Hi, I'm Valerie Barber!

I’m Valerie Barber, REALTOR®, Broker Associate with Hanson Real Estate Group, Inc., and a licensed Florida real estate instructor serving Lake County and surrounding Central Florida communities.

I’ve been licensed in Florida since 2006, and over the years I’ve learned that real estate is rarely just about buying or selling a house. Most moves are connected to something changing in life. It may be buying your first home, needing more space, relocating, retiring, downsizing, selling a longtime family home, navigating an inherited property, or simply deciding it’s time for something different.



That is why my approach is patient, educational, and straightforward. I believe you should understand your options before making a major real estate decision, and I do not believe in rushing people through the process. My job is to give you the information, local knowledge, and honest advice you need so you can make the decision that is right for you and move forward at your own pace.

I work with buyers and sellers throughout Lake County, including communities such as Mount Dora, Eustis, Tavares, Umatilla, Leesburg, Clermont, Sorrento, Fruitland Park, Lady Lake, and surrounding areas of Central Florida. My experience includes residential resales, new construction, first-time homebuyers, sellers preparing for a move, seniors and downsizers, inherited properties, relocation, waterfront homes, and customers who need to coordinate a sale and purchase at the same time.

As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®), I have additional training to help older adults and their families work through the decisions that often come with a move later in life. That may involve downsizing, moving closer to family, exploring different housing options, or selling a home that has been part of the family for many years. I believe those decisions deserve patience, respect, and good information.

Education is also a big part of who I am and how I work. As a licensed Florida real estate instructor, I teach real estate professionals and regularly create educational content for buyers, sellers, and homeowners. I want my customers to understand the process, know what questions to ask, and feel confident about the decisions they are making.

I also believe strongly in the small towns and communities that make Lake County feel like home. I appreciate local businesses, familiar faces, and places that still have their own personality. That hometown feeling carries over into how I do business. I believe in being honest, ethical, keeping my word, communicating clearly, and treating people with the same care and respect I would want for myself or my family.

Whether you are buying a home in Lake County, selling a property in Central Florida, exploring new construction, downsizing, relocating, or simply trying to figure out what your next move should be, I’m here to help you understand your options and navigate the process with patience, local expertise, and straightforward guidance.

The Hometown Way. Your next chapter, your own pace.

There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort.

- Jane Austen, Emma