Dena Calivas has been a Realtor with Re/Max Real Estate Specialists for three years. She earned her real estate license in 1987.
BEFORE BECOMING A REALTOR?
She worked in the construction and purchasing departments for homebuilders and was a closer for mortgage companies in Orlando.
BEFORE REAL ESTATE?
She was an executive assistant for presidents and owners of entertainment design companies.
MOVED TO JACKSONVILLE?
Eight years ago to work for as an executive assistant for the director of Goodwill Industries.
WHAT MADE HER DECIDE TO GET INTO REAL ESTATE?
“I wanted a more flexible schedule and the opportunity to run a business and provide a service to home buyers. My husband is also a builder. Part of what he did influenced me to get into real estate. Not only from my experience working for builders in the past, but my husband still working in the home building industry made me want to get back into it on the sales side. But I didn’t want to be a site agent, I wanted the freedom of general real estate.”
SPECIALITY
Relocation. “I work with people moving into and out of the city. I help them to transition in and out by providing as much service as possible. I like to share information from those that I work with including mortgage companies, school information and moving companies. I am an Air Force brat, so I had to get used to moving quite a bit. I had to learn to be flexible and to hit the ground running in every city or country we went into. I enjoy helping them with their transition and making it as smooth as possible, by trying not to have any bumps in the road.”
OTHERS SHE WORKS WITH?
Her assistant is Rhonda Ramos, client services specialist and she likes to partner with a certain circle of professionals including home inspectors and mortgage professionals to provide the level of service she feels her customers deserves.
WHY ARE PEOPLE MOVING TO JACKSONVILLE?
“The growth, jobs and value of homes. Even though they are increasing, they can still get a lot of home for their money. We also have so many waterways in Jacksonville that are a big draw. There are more and more people coming into town.”
AREA SHE SELLS?
Mandarin, St. Johns County and Orange Park.
HOW IS THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IN THOSE AREAS?
“Excellent. Property values are increasing at a phenomenal rate. Waterfront property is skyrocketing. It’s hard to get any waterfront property that is affordable in all of those areas.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT REAL ESTATE?
“I love being able to serve my customers the way they deserve to be served. I also love the freedom and flexibility.”
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEW AGENTS?
“Make sure it is passionate. If you are going to be passionate about it, stick with it. If you aren’t passionate about it, don’t do it. Because when anyone is in the service industry, they have to love what they are doing because that truly shows in how you take care of your customers.
LESSONS LEARNED
“Always follow the Golden Rule and be honest and fair. It’s always about the customer.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCATIONS?
She is a member of the Women’s Council of Realtors and Northeast Florida Association of Realtors.
WEBSITE?
www.denaonthemove.com.
BIRTHPLACE
Georgia, but her father was in the Air Force so she was raised all over.
COLLEGE
She has a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Central Florida.
WHAT DOES SHE LIKE TO DO WHEN NOT WORKING?
Gardening, shopping and trying new eateries.
RESIDES
Orange Park.
FAMILY
She has been married to Bill, who owns Calivas Enterprises, a custom homebuilding business, for seven years. They have two cats, Jazz and Big Boy.
FAVORITES
A movie she cites as her favorite of all time is “Somewhere in Time.” She enjoys reading Christian study books and recent one she read and would recommend is “A Woman’s Journey to the Heart of God” by Cynthia Heald. When relaxing at home, she enjoys tuning into “Ally McBeal” re-runs and “Alias.” When dining out, she prefers Sarnelli’s Italian Restaurant or Tra Vini restaurant. When traveling, she and her husband love to visit Elizabeth Pointe Lodge in Fernandina Beach.
— by Michele Newbern Gillis