Lessons From Working With Homeowners

Patty E said, ” Working with Bill was like having a real estate superhero on speed dial. He knew the market, knew the neighborhoods, and somehow always knew exactly what I needed before I even said it out loud.” My opinions and advice are based on my own experiences, education, observations, and beliefs formed over 40 years working with homeowners in Venice and Sarasota County.

Here’s my local Venice, FL experience:

  • 8 years at Prudential Insurance: Home and Flood Insurance
  • 4 years as a mortgage banker at First Union Bank
  • 10 years as Owner/Broker at Able Mortgage Corp
  • Since 2021, a Florida licensed agent/broker, Realtor
  • RE/MAX Hall of Fame
  • RE/MAX Platinum Sales
  • RE/MAX Associate Broker
  • CRS / Certified Residential Specialist
  • GRI / Graduate Realtor Institute
  • RENE / Real Estate Negotiation Expert

(52) 5-Star Google Reviews

5 gold stars
Patty Esack

Working with Bill was like having a real estate superhero on speed dial. He knew the market, knew the neighborhoods, and somehow always knew exactly what I needed before I even said it out loud.

Jane Corliss

Bill stayed on it with open houses, advertising, showings, and follow-up until the villa sold.

Sam Kozicky

Bill delivered local expertise and treated our family with priority and care during our Florida home search.

Bart Jaycox

Bill’s Venice knowledge and negotiating skills helped us secure a reduced price on our new home.

Terry Ritter

Bill worked hard in a tough market, advertising and showing my property until it sold.

Mike & Kathy Pagnano

Bill does his homework, knows the market, and is the best agent we have worked with.

David Tolk

Bill helped us find our dream home in Venice with great neighborhood knowledge and availability.

Danny

Bill’s market knowledge and dedication made my Venice home purchase smooth and stress-free.

Tom Ferrel

Bill and his team made it happen and got our condominiums sold.

Harsh Patel

Bill and Bobbie were helpful, responsive, and great throughout the home-buying process.

Lisa Tolk

Bill is knowledgeable, hardworking, friendly, and goes above and beyond. Highly recommended.

Trudy Abrego

Bill found us a beautiful brand-new home that we love. We highly recommend him.

Michael Roberts

Bill helped us find a house and was responsive, reliable, and on top of everything.

Todd Bray

Bill was friendly, professional, hospitable, and negotiated a great property price.

Jeff Hatch

Bill helped us through three home purchases and sales. He goes above and beyond.

Lamborghini Momo

Bill helped me purchase a warehouse, then later sold it in 30 days for profit.

Kyle Lamson

Bill helped us find our first house in a fast market. His knowledge is unmatched.

Tiffini Masessa

Great experience with Bill. He was patient through our search and negotiated a terrific price.

Sam Gorton

Bill was helpful, available, and knowledgeable throughout our buying process. I highly recommend him.

Bobbie Hogan

Bill found exactly what we wanted and delivered another winning purchase experience.

Sydney Holmes

Best realtor in town. Bill made the purchasing process easy and patient.

Tracy Self

Bill was dedicated, seasoned, and responsive within minutes. He kept our best interests first.

Bill Daugherty

Bill showed us the area, explained locations, and gave helpful information during our search.

L H

Bill is personable, easy to work with, knowledgeable, and truly cares for clients.

Gary Parlin

Bill is committed, hands-on, quick to respond, and knowledgeable about local resources.

Gary Skarphol

Bill’s expertise made our out-of-state purchase flawless. He was always available.

Lisa West

Bill handled inspections, insurance, closing, and every detail. We were in good hands.

Lucca Miles Designs

Bill and Gina were first class, worked tirelessly, and handled the closing professionally.

Brandon Bunton

Bill was by our side while buying and selling. He made both experiences exceptional.

Kate Bunton

Bill helped us buy and later sell our house. He is knowledgeable and helpful.

Dan Bonicatto

Bill knows his stuff and knows the area well. He helped us buy and sell.

Stephanie Henderson

Bill is personable and knowledgeable. He helps clients make smart real estate decisions.

B Spears

Bill makes you feel like your case is number one and gets things done quickly.

Bob Gratzl

Bill helped us through the entire moving process. We highly recommend him.

Terry Hubbard

Bill was always available, knowledgeable, flexible, and got the job done promptly.

Rebecca Overmier

Bill’s hard work and knowledge made buying in a difficult market seem easy.

Gregory Overmier

Fantastic experience. Bill is knowledgeable, professional, experienced, and highly recommended.

Dave Mattlin

Bill understood our move and always accommodated our Florida trips, even on short notice.

Paul Silva

Bill made my real estate purchase comfortable and easy. He is caring and professional.

Karen Richard

Bill kept us informed during our condominium sale and helped ensure a smooth closing.

Nicole Lautenschlager

Bill sold my Sorrento Woods home quickly, stress-free, and without a for-sale sign.

RJ Warner

Across five transactions, Bill always delivered great results and responded immediately.

Tammy Camp

Bill sold our house within days. I would definitely use him again.

Sonya Sullivan

Bill helped us find a condo from out of state and stayed responsive after arrival.

April Campbell

Bill made buying and selling easy. He listened, communicated quickly, and delivered results.

Holly Hyland

Bill made buying in Venice fun, even in a crazy market.

Lori McCrea

Bill is one of the best agents I have experienced, always available and client-focused.

Isabella Biringer

Bill’s expertise, perseverance, and attention to detail helped us get our dream cottage.

Edward Sullivan

From our first meeting, Bill had our best interest at heart.

Sandie McCall

Bill was recommended as one of the best Realtors in the Sarasota area.

Kyra Jasmin von Oertzen

Bill is a great agent. I’m happy with his showings and availability.

My goal is to help homeowners make better decisions. Sometimes that means pointing out a problem early. Sometimes it means helping someone avoid an unnecessary expense. Other times, it means explaining things in plain language so a homeowner can feel more confident about their next step.

Over the years, I have seen the Venice real estate market go through a lot: the worldwide banking collapse, Covid, major hurricanes, red tide, rising insurance challenges, and plenty of unexpected twists and turns. Through it all, Venice, Florida, has remained a beautiful and highly desirable place to live. It offers so much of what retirees and Florida homebuyers are looking for: sunshine, beaches, charm, community, and a relaxed coastal lifestyle.

Yes, every real estate market has peaks and valleys. But in my opinion, Venice will remain in strong demand because it is simply a wonderful place to call home. That long-term demand is one of the reasons I believe Venice real estate will remain a strong investment.

Three people smiling together inside a RE/MAX office, with a hot air balloon logo in the background.
Award plaque recognizing Bill Garrison for his achievements, presented by RE/MAX leadership. The plaque states 'RE/MAX HALL OF FAME' and includes a message of appreciation for his contributions to real estate, dated 1/18/2023.

Every home is different. Every homeowner’s situation is different. That is why I believe good advice should be practical, honest, and based on the facts in front of you. Whether the subject is home maintenance, inspections, repairs, remodeling, insurance concerns, or preparing a property for sale, experience matters.

The opinions and advice I share here are my own, shaped by decades of hands-on experience, continuing education, local knowledge, and personal observation. My hope is that this information helps homeowners better understand their homes, protect their investment, and avoid costly mistakes.

A group of six people, including adults and children, posing together on a beach. They are smiling and standing in front of colorful directional signs with city names. The background shows the ocean and beach area.

Be careful where you get your advice because everyone is an expert! Those know-it-all wannabe Einsteins are like ants, thousands of them everywhere! The landscaper guy and the security gate guard freely offer up ill-informed advice. That wine-drinking fat lady in the hotel hot tub last night. The idiot who runs a dog-grooming business and moved here 6 months ago. That guy, the local genius from Connecticut, who's been in town for exactly 48 hours and knows everything. Oh and let's not forget your aunt's BFF, Cloe from Ohio, who just got her real estate license... GRRR! If you want to cause your own train wreck, listen to these folks!


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