Diana Galavis has been a Realtor with Watson Realty’s Ft. Caroline office for almost two years and was just elected secretary of the Jacksonville Women’s Council of Realtors.
She doesn’t come without a major family connection: Galavis is the daughter of Millie Kanyar, manager of the office and a partner at Affinity Law Firm, P.L. and Tidal Title, L.L.C.
Kanyar is also a past NEFAR president and a director for both Florida Realtors and NAR. She has also served as president, state governor and district vice president for the Jacksonville WCR.
Partnership?
Galavis and Kanyar are in the process of creating a team within Watson Realty. “It’s just Millie and me right now, but I will be bringing on other people as well.”
Areas she covers?
All of Jacksonville, but she specializes in Arlington, Northside and Southside.
College?
She has a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from University of North Florida.
Before real estate?
Galavis lived in the Dominican Republic for three years with her husband Carlos. She returned home two years ago. She grew up in the Ft. Caroline area and worked with her husband at his company, Galavis Hardwood Flooring from 2003, until they moved to the Dominican Republic five years ago. “I was his right-hand person. I did the billing, scheduling and accounting.” While in the Dominican Republic Galavis traveled and made a lot of connections that will help her now in real estate. “I was pretty much on a little sabbatical for three years.”
Why go into real estate?
“I am a second generation Realtor so it almost came naturally to me to go into real estate when I got back. My mother’s been in it for almost 18 years and I grew up with it. She has encouraged me to get into it almost all of my life, pretty much since I turned 18. I went to college, got married and then worked with my husband. It just happened when I came back that I made the final decision to do it.”
How was it growing up with Kanyar as a mom?
“It was fun. It was great. You know Millie, she has a presence, but she is also very straight. She is very big on ethics and doing the right thing, not only for yourself, but for the group.”
Designation help with job?
Galavis has earned the Certified International Property Specialist designation and uses her knowledge to forge relationships with international clients. “It is something to help me move forward with my international customers. I work with people from Iraq, Iran, Spain, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. I just have a passion for other cultures. I love to get to know what they are about. Most of my clientele are people moving to the states or other expatriates, like myself and military moving back to the States. If someone needs to find a place in somewhere like Costa Rica, I will find them a professional there to help them facilitate the transaction.”
Why join the ranks of WCR?
“I love the organization and I think that it is great for leadership and involvement and giving back to our community as Realtors. Basically, WCR, in my opinion breeds success. Success breeds success and with their encouragement and mentorship that they have I think it is a wonderful forward thinking organization. I would like to help other young professionals succeed.”
What do you see happening in the market?
“Right now, our market is starting to change. I’m seeing more and more multiple offer situations and a lot of properties starting to stabilize in their prices. We still have some hurdles and we don’t have a crystal ball, so we don’t know what the future will bring. But, I am an optimist by nature, so I’m going to say that we are going to continue this trend forward.”
Best advice from a co-worker?
“Be yourself and never change.”
Advice for loan officers?
Be accessible. “I think that is very important. I know everyone is busy, but be accessible. Even if you can’t get to the customer right now, let them know you will be able to get to them.”
Professional involvement?
NEFAR, Jacksonville WCR and she is the vice chair for the Global Networking Forum for the Florida Realtors.
Advice for new agents?
Galavis said to find a niche and put your time and effort towards that. “Don’t try to be everything to everyone because you can’t.”
Lessons learned?
“Have patience with everything. There is always a bump in the road. I tell my customers, there’s going to be bumps, but I am here to help smooth them out as much as possible. There are things happening with appraisals or repairs or buyers out of town and everyone needs to be patient.”
— by Michele Gillis