Originally from Tifton, GA, Sonya Reiselt was raised in the Brunswick Golden Isles area on the coast of Georgia before moving to Beaufort. Sonya earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Management in 2002 and with her husband, Ronnie Reiselt, Jr. opened a successful tree care company, Southern Tree Services of Beaufort, that same year. A Certified Arborist since 2003, Sonya is proud of their company, which is still going strong in its 30th year of business. 

Sonya started her real estate journey in 2011, joining ERA Evergreen Real Estate, then transferring to The Homesfinder Real Estate Group in 2019, and her career has just blossomed from there! She enjoys working with her community and helping all types of people from all walks of life reach their goals. Sonya was featured on HGTV with Beachfront Bargain Hunt in 2018 and 2019 was awarded Beaufort Jasper County Realtor of the Year. 

This past year, Sonya was pleased to hire a Buyer’s Assistant, Erin McKee, who put herself through real estate school while helping Sonya as her transaction coordinator. Erin is also a vet tech with Port Royal Animal Hospital. Sonya says, “Erin is doing an amazing job and I couldn’t be more proud of all she does.”

When asked about work/life balance, Sonya says, “Some days I don’t know how I did it. I try to practice patience, make time for my overall priorities, and be there for the for the ones I love and who love me the most. It’s a matter of perspective, persistence, and mostly it’s my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He carries me through it all.” 

Ronnie and their three adult children keep her grounded. Their son Ryan, and his wife Jaclyn live in Maggie Valley, NC, with their son Colton. Their daughters, Courtney Cannon and Hope Reiselt, both live in Charleston, SC. Sonya is a firm believer in getting up early and blocking that time off first. Awakening at 5AM, she attends a 6AM exercise class 5 days a week. She’s home by 7AM, dedicates herself to devotion followed by coffee, and is ready to roll shortly thereafter. She starts work by checking her phone for text and email messages. “You just have to have a direct plan, get it together, and put your priorities in order daily.”

The most rewarding part of her business is seeing her buyers and sellers through the finish line. She builds relationships that last a lifetime. Sonya is always available; the service doesn’t stop with the sale. Her clients call months or even years after the sale with any variety of questions, or sometimes just to check in and say hello. She nurtures her relationships and checks in through phone calls, letters, and social media. She keeps up with their lives and families and sends flowers and consolation to acknowledge lifetime events. “Kindness goes a long way.”

Sonya believes that earning trust is extremely important and instrumental to building relationships and making new friends. This extends to other agents and industry partners. She takes great pride in supporting and mentoring new Realtors. She is sensitive to their journey and knows how hard it is to find one’s way as a new agent. If she sees an agent needs direction, she will reach out and gently guide them. She feels it is an honor to give back to the community that has supported her so much. “The more we all know the better we all look.” 

In addition to mentoring agents and supporting partners, Sonya is passionate about helping underprivileged children who have suffered child abuse and neglect. She is a proud support of Lowcountry Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA) and gives back to them a percentage of every closing. 

Sonya has some humble advice for up-and-coming top producers. “Put into your business what you expect to get out of it. Get up and do the hard work every single day and be the best version of yourself, so you can radiate that to those with whom you communicate and meet.”

To the top 300 agents she says, “Share your knowledge and information with other agents when you can so that our industry will shine throughout our community, county, state, and nation.”

To newer agents she says, “Learn all you can about the area(s) you are selling in. Knowledge is power and your confidence will show when you know what you’re talking about. If you don’t have the answers, says so and find out so you can give the best, most accurate information to those who are asking.”