Debi Drace has been a REALTOR® with Chaplin-Williams Realty on Amelia Island for three and a half years.
What does she do?
Lists and sells general real estate including residential and land.
For how long?
Nine years. She started as a site agent with Trevitt Homes, so most of her years in real estate were in new construction.
Before real estate?
She was a mortgage loan processor in Wichita, Kan. She lived there for 6 1/2 years and could not stand the cold, so she and her husband decided to move back to Fernandina. When she moved back she decided to get into real estate. “I’ve always wanted to do real estate. I used to go out and look at homes and models anyway.”
How did loan experience help?
“It helps me to understand the mortgage end of it, especially with first-time home buyers. I’m more able to educate them in the process and what they can and can’t afford.”
How’s Fernandina Beach?
Drace said that they sell many second homes and investment properties. “We are more of a resort area and buyers see the ability to buy a home and have it make money for them. Also, when I worked for Trevitt, there were so many cash buyers.”
Who’s buying?
“What we find is that a lot of people have had a second home here or vacationed here and when they retire they move here and buy a permanent home. After this cold winter, we are getting a lot of e-mails from people requesting information. They are just sick of the cold weather. It really spurs activity when there is bad winter up North.”
Why sell?
“I know Fernandina Beach and I love it. I love our relaxed atmosphere and we just don’t have traffic out here.”
Recent changes
She had a home accessory store, Absolute Favorites, for the last three years, but decided to close it to focus more on real estate. “It wasn’t the financial success that real estate can be.”
What do you like about real estate?
“I love meeting new people and going into homes. It’s real exciting when you can find that piece of property that excites your customer. When you put the two together, that’s neat.”
Advice?
“Jump in and give it your all. You have to put the hours in because the experience gives you the knowledge.”
Birthplace
Fernandina Beach.
Hobbies
Going to the beach and reading, traveling and entertaining guests in her home.
Home
Fernandina Beach.
Family
She has been married to Chuck, who owns Sea Drace Investments, a residential and commercial building company, for 18 years. Together they have three sons.
Favorites
She enjoys reading good beach books. Her favorite all-time movie is “Gone With the Wind.” When traveling, she likes Italy. When dining out, she enjoys Centre Street CafÈ or Joe’s Second Street Bistro in Fernandina Beach.
— by Michele Newbern Gillis