Terri Cornell has been a Realtor with Watson Realty’s Ortega/Avondale office for two-and-a-half years.
BEFORE REAL ESTATE?
She worked part-time at Mix Media Gallery for about five years. “We featured a lot of local artists. It also had a store that sold dishes, furniture, bath items, purses, jewelry and some really unusual items. I helped the owner run the store and did a little bit of everything.” Before that she worked at La Petite Academy for eight years.
WHAT MADE HER GO INTO REAL ESTATE?
Her husband had died and she was looking for more of a full-time job. “I needed a little bit more focus. It was something I had always considered. In 1980 I went through the real estate school, but I never actually got my license because I was pregnant at the time. After that baby, I got pregnant again fairly quickly so, I never got my license.” She attended Watson’s real estate school and then met her broker Clark LeBlonde. “He is just incredible. He is so helpful and available when I need him.”
HOW DOES YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP YOU NOW?
Her former jobs helped her develop better people skills. “I learned how to handle people and best fit their needs as far as what they are looking for.”
AREA SHE COVERS?
She sells all over town, but focuses on the Avondale/Ortega area.
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE AVONDALE/ ORTEGA MARKET?
“It’s a great market over here right now. There are probably not enough houses. We have a lot of investors coming over and a lot of new builds going on if there is a vacant lot. The older homes are coming available and people are refurbishing and renovating them. The prices are escalating monthly. This side of town is just very desirable to live in. People like the historical homes and it is just a beautiful part of town.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT REAL ESTATE?
“I like dealing with people. I am definitely a people person. I like finding the right home for the client and knowing that they are going to be happy. Learning all the different nuances of real estate has been a huge education for me and its good information. In all aspects, it’s good things to know.”
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED FROM A CO-WORKER?
Cornell said to learn when you are wasting your time and cut bait and turn the client loose. Also to make sure your client is qualified before you take them out.
ADVICE FOR A NEW AGENT?
“Be patient and learn everything that you can.”
PET PEEVES?
“The unrealistic goals that buyers and sellers have. I think property on certain parts of town has appreciated so quickly that they have very unrealistic goals of what they are going to get for their money. It’s hard sometimes to educate them to that fact. They still are convinced that they are going to find that diamond in the rough and find that three bedroom/three bath for $150,000.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
“The whole financial end of real estate has been a huge education. The whole process that they go through and what you need to know when a buyer buys or a seller sells. It’s a whole learning process.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
Northeast Florida Association of Realtors and its Downtown Neighborhood Council of Realtors.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION?
“I don’t think the downtown area has been utilized to its best potential yet. I mean, it’s great, we have beautiful waterfront there. I worked at Furchgotts, a specialty department store a long time ago when there was a huge shopping district downtown. I would like to see that happen again.”
HOMETOWN?
Douglas, Ga.
RESIDES
Ft. Caroline area near Mill Cove.
PERSONAL SIDE?
Cornell is engaged to Gary Murphy, who works at Linac Engineering. She has four children: Kristy, 31; Kelly, 24; Katie, 23 and Kallen, 19. When relaxing at home, she enjoys tuning into “Entourage” on HBO. When traveling, she enjoys exploring and hiking in North Carolina. Two books she would recommend are “Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China,” by Jung Chang and “Memoirs of a Geisha,” by Arthur Golden. Two movies she would recommend are “The Upside of Anger” and “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.” When dining out she enjoys both Bistro Aix and bb’s.
— by Michele Newbern Gillis