Diane Aunapu-Masaitis
Broker/Owner
Pioneer Realty of Florida, LLC started as Pioneer Realty in Ft. Lauderdale back in 1963 by Diane’s parents, Albert and Hazel Aunapu. Born in Ft. Lauderdale, Diane Marie Aunapu is one of seven children from a pioneering family that came to Florida in 1907. Aunapu Road was the former name prior to University Drive throughout Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties. She graduated from Stranahan High School in Ft. Lauderdale and attended Broward Community College and the University of Phoenix.
The site-development and road construction industry along with real estate provided her with a technical perspective oftentimes specific to commercial Realtors. She holds an active Florida Real Estate Broker’s License and a Notary Public commission. Additionally, she has a Council of Real Estate Brokerage Manager’s designation, and is a Certified EcoBroker.
In 2005, Diane bought a historical building in downtown DeLand intent upon turning it into a Central Florida real estate office. With the expertise of her daughter and project manager, Tiffany Smith-Schroeder, who spear-headed the green construction project, the building was completed in 2007.
Diane has two grown children, Tiffany, who resides in DeLand with her husband, and Taylor Smith of Hobe Sound, Florida. She is married to Peter Masaitis, who also has two grown children and three grandchildren.
Memberships include: National Association of Realtors, Florida Association of Realtors, Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers, National Association of Notary Publics, Rotary International, DeLand Area Chamber of Commerce, Mainstreet DeLand Association, and Lake Beresford Yacht Club. Diane was also given the honor by the Samoan Council of Chiefs of Florida in Ft. Lauderdale in 2005 by allowing her the title of “Chief Tuilaepa”, which means “high-speaker or main-talker”, an honor that is rarely given to those who are not direct descendents of the American Samoan royal family’s bloodline.
“Pioneering the Green Method in Real Estate” by helping to teach buyers and sellers alike, the benefits of greening their homes or businesses, Diane states, “We Floridians are a consumptive lot. We should take time to make simple changes that continue our quality of life. Each of us need to ReFuse, ReThink, ReUse, ReDuce, and Recycle every time we think of it in an effort to become more environmentally responsible.
After being in real estate since 1983, she’s experienced high and low market fluctuation and is able to help guide customers to where they want to be. Whether you are buying or selling, why not let Diane’s expertise help you today!