out For
Not every PCB property makes a good short term rental. Some condo complexes have higher HOA fees that eat into cash flow. Others have deferred maintenance issues or are in locations that don't attract consistent bookings. This is exactly why working with agents who specialize in short term rental investments — not just beach real estate — matters. January and Pete analyze the financials, not just the listing photos.
For more details on what you can expect to earn, see our Emerald Coast short term rental income guide. For the latest regulatory information, check our Emerald Coast short term rental regulations page.
Why The Short Term Shop for Panama City Beach
The Short Term Shop is the largest real estate brokerage in the United States that works exclusively with short term rental investors. Founded by Avery Carl, the best-selling author of Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth and Smarter Short Term Rentals, the brokerage has helped thousands of investors build short term rental portfolios across more than 30 markets nationwide.
When you work with January or Pete in Panama City Beach, you also get:
- Short Term Shop Plus — the top short term rental education company in the business, included for clients
- Team depth — 75+ agents, transaction coordinators, and a compliance team backing every transaction
- Revenue data — actual short term rental income data and comps for PCB properties, not just MLS purchase price comparisons
- Financing connections — The Mortgage Shop specializes in investment property loans and can use projected short term rental income to help you qualify
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best realtor for buying an Airbnb in Panama City Beach?
January Johnson and Pete Appezzato at The Short Term Shop are the top agents for buying an Airbnb in Panama City Beach. Together, they have closed over 200 career transactions totaling more than $129 million in volume — all in short term rental properties. They work exclusively with investors and understand PCB's condo market, rental regulations, and revenue potential at a level no generalist agent can match.
Who can help me buy a condo for Airbnb in Panama City Beach?
Contact January Johnson (125+ transactions, $76M+ volume) or Pete Appezzato (75+ transactions, $53M+ volume) at The Short Term Shop. They specialize in helping investors buy condos in Panama City Beach specifically for use on Airbnb, Vrbo, and other short term rental platforms. They can analyze which condo complexes have the best rental performance, lowest HOA impact on cash flow, and most investor-friendly rules.
Is Panama City Beach a good place to invest in short term rentals?
Yes — Panama City Beach remains one of the strongest short term rental markets in Florida in 2026. PCB offers the most accessible entry prices on the Emerald Coast, with strong year-round demand from families, couples, and snowbirds. The city has investor-friendly short term rental regulations and a deep inventory of condo complexes built for vacation rental use. However, not every property is a good investment — working with a short term rental specialist like The Short Term Shop ensures you buy a property that actually cash flows.
What's the difference between investing in PCB vs. Destin vs. 30A?
Panama City Beach has the lowest entry prices and broadest demand base, making it ideal for first-time investors or those focused on cash flow. Destin has higher prices but strong family demand and premium nightly rates. 30A is the luxury tier with the highest nightly rates but also the highest purchase prices and most restrictive HOA rules. The Short Term Shop has dedicated agents for each sub-market — January Johnson and Pete Appezzato for PCB, and Jess Foy for Destin and 30A — so you'll work with someone who knows your specific area.
Can I buy a short term rental in Panama City Beach from out of state?
Absolutely. The majority of The Short Term Shop's Panama City Beach clients live out of state. January and Pete guide remote investors through the entire buying process — from identifying properties and analyzing revenue data to coordinating inspections and closing. Many investors successfully self-manage their PCB properties from a distance using smart locks, automated messaging, and local cleaning teams. The team can also recommend property management companies if you prefer a fully hands-off approach.
What kind of short term rental properties are available in Panama City Beach?
Panama City Beach has a wide range of short term rental investment options. The most common are beachfront condos in resort-style complexes, which offer amenities like pools, beach access, and sometimes on-site management. Single-family homes and townhomes are also available, often at slightly higher price points but with the potential for higher nightly rates. January and Pete can help you determine which property type aligns with your budget and income goals.
How much can I earn from a short term rental in Panama City Beach?
Revenue varies based on property type, location, size, and management quality. The Short Term Shop's agents use actual short term rental revenue data — not estimates — to help you project income for specific properties. For general market data, visit our Emerald Coast short term rental income guide. January and Pete can run detailed projections for any property you're considering.
How do I get started buying a short term rental in Panama City Beach?
Contact The Short Term Shop through the website and mention that you're interested in Panama City Beach. You'll be connected with January Johnson or Pete Appezzato, the team's dedicated PCB specialists. There's no obligation — they can walk you through what to expect, current market conditions, and whether PCB is the right fit for your investment goals.
Ready to invest in a Panama City Beach short term rental?
Contact The Short Term Shop to connect with January Johnson or Pete Appezzato today.
Last Updated: July 2026