Diane Davis has been a Realtor with Distinguished Realty for two years.
BEFORE THERE?
Davis has been selling since the 1970’s. She started her career with Enviro Homes as vice president of administration and sales for 11 years. She then went to Summer Homes as vice president of administration for 11 years. After that she went to Glen T. Reynolds Co. as vice president of operations and sales manager for two years. Her next venture was with Renaissance Design Build Group as vice president of operations and in sales for 10 years. Before joining Distinguished Realty, she worked as a Realtor for Matovina & Company for a year and a half. All of the companies were builders/developers.
WHAT MADE HER GO INTO GENERAL REAL ESTATE?
“I was just burned out. I was tired of all the stuff that is involved in running an office and being involved with all the different components of that.”
HOW DOES YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP YOU NOW?
“A lot. I know as much about building and developing as any builder does because I worked in all of the different areas of development including administration, construction loans, project management, permitting and supervising construction over the years with the various companies. And I was selling at the same time. It has just enhanced my knowledge and comes in very handy in general real estate.”
AREA SHE COVERS?
She covers Julington Creek into St. Augustine as well as the Westside and Northside of Jacksonville.
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE ST. JOHN’S COUNTY?
Davis said she sees a lot of high-end development going on in the St. Johns area. “I see a lot of new construction and a lot of resales on the market. I see a lot of national builders coming into the county including Beazer Homes, Ryland Homes, Woodside Homes and St. Joe. It is moving as fast as it has been over the last five years, probably at an even bigger speed, even with the market as it is.”
WHAT ARE YOU DOING DIFFERENT IN THIS BUYER’S MARKET TO GET BUSINESS?
“We are doing all of the same things that other Realtors are. We are advertising and putting ourselves out there. We are trying to be involved in as many local things that are going on so that we are aware of what is going on in our surrounding areas. We put ourselves out there quite a bit, try to keep ourselves focused and keep our name and face out there as much as we can.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT REAL ESTATE?
“The flexibility of it.”
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED FROM A CO-WORKER?
Davis said to stay prayerful about everything you do.
ADVICE FOR A NEW AGENT?
“Be patient and don’t be discouraged about what is going on right now.”
LESSONS LEARNED?
“I’ve learned patience and that I need to listen and not talk so much. You have to hear what they are saying rather than you trying to say what you are saying.”
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
Northeast Florida Association of Realtors and its St. Johns Council and Northeast Florida Builders Association and its Sales and Marketing Council. She is on the board of the non-profit Greater Jacksonville Communities.
- by Michele Newbern Gillis