Stella Taylor-Webb has been a Realtor with Keller Williams Jacksonville in Mandarin for four and a half years. She has a team of eight agents under her and an administrative assistant to help her out.
RECRUIT AGENTS?
“We are always recruiting because there are a lot of new agents out there who don’t have a clue what to do. And I always have more business than I can handle. I’m not as much a recruiter for Keller Williams as I am a recruiter for my team. For example, I had a buyer call yesterday but I wasn’t available. I can call someone on my team and have them call and meet up with her to show her houses.”
BEFORE REAL ESTATE?
“I’ve been an investor for 11 years.” She also was a unit secretary and monitor technician at St. Lukes Hospital for 15 years. “I did that for years, knowing that eventually I wanted to go into real estate.”
WHAT MADE HER GO INTO REAL ESTATE?
Her aunt was an investor and, when she was growing up, she used to go to open houses with her, which spiked her interest in the real estate business. “Everyone in our family went to her to borrow money, so I said this is something I should look into.”
WHAT HAS HELPED YOU IN RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Webb said forming a team has helped her the most. “It allows me to provide better service to my customers. The biggest complaint I had from my customers was that they couldn’t reach me.”
AREA SHE COVERS?
Northside and Westside of Jacksonville.
DID YOU KNOW?
Jacksonville’s Metropolitan Statistical Area has 1.8 years of inventory. (Real Estate Strategy Center of North Florida)
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE NORTHSIDE MARKET?
“There is a construction explosion going on right now with new builders coming in and building it up. They are selling fast. There is a lot of growth going on in the Northside right now.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT REAL ESTATE?
“The flexibility and the income. You are not limited on your income and you control your finances, your income and your future.”
BEST PROFESIONAL ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
“Treat people the way you want to be treated no matter what price range they are in.”
ADVICE FOR A NEW AGENT?
Webb said to not give up because you can do it. “A lot of them give up too soon. They need to market themselves. It’s about service and getting your name and face out there. Marketing takes money. Don’t be afraid to spend money to make money.”
PET PEEVES?
Webb said dealing with buyers who don’t want to get qualified before shopping for homes.
LESSONS LEARNED?
“Never assume anything about people.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
She is a member of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, Northside Community Involvement Organization and Blacksonville. She has also attended the Business Network, Inc.
- by Michele Newbern Gillis