Elise Beard has been a Realtor with Watson Realty for seven months. Before that, she spent 20 years in corporate real estate. She has worked for Prudential Network Realty as a real estate auditor, for Regency Centers as director of Lease Administration and as an owner of Lease Audit, a real estate consulting firm.
COLLEGE?
Beard earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Florida and her master’s in business administration from the University of North Florida.
WHAT MADE HER GO INTO RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE?
“Most of my corporate background has been in various forms of commercial real estate management. When I decided I was ready to give up my daily commute from Ponte Vedra Beach to downtown, I began to investigate many careers. It kept coming back to real estate. Residential real estate allows me to capitalize on my financial, real estate and marketing background, but take it to a more personal level. I have lived and played in Ponte Vedra Beach for nearly 25 years and have many friends I wanted to work with. It’s so rewarding to work with your best friends and their referrals.”
HOW DOES YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP YOU NOW?
Beard said having a financial background has helped her a lot. When she was with Regency Centers, she did a lot of due diligence work. “When they were going to buy a shopping center, we would go in and read all the contracts and do a return investment analysis. You can take that down to a much simpler level in residential real estate, but I am very analytical in my approach. I’m probably way more analytical then the average real estate agent. I’ll get in there and really research those comparatives and do a square foot analysis. Having the business background helps me to take a more of an analytical approach.”
PERSONAL MOTTO?
“Carpe Diem - Seize the Day. I try to get up each day and make it a great day. I try to attack each day with passion and not to put off till tomorrow those things I know I should do today. I have been blessed with a high energy level and a ton of passion. Sometimes I am over the top. I am also a deeply spiritual person and try to live by the Golden Rule. It’s hard.”
SPECIALITY?
Beard said she specializes in luxury homes in Ponte Vedra Beach but also has listings in other areas.
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE BEACHES MARKET?
“Since I wasn’t in the residential real estate market when it was ‘hot’, this market is normal for me. I just get up every day and see if anyone needs professional help buying or selling their home. It’s working well so far. My friends have referred me a lot of business and it’s a love fest. All I know is that I am calling my friends and trying to help them to the best of my ability.”
NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY?
“I think planned growth is better than unplanned growth. As far as planned growth, like Nocatee, I think it has been a long time in the making and it appears to be a very well thought-out plan. I think it will be fantastic for business. It can only help my personal business if people want to relocate to Nocatee and St. Johns County. “
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT REAL ESTATE?
“It’s the personal relationships more than anything. It’s the ability to work with your friends and their referrals and help them with something they need help with.”
ADVICE FOR A NEW AGENT?
“Keep learning. If you are not growing, you’re dying.”
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED FROM A CO-WORKER?
“Be slow to anger and listen carefully before you respond.”
PET PEEVES?
“My general pet peeve is lateness. I don’t like when people are late and don’t call.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
“Never pre-judge because you just never know. I am just naturally judgmental. I’ll make a snap judgment about someone for whatever reason and many times I am wrong. Never pre-judge. Just let things happen and ask the right questions you would ask of anybody. Don’t cut a conversation short because someone is dressed in jeans and a t-shirt therefore they couldn’t possibly afford this house. Always show the same courtesy to everyone.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
Leadership Jacksonville Alumni, Northeast Florida Association of Realtors and Ponte Vedra Chamber of Commerce.
-by Michele Newbern Gillis