Debbie Bates

Hi, I’m Debbie, and I’ve been helping buyers and sellers in South Florida since becoming a Realtor in 1998. During that time, I have worked through “normal” markets, buyers’ and sellers’ markets, bidding wars, foreclosures, the 2008 financial crisis, the housing boom after COVID and the challenging conditions buyers and sellers face today.

I have lived in Fort Lauderdale since I was five years old and like to consider myself an honorary “native.” South Florida has always been home to me. Before becoming a Realtor, I worked as a professional dog trainer, following in the footsteps of my mother, who owned Command Dog Training. Through dog training, I learned the importance of patience, clear communication and persistence—qualities that have also served me well in real estate.

Deciding I was ready for a career change, I earned my real estate license, found a wonderful broker and surprised even myself by earning several Top Producer awards with Prudential Real Estate during my first five years as a Realtor.

Early in my career, I joined the Grievance Committee and Professional Standards Committee with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Board of Realtors. For more than 20 years, I served on hearing panels involving alleged ethics violations and arbitration disputes. That experience gave me a deep respect for the responsibilities Realtors have to their clients and to one another. Ethics and honesty are not simply words I use to describe my business—they are principles that have shaped the way I work throughout my career.

What began as a career change became a profession I have now been part of for nearly three decades. Over the years, I have developed a straightforward approach to working with clients and believe in giving people my honest opinion, even when it may not be what they hoped to hear.

I have worked with a broad range of buyers and sellers, from first-time buyers purchasing their first home to longtime homeowners selling and moving on to the next chapter of their lives. My experience includes condos, townhomes, villas, single-family homes and waterfront properties across Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

When marketing a home, I believe it needs to be priced realistically and presented professionally. My full-service approach includes professional photography, video and strong online exposure. I also offer sellers a lower commission while still providing full-service representation, allowing them to keep more of the proceeds from their sale.

Most buyers and sellers simply want someone who can help them accomplish their goals and provide the guidance they need along the way. But choosing a Realtor is also about finding someone you feel comfortable working with, can rely on and know will be responsive when questions, decisions or unexpected issues arise. I take that responsibility seriously, stay on top of the details and remain available and personally involved throughout the transaction.

On a more personal note, I am lucky to be married to a wonderful man, Max, who is also a Realtor. He is an incredible source of support and can assist with showings or step in whenever an extra hand is needed. We have one son, who recently got married, so we now have a daughter too.

Our family also includes four Labrador Retrievers and a Border Collie. After many years of obedience training, I discovered dog agility and fell in love with the sport. It has brought wonderful people, lasting friendships and a great deal of joy into my life.

I hope you find my website helpful and easy to navigate as you explore South Florida real estate. Because many online searches begin with general criteria, I am always happy to help fine-tune your search and set up property notifications that better match what you’re actually looking for.

Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling, I hope you’ll feel comfortable reaching out. I would be happy to answer your questions and put my experience and knowledge of South Florida to work for you.