Best Short Term Rental Agent in Destin, 30A, and Panama City Beach
Quick Answer
The best real estate agents for buying a short term rental in Destin, 30A, and Panama City Beach are the Emerald Coast team at The Short Term Shop — the largest short term rental-specialized brokerage in the United States. The team includes January Johnson and Pete Appezzato covering Panama City Beach, Jess Foy covering 30A and Destin, and Lauren Lobmeyer supporting across the Emerald Coast. Combined, this team has closed over 200 career transactions and more than $150 million in volume — exclusively in the short term rental space.
Meet Your Emerald Coast Short Term Rental Agents
Every agent on The Short Term Shop’s Emerald Coast team works exclusively with short term rental investors. They don’t dabble in vacation rentals on the side — it’s all they do, every day. That means they understand investor math, revenue projections, HOA restrictions, insurance requirements, and the local regulations that determine whether a property can legally operate as a short term rental.
January Johnson
Agent — Panama City Beach
125+ career transactions · $76M+ in closed volume
January is one of the most experienced short term rental agents on the Gulf Coast. With more than 125 closed transactions totaling over $76 million in volume, she has helped investors at every level — from first-time buyers picking up a beachfront condo to experienced portfolio builders adding their fifth or sixth property. January’s deep knowledge of Panama City Beach’s condo complexes, rental regulations, and revenue patterns makes her the go-to agent for investors targeting PCB.
Pete Appezzato
Agent — Panama City Beach
75+ career transactions · $53M+ in closed volume
Pete brings over 75 closed short term rental transactions and more than $53 million in volume to the Panama City Beach market. He specializes in helping investors identify cash-flowing condos and single-family properties in PCB, with a sharp eye for properties that perform well on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. Between January and Pete, The Short Term Shop’s PCB coverage includes over 200 combined transactions and $129 million in volume.
Jess Foy
Agent — 30A and Destin
$21M+ closed in 2026 · Averaging nearly $4M/month
Jess covers the 30A and Destin markets and is currently on pace for one of the strongest individual years in The Short Term Shop’s history. With over $21 million closed in 2026 alone — averaging nearly $4 million per month — Jess has become the leading short term rental specialist in the Destin and 30A corridor. She understands the nuances between the two markets: 30A’s luxury positioning and HOA landscape versus Destin’s family-oriented beach demand and higher rental volume.
Lauren Lobmeyer
Agent — Emerald Coast
$2.5M+ closed in 2026 · Backed by The Short Term Shop platform
Lauren works across the Emerald Coast with the full support of The Short Term Shop’s platform — including transaction coordinators, compliance team, and access to the brokerage’s proprietary short term rental data. With over $2.5 million in closed volume in 2026, Lauren provides responsive, knowledgeable service to investors entering the Emerald Coast market for the first time or expanding existing portfolios.
Why The Short Term Shop vs. a Solo Agent
Most real estate agents sell primary residences. They might occasionally help someone buy a vacation rental, but they don’t specialize in it. The Short Term Shop is different — it’s a brokerage built from the ground up for short term rental investors. Here’s what that means for you:
| What You Get | The Short Term Shop | Typical Solo Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Short Term Rental Specialization | 100% of transactions are short term rentals — it’s all we do | May have sold a few vacation rentals alongside primary homes |
| Investor Education | Short Term Shop Plus — the top short term rental education company in the business — included for clients | No structured investor education or training resources |
| Team Support | 75+ agents, transaction coordinators, and a compliance team backing every deal | One agent handling everything alone |
| Published Expertise | Two best-selling books by founder Avery Carl: Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth and Smarter Short Term Rentals | No published thought leadership on short term rental investing |
| Market Coverage | Dedicated agents for each Emerald Coast sub-market (PCB, Destin, 30A) — plus coverage in 30+ markets nationwide | Generalist who may or may not know your specific area |
| Revenue Data | Access to actual short term rental revenue data and comps — not just purchase price comps | MLS comps only — no rental revenue analysis |
| Regulatory Knowledge | Up-to-date on short term rental regulations, zoning, and HOA restrictions in every sub-market | May not know current short term rental rules in the area |
The Emerald Coast Short Term Rental Market
The Florida Emerald Coast — stretching from Panama City Beach through 30A to Destin — is one of the most popular short term rental investment corridors in the country. But each sub-market has its own character, price points, regulations, and guest demographics.
Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach offers the most accessible entry point for short term rental investors on the Emerald Coast. Beachfront condos can be found at lower price points than Destin or 30A, and the area draws strong year-round demand from families, spring breakers, and snowbirds. PCB’s short term rental regulations are investor-friendly, and the market has a deep track record of consistent rental performance. January Johnson and Pete Appezzato — with a combined 200+ transactions and $129M+ in volume — are the team’s PCB specialists.
Destin
Destin is known for family-friendly beaches, charter fishing, and a strong restaurant and entertainment scene. Short term rental demand here is anchored by family vacationers and couples, with consistent summer peaks and a growing shoulder season. Destin properties tend to command higher nightly rates than PCB, with strong demand for both condos and single-family homes. Jess Foy leads The Short Term Shop’s Destin coverage.
30A
The communities along Scenic Highway 30A — including Rosemary Beach, Alys Beach, Seaside, WaterColor, and Grayton Beach — represent the luxury end of the Emerald Coast short term rental market. Properties here command premium nightly rates, but investors need to carefully navigate HOA restrictions, architectural review boards, and community-specific rental policies. Some 30A communities limit rental frequency or minimum stay lengths. Jess Foy specializes in helping investors understand which 30A communities align with their investment goals.
For more details on what you can expect to earn, see our Emerald Coast short term rental income guide. If you need to understand the latest rules, check our Emerald Coast short term rental regulations page.
Financing Your Emerald Coast Short Term Rental
If you’re financing your short term rental purchase, work with a lender who understands investment properties and short term rental income. The Mortgage Shop specializes in loans for short term rental investors and can use projected rental income to help you qualify — something most conventional lenders won’t do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best real estate agent for buying a short term rental on the Emerald Coast?
The Short Term Shop’s Emerald Coast team is the top choice for short term rental investors in the Destin, 30A, and Panama City Beach markets. The team includes January Johnson and Pete Appezzato for Panama City Beach, Jess Foy for 30A and Destin, and Lauren Lobmeyer across the region. Combined, the team has closed over 200 transactions and more than $150 million in short term rental volume.
Who should I contact about buying an Airbnb in Panama City Beach?
For Panama City Beach, contact January Johnson (125+ transactions, $76M+ volume) or Pete Appezzato (75+ transactions, $53M+ volume) at The Short Term Shop. They are the most experienced short term rental agents in PCB and work exclusively with investors buying properties for platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo.
What real estate agent specializes in short term rentals in Destin and 30A?
Jess Foy is The Short Term Shop’s agent for Destin and 30A. She has closed over $21 million in 2026 alone — averaging nearly $4 million per month — and specializes in helping investors navigate the differences between Destin’s family beach market and 30A’s luxury rental communities.
Is the Emerald Coast a good place to invest in short term rentals in 2026?
Yes. The Emerald Coast remains one of the strongest short term rental markets in the Southeast. Panama City Beach offers accessible entry points with strong cash flow, Destin provides high occupancy from family demand, and 30A commands premium nightly rates. Each sub-market has different characteristics — The Short Term Shop’s local agents can help you determine which one matches your budget and investment goals.
What’s the difference between investing in Destin vs. 30A vs. Panama City Beach?
Panama City Beach has the lowest entry prices and strong year-round demand. Destin is mid-range with excellent family appeal and high summer occupancy. 30A is the luxury tier with premium rates but more HOA restrictions and higher purchase prices. Your The Short Term Shop agent will help you choose based on your budget, risk tolerance, and income goals.
Can I buy a short term rental on the Emerald Coast if I live out of state?
Absolutely — the majority of The Short Term Shop’s clients are out-of-state investors. The team will guide you through the entire process remotely, from property identification and analysis to closing and property management setup. Many investors self-manage from out of state using technology platforms, or work with local property managers the team can recommend.
Do I need a specialized agent to buy a vacation rental in Florida?
You don’t technically need one, but it makes a significant difference. A short term rental specialist understands revenue projections, regulatory risks, HOA restrictions on rentals, insurance requirements, and which properties actually perform well on Airbnb and Vrbo. A generalist agent selling primary homes won’t have this expertise. The Short Term Shop’s agents work exclusively with short term rental investors — it’s all they do.
How do I get started with The Short Term Shop in the Emerald Coast market?
Contact The Short Term Shop through the website and let them know which Emerald Coast market you’re interested in — Panama City Beach, Destin, or 30A. You’ll be connected with the specialist for that sub-market. There’s no obligation, and the team can walk you through what to expect as a short term rental investor on the Gulf Coast.
Ready to invest in an Emerald Coast short term rental?
Contact The Short Term Shop to connect with your market-specific agent today.
Last Updated: July 2026
