Beach Homes Realty Enjoys First Year At National Agent Summit

Beach Homes Realty had the opportunity to join its sister brokerage, Lake Homes Realty, for its first National Agent Summit. The event, now in its 11th year, is a conference for agents of Lake Homes Realty, and now Beach Homes Realty. Agents from across the nation travel to Birmingham, Alabama, the companies’ headquarters, for a week of discussion and education on several real estate topics.

Agents of both firms had the chance to hear from Glenn Phillips, CEO of both Lake Homes Realty and Beach Homes Realty; Mark Griggs, Marketing Director of both Lake Homes Realty and Beach Homes Realty; and many more. The speakers discussed topics such as the benefits of having a team, marketing strategies, industry news and trends, and much more. Additionally, the information of the topics was especially relevant to both the beach and lake real estate markets.

Agents were also able to network and discuss amongst themselves while at the event. Lake Home Realty agent Doug Giesler had this to say about the meetup: “It’s not your traditional corporate gig … The breakout sessions are amazing; the people are open, it’s a safe place.”

Of the 10 Beach Homes Realty agents, 6 were in attendance during the 2023 National Agent Summit. They were:

Tracy Boyd
Angela Seymour
Mitch Deane
Lisa Gaither
Kenny Purswell
Bill Williams

Suzy Williams Joins Beach Homes Realty

Jupiter Coast in Florida

Florida-based agent Suzy Williams has moved her real estate license to Beach Homes Realty – a national beach-focused real estate company.

With the brokerage, Williams will specialize in beach homes and land on and around Jupiter and Treasure Coast, Florida.

Florida native Suzy Williams was born in Miami Beach and raised in Pompano Beach. Now she lives in Stuart, Florida, making people’s beach dreams come true. Having attained her Florida Real Estate Sales Associate license at 18, she has years of experience helping her clientele find their perfect home.

“We believe our agents’ intimate knowledge about their beach real estate markets, nuances of the beaches themselves, and their involvement in the local beach community is paramount to our continued growth,” said Beach Homes Realty CEO Glenn S. Phillips. “By welcoming agents like Suzy to our team, we are able to offer outstanding customer service in the Jupiter and Treasure Coast areas.”

About Suzy Williams

Suzy Williams followed family traditions when she became a Real Estate Broker. She has always been drawn to the industry because her father was a broker for over 40 years. Williams later took these skills to Texas, where she became licensed in the Lone Star State with Lake Homes Realty. It was here that she raised four children and found her passion for real estate. However, she was always drawn back to the ocean.

 As a Floridian, Williams always enjoys the first salty smell of the beach and the beautiful sunrises over the ocean. “It never gets old,” Williams says. “Being able to introduce people to the beach life, the slower pace, and enjoying the outdoors is what I love about the real estate business.”

The family home where Williams now resides is minutes from Hobe Sound Beach, and she enjoys daily morning walks on the beach with her husband, children, and grandchildren when they visit. Williams is active with the Stuart Rod and Reel Fishing Club, as was her dad, and she enjoys their monthly meetings.

Whiteboard Topics: Why You Must Think Differently When Selling a Beach Home

Sellers must think differently when they want to sell a beach house. Selling a home at the beach is much different from selling in the suburbs, in town, or in other areas that are primary residencies. Beach Homes Realty CEO, Glenn Phillips, speaks about reasons for this mindset.

  1. Out-of-State Buyers: Buyers from out of state may be looking at several beaches while shopping. Buyers use multiple tools to find beaches in multiple states. Sellers aren’t just selling their houses to neighbors but to buyers coming in from different states. 
  2. Specific Beach Might Not Matter: When sellers put their homes on the market, they are competing with homes on multiple beaches, not just theirs. The demographic of beach home buyers can be more selective in their purchase. Because of this, sellers should also price competitively with other markets.
  3. Local Marketing = Limited Marketing: Local marketing, such as putting up signs around the house, can only go so far. Marketing at a national level gives more exposure to the listing and increases the amount of potential buyers.
  4. Web Portals are Crowded: Portals that spread listings to several websites become crowded with listings that aren’t beach homes. These websites also might not have ways for buyers to search specifically for beach homes. Putting your house on a website that focuses on beach property makes it easier for buyers to find your listing.

A different mindset and strategy are required in selling beach homes. They are usually not primary residencies, and sellers need to think differently when selling them. Reach out to an agent at beach-homes.com if you’re ready to sell your beach home.

Whiteboard Topics: 5 Traits of Successful Beach Homes Expert Agents

As an agent in the beach real estate market, it can be difficult to produce long-term success in your business. Implementing these traits should not only help you buy and sell beach houses but also provide you with an advantage during negotiations. Glenn Phillips, CEO of Beach Homes Realty, reveals some secrets to success for beach home agents.

  1. Understand the Discretionary Property Sales Cycle: People who buy and sell beach homes don’t always have to move like they would for a primary residence in town. People may also come and go in the market because they don’t have to buy or sell a beach home.
  2. Systems to “Play the Long Game”: Expert agents use these systems to engage clients before they are ready to buy or sell a home. Expert agents find ways to engage with, provide service, and keep in touch with clients so the agent gains a better understanding of the market and is the expert at hand when the time comes.
  3. Focused on the Beach: Expert beach agents are hyper-focused on the beach market, and don’t point their clients to houses further in town. Beach property may have rules and regulations that are very different from other types of property.
  4. National Marketing to the Right Buyers: The right buyers may be looking in multiple different markets, coming from out of state, and may not be fixated on your beach only. Successful beach agents have systems in place to directly target this specific group of buyers nationally.
  5. Fill and Nurture Their Pipeline: Agents who want to succeed in the beach market understand that simply sending clients listings or hoping to hear back from listing services isn’t enough. The long sales cycle of beach real estate means it’s important to engage and nurture multiple clients at different stages along the pipeline. The client who buys a home may be someone who entered the pipeline a few years ago.

Having success as an agent focusing on beach homes comes with various challenges, but implementing these traits and strategies can help agents become more skilled experts in their markets. Connect with a realtor at beach-homes.com to talk with an expert agent in your beach market.

Whiteboard Topics: Beach Home Buyer’s Don’t Care About These Things

The real estate market can be quite complex, and it’s crucial for both buyers and sellers to recognize that certain features, often highly valued in different real estate markets, may not hold the same significance in the Beach Real Estate Market. Discover what features beach home buyers may not prioritize.

  1. What the Seller Paid: The amount the seller paid for the property bears no significance to the present market conditions. A buyer should not consider the seller’s purchase price as it is irrelevant to their decision.
  2. Listed Price of Nearby Homes: Relying on neighboring homes to determine your home’s price may deter potential buyers. It’s advisable to solely focus on market transaction data when setting your price.
  3. Personal Effort on Customizations: Personalizing your home often has minimal to no impact on the buyer’s decision and preferences.
  4. Rumors of Outlier High Prices: Outlier prices are insignificant. A competent real estate agent will conduct a thorough comparative market analysis.
  5. Taking Low Offers Personally: Don’t take offense at low offers. Your home is still attracting interest, and remember, this is all part of the negotiation process in the end.

As a seller of a beachfront property, it’s essential to take specific factors into account when listing your home. The real estate market is in a constant state of flux, and it’s imperative to stay well-informed. What you initially sought when entering the market might not align with the current preferences of buyers. Prioritize these considerations. If you believe these steps could be beneficial or require further valuable insights, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our experienced beach agents at beach-homes.com. They are the true experts in this specialized area.

Kenny Purswell Joins Beach Homes Realty on Surfside Beach and Galveston, TX Areas

Texas-based agent Kenny Purswell has moved his real estate license to become an Associate Broker at Beach Homes Realty – a national beach-focused real estate company. 

With the brokerage, Purswell will specialize in beach homes and land on and around Surfside Beach on Follett’s Island, Galveston Island, and Crystal Beach on Bolivar Peninsula, Texas.

Purswell is passionate about helping clients find their perfect coastal property, whether it’s a beachfront, beachside, or bayside home. He will always leverage his extensive experience with his local market knowledge to provide exceptional service and support in completing any client’s endeavor.

“We believe our agents’ intimate knowledge about their beach real estate markets, nuances of the beaches themselves, and their involvement in the local beach community is paramount to our continued growth,” said Beach Homes Realty CEO Glenn S. Phillips. “By welcoming agents like Kenny to our team, we are able to offer outstanding customer service in the Surfside Beach, Bolivar Peninsula, and Galveston areas.”

About Kenny Purswell

Raised as a fifth-generation Texan amidst the coastal beauty, Kenny Purswell’s expertise lies in all things beach-related. His upbringing in Surfside, Texas has afforded him an intimate understanding of the beach lifestyle, and he continues to relish in the plethora of recreational and relaxation opportunities it offers.

Embarking on his real estate journey in 1986 in Central Texas, Purswell subsequently returned to his coastal roots in 2003. His extensive knowledge, spanning not only the industry but also his local market, serves as a cornerstone in fostering a sense of ease among his clients when collaborating with him.

When not actively assisting clients and prospects, Purswell finds solace at his coastal home. Engaging in activities such as fishing, surfing, and biking, he embraces the coastal lifestyle wholeheartedly. For Purswell, the coastline embodies a realm of happiness, and his greatest joy lies in imparting that same sentiment to his valued clientele.

Beach Homes Realty Welcomes New Agents Sissy and Mitchell Deane to Corpus Christi, TX Area

Texas-based agents Sissy and Mitchell Deane have moved their real estate licenses to Beach Homes Realty – a national beach-focused real estate company.

With the brokerage, the Deanes will specialize in beach homes and land on and around North Padre Island, Port Aransas, and Corpus Christi, Texas.

These beach experts are also independent contractors. Sissy has been licensed since three years post-college, giving her years of professional experience. She has been selling properties in the coastal towns of Rockport, Aransas Pass, Fulton, Ingleside, Portland, and Bayside since moving to Coastal Bend.  The couple’s combined expertise and knowledge of the region help their clientele see all angles of a new property. “We both love talking to new people and helping them have a great experience, whether that’s with buying a house or even teaching them how to fish,” says Sissy.

“We believe our agents’ intimate knowledge about their beach real estate markets, nuances of the beaches themselves, and their involvement in the local beach community is paramount to our continued growth,” said Beach Homes Realty CEO Glenn S. Phillips. “By welcoming agents like Sissy and Mitchell to our team, we are able to offer outstanding customer service in the North Padre Island, Port Aransas, and Corpus Christi areas.”

About Sissy and Mitchell Deane

Both raised in Houston, Texas, Sissy and Mitch pursued their education at the University of Texas in Austin. Now having been married for over 35 years, with their passion for meeting new people and their love of the beach lifestyle, the couple find themselves working alongside each other selling real estate on the bays and beaches of Corpus Christi and Port Aransas.

The duo dedicated a substantial portion of their lives to the beaches and inlets of Galveston, frequently visiting Mitch’s family beach home. Throughout this time, Mitch consistently envisioned a future by the shoreline, a dream he shared with Sissy. After establishing a Bosch Authorized Car Repair Center in Austin for over 25 years, the couple finally executed their aspiration in 2014 by relocating to Corpus Christi. This decision proved to be optimal, as Mitch had been frequenting North Padre Island and Port Aransas since the 1990s, eventually transitioning into a professional fishing guide.

Whiteboard Topics: How Can I Get The Best Price For My Beach Home?

Obtaining the desired price for your beach home is what we all want. However, getting the best price doesn’t mean you’ll get your first pick, but that doesn’t mean you’ll walk away with nothing either. Find out how you, as the seller, can go about getting the amount you feel is fair. Beach Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, goes into greater detail regarding this concern.

  1. Start with a Market Appropriate Price. Bringing up how much you have invested in the property isn’t pertinent information to the buyer. All they want to know is how much the home is worth now. Starting too high will result in the market not responding. 
  2. Be clearly the best VALUE in the area. This doesn’t mean the lowest price, but definitely the most bang for your buck! Compare what is on the market now and see where the prices stand in relation to yours.
  3. Picture Perfect / Move-In Ready. Buyers nowadays are ready to move in, especially being on the beach. If you aren’t willing to make this adjustment, consider lowering the price a bit.
  4. Would you buy it today at your price? Each day the home stays on the market, you’re essentially buying it again at your price. The longer it stays without any type of offer, the more overpriced your property actually is in terms of the market.

When it comes down to it, we want you to get the best price possible. Taking these four tips into consideration can allow for that to happen or at least not continue the cycle of buying your house for the same price every day. If you feel like these steps might help or you need more advice, get in touch with one of our beach agents at beach-homes.com. After all, they are the experts in this area. 

Whiteboard Topics: The Highest Offer For Your Beach Home May Cost You More Money

For a seller, the thrill sets in when an offer arrives that surpasses your initial expectations. Nevertheless, what might not immediately strike you is the potential impact it can have. Such situations can occasionally result in you having to allocate more funds than initially anticipated. Glenn Phillips, CEO of Beach Homes Realty, further explores this subject, shedding light on the matter through the subsequent points.

  1. Avoid Selling Too Quickly (with exceptions): Considering that buyers are purchasing these homes from various states, it is essential to grant them ample opportunity to determine whether this home fulfills all necessary criteria. Offering buyers more time instills confidence that could also lead to higher offers and closed transactions.
  2. All Cash Transactions: Every cash transaction represents a genuine offer at its core. It’s a streamlined process that increases the likelihood of successful closure, as it eliminates a potential contingency that could otherwise jeopardize the deal.
  3. Limited (or no) Contingencies: Reduced contingencies lead to lower risks, resulting in decreased chances of financial loss during transactions.
  4. Seasoned Real Estate Agent Who Understands Niche: An individual who comprehends the intricacies of beach real estate will be better prepared to promote coastal homes nationwide.

Whether your beachfront residence serves as your permanent sanctuary or a vacation retreat, the team at beach-homes.com is ready to assist you in locating your dream property and embarking on the journey of creating cherished memories that will endure for a lifetime. The seasoned agents at Beach Homes Realty are fully prepared to address any inquiries regarding coastal real estate.