Pamela Wylie has been the area manager for First American Home Buyers Protection for just over a year.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
She is an outside sales representative and area manager for Jacksonville and the surrounding areas. She covers Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Flagler, Clay and Alachua Counties. “I sell home warranties, but I’m really introducing the product to the Realtors and the brokers.” Wylie visits about 15-18 offices a day and she does presentations in various Realtor offices every Tuesday morning. “I’ve even brought dinner to offices to do a presentation.”
WHAT DOES SHE DO WHEN SHE VISITS?
“I introduce myself to the broker, so they know I am in the office and what I am there to promote. We don’t believe that we solicit the business of Realtors. We believe that we are providing them a service by letting the know a home warranty is a good thing.”
BEFORE FIRST AMERICAN?
Wylie has had a real estate license for 11 years. She sold real estate in North Carolina and moved to Jacksonville in December of 2002.
WHY MOVE TO JACKSONVILLE?
“My whole family lives in Ponte Vedra Beach and I moved here to be closer to them. First American was looking for an outside sales representative to open up the Florida market, so I was the first one to be hired by them.”
She decided to take the position with First American instead of selling real estate in an area she didn’t know anyone.
WHY SELL HOME WARRANTIES?
“Because it is an outside sales position. Realtors are some of the friendliest people in the world. They are like boaters, you know what I mean? It’s really fun. I’m blessed that I got this job.”
WHAT DO YOU
LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“There are a lot of positives because you are not sitting in an office at an desk, you are outside breathing fresh air. The best thing about this job is that I have this terrific region that I am developing and it’s coastal. So, when I am driving down A1A going home, I think, this is pretty sweet.”
WHAT CAN REALTORS DO TO MAKE YOUR JOB EASIER?
“They can let their customers know that home warranties are not bullet-proof. They don’t fix everything that could ever break down in your house. Some things are not covered, just like with your health or medical insurance. That way people wouldn’t assume that everything that ever breaks is covered.”
HOW HAS YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE AS A REALTOR HELP YOU NOW?
“I think I understand more from their perspective.”
WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“My recovery time. When you are in sales it doesn’t matter what you are selling, you recovery time is a challenge. Something is always going to happen. Someone is not going to like something for whatever reason. Either they don’t like the technician, or he takes too long to call or he didn’t have the part fast enough. It’s all about recovery and how quickly you can make it right. If the clients is mad and the Realtor is mad, then I need to recover and put a smile on everyone’s face as quickly as possible. My recovery time is very good. I’m on the phone all day long.”
WHAT HAS HELPED YOU MOST TO GET YOU WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?
“Having a sense of humor doesn’t hurt. People like to have a good time. The Realtor community works hard, but they like to have a good time.”
BIRTHPLACE
Westchester, N.Y.
RESIDES
Ponte Vedra Beach.
WHAT DOES SHE LIKE TO DO WHEN NOT WORKING?
She enjoys playing golf, tennis, biking and walking. She also likes taking her dog, Mr. Sweetie Cakes, for walks on the beach. “I walk anywhere for 4-8 miles on the weekends.”
FAMILY
She is single and has two children, Laila, 20 and Brodie, 17.
FAVORITES
Her favorite book is “The Two Mrs. Grenvilles” by Dominick Dunne. A movie she recommends is “Waking Ned Devine.” When relaxing at home, she enjoys tuning into “Will and Grace.” When dining out, she enjoys any Italian restaurant. When traveling, she likes Italy or the Caribbean.
- by Michele Newbern Gillis