Zaida Darley

Meet the Tampa Bay Realtor with a unique twist

What do Clients Say?

My Fiancé and I were from out of state and shopping for homes without a realtor. During an open house, we ran into the broker Ivan Castillo first, and he was not pleasant to deal with. Instantly turned off, but then entered Zaida! She was co-hosting the open house (thank goodness!) and was friendly, warm, respectful. She was everything you would want in a realtor and a friend. She got to know us on our terms. After talking with Zaida, we asked if she would be our realtor and show us some houses. We were looking at homes from 400,000-900,000. She got to know our style, our “must haves” and “would like” lists. We spend several days with her going from house to house. She respected our time and was accommodating with her time since we had to fly in from out of town. We finally found the house! We sent it to her, and within an a few minutes she had contacted the listing agent, answered our questions that we didn’t even know we had and offered suggestions. Zaida, got us $5,000 in seller commissions. And worked to ensure all permits were closed on the house Among other details that could have easily been overlooked. Overall, I would give Zaida a 11/10! She’s absolutely amazing and will go above and beyond for you.

Greg Foster

About Zaida

Growing up in the Sunshine State of Florida, I developed a profound appreciation for the diverse architectural styles and natural beauty that surrounded me. Before pursuing my Ph.D. in Anthropology, I ran a successful business drafting residential and small commercial building plans for over a decade, producing more than 1,000 plans that contributed to the growth of my small town. This hands-on experience in the construction industry provides me with invaluable insights to guide my clients.

I also lived in Southern California for several years. I was responsible for a multi-year project focused on sustainability and the wine industry in Temecula. While tasting some of the region's finest wines, I had the opportunity to learn how luxury homes and agriculture can work in harmony. The culmination of these experiences influenced my focus on historic and sustainable homes. I believe the luxury market can lead the way to preserving unique architectural styles and creating innovative, sustainable designs.

Don't let my stats fool you! My journey as a licensed real estate agent began after spending six years providing research support and operations management for a real estate productivity coaching program. I leveraged my academic expertise to collect and analyze customer experience data, providing recommendations to enhance the program. In 2022, 38% of new agents in our program closed transactions in their first 120 days in the industry. This experience enabled me to prepare for challenges and develop exceptional negotiation and problem-solving skills, which I now utilize to navigate real estate transactions effectively.

Let's connect (physically or virtually) over a glass of wine or a cup of coffee! I enjoy learning about the experiences of others.