JACKSONVILLE

Partner Spotlight DAVID HEEKIN
Landmark Title
Rising Star
Event Recap Spin Class
Partner Spotlight DAVID HEEKIN
Landmark Title
Rising Star
Event Recap Spin Class
As an Impact Lender Movement Mortgage donates nearly half of its profits to charity, our mortgages truly do mean MORE.
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This section has been created to give you easier access when searching for a trusted real estate affiliate. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the businesses sponsoring your magazine. These local businesses are proud to partner with you and make this magazine possible. Please support these businesses and thank them for supporting the REALTOR® community!
DIGITAL MARKETING
AD Marketing (904) 718-4439 admarkjax.com
HANDYMAN SERVICES
Fix-it Flamingo (904) 474-1768 fixitflamingo.com
HOME BUILDER
Century Communities (904) 618-3220 centurycommunities.com
HOME BUYER
Mac Home Development Inc (904) 887-4015 machomedevelopment.com
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Design Works (941) 355-2703 www.hskindustries.com
HOME WARRANTY
Fidelity National
Home Warranty
Trish Spivey (904) 716-0819 homewarranty.com
First American Home Warranty
Sierrah Stolte (904) 718-3685 firstamrealestate.com
Home Warranty of America (904) 994-6620 hwahomewarranty.com
INSPECTIONS
LunsPro Inspections (904) 249-6523
LunsProFlorida.com
INSURANCE
Kilpatrick Agency Inc: Goosehead Insurance (904) 420-7711 goosehead.com/agents/ carol-kilpatrick/
MEDIA PRODUCTIONS
Sta Rep Media
Khai Tran (904) 761-5848 starepmedia.com
MORTGAGE / LENDER
Atlantic Trust Mortgage (904) 338-9356 AtlanticTrustMortgage.com
First Coast Mortgage (703) 627-1775 FirstCoastMortgageFunding.com
Future Home Loans (904) 887-7926 future.loans
Movement Mortgage (404) 751-8463 tylertatum.com
Regions Bank - MacDonald Mortgage Team
Ian MacDonald (904) 998-4961 regions.com/mlo/ianmacdonald
OUTDOOR LIGHTING
JoyLights (904) 474-1768 WeBringTheJoy.com
PEST CONTROL SERVICES
Kingfish Pest Control (904) 595-5300 KingfishPest.com
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT/ HOME WATCH
Vicky’s Helping Hands (904) 502-9092 vickyshelpinghands.com
REAL ESTATE MEDIA
Real Home Image
Michael Rowlette (904) 930-3756 realhomeimage.com
REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHY
Lens 2 Listing (904) 761-4745 lens2listing.com
The Real Estateographers (904) 770-5262 therealestateographers.com
ROOFING & EXTERIORS
Mighty Dog RoofingJacksonville FLA (904) 867-7859 mightydogroofing.com
SPORTS TEAMS Jacksonville Jaguars (904) 633-3348 Jaguars.com
TITLE COMPANY
Atlantic Coast Title & Escrow (904) 853-5591 atlanticcoasttitleandescrow.com
Cherry Title LLC
Angelique “Chrissy” Kirsch (904) 300-3414 cherrytitle.us
Landmark Title (904) 367-2525
LandmarkTitle.com
Milestone Title Services (904) 716-7285 milestonetitlesvcs.com
Omega National Title Agency, LLC (904) 456-0858 Omeganationaltitle.com
Summit Title of North Florida
JC Palacios (904) 800-3704
Woods, Weidenmiller, Michetti & Rudnick, LLP
Josh Rudnick (239) 325-4070
WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Whitacre Wealth Management (410) 961-6548
WhitacreWealth Management.com
BY KRISTIN LUNSFORD
“Find your tribe.” It’s a phrase we hear all the time, but the truth is, it’s not always easy.
As kids, friendships come naturally. We’re thrown together on playgrounds, in classrooms, on teams. Proximity builds connection. But as we get older, life shifts. Our schedules fill. Priorities change. The opportunities for natural connection begin to fade.
I spent much of my life surrounded by people: teammates, classmates, coworkers, other moms. It always felt
around people isn’t the same as being deeply connected. A real tribe doesn’t just show up in your life; they choose to stay. They cheer you on, pray you through, and remind you you’re not alone.
I was lucky enough to find that kind of connection early on. My middle school friends are still some of my dearest people. We live hours apart now, but when we’re together, it’s effortless, like no time has passed. I didn’t know how rare that was back then. I do now.
As adults, I believe we often need multiple tribes. A local tribe to do life with. A faith tribe to pray with.
A seasoned tribe to offer wisdom. I’ve found those people in recent years, and they’ve been an answered prayer. Women who show up. Who encourage. Who understand.
I also know I’m not alone in this search. I’ve heard it over and over again, people joining groups or stepping into new spaces simply because they’re craving authentic connection. And I think that’s a beautiful place to start.
So whether you’re in a season of searching or celebrating the community around you, I hope this encourages you to keep showing up, keep reaching out, and keep building the kind of friendships that truly matter.
Because we were never meant to do life alone.
BY NICK INGRISANI
“Our mission statement sums up our philosophy: Helping real estate agents succeed, and buyers and sellers Close with Confidence! That is at the forefront of every decision we make as a company.”
David Heekin was born and raised in Jacksonville and has loved the area since his childhood. He pursued a Business Finance degree, followed by both a law degree and an MBA from the University of Florida. After law school, he’d planned to join a prominent law firm, but after that firm split in two David changed gears and decided that being a solo practitioner was the better fit for him.
His father, a respected commercial real estate attorney, eventually guided him into handling closings for one of his clients, a residential condominium developer in Jacksonville Beach. Over the next six months, handling those closings ignited his passion for the industry.
“I realized I loved the mix of law, business, networking, and interacting with people. I could never be one of those lawyers that sits behind a desk all day.”
David went on to rent a space and focus on real estate closings.
Two years later he hired his first employee and four years later, in 2005, David set up Landmark Title, eager to brand and grow his own company from the ground up. Growth was steady until the 2008 financial crisis hit.
“That knocked everybody out. A lot of my customers were young realtors and young loan officers, who were the first to get out of the business.
So I pivoted into the default space. Whether I liked it or not, I unofficially became known as the ‘short sale king’ of Jacksonville.”
Despite the difficulty of the work, the shift in focus got his business through three tough years. At a time when a lot of title companies were still struggling, Landmark Title began to grow steadily as David expanded his network.
“Many real estate agents would give me a short sale, but use another title company for their ‘regular’ deals. But after seeing what a great job we did, they ended up coming around. We slowly converted a lot of real estate agents to Landmark Title in that period. I’m not afraid to take a calculated risk. We started hiring, opening new offices, and were not afraid to take a chance, expand, and see what happens. That gave us another leg up coming out of the recession.”
David’s ability to differentiate Landmark Title in a highly regulated and competitive industry stems from several key areas. Education plays a pivotal role through Landmark University, where the company offers both continuing education (CE) and non-CE classes for real estate agents. This initiative is supported by a robust marketing department that teaches social media strategies, all housed within a
state-of-the-art training facility that accommodates up to 100 people and is also available for community use.
The company also boasts an in-house legal team led by General Counsel Rose Alberre, offering real-time support for agents—an uncommon resource in Northeast Florida.
Landmark Title operates alongside a family of companies, including Heekin Law, which in addition to real estate matters, handles business, litigation, probate, and estate planning, and River Survey and Mapping, which does residential and commercial survey work in Northeast Florida. The Landmark Foundation furthers the company’s mission of giving back to the community by donating $10 from every closing to charitable initiatives, such as building wheelchair ramps and providing affordable housing solutions in the urban core.
The company’s experience is unmatched, with 25 attorneys and closers bringing a combined 350 years of expertise to the table, ensuring virtually no scenario is unfamiliar. As David puts it, “There’s nothing we can’t handle!” This depth of knowledge is reinforced by a strong company culture, where clear values guide hiring, rewarding, and advancing, creating a supportive and high-performing team environment.
“We have the best, most highly-trained employees in the industry. Everybody on our leadership team is a phenomenal leader and manager. We run a tight ship where everybody has a part to play and they play it well. We execute at a very high level.”
I COULD NEVER BE ONE OF THOSE LAWYERS THAT SITS BEHIND A DESK ALL DAY."
That expertise paired with 14 offices statewide means that Landmark Title has an exceptional geographic reach to offer comprehensive service across the state of Florida.
“The last 5-6 years have been really good in terms of growing and opening new offices. If I see a need in the market, we’re going to go and fill it if it makes sense to do so.”
When he’s not expanding Landmark’s footprint or fostering new industry relationships, you can find David somewhere in the great outdoors spending time with friends and family. Whether boating, golfing, camping, fishing, or cheering on the Florida Gators and Jacksonville Jaguars, his personal life reflects the same passion and energy he brings to his business.
With plans to open two more offices this year, including one outside Northeast Florida, David remains focused on meeting market demands and serving clients wherever they are.
In an industry where change is constant, David’s ability to adapt, lead, and innovate has set Landmark Title apart. His story serves as an inspiration for anyone looking to turn challenges into opportunities— and build something truly lasting in the process.
Closing for one of the Landmark Foundation homes that they bought, renovated, and resold in Jacksonville’s urban core where they focus on affordable housing initiatives.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
What’s one new skill or hobby you’d like to pick up?
Julia Moore Real Broker
I would love to master DIY Home Projects. They make it look so easy when I’m binge scrolling reels to find my next Home Project. Plus, I’d love to be able to offer my Home Project expertise with customers when touring homes that need some added *oomph**!!!
Tobin Bossola
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty I want to learn to play the guitar. I’ve started and am terrible!
Ashley Carter Magnolia & Oak RE Company
I have just recently picked up golf and would like to start playing pickleball.
Tyler Tatum Movement Mortgage Back handspring.
Danielle Wolbert Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty
I would love to learn to play piano!
Huntley Fluid Realty
Tanishia Nicole Ravnell
Florida Homes Realty & Mtg Swimming! I really want to learn how
Tina Webster Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices Florida Network Realty Needlepointing.
Traci Crawford
Engel & Völkers First Coast I’ve always wanted to learn how to play the piano! It’s one of those things I’ve been saving for when life slows down a bit and I’m not as busy with real estate, but honestly, I should probably find the time to start now!
Steve Pate
RE/MAX Specialist PV
Fly in a paramotor.
Aaron Murray
KST Group
I’d love to pick up playing basketball again. I use to shoot hoops with my brother and friend Mitch but after entering adulthood and getting older we stopped playing and I miss those days so much. It kept us active
Elizabeth Taylor
Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside
I’d love to study French again.
Delaney Henderson Momentum Realty
I would love to learn how to grow a garden to be able to make our dog’s food at home using our own organic fruits and vegetables so they are as happy and healthy as they possibly can be and will live full and happy
“As a marathoner, my friends always ask me about what my goal is for each race; and I always say, to enjoy the entire race, push myself as hard as I can, while feeling great doing so and keeping my motivation high. I bring this same mentality into my real estate career.”
Annie Crawford is currently gearing up for her 8th marathon this fall, and if you ask her, the discipline required to run 26.2 miles has everything to do with how she shows up as a rising rockstar at REAL Broker, LLC.
In 2024 alone, Annie closed over $10.2 million in sales across 25 transactions, a personal best and a hard-earned payoff for someone who, just a few years ago, took a risk most would run from.
A Natural Entrepreneur
Growing up in Chicagoland, Annie remembers being captivated by her family’s REALTOR®. From pumpkingrowing contests to community events, it all seemed like such a fun and fulfilling career to her.
“When I was in elementary school, we had ‘what do you want to be when you grow up’ days,” Annie recalls. “And I always said I wanted to be a real estate agent!”
After earning a degree in communications from University of Illinois Chicago and a master’s in educational leadership from DePaul, Annie co-founded a virtual healthcare platform in 2012 with her mother, the first of its kind that was women-owned. The experience instilled in her a deep love of sales and helping others.
She became a licensed REALTOR® in Minnesota in 2020, first working briefly as an admin to learn the business from the ground up. When COVID hit, Annie found herself drawn to Jacksonville, where she soon planted roots and built a thriving real estate career.
“I ultimately chose to get into real estate because you are in total control of your own destiny,” she explains. “I love pushing and challenging myself and there is no ceiling of success.”
Since arriving from Minnesota, Annie’s built a thriving business from scratch in a city where she didn’t know a single soul, turning clients into lifelong connections.
“My first broker actually tried to convince me not to start a brand-
new business here,” Annie shares. “If it wasn’t for my buyers turning into some of my best friends, I don’t think I’d still be down here. I’m so extremely grateful.”
A Quick Study
Annie was named Top Producer at Cowford Realty & Design in 2023 and landed on the Jacksonville Business Journal Top 500 list in both 2023 and 2024. She’s also held GCI Gold Award status at KW Atlantic Partners.
But she’ll tell you the most important accolade is the bond she has with her clients.
“The majority of my business is people coming to Jacksonville to relocate, and I can identify with that,” she points out. “I know first-hand how overwhelming and lonely at times that it can be.”
Annie’s been intentional about turning her experience into something useful for others.
“I advertise based on what I wish I had when I moved to Florida,” she adds.
Social Strategy For Genuine Connections
Annie’s approach to social media isn’t about going viral. It’s about building trust and offering value with consistency.
“I have a tight schedule I stick to, and it has paid off,” she explains. “I try to focus on Northeast Florida real estate, relocation, new construction, and lifestyle.”
“I think my social media outreach is successful because it is not just home tours, buyer tips, seller tips, rent vs buy,” she adds. “It is more of a relocation guide that’s community-focused.”
Her interactive content features local businesses, builder reps, and interviews that give followers a feel for the people behind the properties. She also enjoys hosting various client and community events to foster greater connections: “I just hosted a well-attended beach yoga event last weekend!” she adds.
When it comes to success, Annie takes her definition from the parallels found in her own experiences.
“My mantra is:
‘This is your victory lap.’
“In marathon training, you have to stay disciplined leading up to the race. In real estate, I have to keep up with my daily tasks and ‘training schedule’ and if I do so properly, I will see my hard work pay off. My mantra is: ‘This is your victory lap.’”
She’s quick to admit that burnout is real, too. After working herself into the ground for years, she finally took a vacation abroad this year.
“I was shocked at the response from my clients,” she acknowledges. “They told me, ‘No one deserves a vacation more than you.’ That experience made me feel more valued than ever.”
Growth Mindset
When she’s not working, Annie can usually be found chasing the sun — at the beach, on a run, or playing pickleball. She loves trying new recipes, hosting themed dinners, and hitting her favorite local restaurant, Caps On the Water, for seafood with a view. She lives in San Marco with Moose, her 16-year-old Maltese-Shih Tzu mix that she describes as her “best decision ever.”
“When I was 19, I was visiting my parents from college and they sent me to the pet store for dog food for my childhood dog and I came home with a puppy (Moose)… unplanned!” she laughs.
Annie with her 16-year old dog, Moose.
Annie is a proud member of The Hive, a community for women in real estate. She’s also running the Chicago Marathon this October for Team Best Buddies, raising funds and awareness for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“This race gives me the chance to turn every step into a statement of support, love, and advocacy,” she offers.
Although Annie’s heart is in Jacksonville, her business stretches across state lines. She’s still licensed in Minnesota and handles deals there with the help of an assistant.
As for the future? Annie’s aiming for her broker’s license in the next year and has her eye on building a collaborative team again.
“One thing I love about this business, it can evolve with the seasons of your life,” she concludes. “I started mentoring after my first year, and contributing to someone else’s success is not just rewarding — it’s empowering.”
BY NICK INGRISANI
Erica grew up in Southern California, about 25 minutes inland from Malibu. Since her mom was a real estate agent for three decades, and her dad worked in commission-only sales, she grew up watching firsthand how hard work and perseverance could shape a family’s future.
After earning a Sociology degree at UC Santa Barbara, she pursued a Master’s in Social Work at the University of Southern California. Though she never formally practiced social work, the skills she gained there—listening deeply, reading between the lines, and helping people through transition—are now the foundation of her real estate approach.
Her early career took a different path. Erica worked as a college admissions counselor at USC before transitioning into a high-profile fundraising role for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation. But when her second child was born, she and her husband, a tax accountant, began rethinking life in Los Angeles. They packed up and moved to Jacksonville for his career, and Erica thought she’d stay home with their young kids, who were one and four at the time.
Erica quickly realized that she wasn’t really equipped to be a stay-at-home mom. She quickly connected with a local agent who was looking for an assistant, so she jumped on the opportunity. Within days, she realized she could do the work herself—and in March 2006, she got her license. She and the agent she assisted became partners for four years
I tell everybody getting into the business that what made it easy for me is having someone very supportive of me.”
before parting ways, and since then, Erica has been running her business solo.
“In the beginning, it was helpful to have a partner. But I also had a husband who didn’t believe in gender roles and was very hands-on raising kids. Even in the middle of tax season, if I had a buyer to meet with, he’d find a way to pick up the kids and make dinner. I tell everybody getting into the business that what made it easy for me is having someone very supportive of me.”
At first, real estate was a way to stay busy and bring in some extra money. But by year five, after her partner moved to California, Erica found herself reflecting on just how far she’d come. She had closed dozens of deals on her own and built a steady stream of business through trial, error, and reinvestment. She had also developed a firm belief that success in real estate requires calculated spending— on marketing, leads, and professional tools.
“I’m a big believer that in order to make money you have to spend money. I had another income coming in which helped me pay for marketing and leads in the beginning. Over the last 19 years it has kind of exploded for me.”
Today, Erica’s business is entirely her own. No team, no assistants—just her mom back in California, helping out with admin and file review from afar. When clients call, Erica answers. When they list a home, she’s the one showing up. And that personal touch has become her signature.
While the industry around her has shifted toward large teams and branding machines, Erica remains committed to the hands-on, relationship-driven style that has always worked for her. She’s been with the same brokerage for 10 years, and many of her clients return again and again—sometimes starting with a modest starter home and eventually upgrading to a dream property. She treats each transaction with the same care, regardless of price point.
Erica’s background in sociology and social work has made her an expert in navigating the emotional landscape of real estate. Whether mediating between spouses with competing priorities or helping a seller process the grief of letting go, she sees her role as dynamic and supportive for everyone she works with.
“Going to school for social work, the first thing you learn is to start where your clients are. If somebody tells me their budget is $600K, I’m not going to show them a $750K house. Also, being able to talk people through their feelings is huge.”
Though her sons are now grown—one in college and one soon to be married—Erica isn’t slowing down just yet. She still finds joy in the work, especially the relationships. The day she stops learning or connecting, she says, is the day she’ll step away. But that day feels far off.
“For me, it’s all about the people. And as long as I have the fire burning, I’ll keep going.”
When she’s not working, Erica loves hiking in the Rocky Mountains, spending time at the beach, and traveling back to California to visit family. She’s not one for small talk at parties, but if you tell her about your life—not just your listing— she’s all ears. That deep curiosity, paired with an unwavering sense of honesty and authenticity, is what sets her apart.
Looking back on a 19-year career, Erica created a path full of meaning; a career defined by integrity, empathy, and genuine human connection.
For me, it’s all about the people. And as long as I have the fire burning, I’ll keep going.”
Owned and operated by real estate lawyers that have a combined 100 years of experience, Sentinel Title & Trust o ers property owners, prospective buyers, and real estate professionals the services of a traditional title company with the added benefit of having knowledgable real estate lawyers on their side.
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