Billie Simmons and Maureen Roche have been working together so long, they can finish each other’s sentences, and often do.
Their easy-going rapport and institutional knowledge of the real estate sales and rental markets makes it easy to see why property owners turn to them time and again for help with procuring tenants, property maintenance and sales.
Brevard Property Management & Realty Group was started by the two in 2011 after the owner of the real estate firm they were working at decided to retire.
At the time, both were busy real estate agents with a proven track record of client satisfaction who realized the opportunity before them. Together they purchased the business from McCluskey Realty in Melbourne, and with it, the list of rental properties that had been managed by the firm.
Portfolio of Space Coast Homes
Now, the two manage a portfolio of more than 260 mid-priced to luxury homes up and down the Space Coast, with each agent assigned as the solo point person to each property owner/tenant. “This allows us to build a relationship with each client so we can get to know them and understand their needs so we can provide the services they expect,” said Billie.
Maureen and Billie are both available 24/7 to assist clients and tenants and do so while managing a sales roster of about 50-100 homes per year, often for the clients and tenants they already are working for or have worked for in the past.
The two said they have managed a steady stream of clients through the pandemic. Real estate agents were listed as essential workers and able to continue working through the shutdown. In order to serve as a property manager, something Billie has been doing for more than 20 years and Maureen a few less, a real estate license is required in Florida.
Exceptional Tenants, Exceptional Clients
“We feel so fortunate that through this very difficult time, all of our tenants were able to pay their rent costs,” said Billie, noting that a large part of the good reputation of the company lies in its ability to attract quality, responsible tenants.
Maureen agreed, stating, “We have a detailed list of requirements for our tenants, including a background check, credit check, employment verification and check on past rental payment history.”
They are both showing rental and sale properties using new protocols recommended by the CDC and the Space Coast Association of Realtors, or SCAR, which includes masks, social distancing and requiring a signature on an addendum about Covid-19 exposure risks.
Their longstanding work in the field keeps customers coming back for sales and rentals, but it’s their love of the community that makes them really feel a sense of pride in their contributions.
Community Activism
Billie is a high school basketball referee and Maureen serves on the professional standards board for SCAR, as well as the property management committee. Prior to his career in real estate and property management, Billie served 24 years in the U.S. Air Force, with assignments in Viet Nam, Thailand, Guam, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt and Bahrain, among others.
Additionally, Brevard Property Management & Realty Group regularly contributes to area school drives, an annual Christmas Toy Drive and the New Life Mission, formerly the Brevard Rescue Mission, which equips homeless mothers with the skills and knowledge to become self-sufficient through education, accountability, and goal advancement.
Brevard Property Management & Realty Group is located at 901 Jordan Blass Dr., Melbourne. For more information, call 321-752-0460 or visit online at bpmrealtygroup.com. •
Shawna Lucas
Shawna Lucas (formerly Kelsch) has lived and worked in Brevard county for the past 20 years, serving in a variety of jobs and community service roles. She’s a former food and news reporter for Florida today, and was owner/operator of a marketing company that assisted clients and partners such as the Florida Healthcare Coalition, Blue Cross & Blue Shield Foundation for Florida, The Brevard Health Alliance, and Florida Tech to identify and solve pressing community health issues. She has she has dual bachelors degrees in Journalism and Sociology from the University of Miami, and was an inaugural fellow at the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN.