DALLAS
C O N N E C T I N G .
E L E VAT I N G .
I N S P I R I N G .
Welcome
DALLAS TOP 500 Agents Class of 2020!
SPECIAL EDITION 2020 KICK-OFF PARTY RECAP RISING STARS BEN LEWIS & JOANNA UTLEY ROCKWALL ROCKSTAR NICK TERMINI
TESSA MOSTELLER & LUCINDA BUFORD EVEN STRONGER TOGETHER
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT ALAMO TITLE — PARK CITIES
FEBRUARY 2020
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2 • February 2020
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www.realproducersmag.com • 3
MEET THE
COMMUNITY Check Out Some Of Dallas’ Top 500 Producing REALTORS®
Nominate a top REALTOR® you’d like to see featured by emailing Brett@DallasRP.com
4 • February 2020
“ Great follow-up, Professional, Communicates freely.” - Happy Customer
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TAB LE OF
CONTENTS 17
20
30
Publisher’s Note
2020 KickOff Party Recap
Cover Story Tessa Mosteller and Lucinda Buford
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46
54
Rockwall Rock Star Nick Termini
Rising Stars Ben Lewis & Joanna Utley
Partner Spotlight Alamo Title Company — Park Cities
If you are interested in contributing or nominating REALTORS® for certain stories, please email us at Brett@DallasRP.com DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of N2 Publishing but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Dallas Metro Real Producers magazine are not endorsed or recommended by N2 Publishing or the publisher. Therefore, neither N2 Publishing nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies.
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®
REALTORS ON
THE RISE SOME OF THE TOP UP AND COMING REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN DALLAS
NOMINATE A RISING STAR YOU’D LIKE TO SEE FEATURED BY EMAILING BRETT@DALLAS RP.COM. 8 • February 2020
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Landmark Home Warranty Theron Smith (214) 490-0872 Landmarkhw.com Nations Home Warranty (888) 737-7070 home-warranty.com INSURANCE AGENCY HUB International Personal Insurance Jim Marks (214) 855-5621 www.hubinternational.com Rani Alfers Insurance Agency, Inc. Rani Alfers (972) 661-5200 RaniAlfers.com LANDSCAPING Outdoor Home Living (214) 328-5296 OutdoorHomeLiving.com MORTGAGE LENDING Alpha Loan Group JC Mier (972) 597-4300 TheMortgageGOAT.net Benchmark Mortgage Rich Detz (972) 398-7657 RichDetz.com
Caliber Home Loans, Sara Parker Jones (972) 841-9010 www.homeloansbysara.com City Bank Mortgage (979) 777-6855 www.addisonbaldwin.com Guardian Mortgage Wade Betz (469) 906-2522 winningwithwade.com Park Cities Mortgage (972) 818-5626 www.parkcitiesmortgage.com Petra Home Lending Jason O’Quinn (214) 432-0443 PetraLending.com Seidel Mortgage Group Ted Seidel (214) 552-8834 www.TedSeidel.com The Hicks Group - Cardinal Financial Company LP. Brent Hicks (972) 728-3401 BrentHicks.com Verity Mortgage Michael J. Fooshee (469) 677-7037 FoosheeGroup.com Willow Bend Mortgage (214) 449-2334 wbm.com MOVING SERVICES Element Moving and Storage (972) 805-0988 elementmoving.com
MoveStar, Inc. (972) 716-9911 MoveStarinc.com Stonebriar Moving Services (469) 734-9000 stonebriarmoving.com PAINTING VPA Painting (469) 881-4302 PLUMBING Military Plumbing (972) 635-7676 www.militaryplumbing.com Texas Plumbing Solutions LLC Elisha French (214) 418-4964 Friscotxplumbers.com PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT UMB Financial Corporation (214) 387-3012 UMB.com REAL ESTATE VIDEO & PHOTOGRAPHY Bird’s Eye Film and Photo, LLC Grant Wiseman (512) 657-6290 www.birdseyefilm andphoto.com Icarus Independent Productions (469) 865-7459 icarusindependent.com REAL ESTATE VIDEOGRAPHY AmpliFilm (972) 965-2098 amplifilm.net
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Haven Interiors Group (817) 233-9709 www.haveninteriorgroup.com STAGING Nest & Nido (214) 577-4601 nestandnido.com TITLE COMPANY Alamo Title Co - Park Cities (214) 373-7653 alamotitleoftexas.com Alamo Title Co - The Biggers Law Firm, P.C. (214) 252-1900 BiggersLawFirm.com
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www.realproducersmag.com • 11
MEET THE
D A L L A S REAL PRODUCERS TEAM Brett Martinsen Founder, Publisher & Community Leader
Jin Kim
Photographer
Katherine Fondren
Brian Koehn
Dave Danielson
Kyle Martinsen
Bryan K. Reed
Geneva Eilertson
Executive Assistant & MVP
Assistant Editor
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Chief Strategist
Graphic Designer
Writer
Marketing Assistant
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“I have had several buyers close with this group over the course of several years. They are fast, professional, responsive, & problem solvers. They always close ON TIME, have competitive rates, & dynamic loan options. You can't go wrong with City Bank Mortgage!”
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VP - Mortgage Consultant RRosas@city.bank (214) 695-1265 · NMLS #491179
www.realproducersmag.com • 15
16 • February 2020
publisher’s note
ONLY Dallas’ Top 500 Agents It’s 2020, and with that comes a new top 500 list. If you are receiving this magazine for the first time, congratulations on officially making the 2020 Dallas Real Producers top 500 squad! Also, a huge congrats to those of you who made the list AGAIN this year.
My name is Brett Martinsen, and I am the founder, publisher, and community leader for Dallas Real Producers — an exclusive community and magazine for Dallas’ top 500 agents. Real Producers is a franchise nationwide, and we have over 100+ communities and magazines all over the country. As one of the top 500 agents, you will be receiving our magazine every month for FREE, be invited to all of our exclusive parties and events for FREE, and also have the opportunity to be featured for FREE.
In order to be featured, you have to be nominated and selected by your top agent peers. No one pays to be featured. They earn it! To those of you with us on the journey again in 2020, congrats again! I am so excited to have you back! Thank you so much for all of your support over the last year. 2019 was an amazing year, and 2020 will be even better! Cheers in advance to all of the amazing stories that will be shared in our monthly publication and all of the new connections that will be made at our events! Brett Martinsen Founder, Publisher, and Community Leader of Dallas Real Producers Call/Text 214-717-8525 Brett@DallasRP.com
www.realproducersmag.com • 17
joins forces with HomeServe USA,
the largest home warranty service provider in the U.S. Improved customer service technology will better serve Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex REALTORS® and their clients Dallas, Texas (Dec. 10, 2019) – HomeServe USA, the largest provider of home warranties in the U.S. by number of homeowners protected, recently joined forces with Nations Home Warranty (Nations), based in Dallas since 1996. Nations customers in Texas will now have access to HomeServe’s extensive contractor network and a mobile app that makes household management easier than ever. “HomeServe is the nation’s largest home warranty provider, so this partnership will allow Nations to bring heightened service to our customers in the Dallas Metroplex and adjacent territories. Customers will now have access to a great customer app and 100 more local, licensed contractors, which means we can provide service even faster than before,” said Sharon Harrison, Founder of Nations. “We have always gone above and beyond to offer an exceptional customer experience, adding HomeServe’s technology and contractor network will take us to the next level. Bigger, better, faster - yet still local.” 18 • February 2020
Nations, with one of the most comprehensive HVAC coverage available in the industry today, provides a great tool for real estate agents through its simple, easy to understand guide that agents can provide their clients. REALTORS® say that the coverage, limits and pricing all on one page is very helpful to first-time homeowners and is a great tool to help them sell a home. In addition, Nations’ 60-day guarantee on its repairs is two times longer than the industry average. “Nations has made a meaningful impact in the communities it serves, and we’re pleased to join with them to help advance their mission,” said HomeServe CEO John Kitzie. “Many things will stay the same for Nations realtor partners and homeowners, including the personal, local touch they are used to. Nations’ simple process and exclusive representatives will remain the same, but the partnership will offer an expanded contractor network and access to best in class service technology.”
HomeServe, which also has been in business for 16 plus years, maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. The company completed more than 625,000 repairs over the last year and received high customer satisfaction ratings from homeowners receiving service under the plans. The company also recently launched an easy-to-use app that allows homeowners to use their smart phone to take pictures of all their appliances and equipment bar codes in the home. Behind the scenes, the HomeServe App team finds and collates the owner manuals, troubleshooting guides and how-to videos for every item -- all accessible through the homeowners’ smart phone. This allows homeowners to get rid of their junk drawer full of all the home appliance product manuals. The app, which will send users maintenance reminders and recall alerts, can also be co-branded with real estate brokerages and individual agents. Nations and HomeServe will together provide even better
Canada under the HomeServe, Home Emergency Insurance Solutions, Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA) and Service Line Warranties of Canada (SLWC) names. Since 2003, HomeServe has been protecting homeowners against the expense and inconvenience of water, sewer, electrical, HVAC and other home repair emergencies by providing affordable repair coverage, installations and quality local service. As an A+ rated Better Business Bureau Accredited Business, HomeServe is dedicated to being a customer-focused company supplying best-in-class repair plans and other services to consumers directly and through over 750 leading municipal, utility and association partners.
service to Texas real estate agents and homeowners. To learn more about Nations and HomeServe please contact your local Nations representative or Sharon Harrison at sharon@home-warranty.com.
About HomeServe HomeServe USA Corp. (HomeServe) is a leading provider of home repair solutions serving more than 4.2 million customers across the US and
For more information about HomeServe, a Connecticut Top Workplace winner and recipient of thirty-three 2019 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, or to learn more about HomeServe's affordable repair plans, please go to www.homeserve.com. To connect with HomeServe on Facebook and Twitter, please visit www.facebook.com/homeserveusa and www.twitter.com/homeserveusa.
Julie Jones VP Real Estate Sales 214.843.7764 888.737.7070 julie@home-warranty.com www.home-warranty.com www.realproducersmag.com • 19
2020
Photos by URSPECIALS & Scott Peek Photography
KICK-OFF PARTY RECAP The 2020 kick-off party was so much fun and a huge success! Thank you to everyone who attended. We filled the home with tons of big names, familiar faces, and had such a great time! Special thanks to all of our sponsors as well. Because of them, this event was made possible! See you at the next event in May! Brett Martinsen Founder, Publisher & Community Leader
20 • February 2020
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Great event, great agents. I wish I could host an event with you everyday. -Alex Perry
22 • February 2020
Had a great time. So many great agents there. - Ryan Streif
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24 • February 2020
Fabulous event! We are so proud to be a part of the top 500! Kim Jacobs
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Cool people, and some of Dallas’ top agents. Joe Atkins
26 • February 2020
Incredible turnout! Dorothy Jacobs
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TESSA MOSTE L LE R & LU C IN DA BUFO R D cover story By Dave Danielson Photos by URSPECIALS
EVEN STRONGER TOGETHER Like everyone who enters the real estate business, Tessa Mosteller and Lucinda Buford followed their own paths.
30 • February 2020
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While both successfully established their careers as REALTORS®, it’s clear that their partnership, formed ten years ago, has made them even stronger together. Today, they form the Tessa and Lucinda Real Estate Group as part of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty. Breaking New Ground Tessa remembers her entry into real estate. It was the turn of the century — right after 9/11. “It was the same year that I moved into Park Cities,” Tessa recalls. “I was fascinated by the beauty of the older homes in the area. While looking as a buyer, I didn’t feel like there was enough service or information to learn about the neighborhood. I had worked with Johnson & Johnson, so details of listening, asking questions and following up were part of my extensive training. I saw it could apply to my passion for real estate. I saw a need to help others and decided to enter the business full time.” A few years later, Lucinda got her start as well. “My husband is a custom home builder,” Lucinda says. “When he started his company 21 years ago, I was a stay-at-home mom with our young twins. I became licensed to help him buy land. In the process, I was casually mentioning properties to friends, and they would buy them with their agent. I quickly realized real estate was something I could do and that I loved it! My experience in corporate training and sales came together so I could work with friends in my own neighborhoods. What could be better?” Ten years later, in 2009, Tessa and Lucinda decided to officially launch their team together. They have moved forward since, deal by deal, growing their business every year and adding friends and clients along the way. Selfless Service The passion Tessa and Lucinda have for their profession comes through loud and clear. “One of the most enjoyable parts of this business for me is that I would never get to be in front of some of our clients if I was in a different career,” she explains. “I get to spend time with amazing people that I learn from. I think you grow as a person when you work with successful people who have had opportunities or backgrounds that you haven’t had or who live differently from you.” 32 • February 2020
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As Lucinda says, a big part of the reward is answering questions that clients never knew they had. “There’s great satisfaction in helping clients crystalize of what they want in selling or buying and then being able to deliver that — even if they aren’t sure what they really want at the start,” Lucinda points out. “I love helping them navigate that process and getting there. For example, helping people move into a new price point they didn’t know they could reach or helping them get a better result than they hoped for when selling. Our clients are smart, accomplished people, and it’s an honor to work with them on deals and have them refer you to their friends — it’s the greatest compliment.” Strengths in Life and Business Both women cherish the time they have with their families. Tessa and her husband, Bob, enjoy time with children, including Zackery and Reagan Mays, and Sawyer Mosteller. Together, Tessa and Bob share a love for creating, designing and remodeling homes in Park Cities; they are currently on their fourth one now. In her free time, Tessa has a passion for cooking and entertaining friends. In fact, as Tessa says, “Cooking is my love language.” Lucinda and her husband, Barry, have two children, including their daughter, Anna, and their son, Harrison. Lucinda has a number of pastimes and pursuits that she’s passionate about, including entertaining friends and family, cycling with Barry, traveling, reading and needlepoint. Tessa and Lucinda also share a deep support of The Magdalen House, a no-cost recovery center for alcoholic women (magdalenhouse.org). They both have a deep desire to support women and are believers in giving back. Teamwork is key to their success. In the process, Tessa and Lucinda point to Julie Fletcher, who joined their team four years ago as a licensed agent. Lucinda and Tessa share that Julie works flawlessly at keeping clients and the team running on track while still finding time for family and her passion for working out. They also emphasize that clients love working with her and that she is a wonderful people person. Julie and her husband, Dave, have two children, including their son, Michael, and their daughter, Nicole.
34 • February 2020
“Julie has such a kind spirit and is so conscientious,” Tessa says. “She fits with us so beautifully, and we’re both so grateful to her.” Genuine Gratitude As Tessa and Lucinda think back to their start together ten years ago, they also feel a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to work with each other. As Tessa says, “Lucinda and I complement each other with our strengths, which makes a double bonus for each of our clients. I think we sense things and process things differently. So when a client knows there are two minds on it, they feel an incredible sense of security.” Lucinda agrees, saying, “When clients know we’re involved, they know we’re working on their deal with different kinds of people, networks, and buyers. If we have a listing, we’re both aggressively marketing it and thinking about who we can contact, as well as meeting and talking about it in our regular team meetings. That helps our clients get more exposure and a better result in the end.” Another move that Tessa and Lucinda feel grateful for is the move Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty made into upscale new offices. As Lucinda says, “Our new offices really allow for more collaboration with other agents, and they offer all the tools we need to enhance the experience for our clients.” Together, Lucinda and Tessa deliver a positive difference, and each day, they work to enhance what they do. “I think a big part of this business is being knowledgeable and responsive,” Tessa remarks. “You have to be knowledgeable, otherwise you can’t help the people you work with get where they want to go.” As Lucinda says, the success she shares with Tessa comes down to making a difference. “I think it’s being able to make a positive impact and leaving situations better having been a part of them.” Day by day, Lucinda and Tessa are making that difference. Clearly, they are even stronger together.
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YOUR DALLAS REAL PRODUCERS
LOGOS CONGRATS on being one of the Top 500 Producing REALTORS® in Dallas!! Because you made the Dallas Real Producers squad, you now have your own EXCLUSIVE TOP 500 logo to use in your marketing! Email Brett@DallasRP.com for your logo.
Our approved business partners/advertisers have their own logos as well. They are highly recommended from other top producing REALTORS® and are some of Dallas’ most elite businesses, so give them a shot! 36 • February 2020
SUCCESS THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS Rich Detz
Branch Manager | Loan Strategist | NMLS#275665
Direct: (972) 398-7657 | Cell: (214) 454-3777 rdetz@benchmark.us | www.richdetz.com 3333 Lee Parkway, Suite 639 Dallas, TX 75219
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www.realproducersmag.com • 37
Nick Termini Nick Termini doesn’t approach life halfway. He never has. His is an allout spirit.
Today, Nick is a REALTOR® with Century 21 Judge Fite Company. His career in real estate is the culmination of a life filled with a competitive spirit — a spirit he channels toward his love of his hometown of Rockwall. “When I do something, I do it full bore,” Nick explains. “I don’t cut corners. I get my mind focused on something, and I want to be the absolute best.” An Early Spark Growing up, Nick channeled his seemingly boundless energy toward any activity he could get his hands — or feet — on. “Growing up, I played very competitive club soccer,” Nick recalls. “I lived and breathed for it every day. I still love it.”
38 • February 2020
Nick attended Richland College in Dallas, where he was part of a squad that won a national championship. After college, Nick went to work for his parents’ landscaping company, doing design work and presenting and selling for the business. In time, he decided to take his career in a different direction. He had always been interested in real estate. So in 2015, he put his plan in action, earned his license, and started with Century 21 Judge Fite Company. Like most, Nick experienced a challenging transition into the business. “During my first year, I had two or three transactions right away based on a couple of leads and closings,” Nick recalls. “Then, I hit a dry patch from January to May 2016.”
rockwall rock star By Dave Danielson Photos by URSPECIALS
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40 • February 2020
In March, in the middle of his drought, Nick considered quitting. “That’s when my manager and mentor asked me, ‘Are you really working?’ I said, ‘What do you mean?’” Nick remembers. “He had me bring my computer to the office and set up an office space and then told me to get up here every day and work at the office. I started making calls and creating marketing materials and doing things that lead to business.”
It’s about being the best version of myself that I can be. I’m the person people count on for the largest transaction they do in their lives. Knowing I’m the guy they’re leaning on makes me want to be my absolute best.
Nick’s efforts produced results. He soon closed five deals representing $1.7 million. In turn, he earned top agent of the month in his office, along with Rookie of the Year honors. During his first year, Nick completed 16 deals. He more than doubled that in 2017 with 38 transactions. In 2018, his production reached $21 million on 80 deals. And in 2019, he completed $23 million, representing 82 units. Crucial Crossroads As a young man, Nick’s competitive fire continued. He pushed himself hard — maybe even a bit too much. Nick had taken a strong interest in wakeboarding. It was 2008. As he skimmed the waters of Lake Quachita in Arkansas, he attempted a very challenging trick he’d done before. “It’s called a tantrum. It’s where you do a 360-degree turn and a backflip at the same time,” Nick remembers. “We were going about 25 miles per hour. As I committed myself to starting the trick, the wake I needed to make it work disappeared. It was a freak scenario.” In the chaotic, quick blur of action that followed, Nick crashed into the water, snapping his arm in half.
A series of surgeries and complications followed. Nick fought through and channeled himself in new ways.
That focused intention is directed squarely on helping his beloved hometown of Rockwall to grow and prosper.
“I was a wild child before,” Nick remembers. “But that accident put me on the path I’m on. It settled me down a bit. At that point, I realized I wasn’t invincible. If it didn’t happen, who knows where I would be. I look back and know where I was in my life and I use that as a direction in my life now. I was focused on having fun, as opposed to being a productive member of society.”
“I grew up and have lived here for 34 years. I went to Dobbs Elementary, then Williams Middle School, and then graduated from Rockwall High School in 2003,” he says #JFND. “I couldn’t envision raising my family in another town or city. We have a lake that separates us from other towns. I’ve always enjoyed the feeling of driving across the bridge into Rockwall. When you come into town, it feels like you’re entering another world...like you’re on vacation. Focusing my business here has been natural for my career.”
A Life’s Potential and Priorities Today, Nick channels his competitive spirit inward. “It’s about being the best version of myself that I can be. I’m the person people count on for the largest transaction they do in their lives. Knowing I’m the guy they’re leaning on makes me want to be my absolute best.”
Nick takes pride in playing a part in the growth Rockwall continues to enjoy. As he says, “It’s growing like crazy here. In the mid’80s, it was a rural country town. Now it doesn’t feel like that at all.” Like an ambassador for the town, Nick represents the best of the area.
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“It’s cool working with people from out of town or out of state. I enjoy driving around and showing them what areas used to be like years ago and revealing how it’s growing and changing,” Nick emphasizes. “It’s exciting watching the market appreciate with the business and industry that’s moving here.” Nick’s world revolves around his wife, Pearl, and daughters, Brooklyn and Summer Rose. “My family is very important to me. I do what I do each day to provide for them; they are my world,” he says. “The biggest motivators in my life are
42 • February 2020
my parents, seeing how they worked and lived their lives.” In his free time, Nick still pours himself into all sports, especially English Premier League soccer, along with the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team and football. “My passions are pretty simple... work, family and sports,” he smiles. Nick Termini goes all out in life with a drive to continually raise the bar for those he serves. “It goes back to being the best I can be. It’s not necessarily about making the
most money or selling the most. When I look at my successful peers, they are pillars in the industry who have a good rapport with clients and other agents and vendors and are being the best possible people they can be,” he explains. “Others want to emulate successful people. I would like to be that same way —someone others want to emulate — by having compassion, integrity, and being the absolute best version of myself I can be.” That’s the sound of an all-out spirit at work in the world.
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BEN LEWIS 46 • February 2020
&
JOANNA UTLEY
&
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REACHING FOR NEW HORIZONS rising stars By Dave Danielson Photos by URSPECIALS
Some things you find in life can fit like a glove as if you were meant to be doing it. Real estate is that way for many. And one of the great things about the industry is that every day is different. It’s almost like you’re putting on a new pair of perfectly fitting gloves every day. That analogy seems to hold very true for two local Rising Stars: Ben Lewis and Joanna Gaines Utley. Together, the two REALTORS® are co-owners of the Land and Luxury Group with Compass. As Ben admits, he and Joanna found their love for real estate in very similar ways before joining forces with the help of their own team. “Joanna and I both seem to need that variety. And with real estate, we get it. Each day always brings something new, whether we’re seeing a new property or working with new clients,” he says.
new challenge. Real estate definitely provides that for me. It’s the perfect career for me.”
Joanna agrees. “I like not having the same thing every day,” she emphasizes. “I get bored easily and like to take on a
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PATHS FORWARD Ben has had a lot of interests through life, but he’s always had an eye on real estate.
“My uncle, Bob Shallow, is a RE-MAX Broker in Gulf Shores, Alabama. In fact, he has ranked number one in the world,” Ben explains. “I always looked up to him and was inspired to do what he did.” After graduating from North Texas with a business degree, Ben hit the ground running. He earned his license and jumped in.
“I was working 80 to 90 hours a week,” she remembers. “But, no matter how much or how hard I worked, I made the same amount of money. I had a regular who was a REALTOR®. She would come in and would always tell me, ‘You have to get out of this industry and get your real estate license.’ So, after two years of working constantly and seeing that my real estate agent was killing it, I thought I could do that, too. I quit in 2015 and started hustling in real estate.” TEAMING UP Joanna and Ben started working together when she shared some leads. “On one of the listings, I gave some constructive feedback to a homeowner about staging their home. It didn’t go over very well, but Ben came in and smoothed over the situation,” Joanna says. “Ben and I have a great good cop/bad cop arrangement that worked really well.” In 2018, the pair teamed up officially. And they haven’t looked back since. Both Ben and Joanna find the experiences that feed their need for variety.
As Joanna came of age, she had her sights set initially on a career as a therapist. So she pursued a psychology degree at first. “Then, at some point, I realized that I didn’t want to be constantly on call as a doctor, so I changed my major and graduated with a 3D design degree in sculpture,” she recalls.
Three weeks after college, Joanna married her husband, James, who is also a designer. As she balanced her passion for design with the financial demands of life, Joanna worked her way up in the restaurant business to a management role. But, something wasn’t adding up.
“I’m somewhat of an outdoorsman and I love being on ranch property,” Ben explains. “I love the freedom and exploring these spaces. Sometimes, you get to see the most amazing places that you wouldn’t get to see in another profession. It’s the aspect of getting to see new things that are really special. I can’t say enough good things about this. I’m a people person. I enjoy good company. When we get a very nice group of people that we work with, it’s rewarding and it’s good for your soul.”
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BRINGING IT HOME Joanna and Ben are lifelong residents and Joanna loves calling the region home. “Ben and I take a lot of pride in growing up here and knowing the area so well,” Joanna says. “We definitely sell throughout Dallas, but we also sell outside town, as well. In the process, we really have made a point of focusing on unique properties. Some of those listings are out in the rural areas, while others are in downtown Dallas. We enjoy that range of work and the different clients we’re able to serve.” Ben appreciates the way the teamwork with Joanna works for them and their clients.
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“Joanna has the eye of an artist. She takes care of the interior designing elements. I’ll work on crunching the numbers, and Joanna takes care of the interior and the luxury property side of the business. That’s how we came up with our ‘Land and Luxury’ name. We would both do well individually, but together, our strengths complement each other extremely well.”
Ben has a big place in his heart for his family, including his uncle and aunt, Bob and Susan Shallow. When he’s away from real estate, he likes to explore new places and find new wide-open views from the back of his motorcycle. He’s also an avid hunter and spends time pursuing that as his schedule allows.
In her free time, Joanna cherishes time spent with her husband, James, and their children, attending school activities and soaking up the memories as her kids grow. She also has a passion for photography and enjoys supporting the efforts of the Child Advocacy Center and its mission to support the victims of child abuse.
As Joanna says, “I want our clients to have a great time working with us, and then to have such a good time, that they say, ‘Hey, let’s go do this together again.’”
As they consider their fast start in the business and the future ahead, Joanna and Ben stay grounded in the values that they build by.
When you meet Joanna and Ben, it’s clear that conversation will continue happening. Because, just like the perfect fit they enjoy in real estate, they bring a brand of service that also perfectly fits what their clients need, as well.
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Alamo Title Park Cities
A Difference Delivered 54 • February 2020
Company partner spotlight By Dave Danielson Photos by URSPECIALS
In a world where technology can make services appear transactional, it’s refreshing to have a partner you can count on for service that goes above and beyond with a personal touch. That’s the difference delivered each day by Branch Manager Cody Domino and the team at Alamo Title Company — Park Cities.
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Tradition of Leadership Alamo Title Company — Park Cities is no stranger to the business. In fact, it’s one of the pillars of the area, serving Dallas-area residents and the real estate industry since its start in 1922 and is backed by Fidelity National Financial, the nation’s largest title insurance company. In her role in business development with the firm, Juliet Domino feels a great sense of pride in the lengths that the team goes to for its partners and clients. “At the forefront of what we do is customer service. We go above and beyond to make a difference for those we work with,” Juliet emphasizes. As Juliet says, Alamo Title Company — Park Cities doesn’t let time or space stand in the way of progress ... or a deal that needs to get done. “One of the commitments we make to our partners and clients is that we close anywhere, anytime, 24/7, and we will absorb the fee to make sure that the deal closes on time,” she says. “We do whatever we can for the agents, lenders, buyers and sellers involved. And, we do whatever we can to make it a smooth closing.”
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Local Leadership Cody opened the Park Cities branch of Alamo Title Company 17 years ago in University Park. As Juliet says, the location is no coincidence. As Juliet explains, “We live just four blocks away from the office, so on a nice day, we can walk to work. We love the community and the interaction we have with people here, including many real estate agents who also live and work in the area. We see people come in for a closing, you give them a hug, and you know what’s happening in their lives.” Teamwork for Results The team at the Alamo Title Company — Park Cities branch includes six team members. “We have a terrific team here,” she smiles. “It’s a well-oiled machine. Everyone knows what they need to do. There is a front end and a back end, and each person has a very specific role.” Away from work, Cody and Juliet enjoy time spent with their children, including 24-year-old daughter, Bailey, and her fiancé, Brett, their 21-year-old son, Travis, their
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our agent partners on a personal level.” It’s a difference that the team takes seriously. “They know the difference it makes when you work with a title company that will bend over backward to serve them,” Juliet continues. “They know they can put us on a contract because they understand the level of service we give them - our great turnaround time and that we get things done on time, so no one is waiting on us.” 11-year-old daughter, Emily, and their two dogs, Max and Oliver. One of their favorite pastimes is spending time as a family at their lake house at Cedar Creek. Building Strong Bonds Relationships are central to the way Cody, Juliet, and their teams conduct business each day. “We know that agents can choose from many title companies. It means a lot to have their loyalty and to see the way they continue to come back time and time again,” Juliet says. “They know we’re going to take care of them and their clients. For us, that is true success. It’s that loyalty that has developed over time because we have done a good job, and we have developed deep relationships from knowing
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Each day, the team at Alamo Title Company — Park Cities works with the goal of providing a vital part of the real estate transaction in a manner that is smooth, knowledgeable and professional. As Juliet says, “We believe that, by the time our partners and their clients reach the closing, it should be a stress-free time. We want everyone to leave the closing happy, and we want the REALTOR® to be the shining star. At the end of the day, we strive to do whatever we can to make the process as smooth as it can be.” For more information about Alamo Title Company — Park Cities: Phone: 214-373-7653 Email: CDomino@alamotitleoftexas.com
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DALLAS REAL PRODUCERS
FAQs
What is the primary purpose of Real Producers? Our primary mission is to UNITE the REALTORS® in the local community by helping you connect with other top producing agents on a deeper level. We accomplish this through our monthly publication and our quarterly parties and events. Who is the magazine distributed to? ONLY the TOP 500 producing REALTORS® south of 635 will be receiving our monthly publication. The top 500 varies each year based on MLS production, so there are no guarantees you make the top 500 next year. Keep working hard! Where do we get the top 500 from? The TOP 500 comes directly from real MLS data. The Dallas Real Producers community includes the top 500 REALTORS® south of 635 in Dallas county, along with Rockwall, Irving, Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Duncanville, Waxahachie, etc. *We also have a North DFW Real Producers community and magazine for the top 500 REALTORS®
60 • February 2020
NORTH of 635. You are welcome to come to their parties and events as well (as long as you promise to be fun). How will you be receiving the magazine every month? We will be shipping your copy of the magazine to your office with your name on the back, so keep your eyes open for it every month! We will send out a monthly email with the digital version of it as well. *If you would like it shipped to your house instead of the office, please email Brett@DallasRP.com with your home address. Is there a cost to me, the REALTOR®? No cost to you. Our entire platform is FREE for you! All of our costs are covered by our approved business partners. They have all been recommended by one of the top 500 REALTORS® in the community, so you should feel comfortable using them as well.
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