I recently ran into Jenefier Viera, as we were both taking the same class at Orlando Realtors Regional Association.  She took her prelicensing class at Demetree School of Real Estate several years ago.  It is always fun to run into old students.  I asked her if I could interview her for the newsletter.

What did you do before you got into real estate?

I am a wife of a retired U.S. Army Veteran, a mother of three, and a proud grandmother.

Before Real Estate, my career included working for Pulte Homes, serving as a Substitute Teacher for San Antonio ISD, and teaching Special Education with Georgetown ISD in Texas.

I’m also a First Degree Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo and Hapkido.  Being part of a military family has taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of serving others, qualities I carry into my real estate career every day.

How long have you been in real estate? 

I first pursued real estate in 2003 while we were stationed in Sierra Vista, Arizona.  During the purchase and sale of our home, I became friends with our Realtor, who encouraged me to earn my license and offered to mentor me under her father’s brokerage.  Shortly after completing my education and passing the exam, our family received military orders.  My husband deployed twice: 13 months followed by another 17 months, which put my real estate career on hold.  That is when I began my employment with GISD.

My boys attended the same school making the responsibility somewhat seamless.  I was able to maintain a balance of family responsibilities and work.  After my husband retired from the military and we relocated to Florida, I returned to real estate. As my residential business grew, I naturally expanded into commercial real estate.  I discovered that I truly enjoyed helping business owners and entrepreneurs navigate the more complex side of real estate.

Tell us how your career has progressed.

I’ve built my career by staying true to my values and refusing to compare my journey to anyone else’s.  Every transaction has been an opportunity to learn, earn additional certifications, and better serve my clients.  Today, I proudly work in both commercial and residential real estate throughout Central Florida, helping first-time homebuyers, military families, investors, business owners, landlords, and tenants achieve their goals.

You’ve done commercial and residential real estate. Which one do you like better and why?

I genuinely enjoy both because they challenge me in different ways.  Commercial transactions are more analytical and often involve longer due diligence periods.  Residential real estate is much more emotional.  Having experience in both allows me to better serve a wider variety of clients.

What do you like most about selling real estate?

The families and business relationships you acquire along the way.  Some clients are one-and-done, but then there are those who become family. Watching people accomplish their goals, whether it’s buying their first home or opening their first business, never gets old.

What do you like least about selling real estate?

Thinking we just open doors!  They don’t hear the endless conversations that happen behind the scenes.  The research that goes into county records, zoning, permitted use, talking with planning departments, getting properties vested or rezoned, attending meetings with county boards and municipalities, coordinating inspections, negotiating contracts, solving title issues, communicating with lenders and attorneys, and keeping transactions together behind the scenes.  There’s a tremendous amount of work that happens long before and after a showing.

Where do you find your clients?

Everywhere, while running everyday errands!  I’ve met clients at the grocery store, while getting my eyebrows done, and just by striking up conversations.  Friends, family, referrals, social media, networking events, community involvement, you never know where your next relationship will begin.

Tell us about one memorable transaction.

There are too many to count!  I’ve pushed clients’ cars through flooded parking lots during rainstorms, and I’ve even been locked inside a commercial property with a landlord and prospective tenant for over an hour with no electricity in the middle of a Florida summer. We laughed through it, finally got out, and successfully negotiated the lease.  Real estate definitely keeps you on your toes.

What’s something you learned at Demetree School of Real Estate that you still use today?

Valuation of properties and BPOs.  I think this matters the most.  You can have all the bells and whistles and upgrades galore, but if the market is saying otherwise, you’re going to sit for days, weeks, or even months.  We’re already dealing with higher interest rates and inflated home prices.  If you truly want your home sold, listen to your Realtor’s advice.  Don’t just go with the agent who promises the highest price.  It sounds great in the beginning, but what kind of service are you really getting?  Too often I see listings sit on the market for months with multiple price reductions and seller concessions before they finally sell.  We study the market every day.  It’s what we do, and pricing it right from the start usually gets you much further than chasing the market later.

How can someone contact you?

Jenefier Viera
Your FULL Service Agent Commercial & Residential
407.300.4691
@OrlandoHomeGirl.JenViera

Please note that Karen Climer has no affiliation with Climer School of Real Estate.  Her father, Ron Climer, sold Climer School of Real Estate in 2014.  It has since been involved in several mergers and acquisitions and is owned by a large investment company.  Karen owns Demetree School of Real Estate in Orlando, Florida.