From the moment we decided to leave our beautiful St. Pete 'forever home' to relocate out of the country, we knew we needed a trustworthy and reliable realtor. Having known Julia through the community, we felt confident from the start that she was the right person for the job—and she more than met our expectations.
Working with Julia was an absolute pleasure. Her can-do attitude and willingness to go above and beyond- especially during two devastating hurricanes- made every bit of a difference. She demonstrated incredible dedication, helping us prepare our home for the storms, even while juggling her own family’s needs. This was truly above and beyond! Her compassion and commitment during these challenging times reinforced our trust in her.
Though Julia may not be a seasoned realtor, her professionalism, preparation, and resourcefulness stood out from day one. She consistently came to the planning table informed and organized, providing invaluable resources through Smith & Associates that ensured we were in capable hands throughout the process. Without a doubt Julia’s enthusiasm and thoroughness were commendable, but there was a learning curve when it came to utilizing all the marketing resources available through Smith & Associates. Once she tapped into those tools, we saw increased traction and progress. Julia’s openness and honesty throughout the journey were invaluable, helping us navigate the ups and downs of selling our home during a difficult market. After a disappointing first offer fell through due to funding issues, Julia didn’t miss a beat. She immediately got back to work, re-listing the property and pushing forward despite setbacks, including some hurricane damage. Her resilience and determination were unwavering, and her efforts ensured our home was well-positioned for re-listing success.
We are grateful that it did not take longer to find a buyer, however, the ambiguity and lack of communication from the buyer's agent was concerning from the beginning. We were shocked to learn it was a Smith agent during the second offer process and overall it certainly left much to be desired. The lack of professionalism and respect from that agent was deeply disappointing, particularly when we discovered the agent had allowed the prospective buyer onto the property, and with vendors in some cases, without Julia’s knowledge or our consent. While Julia handled the situation with grace and professionalism, it was clear she was frustrated and embarrassed. This experience fell short of the high standards we associate with Smith & Associates, and we regretted our decision to offer the other agent the concession we did.
In the end, we wholeheartedly recommend Julia. Her compassion, patience, thoroughness, and problem-solving skills were truly exceptional. Despite the challenges, Julia’s dedication helped us sell our precious family home, and for that (and more than anything her support and friendship), we are incredibly grateful.
We will continue to hold Smith & Associates in high regard as a firm. Knowing the character of its leadership, the supportive company culture, and the incredible work of the Smith Foundation, we would choose Smith & Associates again. Thank you for helping us close this chapter with care and professionalism.
