r e a l e s t a t e
Bob Thomas – Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. b y J e s s i c a H o l t h a u s B a d o u r A s fall brings a nip to the air along 30- A, the summer has wrapped up another season. With kids back in
“Most of my customers are looking for a luxury condo or home that can work as a vacation property. Many are empty nesters who have been visiting the panhandle for a long time, looking to diversify and invest in a vacation rental, while also enjoying the property themselves,” he says. “Most recently we are seeing millennials get in on the action as they mature into their careers and their life goals transform.” Thomas provides a unique perspective as someone who did the same thing in 2018. Vacation rental properties are not “passive income,” he notes. It’s work, and it requires marketing to create success. His value-add for all his customers comes after the sale closes. “Often, after we close, phone calls continue. As my customers start the process of putting their property on vacation rental websites and apps, they come to me for guidance to help get them up and running,” Thomas describes. “While I don’t manage properties, I love to talk to them about my experience, and it’s really an extra benefit to the customer.” Bob Thomas and Counts Real Estate Group are taking on new customers consistently. With 12 years of experience and a 30-A office, the team understands the local community and economy. This truly differentiates Counts from the competition. Thomas thanks their robust technology support structure, with all the digital marketing and technical tools needed for today’s real estate transactions. It provides full operating speed to take care of customers throughout the entire process, while the marketing director and her team provide critical expertise that benefits all their customers. Looking ahead, Thomas is excited for the region and the attention 30-A continues to receive. “We have a great value here on the Emerald Coast when compared to other real estate hot spots in Florida. The awareness and interest in this area, there’s a lot of demand,” he says. “COVID was a trigger for a lot of people. It’s challenging because inventory is low, but we are seeing a little uptick in listings. I keep telling my customers: Be patient. More choices are coming.” Counts Real Estate Group’s local 30A office houses 21 agents and is located between Rosemary and Seacrest Beaches at 5231 E Co Hwy 30-A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. Reach the office at (850) 231-1483 or visit www.countsrealestate.com.
Bob Thomas
school, local time is more relaxed. Sitting down with real estate mogul Bob Thomas, the biggest question for him: Will the market relax, too? “I think for the fall season we’re going to be seeing a leveling off in the market,” he explains. “I’m not expecting any major adjustments or pull-backs; I think the pricing will level off and we’re going be seeing a little more inventory available.” Thomas’s real estate career is relatively new, having gotten his license in 2018, but already has a rich history here in the panhandle. After spending 25+ years in corporate America, a 2015 family vacation to WaterColor changed his future. The Thomas family fell in love with it here and initially bought a home as a vacation rental, which took off. Thomas saw the success of the real estate market and decided to move here full-time in 2018 to follow his passion. He joined Counts Real Estate Group, which has been here on the Emerald Coast since 2005. Today, the company has 130 plus local full-time agents, with 21 dedicated to the local 30-A office. In 2020, Bob took the next step and went from
Realtor® to a partner. “I have ownership in Counts Real Estate Brokerage, am a Realtor®, and have my own family vacation rental properties,” he explains. “It’s been very rewarding. “When I first started, the market was good,” he continues. “Then COVID hit. My first impression was, ‘We’ll see a setback now.’ Just the opposite happened. Business picked up and continued to increase all last year. In February, sales began to exceed the pricing on the market. The Emerald Coast is a great value.” With the pandemic, virtual showings became commonplace – making it even easier for a buyer out of the area to see properties and find the right one without having to travel. It’s not uncommon these days for a customer to purchase a home without physically seeing it; Thomas notes it’s still a lot of interaction but it’s mostly virtual.
Most recently we are seeing millennials get in on the action as they mature into their careers and their life goals transform.
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