Star One Realty Group

from Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles. Trinity Magazine. Vol. 16, Issue 08, August 2020

by Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Magazine

From the Editor

Star One Realty Group Provides 5-Star Experience from Start to Closing

By Deborah Bostock-Kelley

Jeff Meyer and Michele Ream love their jobs. Friends for over two decades, the two have made a life of buying and selling homes for clients in every stage of life, from newlyweds looking to put down roots, expectant parents needing more space, to empty nesters looking to downsize.

A family-run business, Jeff founded Star One Realty Group in October 1999, and in 2001, Michele came aboard after retiring from a career in education. Her family joined soon after.

In May 2020, Star One Realty Group closed on its 3,000th transaction, which translates to 3,000 satisfied clients --- or a little less as the same buyers and sellers are consistently returning to Jeff and Michele to help them through the process. Nearly 80% of their business comes from word-of-mouth referrals and returning business. The business partners relayed a story of a client that bought and sold three different homes through Star One Realty Group. When your reputation precedes you, it’s easy to see why clients consistently return.

“If we represent both the seller and buyer of a transaction, the commission is only 3%, and you can cancel if you are not happy, at any time,” said Jeff. “Everybody that calls us either knows somebody we sold a house to or sold their house. We’ve been working together long enough that Michele and I have it figured out.” With two offices – one in North Pasco and another in North Pinellas, not only to Jeff and Michele cater to the locals, but they also provide service to clients in different states and even different countries.

“We have a lot of people from England, Germany, and Canada. We just helped a client sell their home from New Guinea,” said Jeff.

While the average realtor sells 8-10 houses a year, and the average team of 12 people, up to 80 houses, Jeff and Michele do the listings and contracts themselves and have sold 2% of all homes in Pasco County (1 out of every 50).

“Our clients call us because they know we are

Michelle and Jeff Meyer, owners, Star One Realty Group going to get the job done,” join a national TV show said Jeff. called “American Dream.”

Jeff and Michele After doing this, they offer much more than were invited to join a local experience, and incredible segment on the news. They customer service, each were so enamored with the home listed with the process that they reached pair gets showcased on out to the producer about their Great 38 (Spectrum creating their program, Channel 6) television show “Rocking Tampa Bay each Sunday at 11:30 am. Homes.” The show is viewable in Michele is the producer, eight different counties in director, and editor. Before the Tampa Bay area. the pandemic, Michele and

In early 2019, they Jeff would attend concerts were initially asked to and use the band enjoyed

as the theme of the show. With the limitations and social distancing of Covid-19, they now feature music segments from the 80s and other decades. Over 60% of their viewership is women from age 55+.

“We have viewers from Saint Pete to Citrus,” said Michele. “We feature our listings and educate the public on what’s happening in the industry. We’ve interviewed mortgage people, home inspectors, title companies, electricians, air conditioning people, tax people, etc. We put cameos on our program to educate the public.”

Jeff added, “It’s a fun show to do and a lot of work for Michele to put together every week, but the ratings are going up… up…. up!”

What’s incredible for any Star One Realty Group seller is it ultimately free to have their home featured on the TV program and in any print advertising.

To protect themselves and their clients when showing homes during the pandemic, the two practice social distancing, ask about Covid-19 exposure and symptoms, are always safely masked and gloved. The sellers are asked not to be in the homes during the showing, and the house is disinfected with antibacterial wipes before and after each walkthrough, doors are opened so the client doesn’t have to touch anything, and clients are masked. Even contracts can be made virtually via e-sign. Despite the pandemic, the pair closed over 40 homes last month.

When asked what they enjoyed best about working in real estate, the business partners were in total agreement.

“I like the people best,” said Michele. “Jeff expects the best in everyone, and it pushes you to be your best. It’s just the satisfaction of a job well done.”