erving our s with 11 headquartered right here at home.
PROVEN EXPERIENCE. DEDICATED SERVICE. L ASTING REL ATIONSHIPS.
DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of The N2 Company d/b/a Real Producers but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Real Producers magazine are not endorsed or recommended by The N2 Company or the publisher. Therefore, neither The N2 Company nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies.
Jordan Espeseth Founder/Co-Owner
Reece Gentry Partner Liaison
Vanessa Corral Photographer
Ashley Gentry Agent Liaison
Katherine Fondren Editor
Rick Davis Videographer
Scott Peek Photographer
Christopher St. Germain Photographer
Lance Dunahoe Co-Owner
Sarah Consentino Ad Strategist
Beth Graeme Photographer
Jessica Espeseth Social Media Director
Preferred Partners
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BUILDER
Pacesetter Homes (972) 743-2432 pacesetterhomestexas.com
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CLIENT AND REFERRAL GIFTS
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Eileen Torres (214) 814-1216 giftsofgraze.com
CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS
Partners in Building (214) 235-6814 partnersinbuilding.com
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A YEAR OF
FIRSTS
feel like. Well, here we are, one year later, and let’s just say… I get it now.
Coffee really has become my best friend. Uninterrupted sleep? A distant memory. But the joy, the laughter, and the love that fill our home now, none of it can be measured. The holidays already carried their own kind of magic, but with Ember’s first birthday landing just before Christmas, this season has taken on a whole new meaning for us.
It’s been a year of firsts—first smiles, first giggles, first words (Mama, then “Meow”, then Dada). Seriously, I was third after the cat. That wasn’t on my 2025 bingo card! And just like parenthood, running a business has its share of new beginnings, too. Each year brings new ideas, challenges, and opportunities to grow, both personally and professionally.
As we look ahead to 2026, I hope you’ll pause long enough to take in what this past year has brought you, the lessons, the laughter, the unexpected blessings, and get excited for what’s next. Because the truth is, every “new beginning” starts with gratitude for where we’ve already been.
Here’s to first birthdays, fresh starts, and another great year ahead.
December is here again, the lights, the music, the cozy chaos, and that familiar question we all ask this time of year: Where did the year go?
It’s funny, because at this time last year, I wrote about “new beginnings.” Jess and I were just days away from meeting our daughter, Ember, and I remember wondering what life as a parent would really
Happy Holidays, Jordan Espeseth Founder DFW Real Producers
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$11,296,294,330
38.8
19,403 SALES VOLUME TOTAL TRANSACTIONS AVERAGE TRANSACTIONS PER AGENT
AVERAGE SALES VOLUME PER AGENT $22,592,589
~ FI X & FLI P
~ Re n o v a t i o n
Br i d g e Lo a n
PI GGY BACK
Hi g h Ba l a n c e
~ Ma n u f a c t u re d
~ HARD MONEY
~ CONFORMI NG
Do c t o rs Lo a n s
4 0 Ye a r Te r m s
REVERSE MORTGAGE
~ FOREI GN NATI ONAL
~ I n v e s t m e n t Pro p e r t i e s
~ FHA ( DOW N TO 5 0 0 FI CO)
NO FI CO SCORE ( FHA & VA)
NON-W ARRANTABLE CONDO
ONE YEAR TAX RETURN / 10 9 9
~ I NCOME NO DOCS FOR PRI MARY
~ ONE TI ME CLOSE CONSTRUCTI ON
Mike His Way
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT PEEK PHOTOGRAPHY, LLC
Mike Danielson’s path to becoming one of North Dallas’ rising real estate stars is anything but ordinary. “There are very few agents in this industry like me,” he says with a laugh. “Ninety percent of the time, I wear t-shirts with cartoon versions of my face on them. I pass out coloring books and stickers with myself on them. My logo and brand is my face. That’s what makes me unique.” In an industry he calls a “sea of sameness,” Mike has built a thriving career by doing things his own way—and proving that authenticity isn’t just refreshing, it’s powerful.
Born in Jackson, Michigan, and raised in Alief, on the southwest side of Houston, Mike’s early years were far from easy. “I was raised in one of the worst areas of southwest Houston by a drug-addicted mother and an abusive stepfather. I never met my biological father and dropped out of high school in the 9th grade,” he recalls. “Statistically, I should be dead or in prison like 90% of the people I grew up with. But I never used any of those things as a crutch. I used them as a stair step to get to the next level of where I wanted to be as a man.” His ultimate goal was to break the cycle of instability. Today, he celebrates 24 years of
marriage to his wife, Victoria, and is the proud father of three daughters—Kassaya, KayLee, and Kiana—as well as the “cutest Labradoodle in existence,” Kinzley.
Mike’s career journey has been as diverse as it is inspiring. Before real estate, he wore many hats: rap artist (“I used to go by the stage name PayDay”), magazine publisher (he co-founded and produced Tha Message Mag, a Christian rap magazine distributed across the U.S. and Canada), actor (he’s appeared in five films currently streaming on Amazon Prime), comedian manager, and co-owner of a commercial printing company. “I have done and continue to do a lot of things,” he says with a grin. But each step along the way sharpened the creativity and resilience that would later set him apart in real estate.
Mike first dipped his toes into real estate in the late 1990s as an unlicensed assistant. But back then, the industry was shifting, and with the MLS becoming public, he worried about its future. “I started taking all of my classes to become a licensed agent, but with the internet changing everything, I wasn’t sure if I could make it,” he explains. He pivoted, moving to
McKinney to start a printing business with his brothers. For 21 years, real estate was just a what-if—until 2022, when at age 46, he decided it was time to go “all in.” “I saw that REALTORS® didn’t go away because of the big bad internet,” Mike says. “Somehow agents still continued to help people buy and sell homes and were very successful at it. So I took a leap, got licensed, and haven’t looked back since.”
Starting over was no small risk. “I’m not going to lie, it was scary,” he admits. “To uproot my entire career as a
print shop owner and go into an industry where the failure rate for new agents is like 85% nationwide is probably not the smartest thing in the world. But my wife Victoria has stood by every stupid decision I’ve made over the 24 years we’ve been married. She knows if I set my mind to being the best at something, I do it. It’s just a matter of time before it happens.”
And happen it did. Within his first year, Mike began to rise quickly—without following the traditional playbook.
“I tried to do things the way most agents do—open houses, door knocking, cold calls—but I realized none of those things are what I like or how I do business,” he says. Instead, he turned to social media. He started making movie parody pictures but with a real estate spin on them. Similar to the real estate agent in the movie, I Love You, Man. “The first time I made a funny pic and posted it, I discovered people want to like their agents as humans, not just as boring REALTORS®. My first listing came from someone I’d never met in person who said they felt like they already knew me from Facebook.”
That decision transformed his career. By the end of his first full year, Mike was consistently in the top 20% of agents in his office and finished as the #2 individual agent at Keller Williams McKinney last year which was his second full year in the industry. His career volume now exceeds $19 million, with more than 60 transactions in just three years. But for Mike, success isn’t about numbers. “Success to me is just being
the best ‘you’ that you can be,” he says. “It doesn’t matter what it is that you’re doing, just be the best at it. That definition has never changed for me.”
Mike’s favorite part of the business is helping people achieve what once felt impossible. “A lot of my clients are people who have rented their entire lives and never thought they could own their own homes,” he says. With a background in entertainment, he also loves guiding artists and performers toward financial stability. “Music, movie, and comedy industry folks never plan for the future. They usually pay cash for everything because they have it. I try to teach them how to build credit and equity so they can start building real wealth.”
Now, Mike is focused on growth—both professionally and personally. His oldest daughter, Kassaya, is finishing her real estate license, and the two plan to launch a team together soon. “If you think I’m good at this business, just wait till you see a beautiful young woman with my brains and my hustle take it over by storm,” he says proudly.
For Mike, the lesson is clear: You don’t have to follow the crowd to succeed. “I realized I could actually do this my way and be one of the best agents around,” he says. “Be the best you that you can be, and success will follow shortly after.” And when it comes to buying or selling a home, Mike has one more piece of advice: “If you want to BUY or SELL a Home, don’t do it ALONE! Call me!”
The Danielson Family (from l to r): Kiana, KayLee, Kinzley, Vicky, Mike & Kassaya
Photo provided by Mike Danielson
Mike has become known for his innovative real estate marketing. He makes these ads from movie posters himself, and he says they have gotten him the most engagement in his business. Photos provided by Mike Danielson
PARTNERS
Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN
PHOTOS
BY
SCOTT PEEK PHOTOGRAPHY LLC
ADDITIONAL HOME PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY PARTNERS IN BUILDING
When Partners in Building entered the Dallas market in 2022, it wasn’t to simply add another pin to their map—it was to bring a legacy of craftsmanship, trust, and true customization to one of Texas’ most dynamic regions. As the company approaches its 40th anniversary in 2026, that same spirit that began decades ago continues to define every project they take on today: building homes that reflect not just a design, but a dream.
Partners in Building has long been recognized as a leader in luxury custom homebuilding, crafting one-of-a-kind residences tailored to each client’s vision, lifestyle, and budget. “Every home we build is unique—never from a standard plan,” the team explained. “We deliver exceptional quality while maintaining cost and schedule control.” From architectural design and interior selections to construction management and warranty support, the company provides a seamless, in-house experience from start to finish.
At the heart of Partners in Building’s success is a philosophy that’s as timeless as the homes they create: a house should reflect the homeowner—not the builder. “Our guiding principle is that a home should reflect the homeowner’s personality and needs, not force them into a predefined design,” they shared. That belief has earned the company a reputation for integrity, innovation, and excellence, setting them apart in a competitive market.
What truly drives their team, however, goes beyond bricks and blueprints. “We’re passionate about helping clients bring their dream homes to life through thoughtful design, skilled craftsmanship, and clear communication,” said the
IN BUILDING
Partners in Building Sales Team: Casey Myers, Luxury Sales Consultant for Build on Your Lot – West, Aimee Enlow, Luxury Sales Consultant for Build on Your Lot – North, and Glynn Lively, Luxury Sales Consultant for Harper Estates in Celina
leadership team. “Seeing a client’s ideas come to reality is the most rewarding part of what we do.” It’s a process that balances artistry with precision, and creativity with structure—an approach that turns inspiration into architecture.
In the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Partners in Building’s team operates with a structure that mirrors the personalized attention they promise each homeowner. The division is led by Division President Chris Lemming and Division Vice President CJ Burke, who oversee all DFW operations to ensure consistency, quality, and integrity across every project.
Within the Metroplex, three area managers lead specialized teams that bring local expertise to every build: John Nguyen heads the North and West markets, Tom Neylon leads the East region, and Alex Pastor manages the In-Town Dallas team. “This structure allows us to offer the best of both worlds—the strength and stability of an established builder, with the focus and flexibility of a local company,” they shared. “No matter where you choose to build in North Texas, you’ll work with a team who truly understands your community—and who’s dedicated to building your dream home, your way.”
That local connection is part of what has fueled Partners in Building’s rapid growth in the Dallas market. The company’s proven quality construction, energy-efficient building techniques, and transparent client experience make it an easy choice for homeowners seeking a custom build—and for real estate agents looking to partner with a trusted name.
For real estate agents, the value of collaborating with Partners in Building extends beyond the home itself. “Working with us gives agents the ability to offer their clients a premier custom homebuilding experience,” the team explained. “We have a long-standing reputation for quality, customer satisfaction, and reliability.” Agents also receive a full 3% commission paid at the start of construction for all Build on Your Lot homes, a testament to the company’s commitment to partnership and professionalism.
It’s that commitment—to clients, partners, and community—that has sustained Partners in Building for nearly four decades. “Our success is built on strong client relationships, a focus on quality, attention to detail, and consistent communication throughout the building process,” the team reflected. “We also have an exceptional team of professionals who share a commitment to excellence and integrity.”
For Partners in Building, success is measured not just in square footage or finishes, but in satisfaction. “Success means delivering a beautiful, highquality home that meets or exceeds the client’s expectations, on time and within budget,” they said. “It’s also about earning client trust, referrals, and long-term relationships.”
Looking toward 2026 and the company’s 40th anniversary, Partners
in Building remains anchored in the same values that started it all—craftsmanship, collaboration, and client care. Their presence in Dallas is more than an expansion; it’s an extension of a legacy built one family, one home, and one relationship at a time.
“We’re always looking to build partnerships with agents who want to offer their clients a truly custom home experience,” they shared. “Our process makes it easy for agents to collaborate with us confidently.”
As they continue to shape skylines and neighborhoods across North Texas, Partners in Building stands as a reminder that the best homes aren’t just constructed—they’re created with purpose, passion, and partnership. And after 40 years, their story is still being written—one dream home at a time.
FORECAST
A MARKET AT THE CROSSROADS
The real estate industry stands at a pivotal moment, shaped by technological disruption, changing consumer behavior, and an uncertain economy. Insights from the MetroTex Association of REALTORS® Forecast 2026 event, featuring Chris Corillo (NTREIS), Nobu Hata (Zillow), Dr. Blake Bennett (Texas A&M), John Brookby (DFW Airport), and Jeff Turner (Tangilla), highlighted both the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The choices agents and brokerages make now will determine who survives, and who thrives, in the next era of real estate.
Consumers Are the New Market Disruptors
Forget rival brokerages and tech platforms — today’s biggest market
disruptors are consumers themselves. Consider:
• 73% of leads aren’t ready at first contact.
• 89% of mortgage holders have rates under 6%.
• 81% of homeowners have no plans to sell in the next three years.
These aren’t dead leads, they’re delayed clients. The agents who can nurture long-term relationships will be the ones positioned to win when those clients are finally ready.
Think Long-Term: A Three-Year Runway Agents must shift from thinking in terms of a 90-day pipeline to
nurturing a 3-year runway. That means delivering consistent value over time, not just chasing the next transaction.
1. Become Their Trusted Real Estate Resource
Even if they’re not selling now, homeowners still care about home values, renovation ROI, tax and insurance implications and local trends.
Tactic: Start a monthly or quarterly “Homeowner Intel” newsletter (email or print) tailored to your farm area. Include:
• Local price trends
• Seasonal maintenance tips
• Upgrades buyers pay more for
• Market timing insights
2026
2. Offer a Free Annual Home Profit Review
Many homeowners don’t fully grasp their equity. Replace the industry jargon “equity review” with a more consumer-friendly term: Home Profit Review. This positions you as a financial guide, not just a salesperson.
Bonus Tip: Use it to explain “locked-in rates” and how to prep financially for a future move.
3. Educate with Empathy
The market feels confusing and risky to many. Most homeowners need clarity and confidence, not pressure.
“You don’t have to sell now. But if you were going to move in the next 3 years, what would that move look like?”
4. Build a Past Client & Homeowner Advocacy Group
Turn your database into a community by hosting annual events (shredding day, holiday photos), creating a Facebook group or email circle for local homeowners, and inviting them to exclusive “What’s My Home Worth Now?” workshops.
Keep it local, personal, and memorable.
5. Tell the Story, Don’t Just Share Stats Data is everywhere. What homeowners need is narrative:
• “What would it take to sell in 2027?”
• “What if interest rates drop?”
• “If your job moved you next summer, how would you prepare now?”
Position yourself as a long-term planning partner, not a one-time transaction facilitator.
6. Nurture with a CRM— Not a One-Off Text
Use a client relationship manager (CRM) to maintain meaningful contact with personal messages, birthday/ homeiversary notes, and market updates specific to their neighborhood.
This isn’t about chasing hundreds of leads, it’s about cultivating dozens of relationships that last.
7. Master the Intake Process
Whether reconnecting with past clients or meeting someone new, ask:
• When do you think your next move might be?
• What would need to happen first?
• What’s keeping you where you are now?
Their answers shape your individualized, three-year runway plan.
Bottom Line:
Forecast 2026 made one thing clear: This isn’t just a typical market cycle; it’s a structural shift.
Agents must move from transactional to relational. The next generation of top producers won’t just chase listings, they’ll build long-term trust through education, empathy, and intentional engagement. The agents who will win in 2028 are starting the conversation in 2025.
Founded in 1917, the MetroTex Association of REALTORS® is the largest REALTOR® association in North Texas and one of the largest in the United States, representing nearly 40,000 real estate professionals across the region. MetroTex is an advocate for the real estate industry and private property rights. For more information, visit us online at MetroTex.com.
VICTORY MORTGAGE JILL BURT
MAKING IT HAPPEN &
Most people meet the word no and stop. Jill Burt hears no —and shifts into gear.
It’s not bravado; it’s instinct. The same instinct that carried her from a 23-yearold mom closing on her first home the day before Christmas to leading one of the most trusted boutique mortgage brokerages in Texas.
“Looking back, that house meant everything,” she says. “It wasn’t big or fancy, but it was ours. I painted the nursery at midnight and thought, we did it. That moment changed how I saw possibility.”
That’s the thread that runs through Jill’s story—possibility. She’s built a business and a life on finding it when others can’t.
The Spark Jill grew up believing hard work could solve almost anything.
Banking was her first window into professionalism—the suits, the precision, the order. But it didn’t pay the bills or satisfy the hunger.
“When I discovered mortgages, it clicked. Every file was a puzzle. I could problem-solve, negotiate, fight for the win.”
That drive became her brand long before she had one. By the time she launched Victory Mortgage in 2019, she’d logged 25 years of experience, a few reinventions,
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN • PHOTOS BY JIN KIM, URSPECIAL
and a lifetime of lessons about people, money, and faith.
“Opening Victory wasn’t about starting over—it was about freedom. Freedom to serve the client, not the system,” she says. “I wanted to build a place where integrity, expertise, and grace could all sit at the same table.”
A Broker Who Consults
Like a Strategist
Spend five minutes with Jill and you understand why clients call her long after the deal closes. She listens like a counselor and strategizes like a CFO.
Her confidence isn’t loud—it’s earned. Years of reading guidelines, catching what underwriters miss, and keeping deals alive have given her a calm authority that puts people instantly at ease. She makes you believe you’re in capable hands—because you are.
High-net-worth clients trust her to untangle complex portfolios. Firsttime buyers lean on her to map out how to get there. “Even if you’re not ready today, we’ll design the roadmap,” she says. “That’s what ‘make it happen’ means.”
The People Who Make It Real
Victory Mortgage runs lean by design. “There’s no magic number,” Jill says. “We grow with the right people, not just more people.”
Those right people include Sales Manager and Senior Loan Officer
Chuck Norsch, a steady hand known for creative structuring and coolunder-pressure closings; Loan Officers Terry Ward and Morgan Penaluna, whose sharp instincts and transparent communication keep clients and agents alike at ease; and Branch Manager Davea Vandenberg, whose leadership blends vision, discipline, and heart.
Behind the scenes, Jill’s husband Jonathan keeps operations running seamlessly, while daughters Brooklyn and Julia bring next-generation energy in marketing and technology. Together, they’ve built a culture where faith, laughter, and problem-solving often share the same morning coffee.
Faith, Focus, and the Fine Print
Ask Jill what fuels her, and she doesn’t hesitate. “Faith,” she says simply. “It’s the compass.”
Luke 6:31 isn’t a slogan—it’s policy: Do to others as you would have them do to you. It guides how she negotiates, hires, and delivers hard truths with grace.
But make no mistake—behind the kindness is steel. “I’m tough when I need to be,” she says with a grin. “I know the guidelines. I know what’s possible. If there’s a way to structure it, I’ll find it.”
Why Agents Trust Her
Ask any top agent in North Texas who they call when a deal feels wobbly, and one name rises fast: Victory Mortgage. “They get it done,” agents say—a reputation earned one closing at a time.
Agents describe Victory as the kind of partner that makes their job easier—fast, responsive, and relentlessly reliable. It’s never just one person making it happen; it’s the synergy of an entire team that moves in rhythm. From structuring and documentation to communication and closing, every member plays a part in creating an experience clients and referral partners actually enjoy.
Victory’s edge comes from combining boutique-level service with competitive pricing and strong lender relationships. The result? Loans that close smoothly, partnerships that last, and clients who can feel the difference from the very first call.
“Opening Victory wasn’t about starting over—it was about freedom. Freedom to serve the client, not the system. I wanted to build a place where integrity, expertise, and grace could all sit at the same table.”
The Legacy She’s Building Jill’s dream for Victory isn’t empire—it’s endurance. “I want this company to keep helping people long after I’m gone,” she says.
Maybe that’s what makes her story resonate: proof that drive and decency can coexist; that professionalism doesn’t have to come at the cost of warmth; that making it happen can still feel human.
Because for Jill Burt and Victory Mortgage, home isn’t just a closing. It’s the moment a family’s story begins— and she’ll do whatever it takes to get them there.
Megan Tierney
Keith Williams
/ Attorney
Phoebe Toombs
Christine McLean
Kelsey Berry
Kelly Berry
Tracey McCann
Jason Ramsey
Tamera Gaede
Trey Mccann
MannRachel ON PURPOSE
For Rachel Mann, real estate is more than just a career. It is about building a strong foundation, both personally and professionally. As District Director and Broker Associate with Fathom Realty, LLC, Rachel leads with heart and intention, carrying forward a philosophy that has shaped every part of her journey: “Be on purpose in every area of life, and always come from your heart.”
Rachel’s story begins in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado, where she met her high school sweetheart at just fifteen. By twenty, they were married, and a few short years later, they purchased their first home in Parker, Colorado. “It was always a dream to be homeowners at a young age,” Rachel says. “That experience lit a fire in my soul. We knew early on that real estate could help us build a foundation for our family’s future.”
That home became more than a financial investment—it was symbolic of the life Rachel and her husband were determined to create together. “We’ve always believed that a strong foundation helps the future flourish,” she shares. “We remind ourselves to stay true to that foundation and build a legacy not just for our children, but for generations to come.”
While raising her growing family, Rachel’s career path took her through the legal field and into ministry—two very different worlds that would later prepare her perfectly for real estate.
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN
PHOTOS BY AMANDA LLOYD, TRACY AUTEM & LIGHTLY PHOTOGRAPHY
SPECIAL THANKS TO LAUREN HACKETT, COOWNER OF PLAN REVELRY EVENT PLANNING, AND EMILY NOLAN, CURL COLLECTIVE
“I worked full-time at a law firm while in college, starting as a receptionist and later as a legal secretary,” she recalls. “When our third child was born, I decided to stay home and began working part-time at a local church.”
Her calling to ministry deepened after the family’s move to Texas in 2013. Rachel became a children’s pastor, and later helped plant a new church as Kids Pastor. “That season of my life was monumental,” she says. “I loved helping build a church from the ground up and creating a welcoming environment for families. It was truly a calling.”
But as her husband’s job required more travel and their children grew, Rachel realized it was time to reevaluate what their daily life looked like. “I loved ministry, but I also knew I needed something that aligned better with our family’s rhythm,” she explains. “Real estate had always been a passion, and I finally decided to make it happen.”
In 2016, Rachel earned her real estate license—completing all her coursework in just six weeks—and later her broker’s license in 2022. “When I commit to something, I give it my all,” she says. “Real estate felt like a natural extension of everything I loved about ministry. I was still helping people, just in a different way.”
From the beginning, Rachel approached her career with the same purposedriven mindset that had guided her in life. “With three small kids, a husband
Rachel with her husband, Jeremy, and their children, Jameson, Brigitte, and Elizabeth
traveling Monday through Friday, and full-time ministry, I had to master time management,” she recalls. “I created a schedule that allowed me to be fully present wherever I was. Every moment had to be intentional.”
That principle—being “on purpose”—is one she continues to instill in the agents she mentors. “Our time is precious,” she says. “If we’re mindful and purposeful with it, we avoid burnout and can give our best to every client and every relationship.”
Rachel’s career quickly took off. By 2018, she became a mentor. She went on to receive the 2019 National Mentor of the Year award. She
launched Mann Property Group in 2020 and became District Director in 2021—all while earning accolades such as Rookie of the Year, Top Producer, and National Excellence in Leadership awards. But to Rachel, success has little to do with titles.
Rachel exudes professionalism and grace both in her leadership and client interactions. She is the calm to the chaos and is a valued member of our team. She exemplifies what it means to be a servant leader.”
—Shari Rios, Broker, Fathom Realty
“Volume doesn’t define success for me,” she says. “It’s about impact. If I can help one person in a week, have a positive moment, or stay balanced— that’s success.”
Her approach to leadership mirrors her approach to faith: steady, selfless, and sincere. “I see real estate as another form of ministry,” Rachel shares. “I’m helping people through one of the biggest transitions of their lives. It’s not just about finding them a home—it’s about guiding them to where they’re meant to be for that season.”
That belief was affirmed when Rachel won her first National Top Mentor Award in 2020. “It was completely unexpected,” she admits. “I didn’t mentor for recognition—I just wanted
Rachel with team member Cari D’Avila
to give new agents what I didn’t have when I started: someone who believed in them.”
As her leadership role expanded, Rachel began shaping not only her team’s business practices but also their mindset. “My word for 2025 is intentional,” she says. “I’ve always been ‘on purpose,’ but this year I wanted to bring that intentionality into every part of my life. Going into 2026, my word will be mindset. Our industry has faced a lot of changes, but with the right mindset, mountains can be moved.”
For Rachel, faith and family remain her greatest motivation. “My husband and I want to leave a legacy—not just financially, but in how we live, how we treat people, and how we serve,” she says. “We want our kids to see that everything we do should come from the heart.”
Outside of real estate, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family, traveling internationally, and supporting local restaurants with her husband on their weekly date nights. “We love exploring new places,” she smiles. “Traveling opens your eyes and helps you appreciate life from a broader perspective.”
Whether she’s mentoring an agent through their first sale or helping a client find their dream home, Rachel leads with the same guiding principle that began in her heart years ago in Colorado: build a strong foundation and live with purpose.
Sarah Maxwell
In a Blink
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN
PHOTOS BY AMBER TICE PHOTOGRAPHY
When Sarah Maxwell walked out of her daughters’ elementary school after a surprise lunch date, she sat in her car and cried. They weren’t tears of stress or exhaustion—they were tears of gratitude. “It made all the HARD WORK getting this business started so worth it,” she recalls. “I didn’t have to ask a boss or schedule it ahead of time. I just went. That moment sealed for me that this career was the right fit.”
For Sarah, a North Dallas real estate agent with Mission To Close Realty, the business is more than contracts and closings—it’s the freedom to be present for her family of six while building a business she loves. With four children spanning multiple schools and activities like band, choir, softball, volleyball, and National Charity League, Sarah’s days are a careful balancing act. “I hope this encourages other moms (or dads) who are getting started in real estate that balance and ‘success’ can be had,” she says. “It’s about really prioritizing yourself, your family, your calendar, and mindset.”
Sarah’s path to real estate wasn’t a straight line. She grew up in Oregon before moving to Texas as
a teenager and later graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in early childhood education. Her early career included roles in education and administration, ultimately serving as executive director of a Primrose preschool. “A few years before becoming licensed, I took a job at a friend’s accounting firm to help through tax season,” she explains. “It ended up being my career for several years, and I even kept it full-time during my first two years as a licensed REALTOR®.”
Real estate, however, was always in the background. Sarah spent over a decade helping friends stage homes for extra income and was encouraged
Photo by Jessica Price Photography
by her husband and former business partner to finally get her license. “I told myself I would give it a year to see if it was a good fit,” she says. One door-knocking encounter in her first month confirmed that decision. An elderly veteran told Sarah he’d always rented and couldn’t buy. Drawing on her growing knowledge, Sarah explained VA loans and assured him homeownership was possible. Six months later, he called. “Not only did we successfully get him an incredible deal during the INSANITY of the 2021 market, but his son and daughter-inlaw, also veterans, purchased their first home soon after,” she recalls. “I still pinch myself—how do I get to be a part of something so flipping cool and big?”
That combination of heart and strategy defines Sarah’s approach. With a background in accounting, she thrives on helping clients make sound financial decisions. “I work hard to ensure my clients’ financial portfolios are protected—even if that means no sale,” she says. Investors and first-time buyers alike benefit from her philosophy: Every client should be treated like an investor. Her commitment has earned her recognition year after year, including Top Producer awards, D Magazine’s Best Real Estate Agent, and Real Trends Verified Top Agent status. In 2025 alone, she’s closed more than $21 million in sales and expects to exceed $26 million by year’s end.
But Sarah’s definition of success has evolved. “Originally, my goal was being able to quit working for someone else and match that salary,” she says. “Somewhere in the middle of it, I had so much drive and focus on real estate, I mixed up what mattered more—my family and setting the right priorities.” Today, she fiercely guards her family calendar and works with intention. “You just can’t be successful without intention if you want balance,” she notes. Time blocking, prioritizing emails, and protecting her mindset allow her to make work hours count. “Your time is the only thing that is limited, so treasure it.”
This is truly a family business. Sarah’s husband, Aaron, handles handyman
just a blink,” she explains. “It gives me perspective and allows me to take deep breaths through the good, bad, and ugly.”
I work hard to ensure my clients’ financial portfolios are protected—even if that means no sale.”
services for her listings, while their children pitch in with landscaping, cleaning, and organizing. “All my clients get to know my family very quickly,” she says. “I treat my clients like the REALTOR® I would want my own children to have one day.” Her home is lively with four cats and a dog, and she laughs that she’s tagged on social media more for animal rescue than real estate.
Through the highs and lows, Sarah keeps perspective with a simple phrase she plans to tattoo on her wrist: in a blink. “Each day and transaction is really
Looking ahead, Sarah plans to earn her broker’s license in 2026 and continue growing a business that supports her family’s health, happiness, and security. But more than accolades or numbers, she hopes to be remembered for how she treated people. “In real estate, I want to be remembered for trustworthiness,” she says. “But I hope real estate isn’t what I’m remembered for at all. I want to be remembered for truly caring—family, friends, animals, my community, and everyone I have the privilege of working with.”
For Sarah Maxwell, success is about creating a life where family comes first, clients become friends, and every moment—no matter how fleeting—is treasured. “Thriving, not just surviving,” she says with a smile. “That’s the real goal.”
ROBERT ALVAREZ LISA
Building a Legacy Together
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN
PHOTOS BY VANESSA CORRAL PHOTOGRAPHY
For Robert and Lisa Alvarez, the phrase “power couple” doesn’t conjure images of titles, trophies, or spotlight moments. Instead, it’s about partnership. “For us,” Robert shared, “being a ‘power couple’ isn’t about power at all; it’s about partnership. Lisa and I balance each other in every way. She’s the calm to my chaos, the steady hand when things get hectic, and the one who reminds me to slow down and enjoy the moment.”
Their story is one built on legacy, fifty years of family, hard work, and the pursuit of doing things the right way. MRA Realtors, the brokerage Robert’s parents founded in 1976, remains at the heart of that legacy. “My parents built the foundation,” Robert said. “Lisa and I are building the future.”
A Legacy Rooted in Courage
Robert’s journey began long before he ever sold his first home. Born in Dallas in 1963 and raised in Lakewood, his mother affectionately describes him as “a Texan made by Cubans.” His parents arrived in the United States as political refugees in the early 1960s, expecting to stay only a few months until Castro’s fall. “But little did they know,” Robert recalled, “they were leaving everything behind.” That single act of courage would go on to define his family’s story and ultimately his own.
His father became a real estate agent in the early 1970s, and by the time Robert was a teenager, he was already
learning the ropes. “Papi took me to every showing, every closing, and every appointment,” Robert said. “Little did I know, I was watching a true master at work.”
Those early years taught him not just about real estate, but about integrity and perseverance. Robert still keeps a photo of his father in his office, covered head to toe in ceiling texture after personally “upgrading” a home for a buyer who wanted “popcorn ceilings with sparkles—they were all the rage.” That image serves as a daily reminder of his father’s philosophy: If you promise something, you deliver it.
Turning Loss into Purpose
When Robert’s father passed away, everything changed. At the time, he was operating The Red Jacket as a managing partner, but when the moment arrived, he didn’t hesitate and knew exactly where he was needed most. “Mami called and said, ‘Now I need you,’ and that was it. I closed that chapter of my life and came home,” he shared. He started with the basics, doing make-readies for the lease properties managed by MRA, eventually working his way to the broker’s seat.
That season brought challenges and heartbreak. His mother battled breast cancer, and his late wife, Alice, earned her real estate license to help keep the business running. When Alice passed away in 2014, Robert found strength in continuing the legacy his parents built. “Real estate isn’t just a career for me,” he said. “It’s a legacy of love, sacrifice, and family.”
A New Chapter with Lisa Lisa’s path to real estate took a different route but was fueled by the same values. Born in Chicago and raised in Carrollton, she’s proud of her Midwest roots but credits Texas for shaping who she is today. She learned early on the power of teamwork from her years on the soccer field. “Soccer taught me early on the value of teamwork, discipline, and determination, lessons that have stuck with me ever since.”
“Sales are part of my DNA,” Lisa shares. Before real estate, she owned a successful aesthetic spa in the Park Cities. “It wasn’t just about the services, it was about connection,” she recalled. That same philosophy carried into real estate after she met Robert. “I saw how dedicated he was to his clients, and I wanted to be part of that,” she said. “So, I went to real estate school, got my license, and the rest is history.”
Today, they are partners in every sense of the word. “In both life and business, we’re a team,” Robert said. “We talk through everything, trust each other completely, and celebrate every win, big or small, together.”
The Heart Behind the Hustle Lisa’s approach to real estate is deeply personal. “For us, it’s never just been about buying or selling homes; it’s about people,” she explained. “It’s about
showing up, doing right by people, and knowing at the end of the day, we helped someone take a big step forward in their life.”
Robert echoes that sentiment. “Real estate isn’t just about property; it’s about people, emotion, and transition,” he said. “Seeing a client’s face light up when they get the keys - it never gets old.” Their mantra, “Building relationships one home at a time,” perfectly captures their philosophy.
Real
estate isn’t just about property; it’s about people, emotion, and transition. Seeing a client’s face light up
when they get the keys - it never gets old.”
making it the highest MLS-recorded sale in Sunnyvale’s history. “It was one of the most complex transactions I’ve handled. Seeing it come together was incredibly rewarding,” added Robert.
Living with Purpose
Outside of real estate, the Alvarezes live life to the fullest. Robert is a proud Eagle Scout and twotime Cubmaster, now leading his grandson’s pack with Lisa serving as the event chair. “Scouting shaped who I am,” he said. “It taught me leadership, service, and integrity.”
Together, the couple has closed more than $50 million in residential sales, a milestone that represents not numbers, but stories. “Each transaction represents a client finding their forever home, an investor building
I
saw how dedicated he was to his clients, and I wanted to be part of that. So, I went to real estate school, got my license, and the rest is history.”
a future,” Robert said. “We’ve built our success as a team, and we’re just getting started.” Another big milestone? Robert recently represented the buyer on a luxury equestrian estate in Sunnyvale. It closed at $3,900,000,
Family time is the heartbeat of Robert and Lisa’s life. Whether traveling, cooking, or laughing with their grandkids - Lil Robert, Alice, and Jackson - they’re all in. “Lisa somehow manages to do it all,” Robert smiled. “She makes time for family and still finds energy for our nights out with friends.” From Cub Scout outings to spontaneous day trips, they make every moment count. For the Alvarezes, true success is measured in love, laughter, and time spent together. And those nights? They’re often spent at Dallas’s hottest clubs, listening to house and EDM music - an echo of Robert’s past in the nightlife industry. “Music and energy have always been part of our lives,” he said. “It keeps us young.”
A Legacy That Lasts
As MRA Realtors nears its 50th anniversary, Robert and Lisa are carrying forward the values that started it all: integrity, hard work, and heart. “My father once told me, ‘Your name and what’s inside your head. Those are the two things they can never take away from you,’” Robert shared. “That’s stayed with me my entire life.”
For the Alvarezes, success is about impact. “Success used to mean deals and volume,” Robert reflected. “Now, it means freedom, family, and knowing I’ve done right by the people who trust me.”
Their story isn’t just about selling homes; it’s about building a life and celebrating the human connection. “At the end of the day,” Robert said, “it’s not about closing deals. It’s about love, laughter, great friends, family, and purpose.”
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