Robin Challberg is a site agent with Morrison Homes in OakLeaf Plantation and has been with the company for two years. “I started in the office answering the phones and doing customer care, so I knew a lot about what happened behind the scenes in the office.” A year ago, she decided she wanted to try site sales, so she became a site agent.
Background
Challberg got her real estate license 11 years ago and entered part-time into general real estate sales with ERA John Gray Realty. Later, she worked on the Susan Kennedy Team with Re/Max Real Estate Specialists for three years. She then joined Seabrook Homes to learn more about new home construction. When they were bought by Beazer, she didn’t want to go to the location they were going to send her to, so she joined Morrison Homes behind the scenes in the office.
“I knew I wanted to work in the construction business. I wanted to work Monday through Friday, so I thought working for a builder in the office would satisfy that. But, after working for about six months I realized I really needed to be out in the field and back in sales.” So she became a site agent for Morrison Homes.
Big award
Challberg was searching for her place in the real estate community and she found that place in site sales and recently won the “Rookie Salesperson of the Year” Laurel Award.
Like site sales?
“I love it. I just want to know where I belong and do what I do well. And I want to excel at it and give back what I have and site sales is definitely where I belong.”
How she won
the Laurel
“I didn’t think that I would win it at all. My sales manager asked me in December if I would go ahead and write the essay because she wanted to nominate me. What I do in new site sales that sets me apart is that I build a relationship with my builder and with the people that I work with the moment they walk through the door. I’m very accommodating and I have a lot of empathy because I understand what they are going through. I have built three homes and moved 14 times in 23 years of marriage and I have a true sense of feeling for what they are going through. My builder and I are a team and we communicate very well.”
Reaction?
“I was completely taken. I am just overwhelmed. I really never in a million years thought I would win it.”
Tips?
“Love what you do. Be a part of the sale from the moment they walk through the door to the moment they sit at the closing table. Make the process a smooth process by communicating well with the buyers. Be there for them the whole time and let them know that if they need to call you with a question that your cell phone is right there. Let them know you are working with the builder as a team to make sure they are comfortable with the entire process.”
Why real estate?
“The reason I got my license and went into real estate was because I have an enthusiasm for building and the building industry.” About 14 years ago, she decided that she was going to be an entrepreneurial builder and build her own home. So, she bought a lot and built her first home in three months. “I sold that one and everyone said I was crazy and nuts, but I loved doing it. I really enjoyed it.” She has since built two more homes as an entrepreneurial builder and is in the process of building her fourth.
OakLeaf
Morrison Homes is building in two OakLeaf Plantation communities, Litchfield and Piedmont. They currently have about 150 home sites with prices ranging from $155,000 to the low $200,000’s. “It’s a great place for families. It’s a new start-up community, which is always a little difficult, and I hope that with my contribution I can be a success making the entire process smoother and easier for Morrison Homes and for all of the future buyers that will buy in OakLeaf Plantation.”
Home
Long Island, N.Y.
To Florida?
Seventeen years ago when her husband was transferred here.
Family
She has been married to Roy for 23 years. They have three children.
Church
Mandarin Presbyterian.
Residence
She lives in St. Johns County and is building a home in Switzerland.
Off the job
Challberg enjoys baking, cooking and spending time with her family.
Favorites
Her favorite movie is “My Best Friend’s Wedding” and her favorite book is “A Walk to Remember” by Nicholas Sparks. When traveling, she enjoys Ocean Beach, N.Y. Though she doesn’t watch very much television, if she had to choose a favorite show, she would say “Friends.” When dining out, she enjoys Outback Steakhouse.