Today we make the announcement that we have partnered with Beyond Realty out of Sarasota. Meet Wendy Dowling, one of the owners of Beyond Realty. See how her journey got started and the benefits with partnering with this successful group of Realtors.
Wendy@beyondrealtyfl.com.
941-204-0497
To learn more:
https://barefootbungalowrealty.com/
Barefoot Bungalow Homes
9200 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Suite 100
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
(239) 350-5535
Today we make the announcement that we have partnered with Beyond Realty out of Sarasota. Meet Wendy Dowling, one of the owners of Beyond Realty. See how her journey got started and the benefits with partnering with this successful group of Realtors.
Wendy@beyondrealtyfl.com.
941-204-0497
To learn more:
https://barefootbungalowrealty.com/
Barefoot Bungalow Homes
9200 Bonita Beach Rd SE, Suite 100
Bonita Springs, FL 34135
(239) 350-5535
Welcome to the live your best life barefoot podcast with your host Mary Morris and the team at barefoot bungalow
Speaker 2:Realty. Good morning, and welcome to our next episode of live your best life barefoot today. We have an exciting new guest I'm here with Mary. Hi Ruth. Hi, are you I'm Mary I'm. How are you? Good, good. I'm excited for our guest. I am so excited for this announcement. We have just passed our one year anniversary. Woohoo. And um, we set out to be a small boutique company that we could cater specifically to the needs of our clients. And as part of that, we are partnering with an amazing brokerage, another boutique brokerage in Sarasota. And today we have one of the owners of that brokerage with us, Wendy Dowing. I love her name cuz when she says it, it like Wendy darling. Yeah. Welcome Wendy. Hi Wendy.
Speaker 3:Hello there. Good morning. How are you? Really
Speaker 2:Great. Great. We just love the sound of accent. Keep talking. I know. Yeah. So we're gonna do the usual and get a little bit more information about you and then we'll talk a about what our partnership means.
Speaker 3:Okay. That sounds good.
Speaker 2:So tell us, where did you come from? Obviously we love the accent. So where are you from?
Speaker 3:So I'm originally from the UK and uh, as you can hear, I still do have my accent. I've been here in sunny, Florida for probably about, uh, since 2000, so quite a few years and uh, brought my family over here. Uh, I've got four children, uh, and now several grandchildren as well, but um, yeah, so I just absolutely love it. It's great.
Speaker 2:That's amazing. Yes. Tell us about your real estate journey. How did you end up in real estate?
Speaker 3:Okay. Yeah. So, um, how I ended up here was, uh, in, in the UK I had a, an international, um, company that two companies, actually one that trained investors or people that wanted to invest in property really so that they didn't get their fingers burned. And uh, they, they did, um, a course, you know, with us and, uh, full support where they, uh, learn really how to purchase because it's very different in the UK. There is no MLS. There is no, uh, the agents don't write contracts, um, takes about six months to buy a house so completely, completely different. And um, so really about tenant management and things like that, cuz knowledge is power. And the other company that I had, which really grew out of that was where I had, um, people that wanted to build property portfolios all over the world, but they didn't want to do it themselves. They wanted the experts to do it. So, um, we ended up with offices in the UK Ireland and though in Dubai, before Dubai was a really big thing. So, um, we would due deals all over the world. So lots of traveling and that's what brought me to the us, uh, to Florida. Um, we had customers that didn't wanna buy in Orlando necessarily. They really wanted to be on the Gulf host. And uh, so we, uh, struck a deal with some, uh, builders over here. I came over to check it out, um, fell in love with it and it just always felt like home every time I came here. And so I decided to buy a house myself and serviced my customers over here and, and that, that's my story.
Speaker 4:That's amazing. So your brokerage, you have in Sarasota, you also, your son does it with you, correct?
Speaker 3:Yes. So, uh, the brokerage that we have in Sarasota, my son, Darren, is my partner in that. And uh, we it's called beyond Realty and we absolutely have been going gang busters this, this past year. I'm sure a lot of real estate agents have, but um, yeah, the, the brokerage is there. The whole idea of it is to be, um, agent centric. We have culture is very important to us. Um, very, very important. And we like to work with mind, uh, people, we also really value, um, sharing, um, information, especially in this current market where it's, so bananas is the only word to only way to describe it. So, you know, people have to pivot agents have, have to pivot very quickly to navigate this new market and to give the best service to our customers and, you know, without boots on the ground, really, really, um, doing lots of transactions and being able to understand what's working, what's not working so that we could give the best of advice to our customers then, um, you know, it's just, it's just not successful then. So, um, it's very important for us to have agents that work with us and partners that work with us that really, um, share information, uh, help one another and together everybody is much, much stronger. So
Speaker 4:I think that's a lot of why we gravitated Mary, especially gravitated to your real estate companies because you guys, that's how we think we we're. We like to be a team and work as a team. Yes. And I think that's what
Speaker 2:Gravitated us to you and make us feel a bond between you guys and
Speaker 3:Us. Yes. And I, I, I think that's so exciting and um, I, I, I just love all the personalities with it. It's, it's really great. And, and to be able to share, I mean, I, I love helping people it's, what's made me successful in my career and I think it really makes other people successful if, if they can do that. It's um, I, I, I just, I just really believe in that and the culture. I think it, it, it exudes that confidence and, and knowledge out to the customer. And at the end of the day, they need all the help they can get right now because there's a lot of miscon. Um, what happens in other states, especially we've got so many people moving from California and, uh, the Northern states, but, um, it's, you know, every state is different the way that they transact their, um, real estate journey is very different. And so education and knowledge I think is, is just incredibly vital, uh, to, to ensure their success. And I think if you set their expectations correctly, then the, uh, the turbulence of any transaction is, is, is a lot less, um, uh, a lot less. And you know, you're gonna have a smoother transac. Absolutely.
Speaker 2:Well, and I, I love the concept. It's great for agents working in the environment that you provide. That's a great opportunity for agents. It's a totally different thought process, but it's also translates to the client because, um, no matter how long you've been in real state, you're gonna come across something that you've never seen before. And if you have people that you can work with really well, there's a chance that they've been through it. And so you have a deeper, um, repertoire of what you can accomplish. The more agents you have that are all working
Speaker 3:Together. That's exactly right. And, you know, I think the support also, uh, for the agents, I mean, I, I think, I think a lot of agents join a brokerage and they, they don't necessarily, and, and it's a two-way thing sometimes, but they don't necessarily get the support. They're, they're not, not really necessarily a person, you know? And, um, I think the, the great thing about, um, what beyond has done and, you know, translating into our partnership is that a lot of the busy work is taking care of for the agents so that you can do what you do best, which is, you know, um, finding homes, finding listings and spending more time and attention on behalf of, to, and on behalf of your client. So, or your customers. So that I think is, is really important because we didn't become real estate agents to be data entry clerks, or, you know, there's so much that the general public doesn't really understand, uh, with regards to the amounts of things that we as real estate agents do, it's simply not, um, opening a door and, and hate press. I mean, our, the, the, the real work starts once we do have a contract and, you know, we need to get it across the finish line. Um, lots of moving pieces, lots of emotions and things like that. So we are, we're, we're all sorts of, we have to have all sorts of talents as a real estate agent. And I think, um, you know, so many things people don't really understand, and if the more that we can, you know, shift our busy work, um, and be supported through the company in, um, in that it, it just makes you that much more effective
Speaker 2:That's for sure. Absolutely. So anything that you have as far as for our listeners when they are house hunting or in the process of some real estate state transaction?
Speaker 3:Yes, I do. So this is as we've spoken about a really crazy, crazy market. So it's, you know, much as we don't want anybody to over pay for anything, we have to be realistic, and we have to be honest with people. So, um, get yourself a really good realtor. One that I knows the market real estate is local. So yes, the whole of Florida, and I'm sure a lot of the country is suffering from inventory. Um, you know, the lack of inventory, however, it's different in different markets. So, you know, in, in port Charlotte and Sarasota, for instance, you know, we have like three weeks of inventory, which is incredibly low. Um, you know, that's, that's different in Miami, the Miami is hot, but it's, you know, it has more inventory, same, same for Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa, you know, every everywhere is a little bit different. So please, please listen to your real estate agent because they are boots on the ground. They are local, they know what's going on. They know whether you are gonna have to pay, um, over list price for the property. They can give you the very best advice. Um, so, you know, if you see something that you really like that ticks a lot of the boxes, uh, might not tick all of them, but ticks a lot of the boxes strike while the iron is hot strike quickly. And, um, you know, listen to the advice of your real estate agent to, um, to guide you on that, um, with the different terms and things that we weren't doing necessarily a few years ago, that now are, you know, really important, um, make sure that you, because, you know, if you sleep on it, somebody was sleeping on it yesterday, and now that that's gone. So a lot of the homes are going in multiple offers that people are making, having to make decisions very fast. I know that they like to think about it and everything, but that just isn't the market right now. And it's not that the agents are pushing you, it's just that they don't want you to miss out. And then you've got the, the regret of, I wish I, I wish I had, you know, the, the, and then you are always pondering on the ones that escaped. So, um, that's that also make sure that, you know, if you you've got cash, that's great. Um, but if you need to get, pre-approved make sure that you are pre-approved, that you have all of your documents in, and, um, you know, if it is a multiple office situation, it really is helpful if the lender could, um, support your realtor in, um, making a call you the listing agent. And, uh, just letting them know that you are very well qualified if you're financing, because obviously, you know, you may be competing with a lot of cash offers. So, um, that's the more that we can do to really help, uh, you know, strengthen your case, uh, the, the better it would, the better it would be. So, um, yeah, just take the advice of, of your realtor and, um, just be prepared, be prepared to act. And as I say, it's not that anybody's trying to push you or pressure you, it's just, we are looking out for your best interest. And in this market, we've had to pivot, learn new skills, do things a different way. And, and that's, you know, that's just the way it is so that you can get the best service and have the, the best chance really of, of, of getting the keys to your new home.
Speaker 4:That's a good tip. What do you, what's your personal tip? What do you like to do? And when you're in Southwest Florida and people come to visit you, what's your go-to place to go to?
Speaker 3:Oh, that's a tough one. Uh, we have so many, so many awesome places. Um, let's see. Gosh, I don't know. That is a really difficult question, um, for me, because there's so many good places to, to take people. I mean, um, marina jacks in Sarasota is awesome, cuz it's right on the right on the, you know, where we've got all the beautiful boats and yachts and um, there's a Tiki bar down there with, on like a beach area. I, I really like, it's just, it's just fun. It's just really fun. Lots of great places, downtown Sarasota to eat. Uh, um, there's such a variety and, and things to do. I mean, you know, there's a lot of culture there. You've got, um, the Ringling museum where it's got great art gallery, lots of, um, fabulous restaurant, by the way. Um, also the, the beautiful big historic house or the circus, um, things, because that's what Ringling was Ringling circus. Uh, so Sarasota's got a lot of circus things. Uh, we have the ballet, the opera, I mean, there's, there's lots of things for people to enjoy. I mean, and all age range is too. So it's really good. I didn't know about the circus, the ring circus museum. Oh, you have to go. It is so cool. They have all the miniatures, they have all the old wagons, you know, from the, the train station and, um, just, and the house is fabulous because it's, you know, uh, I, I love looking around old houses. It's my thing. You a history England, just saying, so, uh, I love it. You know, you can see it's all just as it was and, and, uh, the rose gardens and everything like that. Just fabulous. So, yeah, that's great. That's
Speaker 2:A great tip. Yep. Definitely. And Sarasota is not that far of a drive as we've found out. Um, and for our listeners that are local, it it's a, you know, a day trip you can go do and oh, sure. Visit some of these things and, um, expand your, uh, trip options when you have guests or just your family. If your family's looking for something new and make sure that you stop by beyond and say high they're, they're in a beautiful setting, um, right on the corner of
Speaker 3:Main street and Gulf stream five Gulf stream, um, south Gulf stream avenue. So really opposite. Um, opposite marina, Jack says it happens. And so our view is, is gorgeous. We've got all the greenery and then we've the, the bay. So it's, it's a really nice setting, but yet we're right downtown. So it's, it's, we have a lot of, you know, traffic walking past and go and get their coffee. We got coffee shop two co about two coffee shops around the corner, a big, uh, wonderful sandwich bar. Um, and, uh, as well as, you know, it's all about food, isn't it let's face it and everything. Absolutely. Uh, but yeah, no, it's, it's, it's a great location. We, we love it.
Speaker 2:And it's, it's a great opportunity, I think for those, um, locally who may be looking for an investment property close so they could manage it, but, um, a little bit different area. Yeah. Um, that would be a great option for those who are looking to invest in an Airbnb or an annual rental. So, um, we have a great partner up there now that we can send you to, and bill, they know the area, they know all the details. I know all the, you know, one of the things we're running into is lease, uh, rules. So making sure that you understand the lease rules, um, a local realtor makes all the difference in all of
Speaker 3:Those things makes a huge difference. And you know, some of our other agents, we, we really go from our office, you know, and, and our agents really, and, and partners go from, you know, Bradon, um, Sarasota, Venice, uh, aray, we've got KC key, which is beautiful, beautiful beach and everything, lovely, lovely houses, uh, quite expensive ones. But if you're in the market for one of those, that is a, a really, a nice place, cuz it's lovely and quiet. Um, then, you know, go running down to Englewood port Charlotte, which has got a huge Harbor, great for boating and fishing, you can still get homes on the water, uh, for under, you know, a 400, 500,000, um, with golf access, which is amazing. And um, then you know, down into Punta order, which is, you know, got a lovely historic part to it. So yeah,
Speaker 2:Very nice. We've got, you've
Speaker 3:Covered and then you've got us covered, you know, Benita, Fort Myers, uh, Naples. So it's yep. Pretty awesome. Berlin. Yes. And we working with you. Yeah. We're very, we have really excited. It's it's fantastic. It's working out great. It,
Speaker 2:It has been wonderful. You're a great asset. We really enjoy it. Good. Well, thank you for joining us. Thank you so much, Wendy.
Speaker 3:We, it was a pleasure. It's fun.
Speaker 2:We have appreciated you being here today and we are so excited for our ongoing, um, teamwork. And um, as always to our listeners, if there's somebody or something you'd like to hear us talk to or about let us know you can reach out, um, at info barefoot bungalow homes.com or give us a call 2 3 9 3 5 0 5 5 3 5. And then Wendy, what are your contact information?
Speaker 3:So my number is 9 4 1 2 0 4 0 4 9 7 that's 9 4 1 2 0 4 0 97. And I am Wendy beyond Realty, fl.com.
Speaker 2:Perfect. Thank you again. And we want to remind you to live your best life
Speaker 1:Barefoot. Thank you for listening to the live, your best life barefoot podcast. Sponsored by barefoot bun below Realty to learn more about foot bungalow Realty, go to www.barefootbungalowrealty.com or call 2 3 9 3 5 0 5 5 3 5.