Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Wheatley.
Hi Matt, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Wheatley Realty Group (DBA) was founded in 2013 when Matt Wheatley, the Broker, transitioned into real estate after being involved through his parents’ real estate businesses since 1999. Matt’s goal has always been to bring transparency to a world of sales that often has a unfavorable reputation. In 2018, Matt started to gain traction and recognition by helping to connect first-time home buyers to programs that could get them into a home with 0% down, with seller paid closing costs and tax credits. He quickly grew his clients’ trust, earned additional real estate referrals, and organically attracted other agents wanting to work with him. Today, Wheatley Realty Group has 27 agents, sells more than 200 homes per year, and still operates in a consumer-centered and fully-transparent environment in an industry where most others focus on sales goals and tactics.
Connecting with and giving back to the community is a huge part of our brokerage mission. We support four quarterly charities every year. During each quarter, we focus on supporting a select organization with ties to our local community, including those that provide assistance to those in financial distress, families tackling cancer, rescuing horses, and collecting toy donations for the winter holiday season. Our signature fundraiser for the annual Baby DJ program includes hosting an huge family event at the Florida Citrus Tower and running a golf tournament, raising thousands and thousand of toys and dollars for kids in Central Florida. Being able to have that kind of impact in our service areas is absolutely my favorite part of what we do.
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?
It was quite challenging figuring out how to approach real estate in a service-oriented manner while also paying the bills. Honesty and transparency are great values; however, sales is a business of closing deals, and telling a buyer that it may be better to wait to buy or advising a seller to avoid panic-selling conflicts with paying the bills. Nonetheless, over time, that honesty will help you build a level of trust and respect with your clients that leads to more opportunity in the form of referrals and repeat business. If you’re in business to chase the money, you’ll always be tired. But if you invest in others, the money will flow to you.
We’ve been impressed with Wheatley Realty Group, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Wheatley Realty Group helps anyone looking for that Central Florida lifestyle. We all love where we live! I personally live in South Lake County, but we have agents all over Central Florida. No matter the location, our focus remains the same – to help our clients achieve their goals. Whether it’s residential sales, land purchases, new construction, investment properties, or custom home builds, if you’re buying or selling something with land below it, we can help you.
Wheatley Realty Group has been voted Best Residential Realtors in South Lake County multiple years (2020, 2022, 2024, and 2025) and Reader’s Choice for Best Realtors in 2024 by the Clermont Sun and Triangle Sun . I was personally recognized as Social Media Marketer of the Year in 2022.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Anytime your pay isn’t guaranteed from one day to the next, you take a substantial risk; most business owners know this very well. As a Realtor, you run your own independent contractor business. I can tell you that I personally wouldn’t want to work any other way (and I have tried). It is definitely not for those who thrive on stability. As the saying goes, “the greater the risk, the greater the reward”. But what is also true is that the possibility of failure is also great. Staying connected to that possibility while enjoying success is a great way to stay focused and humble, helping to continue to put forth the effort that brought you the initial success. Finally, I will add that failure is the biggest teaching tool we have at our disposal. Someone who has never failed will almost certainly have less knowledge, experience, and dedication than another who has failed and gotten back up multiple times.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wheatleyrealtygroup.com
- Instagram: Wheatleyrealtygroup
- Youtube: wheatleyrealtygroup
Image Credits
Devore Design
Wise Media Group
