John Reardon is business development consultant for First American Title in Palm Coast.
NEW POSITION?
Yes, he’s only been there for about a month. “I was with Anastasia Title in St. Augustine as director of sales and marketing for about two years. First American Title came after me because they said they liked the job I was doing.”
WHAT DOES
HE DO NOW?
Reardon handles the marketing for the company and is a closing agent.
“I market to Realtors and loan officers to come in and have their closing performed by us.”
WHAT AREA
DOES HE COVER?
Reardon said he will cover Palm Coast and he still has contacts in Ponte Vedra Beach, Julington Creek, CR 210 and St. Augustine. “I will still be serving clients in St. Augustine, St. Johns County and Jacksonville if need be.”
PASSPORT
TO NEW HOMES?
Reardon is the host of a new television show, Passport to New Homes, that airs Sunday mornings at 11:30 a.m. on TV-12. “I met the producer of the show. He knew that I used to be a St. Johns County commissioner and that I might be comfortable talking in front of a camera so after I interviewed, he asked me to be on the show.” The show is based out of Cincinnati and it is in a couple of states so far. Reardon sits down and interviews homebuilders about their new communities that they are building on the First Coast. He interviews builders from Duval, Clay, Putnam, St. Johns County and Nassau counties. Engle, Admiral Homes, TransEastern Homes are a few of the home builders recently interviewed on the show. “It’s a target audience and an interactive program. When someone is watching the show, there is a telephone number interested parties can call. We capture the leads and forward them to the builders. Or they can visit our website, which is www.passporttonewhomes.com after the show.”
NAME SOUND FAMILIAR?
Reardon spent four years as a commissioner for the City of St. Augustine and then four more years as a St. Johns County commissioner. He left office in 2002 and joined Anastasia Title. Reardon was also a mailman for 12 years before and during some of his time in office. “I just tried to make sure the city the best place it could be. We made sure the fire and police department were run right, the taxes were spent well and that the streets were cleaned. As a County Commissioner, it was basically the same, but on a larger scale.” Though he gets calls from people all the time asking him to run for this or that office, Reardon said he is not planning on running for public office at this time.
WHY GO INTO TITLES?
During his eight years as a politician, Reardon had developed a good relationship with the real estate community. When he left office, he decided to try something new and really enjoyed helping people. “There was a job opening and they approached me, so I took it.”
WHAT CAN REALTORS DO TO MAKE THE TITLE PROCESS EASIER FOR THEIR CLIENTS?
“Sit down with a title agent and learn the process. We offer classes to real estate agents to help them understand the process. Realtors can become close to their closing agent and learn from them. I want to make sure the closings go well and that the agents look good.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
“I’ve learned to look at what people want to achieve and find a way to help them achieve that whether that is in politics or in the title business.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
Reardon is involved with the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, a Chamber Ambassador and the past chair of the Chamber Ambassadors. He is also a member of the St. Johns County/St. Augustine Board of Realtors, St. Augustine Women’s Council of Realtors and the St. Johns Builders Council.
PAST EXPERIENCE HELP YOU IN NEW JOBS?
“I’ve always had an outgoing personality and I’ve never been afraid to stand up in front of people and speak. I’m not afraid to approach people especially when you are doing it for a reason, which is to help them reach their goals.”
HOMETOWN?
New York City.
MOVED TO ST. AUGUSTINE?
In 1988.
PERSONAL SIDE?
Reardon is single and has a eight-year-old son, Devin. When he is not working, he enjoys playing volleyball, working out, cooking and spending time with his son. A movie he saw recently and would recommend is “Finding Neverland.” Two books he would cite as his favorites are “Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follet and “Cider House Rules” by John Erving. A restaurant he would recommend is Fusion Point in St. Augustine. He likes visiting anywhere there is a beach.
-by Michele Newbern Gillis