She and her husband, Robert, own the general real estate and appraisal company. When they started out, they would supply site agents to builders in the area. Now, company is a full-blown general real estate company and appraisal firm. “He does the appraisals and I do the real estate. After first of year, we are going to start real estate consulting.”
WHAT IS REAL ESTATE CONSULTING?
“When someone needs helps with title work, closings or for-sale-by-owner paperwork. It will fee-based consulting.”
WHEN DID THE COMPANY OPEN?
It started in 1996.
HOW DID SHE GET INTO REAL ESTATE?
“I had been with Sears for 30 years as a district manager where I was moved from market to market. We moved here from Chicago in 1993.” In 1996, Sears decided they wanted her to go back to Chicago, and she didn’t want to. Her husband had always been in real estate, so he would re-establish himself in each new market they moved to. “He was with Century 21 here and I got my license and went into new construction as a site agent. My husband decided he wanted to get into appraisals, and the builder I was was working for decided to go into only commercial building so we decided to start our own company.”
WHY OPEN A COMPANY IN ORANGE PARK?
“We were living in Fleming Island and I am a big fan of Clay County. My husband had his appraisal office in Orange Park and we just really like the area.”
WHAT’S GOING ON IN ORANGE PARK?
“The growth is phenomenal with Eagle Harbor, Fleming Island and three or four new subdivisions. It is the place to be as far as real estate.”
CHALLENGES OF OWNING A REAL ESTATE COMPANY?
“The challenges are the hours you put in. You tend to live it when you own it. If you decide to take a vacation you have to make sure everything is covered while you are gone.”
FAVORITE THING ABOUT REAL ESTATE?
“Working with people. I love first time home buyers. They are always so thrilled and happy with their first home.”
AREAS SHE WORKS?
Clay, St. Johns, Duval and part of Putnam County.
ADVICE TO NEW AGENTS?
“Be realistic. Don’t go into it thinking things will happen overnight because it takes a lot of work, but once you get established, it’s worth it. It is a fun job.”
FAMILY
She has been married to Robert for 15 years. Between them they have three children, Chris, 38; Brent, 33; and Rob, 15.
RESIDES
Green Cove Springs.
HOBBIES
Playing golf and riding with her husband on motorcycle trips. They attend Bike Week and Octoberfest as well as other motorcycle trips organized through their church. She and her husband also volunteer with a senior citizen club, The Joy Club.
CHURCH
Ridgewood Baptist. “Our pastor, Norman Gardner, also rides motorcycles and orchestrates several of the motorcycle trips we go on.”
FAVORITES
Her favorite book is “Storyville,” by Lois Battle and her favorite movie is “The Green Mile. ” When dining out, she likes Clark’s Fish Camp Seafood Restaurant, Sorbello’s Restaurant or anything Mexican. She used to enjoy watching “3rd Rock from the Sun” but now has to resort to watching re-runs. “It’s just quirky enough for me.” When traveling, her favorite place to visit is Bermuda.
—by Michele Newbern Gillis