An Interview With Roger Pettingell, Luxury Waterfront Real Estate Specialist
Below is our recent interview with Roger Pettingell Real Estate Agent, Luxury Waterfront Specialist:
Q: Could you provide our readers with a brief introduction to your company?
A: I’m an associate for Coldwell Banker Realty. Coldwell was founded in 1906, and it acquired the company I was already working for back in 2002. I had been selling real estate exclusively for my previous employers for 17 years with a strong sales record when Coldwell came along. So slipping into a realtor position at Coldwell was a natural transition.
I’ve been a top producer there, ranking #1 in Florida since 2010. Specifically, my group specializes in luxury properties and waterfront real estate within the Sarasota and Manatee areas.
Q: Can you give us more insights into what makes your company unique?
A: We operate as a boutique real estate group. Every client we work with gets our undivided attention and a unique approach to their needs. I found early on that people are sold when you meet their needs, so an essential part of our approach is understanding those underlying needs.
Because real estate agents are paid on commission, many try to be as quick as possible. We try to find the right fit, which means one-on-one meetings and not rushing the initial process.
I also have a love for tech that keeps me into the most cutting-edge solutions for my clients. For example, we were using FaceTime in 2019 to work with clients who weren’t available to go over properties or make offers in person. I also have a solid social media presence and vlog on YouTube (REALTALK™) that I’ve been doing since 2014.
Q: Any highlights on your recent announcement?
A: I’m excited about hitting the highest Sarasota County real estate record for single-year sales. In 2020 alone, we closed on over $175 million in private property sales. Roger Pettingell Real Estate Agent goes on to say, That this has been a massive accomplishment for his team. We worked hard to bring in those numbers, despite the challenges thrown at us in the midst of a global shutdown. It was a strange year, but that doesn’t stop people’s need to buy and sell real estate.
My group was highly motivated and great at thinking outside the box. We were offering FaceTime showings and everything. We were already used to using a lot of tech in our approach, so I think we had an easier transition than some companies using traditional sales methods. I’m really proud of what we were able to do, and I’m looking forward to what’s next for our team.
If 2020 taught us anything, it’s how important family is. We are seeing people looking for those perfect properties where they can bring the family together for vacations and special events. We are seeing people want to invest in real estate because it offers a more stable investment than many other markets. The pandemic shook up the market, but the trends are looking good for real estate.
Q: Can you give us insights into your products?
A: We sell some of the most beautiful properties in Florida. One look at our YouTube channel, and you will be dreaming of your next property upgrade.
Our drone footage captures the beauty of these properties—sweeping views of oceanfront villas and countryside properties. We try to understand precisely what makes each property unique so we can target the right audience—the audience that will love the property for what it is.
These properties are high-end homes and beautiful estates. We try to focus our efforts on the more prominent properties that need more attention and a unique sales approach. Part of this work includes staying up to date on essential things for our clients—like zoning laws and loan package options. With decades in this industry, the Roger Pettingell Real Estate Agent name offers a lot of invaluable connections for my clients and not something every agent can offer.
Q: What are some of the main objectives for your company in the year ahead, and how do you plan to achieve them?
A: We are expecting the market to shift, offering a higher inventory. So, I believe sales will increase again. It’s an exciting time to be in real estate in Sarasota—the people who choose to live here really want to be here. People choose these properties because they are investments for their retirement or perfect places for their families to gather.
As far as objectives… we want to make sure we keep offering the same boutique experience that has gotten us this far. The buyers and sellers coming to us are trusting us to help them with some life-altering decisions. That isn’t something we take lightly. I expect to keep incorporating new tech as well—that industry definitely hasn’t slowed down, and there is a pretty continual flow of new tools released.
Above all, our communication is a crucial point of what we do. I built the Roger Pettingell Real Estate Agent with services centered around communication, which makes up part of the boutique experience we are known for. So, I expect my team to offer the same high level of communication. Our approach keeps our clients in the loop and clear on what to expect next in their process. No one wants to be left wondering where they stand. If they’ve hired my team, they want to know we are keeping them at the forefront of our minds. We don’t blow off their concerns or perspectives; we listen and then respond accordingly.
Q: What is the best thing about your company that people might not know about?
A: I didn’t start with plans to be a real estate agent. It really wasn’t even in my mind. I liked pets and wanted to work with animals. So, I went to college planning to be a veterinarian. I then changed my sights to marketing after joining student government. I liked people too much, and I realized being a vet wasn’t going to be the career move I really wanted to make.
It wasn’t until my first job that I realized the excitement and passion I had for real estate. I like working with people, and I naturally understand what they are after. My people skills have been invaluable in this business and helped set apart my work as a producer. I was hired on as a marketing professional but switched to real estate a couple of years later when a real estate company bought that resort. It was simply meant to be. And that was all the way back in 1985.
Roger Pettingell has been doing this for a very long time. It’s almost become my identity. People may not realize that I had no intention of doing this when I was first considering careers. I have my B.S. in biology and chemistry. But I discovered I had a passion for helping people with real estate and haven’t looked back. I love looking at new properties, considering the potential, and finding the right fit. It’s a gratifying career.