Shelley Trela has been a Realtor with Premier Properties Realty Group, Inc. for almost two years.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
She sells homes and lots on Anastasia Island in St Augustine.
BEFORE ST. AUGUSTINE?
She was a Realtor in New York State since 1988. She moved to St. Augustine in 1993 and has been in real estate since. “I was a special education teacher in Australia and New York from 1976 until 1984 when I had my first child.”
WHY DID SHE DECIDE TO GO INTO REAL ESTATE?
“I decided to become a Realtor because I love architecture and my siblings and close friends would bring me to look at homes and help them make a decision. I had a ‘knack’ for knowing what house seemed just right. Fortunately, I was never wrong. I was encouraged by my friends to get my license.”
WHAT’S GOING ON IS ST. AUGUSTINE REAL ESTATE?
“St. Augustine is a wonderful and consistent sales market. People are friendly and easy to work with.”
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
“I have been a fund raiser for St. Augustine and St. Johns County Habitat for Humanity for the past four years. I chair the Art Auction and Wine Gala held each year. This year the event will be held at the Casa Monica Hotel on Dec. 4 from 6-10 p.m. We have a jazz band and a harpist playing throughout the evening. Last year we raised over $22,000. I hope everyone in the real estate community will come and support this.”
INVOLVEMENT IN THE ST. AUGUSTINE/ST. JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF REALTORS?
“I chaired the Entertainment Committee and served on it for several years. I also taught the Code of Ethics course to new Realtors for three years. I truly believe that the board is as good as our membership’s participation in it. It is unfortunate that the same 10 percent participate regularly. It is fun and a wonderful way to meet our fellow Realtors.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT REAL ESTATE?
“I love being a Realtor. It is ever challenging and ever changing. It keeps me hopping.”
ADVICE FOR NEW AGENTS?
“Find a mentor and take as many real estate courses offered by local board of Realtors and real estate institutes.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
“Record every conversation on a data sheet which is kept in the customer’s file so that any one in the office can know what is happening if you are not available and if you are ever subpoenaed to court, you have precise information.”
WHAT HAS HELPED YOU MOST TO GET YOU WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?
“What has helped me most to get where I am today is that I have always been blessed with excellent and ethical brokers and very loyal customers.”
HOMETOWN?
Albany, N.Y.
RESIDES
On Anastasia Island.
WHAT DOES SHE LIKE TO DO WHEN SHE IS NOT WORKING?
“When I am not working I am hanging out with my two teenage children and friends. We travel quite a bit. I love boating, fishing, kick boxing and bicycling.”
FAMILY
She’s single with two children. Pete is a sophomore at University of South Florida and daughter Maggie is a junior at Pedro Menendez High School.
— by Michele Newbern Gillis