Brandon Gill has been a Realtor with Palm III Realty in Yulee for two years.
BEFORE THERE?
He was with Galphin Real Estate Services of a year. Before that he was with Eagle Development in Jacksonville Beach doing sales and marketing for three years. While in college he worked at the Sawgrass Marriott guest services for three years.
COLLEGE?
He has a degree in science and management from the University of Phoenix.
WHAT MADE HIM GO INTO REAL ESTATE?
He started with Eagle Development doing sales and marketing. “Then I branched into the construction side and ran the design center. I got my real estate license when I left Eagle Development and went right into real estate with Galphin Real Estate Services. I enjoy this community. This is my community. I am third generation. I enjoy helping people and I think I have good customer service skills. I just want to give back to the community.”
HOW DOES YOUR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP YOU NOW?
His experience in the hospitality industry with the Sawgrass Marriott helped him learn to deal with all types of people in various situations.
“I learned to handle bad situations with people. I learned how to better handle people, smile and give them what they want.”
AREA HE COVERS?
Yulee, Callahan and Hilliard.
GENERATION X AND Y?
Gill works with most customers in the Generation X and Y age range. “If you take my last two years, the average age has been about 30. I think they can relate to people my age better. I work with first-time home buyers or my friends that are having children and need a bigger house.”
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THOSE AREAS?
“Our market is not bad. Callahan and Hilliard are really hot. I think because of the affordable housing. People are moving out of Jacksonville because they want a little bit of land, can get out of the city, but are still close enough to drive to where they need to.”
WHAT ARE YOU DOING DIFFERENT IN THIS BUYER’S MARKET TO GET BUSINESS?
“It’s all about getting listings. There is a lot on the market, but getting the listings brings the buyers in because they are going to call on your listings. My main traffic is that and referrals. My main focus is getting listings, maintaining them and getting people to realize prices need to be adjusted to sell.”
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT REAL ESTATE?
Gill likes the flexibility of a Realtors’ schedule and the people. “I work 12 or 14 hours a day, but it doesn’t bother me because I am doing something I love to do.”
BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED FROM A CO-WORKER?
Carlene McDuffie, his broker, has given him and his co-workers insight on how the market trends change and how to cope with them. She told them it was OK for them to work other jobs to make income while the market is slow, but to stay in real estate. “She said ‘Whatever you have to do. If you have to take a second job or night job to make it, that’s OK. If you love to do this business, you will have to do certain things to stay in it. Do what you have to do.’”
ADVICE FOR A NEW AGENT?
“Create a business plan and follow it. Also, budget. In real estate you can make a lot of money, but you don’t have to live like you have a lot of money. You need to maintain that average because you don’t know when the market is going to change.”
PET PEEVE?
Organization and cleanliness.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
Amelia Island/Nassau County Association of Realtors, Northeast Florida Association of Realtors and Amelia Island Chamber of Commerce.
-by Michele Newbern Gillis