Today we’d like to introduce you to Audrey Asciutto.
Hi Audrey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Sebring, Florida businesswoman with strong roots in the community and strong working values. I come from a family of community involved and loving people. I have been able to grow my real estate sales business to grow personal investments and community outreach. Supporter of local animal non-profits and use my extra time to serve on committees and boards to improve and develop affordable housing projects for low income to moderate people and families and underserved communities. Strong advocate on the committees and boards for homeownership programs as the way to support stability and for others to grow wealth, therefore increasing their personal financial strength and the financial strength of society. Over the years I have been able to poise myself as a Sebring go-to agent and remaining a top-producing agent while staying at mom-and-pop brokerages. In 2023, the local brokerage I was working with sold-out. Wanting to stay true to my work of offering people the experience of working with an independent brokerage, I opened one myself, Sebring Lakefront Properties. In 2024 I was in the top 7% of residential Realtors in Sebring and in the top 10% of Realtors (commercial, land and/or residential) in Highlands County. I have all of the people I have been lucky to work with during their sales/purchases, my husband (who I met at an open house and is also a past customer), dear friends, and children and granddaughter (who all keep me grounded) to thank. 110%.
I have used my own personal residential real estate to turn into small-time commercial investor AND another business opportunity. That business opportunity is Audrey’s Place, and we welcome hundreds of guests a year to downtown Sebring. Downtown Sebring is our historic section of town which had been needing serious revitalization. Only a few years ago most of the storefronts were empty and the buildings around our historic buildings, dating back to pre-1920’s, sat empty. It was in this between time that some buildings were beginning rehab, and most storefronts were unkept that I purchased my little gem and place to make a mark- The Zachary Building (1914). My family and I run Audrey’s Place, a local lodging establishment on the circle. While a 10-room hotel was in the works of being developed, having short term nightly and weekly rentals were not yet found in this immediate area. “Do people want to stay down in this part of town?” was asked more than once. Again, many businesses were dead and only a few local anchor coffee shops and eateries were doing well. With faith in the movements and undercurrents happening coupled with the love of the place that I grew up watching parades, attending festivals, and walking the streets as a teenager, I knew other people would love to stay for a visit in a quiet small downtown area and those people needed a place to stay. So, Audrey’s Place was born. Decorating the apartments was a ton of fun and comfort and style were always kept in mind. Plus, it was the only way to cover my holding costs of a building of that size with only half of the building being able to be utilized. Yes, half. Downstairs in commercial storefront and it still sits empty. Still. But not for much longer. Once an old pottery shop the dream has been since purchase to turn this into THE local real estate office for Sebring. The once dilapidated downtown area of Sebring needed the love and attention, and I was here for it. I knew one day I would welcome people to Sebring not just upstairs in Audrey’s Place but from downstairs as well. Work is slowly starting and in 2025 the brick-and-mortar location of Sebring Lakefront Properties will open.
Will this area stay small forever? I don’t think so. I think it is one of those magical Florida gems that is getting rediscovered. I’ll be around for it and want to show it off to you.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Real estate has honestly been a smooth road. The bumps along the way that I have experienced are all of the bumps that any agent getting through their first 1-3 years, and then their 3-5, and 5-10 years, and finally 10+ years can and do experience. Why broken down like that? Because there are typically phases and patterns of growth in someone’s business in this industry that are experienced. when I was told that when I was a young blood I was doubtful, but as you yourself grow and you watch those that got in at the same time as you- and stuck with it, too- you see those patterns. Those growing pains, and those growing successes, do follow a course that can be a little predicted. Even more you see it in the agents that are learning and growing in their first 1-3 and 3-5 years. When they really start to get it. THE it.
This is painting with a bit of a broad-brush and nobody can be totally pigeon holed but there is an expected growth to be seen.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Audrey’s Place: Locally owned and operated. Comfy and stylish downtown stays. Offering budget friendly choices and good old fashioned service. From website: ” Our boutique accommodations provide a refreshing alternative to traditional hotel lodging, featuring two distinct rentals that cater to various travel preferences. ”
Sebring Lakefront Properties, LLC: Hometown, local brokerage offering you the best of what Sebring has to offer. Sebring, Florida, Yours to Discover!
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Luck. Putting yourself out there and your best foot forward. Local Chamber of Commerce. Find something outside of yourself that is important. Give to it in someway. It can be time, it can be a monetary contribution, or by promoting the issue. When you do that you you will naturally find great ways to connect. Sometimes with people you never would have connected with in other places or in other ways.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.SebringLakefrontProperty.com and www.StayAtAudreysPlace.com
- Instagram: @sebring_realtor and @stay_at_audreys_place
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourSebringRealtor and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557512987040
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SebringLakefrontProperties
Image Credits
James Strafford Photography (Main Personal Photo and photos 12-13 and uploaded)
Florida Realty Media (other photos where 1-11 photos were able to be uploaded)
