REAL Exclusive Magazine

Lynne Koy

Attitude = Altitude

By Nicole Carbon

“If I had a crystal ball, I wouldn’t be a Realtor,” Lynne Koy said to a client just prior to our meeting. Lynne may not have a crystal ball, but what she does have is a strong work ethic, perseverance, and the ability to solve problems. She shared her story of how she built a prosperous business from the ground up, her philosophy, and the three sides to the triangle of her success.

Lynne started in the real estate business in Chicago as a single mother with two children and was discouraged by her instructor to enter the industry as a woman in her position. It didn’t stop her, she went on to build a thriving business. “Courage is taking those first steps to your happiness or your dream, even if you can’t see the path ahead,” she shares. Years later, she made the move to Long-boat Key to take care of her aging parents. Once again, she started from scratch, she didn’t know a thing about the area and had to rebuild her business, but quickly caught on to its appealing low-key vibe, and its thriving arts and cultural scene surrounded by some of the nation’s most beautiful beaches.

Applying her determination and nose-to-the-ground work ethic, she started her marketing efforts with letters to each of her neighbors in the condo where she was living on Longboat Key. It was 1985 and interest rates were 18-20%, to say the market wasn’t bright is an understatement. One couple in the building recognized Lynne’s enthusiasm and work ethic and called her to list their condo. They took a chance on her, and it’s something she never forgets.

She references Tim McGraw’s song Humble and Kind, “When you get to where you are going, don’t forget to turn back around and help the next one in line.” “None of us do it alone,” she says about success. There were mentors and clients that helped along the way and Lynne admits to having two full-time assistants and a business partner. The community has been good to her and she gives back through her volunteer work, which is key to her work/life balance. Two of the organizations she supports include Safe Place Rape and Crisis Center (SPARCC) and Meals on Wheels.

Her attitude is key, she exudes happiness and joy, “There’s a joy about my life,” says Lynne. She’s also a perfectionist and realizes that perfection may be unattainable, but by trying, you might reach excellence. She strives to give her customer the “Best experience they have ever had.” “Communication is the key. I form a ‘partnership’ with my clients.”

She has a triangle-theory strategy, the sides are a marketing plan and pricing, the base is the real estate agent and the company. A natural problem solver, she shares, “The way you treat your problems, determines their size.” Solving the clients’ problem of selling their home at the right price, she admits is a bit of a puzzle. When clients ask, when is a good time to sell, she says, “Now is the time; you can’t predict the future, there is no right time.”

She’s been in the community for 32 years and lived on Bird Key for 17 of those. It’s where she does a majority of her $40 million-per-year business. She loves the neighborhood because of its walkability to downtown, its diversity with 525 home sites, and the Bird Key Yacht Club, offering much more than boating and tennis, there’s yoga, art openings, and kayaking. She also has a fondness for nearby St. Armand’s Circle, Lido, and Longboat Key, stating that Longboat boasts 10.5 miles of powder white sand, 56 holes of golf, and bays on either side.

Most recently, she was awarded 941CEO’s Greater Good Award recognizing her outstanding service as a realtor out of 600 area realtors. In her next chapter, she looks forward to more time for volunteer work, international travel, and more time to spend with her eight-year-old granddaughter. She has a daily routine of solving a word puzzle and a morning workout. Not slowing down anytime soon she’s contemplating taking up kayaking.

Lynne Koy
(941) 544.5117
LKoy@ColdwellBanker.com
www.LynneKoy.com
Coldwell Banker Previews International
201 Gulf of Mexico Drive
Longboat Key, FL 34228