Picture in your mind a veritable “Garden of Eden”, with lush gardens and landscaping, crystal clear lakes, balmy breezes, tropical quaffs to please and delight your taste buds…and magnificent “clothing optional” real estate. Uh…what was that? The age-old adage, “less is more”, perfectly describes Florida Realtor® Jackie Youngblood’s use of ingenuity and technology to “uncover” her target market. This savvy agent is virtually unchallenged, selling properties in central Florida to targeted buyers who enjoy a special, alternative lifestyle: nudism!
Dear Michael,
Before my husband and I entered the real estate industry, we owned an all-purpose retail business in Georgia, which sold anything from toys to car batteries! I guess you could say it proved that we were, at least, versed in sales!
In 2001 we decided to “retire” to Florida. As nudists, we had previously vacationed in Paradise Lake. Land O’ Lakes, where we currently live, is outside the Paradise Lake resort area in central Florida. At the time, my husband was somewhat familiar with commercial real estate and rental properties.
When we made our move, I really liked the Realtor® representing us. She had key qualities which I admired. She knew the area well and was able to lead us to properties that best suited our needs, but mostly, we knew we could trust what she said and did.
Little did I know that I would later become part of the Patricia Peterman/Vicki Wall Team. I liked their style and their commitment to clients. They treated people the way they liked to be treated, which is never a bad way to start!
Soon after we moved to Land O’ Lakes, I realized that I could do just so much shopping and landscaping and lying out in the sun. My plan was to get a part-time job. So I went to school and took courses to become a real-estate agent myself. I learned very quickly that to be successful in this competitive field, you cannot do it part-time. It has to be a full-time effort, or you’re just not going to make it.
My philosophy was in sync with that of Peterman/Wall: I’d rather be making a little bit of money in real estate, than making no money whatsoever, in real estate. I loved working with people who were more like family than agents; who worked as a team and didn’t try to cut anybody’s throat. Success to me is being able to trust someone in one’s personal life and in business, and I had found it.
My attitude toward running a successful, viable business really turned around when I began to receive the same email from National Realty News, announcing a seminar conducted by a “Michael Russer”. Just like shopping, planting exotic foliage and working on a tan, I felt that there were just so many advertised seminars that I needed to attend. I deleted the message three times! When it appeared for the fourth time, it finally dawned on me that maybe there was something to it.
Needless to say, Michael, I attended and I was in awe of the information—and the sheer amount of it— you presented, I can honestly say that going to your event in Orlando, last May, turned my entire real-estate business around, for the better! At the time, I was doing okay. Now, I am a top listing agent. I’ve gained more professionalism, more clients and the ability to more strongly focus on my business and target market—those who want to live in nudist/clothing optional properties.
I will never forget the expression on your face at the seminar when my colleagues and I volunteered to present our pitch to our target market. You looked completely incredulous—but everybody has to live somewhere!
For us, your most compelling message was to “target”, “target”,”target”!
That advice, combined of course, with your question, “are you doing what you were born to do?” was powerful inspiration. Your enthusiasm and mastery of what you “preach” is contagious and so sensible.
The second biggest and necessary factor in growing a successful business lies in utilizing technology to its fullest, as it applies to your business. Computer tools exist today for just about any business application.
I started by learning how to build my own website (www.skiptheoutfit.com) and how to use the program, “Point Two Agent”. I’ve added to the mix, since then.
For the first time I began to realize the fruits of my labor because I saw things running smoothly with less effort on my part. I had also given up the notion of having to be everything to everyone, by establishing an all-important niche market.
I’m not out there to satisfy everyone and I do sell to non-nudists, as well!
My clients are buyers who come from “up North,” Canada, and internationally, from Germany and England, among other European locations. Nudists and clothing optional buyers are purchasing town homes, condos or single-family homes for investment purposes or to live in on a full or part-time basis. Quite frankly, there’s not a ton of competition out there, in this market!
As for using virtual assistants, I hate to be the one to break it to her, but I recently talked to this particular person, who has been doing off-site office work for a while, which by definition, makes her a virtual assistant! She doesn’t call herself a VA, but when she works for me, she will!
At this point in time, I can only see success for my future. My advice to a new Realtor® is simple: run, run, run as fast as you can to a Michael Russer seminar! It’ll be the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself and your business.
Sincerely,
Jackie Youngblood
Whether you choose to wear just your tan or tropical attire, Jackie can find the perfect Florida dream home for your chosen lifestyle.
Contact Jackie at Peterman/Wall
(813) 909-2092 (office)
(813) 477-7298 (mobile)
bjyounglblood320@gmail.com
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