The day I walked away from my job was the day I took my life back. Sometimes it takes a leap of faith to make real change and build life with more intention and purpose.

 

Day after day, I was on-site working for a builder selling homes. On paper, it was a good job: 401K, insurance, and a steady flow of buyers that came to me. I learned a lot in that role. But the cracks started to show. I hadn’t taken a vacation in nine years. If I wasn’t at my desk, I risked losing a sale. If a meeting was scheduled after hours, I was expected to be there. My time wasn’t mine anymore. Eventually, I had to ask: What am I trading all these hours for?

 

The biggest push was my experience in 2014, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I kept working through chemo, through hair loss, through surgeries. When you go through something like that, you don’t look at time the same way again. It is a finite resource. And I felt like I was wasting it at my job—less time with family and friends, working to help build someone else’s business.

 

So in 2019, I left with the conviction that if I was going to work that hard, it should be toward something of my own.

 

I’d always been around real estate in one way or another. My mom was a REALTOR® for a while, and I even worked with my in-laws who were builders, helping with their accounting. Then in 2003, I started in real estate with a business brokerage, helping mostly international clients buy businesses, including the property.

 

In 2010, I joined Lennar Homes in their vacation home division. I was consistently in the top three out of hundreds of agents. I learned how to market, how to build relationships, and how to drive business by connecting with REALTORS®.

 

In 2019, I officially jumped into resale, using all I’d learned. But shortly after, COVID hit. All the traditional ways you go out and meet people were suddenly gone. I sold one house that whole year. But I was determined and leaned on the database I’d built and the relationships I’d nurtured. Slowly, my business started to pick up. A past client called to sell. Neighbors reached out. And little by little, I grew from repeat and referrals.

 

I’ve come to learn that the values I thought were fundamental can actually be hard to come by in real estate. I care more about the client than the commission. If a house doesn’t feel right, I’ll say so. If the price is too high, I’ll say that too. I tell my clients what they need to hear, even when they don’t always want to, and give them the space to make informed decisions, even if that means waiting or pivoting. That’s how trust is built, and that’s what leads to lifelong relationships with my clients.

Going out on my own was a huge shift, but I love it. Every day, every client, and every home is different. And I finally have control of my time. I’ve been able to fully enjoy life—painting, spending time with our dogs Pixie and Lulu, and now that we live downtown, I love trying new restaurants and local spots. We also have a condo in Daytona, so soaking up some sun by the pool is always a treat. Most importantly, I’m available for my family in a way I wasn’t before. Our three boys may be older now, but it makes the time we can all get together even more important.

 

I’ve come to realize that success, for me, is about having control of my time and using it to make connections and have an impact. And through real estate, I get to do that while helping my clients define what success means to them, whether it’s a vacation home, upsizing to fit a growing family, or even relocating. I’m here to help bring those dreams to life.

 

A lot of what my clients go through, I’ve lived. I’ve raised three boys, relocated across the country for work, moved to be closer to family, and most recently downsized and started fresh downtown after 18 years in the same community. I understand how emotional and overwhelming real estate decisions can be because I’ve been in your shoes.

 

That perspective shapes how I work. Whether you're buying your first home, looking for more space, or figuring out the next chapter, I walk with you through it. I’m not here to pressure; I’m here to listen, give honest guidance, and help you avoid costly missteps. I’ll tell you what’s worth pursuing, what’s not, and why. I bring years of experience, trusted recommendations for various service providers, and a calm, steady approach to every deal. I give you all the information you need and potential outcomes for each scenario. From there, it's your decision, and I will back your choices, helping create the best strategy for the best outcome. My goal is that when we’re done, you feel confident you made the right decision and chose the right partner. And even after the transaction is over, I’m here as a lifelong resource for all of your real estate needs.

 

Sincerely,

 

Denise Lawler

352.250.5929

denise@bcghomesfl.com

dlawlerhomes.com