Seeking That Hole-in-One. How He Went From Slinging Golf Clubs to Selling Homes
Article By John Pacenti
Photo By Alexis Dominquez
Jim Kirvin used to work for Jack Nicklaus in the 1990s, selling the legend’s brand of golf clubs.
Jim Kirvin, with Keyes Platinum Group, leads a thriving operation, boasting 50 agents. The company has strategic partnerships with Forbes Global Properties and Luxury Portfolio International, giving them a competitive edge.
‘I was on the marketing team there, and I could tell that the golf club company was not going in the right direction,” Kirvin said. “And I was like, ‘Maybe, I need to just go get my real estate license.’”
Now Kirvin partners with Keyes Platinum Group, selling homes. He has a history with Coldwell Banker, Lifetime Realty, and – at one time – sold homes at WCI Evergreen in Palm Beach Gardens.
With 26 years in the business, Kirvin says he will put the same effort into selling a $300,000 condominium unit as he will into a $12 million home.
"People always say, 'What price point do you sell?' I'm going to sell to whoever calls me,” he says.
Kirvin leads a robust operation, boasting 50 agents and an impressive market presence.
"We're the number one independent brokerage in the state of Florida. We're top 10 in the nation right now," he said. The company has strategic partnerships with Forbes Global Properties and Luxury Portfolio International, giving them a competitive edge in the high-end market.
“So if you have a $2 million home or above and you want to be on Forbes Global Properties, you can only list with us in Palm Beach, Martin, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.”
His approach to real estate goes beyond traditional sales tactics. Kirvin often advises potential buyers to take their time and truly understand the area. "Why don't you rent for six months until you figure out what you like?" he tells clients. It is a stunning demonstration of Kirvin’s commitment to his clients’ long-term satisfaction over quick sales.
"I want a happy client," Kirvin emphasizes. "If I talk you into something that you don't want and it backfires, you're not going to recommend me. You're just going to badmouth me all over town."
One of the most significant trends is the impact of new construction, particularly in areas like Port St. Lucie. "The new builders are killing the resale market," Kirvin observes.
‘We're the number one independent brokerage in the state of Florida. ’
Jim Kirvin
Developers are offering unprecedented incentives to attract buyers. "They got 50% off the lot premium, and then when they went into the design center, they gave them 40% off of anything that they picked out," he said.
Astor Creek Country Club in Port St. Lucie, for instance, is a new 5,000-home development. He says buyers are increasingly drawn to new construction with open floor plans and higher ceilings, challenging the market for older properties.
The condominium market presents the most significant challenges. In the wake of the collapse of a 12-story condominium building in Surfside in June 2021, the state now requires milestone inspections.
Kirvin, with 26 years in real estate, puts the same effort into a condo unit as he does multi-million dollar homes.
This has led to substantial assessment costs, creating a complex landscape for property owners.
Each building's situation is unique, depending on how well the association has been managed and maintained, Kirvin said.
"Some buildings have people getting hit with $150,000 assessments," he added. "The condo markets are going to be tough for a while.”
There is finally some good news for home buyers on the insurance front, potentially providing some much-needed breathing room for property owners.
"One of the companies just came out, and they felt they were going to be able to offer an 8 percent decrease in premiums for single-family homes and a 12 percent decrease for condos," he said.
Kirvin says his clients get the benefit of his vast experience and knowledge of the market along the Treasure Coast. His agents have a process to make sure buyers don’t miss out on an opportunity and, even more importantly, not overpay for that opportunity.
“If I have to spend the time with them to really dive deep and search for a home, and it's going to take a year or two, I'm going to stick it out and make sure I'm meeting their needs,” he said.
