~Sean Underwood

Setting Goals and working towards them

is a way of life for this Jupiter Native!~

       By Katie Shepherd

 

            You might say that Sean Underwood is Jupiter to the core. In his own words “I guess I have to start by saying I am as local as they get. My parents, Rick and Michelle, arrived in Jupiter in 1972 and started their life together!” Now at 32, Sean hopes to offer the same beachfront lifestyle to his own family. “Having grown up in one of the most desired fishing areas in Florida, I have been a nautical lover since birth. Whether it’s enjoying the ocean, the intracoastal, or the Loxahatchee River, my hair was always wet and it still gets just as wet now!” he proudly stated. His two favorite activities “fishing and snorkeling” he claims.

 

            Sean admits there are a lot of advantages to growing up in a small town and now as one of the top real-estate agents in the area he isn’t shy about using them. Born and raised in Jupiter he has walked the halls of Jupiter Elementary, Jupiter Middle and Jupiter High School. According to Sean he even went to one of the first Jupiter Preschools, Professional Learning Center. “The director while I was a student there was none other than the former Mayor of Jupiter, Mary Hinton” he shared.

 

            It didn’t take long before Sean knew that he was here to stay. Even still with all his connections and deep roots to the area he has never expected life on a silver platter. Working hard is a trait he learned from a very young age. “I was like any other kid. Sports, cars, fishing, scuba diving, and even spear fishing were always on my daily agenda. I learned rather quickly that without money, my hobbies and desires would never become much” he told us. A lesson many a young teen has yet to learn. “My father taught me the old fashion way. He always said that I could have and do whatever I wanted as long as I paid for it and it was legal. So besides the wrestling, track, weekend trips on the boat for scuba diving and fishing, I was also working.” Hard work however has paid off as Sean now is the top producer at Jupiter by the Sea Realty. “My Real Estate firm has been in town for over 15 years. After interviewing multiple corporate firms, I immediately knew that the corporate firms were not what I desired” he commented.

 

            So how did he go from water logged to multi-million dollar producer? He started young and worked hard! “At age twelve I started my first business. It was called, "Sean's Lawn Service” he claimed. “In only six months I bought my first brand new Snapper mower. By the time I was sixteen, my bank account was full” he added. His efforts however did not stop there “From that point on, owning my own business and running a team of successful employees was my main goal. From age sixteen to twenty-five I worked full time in the restaurant industry at some of the trendiest places around” he replied.

 

            Real estate however was as much in his blood as the Ocean and he soon found his way into the career suited him best. “Throughout High School and much of College I assisted my mother, Michelle, in running her property management company that serviced some of the most elite estates in northern Palm Beach County. This is where I truly feel that I got hooked on Real Estate. Working with people day in and day out, great service is something that I have learned to respect and have always offered” he proudly boasted. “I absolutely love my career in Real Estate” he was quick to add!

 

            It was his wife, Chawn, (yes pronounced the same! Sean ~ Chawn) that actually deserves much of the credit for where he is today however. “Seven years ago my wife, Chawn, who was then my girlfriend, told me to expand my horizons. Having worked with people professionally and socially almost my entire life, the business of Real Estate was made for me” he admitted. But don’t let his smiling face fool you. Sean is a born entrepreneur through and through. “For years I watched as other brokers made lots of money in commissions from the selling the homes my mother managed. With that in mind I jumped in head first. I knew that Jupiter was my area of expertise so I picked a firm that was top of the line” he explained.

 

            So why Jupiter? Wouldn’t you think he would be ready for a change? “From the very beginning I knew that I was going to make Jupiter my primary source of business. Through my years of experience I have noticed that most agents are all over the map. Like a doctor who is a specialist, I only provide my expertise to a specific area. I feel that by doing so, I do not spread myself thin over a vast area” he replied.

 

            Sean claims that besides loving the area there really is a valid reason for being so focused. “By setting boundaries I am able to keep up to date on the local information and pass this information to my clients. Through my years of local knowledge and professional experience, I have been able to funnel my list of client data and property data into a rather lucrative business” he explained. According to Sean this is a full time career for him and knowing his clients are satisfied is the best resource he has found for gaining new business!

 

            Now years later the tables have turned and Sean is proud to admit that among the wonderful team he has helped to build is his very own mother Michelle! So what does Sean credit as the secret to his success? “As with all business goals, I wanted to make the most money and obtain the majority of clients in my neighborhood. Real Estate business is a 95/5 business, I like being one of the 5% making 95% of the money. As my coach in High School always said, “Success Is a History of Results, Not a Promise”. There are a ton of Real Estate agents out there. In fact there are almost 17,000 in this region. I feel that what sets me aside from the others is my local knowledge, experience, and my marketing plan that blows away the competition.” he said with the passion one would expect from such a successful businessman.

 

             So where does he go from here? “My goal is to work diligently in assisting my clients with all their Real Estate goals. Whether buying or selling, you can only make a good decision if you are properly informed. As the old saying goes, “You Get What You Pay For”. The fact is that my clients are always willing to pay, so long as they can get the results they desire and feel they can rely on my skills. I take pride in making sure that all my clients are up to speed on the market” he replied. Sean makes no bones about the type of service he provides “Being a discount broker is something I am not. In fact some prospective clients have turned me away due to me not providing a discount. All I know is what I promise. My promise is that I can sell your home. The only way to sell a home is to make sure that it is priced accurately for the market and make sure that everyone knows it is for sale. I may not provide a discount, but I have always said “If you can find an agent willing to charge you less that can provide you with better service and marketing, then fire me and hire them”. It hasn’t happened yet” he proudly shared.

 

            Now Sean claims that he too has made the Heights his home. Having purchased his own home in 2004, he claims he can’t imagine living anywhere else. “I feel that the Heights of Jupiter is one of the most desired communities in all of Jupiter. Where else can you walk to play a good game of golf, walk to the park, walk to restaurants and boutiques, let your kids play in the streets without worry, and enjoy life without an annoying HOA payment every month or quarter? No where except here. The Heights of Jupiter is a perfect location at a perfect price. Having lived on Linton Street since moving here, I can truly say that I wouldn’t have it any other way. The Heights of Jupiter is the home for my wife and I for now, and hopefully some little ones soon.”

 

Editors Note: If you would like to suggest someone for a future Heights profile just email NPBHeights@bellsouth.net. Be sure to include your name and contact information, the name of individual you are nominating and the reason you feel they would make a good profile. We welcome your suggestions.