Pinellas County Real Estate

As a trusted realtor in Tampa, at Charles Rutenberg Realty, dedicated to my clients since March of 2015, I understand that buying or selling a home is often complex and deeply personal. Typically there is a lot at stake both financially and personally. I am an agent that appreciates how critical the outcome of this real estate transaction is for you, and you should know that when you are looking to make that move you have an honest and trusted expert by your side.

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When I turned 18 in my senior year of high school, I was already doing quite well in my part-time sales job, and luckily banks were giving out mortgages to anyone with a pulse. Since I was working in sales, I learned that the worst thing that can happen when you ask for something, is that someone says no. So I applied and got approved for a mortgage.  After dozens of low-ball offers with my awesome realtor, I was notified on my pager in science class that my offer was accepted and I just bought a house! Luckily, I finished my Bachelor’s degree in marketing while  living in my own personal house.

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After several years of fixing up that house and working in high dollar sales, I started to see what everyone then was calling a blip or moderate slowdown in housing sales. This was early 2007, and luckily I knew some people much smarter than me who worked as realtors in St Petersburg, FL, who explained why I should sell a house going up in price almost daily. Much to my surprise, my original agent advised against this and actually said real estate only goes up in value and I’d have to be an idiot to sell! Luckily, I crossed my fingers and choked down my apprehension. I found a large company realtor who was beyond incompetent, took some horrible photos, wrote my home description likely in 5 minutes or less, and refused to hold open houses on homes in the price range of mine. I finally got an offer that expired in just a few hours, as unfortunately, my Realtor turned out to be a full-time teacher and softball coach. Luckily, I babysat the deal and sold it before the price crash.

 

When I was ready to buy again, I was determined to find a great realtor in Clearwater, FL and met with 4 supposedly great real estate agents. I even told them honestly that I had multiple colleagues looking to buy as well. Long story short, I couldn’t believe how many of them presented themselves and had absolutely zero sales ability or background and were frankly condescending. I decided instead of hiring one, I would become one and find the best deal ever on a house and do the same for my friends! 

 

Fortunately, I found a great little block 3 bed/ 2 bath fixer upper for $33,500, as well as another home nearby for $31,000. I sold mine for $300,000 in Dec. 2021 after nearly 5 years of renting it out, which everyone I knew, including a lot of realtors in Tampa said was absolutely impossible. Many of my friends, family, and clients seem to have similar experiences when they are open to suggestions. There is a lot of strategy, a little luck, and a lot of experience knowing when a deal is truly a deal that goes into getting excellent prices and terms when buying or selling real estate. The best advice I can give buyers & sellers is to work with honest agents who are truly looking out for your best interests and not just their next potential commission check. 

 

Both data and common sense prove that licensed experts in their field nearly always outperform amateurs. Please do yourself a favor: use a real brain surgeon if you need brain surgery, call the best lawyer if you get sued, call Elon Musk if you are planning a trip to Mars, and call me if you need a great realtor.

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