We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Danielle Gustafson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Danielle below.
Hi Danielle, thanks for joining us today. Do you take vacations? Why or why not?
Real estate offers a flexible schedule, and a significant portion of my work can be done from the phone and computer anywhere in the world. I travel … a lot. I shy away from the word “vacation” because it elicits visions of internet-less destinations, cruise ships and drinks with little pink umbrellas. Travel is a lifestyle. It’s a choice. Vacation, to me, is a short break from reality (and that’s good too!). It’s easy to get caught up in two mind-sets: 1) I’m too busy to get away, and 2) Business is too slow right now, so I can’t afford it. While both may be true at any given time, life is happening now. Nobody ever says, “I wish I’d worked more” when their time is up. Although it’s sometimes a double-edged sword, we are blessed to live in a time when cell phones and internet afford us the ability to work from anywhere. For the most part, my clients don’t even know I’m away.
Danielle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have always had a passion for real estate, and an equal love of the St. Augustine lifestyle. I’ve been in the real estate industry for 24 years, and real estate is in my blood. Everyone in my family is an avid investor. I’ve learned a lot from their trials, tribulations, and triumphs. I started practicing real estate while still in college as a licensed intern for two different local, luxury real estate developments. The industry instantly fascinated me. Buyers were not only realizing their dreams, they were also providing for future financial security by investing in a home. What’s more rewarding than that?!
It’s both rewarding and exciting to work with each client. It’s a mutually beneficial process to build the client’s trust, help them with decision making, address the emotional challenges that come with spending money, explain the technicality of every detail of a contract, effectively negotiate the price and terms on their behalf… Every aspect offers a different level of satisfaction. For someone like me who feels stifled by routine or the mundane, real estate offers the opportunity to focus whole-heartedly on providing the highest level of service to my clients before moving to the next client and challenging opportunity.
What sets me apart? I do business differently on purpose. Real estate isn’t a volume play for me. Quite the contrary, actually. I’ve always known that my integrity attracts abundance, and I will not take on a project that feels out of alignment. My time is my most valuable asset, and I invest in each client wisely. When I choose to work with a buyer or seller, my commitment is 100%. Luxury is a level of service, not a price point, and every project I commit to receives the same white glove level of service no matter the price.
This business isn’t just selling houses. It’s so much more. While I also sell commercial real estate, almost all residential sales are emotional. It’s understanding relationships with Self, others and money. It’s understanding that the four walls inside a home often hold generations of stories and memories. It’s knowing that for most people, change is scary, especially when you’re uprooting your nest, your family and, quite often, your entire way of life. It’s an honor to see the amount of trust people place in me when they are investing every penny they have saved for years, and I get to help them make their dream a reality. I am always committed to finding the perfect home for my buyers, or to sell a client’s property for the price it deserves. It’s truly an honor to provide unmatched service that comes from expert knowledge of the marketplace beyond MLS, a deep understanding of my clients wants and needs, and an eye for detail that’s rarely seen in this bottom-line industry.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I’m a straight shooter. Always. My clients know they can trust my words 100%. It’s about them, not the commission. I do the research, know the market and have strong intuition. I work to understand what’s driving the purchase or sale, and then adopt my clients’ goals as if they are my own. For buyers, they know I’ll never allow them to purchase a property that I don’t believe is in their best interest. For sellers, they know I won’t take on a listing if I can’t position, price, and market it perfectly, and I’m always going to get them top dollar.
As a real estate professional, not only are you building a reputation with buyers and sellers, but also with other REALTORS®. The relationships within the industry are equally important. I’m honest, responsive, and go out of my way to make the transactions as easy as possible when working with my peers. I’m happy to offer a favor, meet their client if they can’t, and assist with their due diligence. Real estate is hard work, and if I can do anything to make another agent’s job a little easier, I will. I don’t expect anything in return, and I also know that karma is real.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The majority of my clients are repeat business, referrals and friends. My network offers me a continuous stream of business, and that truly means the world to me. Their referrals are a reflection of their experience and appreciation for the service I provided. We often hear, “never do business with friends.” For me, it’s the exact opposite. My friends are my greatest source of business, and new clients become friends through the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: staugustineluxury.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staugustineluxury/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielleintheworld
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StAugustineLuxury