Realtor Spotlight | Laurie Lane

Welcome back to our Realtor Spotlight! In this series of blog posts, we highlight some of our incredible realtor partners, both personally and professionally, to discover a little bit more about them and showcase their agencies!

In this spotlight, we meet Laurie from The Outlier Group!

Laurie Lane

The Outlier Group

(614) 619-9761

Llane@outliergroup.us

1. Tell us about yourself (background/education/experience).

My name is Laurie Lane, I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and like to say I’ve been showing houses since I was 5 years old since my Mom was a Realtor and my Dad did Commercial Real Estate. I moved to St. Petersburg to attend Eckerd College and while studying I worked for a waterfront home developer who built energy efficient homes. I moved for a full-time position to Portland, Oregon and fell in love with the flipping process after teaming up with a local investor who was flipping craftsman homes. I decided to move back to St. Pete to continue my real estate career and be closer to family, the ocean, and sunshine.

2. How long have you been a realtor?

8 years and I’ve been investing in real estate for 7 years.

3. What do you like most about living and selling real estate in Florida?

Based on my flipping experience, I enjoy helping my seller clients save on costly repairs using my reliable and trusted GC and contractors along with helping my buyer clients save on the same costly repairs as they begin their journey in owning a property. I enjoy helping my clients through the remodeling process since that is one of the quickest ways to build equity.

4. What advice do you have for anyone looking to buy or sell right now?

As a recent seller and a current buyer myself, I’ve learned that in 2025’s real estate market, sellers may benefit from approaching negotiations with openness and adaptability. Having a strategy going into this market is crucial to a successful property sale. As a buyer, it is now the best time to save money whether that’s on the purchase price or getting credits towards closing costs, there are more benefits now than a few years ago even though interest rates have gone up.

5. What three traits define you?

Determined, self-motivated, and inspirational.

Before I purchased my first house which became my first rental, I created a strategy that allowed me to find homes with great equity potential. Despite significant headwinds, I was determined to close on the bungalow of my dreams. I was self-motivated to learn how to be a self-managing landlord and went on to invest in more rentals and renovations. My experience and stories have inspired others, including my clients, to create their own income streams through real estate investing. I love sharing my resources, strategies, and story. I still can’t believe that I have done this on my own as a single, independent woman.

6. What would you be doing if you weren’t in real estate?

I can’t imagine what else I would be doing since every time I have tried to do something other than real estate, I get reeled back in. I thoroughly enjoy what I do! With that said, my career has mostly been in sales and marketing. If I weren’t selling real estate, I would be selling yachts since I enjoy being out on the water, and it’s pretty much a floating house, right?

7. What is the most challenging and/or gratifying aspect of what you do?

The most challenging aspect of selling real estate can be the negotiations that take place. Although I have no hesitation in going to bat for my clients, it takes a lot of mental fortitude. However, the most gratifying aspect of my job is when my hard work pays off and they either get the deal they wanted, the repairs they’ve desired fixed, or maximizing their financial outcomes.

8. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

Being one of the best comedians. I have recently started performing stand up comedy at open mics around St. Pete and I have found making people laugh to be fulfilling. I would like to learn more about delivering jokes and being more confident on stage.

9. What are your favorite indoor or outdoor activities?

I enjoy being out on the water, whether it’s cruising around the bay or Gulf by boat, kayaking, or swimming in the ocean or a pool, I’m always up for anything water related! On land, I enjoy running, playing golf, learning pickle ball, and watching sunsets on the beach.

10. If you wrote an autobiography about your life, what would you title it?

The Travel Diaries of Laurie Lane

11. In your opinion, what is the coolest design trend you are seeing in homes today?

Mother-in-law suites or ADU units. I think these are getting more and more popular and seeing how a small living space is designed to also provide a homeowner rental income or create a separate living area for family and visiting friends is very neat.

12. Where is your favorite place in the world to be?

On an island full of nature and wildlife with my boyfriend, my closest friends, family and my small Maltipoo, Mapo. I’ve learned that it’s not always the location, but who surrounds you that makes it your favorite place.

13. If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?

Barbara Corcoran. Not only is she an inspiration based on the career and brand she’s built in real estate, but she is admirable in how she’s persevered throughout her life and her stories are profound.

14. Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life and why?

Lady Gaga. No one can deny her role in A Star is Born was incredible. I also love to sing and she would be the best performer because there couldn’t be a movie about my life without music.

15. What are your top 5 favorite TV shows or movies in no particular order?

The Office

Emily in Paris

Lincoln Lawyer

Freaks and Geeks

Inventing Anna

16. What are your top 5 favorite bands/artists or podcasts to listen to?

Sofi Tukker

Lizzo

Anderson .Paak

Incubus

Big Wild

17. Where is your favorite place to eat?

This is incredibly hard to answer since I love many places in St. Pete. One of my favorite places that’s stayed in existence over the years is Nitally’s. I love spicy food and they have excellent specials.

18. What is the most unique property you’ve listed or sold?

My last home was one of the most unique properties I’ve listed and sold. It had a mother-in-law suite and a tiny house in the back that I used as a guest house, making it a great home for my friends and family to stay on vacation while also providing myself rental income. It was also unique because it flooded during hurricane Helene and since then I have learned how to navigate the claims process, sell properties impacted by the floods, and help my neighbors and other homeowners that have been in my situation move onto their next chapter.

19. What is the most unusual thing you’ve encountered while working in real estate?

I showed a house that had a haunted house meets Addams Family and Beetlejuice vibe. All the decor were deep, dark colors and there was even a skeleton doll dressed like a kid propped up in the corner of the living room! My client fell in love with the house, and unfortunately, so did another buyer. The house sold $50,000 over asking (and this was back in 2019, pre-COVID). I would have never guessed this to happen.

20. Anything else you would like our readers to know about you and your company?

I recently joined the Outlier Group as a Junior Commercial Advisor after flipping my small commercial property out of state. I will actively help anyone who is looking at real estate as an investment or ways they can create income on their property while increasing the value of their home or commercial real estate. I want to encourage single-family investors to learn more about buying small commercial properties and share why I’m passionate about specific asset classes. I can’t wait to be part of the development of Tampa Bay and the dreams of business owners that make our home truly home.

What an amazing read, Laurie! Your extensive knowledge on rental and investment properties is so compelling. We also have to learn more about this spooky house you witnessed and obsess over pictures of Mapo over a cup of coffee one day. Thank you for being such a great spotlight!

Interested in being highlighted in an upcoming Realtor Spotlight? Reach out to our team for more information!