Heather Swanson, a Realtor based in Gainesville, Florida, has made significant strides in her career by leveraging her background in advertising and marketing. In the early days of her real estate journey, she utilized local real estate channels to promote herself despite not having any listings. "We had a local real estate channel back then when TV was analog. Most people would put their listings up, but I didn’t have any, so I promoted myself," she recalls.
Swanson is among the first group of 20 Realtors to receive the Florida Realtors Board Certified Professionals endorsement. This recognition is awarded to those who have achieved leadership, education, and skill-based milestones throughout their careers.
Her commitment to continuous learning is central to her professional philosophy. "I got my broker’s license, became a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) certification, and I continue to add to the alphabet soup,” she says humorously about the numerous designations behind her name. “The more I know, the better I can serve my customers."
Swanson emphasizes the importance of protecting Florida's environmental resources, particularly its land and waters. Her efforts include initiatives aimed at improving water quality through activities like spring clean-up projects in Gainesville.
Beyond environmental work, Swanson's community involvement has played a crucial role in shaping her career. She participates actively in local events and serves on various boards, including that of a local adult soccer league where she also plays co-ed soccer.
Organizations such as Girls Place and Family Promise are particularly important to Swanson due to their focus on children's welfare. She believes strongly in building strong foundations for children: "If the kids don’t have strong backgrounds, then they’re not going to be strong adults."
As a single mother dedicated to both family and community service, Swanson strives to instill values of community engagement and environmental responsibility in her son. "The values I instill in my son today will shape the community leader he becomes tomorrow," she notes.
Swanson views homes as more than just physical structures; they represent future memories for families and play a critical role within communities and environmental stewardship. “Let’s protect them, value them, and pass them on to the next generation with pride," she urges.
For Heather Swanson, engaging with Florida's environment is an integral part of life—each sale or community initiative contributes positively towards leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.