Pettingell tops real estate volume for 7th consecutive year

Realtor Roger Pettingell has done it again.

In 2017, Pettingell became the first agent or team in Manatee or Sarasota counties to sell $100 million or more in a year. He totaled $105.43 million off 65 properties.

Now Pettingell, of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate on Longboat Key, has topped that record. In 2018, he sold 73 properties for $106.18 million, putting him on top of all real estate agents in Sarasota or Manatee counties for the seventh straight year, according to data from the Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service.

“When I broke $100 million I never thought it was doable, and then when I did it, I doubted it was repeatable,” Pettingell said. “Now that I did repeat it, I feel like it’s the way my business is headed. It says it wasn’t a fluke to me.”

Second in the two-county area was Judy Kepecz-Hays, also with Coldwell Banker Real Estate on Longboat Key, totaling $84.05 million. Additionally, she referred out more than $16 million in commercial real estate.

Pettingell attributes his success to doubling advertisement and employment when the real estate market was declining in 2008. That, he said, gained him a bigger market share that allowed his business to take off when the market grew again.

“Every year Roger continues to amaze us,” Clark Toole, president of Florida Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate said in a statement. “We’re extremely proud of his consistent success and truly enjoy watching him push the bar higher and higher with each year.”

And Pettingell doesn’t plan on stopping.

“It’s hard to say (what’s next) when you’re over $100 million, but I’m hoping for bigger and better in 2019,” he said.

While Pettingell said $100 million is a big number, it’s not about the money for him — it’s about the community.

“I’ve been in Sarasota 36 years now, and I’ve been able to grow my business and become an active member of the community,” he said. “I love helping people find their dream homes. I get to employ five people and be involved in the community.”

Kepecz-Hays, who is perennially in the Top 10 and was ranked No. 1 in 2011, said her No. 2 ranking can be attributed to good technology and great assistants, something she hopes will only improve in 2019.

“I hope to have a better year,” Kepecz-Hays said. “I strive to always be better. I should be with my great team, and really, I think most important is good health, happiness and all your good friends.”

Molly Whalen, who sells new homes for Neal Communities, rounds out the Top 3, bringing in $74.71 million.

Unlike in previous years, the MLS did not release rankings based on teams.