You’ve probably seen the name pop up if you’re hunting for property in the Sunshine State. But here’s the thing: David Marks Florida real estate isn't just one person or one story. It’s actually a confusing mix of a high-stakes developer, a veteran rental manager in St. Augustine, and a fictionalized true-crime character that people still search for thinking he’s a real Florida mogul.
Honestly, it's a mess.
If you are looking for the guy who actually shapes the skyline, you are likely looking for David Marks of Marketplace Advisors. Or maybe you're just trying to book a beach house in Crescent Beach through the other David Marks. Or, let's be real, you watched a Ryan Gosling movie and got curious.
The Broker, the Developer, and the Mystery
Let’s separate the signal from the noise because the Florida market in 2026 is way too expensive to be getting your facts mixed up.
First, there is the David Marks who serves as the President of Marketplace Advisors, Inc. based out of Maitland. This is the heavy hitter. He’s a licensed broker, sure, but his real bread and butter is development consulting. We are talking about a guy who has been in the game since 1986. He’s worked with the big dogs like Lennar Partners and even Universal Studios. When people talk about "David Marks Florida real estate" in a commercial sense, they are talking about community planning and retail projects that span from Winter Park to Sanford.
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Then, you have the David Marks in St. Augustine.
He’s a staple at Sunshine Realty. If you’ve ever tried to find a long-term rental or a vacation spot near A1A, you’ve probably crossed paths with his team. He’s been there since 2001. He’s a local through and through—UNF grad, former travel agency owner, and a guy who spends his weekends surfing or boating.
Why the Name Always Trends
The weirdest part of the "David Marks" search history isn't actually real estate. It’s the 2010 film All Good Things. Ryan Gosling played a character named David Marks, who was a thinly veiled version of the real-life real estate heir Robert Durst.
Because the movie is set partly in Florida and involves a wealthy real estate family, people get the "fictional" David Marks confused with the actual professionals working in the state today. To be clear: the David Marks in the movie is a character based on a convicted murderer. The David Markses actually working in Florida real estate today are legitimate professionals with decades of clean records.
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Navigating the Florida Market in 2026
Basically, if you’re trying to move money in Florida right now, you need to know which niche you're hitting. The market has shifted wildly over the last two years.
- Commercial Development: If you're looking at the Maitland/Orlando corridor, David Marks (Marketplace Advisors) is the expert on "Live Local Act" implications and affordable housing.
- Residential Rentals: In the St. Augustine/Crescent Beach area, David Marks (Sunshine Realty) is the guy for property management.
- South Florida Niche: There is also a David Marks operating out of Aventura with Beachfront Realty, focusing on high-end residential and commercial deals.
It's a crowded field.
What You Need to Watch Out For
Florida real estate isn't just about finding a name; it's about the data. The state has seen a massive influx of "workforce housing" projects thanks to recent legislation. If you are tracking David Marks for investment reasons, you've got to look at the Live Local Act updates from 2024 and 2025. These laws changed how developers—including consultants like Marks—approach zoning.
You can now bypass certain local "red tape" if you're building affordable units in commercial zones. That’s where the real money is moving right now.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
- Verify the License: Always check the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) portal. Don't just Google a name.
- Identify the Niche: Are you looking for a rental manager or a development consultant? If it’s the latter, you’re looking for the Maitland office.
- Check the Geography: St. Augustine, Maitland, and Aventura are three different worlds. Make sure you’re calling the right David Marks for the right zip code.
- Ignore the Hollywood Noise: If you see articles linking the name to "mystery disappearances," you're reading about a movie character, not a real estate professional.
The Florida landscape is complicated enough without mixing up the players. Whether you're trying to develop a retail strip in Sanford or just want a condo with a view of the Atlantic, knowing which David Marks handles what is the first step in not wasting your time. Florida real estate moves fast; don't let a name mix-up slow you down.