Rosemary Beach Realty brings a team experience to real estate

In the vast world of real estate along the Panhandle's gorgeous beaches, some thrive while others don't survive a volatile economy.

Linda Miller is one who thrives.

In the business since 1998, Miller has forged ahead through the ups and downs of the market.

Miller launched her real estate career in 1998 in the first female broker's office in Seagrove under her mentor, Sandi Nichols. Miller has successfully sold property up and down the 30A corridor ever since.

While working for Abbott Realty, Miller set up an onsite office at Seacrest Beach 10 years ago when there was nothing else out there. And through the years she has become known as "The Smile on 30A." She now brings that smile and her years of experience to Rosemary Beach.

When Miller came onboard as broker with the new Rosemary Beach Realty in October 2010, this was her fifth company for which to work.

"I have survived," she said. "When others quit, I kept on."

She has built what she considers to be a team that is unsurpassed on 30A in service, attitude, knowledge and expertise in selling high-end property. Her team consists of Sales Manager Mike Poundstone, Office Manager Bobbi Kirk, and agents Royce Smith, Lisa Ruby, Karen Otten, Billy Creswell, Jeff Troy, Jay Sien, and the husband and wife team of Jan and Steve Stevens, who live on property. Combined, the team has 48 years experience in real estate.

Miller spent 20 years working in retail and managed over 80 employees.

"I love training and developing people," she said.

Coming on as broker at Rosemary Beach Realty offered Miller the opportunity to use those skills again.

"At most real estate companies there is no team," she said. "I always wanted to work at a real estate company where there was a team, and with coming here, I had the opportunity to build one. This is an all-new team and there is great synergy. You can feel the excitement when you walk in the office. Every one is excited about being here and the properties."

Every agent goes the extra mile in helping each client with buying, selling, and even redecorating and meeting others around town.

Rosemary Beach Realty is the exclusive onsite real estate company. However, every agent in the office can sell property anywhere outside of Rosemary Beach up and down 30A.

Miller believes, though, that if serious potential buyers look in Rosemary, they will fall in love with the quality of life, ambience, activities, and high-level quality workmanship in each home.

The town offers basically something for every buyer — from multi-million-dollar primary residences with garages to beachfront homes, secondary getaway residences, condos, townhomes, and some houses that are more secluded and private. Many have private courtyards, pools, or overlook one of the several lush parks where families gather and play. There are also several gated community pools throughout the property.

The town offers a selection of unique boutique shops, a small deli-style grocery, and several places to dine from walk-ups to a fine dining restaurant and bar.

All paths on the south side of the village lead to the beach and getting around is easy — whether by foot, bike, or golfcart.

As for the drop seen in the real estate market in recent years, Miller is seeing a bounce upward off the bottom.

"There is a stabilization of prices in Rosemary that are more realistic now," said Miller.

And realism is a key factor for recovery, she said.

"The key to recovery in this business and in my success is dealing with reality and being honest," she said. "A lot of people sugarcoat reality to get business. I am honest and truthful with customers and that is key. I have lost some business because people didn't want to hear the truth, but then they came back when they realized I was right."

Miller's experienced team, the sellable town and the upward bounce in the economy is showing in the numbers at Rosemary.

RBR saw a great start to 2011 by selling more volume than any other office on 30A in January, with total sales of more than $7 million.

For 2010, Rosemary Beach community posted sales of $49,762,000 and ended up 111 percent ahead of 2009 sales as a community, and showing the best trend on the beach.

Rosemary Beach Realty is located on North Barrett Square.

For more information see www.rosemarybeach.com/   or call (800) 736-0877