Galphin Real Estate Services is located at 1896 South 14th St., Ste. 6 in Amelia Island.
WHEN DID THE COMPANY OPEN?
Galphin Real Estate has been open in Amelia Island since 2004. William (Nip) Galphin and his wife Joy bought Jasinsky Rentals in 2004, which had been open for 18 years.
WHERE WERE THEY BEFORE?
The couple owned Galphin Real Estate Services, Inc. in Atlanta, Ga., for 20 years. Now, it is run by their son. “We were in real estate up there specializing in general brokerage and property management of office suites. We came down here to retire. We had the opportunity to buy Jasinsky Rentals and decided that retirement was boring, so we bought the company and got back into business.”
WHO IS THE BROKER?
William (Nip) Galphin.
WHAT DOES THE MANAGING BROKER DO?
He oversees the brokerage and property management of his company as well as doing some brokering himself.
WHO’S IN THE OFFICE?
William is the CEO and broker of the office; Joy is the CFO and president of property management division; Stephanie Wilkinson is the sales manager; Michelle Cook is an agent and property manager; Brandon Gill is an agent; Jeff Randolph is an agent.
WHAT DOES THE OFFICE DO?
Residential, some commercial and property management. “We are always looking for additional properties to manage and think there is a synergy between property management and sales and vice versa.”
ABOUT THE AMELIA ISLAND AREA
“I can’t keep up with it. A lot of people that move here from the east would like to see growth stopped. Once they moved here, they want the doors to be closed. We don’t think everything is rosy as far as growth is concerned. We don’t want it to stop, but we would like to see managed growth.”
ARE YOU PLANNING ON GROWING THE OFFICE?
Yes, they are actively recruiting agents. Galphin said he would like to grow the office to about eight to 10 agents.
TRAINING?
Galphin said his company doesn’t have a formal training program. “Fortunately, there is a lot of good training about this business from the Amelia Island/Nassau County Association of Realtors. My agents are down there at least once a week taking a course. They do a fantastic job at the board of offering various types of training.”
PASSING ON YOUR EXPERIENCE?
“I got my first real estate license in 1965 and was in banking before that.” Galphin has more than 35 years of real estate experience. “I give them more than they want to hear. I tell them to work hard and be patient because the sales cycle in real estate is long. It’s not like buying a car. You don’t buy a piece of real estate in one afternoon.”
WHAT TYPE OF AGENTS DO YOU HIRE?
Galphin said he looks for integrity in any agent he hires. “I believe in treating people fairly.”
HOW DOES EVERYONE GET ALONG?
“We have good synergy in this office.”
TEAM MEETINGS?
They have team meetings once a week. “We take care of any problems that arise with regard to the property management division. We also bring the sales people into the meeting so they can keep up with what is going on in the property management division. It gives everyone an opportunity to talk about any concerns they might have.”
ADVANTAGE OF HAVING A SMALL OFFICE?
“When you have a small office, you are better able to keep your finger on what is going on. I’ve been in big office environments, but I just prefer a smaller office.”
- by Michele Newbern Gillis