Explore Dallas Fort Worth area new homes and new communities online, at home, at any time! 08.20

AU G U S T 2020

RESOURCE FOR DFW REAL ESTATE PROS : NEW HOMES | NEW COMMUNITIES | TITLE | MORTGAGE  MORE

A Huffines Signature Community™

Two Time

Community of The Year Winner!

MASTER-PLANNED • ST. PAUL, TEXAS Ne w Ho m e s $ 3 0 0 s t o $ 8 0 0 s Ho m e s

Staycation

Resort-style pools, lazy river, amenity center, playgrounds, specialty parks, open green spaces

BEST Community

2019

Amenity Center!

INSPIRATION 9

DAL LAS N. TOL LWA Y

380

FRISCO ESTATES AT SHADDOCK PARK LOW $500S

LIBERTY HILL MID $300S CLOSE OUT

EDGEWOOD MID $400S

ESSEX PARK

121

HIGH $300S

THE VILLAGE AT TWIN CREEKS HIGH $300S

35E

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75

SOUTH HAVEN

LOW $400S

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26 114

190

DFW

360 820

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DALLAS

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ALL THE RIG H T P L AC ES With Normandy Homes, every detail comes together to design a life well-lived. We create communities in only the most sought-after locations in DFW, connecting residents to everywhere they want — and need — to be.

Complemented by beautiful architecture, sophisticated interiors and a true sense of community, our homes deliver exceptional design, value and customer satisfaction. From thoughtful craftsmanship and service to remarkably convenient locales, all roads quite literally lead to Normandy.

REGISTER TODAY! We invite you and your client to explore a Normandy community today. Call 469.565.0433 to set an appointment and you’ll receive a $500 credit to use at the Normandy Homes Design Center.

2805 Dallas Parkway | Suite 400 | Plano, Texas 75093 | 469.565.0433 | normandyhomes.com Illustrations are artist’s conception and not reproductions. Pricing, plans and specifications are subject to change at any time. See Community Sales Manager for more information. Price, features, floor plans, availability and promotions are subject to change or termination at anytime without notice. Photography and renderings are for illustrative purposes only. See Community Sales Manager for complete details. 2020

VIRTUAL APPOINTMENTS Call (972) 426-2712 to set your appointment today!

New Homes from the $270K’s - $480K’s | www.TrendmakerHomes.com The prices of our homes, included features, plans, specifications, promotions/incentives, neighborhood build-out and available locations are subject to change without notice. No information or material herein is to be construed to be an offer or solicitation for sale. Not all features and options are available in all homes. Unless otherwise expressly stated, homes do not come with hardscape, landscape, or other decorator items. Any photographs or renderings used herein reflect artists’ conceptions and are for illustrative purposes only. Photographs or renderings of people do not depict or indicate any preference regarding race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, familial status, or national origin. Our name and the logos contained herein are registered trademarks of TRI Pointe Group, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. © 2020 Trendmaker Homes, Inc., a member of the TRI Pointe Group. All rights reserved.

Sara Drehobl, Realtor, checking out new homes in Parks of Aledo #sarasellsdfw, # parksofaledo Independence Title’s Luke Pierson recently celebrated a birthday. Happy birthday Luke! @blukepierson

Realtors and partners in fun and business, Stacey Messick-Sauer and Erin Pickard enjoy some sunshine at Hotel ZaZa Dallas

Simply Texas Realtor, Tracy Golladay, heading to closing! #tracygolladayrealtor

Realtor, Jan Richey watches a video of her tour of a GORGEOUS $2.9 million home in #WillowBend @janricheyteam. Now let’s talk about those red shoes!

Beach Besties! Realtor, Shana Acquisto and Christa Fulton got some Vitamin Sea in Destin! #acquistorealestate Page 4 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

Vintage! Love Fathom Realtor, Lucy Warfield’s vintage Real Estate & Friends tshirt! Worn during a neighborhood 5k! #soldbylucie

From the mid $200s to the $500s Follow us!

@khov_dfw_realtors

Communities all across the Metroplex Dallas

Flower Mound

Fort Worth Haslet Murphy Roanoke

Garland

Irving

Rowlett

Plano Sachse

khov.com/dfw 469-737-1485 See a Sales Consultant for full details. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Haltom City

Little Elm

Northlake

Forney

Melissa Red Oak Van Alstyne

#Your McKinney Title Guy Brian Hazelwood has the t-shirt to prove it!

We love the ‘quinkydink-ness’ of these lovely real estate ladies dressed to match our front cover! Looking like royalty in that blue is Aaron McKinley with #SandbrockRanch and just as pretty in pink - Alicia Chmielewski

Text or Talk: 214.533.8945

KHov’s Marketing Guru, Kim Tullos, just celebrated her 25th Work Anniversary!

Tinsley Realty’s Braxton Tinsley gets ready for the his next listing!

Page 6 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

NEW HOMES $260s-$500s

$100,000 There is still time to become a Star Seller! For every home you sell at Sandbrock Ranch between January 1 to September 7, 2020 you earn one entry for our Star Seller cash prize giveaway totaling $100,000. Prizes will be distributed at an exclusive virtual celebration for qualifying REALTORSÂŽ.

For full details and official rules see sandbrockranch.com/star-seller-rewards-official-rules.

Experts CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE

Phone: 214.533.8945

16

10

Contact us Email: info@realestateandfriends.com Facebook: realestateandfriendsmagazine Instagram: realestateandfriends

HEATHER SIMS, REALTOR®

Ebby Halliday It Feels Like Someone is Watching Me

DAVID WINANS, BROKER

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate The Buying Power of Low Interest Rates

LinkedIn: realestateandfriends Website: realestateandfriends.com

About us

29

Things

JUSTIN MARTIN, REALTOR® Redfin Covid Killed the Handshake

Discover A LEADING COMPANY

ABOUT A REAL ESTATE FRIEND

Serving the DFW residential real estate market since 2003, we are often described as a Specialty or

Boutique Publication.

Our online and print magazine focuses

HANNAH GIGLEY... 18 RE/MAX Four Corners

on the robust new homes market and

TY WILLIAMS... 32 WNC Fort Worth

our print and online presence, our real

CHARMAINE BYERS... 34 COLDWELL BANKER APEX

homes and new communities wherever

TRAVIS-LEE MOORE... 35 COLDWELL BANKER

new communities all over DFW. With estate friends can see and sell new they are — home, work or on-the-go.

Subscribe to our ONLINE magazine and never miss the latest news from leading companies offering services to

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the DFW real estate community. http://bit.ly/RealEstateFriendsDigitalMag

MIKE VULLO

Independence Title Company Mike on The Move

Page 8 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

Text or Talk: 214.533.8945

Discover these leading companies providing services to the DFW real estate industry

Leading Real Estate Co’s Achosa Home Warranty ..................... 28 Capital Title ........................................... 15 Centurion American ............................ 25 David Weekley Homes..........back cover Drees Custom Homes.......................... 13 Heartland in Heartland........................ 31 Independence Title............................... 23 Inspiration in St Paul ............. front cover K Hovnanian Homes...............................5 KL Creations....................................24, 32 Nations Home Warranty..................... 12 Normandy Homes....................................2 Pacesetter Homes................................. 27 Sandbrock Ranch in Aubrey...................7 Shaddock Homes.................................. 19 Trendmaker Homes.................................3 Waterscape in Royse City.................... 33

Subscribe to our ONLINE MAGAZINE! Real Estate and Friends Contact: Nancy Holzwarth, Publisher

http://bit.ly/RealEstateFriendsDigitalMag

nancy@realestateandfriends.com | 214.533.8945 DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the view of Real Estate and Friends Magazine, but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Real Estate and Friends Magazine are not endorsed or recommended by Real Estate and Friends Magazine or the publisher. There, neither Real Estate and Friends Magazine nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business preactices of these companies.

Page 9 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

Experts

“The greatest wealth is health.” ~ Virgil

SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE

I t F e e l s Like Someone Is

WATCHING ME By: Heather Kinder Sims, REALTOR®

by Heather Sims, REALTOR

E

ver been at a showing with your buyers and suddenly realize there are cameras that may have put on display everything that you and your buyers have said or done? Yep, me too! It’s a weird feeling, and one to get comfortable with, because an increasing number of houses have at least one visual and/or listening recording device — and many more are projected in the coming years.

An article in a recent New York Times article stated that the ease of setting these devices up, coupled with their reasonable cost has “made it easy to secretly live-stream or record what other people are saying or doing.”

The effect that listening devices can have on the process of buying and selling homes is significant.

Heather Kinder Sims Ebby Halliday Realtors 214-549-7978 # heatherkindersimsrealtor

The effect that these listening devices can have on the process of buying and selling homes is significant. A popular HGTV show depicts sellers watching a video of buyers walking through their home freely commenting about this looks dated, or ‘what were they thinking with THAT’, and

Page 10 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

this needs paint, etc. That show is pretty darn close to what the real life walk-through showing experience with prospective buyers is like. We must realize that sellers watching our showing experience probably happens more than we think!

There is no doubt that with the increased use of security devices like Simpli-Safe and the popular Ring doorbell, as well as “convenience, on-command” technology devices like Alexa, Echo, and Google Home, prospective home buyers and Buyer Agents can be seen and heard by sellers at showings. This can give sellers an instant advantage over an excited buyer who verbalizes plans to make an offer. The sellers may even know about an offer coming before the listing agent knows! It has happened with my listings more than once!

The information advantage to the seller doesn’t stop there, it continues through inspection — which is often discussed, at length, in the home with the inspector.

The flip side to visual and listening devices in a home for sale adds a level of security and comfort to the seller. They take a risk every time their home is shown, because they’ve

given access to strangers to walk through their entire house — to freely and casually look in every nook and cranny! Sellers have the right to record a showing. One of my clients caught a teenager stealing! Other clients witnessed some ‘not-so-professional’ behavior between an agent and buyer in their kitchen (ew!).

Buyer Agents need to advise their buyers that these devices may be present and that sellers may be listening and watching live or later. It is an important part of being an advocate for the buyer. The best advice to buyers is that they should try to keep their comments to a minimum during showings — this should be discussed with them at the beginning of the home-buying process.

The best advice to buyers is that they should try to keep their comments to a minimum during showings.

Listing Agents need to ensure that the presence of these devices is clearly stated and disclosed (as required) in our MLS system. I personally advise sellers with recording devices in their homes to not watch or listen, and I explain why, but I’m also clear that it’s their decision whether or not to do so. And because the presence of visual and listening devices has been disclosed to the Buyer Agent, if things are said within the home that give sellers an advantage, then at least we on the listing side have done our best to disclose and be fair!

Have you ever said or done anything on video that you realized later had been recorded? Have you had a candid camera moment? At this point, with all of the cameras and surveillance, I’d venture to say that we all have!

We would love to hear your ‘on hidden camera’ or funny/memorable stories while showing/selling homes!

Send us an email at info@realestateandfriends.com

Heather Kinder Sims is an agent with Ebby Halliday with almost 9 years in real estate. She loves the chess game of real estate, offering out-of-the-box strategizing and marketing to help her clients achieve their goals when buying and selling homes. Her professionalism and hustle have made her a consistent top producer in the Dallas area, and have allowed her to build a successful referral-based business. Between real estate, her twin teenagers, a husband, her friends, and her love of reading, running, coffee and wine, there are not many dull moments in Heather’s life (and she wouldn’t have it any other way!) Discover more about Heather: expectmorewhenselling.com youtube.com/HeatherSimsRealtor | HeatherKinderSims.com | HeatherSims@Ebby.com

Connecting with DFW REALTORS wherever they are...

at home, at work or on-the-go, ONLINE MAGAZINE for NEW Home INVENTORY, PROMOTIONS k EVENTS! info@realestateandfriends.com | 214.533.8945 Page 11 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

Pretty in blue! Jamie Flynn with #nationshomewarranty

Independence Title’s Shellie Carnal and Compass Realtor, Bill Greenwald, had the restaurant to themselves #yourtitlegirlscarnal Page 12 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

Christine Crawley with #nationshomewarranty and Diane Davis with #northamericantitle

Love seeing our real estate friends prosper!

Congrats to #lawyerstitlefrisco!

Celebrating: Rachel Stuever, Kelly Berry and Christy Ballard-Blagg

DREES VOTED McKINNEY’S BEST HOMEBUILDER 5 YEARS IN A ROW!

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AT THE PRESERVE AT LAKE FOREST. NOW SELLING This exclusive Drees neighborhood features greenbelt and cul-de-sac home sites and stylish new one- and two-story plans. Considering the highly-rated McKinney ISD, sophisticated floor plans, and limited number of home sites available, this neighborhood is definitely one-of-a-kind.

New model now open!

Homes from THE $390s

COMMUNITY LOCATION The Preserve at Lake Forest 4848 Woodruff Lane McKinney, TX 75071

CONTACT Anita Kosco (469) 546-7610 akosco@dreeshomes.com

dreeshomes.com

©2020 The Drees Company. All rights reserved. 21-0595-123-124 7/20

Come out to #CapitalTitleParkCities office and meet their new members!

Capital Title’s Vika Good catches up with Realtor, Brian Chesman #goodviktoriya, #brianchesmandallas

Please welcome our new Americans!

In June, a 6-year journey ended for Helena Homavand and Helen Homavand.

They arrived as refugees and now they are US citizens — and Realtors with United Real Estate (#2homasisrealty) Thanks to Nick Bristow, their broker for sharing their story!

Page 14 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

MORE real estate friends prospering!

Capital Title’s Lauren Piccinini and JPAR’s JP toast to surpassed goals! Congrats! #laurenpiccinini #jparrealestate

MICHELL JENKINS ESCROW OFFICER mjenkins@ctot.com

CASEY ATTERBURY ESCROW ASSISTANT catterbury@ctot.com

LISA COOPER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT lcooper@ctot.com

Experts SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE

The Buying POWER of

low interest

RATES

2.99

www.freddiemac.com/pmms/

by David Winans, Broker Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate

T

oday’s home buyers don’t know how good they’ve got it.

in 1984, growing it to over 200 agents and staff today.

Speaking on the phone not very long ago to a young man buying his first home, he mentioned they were thinking of going with an adjustable rate mortgage. “I mean, how high could it go?” he said.

All I wished for in those days was single digit interest rates

I explained to him just how high it could go – and had gone. I’m pretty sure I heard his chin hit the floor.

Back in the early 80s, when we were young realtors, rising mortgage interest rates had priced most buyers out of the real estate market and slowed home buying down to nearly a standstill. Phones weren’t ringing much in our office.

David Winans, Broker

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate - Winans

7 Offices Across DFW 17734 Preston Rd. #100 Dallas, TX 75252 #bhgre_winans

With little to lose, my wife and business partner, Dana, and I decided to take a leap and try our hand at selling real estate on Grand Cayman Island. However, we quickly learned no one wanted to buy vacation properties at those high rates either. We eventually swam back to Texas, and began our current company

August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

All I wished for in those days was single digit interest rates, but with the average rate at the time hovering around 18%, that seemed like a pipe dream.

Even when we hit 12% it felt like a miracle. It took seven long years before we finally saw rates consistently in my single digit dream range.

Fast forward to today, and I watch in disbelief as the rates just keep falling to historic numbers, even below the 3% mark – lower than Freddie Mac has seen in nearly half a century. And we were happy with last year’s 3.71% average!

But what does that mean for our market now? I know our lender friends are seeing a huge increase in refinancing, but what about home purchasing?

“Summer sales have been strong,” Chase Pinkston of Integrity Mortgage told me. “We focus primarily on purchase loans and have seen record numbers pretty much every month. A lot of buyers tabled their spring home purchase plans because of the pandemic but now the rates, and I think a desire for more space, has them out in droves.”

40 percent of current renters are planning to purchase their first home soon to take advantage of the low rates I know our agents have definitely seen that and a recent Freddie Mac survey found 40% of current renters are planning to purchase their first home soon to take advantage of the low rates. And they should.

Consider this – in the early 1980s with rates at 18%, the principle and interest on a 30-year mortgage would have been $4,521. With today’s 3% rate, that payment falls to $1,265!

I believe these rates are going to stay low for the near future while we recover from the Covid-19 pounding to the American economy. And Chase agreed, but also mentioned that rates historically don’t change much during an election year. We could be set for these low rates at least until the end of the year.

The National Association of Realtors is going so far as to say they expect rates to stay at or near 3% over the next 18 months.

They also reported recently that sales of existing homes rose 20.7% in June. That’s the highest jump they’ve seen since they started keeping track if those things back in 1968.

In Dallas Fort Worth, we have the advantage of being located in one of the strongest real estate markets in the country. The current DFW population of 7.5 million is expected to reach 10 million by 2030, and those numbers could go even higher as working from home becomes more and more mainstream. Why pay a couple thousand dollars a month for 200 square feet in New York or San Francisco when you can buy a house in DFW? And not have your bed in the kitchen.

I’m excited to see what the next few months is going to bring us and just how low these rates are going to go.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Founder, David Winans has been a leader and an innovator in the way real estate is sold in DFW. He was one of the first brokers in Texas to offer consumers access to the Realtor database of homes through the internet. Their history of innovation began in 1975, when David Winans started his multi-office firm in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This innovation continues today with ongoing improvements to their world-class website www.TexasMLS.com, the launch of www.texaplex.com (a site devoted to spreading the the positive economic news of Texas). Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate is an independently, family-owned company with over 35 years of successful real estate service. Their original roots are still firmly established in the city of Dallas and over the years they have expanded to serve the entire Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Contact David Winans at: david.winans@winansbhg.com | 972.774.9888 | betterdfw.com | #bhgre_winans

info@realestateandfriends.com | 214.533.8945

Page 17 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

Things ABOUT A REAL ESTATE FRIEND

1 I babysat the Jonas Brothers when they were young and travelled with their parents to Australia and New Zealand. I was 18 and played keyboards and piano with their dad, Kevin Sr., in Bible College. It is my one, tiny claim to fame, lol.

2 I got into real estate as a result

HA NNA H G I G L EY RE/MAX Four Corners

That face you make when real estate doesn’t go smoothly! No matter!

Compass Real Estate’s Nicole Piccola looks pretty in pink — and gets it handled! #nicole.piccola.compass

The Gigley Real Estate Group

of a huge pile of medical bills for #hgigley my son, Aaron Jr., who had seizures, needed several surgeries, and almost cut off his left hand when he was 8. I was a stay-at-home mom, who home schooled her kids. A friend kept bugging me to join Keller Williams. He was after me for 3 years before I finally decided to take the plunge. I thought it would be my part time job to help cover those bills and get out of debt. HA! There was nothing part time about it from the get-go! My son is a Realtor now too – and a healthy young man who is awesome at negotiating - just like his momma. I was made for real estate and absolutely love it!

3 The best advice I would give to anyone who just got their license is this: Put boundaries up around your family and KEEP them there! This job will suck you in and suck you dry if you let it, and it can become your number one focus faster than anything. Take time to draw up your NO list and stick to it! No, I won’t take calls at dinner time, No I will not answer texts after 8pm, No, I will not jump in the car in two seconds notice and stress the life out of my family unless it is convenient for them, NO I will not leave the table at a restaurant to take a call leaving my family there to have dinner alone. Trust me, I did it wrong for a lot of years and I only wish I could go back and change THAT. Nothing else. Your kids are only little for a short time. Your marriage is important. Take the time to do what most Realtors don’t learn early enough. Your family is the most important thing – you will get another client. I promise.

Gorgeous Realtor, Jane Clark at her weekend sanctuary!

The Guitar Sanctuary in quaint McKinney offers live music. #janeclarkrealty

info@realestateandfriends.com | 214.533.8945

Page 18 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

THE SHADDOCK EXPERIENCE Now selling brand new plans and in new communities, but always the same quality.

Communities in Carrollton, Celina, Fort Worth, Frisco, Lewisville, McKinney, Parker, Prosper, St. Paul and Wylie. Visit our NEW website to learn more!

SHADDOCKHOMES.COM

Mike on the

MOVE!

Page 20 | July 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

Mike Vullo talks with Publisher, Nancy Holzwarth about making a move after spending 45 YEARS with a company!

Trend-Breaker!

A

ccording to NAR, the average length homeowners live in a home before moving is just 8 years. Mike Vullo still lives in the first home he and his beautiful bride, Kathryn, bought back in 1973! He was a new real estate agent back then, the house was a FSBO, and Mike had hoped to get the listing! Instead he bought it!

Mike readily admits that bucking that NAR trend of staying just eight years is not great for the real estate business!

Don’t be like Mike! He wants lots of people moving and closing with Independence Title!

The young Vullos moved in to their Dallas home as newlyweds, raised their daughter there, and, over the years, watched beloved neighbors pack up and move to larger homes for growing families. The three Vullos remained cozy in their perfectly-sized original home. Can you imagine not having to find moving boxes for 47 years!

The Vullo’s daughter is grown and Mike and Kathryn have enjoyed updating their home to fit their needs of today. Former neighbors who upsized homes now search their former neighborhood for smaller, one-story homes in which to downsize.

Recently, Mike and Kathryn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Sadly, the large celebration they had imagined for years was severely scaled back to just 10 guests due to Covid restrictions. The years have flown by so fast, they feel as if they blinked and here they are 50 years later! Decades later, they are still each other’s favorite person, and enjoy spending time together, hunting antiques, and discovering new restaurants.

With a baby girl on the way, and the challenges of the 1970s recession, Mike decided he needed a steady paycheck.

He hoped to stay in real estate and quickly found work at Southwest Land Title Company, a family-owned, local title business.

FUN FACT Mike still holds his broker’s license from back in the early 1970s!

(It’s inactive)

It’s human nature to resist change.

Mike is the master of not making changes! In addition to staying in his first home for gazillions of years beyond the industry average, Mike stayed with the same title company for 45 years, and has been married for 50 years!

I asked Mike how he ended up in the title business. Mike was that FSBO hunter back in the early 70s as a real estate agent.

ated their r b e l e c t s ju athryn Mike and K iversary! n n A g n i d 50th Wed Page 21 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

Independence Title Mesquite Team: Mechelle Hughes, Mary Chadbourne, Mike Vullo, Lindy Muhl, Gloria Creech

As is common practice today in the title business, I imagined Mike starting in the title industry as a business development representative or as a closer. Mike let out a big laugh at that suggestion!

Not a chance! Way back then, all new title company employees started in the abstract plant learning the title business from the ground up. What an education Mike received –examining title abstracts for liens, probates, HOAs and more.

Mike was ‘freed’ from the abstract plant in 1976 when the company president called asking for help. The plan was for Mike to temporarily help out at the short-staffed Mesquite office. What actually happened was Mike and the manager, Mike Rorie, hit it off and worked so well together, they seamlessly grew the business, and spent 25 years together co-managing the office.

Spending 45 years at one company is rare and I was curious as to what was the secret to a company’s success in retaining employees for decades. Mike described the owners fostering a ‘work family’ environment where you were just a phone call away to get any support needed. Employees were trained well and given freedom and flexibility to

make decisions at a local level without the time restraints of running decisions up chains of management.

When the family tilte business was sold, naturally, changes occurred. Over the years, many of Mike’s ‘work family’ members moved to other title companies. Many chose Independence Title.

Mike began hearing over-and-over how Independence Title felt like home.

Repeatedly, he heard that Independence Title fostered that same ‘work family’ environment, their company culture encouraged autonomy - all much like what Mike was accustomed to.

Independence Title felt like a familyrun business, but with locations all over Texas - and they have a great reputation.

It all seemed so promising! After meeting with Independence Title management, Mike said it just felt right. It felt familiar. It was like coming home for him.

After hearing him speak of going home, and having spent 47 years in the same house and 45 years with the same company, I’m thinking FINALLY Mike Vullo needed moving boxes!

In early June Mike moved to Independence Title. Thanks to great mutual respect, his former employer and he worked out an easy transition where Mike and his team have been able to stay in the same Mesquite location and they kept the same office phone number. The only thing that changed was the company signage. It’s been such a smooth transition, and, once again, Mike Vullo dodged the need for moving boxes!

Easy going and patient-as-a-saint, Mike was a joy to speak with as I rapidly fired off endless questions. We side-tracked often as we traipsed down memory lane comparing many ‘remember when’ stories of DFW real estate from 30+ years ago.

FUN FACT

Mike has lived through 3 recessions while working in the real estate industry!

Mike and his dedicated team are still at 2424 Gus Thomasson Road in Mesquite. Stop in and, you too, will feel right at home! #independencetitle

IT WAS LIKE . . . COMING HOME Page 22 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

TITLE FRIENDS

Fair Texas Title’s Ashley Olson

and Simply Texas Real Estate’s Kristen Robinson

celebrate a belated birthday

for Simply Texas Real Estate’s Brianna Chacón

at #bluegoosecantina #ashleyo_fairtxtitle

#kristen.nicole.robinson

#simply.texas.real.estate # simplybriannachacon

Realtors! Ask Shelley Jones at Texas Title Denton

for a copy of their Buyer or Seller guides! #shelleybaggettjones

Lawyer’s Title’s

Stephanie Allen with Realtor friend,

Melissa Hailey out for a jog -

getting ready for the CCAR

REALTOR RUN! #stephieallen1 #mlshailey

#klc_re_marketing Page 24 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

C en tu r io n A m er ic an

Delivering award-winning communities with impeccable amenities such as parks, golf courses, and hiking and biking trails.

Centurion has successfully designed master-planned communities that have been recognized across the real estate industry.

THOSE CURLS THO! T H R O W B A C K Danielle Boling, REALTOR Owner/Principal Broker at Network Real Estate Partners #danielleboling

Colleen Frost Realtor, Lori Schnier, enjoys dessert before lunch with Independence Title’s Bobbi Wright who also shared dessert AND knowledge on FIRPTA! #lorischnier

WHAT?! Two years already? License renewal time for Catherine Sanchez, Realtor #catherinesanchezrealtor Page 26 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

Tiago Title’s Cathy Capps-Warren, Georgia Anderson and Simply Texas Real Estate’s Kamry Nordyke

WOODLAND CREEK New homes in Royse City, TX from the $230’s

Country Living. City Convenience.

Pacesetter Homes at Woodland Creek is a master-planned community that offers new homes in Royse City, Texas. Woodland Creek offers spacious, flexible floor plans with lots of options to choose from! Woodland Creek is just minutes away from award winning schools, popular restaurants, local boutiques, and various shopping centers. Quick access to Highway 30 delivers the convenience of easy commutes to various employment centers.

Community Amenities

ne

I

da

Nian

Amenity Center | Pool | Basketball Court | Playground | Walking Paths

QUESTIONS? Give our New Home Concierge team a call!

214-305-6288 concierge@pacesetterhomes.com

HOME WARRANTY PROTECTION with YOUR CHOICE of HIGHLY RATED

CONTRACTORS

Cadillac Ranch Cool! Hillwood Communities’ Page Austin visits the iconic site along Route 66 - west of Amarillo

info@realestateandfriends.com

214.533.8945

Lea Fray Khreish

Partner Sr. Acct. Executive

972.965.7611

lea@achosahw.com

The POWER to CHOOSE We empower you to choose your own licensed contractors for all required services.

Unlike traditional home warranty companies that have limited pools of contractors in their networks, you will be ensured of prompt, reliable service by having the whole market at your disposal.

Page 28 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

Fathom Realtor, Gloria Nash, with Achosa’s Lea Fray, and Kindra Strachan

Experts SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE

Covid KILLED Handshake the

by Justin Martin, REALTOR®

Justin Martin, REALTOR® Listing Agent REDFIN

Cell 214.394.5200 justin.martin@redfin.com Justin Martin has been a Realtor for 5 years. His wife has also been a Realtor for the past 5 years, as they have gone on the real estate journey together.

Justin is currently one of the top listing agents for Redfin in the DFW area.

He’s a Purdue University Alumni, a United States Air Force veteran, where he worked on the F-16 fighter jets, and has a true passion for helping folks.

Whether it’s a fellow military family, a first-time home buyer or a seasoned real estate investor - Justin enjoys helping people buy and sell homes. In his spare time, you’ll find this bearded Realtor spending time with his wife and kids and it’s very possible you can run into him at a Chipotle restaurant!

I

t was an afternoon in late April when I arrived at a listing consult in an East Dallas neighborhood. I walk up to the door with my iPad, notebook and my listing folder in hand. I knock on the door and take a couple steps back so as to not startle the seller upon the door opening. They smile and say ‘Justin’ to which I reply, ‘Hello, you must be Mr. Smith?’

This is a pretty typical greeting in our world. However, there is something that really made this particular greeting stand out (and, ultimately started to become the norm). There was no handshake.

Despite racing to wash your hands following many handshakes, they’re all an equally important symbol of connection.

What is significant about a handshake?

I’m certain every last one of us Realtors that works in the field knows the answer to the aforementioned question.

The handshake is more than a gesture of greeting - and much more than just part of our routine. The handshake is a symbol, and it is the start, and the end, to our encounter with any seller and buyer.

What’s replaced the almighty handshake?

There’s the elbow bump, the foot bump, the non-touch ‘air’ high-five, and the ‘fake out’ handshake (the act of shaking hands but never actually touching).

Throughout my life, no matter where I’ve lived, the handshake said a lot about a person. I’ve lived in Kentucky, Oklahoma, Texas, Maryland, Arizona, California, and back to Texas. And, guess what?

The handshake was an equally important part of the culture in each of those states.

A strong handshake, a weak-wristed handshake, a sweaty handshake, a callused handshake - they are all important. Even when shaking wet hands while you wondered, ‘What in Sam Hill is the wetness on this person’s hand?’- the handshake remains important.

Page 29 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

Think about it, we shake hands whether we’re buying a car, we just bought a new cell phone...or, heck, I’ve even been known to shake the hand of the cashier at Chipotle, as I consider those food creators to be legends!

I’m still in the habit of reaching out to shake hands only to yank it back as if to play ‘psyche’ like we did as kids.

Besides finding creative ways to not touch when saying hello or goodbye, other changes in real estate include doing 2-3 times as many virtual consultations, video walkthroughs for buyers, working from home even more than ever before.

Nothing replaces face-to-face interactions or looking in someone’s eyes along with a good handshake to make a connection.

If nothing else goes back to what we deem as ‘normal’, missing the handshake has to be the one thing we can all shake on.

Real Estate Family: Momma Jami Dickson with daughter, Robin Hanks

Manuel Meave, Navjot Singh, Michael Savala, Ivan Cisneros and Israel NuĂąo

Real Estate Friends talking about how low can mortgage rates go!

Connecting with DFW REALTORS wherever they are...

at home, at work or on-the-go, ONLINE MAGAZINE for NEW Home INVENTORY, PROMOTIONS k EVENTS! info@realestateandfriends.com | 214.533.8945 Page 30 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

Swim on In! THE OASIS AT HEARTLAND Summers in HEARTLAND have never been more exciting with the opening of our brand new multi-million dollar master amenity center, complete with 3 swimming pools, 2 giant water slides, 6,000sf fitness center, 5,000sf of meeting & event space, covered cabanas & picnic areas, outdoor gaming pavillion & MORE!

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Things T Y W I L L I A MS

ABOUT A REAL ESTATE FRIEND

1 I purchased my first flip home at just 18 years old — and rented it out to friends who wanted to move out.

Part of the deal was they had to help me fix the house.

2 I’m so proud to be an exclusive real

estate brokerage for Trinity Habitat for Humanity. It’s about giving people hand up — not a handout.

3 Best advice for someone new in real estate sales? Attitude is key! My philosophy is don’t hire agents based on past sales, hire based on attitude!

I can train you on sales, but I can’t fix your attitude.

Broker/Partner WNC Founder #wncfw Texas Real Estate Training LLC Nominated for 2019 Entrepreneur of Excellence Fort Worth Inc. Magazine 40 under 40 Fort Worth Business Press 2020 Fort Worth Inc. Magazine The 400: 400 of the Most Influential People in Fort Worth. 2020

Avid Fan of Real Estate and Friends Magazine

Ty Williams, Cara Holt, Candace Rios and Carmen Williams and Rachel Barnes

Page 32 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

Phase 2 Now Selling!

A Huffines Signature Community™

Master Planned Living in Royse City from the low $200s

Fun is Building in Royse City, Texas!

Embrace

fun! the

Bloomfield Homes | Highland Homes HistoryMaker Homes | Impression Homes

WaterscapeTexas.com

Keller Williams Lake Cities’ Brian and Cyndi Weast at Royal Gorge Route Railroad - a heritage railroad located in Cañon City, Colorado. The railroad transits the Royal Gorge on a 2-hour scenic and historic train ride along what is considered to be the most famed portion of the former Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad.

Things ABOUT A REAL ESTATE FRIEND

1 I am the new Branch Manager CB Apex’s Firewheel Office in Garland.

2 I have always been fascinated with real estate, so I waited until my children graduated high school and took the leap of faith in 2015. I have enjoyed every moment of the journey!

CHAR MAIN E V. BYE R S Coldwell Banker Apex Firewheel Branch Manager

#charbyersrealtor

3 Best advice to a new agent would be to connect with a person in the business that you trust to be a business coach and mentor.

RE/MAX Town & Country in Allen’s Brokers Debra and Michael Coburn

Congrats Keller Williams Southlake’s Debbie Knox Team! Shelley Beaty, Debbie Knox, Bill Knox and Christa Pruitt. They need more hands!

Congrats Keller Williams Southlake’s Johnny Williams for the Gold Medal Award and 5th Place in Units Sold! Not shown, Team Member: Jo Ann Robb Page 34 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

Things ABOUT A REAL ESTATE FRIEND

T R AV I S- L EE MOORE

Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Realty 1 I was a professional chef and party The N-House Team planning professional for many years, #tlfromtx and have done things for folks like Greer Garson, Whitney Houston and Oprah. I spent many years working all over, locally at The Mansion and the Fairmont, amongst others.

Pandemic-Sized Serving! Coldwell Banker Apex Realtor, Gina Branch has some fun at Haywire! #ginabranchrealtor

2 What led Travis-Lee to real estate:

Doing things for folks like Greer Garson, Whitney Houston and Oprah – hahaha. I outgrew the events industry. I did research and was like “Oh look – real estate folks are just as crazy as the special event people, I’ll fit right in!”

It’s almost exactly the same – you’re helping folks with huge expenditures, gotta have great bedside manner, and there’s some design work to be done (I’m never happier than when I get to help maximize value by ripping out and redoing a kitchen or bath for someone getting ready to sell).

3 Best advice for someone new in real estate sales? You can make as much money as you want; you get to decide how hard you work and how well you want to live. AND, as Zig Ziglar said: “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.” Be of service!

Be kind and laugh — a LOT!

TITLE TINA

Got her magazine in the mail!

Tina Brown at Community Title #title.tina_

Twenty Two Realty’s Robyn and Lanae put their feet up and chill a bit. If you can read their socks - they need more wine! #twentytworealty Page 35 | August 2020 | Real Estate and Friends Magazine

100,000

Dream Homes Created

David Weekley Homeowners Zack, Addie, Katie, Gabriel and Ethan Bokelman

...and Counting!

David Weekley Homes is celebrating over 40 years of Building Dreams, Enhancing Lives for 100,000 Homebuyers after recently closing our 100,000th home in the Arlington community of Viridian!

In achieving this incredible milestone, our Customers have shown we are a name your Clients can trust. From our award-winning, thoughtfully-designed floor plans to our Inspired Customer Service that includes an industry-leading warranty service program, we’re committed to providing your Clients with an exceptional home buying journey and a high-quality home they’ll enjoy for years to come.

Make your Clients' dreams a reality in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area by contacting 214-442-0697

See a David Weekley Homes Sales Consultant for details. Prices, plans, dimensions, features, specifications, materials, and availability of homes or communities are subject to change without notice or obligation. Illustrations are artist’s depictions only and may differ from completed improvements. Copyright © 2020 David Weekley Homes - All Rights Reserved. Dallas, TX (DAL-20-004151)