South Florida’s John Scalia Adopts His Father’s Work Ethic to Achieve Great Success With eXp Realty
John Scalia is a second-generation American who knows what hard work looks like. He watched his father, an immigrant from Italy who could barely speak a word of English, go off to work each day to support his wife and family.
John took his father’s playbook — hard work — and applied his own know-how in becoming an eXp Realty ICON Agent twice — the first time within four months and the second time in 14 days — a feat many agents take an entire year to achieve.
“I’ve seen a big increase in my income (since joining eXp), which is something I had yet to achieve in my previous brokerages,” said John, who joined eXp in June 2020.
His main territory is South Florida where he has a niche business working with investors and institutional buyers — a result of focusing on the foreclosure market in the housing collapse of 2008.
“When the market crashed in 2007, I was going to go back to auto bodywork. But my friend, Kevin Berman, asked me to help him with foreclosures. The investors got to know me during this time and I started working with them,” said John.
Learn more about John Scalia:
Years in real estate: Since 2000.
Gross sales and transactions in 2020: 387 transactions for $41 million sales. Currently on track to do $119 million on 401 transactions in 2021.
Brokerage history:
- eXp Realty (June 2020-present)
- Sell State Realty (2018-2020)
- Bankers Realty Services (2007-2018)
- Equity Trends Realty (2005-2007)
- RE/MAX (2000-2005)
Main territory: Broward County, Palm Beach County, Miami-Dade County, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville metro areas.
Main focus: Institutional buyers, investors, sellers. Single-family and vacation homes. Beach condos.
Number of people on team: I have two assistants and 10 agents working open houses and buyer leads. I work with a lot of investors and two inside assistants.
Accolades, accomplishments & awards:
- 2x ICON Agent
- 2021 eXp Realty Gold individual agents award for most units sold
When and why did you join eXp?
“My past broker, Kevin Berman, rolled up his boutique brokerage into the eXp Realty model in 2019 and suggested I come over. When I learned about the eXp model, I knew I had to be a part of this! My only mistake was waiting a year. It cost me a lot of money in stock value.”
What makes eXp special to you?
“Being a shareholder of the company, earning stock awards, revenue share and the top industry commission splits makes this an offer that I couldn’t refuse!”
What is one thing about eXp that surprised you?
“The ability for me to do the volume I do, all the while in a cloud-based brokerage.”
What kind of collaboration have you experienced at eXp?
“Meeting in eXp World and using the Virbela platform has been really cool, and made the process easy of sitting down with the back office and broker support to work out any issues.”
Best tip to share with other agents:
“No matter how hard you might think it is, push yourself to work harder to become an ICON Agent. Reaching that goal and receiving the award and shares has really made an impact on me.”
10 Fun Things About John Scalia
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
My wife, Kristine, and I own a few cabins in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and I really enjoy decompressing and taking some time off with my family.
Who is the person you most admire?
My father. He came from Italy, barely spoke English (barely speaks it now), but he worked his entire life and with my mom, brought up me and my two siblings to support us!
One thing you can’t live without?
My iPhone earphones, with the wires attached!
One trait that has led to your success?
I work hard, very hard and don’t like to take no for an answer, but the one thing that has made the difference is that I always answer the phone.
What celebrity would play you in a movie or TV show?
Well, I was always told that I looked like Tony Danza, so I guess it would make sense to have him play me.
What is your pet peeve?
Investors who misrepresent the buyer.
Favorite type of pet
Doberman pinschers. I had three: “Motley,” “Crue” and “Diesel.” As you can tell, I’m a huge Mötley Crüe fan.
Little known fact about yourself?
I was an All-American soccer player in high school and college.
Favorite meal?
Steak, any prime cut. But, being Sicilian I love good chicken Parmesan.
Your epitaph will say:
He lived, loved and laughed.
__________
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