Diana NesSmith, Susan Korb and Lynn Reiff are the team that has sold in the King & Bear community at World Golf Village since March 2003.
WHAT DID THE
TEAM DO?
“Our team devised a plan and literally turned the property around,” said NesSmith. “Today it is a success story and one that has been noticed by the real estate community. I constantly hear how unusual it is for a three-some to get along much less be successful.”
WHY FORM A TEAM?
“World Golf Village was not quite successful and everyone seems to remember that,” said NesSmith. “Everyone remembers the slow start that we had. It was our idea to form a team to come down here and help the developer and investor to get the estate section of the King & Bear off its feet and forward. I think that we have proven that we have done that in the last year and a half.” Prior to the team coming in, the houses just weren’t selling. “We got very creative and moved those houses out, so when new people came to look at houses, they weren’t asking why no one was living there,” said Reiff.
SALES AT THE KING & BEAR?
In 2002 sales were very minimal. “After we formed our team in April 2003, our sales throughout the remainder of the year were $19,253,106,” said Korb. “In 2004 we have surpassed our original goals and have sold $43,827,653 as of August 2004.” There are 415 lots and/or houses in the King & Bear Golf Course Community. In 2003 the team had 68 transactions. Through August, 2004 they had 107 transactions. World Golf Village recently celebrated their 1,000th family moving in. Prices ranges at the King & Bear are from $350,000 to over $500,000. Builders in the development are Seda, Morrison Homes, American Home Builders and Cordele Builders. Amenities include an 18-hole golf course designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, a clubhouse, two pools, swim and tennis center, fitness center and a day spa.
SELLING FROM OUT OF STATE?
Reiff was an agent in New York and had heard about World Golf Village. She started selling there before she even moved to St. Augustine. When she did move, she sold at The Residences at World Golf Village until she was asked to join The King & Bear team.
HOW DOES EVERYONE GET ALONG?
“Very well,” said Reiff. “We are all overly responsible. It usually takes a lifetime to have three experienced brokers working together and have no problems.”
STRENGTHS EACH OF YOU BRING?
NesSmith brings the strength of having a long history of working in real estate in the Jacksonville and St. Augustine areas. “It has helped me help them with my contacts among the Realtor community,” said NesSmith.
Korb is the group diplomat. “She is very detailed about everything,” said NesSmith. “She keeps the books.”
“I see the large picture and what we need to do,” said Korb. Korb is the liaison between the developer, investor, and builders for the team.
Reiff also has a long history in real estate, a lot of golf experience and strong marketing skills. Since she moved here from New York, she works a lot with out-of-town clients.
SELLING IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE?
“It used to be considered out in the boonies, but people that come here from other areas think a 25 minute commute is nothing,” said Reiff. “You show them that you are in a paradise out here and that Jacksonville and St. Augustine are very close.” NesSmith said every piece of property that touches WGV has been purchased for development. “So the bottom line is ‘Why wouldn’t you want to live here?’” said Reiff.
THIER HISTORY?
NesSmith was with Pinkham Pacetti Realty for 10 years. She joined World Golf Village in 2000.
Reiff had her own company, Lynn Reiff Real Estate, in New York until she decided to come down and sell WGV in 1999. “I’ve been a golfer since I was eight years old, so I moved to WGV and bought a condominium at The Residences and decided to sell there.”
Korb was a banker for eight years before she decided to be a stay-at-home mom. She joined World Golf Village in 1999.
WHY BE A SITE AGENT?
“I had been selling general real estate for 10 years and really wanted a new direction in my life,” said NesSmith.
“I really just wanted to sell in World Golf Village,” said Reiff. “I thought the concept was great since I am a golfer and love old St. Augustine. I thought it was a slam-dunk! It was the first time I did site sales and the commute was easy. I’m the only one out of the three of us who live here.”
Korb came to World Golf Village before they opened the Hall of Fame as an information specialist. “Davidson Realty evolved over the years to a realty firm from being just an information area,” Korb. “We used to just tell people where they needed to go in the community to purchase, we weren’t actually selling real estate.”
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT SELLING AS A TEAM INSTEAD OF ALONE?
“It is a lot more fun selling as a team,” said Korb. “We are able to work hard and play hard. We have coverage all the time and if we want to take a vacation, we always have someone covering for us. We have a great camaraderie between us and we socialize outside of work as well.”
DO FOR FUN?
When NesSmith isn’t working, she enjoys traveling and boating. Reiff enjoys tennis, golf, boogie boarding and traveling and Korb enjoys traveling, reading, playing bridge and gardening.
FAMILY
NesSmith has three children and four grandchildren. Reiff is married to Art Niosi, a district manager for Ocean Spray. Together they have four children. Korb has been married to Andy, an engineer, for 30 years. They have two children.
- by Michele Newbern Gillis