Pamela Hagan
Waterfront 7 Realty
“Knowledge is Powerful”
By Lalaena Gonzalez-Figueroa
Photography by Giovanni Lunardi
Design by Christian Lunardi
She grew up in Sarasota, and for real estate professional Pamela Hagan, there’s no place like home. As the broker/owner of Waterfront 7 Realty, she is sharing her knowledge and skills with clients and agents alike, enthusiastically assisting them in realizing their individual goals.
Pamela launched her real estate career in 1982, while studying Economics in Gainesville. “I wasn’t the greatest student,” she recalls with her trademark smile, “but I aced the state licensing exam!” It was, she says a natural fit. “It clicked right away,” Pamela asserts. “I was born to be in real estate.”
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Her early years were spent selling timeshares; her ability to successfully – and consistently – close some of the most challenging transactions in the business gave Pamela insight into her unique strengths and talents. “I love the opportunity to create individual relationships, and to tap into what each person wants and needs,” she explains. “Not only am I helping others, but I am also always in a position to learn something new. There’s nothing more rewarding.”
Pamela transitioned into a corporate position with Arvida as the company developed communities throughout the Gulf Coast region. Watching her hometown grow and change offered her a powerful insider’s knowledge of the big-picture real estate market, and she utilized that when she made the move to the residential resale market. Armed with a comprehensive understanding of an array of real estate transactions, she has successfully assisted a diverse clientele in the purchase and sale of primary, investment and vacation properties.
Her longevity in the field isn’t the only measure of Pamela’s success. She reports that in 1990, she sold the highest-priced home on Siesta Key. “My career has evolved,” she reflects. “With Arvida, I was selling high-end homes on Longboat Key, which really established regional market price points.” It was a natural transition, she adds, to sell homes throughout the area’s luxury communities.
Service, says Pamela, is an issue independent of price point. So whether she is working with first-time buyers in a waterfront condo community, assisting a family in moving up to a larger home, or representing an individual who is downsizing , she offers nothing less than excellence throughout every phase of the transaction. Her client-centric model has her focusing on individual needs, with an emphasis on cultivating long-term relationships rather than closing transactions. “It can’t be about a commission,” she explains. “I always operate with my clients’ best interests at the forefront of my actions.”
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She has expanded this business model with her brokerage, Waterfront 7 Realty. The boutique office has attracted like-minded agents whose distinct backgrounds and skills add value to the group as a whole. “We have a wonderful office, with agents acting like an extended team in their level of support and collegiality,” Pamela reveals.
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Patricia Benak
Director of Operations, longtime Sarasota resident
The synergy within Waterfront 7 Realty wasn’t a stroke of luck; it reflects Pamela’s professional diligence and her unwavering dedication to her profession. “I’ve managed real estate offices throughout my career, and have learned how an environment can impact the business that is conducted within the brokerage,” she says. “I designed a model and business plan that works, but it takes a great group of people who buy into my vision to make it a success.” Quality, she adds, is a critical element. “I’m not changing my business model so that I can fill my office with agents. I have hand-selected the individuals here, and am honored to work with them. They are all about good business.”
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Rick L. Lamb
New Business Development; longtime Sarasota resident
That model, Pamela says, is about putting relationships first. “I utilize technology to communicate and to systematize my processes, but there is no substitute for face-to-face conversations,” she explains. This, she notes, is imperative to establishing a solid rapport not only with clients, but with other agents. Her collaborative approach has earned her the confidence of consumers and real estate professionals alike.
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Jenn LaGasse Flanders
Sarasota native, top producer, east county focus
She describes her business model as “putting the handshake back in the deal.” It emphasizes, she says, accountability and trust. “I follow through on my commitments,” states Pamela, “and I expect nothing less than that from other agents and industry-related professionals.” There’s a sense of something bigger, too. Pamela reveals that every agent with Waterfront 7 Realty is committed to giving back to their community through individual and group efforts. “When you do the right thing, the rewards are greater than you could have anticipated,” she muses.
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Fredd “Glossie” Atkins
Sarasota native, former Mayor, commercial specialist
Pamela is deeply committed to giving back and it is a requirement to work at Waterfront 7 Realty that you choose your “charity of choice” to support. Some of the organizations she personally supports are: The Jewish Federation; Helping to enhancing Jewish lives locally and abroad. Selah Freedom; Working with local human trafficking and sex trade victims. Samaritan’s Counseling Center; Offering counseling to those in need of hope on a sliding scale. Longboat Key Garden Club; An eco-friendly organization providing scholarships. Second Chance; Offering help and mentoring with life skill classes for at risk teens and low income families. Hearts of Fire; helping with mission trips all over the world. The North Sarasota Workforce Initiative; focusing on improving economic development and the quality of life for residents of Newtown. “We are always adding to our list as we love giving back and making Sarasota a better place,” Pamela shares enthusiastically.
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Judy Smith
New construction, investor specialist
Her compassion for others is also reflected in her real estate business. Pamela thrives on the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of her clients, and continues to investigate methods of leveraging her services to maximize their experiences. Her local market knowledge is unparalleled, and she has expanded her repertoire to facilitate transactions well beyond the beautiful Gulf Coast region. “Sarasota is a haven for people from around the world,” she explains. “My work has allowed me to build an expanding international clientele.” This, adds Pamela, has led her to a new perspective in real estate. She has incorporated her love of travel into her work, assisting buyers in acquiring properties overseas. “I’ve cultivated a great network of wonderful agents in other markets, and am taking buyers into Mexico and Belize,” Pamela says. “I’m also hosting informative seminars that provide prospective buyers with information on the process.”
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Local clients appreciate Pamela’s attentive personal touch, which lasts well beyond the course of a given transaction. Her concierge-level of service allows clients to share in her vast connection of regional businesses and service providers, and she looks forward to continuing to raise the bar on her already exceptional level of customer care. From restaurant reservations, to a complimentary monthly check-up on her listings, Pamela’s business offers comprehensive care designed to alleviate stress and concerns for her clientele.
For all her accomplishments and years of experience, Pamela remains enthusiastic about the business of real estate and the challenges that await. “I’m always learning something new,” she smiles. “I love that I can continue to grow and develop as a professional, and that I can use that knowledge to better serve my clients and the agents who work with me.” As she thoughtfully expands her brokerage and her own clientele, she looks forward to continued success.
Waterfront 7 Realty
595 Bay Isles Rd., Suite 120E
Longboat Key, FL 34228
(941) 387.7777
www.Waterfront7Realty.com [9]
Pamela Hagan
Broker/Owner
PamHagan@Waterfront7Realty.com [10]
(941) 400.6682
[11]Copyright © 2014 REAL Exclusive Magazine
Links to this article are encouraged
Photography used under license from Giovanni Lunardi Photography [12]
Photography Copyright © 2014 Giovanni Lunardi Photography
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