Linda McInnis, Realty Executives
by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
She is involved in a lot of organizations, she keeps in contact with her clients and she keeps up on educational classes.
According to NEFAR’s Awards Task Force, those are just a few of the reasons why Linda McInnis was named NEFAR’s 2007 Realtor of the Year.
NEFAR has an Awards Task Force that chooses the award winners each year based on nominations by the association’s members. The Realtor of the Year is someone who attends a majority of NEFAR education classes, projects and activities.
According to NEFAR, McInnis always lends her time and support to Realtors, community members and staff.
“It was a big surprise and an honor,” she said. “When I sat and thought about it — there are a lot of Realtors in the area — I was in awe.”
McInnis, who has been with Realty Executives of Jacksonville since July 2001, has been a Realtor in Jacksonville since 1986.
She found her niche by helping many “out-of-towners” find a new home in Jacksonville — she has helped people find homes who were from Virginia, Maryland, New Hampshire, Utah and New Jersey, to name a few.
When asked how she finds her clients who are from other states, McInnis said she gets referrals.
“I do really well with relocations. It’s hectic, but interesting.”
Another way McInnis finds her new clients is through her past clients.
“I keep in contact with all of my clients,” she said.
She sends them newsletters with reminders about things they can do for their homes, and she also sends small gift cards throughout the year.
“It’s nothing special,” she said. “I will call them from time to time to see how they are doing or send them an e-mail.”
Over the past few years, McInnis has also made a point to join a lot of organizations.
“It keeps me in the loop so I know what is going on,” she said. “You can learn something from everyone.”
Some of the organizations include the Florida Association of Realtors, which she served as a director. She has also served on NEFAR’s board. McInnis has been a part of NEFAR’s Community Affairs Task Force, Paint the Town and Make a Difference Day. She has also served on the Legislative Committee and is a consistent supporter of RPAC.
“I am a great observer,” she said. “It keeps you in the loop and in this business you need to know what’s going on.”
If there was any advice she would give to Realtors, it would be to attend classes.
“A lot of people don’t attend classes and NEFAR offers so many,” said McInnis. “It helps you remember and reminds you of things you may have forgotten.
“You can’t ever get too much education.”
McInnis believes 2008 is going to be a great year for the housing market and admits that being a Realtor is an up-and-down business.
“Last year was not bad — we’re still doing business,” she said. “Maybe not the volume that we were used to, but as long as you help people the money will come.”
Helping people is what McInnis enjoys most. Not only does she offer her expertise to her fellow Realtors and her clients, but she is also very involved in her church, First Baptist of Mandarin. McInnis is on the church’s board of directors and teaches a women’s Sunday School class.
“I lend my services there, too,” she said. “It’s all about helping people out and if you aren’t someone who likes to offer advice, you are in the wrong business.”
McInnis is a native of South Carolina and received a Secretarial Science degree from Greenville Technical Institute. Her first job was with Burlington Industries and was soon transferred to Burlington’s corporate headquarters in North Carolina.
McInnis met her husband Charles, who works for CSX, in North Carolina. In 1985 they moved to Jacksonville after he was transferred from CSX’s Greensboro offices.
Past winners
The previous Realtor of the Year winners for the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors:
• 1996 — Russell Grooms
• 1997 — Charlene Perez
• 1998 — Neil O’Donnell
• 1999 — Walter Williams
• 2000 — Roy Orren
• 2001 — Billie K. Motz
• 2002 — Eileen McVeigh
• 2003 — Kay Seitzinger
• 2004 — Phyllis Staines
• 2005 — Andre Le Gras Boutte
• 2006 — Millie Kanyar
• 2007 — Linda McInnis