About Us

Pensacola Realtors enjoy working together and helping clients

  Who ever said husbands and wives could not work together, never met Realtors Larry and Brigette Brooks of ERA Beach Ball Realty in downtown Pensacola.

Both 43 years old, this dynamic duo have no problem working together, in fact, they say it works perfectly for them – and then some.
“Seeing the delight and satisfaction of a client when the transaction is complete is the best part of the job. Having always been in the same fields — initially technology and then real estate — Larry and I started our married life together with our work being an integral part of our lives. The most challenging part of working together is not letting the discussion of it dominating our designated non-work time together,” said Brigette, who is now in her sixth year as a sales associate. And this busy couple should know since they work at a very successful company.  

The Thrill of It
Brigette said her favorite part of real estate is working with clients who become life-long friends. 
“Long after our transaction has ended, these are the friends with whom we share wedding and baby showers, graduations, weekend wings parties, and so much more,” she said. “Some of the people who we initially met as clients are now prayer partners, baby- sitters, and work-out partners.” 

As for why they chose careers in real estate to begin with, Larry said, “We had an interest in learning about real estate investing for personal investing. While on a trip to the area, we saw information on an investor bus tour sponsored by Real Estate Navigators.  We did our first deal in the area with Woody Wolden of Top 10 Properties and our interest in real estate continued to grow.”
            In addition, an unexpected move to the area, prompted by the passing of her father, caused Brigette to consider trying real estate as a profession. Larry became licensed after 1 year to partner with Brigette in their growing business.

Who They Are   
Brigette, born in Pensacola, has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of South Florida and prior to becoming a real estate sales associate worked for IBM, Apple Computer, and Unisys Corp. for more than 16 years.  
Larry, born in Atlanta, attended the University of South Florida and has worked as a software developer for the Florida Department of Labor, The Weather Channel, as well as owned his own software development company. They met in Tampa after finishing college and moved to Pensacola in 2003.

These days, they specialize in residential and investment properties primarily in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.  
“The biggest difference between us and our fellow agents is our communication.   In several cases where we have been the second agent to list a property, for example, we have been told that the previous agent listed the property and initially might have contacted the client on a regular basis but as time progresses months might go by without their receiving a call or the client had to initiate the communication.  Also, we do what we say,” explained Brigette.

 “We have found this to be an issue with clients as well, both buyers and sellers.  Recently, a new investor client commended us for our timely and professional delivery of information, when they were frustrated that their previous agent did not deliver market analysis information for a rental property after they had requested it on three occasions.  In working with us, they have purchased one investment property and have one under contract for purchase in working with us for two months and they are clients with a desire to continue to build their investment portfolio. However, their making the decision to choose these two properties was not easy. They required a great deal of guidance, patience, and detailed analysis, factors at which we excel.”

Most importantly, they do what is best for their clients, too.  
“With our buyers’ market I encourage my sellers to use creative financing strategies such as lease option or seller financing and I have used these strategies myself personally,” Brigette continued. “Recently, I had a listing for which the buyer put down option consideration of $9,000.00 and offered four leases for the seller to review, as well as references to a real estate attorney to prepare this.  I did not accept any commission at the time of the lease but it was the best decision for my client.”

 Other Kudos
Of course over the years, the Brooks’ have won a number of awards and acknowledgements such as the 2005 and 2006 Top Gun Award; 2004, 2005, and 2006 Top 10 Properties Top Producer Award; 2006 Top 10 Properties Commitment to Excellence Customer Satisfaction Award; 2004, 2005 and 2006 Multi-Million Dollar Producer for their efforts.
But their days are not always filled with awards and other accolades.

“Some of the biggest challenges are staying balanced between work and family,” Larry said. “Since in real estate you make your own hours, it is easy for the profession to consume all of your time, including phone calls into the late evening, appointments 7 days a week, and paperwork in between. I found even when I was with my family, I was not with them.”
 Added Brigette, “We coordinate calendars daily and after several years of working 7 days a week, now we do not ‘work’ on Sunday, at least in doing showings but really try to focus this as family time.”
Bottom line is that clients choose the duo because of their commitments to excellence and attention to details.  
“Our technical backgrounds are an asset to us too, in that we are extremely analytical. When we go into a meeting, we have everything necessary for our clients to take the next step and address any question that might arise, not only verbally, but in most cases through documentation we can leave with them,” Brigette said.  “Additionally, communication is a hallmark in our work.  We inform our clients up front what to expect and we deliver on this. Over the years, one of the biggest complaints we have heard is that the agent who might have worked with the client prior to us did not follow through on their commitments or if they did this was not communicated to the client.”
Staying abreast of an ever-changing real estate market is another challenge, but they are well ahead of the game. Having worked with and in technology companies in the past has uniquely positioned the two of them to leverage their technology knowledge and experience in real estate. For example, Larry has written custom Internet enabled investment software that allows their clients to analyze multi-family and commercial property. Additionally, they utilize custom software to review MLS data to generate custom investment reports based on client requirements.

The Brooks’ do have a life outside of real estate including 13-year-old twin boys who are entering the 9th grade at a local Magnet. They are also elders at their non-denominational congregation and involved in their church, as well as members of Real Estate Navigators, the largest real estate investment group on the Gulf Coast.
Brigette is a member of the University of South Florida Alumni Association and she is a founding member of Women Anointed in Business, a networking group of Christian businesswomen.  
“Both of us are involved parents at our sons’ high school. In terms of their future, Brigette said it no doubt looks bright. But in the end it’s about doing what you enjoy and the Brooks’ couldn’t be happier.
“Each day, my prayer is that God will bring the people into our lives with whom we should work and keep out those with whom we should not, and bless another agent with that opportunity,” Brigette said. “Each time it’s not about the transaction, but the divine connection He is creating in our lives. It is a job in which each day is different and with which I look forward with great expectancy, anticipating that whatever comes it will be divinely orchestrated.”