ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. \u2014 A St. Petersburg realty group is taking a hands-on approach to revitalizing South St. Pete while helping more residents become homeowners.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
Mo & Sam Franklin of Franklin & Associates Realty<\/a> combine ministry and real estate to expand homeownership in South St. Pete Pastors Mo and Samantha \u201cSam\u201d Franklin are working to turn longstanding community ties into new opportunities for local families.<\/p>\n Whether through faith or financial education, the Franklins say their mission is the same: to build up South St. Pete.<\/p>\n Bishop Mo Franklin was ordained in 2004 \u2014 the same year he earned his real estate license. Pastor Sam Franklin followed soon after, and together they founded Franklin & Associates Realty.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe have been involved in ministry and real estate kind of from the beginning,\u201d Bishop Franklin said. \u201cAnd so even though we sell real estate, obviously you carry the heart of the pastor and the first lady as you do it. So it kind of has really steered us towards those who are in need most being first-time homebuyers.\u201d<\/p>\n The couple says expanding homeownership in South St. Pete is deeply personal \u2014 especially in The Deuces Live District, a historic hub of the city\u2019s Black community where Samantha Franklin grew up.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to see the people really, you know, become homeowners in the areas that they\u2019ve grown up in,\u201d she said. \u201cSo, you know, this is a real blessing for us, really.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to real estate development, the Franklins host an annual community event aimed at helping residents navigate the homebuying process.<\/p>\n
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The Franklins plan to welcome first-time buyers into The Deuces Rising Townhomes<\/a>, a 24-unit affordable housing development on 22nd Street South.
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Their third annual\u00a0“No Place Like Home”<\/a>\u00a0event will be held at St. Petersburg College\u2019s Midtown Campus on Jan. 31st
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More than 300 people have attended “No Place Like Home” over the past two years, seeking guidance on credit, mortgages and affordable housing options<\/p>\n