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Profile: Tom Fitzpatrick Broker Associate for Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty b y Te s s F a r m e r
T om Fitzpatrick has combined his profession and passion as one of the leading real estate agents in Northwest Florida. Specializing in the luxury real estate market on 30-A, he received the highest average sales price for Scenic Sotheby’s in 2019. In this unprecedented year, he continues to produce significant sales in high-end residential properties. He’s also a passionate golfer and combines his work with his passion of golf to network and establish new re- lationships with buyers, sellers, and colleagues. He is one of a few to have achieved “David Leadbetter Certified Instructor” status in golf. Through the years, Fitzpatrick has played and trained with several number one-ranked pro golfers, notable entertainers, and corporate execu- tives. He also shares musings and info in a regular golf column here in The Thirty-A Review . We caught up with Fitzpatrick in the midst of a hectic week during spring break to learn more about his background and get his thoughts on the outlook for the future of this market. He also shares some pretty neat celebrity connections he’s made through golf. First, tell us about how you got started in your career. I grew up on the east coast of Florida and attended the University of Florida, majoring in business finance, and also was a member of the men’s golf team there. Initially I did property management for rock guitarist Stephen Stills from Crosby, Stills & Nash in Florida. Funny enough, I met Stephen on his family Christmas vacation to Florida in the 80s. We became friends and played golf through the years in Florida and on visits to Los Angeles, where Stephen was a member of Bel Air Country Club. I then began working for David Leadbetter, the renowned golf teacher, in the early 90s. From there I conducted corporate golf workshops at Pebble Beach and other resorts for fifteen years with Tim Gallwey, author of Inner Game of Golf . What was it like being around golf instruction? My very first day working for Leadbetter, David asked me to greet golf star Seve Ballesteros. While waiting for David to arrive Seve wanted to watch his swing on video. He insisted on asking me what I thought he should change in his golf swing to which I had no earthly idea!
Any other celebrity encounters worth sharing? Who’s got the best golf game? The best entertainer I actually had an opportunity to play with was jazz musician Kenny G. He was by far the most consistent and you could tell really studied the game. And the kindest person, too. What are your thoughts on the outlook of the local housing market? Scenic 30-A has experienced an unprecedented flurry of sales in the last twelve months. Covid-19 accel- erated the buying of the dream house that would allow family members to safely reconnect in open spaces. Our real estate market is changing dramatically and at a rapid pace… It’s essential to know the 30-day sales trends. In February alone, I represented some of 30-A’s most luxurious properties, totaling over $28,000,000 in closed sales volume. Consumers have wholeheartedly embraced the quality of life that 30-A uniquely offers. And a big driver of our market is income producing rental homes. Tom Fitzpatrick and his team understand clients appreciate an uncompromising level of honesty and customer service. Working closely with buyers and sellers, his aggressive marketing programs position real estate portfolios to a very unique worldwide audience. Fitzpatrick offers a complimentary ‘real estate review’ that includes market statistics helpful in determining real estate valuations. He’s even open to sharing that info over a round of golf! The local Scenic Sotheby’s International Realty office is located in Inlet Beach at 30Avenue, 12805 US Highway 98 East in Suite D201. Phone: (850) 225- 4674, Email: tom@scenicsir.com He combines his work with his passion of golf to network and establish new relationships with buyers, sellers, and colleagues.
Tom Fitzpatrick
How did that lead you to real estate in Florida? I was asked to join a development group on 30-A. As their real estate broker of record, I managed the sales effort for their communities. What are some of your best memories working for a leading rock guitarist? One of the perks were backstage passes. At one concert, CSNY would be on stage... Stephen would walk off stage left to where I was standing, change guitars and start telling me about his latest round of golf. Then with new guitar in hand headed back onto stage. I also remember being in Stephen’s home studio with Michael Douglas, listening to a promo tape Stephen was hoping to get picked up in one of Michael’s movies. But getting to talk golf with Neil Young was as cool as it gets.
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