St George Island Realty

Our Team works for you!

Agents by St George Lighthouse

John Shelby, Kristen Shelby, Janie Burke,

and Michael Billings (who joined us in 2010)!

All of our agents have years of real estate experience & college education.  Our service will exceed your expectations.

Let us help you with your next real estate decision.

 

Meet the Shelbys of St. George

ST. GEORGE ISLAND'S REAL ESTATE SPECIALISTS

 EXPERIENCE

 John  Formerly with The United States Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (FHA) involved in Real Estate appraisal, Mortgage Loan Servicing, and Underwriting FHA home loans. Taught Real Estate classes at Jefferson Community College, and completed College Courses in Real Estate Law, R.E. Development, R.E. Finance, R.E. Principles, and Property Management. John is a Licensed Broker in Florida. John was a Top Producer at three other Island Real Estate Agencies prior to starting St. George Island Realty, LLC.
Formerly with The United States Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (FHA) involved in Real Estate appraisal, Mortgage Loan Servicing, and Underwriting FHA home loans. Taught Real Estate classes at Jefferson Community College, and completed College Courses in Real Estate Law, R.E. Development, R.E. Finance, R.E. Principles, and Property Management. John is a Licensed Broker in Florida. John was a Top Producer at three other Island Real Estate Agencies prior to starting .

Kristen  Currently working full time as John's assistant in the various areas of marketing, customer database management, closing coordinator, mailings, and general "behind the scene" details. She was the Marketing Director of Collins Vacation Rentals; coordinating advertising with nationwide and local publications; maintaining the rental properties on their website; details and photos; as well as producing the Collins Vacation Rentals catalog for 3 years. She was the Office Manager for a St. George Island builder, a Customer Service manager for 8 years, and the Office Manager for an Architect firm for 3 years.

John Shelby and his wife, Kristen, selected St. George Island as the place to live in 1992, after having visited most of the coastal communities along the Southern Atlantic and Gulf coast. John has been a top producing REALTOR focused on St. George Island since 1993. He was previously in more specialized Real Estate related fields. John's real estate finance and appraisal knowledge gained from his previous career as a Mortgage Loan Servicer and Underwriter with the United States Dept. of Housing and Urban Development propelled him to "Top Producer" status in his first year as a Realtor. He is routinely one of the top producers on St. George Island. 
Education: John earned a BA degree with two majors in Philosophy and English in 1977. More recent college courses in the late 80's and early 90's include Real Estate Law, RE Appraisal, Land Planning & Development, Property Management, RE Finance, RE Principals and RE Investment along with MBA courses in Mortgage Loan Underwriting, SREA courses in Appraisal, and numerous Dept. of Housing & Urban Development courses in Appraisal, Loan Servicing & Loan Underwriting. John accumulated over 1,000 college level classroom hours between 1987 and 1992 in Real Estate specific subjects. Kristen has a BS degree in Business Administration with a major in Office Management. She has Real Estate licenses in both Kentucky and Florida. She is also a Dale Carnegie course graduate.
Awards: John was awarded the CENTURION award for production levels in the top 2% of Realtors nationwide while at CENTURY 21. In 1999, he was awarded both the CENTURION award and the most coveted "Quality Service" award; two awards rarely earned in the same year by one REALTOR. John has been awarded the "Platinum Award" by the local Board of REALTORS ever since its inception. This award is given only to REALTORS who exceed 10 million dollars in gross closed commissions.
Community service: John has been a member of the St. George Island Volunteer Fire Dept. & Medical First Responder squad; 1996 President - St. George Island Civic Club spearheading the bike path, basketball court, planting palm trees, central public beach development plans and Dixie Theatre. While in Kentucky (pre-island life), President Plainview Kiwanis Club (1986), Scout Master and Eagle Scout.
Real Estate Philosophy: John has completed more than 10 times the education required to become a Real Estate Agent.  He shares that knowledge with his clients to enable them to make informed Real Estate decisions based on the big picture, not just a few choices and limited information. Specializing in St. George Island, he uses his thorough knowledge and understanding of the market to guide you through whatever stage of interest you may have; just curious, best investment, wanting to sell & get top dollar, rental income return, short term verses long term benefits, lot or house, you name it! John has built his reputation by answering the most difficult questions from the most knowledgeable, intelligent and demanding clients.

Let John and Kristen Shelby assist you in your discovery of our Island and it's financial benefits. His no pressure educational approach will teach you the basics as well as tailor the specifics to your needs. John will enable you to make an informed decision about your future with St. George Island.

 

 

Meet Janie Burke

Janie Burke is a long-time resident of St George Island (26 years).

Janie is Georgia-born, raised by loving, working parents who stressed honesty and hard work. Her education was at Shorter College in Rome, GA and the University of Alabama with a degree in Biology & Education. She taught high school for 5 years and holds a Lifetime Teaching Certificate in Georgia and teaching licenses in North Carolina and Indiana as well. Janie then worked as a Personnell Director for a large corporation in Indiana for 19 years. During that time she and her husband, Larry, vacationed at St George Island, fell in love with the area and purchased property. After having vacationed all along the Panhandle as a child and finally saw St George Island, she knew it was "Florida...the way it used to be"!

Janie's husband, Larry, was an Architect and he took an early semi-retirement so that they could move to St George Island full time in 1986. They ran his free lance architectural firm here where he designed and she assisted in the production of the drawings for about 200 residences on the Island and surrounding coastal areas, including Cape San Blas, Apalachicola, Alligator Point and Mexico Beach. Janie handled clients, worked with various site issues and handled permitting with the State of Florida and local agencies. This was abruptly stopped when Larry passed away in 2004. She closed the Architectural firm and acquired a Realtor's license and began work with St George Island Realty. A very natural transition. Janie's past history in personnel along with her 17 years of work in architecture & construction permitting gave her a good basis for this new venture!

Janie loves the sea, this island in particular and all that abounds here!! St George Island has an interesting & colorful history.

Janie has been active in the community by serving as a volunteer emergecy medic on the First Responder Team for 4 years, Board Member of the St George Island Civic Club, Friends of the Reserve, Chamber of Commerce Office Volunteer, Philaco Women's Club, Volunteer at the Franklin County Health Department, Secretary of the Forgotten Coast Builders Association & presently on the Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church. She is a member of the National Association of Realtors, Franklin & Southern Gulf County Board of Realtors.

We are proud to work with someone with Janie's local experience and skills. You will too!

 

Meet Michael Billings

Michael Billings

We, at St George Island Realty, are proud to announce that Michael Billings is joining our sales force.

Michael has had many years of experience as a manager in human resources and labor relations. These skills will help buyers and sellers reach agreements during negations. Michael’s background has shown him that being forthright and honest is the ONLY way to do business. You’ll find Michael’s professionalism and low key demeanor helpful whether buying or selling.

Michael & his wife, Jennifer, live in Apalachicola where they both enjoy gardening, cooking, and staying physically fit. Michael graduated from Armstrong State College in Savannah, GA with a BA in Psychology (which should help in his real estate career).

We feel Michael brings great value to our company.

If you or your friends need any information on local real estate, call Michael.