Dena Atkins has been a site agent with L & N Realty, LLC representing several new developments including Acquilus Oceanfront Luxury Condominiums, Acquilus Waterfront Harbour and Spoonbill Harbour since January. She is also a general real estate agent.
TELL ME ABOUT L & N REALTY
L & N Realty is owned by Lee Underwood and Norman Watson of Eagle Development, the developers of Acquilus Waterfront Harbour on the Intracoastal and Acquilus I Oceanfront Luxury Condominiums, Acquilus II Oceanfront Luxury Condominiums and Acquilus III Oceanfront Luxury Condominiums in Jacksonville Beach and Spoonbill Harbour in Amelia Island.
THE PROJECTS?
Acquilus I and II are oceanfront condominiums that are sold out and are only sold as resales now. Acquilus Waterfront Harbour is a new project on the Intracoastal that will have 64 units, each with its own boat slip. Prices are from $884,000 to $2.5 million. Acquilus III will be located where First Street Grill was and it will have only 14 units with prices starting at $2 million. They should break ground on that project in the fall of 2006. Spoonbill Harbour in Amelia Island will have 10 units with prices starting at $800,000.
DO YOU FEEL THE MARKET IS GETTING SATURATED WITH OCEANFRONT CONDOMINIUMS?
“I wouldn’t say the market is saturated, so much as we are moving into a different league in Jacksonville Beach. Some of the bigger cities would have the selection for the buyers and we’ve never had that before. Now, it is a good thing for the buyer to have a selection. Before, if you wanted a $1 million condominium, you had to wait for it to come on the market. If you are in the market for a new oceanfront condominium, there has never been a better selection and we’ve never had the quality that is there now. I’ve been in nearly every building along the beach and it has been quite an evolution. I own a condominium in a 23-year-old building and it is interesting to see what a luxury oceanfront condominium was 23 years ago as opposed to now.”
WHERE WAS SHE BEFORE THERE?
Young Brothers Realty.
BEFORE REAL ESTATE?
She was in dentistry as a surgical consultant for 20 years.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP?
“Attention to detail. I really see a lot of similarities between real estate and dentistry. There are a lot of things that go into the final product. From ‘I want to buy a house’ to the day you move in, there are so many things in between. And the same with dentistry from the time you place an implant to when you finally put in the prosthesis (to replace missing teeth) on the implant. There are so many steps involved.”
WHY GO INTO REAL ESTATE?
“I have been involved in real estate in some aspect for years. It was on my list of things to do before I died.” She had home-schooled her son until last year. “Once we knew my son was going to school, I thought, ‘What do I really want to do now?’ So, it seemed the perfect time to get into real estate.”
WHY DO SITE SALES?
“This was just a great opportunity. It was just kismet (meant to be) that I had met Norman (Watson). I like seeing the progress in the projects.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT REAL ESTATE?
“I would have to say I like the ‘art of the deal’. I also like anticipating the next big deal. I kind of think real estate and fishing are kind of the same. I love to go fishing. You throw it out there, trying to get that hook and bring it in. A lot of times they get away, but do you pack up and go home? No, you keep going to get that next fish.”
PET PEEVES?
Not enough photos in a listing.
BEST PROFESSIONAL ADVICE EVER RECEIVED?
“Go into every deal to serve the client the best way I can without compromising or cutting corners. Approach every deal un-jaded and untarnished and try to make them feel as if they are the only person I am working with at the time.”
ADVICE FOR A NEW SITE AGENT?
Atkins said to learn patience and perseverance.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
Northeast Florida Association of Realtors and Women’s Council of Realtors.
-by Michele Newbern Gillis