Congratulations to all our Top Producers in May!

May was another strong month for Davidson Realty with so many of our agents helping their customers make moves in this fluid housing market!  So, it’s especially important to us to recognize and congratulate our top performers who made such an impact!  In addition, we would love to share with you a little bit about them and what makes each of them so fantastic personally and professionally. Enjoy our Q & A of these great real estate advisors!

Our Top Producer (Closings) and Overall Top Sales Agent for May is Mirtha Barzaga with over $1.7 million in total closings and $1.4 million in overall sales for the month.

Q&A with Mirtha:

Q1 – What do you like best about living here in Northeast Florida?

Mirtha – World Golf Village in Northeast Florida is where l live and sell the most, it’s centrally located between Jacksonville, Old St Augustine, Daytona, and the beaches. To the north there is access to the Jacksonville work force as well as sports and theaters.  To the south you have the Old City, the beaches, theaters, and other attractions.  It is also a close commute to major airports like Jacksonville International Airport and Orlando where you can take day trips to the amusement parks.

Q2 – What is your favorite local restaurant and favorite dish to eat there?

Mirtha – Columbia Restaurant is a great place to entertain friends and family, my favorite there is Paella a la Valenciana and flan for dessert.

Q3 – What pitfalls or mistakes should sellers or buyers avoid?

Mirtha – My advice for sellers:  Do not go with wholesalers or discount brokers that are looking to flip your property, you will be leaving money on the table and ultimately sacrificing your bottom line.  If you hire a professional agent knowledgeable in your area, they can make the process seamless and maximize your net.

My advice for buyers: Know what your priorities are, know you are not going to get everything and be ready to place an offer the minute you find the right house.

Our Top Listing Agent is Suzy Evans with over $1.2 million in listings sold for the month.

Q&A with Suzy:

Q1 – What do you like best about living here in Northeast Florida?

Suzy – There are so many things I love about living in NE Florida.  We get all four seasons with plenty of sunshine. Outdoor activities from NFL Football games, a dozen beaches, water sports: surfing, boating, jet skiing, fishing, endless miles of biking and walking trails, historic landmarks and an easy 1.5 hr drive to Disney.

Q2 – What is your favorite local beach spot and why?

Suzy – St. Augustine Beach is my favorite. You can drive on the beach and bring all your beach gear with you. No lugging the cart from a parking spot down to the beach.  The white sand beach and vast area for kids to play is the best area playground.  After a long day at the beach, we enjoy tacos at the TACO SHOP and RITA’s Italian Ice.

Q3 – How do you help buyers compete in this market?

Suzy – To be competitive in today’s market you need to be educated and prepared.  I educate my buyers on what the current real estate environment is like.  Sharing experiences on what successful strategies are used to win in multiple offer situations.  That being prepared and equipped with a mortgage preapproval letter and/or verification of funds along with a home inspector that is available within days of presenting an offer on a home will give sellers more confidence to choose to work with you. Minimizing risks is important in helping buyers compete in this market.

Our Top Buyer Sales Agent for May is Ron Savarese with over $1.1 million in sales.

Q&A with Ron:

Q1 – What do you like best about living here in Northeast Florida?

Ron – We have lived in NE FL for 18 years and truly feel we made the best move after retiring.  We live in Turnberry in World Golf Village and have for the past 8 years.  We have access to everything we need without the feeling of being in a large city.  Restaurants, shopping, and great medical facilities are some of the benefits to this area.

Q2 – What is your favorite local restaurant and favorite dish to eat there?

Ron – One of our favorite restaurants in The Old City of St Augustine is The Columbia, a Cuban restaurant and we both enjoy the 1905 Salad, made at our table with some fresh Sangria!

Q3 – In your opinion what is biggest challenge a buyer or seller faces in today’s market?

Ron – One of the challenges sellers face in today’s market is relocating after selling.  Must be sure they are guaranteed a new home in place to purchase or they will wind up renting and the rental prices are quite high.

Davidson’s Top Producing and Top Sales Team this month is The Nemethy Group (Shelley & Tim Nemethy) with over $1.4 million in closings.

Q&A with Shelley & Tim:

Q1 – What do you like best about living here in Northeast Florida?

Shelley & Tim – Living in Northeast Florida, in our opinion, is the best place to live in all of Florida! We have beautiful beaches from Crescent Beach to Fernandina Beach. Each beach has something different to offer their beach goer whether it be a quieter experience or a more commercialized experience. Plus, you have the natural beauty along both sides of the St Johns River. The weather compared to other parts of Florida is also superb. We have a cooler, but pleasant Fall and Winter that some of the more southern parts don’t experience.

Q2 – What is your favorite “go to”  local business and why?

Shelley & Tim – Aqua East, Everything Cool, 312 Pawn, Ace Hardware. We enjoy supporting the local businesses on the island (Anastasia Island in St. Augustine Beach).

Q3 – What advice do you have for anyone looking to sell or buy right now?

Shelley & Tim – Be patient and persistent. We have seen so often that when a buyer loses a home, the next one that comes along ends up being the perfect fit for them. For a seller, having a plan once the home sells is key. Buyers are becoming more selective as we see an increase in home inventory. Preparing your home to get top dollar may take some upfront out of pocket expense but it will pay off when it hits the market. We encourage our sellers to price the home according to what the market is dictating at that time. If priced right, you will see the best results early.

Our Top Producer for our Jacksonville Beach Team is Caitlyn Hawkins with $1 million in closings for the month.

Q&A with Caitlyn:

Q1 – What do you like best about living here in Northeast Florida?

Caitlyn – When you drive on the McCormick Bridge (Jacksonville Beach) going over the Intracoastal to the Beaches you catch a glimpse of the ocean. From that moment on, the entire vibe of the city changes. Everything and everyone in the area is a little more relaxed. It’s like being on a permanent vacation. 

Q2 – In your opinion what’s the coolest design trend you are seeing in homes today?

Caitlyn – Waterfall countertops on a long, beautiful island are such a statement. 

Q3 – What is your favorite thing about working in real estate?

Caitlyn – Helping people and then watching their family grow into the home. It’s truly an honor to be a part of such a momentous step in someone’s life with the home purchase. Then later seeing the room we knew would be perfect for a guest bedroom become a nursery makes it even more special.

The Top Sales Agent for our Jacksonville Beach Team is Max Reyna with over $1.2 million in combined closings and sales for the May.

Q&A with Max:

Q1 – What do you like best about living here in Northeast Florida?

Max – Jacksonville is a major metropolitan American city. We have some of the best beaches in Florida, a river, and a low cost of living. What’s more, we aren’t even crowded yet. But I think the secret is finally out and North Florida has burst on to the national stage as one of the finest places to move to in the US. 

Q2 – What is your favorite local beach spot and why?

Max – 18th St. in Atlantic Beach. No question. 

Q3 – How do you help buyers compete in this market?

Max – I win offer bids. I actually know how to negotiate,  and my buyers routinely come out ahead. Just ask them. 

We truly are grateful for these top performing agents and are so proud they continue to professionally serve our wonderful Northeast Florida community and beyond!