Meet the Broker, Katie Ates, of 31 South Realty Co
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Engineering, University of Florida
Master of Engineering, University of Florida
Professional Licenses:
Florida Real Estate Broker
Florida Professional Engineer
Florida Community Association Manager
Alabama Real Estate Broker
Memberships:
National Association of Realtors
Pensacola Association of Realtors
Pensacola Association of Realtors Commercial Committee
NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association
East Hill Neighborhood Association
Real Estate Experience:
Growing up, my dad was a licensed contractor specializing in residential building while my mom served as the Broker for their built-from-the-ground-up business. I grew up on job sites, playing in masonry sand and climbing in rafters. Over the years, I learned about contemporary construction from Dad’s work and home projects. As soon as my husband and I had saved enough to buy our own home, we bought a 60s ranch in Milton with Dad’s stamp of approval. It had “good bones” as they say, but it needed some work. With Dad’s guidance and Mom’s help, we replaced and refinished the flooring in nearly the entire house, tore out the vintage wallpaper, and repainted the walls.
Since that time, we have bought, sold, fixed, and flipped houses that span construction of over a century. I have personally overseen the exterior restoration of a historic residence in downtown Milton, all the way to the research and Historic Preservation Board approval of period-appropriate paint colors. On another project, I directed and assisted with an almost whole-home renovation. In some cases, the properties were bought as investment properties, and I handled the in-house property management.
Once I received my real estate license, I affiliated with a multi-national real estate brokerage. Starting in residential, I was afforded the opportunity to perform commercial transactions in addition to residential sales with some limitations. I used the knowledge gained from my personal experience to help others buy, sell, and rent properties. For some, it was the purchase of a real estate investment to supplement retirement or lifestyle; for others, it was selling a home to move on to a new start. In addition, I have helped buyers and sellers navigate land transactions where land use knowledge was important.
After obtaining my broker’s license and working as a broker-associate for a time, I opened 31 South Realty Co to better serve other agents and our community. Built on the values of relationships, proficiency, efficiency, and service, 31 South Realty Co provides the flexibility and support our agents need to better serve our customers.
Management Experience:
In addition to property management experience, I have directly supervised a team of scientists and engineers conducting utility development reviews. I provided support, training, and allocated resources for the staff to succeed. I completed leadership training that prepared me for a range of situations. Over years of managing, a few of the biggest skills I learned were to be adaptable and hold people accountable. I gained the ability to lead a group carrying out our mission and embodying our values.