North Dallas Real Producers - October 2022

PREFERRED PARTNERS

BANK

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 mag azine. These local businesses are proud to partner with you and make this magazine possible. Please support these businesses and thank them for supporting the REALTOR® community!

Farmers Bank & Trust (903) 255-1813 MyFarmersBank.com

Peoples Bank (806) 776-2034 PeoplesBankTexas.com

BUILDER

Shaddock Homes (972) 526-7700 ShaddockHomes.com

BUSINESS COACHING

Hero Nation Coaching (469) 500-3642 theheronation.com

CLIENT AND REFERRAL GIFTS

Gifts of Graze Eileen Torres (214) 814-1216 www.giftsofgraze.com

Indulgent Treats (469) 992-1911 GabbysIndulgentTreats.com

CLIENT ENGAGEMENT

LEADS by Mandi Jackson (801) 598-5767 LEADSbyMandi.com

CLOSING REPAIRS

Porch Repair Estimate (817) 754-0360 www.repairestimate.net

COFFEE COMPANY

Poo Brew Coffee (469) 430-3443 PooBrewCoffee.com

EASY OWNER FINANCING

TL Global (281) 818-5471 easyrealtormoney.com

EDUCATION Champions School of Real Estate®

Rita Santamaria (281) 893-4484 www.ChampionsSchool.com

FOUNDATION REPAIR

DIGG Foundation Repair (214) 307-4060 diggfoundationrepair.com

Elite Foundation Repairs (214) 856-9634 EliteFoundationRepairs.com

FOUNDATION, CONCRETE & DRAINAGE SERVICES

FCS Foundation and Concrete Services (877) 554-8284 FoundationAndConcrete.com

HEALTH

Restore Hyperwellness & Cryotherapy (817) 912-1550 Restore.com

HOME FUTURES SellWhenever

Megan Snellgrove (914) 469-1841 SellWhenever.com

HOME INSPECTION

First Choice Home Inspection (325) 260-8311 www.firstchoice homesinspection.com Inspect360 (817) 754-0360 inspect360.com

Semper Fi Home Inspections, Inc. (682) 351-2267 SemperFiHome Inspections.com

HOME RENOVATION

Curbio (810) 300-9432 Curbio.com

HOME REPAIR & RENOVATIONS

Punchlist USA, Inc. (214) 432-1544 PunchlistUSA.com

HOME WARRANTY

Fidelity National Home Warranty Mike Csanad (469) 590-5733 www.homewarranty.com

Super Home, Inc. Deb McCandless (817) 240-8021 HelloSuper.com

Tarrant Home Warranty (817) 554-2106 tarranthws.com

INSURANCE AGENCY

Paine Insurance Group (972) 387-9217 paineinsurancegroup.com

JUNK REMOVAL

Junkluggers of Collin County Mark Schneider (469) 344-6659 junkluggersof collincounty.com

LANDSCAPING

A Superior Lawn LLC (214) 302-7783 www.asuperiorlawn.com

MORTGAGE LENDING

First Rate Financial (214) 872-4442 iamfirstrate.com

Homeowners Financial Group (619) 378-3795

MichaelChiodo.com

Movement Mortgage (469) 202-4195 LoanOfficerMark.com

The Mortgage Nerd (972) 447-6373

TheMortgageNerd.com

The Tuttle Group Cross Country Mortgage (469) 319-0660 thetuttlegroup.com

Willow Bend Mortgage Drew Brenner (214) 282-6387 www.drewbrennermortgage.com

Willow Bend Mortgage Dan Carson (214) 396-2400 www.applywithcarson.com

MOVING SERVICES

All My Sons Moving & Storage (561) 578-3800 allmysons.com

Black Tie Moving Nashville JC Caldwell (615) 900-2641

Finesse Movers (469) 657-5975 finessemovers.com

Stonebriar Moving Services (469) 734-9000 stonebriarmoving.com

PERSONAL GROWTH & PERFORMANCE MENTOR Mastermind DFW (469) 319-0660

PHOTOGRAPHY

Brandon Walker (281) 753-8963 jawanwalker.com

Ilona Jade Photography (253) 632-5155 ilonajade.com

Scott Peek Photography (469) 587-2300 ScottPeek Photography.com

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

American Real PM (469) 620-0114 americanrealpm.com

Real Property Management Focus (469) 820-0088 realpmfocus.com

ROOFING

Results Roofing (214) 301-5533 results-roofing.com

Tarrant Roofing (972) 470-9999 TarrantRoofing.com

Texas Direct Roofing Nathan Lemons (972) 951-3748 nathan@txdroofing.com

Town & Country Roofing (972) 377-8188 townandcountryroofingdfw.com

ROOFING & CONSTRUCTION

Roofing Reformation (469) 321-5201 roofingreformation.com

ROOFING & ROOF WARRANTY

Total Roof Protection (817) 210-6338 totalroofprotection.com

ROOFING / STORM

RESTORATION

100% Construction (469) 999-6091 100percentconstructiontx.com

Swordsmen Roofing and Construction LLC (972) 979-6197 swordsmenroofing.com

SHORT TERM RENTAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

iTrip Vacations North Dallas (972) 649-0454 northdallas.itrip.co/

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT

WAY Social Jessica Nelson (919) 645-8960

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING/ MANAGEMENT Content Compounding (405) 888-9119 contentcompounding.io

STAGE & DESIGN

Southlake Stage Coach (781) 223-5949 SouthlakeStageCoach.com

TITLE COMPANY

Alamo Title CompanySouthlake (817) 896-8686 AlamoDFW.com

Boston National Title of Texas (704) 989-7267 bostonnationaltitle.com

Fair Texas Title (602) 421-6417 fairtexastitle.com

First Source Title, LLC (469) 669-2140 FirstSourceTitle.com

Lawyers Title (469) 247-8281 dfw.ltic.com

Republic Title

Ken Callahan (214) 793-5979 RepublicTitle.com

Texas Excel Title LLC (817) 980-1018 TexasExcelTitle.com

VIDEOGRAPHER

Flux Media Productions (469) 955-5833 fluxmedia productions.com

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Wealthwave (214) 843-3835 wealthwave.com/legacy

WINDOWS

Town & Country Windows (972) 377-8188 townandcountry roofingdfw.com

WINDOWS & SIDING

Tarrant Windows & Siding (972) 685-3113 TarrantWindows.com

How

Clients

NORTH DALLAS

Jordan Espeseth Owner/Publisher

Lanie Schaber Ad Strategist

Rick Davis

Landon Robinson Director of Client Relations Renee Hart Event Planner

Scott Peek Photographer Ilona Gorokhovskiy Photographer

Missy Kremer Editor Katherine Fondren Content Coordinator

Kareen Delos Reyes Administrative Assistant

Brandon Walker Photographer

ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?

When I was a kid, there was this show on Nickelodeon that I used to watch all the time called “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” A group of teens would sit around a campfire swapping scary stories, and at the end, would throw this dust on the fire to make it flame up … seemed magical to me when I was 6 years old. I should go back and watch a few episodes, for old times’ sake! Truthfully, I was, and still occasionally am, afraid the dark. Mainly, when walking up an ill-lit staircase, or when Jess creeps up behind me while I am unsuspecting it at nighttime. Not the point of the publisher’s note, though. I digress.

Around this time of the year, many of us like to feel the spooky vibes as Halloween approaches. The experience of being scared can be thrill ing, and it is a feeling, as a bit of an adrenaline junkie myself, that I enjoy. However, many of us live in a state of fear day in and day out, year after year, fearing the future and what it may, or may not, bring. We fret about our health, finances, loved ones, the government, being attacked, what people think of us … it never ends. We stay afraid of the dark, even though that fear most often is not truly real. F.E.A.R. — False Evidence Appearing Real. Interesting.

Mark Twain once said, “I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, most of which never happened.” Have you ever stopped to wonder what fear is costing you? Your decision to stay in fear and worry (yes, that is right… I said decision) does not come without a price. There are physical, emotional, relational, financial and spiritual prices to pay for these fears. I am not going to go down the massive list, but I am sure you can deduce that the consequences of fear are not positive ones.

As we near Halloween, I challenge you to have a greater awareness as to where in your life you may be in constant states of fear. Increasing your awareness is the first step. We then need to understand that every situation we find, or may find ourselves in, seemingly good or bad, always has opportu nity for positive growth.

As kids, most of us were afraid of the dark, but as we grew up, we eventually faced the fear of darkness and realized that there really was nothing to be afraid of. It has always been in our head. What is the darkness that you fear as an adult? Is it possible, too, that it is only real in your mind?

(Throws dust on campfire … fades to black.)

See y’all in the light!

JORDAN ESPESETH Owner jordan.espeseth@n2co.com

REALTOR® on the rise

Written by: Zachary Cohen Photos by: Brandon Walker

JARED

Buy with Tye

After 12 years in mortgage lending, Jared Tye found himself at a fork in the road in 2018. He had spent much of his lending career with Bank of America but had recently transitioned to a local retail lender.

“Working for a big bank, all the leads are basically in-house. I moved to a retail mortgage company to do something a little more entrepreneurial, and what I found out is that it was very difficult to attract clients directly as a retail lender.”

Jared had always been drawn to interacting directly with the consumer, a role he took on at Bank of America. He considered his standing, his options and the type of career he wanted to have.

“Moving over to real estate and working hard to attract clients directly — that really appealed to me,” Jared continues.

After careful consideration, Jared decided to take the leap into real estate sales, and four years later, he’s grateful he did. His career in real estate has been more successful and rewarding than he could have imagined.

Hitting the Ground Running Jared has long had a love for real estate. He began investing in real estate 15 years ago and enjoyed his time in lending. As a REALTOR®, he’s able to leverage his passion for real estate with his experience as a lender and an investor to create a top-notch client experience.

“It is exciting for me to help people make such a big decision, to find a house that not only is acceptable but that they love. I love the challenge of winning a contract for a buyer. I love working with people. I’m good with numbers, but I really enjoy working with people,” Jared says.

Social media marketing has been a pillar of Jared’s marketing strategy, allowing him to consistently stay connected with potential clients. His marketing expertise allowed him to get his business going early, and it contin ues to be an essential part of his work.

Creating Sustainability

Jared, like many agents, found himself working nearly nonstop — seven days a week for nearly three years. In the summer of 2021, his work load hit a breaking point. He knew he needed to do some thing differently.

“My wife had planned a trip to Greece, and I had a moment where I was like, ‘How in the world am I going to leave the country at the end of June and also keep my clients happy?’”

Jared began pulling in agents to help him. He prepped them on his clients, their needs and the transaction timelines. And then, he headed off to Greece, monitoring his trans actions remotely.

If we can grow and continue to improve the client experience, continue to improve work/life balance and quality of life for our team at the same time, that’s what we’re all about.

“It just worked out fantasti cally,” he says. “They were able to help me provide a higher level of service than I could have alone. So when I got back from vacation, I said, ‘This is it. That’s my business model.’ With any good business, people are going to allow others to help them.”

Today, Jared’s team includes Business Development Manager Faika Khan and Team Agents Jose Campos, Patty Hatfield, and Melanie Spurrier. The group closed 69 transactions for $22 million in 2021.

Seeking Balance

Forming a team has helped Jared get some time back for his family. He and his wife, Laura, have two sons, Mason (13) and Connor (11).

“What I’m trying to get better at is not just being physically present but emotionally pres ent for my kids, for my wife. Growing the team has really helped with that. I still work seven days a week, but not all day, every day,” Jared says.

As he looks ahead, Jared hopes to continue improving his work/life balance. Hopefully, that will lead to more time for his family and doing other things he loves, like traveling, running, and playing guitar.

Heading into his second year with a team, Jared has growth and balance in his sights.

“We want to continue to grow, but it’s very important that we do it right. If we can grow and continue to improve the client experience, continue to improve work/life balance and quality of life for our team at the same time, that’s what we’re all about.”

WHICH REAL PRODUCERS TERRITORY ARE YOU A PART OF?

REAL PRODUCERS IN THE DFW METROPLEX

WHICH REAL PRODUCERS TERRITORY ARE YOU A PART OF?

A Quick Look at the Different DFW Real Producers Markets

Real Producers in the DFW Metroplex

Real Producers has 100+ franchises nationwide and there are four in DFW alone. In each of these markets, we pull the top 500 agents based off annual residential MLS sales volume. Where your broker address is located will determine which publication is for you. This map shows the territories for each of the four DFW franchises. If you are a top-500 agent in any of these markets, you will be receiving a publication every month and have the possibility of being featured at no cost to you!

A Quick Look at the Different DFW Real Producers Markets

Real Producers has 100+ franchises nationwide and there are four in DFW alone. In each of these markets, we pull the top 500 agents based off annual residential MLS sales volume. Where your broker address is located will determine which publication is for you. This map shows the territories for each of the four DFW franchises. If you are a top-500 agent in any of these markets, you will be receiving a publication every month and have the possibility of being featured at no cost to you!

North Dallas Real Producers

North Fort Worth Real Producers

Fort Worth Real Producers Dallas Real Producers

Negotiate Smarter With The Repair Estimate

D O N O G H U E

& THE MORTGAGE NERD

Written by: Zachary Cohen Photos by: Shelbi GarberD E N I S E

rp vetted business spotlight

More than LendingMore than Lending

Denise remembers the day her childhood home was foreclosed on vividly. She arrived home from high school to find her family’s belongings stretched across the front yard. Her father, a single dad, had lived in that home for 26 years, raising Denise and her three siblings. But on that fateful day, the house and the sense of safety it provided were lost.

Denise remembers feeling stress and shame, but as she picked up the pieces and began to understand what had happened, a fire beneath her was lit. She became driven to create a bet ter financial future for herself and others.

“Being that age and not having a place to live is the burning fuel and driver behind what I do today,” she says.

Two decades later, Denise is thriving in the mortgage lending world. She sees herself as more than a provider of loans; she’s a financial strategist.

“Every client that comes to me gets way more than a mortgage loan. They get a big picture financial strategy, reviewing all their debt, the rate on that debt, their funds for retirement, and we customize a strategy for each family,” she says. “I wanted to design a unique business model combining finance and mortgage lending.”

Finding Her Place to Serve

After graduating from Texas A&M in 2006, Denise dipped her toes into mortgage lending. The housing crash soon followed, and she transitioned to financial planning for the next six years. Denise found joy in help ing her clients manage their assets, but she also sensed something was missing.

“I became a financial advisor at JP Morgan Chase so I could learn how to make my money work for me. I felt if I could learn this for myself, I would not only feel more safe and secure personally, but then I could help others feel the same and prevent what happened to my dad [from happening to others]. Although I learned a lot, I noticed as a financial advisor, you only see the assets piece for a client.

What about their debts? Who is helping Americans manage their credit and debt?” Denise asks.

Denise recalled her experience in mortgage lend ing and recognized an opportunity. In lending, she had the opportunity to see the entirety of a fam ily’s financial situation due to the requirements of a loan application. As a result, she had the chance to make a much bigger impact.

“If I could teach someone about financial strat egy, I could help them. Then, as they learn, they can teach this to their children, and it creates generational change. How cool is that?”

Simultaneously, Denise was re-writing her own real estate story. She purchased her first home at 25 and made it a rental property two years later when she bought her sec ond home. She was quickly seeing how real estate could create long-term wealth and stability.

“I started to see how homeownership could truly build wealth. I realized I could really impact a lot of Americans by helping them build wealth through real estate responsibly.”

The Mortgage Nerd

Denise has now been back in the mortgage business for a decade. She has coined herself The Mortgage Nerd, a nod to her deep commitment to her craft.

“My whole life, I was a nerd, and people had a really hard time spelling ‘Denise’ and spelling ‘Donoghue.’ I naturally started telling people, ‘Just save my name as The Nerd, and when you have a finance question, just think of The Nerd and give me a call.’ I eventually trademarked The Mortgage Nerd, and that’s become my personal brand.”

As The Mortgage Nerd, Denise is on a mission to help families with their debts and finances. That includes getting them a mort gage that works and much more.

“I run a mortgage practice like a financial advising practice with a mis sion to help people build wealth through homeownership,” Denise says.

“There aren’t really any debt managers in the world helping us to determine which debts to pay off and how. Should I invest in a 401(k) or pay off my student loans first? Who is looking at your debt and saying, ‘You’re playing your cards wrong, and there is an easier way’? If my dad had those professionals in his life, where would he be?”

“So, I feel any conversation I have with a client is an opportunity. If I can help them, it’ll ripple out, one person at a time.”

THIS IS A FINANCE PRACTICE, AND MY VEHICLE IS MORTGAGE.

Family Spotlight

Denise and her husband, Jason, have been married for 15 years and have a 4-and-a-half-yearold son, Carter. Denise enjoys going to the gym, DIY projects and creating meaningful experiences with her family.

ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE

Real Producers magazine started in Indianapolis in 2015 and is now in over 100 markets across the nation and con tinues to spread rapidly. Real Producers first launched in DFW in August 2018 with North DFW Real Producers (now called “North Dallas”). In May 2019, Dallas Real Producers launched, and then Tarrant Real Producers in March of 2021.

In 2022, Tarrant Real Producers split into two publications, North Fort Worth and Fort Worth Real Producers Fort Worth Real Producers launched in August 2022!

Q: WHO RECEIVES REAL PRODUCERS MAGAZINE?

A: The top 500 real estate agents in each of the four markets in DFW based on their MLS production for the previous year. Refer to the map in this publication for the exact territories. If your broker address is within that given territory and you are in the top 500, you will receive that publication for the year. There are approximately 60,000 licensed real estate agents in DFW. The list will reset at the end of every year and continue to update annually.

Q: WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THIS MAGAZINE?

A: We believe that we are better together. When we surround ourselves with other successful, like-minded people, we grow to new heights. Real Producers is a platform that brings together the most elite individuals in DFW real estate.

We take the top 500 real estate agents and RP-vetted busi nesses in every market, and we build an exclusive community around that group. We share their stories, successes, market trends, upcoming events — really, anything that will connect, inform and inspire, we put in our monthly publication.

Q: DOES REAL PRODUCERS HAVE EVENTS?

A: Yes! Each community will have two main events a year, and then we do a combined event at the end of the year, which is an awards gala called The ESPE’s. For these events, we invite the Top 500 real estate agents and our RP Vetted Businesses. Top 500 agents are allowed to invite members on their team as well. These events are an incredible oppor tunity to connect with the best of the best in DFW Real

Estate. It is amazing to see the power in the connections made at these events. Be on the lookout for your exclusive invites!

Q: WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR BEING FEATURED IN THIS MAGAZINE?

A:It’s really simple. You have to be on the top 500 list, and we take nominations seriously. You can nominate other real estate agents, businesses, brokers, owners or even yourself! Office leaders can also nominate real estate agents. We will consider anyone brought to our attention who is in the top 500 because we don’t know everyone’s story, so we need your help to learn about them. We cannot guarantee a feature, but we encourage you to meet with one of our team members, support Real Producers and attend our private events to increase your chances.

You can email your nominations to jordan.espeseth@realproducersmag.com.

Q: WHAT DOES IT COST A REAL ESTATE AGENT/TEAM TO BE FEATURED?

A: Zero, zilch, zippo, nada, nil. It costs nothing, my friends, so nominate away! We are not a pay-to-play model. We share real stories of real producers.

Q: WHO IS THE RP VETTED BUSINESSES?

A: They are one of the best businesses in DFW in their category and you can find them listed in our index! We don’t just find these businesses off the street, nor do we work with all businesses that approach us. One of many of the top real estate agents has recommended every single business you see in this publication. We won’t even meet with a business that has not been vetted by one of you and “stamped for approval,” in a sense. Our team will further vet every business to make sure they are a good fit and bring value to our community. Our goal is to create a powerhouse network, not only for the best real estate agents in the area but the best businesses, as well, so we can grow stronger together.

Q: HOW CAN I RECOMMEND A BUSINESS?

A: If you know and want to recommend a business that works with top real estate agents, please email us to let us know at jordan.espeseth@realproducersmag.com.

rp vetted business spotlight

Written by: Zachary Cohen Photos by: Scott Peek, Scott Peek Photography LLC

JEREMY MORPHIS & ROOFING REFORMATION

Leading with Values

Before retiring from the fire department in 2020, Jeremy Morphis spent 15 years serving his commu nity in that capacity. As a firefighter, he handled his fair share of emergencies, but most of his work was of the everyday variety.

“In the fire department, you run so many calls, and not all calls are true emergencies. So, we go and talk to people, form a trusting relationship with them, and make their day a little better by just showing up,” Jeremy reflects. “In the fire department, you learn that you have to be compassionate and care for other people. If you don’t truly care for people, you really can’t do that job.”

As co-owner of Roofing Reformation, Jeremy takes the same caring approach he did as a firefighter. If there is a problem to solve or an opportunity to make someone’s day just a bit brighter, Jeremy is on board.

“In the fire department, I learned that people just need help, and within the roofing industry, it’s the same way. The first thing we ask ourselves is, ‘What is the right thing to do?’”

The Road to Roofing Jeremy spent five years in the Navy, followed by 15 years as a firefighter. He first became a roofer during his time working for the fire department.

“Most firemen have second jobs. I started roofing in 2011,” Jeremy explains. “I worked for a good company. Everyone there was a fireman.”

During this time, Jeremy began to get the entrepreneurial itch. His mind wandered to thoughts of how he’d like to run a company. He had the drive to prioritize people over profits.

Jeremy and co-owner Rob Vaughan first connected in 2012. Rob, a REALTOR®, began calling Jeremy for all his roofing needs. The two formed a bond and a lasting business relationship that eventually turned into a partnership.

The Birth of Roofing Reformation

By 2018, Jeremy and Rob decided to take a leap of faith together, founding Roofing Reformation. Rob brought marketing, accounting, and real estate knowledge. Jeremy brought roofing expertise and problem-solving skills.

“It was so clear that it was a good partner ship,” Jeremy says.

With Jeremy and Rob at the helm, Roofing Reformation has formed a niche in the real estate industry; most of their work is sourced from real estate transactions.

to see one person, and if you have any issues, you can call that person. We hire mature guys who have been successful before joining us.”

By sticking to their values, Jeremy and Rob have helped Roofing Reformation become one of the most reputable brands in North Dallas. As they take the company into the future, integrity, work ethic, and responsive ness remain at the forefront.

Jeremy concludes, “More than anything, we’d like to keep serving the community.”

“Rob is a real estate broker, and we under stand the needs of the real estate business. It’s something I’ve learned — the process of real estate and why it’s so important for us to be quick and get the job done,” Jeremy says. “We know there’s a timeline, and we’re able to make that work happen in a timely man ner. That’s important to us. With that, we understand that we are behind the scenes, and the better job we can do, quickly and timely without the homeowner having to struggle, that makes the REALTOR® the hero.”

Sticking to Their Values

Jeremy and Rob hope to grow Roofing Reformation, but that’s not their primary goal. They prioritize bringing the right peo ple on board, employees that fit within the culture of integrity and transparency.

“We’re a small company,” Jeremy explains. “The rea son is I do not hire sales men, and we’re picky about who we hire. We don’t have salesmen. You will see the same project manager from start to finish. You’re going

Family Spotlight

Jeremy and his wife of 15 years, Monica, have a 5-year-old son, Kai, and another baby due in January 2023.

Roofing Reformation is a residential and commercial roofing specialist providing expert service for new construction and existing roof repairs. For more information, visit https://roofingreformation.com.

Do the right thing; do the thing right.

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND:

Mastermind DFW is an exclusive event for the Top 1% of Producers in the DFW area. When you attend a Mastermind DFW event, you are in the company of a prestigious group of local, high-performing DFW real estate professionals. This is the place to cultivate your network with the most notable names in DFW real estate.

“Todd and I love to be a part of the Mastermind DFW group. It is an honor to be in the presence of other top producing agents and to get great tips and tricks on how to leverage our business. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this exclusive group.”

- Colleen Frost

"Mastermind DFW events are nothing short of amazing! I have always learned something tremendously valuable to my day-to-day business. I have truly enjoyed every single event! Best of all, it is a wonderful chance to mingle

- Laura Barnett

cover story

Written by: Zachary Cohen Photos by: Ilona Jade Photography

Matt & Renee

Beaver Beaver Beaver

The Heart of Giving

Matt and Renee

Matt started his real estate career first, in 2013, and Renee followed him into the business four years later. Today, they lead the Beaver Real Estate Group with eXp Realty, a heart-centered team with a passion for service.

Beginnings: Matt

Prior to becoming a REALTOR®, Matt worked for a local nonprofit organization.

“We took high school stu dents on trips overseas to work in poorer communities, helping bring ministry to their communities,” Matt explains. “The other half of

what we did was we developed a lead ership training curriculum and would do training for students and pastors here and abroad. It was a lot of fun. I traveled a lot and loved it.”

After 19 years in ministry and non profit work, however, Matt found himself in need of a change. He was going through a tough divorce, and his life was turned upside down.

“It was a difficult time of life, person ally. There was a lot of change, and I couldn’t lead as well as I needed to in the organization. It was an emotion ally taxing time,” Matt says humbly.

A good friend, JD Tomlin, had been thriving in real estate and suggested

Beaver lead with a heart of giving in everything they do. Matt, a former pastor and nonprofit worker, and Renee, a former teacher, bring a refreshing sense of care into the real estate business.

Matt join him. Matt wasn’t sure of the move but decided to give it a shot.

“JD, he taught me how to do real estate the right way,” Matt explains. “Real estate has turned out to be a huge blessing in my life.”

Beginnings: Renee Matt and Renee first connected on a blind date in 2015.

“I was set up with Matt on a blind date by my sister and her friend, and the rest is history,” Renee laughs. “We dated for six months, and from engagement to marriage, it was 33 days.”

Renee had spent the prior 13 years as an educator. She loved her work as a teacher, especially the relationships she developed with students, parents, and other teachers.

“Those kids and families became my family,” Renee says. However, teaching was stress ful, and Renee’s health began to feel the impact of that stress. Her doctor suggested she take time away from the classroom.

“I resigned from teaching, which was one of the most diffi cult things for me, but I knew it was the right decision,” Renee recalls. “For ten years, my dad had been saying, ‘You need to get into real estate.’ After I met Matt, we talked about it and said, ‘Let’s give it a go,’ and I haven’t looked back.”

Heart of Giving Matt and Renee spent a few years on JD’s team together. In 2020, they decided the time was right for them to start their own team.

just over $50 million in 2021.

“We are all about mentoring agents, providing them with the resources they need to succeed. It’s less about us and more about them,” Renee says.

“We come from a place of giving in our personal lives and our business. At the heart of it, all we want is to see our clients and agents be successful. Our goal is to give,” Matt adds.

Matt and Renee describe their team as a big family. They laugh, play, and take care of each other. They work hard to overcome challenges together.

the power of serving others. As a teacher, Renee built powerful and lasting connections with families throughout the area. The throughline for both of them is care; Matt and Renee are com mitted to a level of care that far exceeds their job description.

“One quote that stays with us is, ‘I’ve come to bring you life and life abundantly’ (John 10:10). We want to model that in our business and in our personal lives, too. Both of us bring a level of care. That’s very important for us,” Matt explains.

in Ecuador. Matt serves on the board of Puentes, a sister organization that helps bridge life for those individuals after they leave the orphanage. Matt and Renee also have a love for gardening. Most days, they start their days with coffee and a walk in the garden together alongside their dogs, Maggie and Baylie.

“We know it can be a stressful time, so we want to bring life, so buying or selling a home is a life-giving experience,” Renee concludes.

Misuse of a multiple listing system (MLS) Status can do more than cost you a deal; it can spoil your reputation. Kyle Paris, chair of the Collin County Association of REALTORS® (CCAR) MLS Committee, suggests that agents focus on what he calls “the big six”: coming soon, active, active option contract, active contingent, active kickout, pending and closed.

In August, Paris joined CCAR’s pod cast, Welcome to the Top, to discuss the frequently used MLS status. Here is what he had to say:

Coming Soon Status:

“The coming-soon status is a huge benefit for REALTORS® and brokers. It allows us to send the coming-soon properties to our clients. [Listings in the coming-soon status do not syndicate out to thirdparty websites], so it’s a huge value add for REALTORS®. … We can send you these coming soon before everybody else in the general public sees them. Now, we can’t see it in person, but we have the knowledge, and … we know it’s coming. And that’s really what it’s meant for, for us to get prepared, and whenever it clicks over to active, you know we’re ready to jump on it.”

ccar: in the know

Written by: Bri Westbury, Collin County Association of REALTORS® Communications Director

Active Status:

“Active means it’s 100% available, there’s no contract, the sell ers are looking for every buyer and every offer they can get.”

Active Option Contract Status:

“When it turns to an active option contract, that means that the buyer is under contract, but they have a due diligence period. They’ve got to get their inspections done. They have an unrestricted right to terminate their contract on their negotiated number of days.”

Active Contingent:

“As long as there’s any sort of contingencies that they’ll need to be satisfied, the status needs to be active contingent.

… Most of the time, it is financing … it could [also] be HOA documents need to come in still.”

Active Kickout:

“We’re not really seeing a whole lot of [active kickout]. Active kickout is only really used if the buyer has another property to sell. And if another buyer comes along and says, ‘Hey, we want you to put an offer in,’ then the seller has the option to notify that buyer that they have another offer. The buyer can either can remove this contin gency, or kick you out of first posi tion, which just means the current buyer will have to terminate that contract, and then the new buyer will be under contract.”

Pending:

“Pending status is one of those that, as a seller, you really love to see. … When we go from active status to pending, that typically means we’ve got a cash offer with no contingencies. When it’s pending, there’s no contingen cies left to be fulfilled — we are just waiting for the paperwork. A lot of times, you’re waiting on the title company and the lender to balance everything out. And just for that closing date to hit.

… Pending means that we’re just holding on to waiting for clos ing day. It does stop syndicating information to some of the other third-party websites and … you’re no longer able to show it.”

Closed:

“Closed status now is … one we as listing agents love to see. That’s a good button to click over. … That’s a happy moment for everyone.”

If you would like more informa tion regarding an MLS status, the Collin County Association of REALTORS® MLS depart ment is only a phone call away at 972-618-3800.

SHUBZDAHEATHER & DREW

power couple

Written by: Zachary Cohen Photos by: Brandon Walker

Together in Business, Together in Life

When Heather and Drew Shubzda headed off to the local watering hole one night in 2010, they had no idea they’d meet their future spouse and business partner. Heather had just moved to Texas from Colorado weeks before. She and Drew were connected through mutual friends.

“I remember chit-chatting, and we danced some that night,” Heather recalls fondly, “and the rest is history.”

Twelve years later, the couple is thriving together. They are partners in real estate, hus band and wife, and the parents of two beauti ful children.

Together in Business

By 2013, Heather and Drew were married. They soon developed a plan to go into the real estate business together.

At the time, Drew was working in commercial construction, and Heather owned a cleaning business.

“I worked extremely long hours at my former company,” Drew recalls. “I really enjoyed it, but I wanted to be self-employed.”

Drew became interested in real estate, a vision aligned with Heather’s.

“I also have a passion for real estate,” Heather explains. “My parents always owned properties to rent growing up, so I grew up with that pas sion for real estate. When I met Drew and he had an interest in that too, he really pushed me to start real estate. I was excited for a change.”

Between Drew’s construction experience and Heather’s sales expertise, the pieces fit like a puzzle. The couple felt they would make a strong team, able to help people in various ways.

Heather was licensed in 2013 and was named Ebby Halliday’s 190-Richardson office Rookie of the Year in 2014. Drew joined her the following year. While the early years were a struggle, Heather and Drew steadily built a solid foundation and grew the busi ness year-after-year.

Heather handles most of the client-facing inter actions and paperwork, while Drew manages the business’ back-end and accounting, as well as the occasional showing or client meeting. In 2021, Heather and Drew had their best year to date, closing $17.5 million. They are tracking to once again break their personal sales record in 2022.

GIVING BACK

“We grew the business with a lot of hard work, answering phones at the office, hosting open houses. Really, doing all the things we could possi bly do for a lead,” Heather says.

“It’s all about attention to detail,” Drew adds. “We have the drive to do anything and everything we possibly can for our clients. We have mowed lawns, helped pack and declutter, blown leaves off of roofs and removed trash, just to name a few. And there is a dynamic duo of there being two of us, with my knowledge of the market and her sales experience.”

Together In Life

Outside work, Heather and Drew live an equally full life. They have two children, Adeline (6) and Walter (2). As a family, the Shubzdas enjoy live music, swimming, going to the park, and doing just about anything outdoors.

Heather and Drew’s favorite nonprofit, Carry the Load, “provides an active way to connect Americans to the sacrifices made daily by our military, veterans, first responders, and their families.”

Being partners in business and family life has its positives and negatives. Heather and Drew still, admittedly, struggle with balance, but the fluidity with which they are able to swap from business to personal time is beneficial for their clients and their family, too.

“It’s a challenge when you’re married, work together, and have a family together. There is a lot of ‘together,’ but I think we’ve got it divvied up pretty well,” Drew says.

“It’s great that we are able to talk about anything real estate-wise, but it’s also tough that we do that because it’s hard to turn it off,” Heather adds. “When it’s 8 p.m. and we’re talking real estate instead of enjoying time with our kids, it’s not ideal, but that’s also what makes us great. We put in the time. We’re always available, always learning.”

As Heather and Drew look ahead, they hope to continue working on balance. Their goal is to be present parents, part ners, and REALTORS®.

“We want to be known as phe nomenal REALTORS® who are known for doing good for the community,” Drew concludes.

R E A L P A R T N E R S FO R R E AL P R O D U C E R S

Meet Tamera Gaede & Rachel Shelton Lawyers Title's Top Producing Sales Executive & Escrow O cer

County Director of Sales

Tamera began her career in real estate in 2009 and joined Lawyers Title in 2018 bringing with her a track record of success in the real estate industry. She is driven to give excellent customer service and provide solutions and resources for her clients, always building relationships with them on a foundation of trust. She has been recognized as the #1 sales rep at Lawyers Title for 2020 & 2021, along with receiving Top 10% Nationwide Fidelity National Financial awards in 2020 & 2021. Her service on over 20 committees and in eight leadership positions with CCAR and MetroTex Association of Realtors has widened her perspective on the industry and has given her a broad understanding of her clients’ needs. Tamera is a graduate of both TRLP Class X and MetroTex Leadership Class 22. Her service to the industry is what helped her win the A liate of the Year award for MetroTex Association of Realtors. “Providing a high level of customer service to my clients, and seeing my e orts help their business grow, is incentive to continuously expose myself to opportunities to improve and learn.” Tamera also is the host of the podcast Spilling the LT and leads The DFW Game Changers Mastermind Group. Boating on Lake Lewisville, vintage shopping, spending time with family and friends and hanging onto her “Best Aunt in the World” title is what invigorates her.

VP/ Escrow O cer

Rachel Shelton has been in the title insurance business since 2011 and has worked her way up to being the number one producer in escrow for the entire Lawyers Title company, along with being Top 2% in the nation with Fidelity National Financial. Rachel has built a team that she is proud of, where everyone is forward thinking and they strive to be at the forefront of technology, increasing e ciency with each transaction. As she states, “It was very exciting to be in a place where I got to build a team. It has created the opportunity to excel in client service as well as an environment that her team is proud to be a part of.” Along with the exceptional performance that her team provides, Rachel strives on being detail oriented. She acknowledges that it is very important for details to not get missed and wants every person that walks through the door of her o ce to feel like they will have a one of a kind closing experience. Rachel stays in constant contact with her agents to ensure that every transaction goes smoothly because to her, keeping those lines of communication open is essential to ensure the process is e cient and stress-free. Rachel is a powerful force in the workplace and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. As happy as she is at work, Rachel also enjoys her time away traveling with her active family, including her precious daughter.

Secret's out. Coffee

Jordan

Written by: Zachary Cohen

Photos by: Brandon Walker

Mandi SIMPSON CARING FOR HER PEOPLE

Whether Pam was cleaning homes or selling them, Mandi had the chance to witness her mom as an entre preneur. Mandi often accompanied her, first during cleanings, and later, for house showings.

As she entered her teenage years, Mandi began work ing, earning the right to live life on her own terms. That entrepreneurial spirit would follow Mandi through out her journey to becoming a second-generation REALTOR®.

Finding Her Way Back to Real Estate Mandi, however, had no interest in a career in real estate early in life. Instead, she had dreams of working in production for ESPN.

“It was not of any interest to me,” Mandi reflects. “I was accepted to the University of Missouri to get into the broadcast journalism program, which at the time was #2 in the nation. I got an email on Christmas Eve that I got into Mizzou. We went to visit the next month, and it was seven degrees. I said, ‘No, thank you.’”

Mandi chose to stay in Texas and attend community col lege. In the meantime, she joined a boutique real estate firm as an assistant and transaction coordinator.

For most of Mandi Simpson’s childhood, her mother, Pam, owned a house cleaning business. So, when Pam changed careers to become a real estate agent, Mandi’s life changed drastically.

“I didn’t think it would be a career, but they paid for me to get my license,” Mandi continues. “I was helping multi-million dollar producing agents. I was the one creating all the relationships. I noticed I had a way with creating relationships, and I real ized, ‘Yes, I can do this.’”

Slowly, Mandi began to warm to the idea of a career in real estate. She stuck around during the economic recession, selling a few homes here and there. In 2011, as the market recovered, her business began to take flight. By then, she was sold on the benefits of a long-term commitment to real estate.

Building a Business, Growing a Family

In 2010, Mandi sold a house to the man who would become her future husband. Mandi and Nick began dating after he closed on the house, and he encour aged her to take her business to the next level.

“He asked, ‘What do you want to accomplish?’ He motivated me to take it up a couple of notches. I started investing in lead generation, and by 2013, I did close to $10 million.”

In 2014, Mandi and Nick took a detour to Chicago, where Nick was born and raised, but after they got pregnant with their first child, they returned to Texas. Since returning in 2017, Mandi’s business has grown each year. In 2021, she closed an impres sive $12.5 million.

Seeking Balance

Mandi and Nick now have two children, with a third on the way. Reid is five, Cole is three, and a baby girl is due in January 2023. With (soon to be) three kids and a thriving real estate business, Mandi’s life has become a daily balancing act. She’s also

running a general contracting business, something she’s become particularly passionate about.

“Every house we’ve lived in, we’ve renovated… so design and general contracting have become part of my business. I started being the general contractor for clients that either wanted to sell or had bought and wanted to renovate, and now, it’s become two different businesses because I take on clients that are not buying or selling,” Mandi explains. “It’s a lot of fun. It comes with a lot of challenges. It’s not quite as lucrative as real estate, but it brings a lot of joy. I have a knack for it. I love making things look pretty.”

Mandi Simpson is many things: a mother, a wife, a sec ond-generation REALTOR®, and a general contractor. Through all of the different roles she plays, she doesn’t forget the most important of all: human being. Mandi is focused on caring for, and serving, the human being directly in front of her, whether that’s a client or one of her children.

“In real estate, I focus on my clients and making them happy, and if the numbers work out, great. I just take care of my people,” Mandi says. “The same is true at home. I just take care of my people.”

FUN FACT

Mandi and her family love traveling, especially to Disney World. “If you were to ask my closest friends what my favorite things are, they’d say real estate, my kids, the Dallas Cowboys, and Disney.”

In real estate, I focus on my clients and making them happy, and if the numbers work out, great. I just take care of my people, ”

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the

Annual ESPE AWARDS!

Our annual black-tie gala for the DFW Real Producers community is back and it will be held November 17th!

Save the date, and look for your exclusive invitation in your inbox!