Today we’d like to introduce you to Dale Palmer.
Dale, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have a Bachelors degree in Computer Science and worked for a fortune 500 company for 18 years (Nortel Networks), working as a Computer Programmer and IS manager. Our office was located in the city of Sunrise, Florida selling and supporting Caribbean and Latin America telecommunications systems.
I was laid off in 2001 and was forced to either move to New York or California to continue what I was doing or change careers. I didn’t want to leave the Fort Lauderdale area, so I looked into starting my own business in something. I decided to get my real estate license since I’ve always liked looking at homes and thought my project management and IS background would help me in a real estate career.
I’m a very detailed person and anything technical came pretty easy for me. I thought I could handle my own marketing, ads, etc. so I started my real estate career in January of 2002 with a small company off Las Olas Blvd (R&S Realty Group) and moved into the top salesman position the 1st year in real estate and continued be the top salesman while I was there. I moved my license over to Keller Williams a few years later. During this time, I looked into creating my own website. I went to a website called Lynda.com and started classes in website development, SEO (Search Engine Optimization), WordPress, etc… and it took me a couple of months, but I created my own website, www.DalePalmer.com. That’s what really took my business to the next level. Lynda.com helped me grow my business learning the latest in website development and optimizing my website for Google and the web.
I moved over to work with a partner at Wolfe Real Estate Group, received my Broker’s license and became part owner in Wolfe Real Estate Group. We had about 25 agents and was with Wolfe for 5 years.
In 2014, HGTV’s Beach Front Bargain Hunt contacted me and wanted me to be in an episode they were featuring on Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach called the “Venice of the Americas”. I was on the show as a Realtor and showed a previous customer of mine waterfront homes in our area. This was just a great opportunity for my business and myself. HGTV found me on the net because of my website and saw that I focus on waterfront homes in our area.
In 2016, my business partner and myself decided to close our business and go back to selling real estate like we like to do. I quickly found out that I really like selling real estate instead of management.
In January, 2017, I hit my 15 year anniversary selling real estate and I couldn’t be happier with my decision to move under Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate off Las Olas Blvd as a Broker Associate. While I’ve increased my business year over year since starting real estate, I still feel like I need to grow and learn constantly. I’m excited to be part of Coldwell Banker since their focus, like mine is dedicated to customer service and making both buyers and sellers happy. The amount of support and marketing that Coldwell provides makes us a good match and feel that my next few years will be my best ever in my career.
I’ve also realized over the years that I like to continue to learn and develop and I think that’s why I’m successful in real estate. I’ve earned a few designations over the years including Accredited Luxury Homes Specialist (ALHS), Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Real Estate Technology Pro (e-Pro) as well as my Broker’s license.
Has it been a smooth road?
The largest struggle over the years was the collapse of the real estate market that started in 2006. That was a pretty depressing time for myself and a lot of real estate agents. Business basically came to a halt. I did learn one very important lesson during that time. Create an emergency fund and keep 6 months to a year of your monthly expenses in there.
The other struggle was re-inventing myself with the new technology, website design, SEO. After the collapse, the recovery period I needed a website. Realtors that had their own website were excelling and I had to make that change as well with very little money because of the collapse.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I have Dale Palmer & Associates and I sell residential real estate. I specialize in waterfront homes, but sell all types of residential property including homes, condos and townhomes as well as multi-family properties.
I’m known as far as my customers say is an honest and detailed Realtor. My first broker I had in real estate told me to go above and beyond your job as a real estate agent and provide over the top customer service, then the commission will come. I really believe that too. I’ve built my business on referrals as well and you don’t get referrals for just being good. You get referrals from previous customers by being excellent.
I’m proud of my constant growth over the years. I’m proud of my excellent customer reviews that I continue to receive and I’m proud of the company I’m working for.
What sets me apart from others is my response to customers, answering questions and dealing with issues right away. I’m available 7 days a week and my customers know that.
I also listen to my customers on what they want in a home or condo and with my technical background it comes pretty easy for me to find them exactly what they want.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love Fort Lauderdale and always have. I was born in West Palm Beach and moved to Fort Lauderdale about 25 years ago and have loved it ever since. I love the beach area, the numerous waterways. I love the Las Olas Blvd area and the amount there is to do here.
Least? – Not much. Let me think……………….still thinking…………..maybe the traffic during the season but at the same time. I love having tourists come to our area. That’s what keeps us growing. Sorry, I love it here.
Contact Info:
- Address: Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate
901 E. Las Olas Blvd.,
Suite 101
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 - Website: www.DalePalmer.com
- Phone: 954-895-8999
- Email: Dale@DalePalmer.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FortLauderdaleRealEstate/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/realtor_dale
- Other: https://plus.google.com/+Fortlauderdalerealestatemls
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Richard Schultz
October 9, 2017 at 6:15 pm
Great article Dale and you are a GREAT Realtor!