There are many real estate agencies to choose from these days. The SIMMS Team at Coastal Properties Group sets themselves apart by providing personalized services and being active in the community.
Whether you are buying your first home or investing in a multi-million-dollar property, the mother-daughter duo Sharon and Tami Simms work hard to make sure you find the home that is right for you. Amy Dinovo provides transaction management services, and Sharon’s son Rob Johnson recently retired from the business to make a move to Finland.
Helping Buyers Relocate to St. Pete
“Back in the day, someone from out of town wanting to move to St. Pete would come to visit for a weekend and we’d show them about a dozen homes,” Tami Simms reports. “Today, with the shortage of inventory, I take the time to drive them around to all the different neighborhoods. When a new listing comes on the market, I can contact them via Zoom or FaceTime to show them the property and then act quickly to make an offer. This requires a huge level of trust between me and the buyer.”
Advice for First-Time Buyers
In this competitive real estate market, Tami Simms suggests that preparation is the key for all buyers. “Be fully pre-approved with a well-regarded, local lender. If you plan to spend up to $400,000, for example, don’t look at homes over $375,000, because you will probably end up in a competitive situation. These days it doesn’t matter if you have $1 million cash in your pocket as you still might lose out in the current market.”
Help for the Seller
“Anyone can sell a home (even the owner), but it’s a good real estate professional that will bring the deal to closing,” Tami Simms says. “It can be very overwhelming for a seller to receive 24 offers the first day, but we can help sort through them and identify the most promising one.”
Whether you have just moved in or are getting your home ready to sell, the SIMMS Team has a complete list of quality repair people who are readily available.
Getting Involved in the Community and the Industry
The number of community groups that the Simms family is involved with are almost too numerous to mention. Tami was recently appointed to the City of St. Petersburg Charter Review Commission that will present items for the November ballot, and she is president of the Downtown Business Association. In addition, she holds leadership positions with the Central Avenue Council and the Downtown Waterfront Parks Foundation. Tami is also a trainer for the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing and enjoys speaking at various events for other real-estate professionals. She also serves on the Public Policy Committee for the Pinellas REALTOR® Organization that screens candidates running for public office.
“Half of our business comes from our community involvement, and the other half is from referrals and repeat clients,” she says. “It is very rewarding to give back to our community and help make it a better place in which to live and work.”
“Things are always changing, and you can’t rely on what’s always been done in the past. You have to pay attention, build relationships and embrace the future.”
If you’re looking for a local family team that will help you find what’s right for YOU, then give the SIMMS Team a call at (727) 898- 2582 or visit them at 238 Beach Drive NE. Listings and past sales are available at www.SimmsTeam.com.
