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Jess Wellar Writer
Leighann Triplett
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HANDYMAN SERVICES
Fix-it Flamingo (904) 474-1768 fixitflamingo.com
HOME BUYER
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Omega National Title Agency, LLC (904) 456-0858 Omeganationaltitle.com
Woods, Weidenmiller, Michetti & Rudnick, LLP
Josh Rudnick (239) 325-4070
WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Whitacre
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CELEBRATE
publisher’s note FREEDOM
By: Kristin and Brian Lunsford
Freedom is a word often associated with July as we celebrate the independence of our country.
While we are thankful for the many freedoms we enjoy living in this country, freedom goes beyond not just being under one’s rule.
The definition of freedom is the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.
What does freedom mean to you?
Freedom to us and our family starts with our belief in God. Knowing he has set us free allows us to live a life of peace and joy.
Freedom to us is also time freedom. We are thankful to be able to set our schedules to be able to maximize time with our kids at this stage in our life.
Freedom of living in Northeast Florida is also something special.
Our family has traveled to many states and while they all have great qualities, we feel there is a differ ence to everyday life here compared to some other places. Talking with people from different parts of our country, it sometimes feels like we are from different worlds.
And what makes this country so amazing is we all have the freedom to choose how and where we live.
Photos: Our summer trip to the Pacific Northwest.
GOLDSTEIN SWINDELL SCOTT WADE
YOUR HOMETOWN BROKER
“WE HAVE BUILT OUR BUSINESS BY DOING THINGS THE RIGHT WAY. WE TAKE EVERY RELATIONSHIP AND EVERY CLIENT SERIOUSLY.”
-SCOTT GOLDSTEIN
Over the past 21 years, Atlantic Trust Mortgage has built a reputation for being one of the most trustworthy mortgage brokers in Northern Florida. With founder and President Scott Goldstein and Vice President Wade Swindell at the helm, Atlantic Trust expects to continue expanding. Their growth, however, won’t be at the expense of the client experience; it will be because of the exceptional service they deliver. Relationships and customer service drive everything Scott, Wade, and their team do.
“We do what we say we’re going to do. We do it with the utmost care for our clients and real estate partners. We take things seriously and always do things the right way 100% of the time,” Scott says.
HOMETOWN ROOTS
Scott and Wade have each been in the mortgage lending business since the early 2000s.
Scott began his lending career as a loan originator in Orlando in 2001. Two years later, he returned to Jacksonville to found Atlantic Trust Mortgage. For many years, he led a small, trusted operation.
When Wade joined the team in 2017, the business really took flight. Wade began his lending career in 2000
and spent the next 15 years primarily working for large banks and call centers. After meeting Scott and discovering they were neighbors (a road runs between the backside of their houses), Wade joined the Atlantic Trust Mortgage team.
“Scott has a great reputation. I had been losing a bunch of deals because the interest rates I had to offer weren’t competitive. What intrigued me about coming to work with Scott was to be a business owner but also to offer my clients the absolute best products and interest rates I could possibly give to them,” Wade says.
GROWING WITH THE TIMES
Atlantic Trust Mortgage has grown to a team of 17 loan originators. The
By Zachary Cohen partner spotlight
exponential growth has been due to a combination of factors: Scott and Wade’s leadership, the consistent efforts to build a reputable brand, and an unwavering commitment to client satisfaction.
“We have some loan originators that have been here for 10+ years now, and we’ve really grown the brand. We’ve grown our REALTORS® partnerships exponentially, and we truly do what’s in the best interest of clients,” Scott says.
“We have a motto: When our real estate partners are working, we’re working, whether that’s 10:00 pm or Saturday at 3:00 pm. We instill that value into all of the originators that work for us.”
“We love what we do,” Wade smiles.
“We love working with buyers and real estate partners, so it doesn’t feel like work, even though it is. Being able to come in every day and have something different to tackle — hiring, marketing, educational events — we get to do a lot of different things in our industry. That makes every day exciting.”
WE TAKE THINGS SERIOUSLY AND ALWAYS DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY
CONTINUED GROWTH
As Scott and Wade look ahead, they envision continued growth. Their next big move is to make Atlantic Trust Mortgage a lender, as opposed to a broker, expand across state lines into Georgia, and triple their volume. But no matter what the structure of their business looks like, their primary goal remains the same: to provide best-in-class service to their clients and partners.
“I met with a real estate agent for coffee the other day, and after 30 minutes of a conversation, he looked at me and said, ‘I can tell you absolutely love what you do.’ For me, mortgage lending is the only thing I’ve ever done. It allows me to provide for my family, and it’s something I’m still passionate about 20 years after starting,” Scott closes.
FAMILY SPOTLIGHT
In his free time, Scott enjoys boating, watching sports, and spending time with his kids, Ethan (13), Charlotte (11), and Lucy (7). He is also active, enjoying time at the gym and running.
Wade and his wife, Katie, have three kids: Mackenzie (16), Lincoln (14), and Logan (10).
He’s involved at his church, where he leads a weekly Bible study and enjoys staying active.
top producer
By Zachary Cohen
As a former journalist, reporter, and news anchor, Alexis McDaniel understands the power of a story. Every single individual has a unique story to tell, and that’s one of her favorite things about meeting others. This held true during her days as a writer and reporter, and it holds true as she runs one of St. Augustine’s top real estate businesses. Stories shape who we are, help us connect, and form the backdrop for a life well-lived.
“In real estate, I like the fact that every transaction is its own story,” Alexis explains. “I see people as characters in their story. How can I find out what their goals are and get them to the end of their story? It’s a puzzle I love to solve through real estate. When I do a great job with that, it makes me really happy.”
Writing Her Own Story
Alexis was born and raised in West Virginia and spent her childhood moving all over the state. Along the way, her dad renovated several houses, while her mom became an expert at turning a humble abode into a warm, welcoming place to live.
“It was amazing to watch the transformation of a home, turning it from something that needed work to something nice. That played into my love of houses, the possibility that homes bring to families,” Alexi shares.
As she grew older, Alexis attended West Virginia University, where she studied journalism. After graduation, she worked as a newspaper reporter, news anchor, and executive producer. When she became pregnant with her son, she moved to a freelance role.
Meanwhile, Alexis began investing in real estate. She and her former husband once held 22 doors in rental properties in West Virginia. In 2009, she relocated to St. Augustine, where she and her family had been vacationing for many years.
In St. Augustine, Alexis initially spent most of her energy volunteering for local organizations and schools. But when she and her husband divorced in 2013, she looked to return to work.
“My kids were getting older, and I needed to find a job because I hadn’t been working,” Alexis reflects. “I was looking for jobs as a journalist — PR jobs, at the local newspaper — and it wasn’t working out. I needed to find a job, and I always loved real estate, so I decided to give it a shot.”
Alexis began as a marketing assistant on a real estate team in early 2016, and by the end of the year, she was a licensed agent.
Community First
After five years on a team, Alexis went out on her own in 2021, the same year she joined eXp Realty. She’s sold over $50 million in the last three years, including $18.7 million in 2023.
Photos By The Real Estateographers
“It’s been a great three years,” she smiles. “I couldn’t have asked for more.”
Alexis credits her success to her extroverted nature, strong communication skills, and connections in the community. Her experience as a journalist and reporter has proved especially useful, as have the countless hours she’s spent building relationships in a volunteer role.
“I moved here and wasn’t employed but became very involved in the community. I was the PTSO President at the local high school and made a lot of connections through volunteering,” Alexis explains. “So when I got my license, I had many people coming to me saying I’d helped them out, and they wanted to take a chance on me as a REALTOR®.”
Alexis continues volunteering through her support of the Junior Service League of St. Augustine. When she’s not working or volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her two children, Paul (26) and Ali (24), boating, reading, and playing tennis.
“I am a hard-working, positive business person who balances her life by giving back to the community and enjoying time with friends and family. The people I love are the most important thing in
Alexis has two children, Paul and Ali.
rising star
DONIELLE
SALLAS
Realizing The Dream
Donielle Sallas fantasized about going into real estate for years after listening to broker grandparents’ regale her with fascinating stories of helping clients while she was growing up; Donielle even went so far as to take a real estate course, but after missing the final exam by two points, she pushed the dream aside — temporarily.
Approaching real estate with more determination than ever, Donielle obtained her license in late 2020 and has been a REALTOR® on fire ever since with a burning desire to help clients achieve their dream home while taking care of her family.
“Becoming a REALTOR® wasn’t just about finding a career — it was about reclaiming my independence and building a future where I could contribute meaningfully to the lives of others,” Donielle explains.
A NEW CHAPTER
Born in Jacksonville and raised in Clay County, Donielle had her first child after graduating high school at 18 and was married by 20. When her next child came along shortly thereafter, Donielle was content to be a stay-at-home mom raising her children.
However, after her fifteen-year marriage ended, Donielle found herself starting over.
Life led her in different directions, including nearly a decade in the medical field and a role as member engagement coordinator for the Clay Chamber of Commerce.
“It felt like being a high school graduate all over again, entering the world as an adult for the first time,” she recalls. “The desire for financial independence became a necessity.”
She remembered her grandparents’ stories and her own unfulfilled aspirations in real estate.
“Determined to make a change, I decided to give real estate another shot,” she adds. With renewed passion, she took the course again, studied harder, and passed the exam.
RAPID RISE
Donielle obtained her license in late 2020 and quickly made her mark with her determination to excel. In 2023, she achieved over
$9.8 million in sales volume across 17 transactions.
Plenty of accolades soon followed her impressive performance, including: Elite Representative Network 2024, Coldwell Banker 2023 International President’s Circle Award, CBVR’s Platinum Award 2023, and Elevate the Elite 501 for 2024.
“My grandparents were so giving and caring and taught me how to be a better person in general,” she continues. “But through real estate, I learned how to be able to take care of myself and not depend on somebody. I finally found my ‘why,’ which is to be financially stable and independent and I think a lot of women can identify with that emotion, too.”
A PERSONAL TOUCH Donielle’s approach to real estate is deeply personal. She prides herself on offering exceptional, hands-on service and strives to be more than just a REALTOR® — she always aims to be a trusted advisor and friend.
“Building long-term relationships is at the core of my business,” she offers. “Many of my clients come back to me for future transactions and refer their friends and family, which speaks volumes about the trust and satisfaction they have in my services.”
Perhaps most impressive is Donielle’s ongoing commitment to real estate education. She has earned her C2EX designation and is currently working towards becoming an EDGE member. Additionally, Donielle is currently attending NEFAR’s leadership academy and
Reflecting on her swift success, Donielle says, “Real estate isn’t just my job; it’s my passion and my way of giving back to my community, my family, and my fiancé.”
Photos by The Real Estateographers
most recently received her global luxury designation.
“Going to these classes helps me meet other REALTORS®, and you want to work with people you know; it helps to collaborate,” she notes.
Donielle’s advice to newer agents echoes her educational ethos.
“Prioritize client education,” she advises. “Educate your clients about the real estate process, market conditions, and what to expect. Empowering them with knowledge builds trust and confidence.”
“Clients don’t know what they don’t know; and if it takes a while to find the right house, that’s okay,” she points out. “My worst fear would be a client calling me up six months after we closed and telling me they hated the house they bought.”
ON THE HORIZON
Outside of work, Donielle’s life is filled with family and fun. She recently married Chris, and the couple are planning to be married this fall. Together, they have a blended family: daughter Meghan, and two sons, Austin and Cooper. Donielle also has four grandchildren between the ages of 1-4 — so needless to say, her house is lively whenever there’s a family gathering.
Their three French Bulldogs
— Archie, Penelope, and Sam — add to the joyful chaos. “Our bulldogs love a golf cart ride and also love to run and chase golf balls on the golf course!” Donielle adds with a laugh.
In her spare time, Donielle prefers to head straight to the water,
whether boating, fishing, or visiting waterfront restaurants. She also enjoys traveling, with a focus on creating memorable experiences with her loved ones.
Giving back is equally important to her. Through Coldwell Banker Vanguard’s charitable organization, CBV Cares, Donielle and her colleagues fund and serve various local charities they are passionate about.
Looking ahead, Donielle has plenty of ambitions in mind.
“The future holds a lot of promise and excitement for me,” she shares. “Through NEFAR’s leadership academy, I am gaining valuable skills and insights that will help me serve my clients better and expand my business.”
Down the road, Donielle envisions herself living on the water and owning rental properties to generate passive income to support her family, while being recognized as a trusted and knowledgeable real estate professional who goes above and beyond for her clients.
“Success is about living a life that aligns with my values, brings me joy, and allows me to make a positive difference in the world around me,” she concludes. “And in doing so, I strive to be the best version of myself.”
question
of the month
What is your favorite thing to do in Northeast Florida during the summer?
RANA DEXTER
Round Table Realty
Our family summer activities are mostly on the water! We love taking the boat out and watching the boys go tubing or knee boarding down the St. Johns River and stopping for some lunch and live music, either at Wicked Barley or Whitey’s Fish Camp. We also love bike riding on Atlantic Beach and going to music festivals in St. Augustine. It’s a pleasure living here in Northeast Florida.
LORI NEIGHBORS
Assist2sell Full Service Realty
My absolute favorite summer activity in our area is scuba diving. I’ve been diving off the shores of Jacksonville and St. Augustine for nearly 40 years, and it’s incredible! There’s so much to explore— shipwrecks, old airplanes, tugboats, and even rubble from the old Acosta Bridge and the Gator Bowl. It’s a hidden gem that many people don’t realize how amazing our underwater world is.
The marine life here is spectacular too.
You’ll encounter manta rays, goliath groupers, massive schools of snapper, and even the occasional great white shark. Wahoo, mahi-mahi, dolphins— the list is endless. One of my most memorable moments was landing a 12-pound lobster all by myself—what a fantastic day that was!
Summer diving means enjoying warm, clear waters without the crowds of tourists, making it the perfect time to explore the underwater wonders of our area.
HELEN KIZER
B etter Homes & Gardens Real Estate
Lifestyles Realty
My favorite thing to do in the summer is to vacation with my family to the Orlando area. We enjoy the annual
national outlet shopping events, spa days as well as enjoying the many resorts Orlando has to offer. Spending time with my family as it is “Birthday Season” for myself and my daughter’s is the best.
BAILEY MARTIN
Round Table Realty
Go to the beach in the early morning and paddleboard with the dolphins. It’s so cool to be that close to the dolphins, and if you don’t see any, it’s still an amazingly beautiful and peaceful experience.
STACEY POLITO
Engel & Völkers First Coast I love the beach, when I have an opportunity to get there, I find the beach relaxing, and a great way to decompress.
CYNDY TOMASSETTI
Engel & Völkers First Coast Tubing in the Ichetucknee River.
TOBIN BOSSOLA
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty
Take my family to the cool water springs around NE Florida!
ELAINE SAMAAN
Dogwood Realty
week. Downtown has amazing architecture on the buildings that is missed when you are just driving by.
KRISTAN CLOUD-MALIN
Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Fishing, boating, fishing!
Century 21 Miller Elite
I love being in the water! I love riding the jet ski in the St Mary’s River following the Cumberland Ferry and riding behind its big waves. I love going to Steinhatchee (Gulf side of FL) to catch scallops with friends. We take our boat 2-3 times per season and absolutely love it! We also take our boat over to Cumberland Island for beach days to get away from the crowds on Amelia Island. LOVE WHERE WE LIVE AND ALL THAT SUMMER OFFERS HERE!
My parents live on Doctor’s Lake, so I love going out on the boat! We go tubing, water skiing, and dock at restaurants for lunch!
WILLIAM POLOCHAK
Fair Realty
LEAH MAIESKI
Slate Real Estate
My favorite thing to do in Northeast Florida in the summer is to go to the beach at Porpoise Point. We love to drive onto the beach, bring lunch and spend the whole day in the water at the sandbar. Secondly, I love going to concerts at Daily’s Place! We always get amazing country artists, it’s a blast!
Walking the bridges downtown (Main St and Acosta) and Friendship Fountain a few times a
TABITHA ALEXANDER
Game Changer Realty
I love to have my whole family over, hang by the pool and BBQ in the back yard. Nothing beats that.
SAMANTHA FISHER
Ponte Vedra Club Realty
My favorite thing to do in Northeast Florida is to take a walk on the beach and find shark teeth! It’s such a fun search and finding shark teeth feels like a reward!
JACKIE DARBY
WALTER COLLINS
Exit 1 Stop Realty
My favorite summer activity is the 4th of July celebration and fireworks that Deerwood Country Club has.
JOHN RICHARDSON
One Sotheby’s International Realty
My favorite thing to do in the summer is to spend time at the beach with my family and swim in the ocean!
PRINT IS STILL ALIVE.
TAMMY TINGLE
Century 21 Miller Elite
I love to find shark teeth on the beach on the north end of Amelia Island where I live. It’s addictive, you can’t stop once you find one.
JONATHAN DAUGHERTY
Future Home Realty
Now that I have kids I enjoy taking them to the water parks.
KATIE HAYSE
Engel & Völkers First Coast
Find places with live music.
KRISTINA HINSON
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty
Simple: put the beach with an evening rooftop dinner at one of the many local spots to end the day.
MENSUR “MO” MOLLA
JWB Realty
Well, besides selling homes! I like getting on the golf course to realize I’m better at selling homes!!
Celebrating two decades of print excellence, now 800 niche magazines strong (and counting).
CHANGE IS HARD, BUT REALTORS® THRIVE IN CHANGING TIMES
by
As the summer continues to heat up the Florida real estate market continues to thrive. Home sales remain strong and prices are beginning to moderate. Inventory is climbing, presenting a huge opportunity to bring more homebuyers to their forever home in the Sunshine State. As the summer progresses, however, practitioners are preparing for major changes in the way we do business in Florida.
Nearly everyone is aware of the landmark legal settlement reached on the national level that has major changes to how we practice real estate in August. If this is unfamiliar to you, it’s a good idea to get up to speed as quickly as you can – here is a great resource: https://floridarealtors.org/ NAR-Settlement
For transactions there are three big changes: Before touring a property, you must enter into a buyer representation agreement with your buyers, it must spell out how much you will be paid, and we will no longer utilize the MLS for offers of compensation in a cooperative transaction.
While these changes may seem daunting, we know the key to any successful real estate transaction is communication. Great
communication between yourself, and the buyer and the listing agent will lead to successful closings as the new process starts to take place – just the same as it does now.
REALTORS® are doers; we are advocates; we are always learning and growing and adapting to remain successful. We know buyers need us to guide them through real estate transactions now more than ever. We will need to communicate constantly so everyone is informed on what services we provide and how we get paid.
I know some of us are wary of these changes. However, Florida REALTORS® has a menu of tools and services to assist you through these changing times.
Florida REALTORS® has released a list of new buyer representation forms to empower you to succeed within this new framework. In addition, you may access free buyer representation CE classes, to our Legal Hotline to updated forms to guide your way – Florida REALTORS® is here as your business partner. Your success is our business.
