Berry & Co. is located next to Talbot’s at The Shoppes of Ponte Vedra Beach
WHY DID YOU OPEN AN OFFICE IN THAT LOCATION?
“We chose this location because it is centrally located in Ponte Vedra Beach, it’s close to J. Turner Butler Boulevard and has high visibility,” said broker Clare Berry, a Jacksonville native who has worked as a REALTOR since 1985.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
Clare manages the office, is broker and advisor to the REALTORS in the office, and she also works as a real estate salesperson. She works with buyers and markets properties for homeowners and developers.
WHEN DID THE OFFICE OPEN?
The office has been open since 1993.
WHAT DOES THE OFFICE SPECIALIZE IN?
The office specializes in Beach properties. Many of these are homes in Ponte Vedra, Sawgrass, The Plantation and Marsh Landing. The office also specializes in waterfront (oceanfront, Intracoastal and river) properties and condominiums. Berry & Co. was the exclusive marketing agent for The Ponte Vedra Carlyle condominiums, a 48-unit development built in 1995 on Ponte Vedra Blvd.
WHO FOUNDED THE OFFICE?
Berry, who earlier worked with Watson Realty and Marsh Landing Realty.
THE AGENTS
Claudia Page, Christine Rohlson, Molly Edwards, Pat Flock, Margaret Bennett, Maren Firment and Marilyn Bloss.
HOW DOES BEING A SMALL OFFICE AFFECT THE WAY YOU WORK?
“We are small and therefore more collegial. We are not as structured or formal as many of the larger firms. We have few office meetings, policies or quotas, for example, and we are therefore able to devote most of our attention to helping clients and customers, which we do with a team spirit. By that, I mean that we all tend to get to know each other’s customers and we will fill in for each other as needed to be sure the customer feels cared for.”
WHAT AREA DOES THE OFFICE SELL IN THE MOST?
“Most of our sales are in the Beaches area. Our secondary markets are country club communities throughout northeast Florida, such as Jacksonville Golf & Country Club, the Southside Boulevard area and 9A corridor, Julington Creek and Eagle Harbor. We also show and represent properties along any of the area’s waterways, and of course on the ocean.”
WHAT MAKES YOUR OFFICE UNIQUE?
“We stand out from other companies because, being small, we are able to provide individual attention to our customers and clients. Our location is also unusual; we chose a retail area rather than an office development, which exposes our business to shoppers that might happen by. We have all lived and worked in the area for extended periods, we are active in community endeavors, and we pride ourselves on market knowledge, and on our ability to impart that information to our customers.”
DOES YOUR OFFICE OFFER TRAINING?
“We do not offer formal training. I work with newer agents, providing informal training, although very hands-on and specific, including listing presentations and having the newer agents tag along with her on showing appointments.”
HOW DOES EVERYONE GET ALONG?
“We get along remarkably well. We are too small for turf wars, and most of the agents are looking for a self-governed working environment, which is what we offer.”
DO YOU PLAN TO GROW THE OFFICE?
“We do not plan to exceed 10 or so agents. Size breeds complexities that could distract us from our primary mission of serving clients and customers.”
— by Michele Newbern Gillis