Top Agent | April 2021 | THE PETE VAKAKES TEAM

SERVICE NEVER ENDS

By Dave Danielson

Photography by James Avera, Avera Design

THE BUYER AND SELLER MADE IT TO THE CLOSING TABLE, THE SIGNATURES HAVE BEEN CAPTURED AND THE DEAL IS DONE. YET, FOR PEOPLE LIKE PETE VAKAKES, THE RELATIONSHIP IS JUST BEGINNING. AS TEAM LEADER OF THE PETE VAKAKES TEAM WITH CENTURY 21 MEYER REAL ESTATE, PETE AND HIS TEAM BELIEVE THAT SERVICE NEVER ENDS.

“I like making people happy and satisfying their needs,” Pete emphasizes. “For us, it’s about servicing them from the beginning to the end of the sale and then afterward.”

EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE

Pete’s start in real estate happened in 1974. As he came of age, he earned a business and financial degree in college. When he got out of school, he considered his next steps. For a time, he worked with his dad, who was a developer in Birmingham.

“I had gone on several job interviews and nothing really excited me,” Pete remembers. “After I joined my dad, we bought a Century 21 franchise.”

In time, Pete moved to the Mobile area in the early 1990s.

“I had always wanted to be by the water and I was captivated by this place,” he says. “I started studying and learning the area.” Through time, Pete has enjoyed selling beachfront condos and houses.

THE POWER OF TEAMWORK

Teamwork is at the heart of the passion Pete has for his work. Through time, he has added other members to his team, including Kim Nelms Ellis, Dallas Jones and their virtual assistant, Tabatha Lechner.

“It’s a great dynamic…Dallas served in the military, is very disciplined and he keeps us on track. And Kim helps us with our social media expertise,” Pete says. I’m the mentor, but we are all goal setters. We set our goals at the start of the year.” Before starting her adventure in the business, Kim was a teacher in Mississippi before moving to Gulf Shores four years ago.

“I grew up in Pascagoula, Mississippi, so I enjoyed coming to Gulf Shores with friends on Saturdays to lay out on the beach or weekends with my family,” Kim smiles. “I met a guy from Gulf Shores and after both of my kids were settled in college, I moved down here from Madison, MS. Real Estate had always been interesting to me, but my kids were very active and I didn’t want to miss anything, so teaching allowed me that perk. Once I decided to move here, I knew I wanted to pursue real estate and was lucky enough to meet Pete and join an awesome team!”

Dallas recalls his start in the business. “I served in the U.S. Army for 27 years, and flew helicopters and held major aviation commands (Battalion and Group Commander) with deployments to the middle east. I grew up in Louisiana and have traveled to many places throughout the world. I purchased a condo here in Gulf Shores on the beach for family enjoyment and a quick getaway. After retirement we moved to Gulf Shores to be closer to the beach and to manage our condo while raising our kids here,” Dallas says. “After retirement, I flew an EMS helicopter for a year but decided it was taking me away from my family time, so I decided to give real estate a try and I have never looked back. I choose to work at Century 21 Meyer Real Estate with Pete because I love being a part of a team as I experienced in the military with great success.”

REMARKABLE RESULTS

Together, the team’s record of success has been remarkable. In fact, in 2020, the group recorded 55.25 units, representing $15 million in sales volume. In fact, through time, the team has earned recognition as the leading team for Century 21 in Alabama when it comes to production and units sold.

As Pete considers his team’s success, he says it starts with keeping the client’s interests at the forefront.

“We don’t pressure people. We educate people and support them. I have a lot of knowledge about the area and the product we’re selling, along with insurance. We try to help them investigate every property that they’re looking at,” Pete explains. “We help them get the mortgage, then we are with them through the closing and get follow-up mailings and are on our constant contact list to stay in touch with them.”

FAMILY FOUNDATIONS

Away from work through time, Pete has enjoyed time spent exploring local restaurants and attending concerts. He also likes to explore the area from the water on his WaveRunner. Pete is also heavily involved in his church, and also serves as a member of the Gulf Shores Planning Commission.

“After we review projects from staff, we oversee and send our recommendations to the council,” Pete says.

Dallas treasures time with his wife, Shellie, who is an RN working on her master’s as well as Nurse Practitioner certification. As Dallas says, “She is a Navy veteran and the cornerstone to my success.” Dallas and Shellie have two sons and two daughters, including Tyler, Ethan, Molly and Haileigh. In their free time, Dallas and his family enjoy time boating. He also supports the National REALTORS® Association, along with St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and the Army Aviation Association of America. Family is also central to Kim’s world. As she says, “I am engaged to a great guy named Jeff, that has lived here for 30 years and has a flooring business. We just built a home last year in Gulf Shores on the lagoon.” She has two children — Ryan and Bailey. In her free time, Kim likes to travel, spending time at the beach and enjoying SEC football game get-togethers with friends. She also supports St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

The love the team feels for their work is clear.

“I am passionate about assisting homebuyers with purchasing a home stress-free. I want to take the burden of a large purchase off their shoulders, guiding them through the process,” Dallas says. “I focus on attention to detail and simplifying the process. Another passion is meeting new people and making lifelong friendships as I have done in the military.”

“It’s about building relationships with my clients by getting to know them and all about their families. I feel that helps me better understand what type of property they desire and then I can help them find that property,” Kim says. “I keep in touch with my clients after the closing and let them know I’m there for them to help with any questions they have about Real Estate or as general as a recommendation for a dentist.”

As they reflect on the impact that they’re proud to have on their clients, the members of the Pete Vakakes Team stays focused on people over properties.

“We don’t go just for the sales. We establish relationships,” Pete explains. “Once we have good rapport, then we start talking about properties … we establish and maintain relationships with people”

The results come through loud and clear for a team where service never ends.