Early morning is Jonathan Tindal’s favorite time of day. The Boothbay man, a broker with Tindal & Callahan Real Estate in Boothbay Harbor, can achieve a good work flow then, when his phone and inbox are quiet. Throughout the day, he may be talking with clients who are at all points of the buying or selling spectrum.

 

“Sometimes those folks are planning for a future endeavor, and other times they're actively engaged in a purchase or sale. I prefer email communication, followed by phone calls. It allows me to outline information/perspective as a primer for a thorough phone or in-person conversation.”

 

Scheduling evening and weekend calls is not unusual, either, to meet clients’ needs.

 

“Keep in mind that we're working with clients who typically work during the day, themselves. It's their interests at stake, and we as brokers make ourselves available for important conversations at times when our clients can take a deep breath and think things through.”

 

Before becoming a broker, Tindal worked away from home in a job he enjoyed, but he traveled often, and wanted to settle down in the Boothbay Region, where he grew up learning to sail at Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club and to swim at Boothbay Region YMCA; and where he spent five summers oyster farming with Barb Scully, hauled “a small number” of lobster traps by hand, and raced around in skiffs and other boats.

 

Tindal also grew up around the real estate business: Father Bruce Tindal founded Tindal & Callahan Real Estate with Judy Callahan in 1985. “It's always been familiar to me and I have long admired his work ethic and success. It felt natural to give it a try, and when I was ready, he welcomed me with open arms and he was ready to answer a million questions!”

 

Now a decade in, Jonathan Tindal recently fielded the Register’s questions via email. He offered insights and dispelled one myth, for anyone eying a career in real estate: “I think there is a misconception that the business is ‘easy,’ but to represent clients thoroughly and successfully, it requires tremendous commitment and diligence.” If someone is willing to put in the work, it is absolutely a fun business, he said.

 

Tindal added, “It's hard to jump in cold, so I'd suggest that when people consider a career in real estate, they make sure that they will have a good mentor to help get them started. It's complicated, and a reliable sounding board is invaluable.”

 

As for a reader looking to buy or sell, Tindal advised not to take it casually. “It's not too difficult to casually purchase or sell a property. If you go into it with a laissez-faire attitude, one can go through the motions and the transaction likely concludes. But that attitude can have big consequences.

 

“These are huge investments, and I feel that it's critical that buyers understand exactly what they're buying as it relates to value, condition, zoning/use implications, etc.,” he continued. “On the selling side, being careful about disclosure and representation of the property is important to avoid discontent and, possibly, lawsuits, post-closing.”

 

So, what has he found is the most challenging part of working in real estate? “Overcoming obstacles. Whether related to multiple-offer scenarios, surprising inspection results, financing hiccups, or title discoveries, it's a delicate and challenging part of the process. But, it can also be the most rewarding.”

 

The people, the properties, and the variety are the best parts, Tindal said. “I cherish the opportunity to partner with many different people, get to know the properties of this peninsula, inside and out, and work collaboratively with others to solve high stakes problems/negotiations. For many, real estate decisions are emotional and with ups and downs. It's satisfying to work together toward a positive result.”

 

What traits does it take? Honesty, patience, listening, ambition, diligence and communication, he said.  And he said time management is critical. “Especially to balance personal and professional priorities.”

 

In his personal ones, Tindal is passionate about family time, much of it spent outside. His and wife Jessica’s daughters, Cora, 4, and Olivia, 7, are their pride and joy, he said. The family walks Boothbay Region Land Trust trails and goes boating. He feels a soulful connection to the landscape and seascape.