New real estate office opens at island center
With the boom time of real estate long since gone and a slow turnover in home sales, one might wonder why anyone would choose to open a new real estate office on Pine Island at this time. This seemingly bleak time has not deterred one of Pine Island’s multi-generation family however.
“We don’t think the market has flatlined. It still has a pulse, perhaps a weak one, but it is still alive,” said Karen Barnhill broker/owner of Shallow Water Realty. “I have been a Realtor for more than 15 years and have seen the ups and downs. During down times like these you just need to work at it to be successful. I think this is the most exciting time to get started.”
Joining Barnhill at Shallow Water is her daughter, Carrie Barnhill, a fourth generation Pine Islander.
“Today, all you hear is bad news with people losing their homes and businesses closing. It is our hope to bring new enthusiasm back to the real estate market and to help other businesses on the island,” Carrie said. “We love it here and we feel confident that things will improve.”
Carrie recently received her real estate license, but is no stranger to the island business scene. She attended Pine Island Elementary School and over the years has worked alongside her family in a variety of job positions.
The Barnhills have developed a reputation for their integrity with other businesses owned and operated on the island in the past and the new motto of Shallow Water Realty reflects that.
“We have been developing our website and Carrie and I took great care in selecting three words that people would associate with Shallow Water Realty. The words we chose are dependable, dynamic and dedicated,” said Barnhill. “These are words my family has always lived by and lived up to wether is was in our commercial fishing business or our seafood retail business. Here in this office, those words will be carried on.”
Among the reasons Barnhill cited as her incentive to open a real estate office on the island had to do with signs.
“I have begun to notice more and more homes for sale signs popping up all over the island from real estate businesses I have never heard of and found it troubling,” Barnhill said. “We have always lived and worked here and I don’t like the idea that when someone here sells their home, the money goes to some invisible office in Naples or elsewhere off island. There is no reason not to make this work and rest assured the money we make on the island, stays on the island.”
Looking ahead, Barnhill anticipates increasing her staff of realtors and grow the business.
Shallow Water Realty officially opened last week occupying the former Dolphin Realty building at 5524 Avenue A, Suite A, Bokeelia, just north of the four-way stop.
For more information, call Shallow Water Realty at 283-4100 or visit shallowwaterrealty.com