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Cover – Drew and Nikki Betz – Breaking Par

Drew & Nikki Betz

Breaking Par

By Ed Bertha

Photography by Giovanni Lunardi

Layout by Christian Lunardi

You might be hard pressed to find two real estate agents in today’s market who are as dedicated to the principle of “trust” as Drew and Nikki Betz. Not only do they believe trust is a critical element in the agent-client relationship, but it is also vital to creating honest and respectful relationships within the local agent community.

Drew and Nikki grew up in real estate families. Drew’s parents bought and sold 6 homes while he was growing up. Drew quickly gravitated to the construction industry and started out working with a custom home builder. At age 22 he bought, remodeled and sold his first home. Continuing with his hands on approach, while attending Minnesota State University for his Real Estate and Real Estate Development Degree, Drew stepped out and established his home automation business, Custom Pro Audio Video.

Nikki’s parents on the other hand assembled multiple homes starting with the “Al Capone” home (nicknamed so for its speakeasy) in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, to laid back Key West, to bustling Ft Lauderdale, to idyllic Manasota Key, building and remodeling homes along the way. It is with these experiences that Nikki gravitated to the creative side of building, focusing on color, design and trends, ultimately ending up with a marketing degree from Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis. With the addition of their first daughter, Alexis, Nikki became heavily involved in Custom Pro Audio Video, taking on the marketing and creative side of the flourishing business.

With the lure of Sarasota looming and family close by, the couple relocated to the area and sold Custom Pro Audio Video. Using his business acumen, Drew set out to make the transition from the home automation business to real estate. Not surprising, in his first year with Keller Williams, he placed in the top five of Keller Williams agents internationally and as the top producer in his local office of 130 agents.

That first year set the bar from which The Betz Realty Group continues to grow their business and make an impact in the community. Drew explains, “Although there is no crystal ball when it comes to real estate, I have an ‘educated instinct’. I know the properties, the neighborhoods, and the players involved. My knowledge of values, price points, and process is incredibly accurate and our clients benefit from that.”

Alexa, Nikki, Ava And Drew Betz Breaking Par

If it seems like Drew brings an analytical approach to the practice of real estate, it’s true. He owes it to his unique background, having worked on the “inside” of homes. “I consider education a major component of what I do. Educating clients is critical,” he shares. “And that education begins right from the first communication.”

A mother of two, time is a precious commodity for Nikki, the listing/marketing specialist for the Betz Realty Group. She focuses on optimizing the team’s marketing to move sellers’ property with the shortest market time at the highest price. Nikki’s marketing background gives her a unique take on preparing a listing. “I like the process to have a beginning, middle, and end,” she explains. “Staging the home is the equivalent of building the set. Creating the marketing dialogue for the listing is like writing the script, shooting the images and video to go with the listing are the PR, and finally, when we hold the first open house, it’s like opening night.”

Nikki And Drew Checking Out Exotic Tile At Tile Market

But still, this busy mom believes that her ability to create a personal connection with clients makes a meaningful difference. “Clients recognize that I’m very knowledgeable, a skilled negotiator and highly intuitive when it comes to pricing a listing, but all of that said, I think people can relate to me because I’m just like them – with kids and a family.”

Drew also cites his responsiveness and listening skills as two qualities that give him a competitive advantage. “Two things I hear from clients over and over are that their other agent never called them back or didn’t really listen to what they needed,” he explains. “I make it a point to really listen to my clients, and I’m diligent about returning calls, even if that means doing it at home after hours,” he continues. “I get a lot of referrals coming to me because people either can’t reach their agent, they’re being shown homes they can’t afford, or the homes they are shown don’t match their lifestyle, because the agent wasn’t listening to their wants and needs.”

Alexa (l) and Ava (r) Hold A Special Place In Drew And Nikki’s Hearts

Being involved in the community is very important to Nikki and her family. “We like to stay connected – whether it’s to local non-profits, or our daughters’ schools, to give back and be advocates for the area. We are members of Young Professionals where I am currently chair, and YMCA Advisory Board, where I am chairing this year’s new fundraiser,” she shares. The “Y” holds a special place in the Betz’s hearts as their daughter, Alexis, was the beneficiary of “Y Reads”, where her reading skills blossomed as a result of the program.

What do the Betz’s enjoy doing when making time away from real estate? The Betz’s love everything the Sarasota area has to offer; from golfing, fine dining, cultural activities, gorgeous sunsets, fishing, and hunting, they never have a problem finding something to do. Top on their list, Drew and Nikki enjoy spending time with their daughters, Alexis and Ava. The Betz’s know Florida is the place for their family.

The Family Agrees On The Selection Of Tile

Drew and Nikki Betz, the Betz Realty Group. Their outstanding knowledge of the business, high standard of personal performance, and uncanny ability to match buyers and sellers make them a standout in the industry. Whether it is helping first time home buyers, those wanting a vacation home, or individuals seeking investment properties, everyone gets the Betz VIP treatment. “Your goals are our business, our only business.”

Betz Realty Group

Drew Betz
Drew@BetzRealtyGroup.com
941.224.8402

Nikki Betz
Nikki@BetzRealtyGroup.com
941.468.9551

www.BetzRealtyGroup.com
Keller Williams
22 South Links Avenue, Suite 200
Sarasota, FL 34236