By Peter Roos
As Melissa Yardy continues a hard-earned escape from day-to-day management of a real estate brokerage, she recently marked the half century mark in real estate sales. Melissa started with R.W. Caldwell real estate in Gulfport from 1976 – 1979 and moved to Century 21 Gallagher on St. Pete Beach 1979-82. Acquired by Merrill Lynch in 1982, she left after four years and established RE/MAX Preferred in St. Pete Beach in 1986. The competitive Melissa won sales awards from the start and was in the $million club each year for 50 years. She was Top Century 21 agent in the state of Florida – 1979 and Century 21 throughout the Southeast – 1980-1981.
- Salesperson of the year in 1982, with Merrill Lynch Realty and Woman of the Year – 1986, for the Women’s Council of Realtors.
- Recipient of the Hustle Award RE/MAX of Florida and became president of the Women’s Council of Realtors – 1987
- Executive Club Award – 1987-1993
- As one of her prouder accomplishments, Melissa pre-sold all Villaggio condos in Tierra Verde from 2002-2004.
- From RE/MAX International she won the Pioneering Award in 2004 and she was named amongst Top Women in Business by Tampa Bay Business Journal – 2001-2022.
- ReMax Preferred was named Top Residential Real Estate firm by Tampa Bay Business Journal 2022.
Once a director of St. Pete Beach Chamber of Commerce and owner of a Top 75 Women Owned Businesses – 2005-2024 Ranked by Revenue, Melissa is a longtime supporter, donating a portion of every commission to Children’s Miracle Network. All donations go to John Hopkins Pediatric Hospital. Her professional credentials include:
- CRS – Certified Real Estate Specialist
- CDPE – Certified Distressed Property Expert
- SRES – Senior Residential Specialist
Melissa continues to serve as a realtor and a consultant on a wide variety of real estate topics including: 1031 Exchange, REIT Acquisitions, Short Sales, Senior Housing, FHA/VA, Condo Conversions, Developer Acquisitions, Inherited Estate Properties, Investor Sales & Listings. Melissa asked us to share some of that, not just as a thank you to her for many years of coordinating the advertising for her office on every page 3 for as long as I can remember. She wanted us to help her establish credibility so you will value the links she is sharing to advice books she has written for real estate buyers and sellers. Congratulations Melissa Yardy on 50 great years from all of us at Paradise NEWS.
Sellers Book www.melissayardy.book.live/read-biz-card-book
Buyers Book www.melissayardy.book.live/read-buyer-book
RE/MAX Preferred, 5801 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach
Mobile 727-459-2329, Office 727-367-3636