Twelve years ago, after a sabbatical from real estate and many lengthy discussions with owners Carole Davis and Jim Linn, Sandra McDaniel re-entered the world of real estate as Director of Training for ERA Davis & Linn in Jacksonville, Florida. Busy volunteering at the time, she was hesitant to change direction but wanted to help her friends. After some research, she soon realized that “giving back to the industry that gave [her] so much” was a wonderful gift and opportunity.
“Before I accepted the position, I attended a training session on behalf of Jim and Carole,” said McDaniel. “At the end of the training, I approached the trainer with a few questions and he offered me a job. I said no but it did make me realize training was something I could do while giving back. I called Carole and Jim and said yes.”
Between 2000 and 2004, McDaniel’s sabbatical was filled with earning a college degree in Communications and Public Relations, volunteering at her church and local school, spending meaningful time with her family and pursuing many interests such as playing the piano, boating and snow skiing.
Enter Carole Davis and Jim Linn, longtime friends of McDaniel. In 2004, they had a need for a talented and experienced director of training. They wanted their agents to have the best of the best and they knew McDaniel fit the bill. How did they know? Well, their friendship dates back to 1980’s when McDaniel and her husband, Jerry Wheeler McDaniel, owned ERA McDaniel & Associates which was the largest ERA franchise in Jacksonville, Florida at the time.
“I really love sales so Jerry served as the broker and ran the company while I worked on the sales side,” said McDaniel. “We both attended ERA events and broker council meetings; that is where we met Carole and Jim.”
The four developed a collaborative relationship that eventually led to the merger of ERA McDaniel with ERA Davis & Linn.
“ERA Davis & Linn had just moved into a huge building that they needed to fill and my husband wanted to retire,” recalled McDaniel. “Mac Heavener, ERA president at the time, suggested that our two companies merge together. It made sense because we filled the building and I was able to concentrate on what I loved most – selling.”
Now, after 18 years as a top producing real estate agent, a business owner, and twelve years as a director of training, McDaniel continues to be a phenomenal contributor to both ERA Davis & Linn and the ERA brand.
In addition to the unmatched training she leads at ERA Davis & Linn, McDaniel has also volunteered as a National Trainer for ERA’s Acceleration class. She has also served on many local and national real estate panels, including an international panel for ERA Japan, where she shared her experience of how to grow the ERA Real Estate business by using ERA products and services. In the mid 1980’s she utilized more Sellers Security Plans (SSPs) than anyone else in the ERA System.
“Sandra’s experience and personality makes her an invaluable asset,” remarked broker Carole Davis. “She is in a position to share real-life experiences with our agents and when they come to her with a problem, she has a solution. She actually creates scripts they can use to navigate various real estate situations. She doesn’t just know what to say, she knows what to do, and what resources to use. She is happy to share that knowledge. She never says no to helping others.” Adds, former ERA president Mac Heavener, “Sandra serves others at the highest level of conscientiousness.”
McDaniel’s top three training tips are: 1.) Give the buyers and sellers the best service they have ever received; 2.) Do what you say you are going to do; and 3.) Follow the ERA commitment to service. Of the latter, she is often quoted as saying, “How wonderful that our ERA Commitment to Service ties right in with my work ethic and philosophy!”
Looking back on her career, McDaniel marvels at the role of technology in real estate and how she has been able to embrace it.
“It is important to always change and grow,” said McDaniel. “When I first came back to ERA Davis & Linn, many people did not how to use the computer. Luckily, I had taken computer classes while I pursued my degree at the University of North Florida and could help. Now, we have a large internet café. It’s what I love about ERA Real Estate. They stay on top of technology – even with the “moving machine” years ago and now, we have Zap!”
Known for having a good heart, McDaniel is also very instrumental in ERA Davis & Linn’s community involvement and recruiting.
“Sandra led the fundraising charge in sending five children to MDA Summer Camp in 2015 and she is a huge asset when it comes to recruiting,” said Jim Linn. “Our goal is to double our number of great agents. When we recruit, we promote that we have an in-house trainer and show them Sandra’s resume. They are usually impressed but if we don’t close the deal right then, we have them meet with Sandra. She is very successful in closing the deal.”
Congratulations Sandra McDaniel. We wish you many more years of fulfillment and fun within ERA!
