I was born in Miami and lived there until I was 5, but grew up in Patchogue, Long Island. Upon graduating The University of Pennsylvania, I moved to Atlanta where I lived for 17 years. Since I truly missed the beach and found this incredibly beautiful place called “Destin” around 1990, I started coming here more and more frequently. For about 24 years, I owned a mortgage company and 17 years ago, I moved it and myself to Destin. I got my real estate license in 2005, opened my own real estate company in 2008, which I let become a part of Keller Williams Luxury International in 2016. It’s a great organization with great people and am happy that I made the move. When I actually do take the time to relax, my favorite place to do so is upon my boat at Crab Island and the harbor area.
1. Q: What community do you represent for The Faces Of?
Destin, Florida TheFacesOfDestin.com
2. Q: Please tell us about your family.
Most of my immediate family (parents, aunts, cousins) live around Patchogue, Long Island, where I grew up. My beautiful daughter and I obviously don’t like snow as the rest of them. Thus, we choose to live here in Destin, which is truly beautiful.
3. Q: From where do most of your clients originate?
Although I have many clients from the west coast and northeast, most from the southeast and mid-west. We have a very high percentage from the Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham, New Orleans and Little Rock areas. It’s great as we are within convenient driving distance for about 125 million people.
4. Q: What is something unique about your community?
It’s a very laid-back atmosphere in this resort vacation area. The snow-white beaches and crystal-clear Gulf of Mexico are unique to this area.
5. Q: What are 2-3 of your top 10 favorite movies?
The Godfather Movies, The Last Samurai and a goofy slapstick comedy called “Brain Donors”
6. Q: Who is your favorite college sports team?
Despite the fact that I graduated from The University of Pennsylvania, I’ve become a huge fan of LSU Tigers football.
7. Q: What attracted you to The Faces Of project?
First of all, the wonderful people that work there. However, getting insight to interesting and influential people in the community is something you rarely see.
8. Q: Who is the most famous person you have met?
There are so many, but Joe Namath, Tony Bennett, Arnold Palmer and Kurt & Goldie
9. Q: For our partners in real estate: Have you ever shown a house you believe to be haunted?
Believe it or not, yes! A friend had a townhome where strange occurrences were frequent. A medium who claimed ability to “see them” verified the claim and I actually did research and determined it was a previous resident who passed away there!
10. Q: What are two things or characteristics that you have that have made you successful in your career?
The fact that I always strive to have a commanding knowledge about every aspect of all my endeavors. As well, the ability to maintain a light-hearted attitude about important things in life. The ability to do so instills confidence in the folks who depend upon me, as well as myself.
11. Q: What makes you happy?
Sunday morning mimosas with friends on my boat, while moored on Crab Island.
12. Q: What is the most beautiful place you have been in this world?
Prague, Czech Republic…..and Maui
13. Q: What are 2-3 of your favorite books?
For Whom The Bell Tolls (Hemmingway), Many Lives, Many Masters (Brian Weiss), The Hyneck UFO Report (J. Allen Hyneck)
14. Q: What else should people know about you?
I have always taken pride in the fact that I have the ability to find a way to make things work, even in the most difficult of situations.
15. Q: Who is your favorite pro sports team?
The Atlanta Braves and the Pittsburgh Steelers
16. Q: Who inspires you to be better?
That one is pretty easy….my parents. I can’t begin to tell anyone how my folks have supported and inspired me over the years. Their astounding accomplishments make it a tough act to follow, but so make me want to do just that!
17. Q: What advice do you want to leave behind?
There is no such thing as a problem. What we call a problem is merely an interpretation or a situation. You can find a different and more positive manner of viewing that situation, or you can change that situation. Either way, remember that you are in control.
18. Q: If a movie were made about your life, who would you want to play you?
Bill Murray
19. Q: The Faces Of has many partners in the US, in Australia, and in Canada. There are a wide variety of us. Some have been in business for a long time. If you wanted to ask a question, or even a few questions, to this group of people, what would you want to know?
What behaviors would most important to exhibit or customs to respect when working with clients from your area?
20. Q: If one of our partners has a referral they can send to you for your market, what is the best way to connect with you?
850-582-7446 or Dean@DestinDeano.com
