Matt Wilkinson has been a site agent in Walden Chase in St. Augustine for a year and a half.
HIS HISTORY?
He started his real estate career by becoming a site agent for KB Home in the Blue Jay Ridge and the Adam’s Lake communities a little over two years ago. He moved to Walden Chase as soon as an opening became available.
WHY GO INTO REAL ESTATE?
“It is something I have always wanted to do and the opportunity just presented itself. Getting started is always a little tough. But, getting married and having a second income to depend on, makes it a little easier. I’ve wanted to do real estate as long as I can remember.”
BEFORE REAL ESTATE?
He was a technical recruiter recruiting engineers and programmers for Tek Systems for four years. Before that he was an officer in the Army National Guard Reserves.
COLLEGE
He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and communications from Flagler College.
HOW DO YOU LIKE REAL ESTATE?
“I love it. I like working with people and it is a really neat opportunity to help someone either buy their first home or their next new one. The people I sell to now become my neighbors.”
WHY GO INTO SITE SALES?
“I had heard a lot of good things about KB Home and a good friend of my wife’s researched a lot of builders and kind of turned us on to them. We were home searching as well and I saw what they did and knew that I could do it. I just decided to try it out. They are the only company I interviewed with.”
ADVICE FOR A NEW SITE AGENT?
“Spend a lot of time on focusing on what your primary objectives are to get started and develop your systems early. In recruiting it was very systematic. I made so many calls in a day and did certain amount of follow-up. That made it really easy to be accustomed to calling my customers every week and following up with leads. The systems are most important. Once you have those in place and you gain your momentum then you have that to carry you. It is a lot easier to sustain a system then try to create one after you have already started.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
Wilkinson said lessons are learned from challenges. “New home construction is a very personal for the buyer. If they are not excited about what they see, not to take those things personally because you are just there to help them out. You need to separate yourself from the house and that helps you find a solution and take better care of the customer. I’ve also learned that if you do work hard, it does pay off. We are all very fortunate to be in a market that is as strong as ours and has as much promise as ours. Be happy you have the opportunity that is given to you.”
TYPES OF PEOPLE BUYING IN WALDEN CHASE?
Wilkinson said they get a good variety of buyers in Walden Chase. “It’s very attractive to people who like the beach and being close to the beach.”
RESIDES
Walden Chase.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
The Northeast Florida Builders Association’s Sales and Marketing Council.
HOMETOWN?
He was born in Colorado, but was raised in Orlando. He moved here in 1991 to go to college.
AGE
31.
FAMILY
He is married to Naomi, a buyer for Source One Healthcare, for two years. They have a Jack Russell Terrier named Ringo.
PERSONAL SIDE
When Wilkinson is not working he enjoys surfing, bicycling, dream home shopping and going out with friends. “We’ve gotten really close with a lot of folks in the neighborhood.” He cites his favorite movies as “Forrest Gump” and “Shawshank Redemption.” His favorite get-a-way spot is the mountains. He cites his favorite restaurant as Caps. “It looks like such a dive, but I would say it has a little bit of Bonefish Grill and a little bit of Roy’s in it.”
-by Michele Newbern Gillis