Last updated September 2, 2026
Certified Distressed Property Expert in Boca Raton
Short answer: PBP Real Estate’s Broker of Record, Gia Freer, is a Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) trained agent and holds NAR’s Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR) certification — working distressed property in Boca Raton and across Palm Beach County since 2008, through the last major downturn and every market since.
The credentials, stated precisely
- Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR) — certification awarded by the National Association of REALTORS. Held by Gia Freer.
- Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) trained — Gia Freer completed the CDPE programme. We describe this as “CDPE trained” rather than as a current designation, because accuracy about credentials matters more to us than the extra word would be worth.
- Licensed in Florida since 2000, broker license BK689801; brokerage license CQ1064615.
- Distressed transactions in Palm Beach County since 2008, through the last major downturn.
- English and Spanish.
Where we work, and how slow each market is
| City | Active single-family | Over 90 days | Condos over 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boca Raton | 674 | 182 (27%) | 34% |
| Delray Beach | 446 | 131 (29%) | 35% |
| Boynton Beach | 495 | 142 (29%) | 41% |
| West Palm Beach | 654 | 215 (33%) | 34% |
Figures from our own BeachesMLS feed, retrieved 31 August 2026. Countywide detail sits on the Palm Beach County short-sale page.
What we actually do on a distressed file
- Establish the value and the payoff. A written opinion of value from current BeachesMLS evidence, and a payoff figure from every lienholder — first mortgage, second, HOA arrears, judgments, tax liens.
- Tell you if you do not need a short sale. Many owners behind on payments still have equity. We say so, and handle it as an ordinary sale.
- Build a complete lender package. Incomplete packages are the main reason files stall for months.
- Negotiate the deficiency in writing. The single most valuable clause in the approval letter.
- Work alongside your attorney and CPA. We do not give legal or tax advice and we will not pretend the line does not exist.
Related
Florida foreclosure options in full · behind on your mortgage · short sales in Palm Beach County · the Boca Raton market · about the firm
Questions and answers
What is a Certified Distressed Property Expert?
CDPE is a training programme for real-estate professionals covering foreclosure alternatives, short sales, lender loss-mitigation processes and how to advise owners in financial distress. Gia Freer is CDPE trained. She also holds the Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR) certification awarded by the National Association of REALTORS, which is a formal certification with its own coursework and requirements.
Who handles distressed property sales at PBP Real Estate in Boca Raton?
Gia Freer, Broker of Record, licensed in Florida since 2000 under license BK689801, working from the firm's Boca Raton office at 700 NW 7th Drive. She holds the SFR certification, is CDPE trained, and speaks English and Spanish. The brokerage license is CQ1064615.
What makes a distressed sale different from a normal listing?
Three things. The lender becomes a decision-maker, so the price has to be defensible to a third party rather than only to a buyer. There are legal deadlines running in parallel, including the 20 calendar days to respond to a foreclosure summons in Florida. And the shortfall between the sale proceeds and the loan balance has to be dealt with explicitly in writing, or it can remain collectable after closing.
Do you charge a homeowner for a short sale?
In a successful short sale the lender customarily pays the brokerage fee out of the proceeds it agrees to accept, along with documentary stamps and the owner's title insurance policy, because a completed foreclosure costs it more. You should not be asked to bring funds to the closing table for those items without a clear written explanation.
How many distressed or slow-moving listings are there in this market?
Across Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and West Palm Beach there are 2,269 active single-family listings, of which 670 have been on the market longer than 90 days. Countywide there are 4,853 active single-family listings with 1,531 past 90 days, and 6,850 condominium listings with 38% past 90 days. Figures from our own BeachesMLS feed, retrieved 31 August 2026. Not every slow listing is distressed, but distress concentrates in the long tail.
Real-estate process only. This is not legal or tax advice. Foreclosure defence, bankruptcy and forgiven-debt questions belong with a Florida attorney and a CPA. We work with both every week and can refer you.
See what your home is worth
Every decision here starts with one number. Gia Freer prepares a written opinion of value from our own BeachesMLS data. No automated estimate is published on this site.
See What Your Home Is Worth or call (561) 395-8418. Conversations are confidential and there is no cost to having one.
What clients say
PBP Real Estate holds 94 Google reviews at an average of 5.0 out of 5. Every quote below is a verbatim excerpt from a public review on that profile, shortened only where marked.
After more than a year trying to sell my condo to no avail, here comes Gia and with her sincere persona and professionalism, she sold my condo within 3 weeks.
★★★★★ Rosa S. · Google review, February 2020
Gia and John from PBP Real Estate exceeded expectations in selling my mother's Delray Beach condo, which had previously failed to sell with another firm. Despite being in New York, I experienced excellent communication and responsiveness via phone, text, and email, making the remote process, including the closing, stress-free.
★★★★★ Robert S. · Google review, December 2024
I needed to sell my mothers home from out of state and Gia made the whole process very easy. She helped me getting the right people to get the house emptied and cleaned.
★★★★★ Roger D. · Google review, December 2024
Read all 94 reviews on Google or see more on our about page.