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V O L . X X I V N O. X V I I A U G U S T 6 , 2 0 1 8 16 C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 8 » D ava Davin left a lucrative career in the pharmaceutical industry in 2008 to move to Maine and pursue residential real estate. After four years with a large franchise, she founded Portside Real Estate Group in Falmouth. at first year, her company had $40 million in sales. Today, the company's 12-month figure was up to $265 million in sales volume, representing 46% growth over the previous 12 months. She's expanded to Portland and Yarmouth, and last year completed construction of a new headquarters at 417 U.S. Route 1 in Falmouth. She acquired a RE/MAX office in Yarmouth. Portside is among Maine's top 10 residential real estate companies, and Davin's own sales team ranks in the top five of Maine residential agents and teams. Portside has the No. 1 market share in the areas it serves. She credits her success to a philosophy centered on old-fashioned, face-to-face customer service. "Say a client decides they need to sell their home because it's a two-bedroom home and they're having their second child and they have two dogs," she says. "Life is happening for them and they're ready to move. ey put the house on the market, which means strangers are going to walk through their home when they're not there, opening closets and judging the house and judging them. My approach is about understanding that uncom- fortable situation." On the flip side, agents are heavily involved in buyer finances and how much they can afford. "It's unlike any other sale or purchase: We're involved in people's personal business," she says. "For that to be done right, you develop relationships with people and serve in an advisory role. at's how I coach my agents and run my business." A varied career Davin was born in England and lived in Europe until she was 13, when her family moved to Connecticut. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. She worked as a travel agent and later a meeting planner before becoming a sales rep in the pharmaceutical industry, at which time she also earned an MBA. A marathoner's approach to business B y L a u r i e S c h r e i B e r Dava Davin Founder and President/CEO Portside Real Estate Group Portside Real Estate Group 417 U.S. Route 1, Falmouth 04105 Founded: 2012 Number of employees: 8 Number of agents: 62 Contact: 207-536-4222 / portsiderealestategroup.com Dava Davin is founder and owner of Portside Real Estate Group, one of Maine's largest residential real estate companies. She has also competed in four Ironman triathlons. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY

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