Ida Sherman Meekin | Top Agent | February 2021

Photos by James Avera, Avera Design

20 Years of making clients’ dreams come true

Ida Sherman Meekin’s only regret in her real estate career is that she didn’t start sooner.

“I was a mom with a hectic schedule, and if I had known that real estate was my passion in life, I would’ve gotten my license sooner,” she said. “I always knew it was my niche and that I’d be good at it. But did not know the love I would have for helping people’s dreams come true. From helping find their dream home, a vacation home, commercial place for their business or simply helping them stage their home it made me happy.”

Before beginning her career as an agent 20 years ago, Ida worked in the software support industry in Houston, Texas. Since becoming an agent, she’s done just about everything in the industry. Ida is licensed in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. She primarily worked along the Mississippi Gulf Coast as a real estate agent developing subdivisions, drawing her own plans and picking out all of the décor along with being a top producer selling homes.

Until she filled her lifelong dream of moving to Ono Island four years ago. “I grew up in Mobile, and I used to come to Ono Island as a child with my parents to visit a friend,” she says. “I knew I’d love to live here one day, but it was just a dream.”

She never expected that dream would come true.

“Not only did the dream of living on the Island come true, but to be able to work on the Island doing what I love to do has been a bigger dream come true,” Ida says. “I love everything about it—it’s private, gated, family-friendly and you can access everything by boat: restaurants, beaches and entertainment.”

After the move, Ida joined Bellator Real Estate & Development’s Orange Beach office. After being with Bellator a year, broker Jeff McLaurin asked if she would like to move to the Ono office since she lived on the Island. With no hesitation, Ida took him up on the offer.

““The Ono Bellator office is a small, boutique office,” she says. “Everyone is awesome to work with. It feels as if I am working with family! Thanks to my wonderful husband DR Greg Meekin for my beautiful dream home and to Jeff McLaurin, my broker at Bellator Real Estate and Development, for my dream job."

Ida loves selling real estate in the Ono Island area, although she still works with buyers and sellers all along the Gulf Coast. She will drive from Mississippi to Florida up and down the coast daily to get her job done. Ida says she has been very blessed to be a top producer every year since she has gotten her license. When the market crashed, she was still able to remain a top producing agent.

“I chose Bellator because they’re a good company that cares about the agents like family, and they are a Christian company and very family-oriented,” she says. “I’ve been successful with them—after a short time of being with the company, I was a top producer (2019).”

Ida’s career as an agent is impressive, but her experience isn’t limited to working with buyers and sellers. In Mississippi, Ida has overseen the building of over 100 homes in subdivisions she developed.

This experience has allowed Ida to offer her listing clients a unique perspective.

“I can help them identify the value of their home, stage it and get top value with the home looking its best,” she says. “For every listing, I help clients stage, recommend paint colors and changes to improve value. I love interior design and staging. I think that is one of the biggest gifts I can offer my clients.”

And for buyers? Ida loves helping people find their dream homes, vacation homes and the commercial property that’s perfect for their business.

“My sellers are always happy, but I love working with buyers too—we are finding their dream home and it’s just so rewarding. I love it,” she says.

Ida’s advice for agents who are just getting started is simple.

“Always be upfront and honest, tell the truth and do the right thing,” she says. “Take care of your clients like family. A good reputation and referrals are everything in this business. Just do the right thing.”

In addition to integrity, availability is essential.

“When a client calls, I try to be available no matter what,” she says. “I never know what my schedule is going to be. It can change with one phone call. My phone is always beside me, even while I’m sleeping.”

Embracing technology has helped Ida be successful as well, and it has helped the real estate industry as a whole, she says.

“Clients being able to sign documents online or right from their phones has made the way so much easier,” Ida says. “With all the real estate websites at their fingertips, buyers can view all the pictures and see video of properties, and with Google Earth, they can check out what’s around the surrounding area. Over the last few years with technology, I have been able to sell homes sight unseen, which has certainly made things easier with 2020 being a challenging year for all.” When Ida isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her four children and grandchildren as well as traveling and scuba diving with her husband.

“I have learned after all these years how important family time is,” she says. “It’s truly a treasure. I used to work so much and never take any family time. It’s very important to balance family and work, no matter how big your passion is for your work.”