Jim Pittman has been a Realtor with Keller Williams Atlantic Partners in Jacksonville Beach for two years. He's been in real estate for six years, but more on the property management side. He worked for Apartment, Condo and Home Selector for four years before joining KW. Prior to real estate he was in advertising with RVS Advertising where he sold promotional packages.
How does his previous experience help?
"It broke just about any type of hang-up or comfort zone I had in regards to talking to people. In real estate some people have to get past the comfort zone of knocking on that door, picking up the phone or striking up a conversation with a random person. Over a five year period in advertising, I probably had 100 conversations a day six days a week. My comfort zone is very wide and that has helped me immensely."
Why go into real estate?
"I needed a new challenge and something fresh for me." He explored many options, but real estate was just a natural transition for him after working in property management.
What helped him the most when starting real estate?
"I had a relationship with Mark Dilworth, my broker, before I came here, so I already considered him a mentor/coach. Not so much in real estate, but I would bounce life off of him. So, that was a big part of what brought me here."
Area he focuses on?
Beaches and north, east and west St. Johns Counties.
The market?
"I think it is great. It's a completely new set of challenges from year one to year two. I feel that real estate is one of those topics that people, whether they are looking to buy or not, are open to. It's an easy subject to talk about and everyone is interested to some degree. I would stop short of saying it is still a buyer's market. In the areas I'm selling, if the home is priced right, the seller is selling the house and they have control. The amount of homes coming on the market has decreased significantly over the last two years. The supply is down and the demand is remaining consistent. It's a fun time."
Best advice received?
"Don't focus on the paycheck. Focus on the process and the goals of the people you are working with. Invest yourself in the people and the paychecks will come. For the long term, building a network and a trust factor where they know you are not there just to get a paycheck and that you are there to genuinely help them will set you up for long term success."
Advice for loan officers?
Pittman said to not overpromise to the client. "Don't promise them something you can't deliver on just to earn the business."
Professional associations
Northeast Florida Association of Realtors.
Advice for new agents
Pittman said to pick up the phone daily and often. "You have to get up, talk to people, get out and do something. Also, find a mentor, coach or someone that can help guide you along because this is a tough business to make it in with no assistance or help. Find someone you trust and that you feel comfortable working with to help you along."
Jiu-Jitsu?
Pittman is a two stripe blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has been with Jacksonville Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & MMA in Neptune Beach for five years and teaches fitness kick boxing classes and trains Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing. "It's such a great release. There is something satisfying about getting your butt kicked or kicking someone's butt. There is a real sense of camaraderie and competition at the same time. I liken it to a game of human chess. Everyone sees the physical aspect to it, but there is an infinite amount of mental growth that you can have with this sport as well. It's really one-on-one. But the loss isn't on a scoreboard. It's that you got chocked out. As frustrating as it can be, that frustration is what makes it so much fun because you learn a lot about yourself and there is a lot of potential for personal growth."
-by Michele Gillis