Faith, Family, & Real Estate - The Tejas Advantage

Professionalism and personality seem to be a perfect pairing for Lute Sullins, owner and broker of Tejas Real Estate in Gatesville, Texas. In the highly competitive field of real estate, high energy and customer service are important keystones to set any business apart. With an exuberance to conquer and make the most of life, faith, family and giving back to the community are Lute’s priorities.

Lute has deep seeded roots in the area dating back to 1895 through a family ranch. Growing up, his parents, Ronnie and Sharon Sullins helped instill in him the importance of those roots, and the responsibility those deep connections to the community demand. His father and mother have been an integral part of the community in many ways and have helped Lute, through their own example to understand the importance of interpersonal relationships, which is something he prides himself on.

After attending school in both Oglesby and Gatesville, Lute obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Tarleton State University in 2010. With that degree, he planned to follow his father into banking. Lute’s father and three other community mainstays had purchased a bank, and Lute saw one of his biggest life influences flourishing in a respectable career. It seemed only natural, with finance degree in hand, to follow in the same career path as his father.

Lute feels that his opportunity at Tejas Real Estate was nothing short of “divine intervention,” and is very thankful for a conversation he had with his dad. What began as a normal day, and a normal father and son conversation wound up being a huge turning point in Lute’s life.

After working in the banking field for some time at both another bank and later his dad’s, Lute recalls his father noticed he didn’t seem as happy as he could possibly be. Lute says, “it didn’t feel like banking was my calling.”

He and his dad talked about the idea that at times, life may change one’s intended directions. His dad relayed that even himself had began school for a veterinarian degree, and that wasn’t his own calling. He made necessary changes along the way which meant later in life he ended up in banking. Lute could actually find himself on the same path, going to school for finance and ending up making a change to a different career as well.

Lute had always had an interest in real estate after a college course sparked his interest, and his father happened to mention a family friend, Gaye Sadler, had mentioned to him that she was considering selling her real estate business. (Gaye Sadler still assists in Tejas for now but soon hopes to just enjoy her grand kids after 30 years of service to the community.)

Even though it may have been in a passing conversation at the time, it stuck with Lute, and it seemed to be a perfect opportunity, thus the seed of owning Tejas Real Estate was planted. He recalls that “this was nothing short of a God given opportunity.”

Lute wanted to hold a job that allowed him both a decent income and an ability to be present for his new young family. Being a business owner affords him those opportunities. While it’s hard work; it is also extremely gratifying to be able to have the control and flexibility to put his family at the top of his priority list.

Lute married his wife Kristen in 2012; he quickly smiles and notes that in February 2022, they will celebrate ten great years together. She has been a school teacher at Gatesville Independent School District for almost 10 years. He beams when he speaks of his family which includes two children, Grant and Kendall. He says he wants to be a man his kids can “always be proud of ” and to pass along the same values his parents instilled in him. Lute loves his job, but he is sure to always carve out time for his family and find ways to have fun with them. He loves to spend time at the family farm, enjoying the creek, “fishing a little”, hiking, skipping rocks with the kids and traveling to new places to make exciting experiences with his young family.

If one single word might describe Lute, integrity would come to mind. Lute still abides by his fraternity creed of “honor above all things” and the expectation to always be a gentleman and a leader at the forefront of every decision. He believes that the home buying and selling process is not only one of the biggest decisions one will likely make in a lifetime, but he understands there are emotional tugs in each process. In each instance Lute is willing to go out of his way to be helpful, to listen, to adjust and to even find himself being a therapeutic shoulder in the process. Being empathetic and also thriving off of building strong personal relationships, Lute tries to offer solid advice and make the process as easy as he can for each customer. He feels the happiest part of work is in seeing others happy and knowing he could help them. In each transaction he hopes to be an extension of his faith and to “serve” his clients.

Lute offers clients a seasoned knowledge of the Central Texas real estate market, and an intimate understanding of what makes this area so special and unique. He surrounds himself with a team that shares the same beliefs and dedication. That team consists of Shelley Herring, Sunshine Buckner, Gaye and transaction coordinator Rhegan Tanner, all committed to the community just as Lute is.

Living in the same community in which he serves gives Lute a unique perspective and the opportunity to extend that service minded heart in many different ways. It is something he holds dear and feels is important. He again credits his parents, being pillars of the community themselves, for planting the need to serve in one’s own community. Even before becoming a business owner himself, Lute has served and still serves as a board member for the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce (elected President for 2021), Board Member of the Fort Hood area Habitat for Humanity,Gatesville Planning and Zoning Commission, Texas Association ofRealtors, National Association of Realtors, Texas Young ProfessionalsCommittee and Gatesville Lions Club. Making himself available to hiscommunity is something Lute is proud of.

Lute finds that being in the public eye and in customer service, it is his duty to “go the extra mile” and it is obvious with his community dedication and those same relationships. That mentality was rewarded when Tejas Real Estate was the winner of the Gatesville business of the year for customer service in 2019. Lute holds himself to a high work ethic and personal conduct as well as a level head and good reputation following his dad’s lead. He makes this promise to his customers, and that is expected from his team, which fully delivers on it. He says “we truly strive for a lifelong relationship” which is why a large portion of Tejas Real Estate business is from repeat and referred clients.

Lute is no doubt proud of Tejas Real Estate, but will always quickly remind you that while his commitment to his customers runs deep, his commitment to his faith and family is his foundation. He credits his strong core values to much of his success and hopes his children will someday look back on him and feel he has taught them the same. Lute isn’t so much concerned that his children follow him in the business, but that they follow him in conviction and kindness.

You can visit Tejas Real Estate at www.tejasrealestate.com/ for more information and reviews or stop in or call Tejas Real Estate at 2105 East Main Street, Gatesville, Texas 76528, 254-865-8954.