BEFORE STANDARD PACIFIC HOMES?
She worked for Mercedes Homes as a site agent for two-and-a-half years. Prior to that, she was a general real estate agent with Watson Realty for a year.
BEFORE REAL ESTATE?
She was a registered nurse for 10 years, eight years of which she was in long term care. She moved to Jacksonville to work for a gastroenterology doctor for two years. She is still licensed as a registered nurse and still does nursing on the side to keep her license active.
COLLEGE DEGREE
Bennett has a bachelor’s degree in science/nursing from the University of Kentucky.
WHY GO INTO REAL ESTATE?
“I wanted to sell pretty houses. It’s what I wanted to do since I was a little girl. I wanted to do three things. I wanted to be a nurse, sell pretty houses and become an attorney.” So, is becoming an attorney next on her list? Bennett said yes. “Hopefully, I’ll start law school next year.”
TOP PRODUCER?
At last month’s Northeast Florida Builders Association’s Sales and Marketing meeting, Bennett was recognized for selling nine homes worth $11.7 million in one month.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING DIFFERENT NOW TO GET BUSINESS?
Bennett said the key to her success is follow-up. “You cannot just let them walk in the door, walk away and forget you. If you don’t stay in front of them, they are going to go to someone else to buy. I call them later that afternoon and thank them for coming in and ask if they have any questions they might have thought of in the meantime that I didn’t answer for them. I send out thank-you cards and call them within 48 hours of when they came in to see me. You don’t just let them sit because if they are a true buyer, they will go somewhere else.” She also said it is important to keep in touch with the Realtors.
WHAT IS KAMBRIE LANDING?
The condominium community will have 132 units. Prices start at $260,000 and square footage starts at 2,300. Reservations only are being accepted right now as they are waiting on their condominium documents to come through before accepting contracts. They expect their first building to be completed by early 2008.
WHY DOES SOUTHSIDE NEED A CONDOMINIUM PROJECT?
“With all the executives coming and all the businesses on this side of town, this is a good area for a new condominium project. It provides the lifestyle that people who live and work on the Southside need.”
WHAT’S YOUR JOB ENTAIL?
“Every day I make it a point to call at least 25 people including prior prospects, Internet leads or whoever it might be. I touch base with at least 10 Realtors a week. I do at least one marketing piece a week which could include a mailer, an e-mail blast or a fax.”
DOES PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN NURSING HELP?
“It helps you have empathy for people. Purchasing a new home is a scary process. Unless you have some empathy for those people, want to help them make the best decision and make the right decision for their family, you are not going to be successful.”
WHY LEAVE GENERAL REAL ESTATE?
“I hated general real estate. I need more structure. I think I have a little obsessive compulsive disorder on some things. If I could either go to the pool or prospect, I’d go to the pool. It was really hard for me since I was new to the area and didn’t really know a lot of people.”
WHY STANDARD PACIFIC?
Bennett said she met with Ralph Crane, vice president of sales, and liked what she heard about the company. “The company’s values, ethics, the way they believe in their product, treat their employees and the overall feel of the company was a good fit for me.”
ADVICE FOR A NEW SITE AGENT?
“Don’t give up. When it gets hard, stay in there.”
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED FROM A CO-WORKER?
“Smile, no matter what. It changes your whole attitude when you smile.”
— by Michele Newbern Gillis