7 minute read
Rising Star: Donnie Garcia
Strong Individually, Unstoppable Together
Written by Dr. Kasia Suarez Photography by Brianna Cortez Photography
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DONNIE GARCIA: the recipient of Rising Star Award.
Amy and Donnie Garcia are the true definition of a power couple in the real estate world.
As individuals, they are both strong. Together, this husband and wife team is unstoppable.
Amy Garcia has a background in advertising and public relations, as well as running event facilities and hospitality ranches. She earned her real estate license in 2003 and received numerous awards as a top producer. She joined Hal Jones Development/
McCombs Properties in 2008 and ran their sales and marketing programs.
Donnie Garcia spent his career working with a Fortune 500 company, Philip Morris USA, and then moved into building and conceptualizing Fiesta Ranch. He joined Hal Jones
Development/McCombs Properties as a vice president of construction and moved into the position of VP of operations in 2010.
In 2013 the Garcias moved to Rockport and continued their journey with McCombs
Properties. Amy continued to pursue her passion as a REALTOR®. Donnie continued to oversee the latest developments for
McComb Properties.
After Hurricane Harvey hit, Donnie resigned from McComb properties and the couple opened the new Rockport event venue, La Palma Event Center to give the community a place to celebrate joy together.
Donnie decided to pursue his passion for real estate and obtained his license in 2018.
Donnie joined Amy at Spears & Co. The couple became an unstoppable duo.
“We are more powerful as a team. I work with the guys and she works with the women and shows them parts of the house they want to see. We divide and conquer,” said Donnie.
The Garcias produced $31 million in 2020 and were the number one producers in Rockport. This year, in 2021, they continue to be the top producers. They are in the $24-plus million. “Our goal is to surpass last year,” said Donnie. Why are the Garcias unstoppable and stand out from other agents?
First, they learned from day one that selling real estate is not just about unlocking doors.
“We are selling a lifestyle and we take it to the tenth degree. We show people the town and communities. Donnie will take the boat out and show them the canals since the street views are different from the sea. I take them downtown and show them the arts. We show them fresh seafood and the yacht club,” said Amy.
“I think we are the only husband and wife team we know of. We have worked together since we have been married and owned our own businesses. We know how to work well together,” said Amy. Donnie agreed, explaining that they learned a lot from working with developers.
“We learned what it takes to purchase a property, taking it to a subdivision,
utilities, stress, and all of that. It’s knowledge that REALTORS® don’t get,” Donnie added.
The couple shared that most REALTORS® don’t think of the piping and the easements and setback lines involved in a property. Working on the developer side has given them this added knowledge, and helps the Garcias function as well-rounded, informed REALTORS®.
“Every morning we go into the office and have our morning meetings in our robes and coffee. I always know he has my back if there’s something I can’t do or get to a client,” said Amy.
“We capitalize on what she does well and what I do well, and they are completely different. I’m bad at paperwork but when it comes to logistics, knowing distances of living rooms, setbacks, septics, etc, I’ve got that,” said Donnie.
Secondly, they know what it takes to buy a second home for families. They have been coming down to Rockport since the ‘80s and dreamed of owning a home in Rockport. In 2002, Donnie and Amy bought their first vacation home in Rockport.
The Garcias know the memories that a family develops are priceless and are cherished forever. They made so many memories coming to their second home in Rockport for over a decade.
“Those 12 years are unforgettable. Our daughter was in middle school and brought her friends, went to the beaches, boating, and fun festivals. She ended up getting her degree at the
University in Texas in marine biology with an emphasis on saltwater. I truly believe it’s because we had those years on the coast,” said Amy.
They share with clients how much having a second home has shaped their marriage and their family’s lives.
Their Garcias are grateful for all the lessons they learned from their broker at Spears & Co., and they apply those lessons when working with their clients.
“My biggest teacher is my broker Alyssa. I learn something from her every day. There is a reason we are number one and so far ahead,” said Amy. The Garcias learned to treat clients with integrity, honesty, and professionalism. They also admire that their broker is involved in the community like they are themselves. The Garcias continue to be involved in the Chamber of Commerce, Rockport Little Theatre, and the Rockport Cultural Arts District, to name a few.
The Garcias have learned many lessons in all their years in real estate, and they want to pass their knowledge on to other REALTORS®. Donnie expressed the need for agents to learn their craft and ensure that they are doing things according to law.
“It’s easy to get into the gray area. Stay out of the gray area. It’s really black and white,” said Donnie.
Amy added that agents need to support their clients in disclosing information. “They need to know their business and craft. Be honest about it and don’t do anything shady. Especially at the coast where everything rusts and deteriorates after a while. You have to disclose that,” said Amy.
The Garcias expressed the need for agents to sell homes as if the buyer was
someone was in their own family. “Would you sell your mom that house, in that area? Would you sell your sister that land? When they trust you it makes a difference between a good agent and a licensed agent,” the Garcias added.
What brings them joy most are the clients that come back to them and share their positive experiences. “We love it when they tell us we sold them their first house and brought them down here and they love it. We want to be remembered, and love to hear that it was the best decision they made,” said Amy.
Donnie added that people are coming to Rockport and Corpus Christi from different parts of Texas or other states because they like how it looks online. However, they have no idea what goes on here. That is why Donnie focuses on showing clients the entire Coastal Bend.
The Garcias work extremely hard together. Amy pointed out that it’s important to be able to turn it off and relax.
“Some people think being a REALTOR® so easy and you earn lots of money. But they don’t realize that at midnight we are on our phones and checking our emails,” said Donnie.
The Garcias shared that it is important to not let yourself burn out and they are still overcoming that. They try to unplug and live a worklife balance by enjoying those special moments with their families.
“We want to be remembered for helping people make a great investment,” said Donnie. “We show them the investment side and the family impact that can come from that investment. We want to keep our clients informed about everything that is going on so they can tell us that helping them make that investment is the best thing we have done for them.”
