Rebecca Callahan has been a Realtor with Daily Real Estate in San Marco since January.
BACK TO THE GRIND.
Callahan has been out of the real estate industry for several years, but recently decided to get back into it and said it hasn’t changed that much.
She started her career back in the 1980’s with Watson Realty. Then she moved over to do sales and marketing for Richard R. Dostie New Home Collection. Using her sales and marketing experience, she opened her own advertising company, Ad Level One Marketing. She then transitioned that company to Promotional Concepts and Advertising, which she owned for 10 years. After she had her fourth child, she decided to be a stay-at-home mom, but still did some investing in real estate with her husband. Over the years, she’s hung her license at several companies always with the intention of re-entering the market. She has been a licensed broker since 1985.
WHY GET BACK INTO REAL ESTATE?
“I really love the business. When we purchased our home in Glen Kernan, we had a few experiences that encouraged me to get back into the business and showed me that there is room for good solid Realtors. I want people to have a good experience.”
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN REAL ESTATE?
“It appealed to me and since I had always been in sales, it seemed like a good fit. I like people and wanted flexibility, which turned out to be not really having flexibility. I worked every day. When I got into it, I tended to specialize in marketing new construction. I would list communities and market those for the builders.”
HOW WILL YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN MARKETING HELP YOU NOW?
“I feel like I’ve had a lot of strengths in marketing anything. I’ve marketed everything from computer software to political campaigns to churches and logos. It was very diverse and great experience. I feel like I definitely understand how to market, so if I am going to market someone’s home, I have more experience than the average Realtor.”
TECHNOLOGY?
Callahan said she has taken a close look at all the technology in real estate now and thinks it’s great. “It expedites everything and makes it very fast-paced which I like.”
HOW HAS THE MARKET CHANGED?
“It’s a totally different environment. There are a lot more people in the industry and it moves very fast. It’s extremely refreshing for me because I was in it when it was very tough, but there is always business out there. People still have to buy houses. My goal would be to try to help people’s home buying experience be great.”
WHAT’S THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB?
Scheduling between personal and business. “I do a lot of volunteering at Bolles School and San Jose Episcopal, so I have a pretty full plate.”
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU’VE LEARNED IN REAL ESTATE?
“To be honest and ethical. I think that is most important in any business.”
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“Dealing with people.”
SPECIALTY?
The company is located in San Marco. Callahan tends to focus on higher end properties in the San Marco/San Jose areas.
ADVICE FOR NEW AGENT?
“Pay attention to ethics and work hard.”
PET PEEVES?
Unethical agents.
INTERESTING ENCOUNTER?
Callahan had the opportunity to meet and speak with Donald Trump at an event for Gubernational Candidate Charles Crist that he hosted at his resort in Palm Beach, the Mar-A-Lago. “It was very exciting to meet him and have my photo taken with him!”
WHAT DO YOU WISH OTHER AGENTS WOULD INCLUDE IN THEIR MLS LISTINGS?
School districts.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
Northeast Florida Association of Realtors and Womenade.
Rebecca Callahan
Job: Realtor with Daily Real Estate
Hometown: Jacksonville
Resides: Glen Kernan
Golf and Counttry Club.
Family: Callahan is married to Tom, a mortgage broker with Compass Bank. Their children are Chase, 20; Dallas, 15; Austin, 10; and Tate, 7.
Hobbies: Power Yoga, tennis and hanging out with her family.