Donna Kittle is no stranger to change.
In 2001, after a 20-year career as a schoolteacher and counselor in Upstate New York, Kittle retired and moved to Marco Island, Florida, with her husband. Two years later, she embarked on a new career in real estate, setting up shop with the vacation haven’s Coldwell Banker affiliate.
Kittle quickly climbed the ranks of the real estate world, netting top awards.
In November 2015, Kittle sensed it was time for another change. After 12 years with Coldwell Banker, she joined RE/MAX Affinity Plus.
“Coldwell Banker had downsized considerably on Marco and reduced its level of services – both contrary to my strong advice,” Kittle says. “So it was time for me to make a change.”
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Kittle was recruited by brokerages all over the island and from nearby Naples, Florida. She chose RE/MAX for its growing presence on Marco Island and for its established global presence.
“The office I’m in is top-shelf, with a focus on personalized customer service and fine technology resources,” Kittle says. “And, since RE/MAX is a well-known name, people who come to Marco are already familiar with the brand and what it stands for.”
Debra Meredith-Peters, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Anchor and RE/MAX Affinity Plus on Marco Island, says she’d admired Kittle’s drive and professionalism for years, and knew she’d have a great future with RE/MAX.
“Donna is an extremely accomplished Realtor,” Meredith-Peters says. “She has an outstanding reputation built on customer service. Her customers are very loyal to her.”
RE/MAX has a global reach with its cutting-edge technology and offices throughout the world.
Donna Kittle
Kittle closed roughly $25 million in sales last year. And she’s hit the ground running as a RE/MAX agent, with a full book of listings to manage.
“Donna is tremendously productive, but it’s her glowing, positive personality that adds the most to the team,” Meredith-Peters says. “She’s a superstar, but she’s also a total team player who complements the other agents in the office.”
Since making the switch, Kittle has been working to learn all about the technological resources RE/MAX offers. She says she’s especially a fan of DocuSign, a RE/MAX Approved Supplier.
“I can be working for my clients no matter where I am, and no matter where they are,” Kittle says. “RE/MAX has a global reach with its cutting-edge technology and offices throughout the world.”
Meredith-Peters says she’s also been introducing Kittle to tools such as global.remax.com.
“I really think these tools are going to help her take her business to the next level,” Meredith-Peters says.
3 Keys to Mastering Service
If there’s a constant theme behind Donna Kittle’s real estate success, it’s her stellar customer service. Kittle expounds on three areas that help her stay at the forefront in a crowded, competitive market.
There are more than 500 Realtors on this 24-square-mile island. When I first meet with clients, I set myself apart by guaranteeing the most comprehensive marketing plan in Marco and Naples, including three, full-page weekly ads in a local paper, advertising all active sales and closed listings, and presenting quality photography and virtual tours. My motto is: You must spend money to make money. For sellers, advertising in local print media is one very important way you can show them you’re doing everything you can to keep their property in the public eye.
I believe in consistent, personalized customer service. And I answer my phone when calls come in. That’s a very important way to make any seller or buyer feel important.
Today, a seller asked me, ‘How long do you think it’s going to take to get my condo sold?’ I told this seller that it varies from one property to the next, since there are so many variables with each property. Sometimes, you can’t answer a question like this definitively, and I think it’s important to let people know when that’s the case. Clients appreciate honesty.
Written by Amy Reinink
