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When it comes to real estate in Port Aransas and North Padre Island, Keith McMullin is one of the most trusted names in the industry.

McMullin, a real estate broker of Port Aransas Realty and Mustang Island Realty, has been in sales and marketing his entire career, and has both Port Aransas and North Padre Island real estate offices.

In 2005, he left the telecommunications industry and got his real estate license, immediately starting with

Port Aransas Realty.

“I’ve always appreciated the family atmosphere with the company,” McMullin said. “At the time, I thought that the island would be a good place to sell a few homes and condos and earn a living. I had no idea and I don’t believe anybody fully anticipated all that has transpired since those days.”

Little did McMullin realize he would later serve six years as mayor of Port Aransas, which lent him a deeper, richer understanding of the area – a closeknit island town in a beautiful natural environment, with lauded public schools, friendly neighborhoods and diverse, multigenerational households.

In 2016, after serving as mayor, McMullin said Becky Corder, the founder and broker of Port Aransas Realty, retired. He then took up the mantle, becoming a broker there in September of that year. Today, he sells a diverse mix of properties ranging from off-thebeach cottages to gulf-front condos to luxury homes in master-planned beachfront communities like Cinnamon Shore, Palmilla Beach and Sunflower Beach.

“Properties in each of these market segments are much more affordable than comparable homes and condos in Florida, California and many other coastal destinations,” he said.

In the early days of the pandemic, when everyone was staying safe at home, McMullin said the island was “eerily quiet.” But, he said, the real estate market took off again last May when Texas opened back up.

“All of our inherent strengths suddenly became even more desirable than before,” he added. “A small town, miles of uninterrupted wide sandy beaches and being a convenient drive from home.”

He said buyers found the spot appealing since mothers and fathers could work remotely from their beach home, kids could log in for distance learning, and the island makes for a wonderful vacation escape that doesn’t involve flying or leaving Texas.

“Americans are leaving the big cities and opting for rural areas,”

McMullin added, a form of migration that’s soared during the pandemic. “We’re certainly seeing that in our real estate market with historic sales levels and unprecedented interest.”

To learn more about coastal property in the area, visit www. TexasIslandProperties.com or visit Port Aransas Real Estate on Facebook, or reach McMullin at 361-749-7500.