TAMPA - Carter Long started sharing home tours on social media last year as a fun and engaging way to connect with the local community. Little did she know, her initiative would quickly grow into something much larger.

"It kind of blew up," Long said. "That gave me the idea to create this platform where you get personalized home and apartment matches tailored to your lifestyle and budget."

With a solid background in real estate, Long officially launched the personalized home and apartment matching platform, Finding Floridians, last Thursday. The platform shares the same name as her popular social media channels where her home tours originally gained traction.

"The idea is actually for it to be a little bit more of a personalized Zillow," Long explained.

The process begins with users taking a detailed quiz that asks a variety of questions about their lifestyle and preferences for a home or apartment.

"Things like, what's the walkability you're looking for? How close to stores and restaurants do you want to be? Do you want to be near the bay or the coast, or more inland near some lakes? And then commute… How far from the city are you looking to be," said Long, who is a native Floridian.

"There are about seven different lifestyle questions, as well as questions about amenities. So, there's a whole section about what amenities you're looking for," she added.

Based on the quiz responses, the platform matches users with neighborhoods that best fit their lifestyle needs and identifies properties within those neighborhoods that align with their specific criteria. Whether someone is looking to buy or rent, the platform aims to streamline the search process by providing tailored recommendations.

The matching tool is free for users. "It is a referral site, so we partnered with some of our hand-picked local partners and that’s how we’re able to make it completely free to the user," Long explained.

Once users receive their matches, Long personally reaches out to assist with the next steps, offering guidance and support throughout the home-search process. Additionally, users can create an account to access comprehensive listings in their matched neighborhoods and receive updates on new listings as they become available.

The platform also features a function to match users with properties similar to those highlighted in Long's home tours. This feature aims to provide a seamless transition from social media engagement to finding a home.

Long's vision extends beyond just helping new Floridians. She wants to ensure that native Floridians also find their perfect matches. "I love just being able to help people find the lifestyle that they want to live, and really, it sets them up to live their best life," she said.

Looking ahead, Long plans to expand Finding Floridians across the state over the next year. This expansion will include allowing apartment complexes and property managers to post their listings directly on her website, providing users with immediate connections to available properties.

By incorporating direct listings, Long aims to enhance the platform's efficiency and user experience. Users will be able to view and connect with property listings in real-time, streamlining the home-search process even further.

Long's dedication to helping people find their ideal homes is evident in her commitment to personalizing the experience and expanding the platform's reach. Her innovative approach combines the convenience of modern technology with the personalized touch of a knowledgeable real estate professional, offering a unique and valuable service to the community.

As Long continues to develop and grow Finding Floridians, she remains focused on her core mission: to help individuals and families find homes that perfectly match their lifestyles and needs. This dedication not only helps people find a place to live but also fosters a sense of community and belonging, enhancing the overall quality of life for Floridians.