Today we’d like to introduce you to Caylee Otto.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As a preservation enthusiast, I started Historic Florida Houses with one goal in mind: bringing like-minded individuals together to help them find and share their own space in history. I first discovered this love for old architecture and design while growing up in an 1800’s Victorian home in Pennsylvania where historic homes are plentiful.
When it came time to purchase my first home in Florida, I knew that I was looking for a charming property with many original characteristics. I also realized that this would be challenging in the beige and white modernized streets of South Florida. After countless months of searching, I was able to find a cute 1950’s bungalow in Hollywood with the original kitchen and colorful bathrooms intact!
While my story has a happy ending, I did find it frustrating having to deal with professionals who could not understand the concept of wanting something “old” or finding a beautiful property full of original characteristics without a single mention of them in the listing.
Fast forward to today, I have become well-known for my passion and am quickly becoming the go-to realtor for historic properties in Florida. Utilizing my social media and digital marketing expertise, my online presence with @HistoricFloridaHouses can drive maximum exposure to the properties that I represent.
Has it been a smooth road?
Focusing on historic and older homes is not only a labor of passion, but it also requires high attention to detail. The buyers of this niche market look at things differently than your typical buyer. They want to see original characteristics, to hear the stories behind the walls of the home and understand the history within the communities in which they are investing in. They also need to understand what is going on underneath those walls.
What type of electricity and plumbing systems do they have, were there any major incidents in the home’s history like a fire or hurricane damage, and what are the potential obstacles they may be facing in the future. Since older homes can come in a range of conditions from being perfectly preserved, partially restored, or a true labor of love, there is something for every buyer! Having a full understanding of their needs and capabilities will ensure the perfect home (in any state) can find the perfect buyer.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a licensed Florida Realtor specializing in the selling and buying of historic properties. I am most proud of my Donation for Preservation program where a portion of my earned commission is donated to a local historical society, trust, or preservation organization.
This program allows me to go beyond saving homes and will help have a greater impact on preserving the history of every neighborhood in this state. For more information on this program and how it works, please feel free to visit my website.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My followers are my biggest cheerleaders and supporters and are exactly why I do what I do. As a person who believes in preservation whenever possible, it has been amazing to find an entire network of individuals who share my passion. I love to see how excited they get about the homes that are featured through my social media posts, especially when I get to see comments about how they “wouldn’t change a thing.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.historicfloridahouses.com
- Phone: 724.552.3112
- Email: historicfloridahouses@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/historicfloridahouses
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/HistoricFloridaHouses/
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
