Brenda Slater has been a Realtor at Summer Beach, on the south end of Amelia Island, for three and a half years.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
Slater sells the Summer Beach development products including their most recent new offering, The Preserve, as well as general real estate. She sells real estate anywhere in Nassau County.
HER HISTORY?
Slater has been a Realtor for 25 years. She started out in Greensboro, N.C., at Prudential Carolinas Realty before moving to Amelia Island. Her husband wanted to move to Florida and her son, Greg Smith, already lived on the island, so they relocated and she went to work for Summer Beach. “It just made sense and I figured I could work anywhere as long as I knew the product.”
WHY DID YOU GET INTO REAL ESTATE?
“My children were practically grown and I wanted a career. I had moved a lot over the years, so I had an attraction to it. I knew it was a career I could succeed in.”
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE?
Slater says no way! She said real estate is a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week job. “I waited until my children had their driver’s license so I could be flexible for my customers. People that say they want to work part-time and have a flexible schedule annoy me. I don’t think that is being committed.”
BEFORE REAL ESTATE?
She was a departmental secretary at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP IN REAL ESTATE?
“I think the biggest thing is common sense and understanding people. I’ve always had kind of a mathematical ability so I can help people figure out loans and finances. Back when I started we did all the pre-qualifying before they ever got in our car. I just have the skills to deal with people and to match them to the right product.”
AMELIA ISLAND MARKET?
“It’s more of a resort and second-home market. Prices are strong.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT REAL ESTATE?
“You can control your schedule. I don’t say it’s part-time or limited. And I like the money. I do enjoy the prospect of getting a customer, finding them the right product and making the deal happen.”
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
“Never judge someone about who they are or what they could afford because you never know. Treat everyone the same and don’t let the money drive you.”
ADVICE FOR A NEW AGENT?
Slater said to learn the inventory. “When I came here, I had 20-plus years experience, but I went and looked at every listing in Summer Beach that was on the market so when I went on floor duty, I knew what was for sale and I had been in it. Also, don’t ever say anything to a prospect that wouldn’t hold up in court.”
PET PEEVES?
“Part-time agents.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
Slater said it is important to ask buyers for their loyalty up front because if you don’t they will bounce around and go to a number of agents. “Explain the rules, how it works and ask them to be loyal.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
The Amelia Island/Nassau County Board of Realtors.
HOMETOWN?
She was born in Hinton, WV, but she grew up in Roanoke, Va.
RESIDES
The Preserve at Summer Beach.
PERSONAL SIDE?
Slater has been married to Ross, who is retired, for 10 years. She has two children, Greg Smith and Scott Smith, and five grandchildren. When she is not working, she enjoys going to the beach, reading, working out, traveling and shopping. She said she enjoys any movies with either Tommy Lee Jones, Bruce Willis or Kevin Bacon in them. Her favorite authors include Mary Higgins Clark and John Grisham. When relaxing at home, she enjoys tuning into “Law and Order: Criminal Intent.” When traveling, she likes any place abroad including Italy and England. Her favorite restaurants are The Surf, Café Caribe and Bonita.
-by Michele Newbern Gillis