Russell Adams reflects on 40 years in Land O’ Lakes
By Sarah Whitman
Senior Staff Writer
Russell Adams sold his first lot in Lake Padgett Estates in 1966. At the time, there were only two houses in the Land O’ Lakes neighborhood. More than 40 years later, Adams remains one of the most recognizable names in Central Pasco County real estate.
“Back then there wasn’t even a stop light at 54 and 41,” Adams said. “I sold that lot for $4,300.”
Adams works out of his office on Land O’ Lakes Blvd., with 25 realtors, including his son, Cody. Russell Adams Realty handles commercial, residential and industrial properties.
“Real estate is a rewarding business,” Cody said. “You just have to have the nerve to master the income ups and downs.”
In recent years, the Adams’ have witnessed major changes in the real estate market.
“The business has changed,” Adams said. “In the last three or four years we’ve been more than realtors. We’ve been crisis counselors (to those with homes in foreclosure) but the market is becoming more stable again. I can see it taking a positive turn.”
For Adams, the real-estate business is about community and family. He has a fondness for Land O’ Lakes that led him and wife, Maureen, to raise their two children in the area. Through the years, Adams has made friends throughout town and been involved with community service projects. He has seen big surges in development, some positive and some negative.
“It’s overwhelming,” he said. “I thought the area would be zoned as more of a country area. I used to sell residential lots close to ½ acre, now there are four-foot lots all over.”
Cody remembers growing up in a less-populated Land O’ Lakes. He loved playing in the backyard at his Lake Padgett home, where the Adams lived for 30 years.
Cody said he went into real estate because his dad always made it look fun and interesting. The father and son joke that Cody showed his first house at 5-years-old.
“He went through the house and said, this is the kitchen, this is the living room,” Adams said. “He was a born salesman.”
When Cody went to work for his dad in 1996, Land O’ Lakes was still considered to be off the beaten path. Now, he said, it is a suburban city.
“After this census, the demographic of Land O’ Lakes is going to change,” he said. “It probably won’t be classified as a rural area anymore.”
Adams is optimistic about the new growth.
“Land O’ Lakes has maintained a lot of charm,” he said. “It’s a great place to live and I think it will be for many years to come.”
Maureen Adams was surprised by how quickly the community grew.
“I remember when we lived here in the 1970s and they were talking about widening 41,” she said. “It took forever for things to happen back then. Then, a few years ago, everything grew so fast. The growth brought a lot more rooftops to the area, which brought a lot more commercial chains. It’s changed the dynamic of the area but it’s been a good thing.”
Maureen was also born into the world of commission-based sales. Her father was a salesman. So, when she married Russell in the 1970s she was ready to handle the evolving world of real estate.
“It’s sales,” she said. “You live with the ups and downs.”
Maureen is thrilled her son decided to continue with the family business.
“Cody learns from his dad’s expertise and he brings a new perspective to the business because of his age,” Maureen said. “They get along well and they both love sales.”
Father and son have lunch together everyday. They discuss work and chat about things like golf. Cody will eventually take over the business.
Still, Adams said he doesn’t feel old and has no plans of retiring anytime soon.
“I’m here for as long as it’s fun and it’s still fun,” he said.
Every now and again he is reminded of how many years he has been in business.
“You know you’re getting old when they’re naming schools after people who were your buddies,” he said, referencing Charles Rushe and John Long. “My goodness, the friends we’ve made through this business.”
Adams credits the people around him with his long-term success. His daughter Mary, also remains in Land O’ Lakes where she works as a full-time nanny.
“So many people have helped me along the way, friends, family and people in the business,” Adams said. “It’s been a real blessing and it’s great working with my son. He keeps it fun.”
Questions about real estate, contact Russell Adams at (813) 949-3603.
