Even in the challenging times, resilience and adaptability led to opportunities for growth. Using my skills and experiences to help others, I took what I had learned to help others on their own journeys. In the early days of my career, real estate seemed almost too easy. My business was thriving, and I didn’t know anything different. However, in 2007, the market crashed—everything changed seemingly overnight. The industry landscape drastically changed, making it a period of immense uncertainty and difficulty.
At the time, few agents even knew what a short sale was. So, I decided to dive in and fully commit to understanding and mastering them. This decision was vital to our survival as I became one of the top negotiators in the area, with many agents reaching out to me for help with their short sales. This new skill kept me extremely busy and provided a way to navigate the downturn.
However, it certainly wasn’t an easy period. My wife, Kris, also works in real estate and had to take on a part-time job to supplement our income. Working on short sales meant long hours on the phone negotiating with banks and even longer periods without pay—transactions could take months and sometimes even years to close. We also did broker price opinions (BPOs) for banks, visiting 15+ houses each day to take pictures, report on their status and provide updates for the banks. While it was a lot of work, often involving four to five hours in the car each day, it was necessary to make ends meet. Navigating this time was incredibly difficult and humbling, but it also led to immense personal growth, developing our empathy and work ethic. We had to adapt to survive, learning everything we could about the new market dynamics. Many were desperate for guidance, and we were able to offer some semblance of hope, helping people avoid foreclosure in many cases.
As we transitioned out of the short sale era and back into a normal market, the lessons learned during those tough times proved invaluable. The experience taught me adaptability, perseverance and the importance of continuous learning. It showed me that there is always a way forward if you're willing to work hard and stay committed.
For a long time, Kris and I worked separately before finally realizing our strengths complemented each other perfectly. She excels in organization and systems, while I thrive in client interactions. We built a team, combining our efforts to create the most effective and efficient experience for our clients. We also saw it as an opportunity to mentor other agents and share the knowledge we had gained the hard way. In building our team, we focused on creating a supportive environment where everyone could thrive. We have been blessed to use our experiences to help our team members grow and succeed.
Our approach has always been to treat our clients and team members with the same care and consideration we would want for ourselves. This philosophy has paid off, and we are now one of the top teams in the area and at our brokerage.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey has been using my experiences to help others. While that is often through real estate, I also have been sober since January 2007 and share my story in hopes of inspiring others who are facing their own challenges. For the 17+ years I have been sober, I have given back and supported recovery centers and people in need of a lifeline.
Every day, I am grateful for the beautiful life Kris and I have built together. We love spending time with friends and family. As a pilot, I enjoy flying helicopters, a passion that Kris encouraged me to pursue in place of sky diving. I now own a helicopter and often take clients on tours to see larger properties from the air. This unique offering has brought an element of adventure to my work.
Before starting my journey in real estate, I had a very successful career as a hairstylist spanning 22 years. After starting to invest in real estate myself, I saw an opportunity to help other people through the buying and selling process. This marked the start of my career in real estate, where I have passionately guided people through one of life’s most significant investment decisions for over 20 years. Having gone through the highs and lows of market shifts, I am confident no matter the conditions, I have the experience, skill and determination to help my clients be successful.
As a former waterski champion, I have always been fiercely competitive. In real estate, this translated to exceptional negotiation skills and constantly striving to improve my services year after year. What sets me apart is my dedication to each client’s needs. I treat every relationship like a friendship, considering what I would want if I were in their shoes.
As a former waterski champion, I have always been fiercely competitive. In real estate, this translated to exceptional negotiation skills and constantly striving to improve my services year after year. What sets me apart is my dedication to each client’s needs. I treat every relationship like a friendship, considering what I would want if I were in their shoes.
This means going above and beyond, doing extensive research and preparing thoroughly so that when my clients are ready to make decisions, everything is streamlined and efficient. I am proud to have a business built on repeat and referral clients like you who know and trust in us to get results every time!
Sincerely,
Lee Brewer
Team Leader
Cell (941) 724-3448
lee@LeeBrewer.com
www.SellingSarasotaLuxury.com
Lee Brewer
Team Leader
Cell (941) 724-3448
lee@LeeBrewer.com
www.SellingSarasotaLuxury.com