Client commitment Prudential Realtor enjoys Success finding win-win Deals for buyers, developers By R.P. Whittington, Special to the Times-Union After only two years with Prudential Network Realty in Atlantic Beach, Realtor Phil Pierce is one of the top brokers for the company on the First Coast – selling more than $25 million in oceanfront residential prop­erties and condominium units over the last year.   Last year's sales also have placed Pierce among the top three of more than 350 Prudential Network Realtors on the First Coast.   Specializing in country club properties, oceanfront estates, investments and pre-construction properties, Pierce said his commitment to his clients, and staying abreast of properties avail­able in area, have been the primary reasons for his suc­cess at Prudential.   "I really learn the set of circumstances for each of my customers to find the right fit for them," Pierce said. ':At the same time, working with so many property owners and condo developers puts me in a unique position to make deals on properties that benefit the blinders and property owners, as well."   Knowing what is available in the residential market, and his ability to communi­cate that information to potential buyers, is proving one of Pierce's strongest assets on both sides of the sales equation.   "I'm really impressed with how informed Phil's cus­tomers are when they walk in the door," said Kerry Fullford, a sales consultant for the Prudential Network Realty Builder Services Division who represents Oceanside 932, a 1O-story condominium tower current­ly under construction on First  Street in Jacksonville Beach.   R.P. WHITTINGTON /Special Prudential Realtor Phil Pierce, who represents the Casa Bella property on Second Street at the Beaches, said that while pre­construction sales are challenging, there are many incentives that can make them good deals for buyers, investors and sellers.   R.P. WITTINGTON / Special Greg Esterman, vice president of sales and development for The Peninsula, said Prudential Realtor Phil Pierce has a tal­ent for creating an image of what urban living will be like at the condo units when they open in 2007. R.P. WITTINGTON/Special Michelle Mousin, a community sales manager with Marina San Pablo, said Realtor Phil Pierce's knowledge of the market trans­lates into a skill for placing the residential buyer with the right property. Over the last year, Pierce has sold five condominium units at Marina San Pablo valued from $600,000 to $1.S million. "His advance work with customers makes my job a lot easier," she said. "They already know about compa­rable properties and all the statistics in the area before they even arrive, and that allows me to focus on answering questions about the property itself."   Of the 25 units at Oceanside 932, which is still under construction with a planned opening date of November 2006, Pierce has sold four units during the last year. Prices on the four remaining units range from $800,000 to $1.8 million.   Pierce said that selling pre-construction properties offers a unique challenge for any Realtor - and in many cases offers benefits for the buyer.   "On my side, I have to help the customer visualize what the property will look like and the benefits for buying a property while it's being built, which is certain­ly more difficult than show­ing a property that's already completed," Pierce said. ': At the same time, buyers can save anywhere from 10 per­cent to 20 percent on the total-unit price compared to when the development is completed, which can repre­sent a sizable savings for them."   And for buyers who plan to use the property for their primary residence, a pur­chase dur­ing the pre-con­struction phase gives them time to sell their current resi­dence and make whatever preparations necessary for their move, he said. "In many cases, buying condos and homes still under construc­tion makes sense financially, and customers can use it to their advantage based on their individual situation," Pierce said.   Pierce also has sold sever­al properties at The Peninsula, a 234-unit condo­minium located on the Southbank in Jacksonville.   Greg Esterman, vice presi­dent of sales and develop­ment for the property, said Pierce has been very good at creating an image of what urban living will be like at The Peninsula when it opens in 2007.   "For most people, housing is one of their biggest single investments, and when the property is two years away from opening, it makes it a very uncertain decision for some," Esterman said. "Phil has an appreciation for urban living and is very good at creating a very accu­rate and exciting image of living downtown for buyers." Pierce prides himself on understanding as much as possible about his customers so he can connect them with the right property, and that also means having a broad knowledge of avail­ability.   "I've been impressed with Phil's profession­alism and his handle on the market," said Michelle Mousin, a community sales manager with Marina San Pablo - a two-tower condo­minium currently being built by the Auchter Co. near San Pablo Road and Butler Boulevard in Jacksonville Beach. "He takes into account each investor's or customer's unique circumstances and goals and places them with the correct property. That skill has been a key part of his success." Over the last year, Pierce has sold five condominium units at Marina San Pablo, ranging in price from about $600,000 to $1.5 million.   Pierce, a Jacksonville Beach resident who spent more than 20 years in sales and marketing before chang­ing careers and entering the real-estate industry, said he treats his job as a profession rather than a hobby, unlike some who get their broker's license.   "The bottom line is apply­ing the time necessary to know the market as well as possible," he said. "That puts me in the position to negoti­ate harder with developers to get my customers the best deal possible when they are ready to make a purchase. Also, knowing the develop­ers and property owners puts me in a better position to get a good deal compared to someone who walks in the front door who knows noth­ing about their properties."   Pierce also contributes much of his early achieve­ment to Prudential Network Realty's training program.   "Within weeks of starting in the program, I started seeing results," he said.   "Both in the beginning, and through recurring training, you can always stay abreast of the ever-changing market conditions in North Florida. It's awesome to be with an organization that provides full service to its clients and to its agents, as well."   The Prudential Network Realty office is located al 363-12 Atlantic Blvd., Atlantic Beach. For more information, call Phil Pierce at 412-3007. Add your content here

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