Story by Matthew Auerbach
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Paul Smolchek credits his success as a Realtor with Equestrian Sotheby’s International Realty in Wellington to his military background. As a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and through subsequent service in both the U.S Army and U.S. Army Reserves, Smolchek was instilled with a drive to never quit until the job is done.
“What I feel sets me apart from other Realtors is an unwillingness to settle,” Smolchek said. “I have always been driven and committed toward helping others and helping my community, trying to give more than I take. In life as in business, I believe that the desire to help others always serves people well. From my time at the military academy until now, I have tried to be a problem-solver and find creative ways around difficult problems. I believe that to be a great asset when you are dealing with clients about a decision that can be very emotional and personal.”
Smolchek has lived in Wellington since 1997. It was a case of love at first sight.
“Having spent the last 18 years living in the western communities and being immersed in the equestrian way of life, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the lifestyle and the people,” he said. “I have always enjoyed living here and being close enough to the coast to be able to not only enjoy the water and coastal life, but still also enjoy the equestrian lifestyle and all that Wellington has to offer.”
His love of that specific lifestyle has become Smolchek’s area of expertise. “My focus and specialization will continue to be the equestrian communities, trying to help families find their spot of paradise,” he said.
Meeting with the owners at Equestrian Sotheby’s, Smolchek became excited to join the dynamic organization. He is convinced the company’s international involvement benefits his work on a local level.
“I think that one of the biggest things that Equestrian Sotheby’s offers that sets us apart from other firms in the area is the global reach of our brand,” he said. “There is such a large international clientele that call Wellington home. The global reach of Sotheby’s International ties our clientele back to our local community.”
Smolchek has a message for both buyers and sellers in the Wellington area: the future is bright.
“In looking at the local market and how it’s affected by an extended geography and national trends, I am very optimistic about the upcoming season and love the outlook for the near future,” he said. “My belief is that we are still in a bit of a sellers’ market but with a very controlled growth, something that we didn’t see in the housing bubble in the early 2000s.”
This makes it good for both buyers and sellers, Smolchek explained.
“Owners have the ability to enjoy a strong return on their investments with strong offerings, and at the same time, we still feel very optimistic about buyers finding an attractive deal in a market with a good mix of availability,” he said.
Equestrian Sotheby’s International Realty is located at 12180 South Shore Blvd., Suite 102, in Wellington. Contact Smolchek at (561) 644-9830 or (561) 771-2626.
