Allison Butler hails from Myrtle Beach, while Cynthia Serra is originally from Lima, Peru, coming to the United States with her family in 1959. “My father’s Peruvian and my mother is British,” she shares. Cynthia grew up in Atlanta, Pompano Beach, and Columbia, South Carolina, before attending the University of South Carolina and later Appalachian State University for graduate school.

For 14 years, Cynthia worked as a teacher and coach, teaching students from kindergarten through high school while coaching athletics. Eventually, she and Allison found themselves drawn to St. Petersburg while visiting Cynthia’s parents.

“We fell in love with it,” Cynthia says.

The couple moved to Florida in 1989 and purchased their charming 1924 bungalow in the Old Northeast just a year later.

“At the time, the real estate agent called it a good starter home,” Allison laughs. “We’re still here.”

Over the years, they’ve remodeled, opened walls, and expanded closets. One of the most unusual features? A basement originally built by a Chicago doctor who wanted extra space beneath the home.

Cynthia eventually transitioned into real estate and has now spent 25 years helping buyers navigate one of the biggest purchases of their lives through Smith & Associates Real Estate. She loves helping people during life’s transitions.

“She’s probably been in just about every house in the neighborhood,” Allison jokes.

Allison has also built an impressive career of her own. After earning her pharmacy degree from the University of South Carolina, she spent 23 years working as a Pharmacist before pivoting careers 15 years ago. Today, she works in the financial services industry.

“Health and wealth are two of the things people value most,” Allison explains.

When they are not working, they enjoy pickleball, gardening, and spoiling their dog, Jasper. Their gorgeous yard is filled with orchids, hanging plants, a goldfish pond with a waterfall, and unique landscaping that friends lovingly call their “mini Sunken Gardens.”

They also love to travel. But after exploring the world together, there’s nowhere they would rather be than St. Pete.

“We love St. Pete,” Allison says. “If somebody says they’re bored here, they’re not looking hard enough.”