Dallas Real Producers - June 2020

DALLAS

C O N N E C T I N G .

RISING STAR MAC KELLY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT HOME INSPECTION SOLUTIONS

Welcome

E L E VAT I N G .

I N S P I R I N G .

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Dallas Real Producers • 3

TA BLE OF

CONTENTS 06

10

12

15

Preferred Partners

Realtors on the Rise

Meet The Dallas Real Producers Team

Publisher’s Note

18

26

28

34

Cover Story: Melissa O’Brien

Dallas REAL Producers FAQs

Rising Star: Mac Kelly

Partner Spotight: Home Inspection Solutions

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MEET THE

COMMUNITY Check Out Some Of Dallas’ Top 500 REALTORS®

Nominate a top REALTOR® you’d like to see featured by emailing Brett@DallasRP.com

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Dallas Real Producers • 5

PREFERRED PARTNERS

This section has been created to give you easier access when searching for a trusted real estate affiliate. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the businesses sponsoring your magazine.

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Rowley Roofing & Construction (972) 668-0919 www.RowleyRoofing.com STAGE & DESIGN George Bass Stage & Design (469) 776-5118 GeorgeBassDesign.com

Haven Interiors Group (817) 233-9709 www.haveninteriorgroup.com STAGING Nest & Nido (214) 577-4601 nestandnido.com

TITLE COMPANY Alamo Title Co - Park Cities Cody Domino (214) 373-7653 alamotitleoftexas.com Alamo Title Co - The Biggers Law Firm, P.C. (214) 252-1900 BiggersLawFirm.com

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Dallas Real Producers • 7

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Dallas Real Producers • 9

®

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. 10 • June 2020

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Dallas Real Producers • 11

MEET THE DALLAS REAL PRODUCERS TEAM

Brett Martinsen Founder, Publisher & Community Leader

Katherine Fondren

Brian Koehn

Dave Danielson

Executive Assistant & MVP

Jin Kim

Kyle Martinsen

Bryan K. Reed

Geneva Eilertson

Photographer

Chief Strategist

Assistant Editor

Graphic Designer

Writer

Marketing Assistant

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.

KYLE KARKER

Managing Partner (214) 801-6555 kyle@americanrealpm.com

Darien Hall, Diamond D. Real Estate with EXP.

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14 • June 2020

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PUBLISHER’S

NOTE

Despite all of the negativity in the world right now due to coronavirus, there is so much good to look back on over the last year. Within our first year in print, we featured some of the most amazing people in Dallas real estate.

Even though the future may seem a bit cloudy, Dallas Real Producers is here to stay! Your continued support has been incredible throughout this time, and we thank you!

We are fully committed to helping all of you come together, connect on a deeper level, and inspire you to reach new levels of success.

realproducersmag.com

I hope all of you are staying safe and enjoying time with your family (or not, haha).

Take care and talk soon,

Brett Martinsen Founder, Publisher, and Community Leader of Dallas Real Producers Call/Text 214-717-8525 Brett@DallasRP.com

Dallas Real Producers • 15

MEET THE L AWYERS TITLE L AKEWOOD OFFICE C AT H E R I N E D AV E S - S A L E S E X E C U T I V E | S A L LY O W E N - E S C R O W A S S I S TA N T J O E T H E R I O T - AT T O R N E Y / D I R E C T O R O F D A L L A S O P E R AT I O N S GLENDA WEBB - ESCROW OFFICER | ERIN MYERS - ESCROW OFFICER V I R G I N A B R O W N - E S C R O W A S S I S TA N T

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6333 E MOCKINGBIRD LN SUITE 270 DALL AS, TX 75214 16 • June 2020

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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 realproducersmag.com

Dallas Real Producers • 17

MELISSA POSITIVE SOLUTIONS cover story

By Dave Danielson Photos by URSPECIALS

Your clients rely on your experience and expertise to help them navigate the waters of their real estate transactions.

That part is one of Melissa O’Brien’s favorite things about working in real estate. As a REALTOR® and head of the O’Brien Property Group with Dave Perry Miller Real Estate, Melissa enjoys being that dependable ally — that reliable resource that provides positive solutions.

“That’s really the biggest thing for me … having a helping heart. It’s what we do in our industry,” Melissa emphasizes. “That’s my biggest source of enjoyment … being the calm in the storm as a problem solver.”

Finding Her Path Prior to entering real estate 10 years ago, Melissa had a long-term career working in the legal profession.

“Around that time, my husband and I had bought this beautiful, sad home in East Kessler Park. It was our personal passion project, to bring this condemnable home back to life,” Melissa laughs.

“It was then that I decided I was ready for a change and desperate to figure out the next best steps to take in my career.”

“It was really an a-ha moment,” Melissa explains.

“I was very engaged in our home-shopping process. The house we bought wasn’t on the market.

We stalked it like a beast. Through that process, I realized that real estate would be an ideal direction for me.”

So she earned her license and started reaching out to REALTORS® she knew. It wasn’t long before she began her journey, eventually landing with Dave Perry Miller Real Estate, her real estate home for the past nine years of her career.

That’s when it came to her.

18 • June 2020

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Dallas Real Producers • 19

Making an Impact Along the way, Melissa has built a strong reputation for results. In fact, after working on a team and then transitioning back to being an individual agent in 2018, she earned Top Individual Producer honors, surpassing the $20 million mark.

“Since then, I’ve refocused my business and I started building a spectacular team of professionals in 2019,” she recalls.

In the process, the O’Brien Property Group finished as the Top Producing Team of Groups consisting of two or three in the InTown office and subsequently added a fourth member on January 1.

Creative Determination Remember the house that Melissa and her husband, Tom, bought? The one that led her to real estate?

Well, today, it’s the home they live in. After a long, meticulous, painstaking renovation and executing on creative vision, their home is beautiful—and it’s also a remarkable tribute to Melissa’s care, dedication, and perseverance.

In fact, their home earned the coveted neighborhood Eastus Cup Landscaping Award.

20 • June 2020

The honor was no coincidence.

Throughout her time in real estate, Melissa has put her love of design and her eye for detail to work with her clients.

“Helping clients in staging and presenting their homes has been a strong focus for us, and that has certainly evolved over time. We now have two warehouses with all types of furnishings and artful items, and roll around Dallas in our own wrapped staging van. It has turned into a second full-time job in a way” she says with a smile, “and ultimately, the presentation of listings is what we do so well. You get one shot at presenting a home, and we do them upright. We love the staging process!

It’s dirty and sweaty, and exceptionally gratifying to see homeowners walk through their front door and witness that transformation.”

Family Foundation Away from work, Melissa treasures time with Tom, and their daughter, Alex, who serves as Director of Marketing on her team and who also lives nearby in the neighborhood.

Melissa and her family

“I have a tremendous, passionate team that includes Jason Spencer, Ann Andrews and Eugene Gonzalez,” Melissa emphasizes. “When I first started in the business, I was primarily a buyer’s agent. Through time, my business shifted, and because of my dedication to proper presentation, I began to see a strong focus on listings. With Jason, Ann and Eugene, we have a really strong group of professionals who give our clients an all-around experience that includes an unparalleled dedication to buyers as well.”

“One person each year wins this landscaping award in our area,” Melissa smiles. “That was my dream when we bought this house. And two years ago, we were so honored to have won it. It’s like a Stanley Cup-style trophy with your name engraved on it … and you get to keep it for a year. They had to pry that cup from my hands at the end of the year!”

In their free time, they enjoy taking bike rides, their family “scooter gang,” and Melissa takes any chance she can to get her hands dirty and express herself through her ongoing love of gardening and landscaping.

Melissa is passionate about supporting the community and has taken an active role in fundraising efforts for local schools that provide a strong educational foundation in her neighborhood.

@realproducers

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Dallas Real Producers • 21

YO U N E E D A S O L I D F O U N DAT I O N T H AT I S B A S E D O N H O N E S T Y, S T R O N G E T H I C S A N D G I V I N G B AC K . A S AG E N T S , W E M U S T M A I N TA I N A V E R Y S T R I C T C O D E T H AT S E R V E S O U R C L I E N T S A N D C O M M U N I T Y I N A P O S I T I V E W AY.

Melissa and her team: Jason Spencer, Ann Andrews, and Eugene Gonzalez

As she considers her own real estate career, she finds fulfillment in coaching others. She has advice for those just getting started.

“When you’re starting out, I think it’s important to select a brokerage that you connect with and one where the broker manager is present and engaged. That’s the single most important piece of advice I could give. I can’t imagine working with a virtual broker. I talk to, text with, or see my broker every day, and that’s an incredible thing,” she explains.

“Another critical component is finding a good mentor who can explain the basics and teach you how to dive into the neighborhoods, learn how to assess the intricate details that make each individual area unique. You need a solid foundation that is based on honesty, strong ethics and giving back.

As agents, we must maintain a very strict code that serves our clients and community in a positive way.”

Passion for the Profession There are two main components Melissa points to for success in her life.

“I am pretty thoughtful in my process and very specific in the way I handle contracts. I’m a good problem solver, and I always enjoy conversations with other agents as we

22 • June 2020

navigate complex issues. It gives me great joy and makes me feel like I’ve made the right decisions in my career, and that I can be of help to others,” she says. “I’m so proud that I can share my success with my family, and the benefits that all of this hard work has brought are difficult to measure. They’re not just monetary benefits. We enjoy the simple moments together, as well as some amazing family vacations that we might not have been able to take otherwise, and all of those moments combined are so precious to our family.”

The rewards are nothing short of exhilarating.

“There’s nothing like the feeling of fulfilling your client’s dream. I’m patient, because I truly believe in this dream, no matter what it takes. I never want to hear people give a neutral response and say, ‘This house will work.’ I want to see them jumping up and down and clapping their hands, and see tears of joy,” she says with a smile. “This journey started with the simple goal of helping others and making a little extra income, but it has transformed into so much more.

There’s truly nothing like stumbling headfirst into your passion, and I can’t believe how lucky I am to be surrounded by such wonderful comrades, amazing clients, and the most supportive family ever. I’m the luckiest girl in the world!”

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Dallas Real Producers • 25

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® NORTH of 635. You are welcome to come to their parties and events as well (as long as you promise to be fun).

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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. @realproducers

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We are located in the Dallas Design Center by appointment only. We work with 100 of the top producing luxury real estate agents in the Dallas/ Ft. Worth metroplex. We were established in 2006 and have serviced the real estate industry with excitement and a unique style of stage in new builds and established residences and have exceeding selling price and days on market with listings. We have had the privilege of being a part of $650 million in real estate sales for the industry professionals the past 15 years in Dallas and surrounding cities.

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MAC Kelly Giving and Growing

I

t’s true that what you give comes back to you many times over.

One of those who personifies this fact is Mac Kelly.

As a REALTOR® with Allie Beth Allman & Associates, Mac is this month’s Rising Star … a man who is building on his two-year career in real estate by giving and growing.

“I never thought of myself as becoming a REALTOR®,” Mac remembers. “Growing up, though, I always loved houses.”

“I was 14 at the time. I remember my parents brought me on a couple of trips from Maryland as we looked at houses. I bet we looked at two dozen homes,” Mac recalls. “I loved every second of it. I would look at the different room and envision which ones would be my room, along with things that could be done with landscaping and construction. I really enjoy looking at a house and imagining the memories that can be created there.”

As Mac came of age in Dallas, he attended college. Soon, he started his career in the corporate world with a traveling sales position.

Memorable Move

That love was fueled when his family planned their move to the Dallas area from Maryland.

“I was going on calls throughout the state, but it didn’t really make me happy,” he says.

Moving Forward

A couple of years back, Mac decided to get his real estate license and try the career that he had thought about.

Like most new agents, the early going wasn’t easy.

“I sold two houses during my first year, and did a lot of leases during that time,” he says.

At the same time, Mac also worked with his motherin-law, Lori Trent, at her store — the T Shop flower store in Lakewood. His wife, Kiley, and his father-in-law, Matthew, operate the family’s jewelry store, too.

rising star

By Dave Danielson Photos by URSPECIALS

28 • June 2020

@realproducers

“When I switched careers, I knew that it would be a good idea to work with Lori. It’s a great way to help out, to spend more time together as a family, and it has kept money coming in.”

During his second full year, Mac gained traction, and the sales started coming — including his first million-dollar sale.

“That was a surreal feeling having that first one,” he says.

There’s more where that came from. In fact, in his second full year in the business, Mac recorded over $5 million in sales volume.

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Dallas Real Producers • 29

Driven to Give

While his business grows, he enjoys doing what he can to keep the flower business blooming, as well.

“There are a handful of us who work at the flower store, and Lori is very supportive of the career I’m building in real estate,” he smiles.

Beyond his growing list of completed deals, Mac has a passion for real estate.

perspective into your business, your brand, and your clients. You can really be yourself.”

“I’ve always wanted to work for myself and do it my way,” he emphasizes. “I’ve always approached what I do that way, and real estate allows you to do that. You can put your own

Life’s Priorities

Away from work, Mac looks forward to time with Kiley. They met shortly after he moved to the area when he was 14, and they were high school sweethearts.

In their free time, Mac and Kiley enjoy working on the fixer-upper they just bought. They also like spending time with their two dogs, landscaping, working out, and playing golf. In high school, Mac was a member of a lacrosse team that won three consecutive state championships. Helping out with the local lacrosse club is a passion he still carries with him today.

With his extremely outgoing, friendly nature and an innate drive to help others, it’s no surprise that Mac and his clients are realizing real results.

He has a strong sense of gratitude for the opportunities in his life.

“Working with Allie Beth Allman & Associates is where I wanted to be. She is great, and she has built one of the top brokerages. I wanted to be with the best. And I realized that I wanted to be here because they’ve figured out a way to create success at a high level.”

His work, giving of his time and talents, is rewarding.

“I think that going into the process of becoming a real estate agent, you have to tell everyone what you’re doing and be proud of it,” he smiles. “And I enjoy letting people know who I am and the fact that I think about what I do 24/7, thinking about different families I work with, and how I can help them. And it’s very rewarding when you get referrals. In those moments, you realize you’ve helped someone.”

Through his dedicated work ethic, his friendly support, and his growing experience, Mac achieves success each day, giving and growing.

“There are rewards in reaching the goals that you set,” he says. “But it’s more about the happiness in helping others.”

30 • June 2020

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There are rewards in reaching the goals that you set...

B u t i t ’s m o re about the happiness in helping others.

”

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Dallas Real Producers • 31

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Dallas Real Producers • 33

Home Inspection Solutions Perfecting The Art of Home Inspections Since 2010 According to Bloomberg research, Dallas welcomes nearly 250 new residents every day. With that number, plus home-grown population growth and moves, it’s fair to ask where is everyone going to live?

One of those organizations supporting your efforts to find that answer — and homes for our ballooning population — is Home Inspection Solutions, owned by Cliff and Sheri Willis. Day in and day out, the Willises and their team ensure that key standards of housing quality are in compliance before your clients move in.

34 • June 2020

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partner spotlight

By Dave Danielson, Staff Writer Photos by URSPECIALS

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Dallas Real Producers • 35

Every Square Foot is Important

“We work with everything from mobile homes to multi-million dollar homes. The largest house we have inspected was 16,466 square-feet.

That one took all day with two inspectors,” Cliff says.

Home Inspection Solutions offers a comprehensive range of inspection services for properties throughout the Dallas and Fort Worth area.

“In addition to our core inspection services, we’re certified to provide termite inspections,” Cliff explains. “Typically, buyers and/or agents need to make two calls—one for the home inspection and another for the termite inspection. But we can do both. Plus, we are also very knowledgeable in providing inspections for a full spectrum of ancillary inspec-

36 • June 2020

“

We know how hard agents work to get to the point where we become involved in the process, and it’s a process we respect.

“

Cliff began his career as a home inspector in 1997 working with a multi-inspector firm. In June 2007, he had a unique opportunity to work overseas as a quality control inspector building police stations and forward operating bases (FOBs) for the Iraqi police and army and detonation covers over high-occupancy buildings for US troops.

Cliff returned home July 2009 waiting to be called to Afghanistan. While he was home, he and Sheri decided he would stay home and with that, they opened their inspection company on January 1, 2010.

As Sheri says, “We’ve had nine, going on ten good years, and we’re very proud of being able to stay in the business. Now we want to grow with new inspectors and people in marketing and scheduling. Also, we want to begin light commercial inspections.

We’re excited about the future and our growth plans heading into 2020.”

@realproducers

tions, including swimming pools, septic systems, outbuildings and more.”

Supporting the Process

As the Home Inspection Solutions team conducts its work in homes across the area, Cliff says his team takes pride in knowing that the way inspections are presented can be just as important.

“We are not alarmists and never scare buyers because of the way we present our findings,” Cliff explains. “We never want to be the spoiler in any real estate deal. We just don’t take that attitude. We want to be a benefit, not a hindrance, to the closing process for realtors. We know how hard agents work to get to the point where we become involved in the process, and it’s a process we respect.”

The feeling is very mutual, and Cliff and Sheri are grateful for the strong, mutual relationship they’ve built with their real estate partners.

“A lot of agents will extend their option period just to work with us – it means a lot to know we have a high degree of trust among the agents we work with,” Cliff smiles. “We’ve been in the business long enough now where we have repeat business within families from one generation to the next. Sometimes we’ll work with clients and they’ll say, ‘You did the inspection for my parents’ house.’

For someone to keep our name for years and then refer us to their kids means a lot — it says we must be doing some things right.”

Adventure in a Crawlspace

“During a typical crawl space inspection in East Dallas, I was looking around and came across a briefcase,” explains Cliff. “It was dusty and the outside was deteriorated. I became curious and opened the briefcase.

As I did, I saw it was filled with gold coins in plastic sleeves! I could hardly believe my eyes! This is a real treasure in a crawlspace, I thought.”

He summoned the buyer’s agent, the buyer, and the seller’s agent who were in the home and said, “I need to show you something. I opened the case, and their eyes got as big as saucers,” Cliff laughs. “We gave the briefcase to the seller’s agent, and sure enough, we found out later, it belonged to the seller. He was a coin collector. The seller said, ‘I remember now … one time we were heading out of town and I put them down there for safekeeping.’ He had forgotten about it. He estimated there were $10,000 worth of coins in the briefcase.”

It’s clear to see Cliff and Sheri are truly thankful for their roles in helping their clients.

“During the first part of my career, I did a lot of searching for my passion in the world of work,” he says. “I was looking for the job I really fit into. We’ve been doing this for 21 years now, and I consider this career to be the answer to years of praying. We believe every inspection we receive is a gift from God’s Hand to ours. And, we do our best to handle it accordingly.”

For more information, contact Home Inspection Solutions today!

Visit www.HISDFW.com, or Call 817-939-8333 or 214-448-9572 Email Cliff@HISDFW.com

realproducersmag.com

Dallas Real Producers • 37

38 • June 2020

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Dallas Real Producers • 39