Basement Realty : Built for Agents, by Agents
Let's Shape the Future of Real Estate Together
Mission Statement
At Basement Realty, our mission is to empower and support a global network of elite referral agents by providing a platform built on trust, collaboration, and exceptional service. We are dedicated to creating a seamless, referral-driven experience where agents can confidently connect their clients with top-tier real estate opportunities.
The Inspiration
We saw how agents were burdened by:
High Association Dues
Membership fees to NAR, Florida Realtors, and local boards that add up quickly.
Marketing Costs
The endless expenses to promote listings and attract clients.
Time-Consuming Demands
Juggling transactions, lead generation, and administrative work.
A Simpler Path Forward
Basement Realty was born to:
Let’s Redefine What A Real Estate Brokerage Can Be
An affordable, efficient, and agent-friendly solution that thrives on collaboration and referrals.
Katie Fernandez
The founder, broker of Basement Realty, was born and raised in Lakeland, Florida, but always spent more time with her friends and family in Tampa and St. Petersburg, so she really has three hometowns!
After graduating from Florida State University in 2013, she moved to Chicago, Illinois and left her mark on the Windy City for two years. After realizing that she was too far away from her family and the beautiful sunshine, Katie moved back to St. Petersburg and taught high school math for three years. It was actually at this school that she met her husband Bruno! After their wedding in February 2018, she retired from the classroom to pursue real estate full-time before opening and brokering Imagine Realty LLC. Shortly thereafter, Katie and her husband Bruno decided to also open and operate Basement Realty under an entirely different business model, and with both companies flourishing, they have never looked back!
Katie and Bruno knew upon meeting each other that they had to use their go-getter, lighthearted spirits, and excellent communication skills to help people together. Katie jumped on board with Bruno’s real estate investment company in 2016, offering design services for Bruno’s “flips,” and fell in love with the industry from there. She believes that they are an amazing team and that they work incredibly hard to communicate their ideas and goals with each other—this translates perfectly into the world of referral real estate!
When she is not brokering deals, locking in referrals, or working with her own clients, Katie loves traveling the world, experiencing new cuisines, studying for her sommelier certification, playing volleyball, kickboxing, relaxing at the beach, reading, and soaking in all the love from her family, amazing husband, and their fluff-ball cat Tapa.
Bruno Fernandez
Born and raised in Lugo, Spain, Bruno Fernandez built a career defined by innovation, leadership, and a passion for creating opportunities. After moving to the United States in 1996, Bruno’s journey spanned education, banking, nonprofit leadership, and real estate. Alongside his wife, Katie Fernandez, he envisioned a brokerage that would break the mold of traditional real estate practices, leading to the creation of Basement Realty.
Founded in Florida, Basement Realty is a referral-only brokerage designed to simplify real estate for agents. Together, Bruno and Katie created a model that eliminates association dues, reduces expenses, and allows agents to focus solely on client referrals. By earning up to 80% of the referral commission at closing, Basement Realty agents enjoy financial freedom without the traditional burdens of marketing or transaction management.
For Bruno and Katie, Basement Realty is more than a brokerage—it’s a mission to empower agents and clients with a streamlined, efficient approach to real estate. Their shared vision reflects a commitment to innovation and making success accessible to all.