Select Home Realty Group is at 8789 San Jose Blvd. in Jacksonville. Jan Jenkins is the broker/owner of the company that has been open since late 2005.
SELECT HOME REALTY GROUP NAME?
Jenkins came up with the name herself. “When most people are buying a home, they select a home. That’s where the name came from. I also wanted to work with select Realtors. I like agents that work in all areas of real estate and are diverse.”
WHAT MADE HER OPEN HER OWN COMPANY?
Jenkins has been a Realtor since 2001. “I decided after working for several other companies that I wasn’t getting exactly what I was looking for. Some had certain requests that I just didn’t agree with. I didn’t like having to set a certain amount for commission. I feel like some people can’t afford 6 1/2 or 7 percent commission. I try and work with the seller. Also, agents are independent contractors. I think they should be independent contractors and not have to be told when to come or go.”
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES?
“I tell my agents to take advantage of all the educational opportunities that the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors offers.”
WHAT DOES JENKINS DO?
She makes sure all the files are right. “I’m big on compliance. I do make sure they take their continuing education and post-licensing classes as needed.”
TEAM MEETINGS?
Most of Jenkins agents also have another job, so they meet on the weekends. “We get together and go out and look at new subdivisions and things of that nature.”
TYPE OF AGENTS YOU LOOK FOR?
“They have to be a self-starter. If you are not motivated to sell real estate, I don’t care how long I hold your hand, you are not going to sell it when I turn your hand loose. I feel that you should be self-motivated to be a salesperson, period.”
TRAINING?
She holds training sessions for her agents as needed. “I teach them Web site information, contract information or anything they have a need for. I ask them what they need help with because if they don’t need help in contracts, then that is a waste of time.” When she hires a new agent, she trains them one-on-one and pushes the education at the board. “I pretty much mentor most of the new agents that come in. As many hours as they have, I spend that time training them one-on-one.”
WHO IS IN THE OFFICE?
Rishawn Brandon, Eileen M. Bryant, Frances Young, Cassandra Jones, Jewell Limonius, Alveria Matthews, Florence McHellen and Constance McFadden are Realtors. Torey McGruder is a referral agent. Charlie Farid Hawa and Margaret Howard are broker associates and Tilquesia Piner is the office clerk.
THE MARKET?
“Our market is pretty steady. I haven’t slowed down. I work with a lot of buyers. We are doing a lot of new homes right now and very few resales. If you look at the market, it’s basically the same price to buy a new home as it is to buy a resale.”
HOW DO YOU COMPETE IN THIS MARKET?
Jenkins said she encourages her agents to work with their sellers and find out how low they can go to sell their home. “I had one agent who went door to door knocking asking the neighbors if they knew anyone that wanted to sell their home. She also put fliers out in the stores in that area.”
WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR COMPANY?
Jenkins said she treats her agents as independent contractors. “We have a different transaction basis. I don’t do a major commission split like some other companies and I think that has attracted some of the agents here.”
NO TOPS?
“I do not broadcast to the world who is the top producer or lister. Most of these agents are full-time employees at another job. If I’m out telling people the same person is the top producer for the office every month, which I see a lot, then it tears down the esteem of the other agents. That is my personal opinion. I’ve seen it happen. I didn’t want that to be a part of my company.”
QUALITIES IN AGENTS?
“I want someone who is honest, reputable and has the customer’s best interest at heart.”
HOW BIG ARE YOU PLANNING TO GET?
“I don’t have a cap. I don’t go after other people’s agents. I’ll get as big as the Lord will let me get.”
WEB SITE ?
www.selecthomerealtygroup.com
-by Michele Newbern Gillis