Southern Tatler Issue 31 - HomeLink Realty Feature

31 SOUTHERN TATLER ISSUE 31: LOCAL FOCUS FEATURE

HOMELINK REALTY

Home Is Where The Heart Is

HOMELINK REALTY is not your traditional real estate office. Founded in 2016, the firm opts for a unique approach to agent employment and employee focus – this collective-centered mindset has led to an explosion of growth for the company in just under three years. We at Southern Tatler sit down with Carrie King of HOMELINK REALTY to discuss the firm’s history, the foundation for its success, and what the future holds.

determining company policies and decisions.

“Our agents are included in company decision-making processes. Their voices are requested and heard when we consider whether or not to take a different direction or make any major changes to our company policy. After all, they are independent contractors and live by their sales. HomeLink Realty is their company – any decisions made can affect their individual business directly and we take that very seriously,” Carrie elaborates.

Carrie explains further that this focus on its agents and their business as individuals led to an explosive growth in the company in its early years.

“The company started with three agents, and within seven months of opening the doors, we had signed an additional fifteen. Our model has really benefited our agents and customers in a way that we are very proud of. We continued to experience rapid growth throughout our first year and soon found the company outgrowing its office space,” she says.

The firm’s new East Samford Avenue office was completed in the summer of 2018 and is now home to three full-time employees and 23 sales agents.

The same year also saw other increases for the firm outside of office space – Carrie explains that HomeLink Realty began to serve the Lake Martin area in late 2018. This was in addition to HomeLink’s servicing of eastern and central Lee County outside of Auburn/Opelika such as Beauregard, Salem, Smiths Station, and Phenix City. Carrie says that while further expansion would be nice in the future, the local area is what is best for the company at present. She explains, “Since we are currently centered in this area, we are focused on properties that are within a convenient drive for our agents and customers. However, the market is constantly shifting and changing, and we will continue to change and adapt with it as needed.”

Carrie also provides us with an in-depth look into HomeLink’s operations beyond the big-picture visions of the company. She shows us around and guides us through some of the everyday occurrences at HomeLink. “Well, to start, there is no real ‘typical’ day at the office. Every transaction and sale is different, but we are helped along by our incredible administrative and office staff. Every day sees something new, but our expert team is able to smooth any bumps in the road. Our sales agents are dedicated to finding the perfect property or home

for our clients, and every one of our staff is part of the joy of closing a sale. But before we can feel that joy, a lot goes into what we do. Our agents and brokers often work 7 days a week. It is a job that never seems to sleep, and we are constantly on call.

We are subjected to everyone’s schedules, whether they work 9-5 or the night shift, and we have to be there for that. I don’t recall a time that any of our agents has been on vacation without doing some kind of work – whether it be taking client calls or working out some details of a closing. There is a high demand for our time, but the outcome is always rewarding,” Carrie elaborates. She continues

to tell us that the details of every deal are different, and new challenges arise in every transaction. “But all of the time is worth it when we feel the elation of knowing we have helped to find someone’s perfect house,” she concludes with a smile.

HomeLink Realty is also serving its community beyond providing the perfect properties to prospective homeowners and commercial properties – the company also aims to positively affect our community in other ways. As a group and individuals, HomeLink and its agents engage in many varied charitable and philanthropic efforts. Some of the firm’s previous contributions include involve-

ment with the Miracle League of East Alabama, a charitable organization devoted to providing opportunities for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities, to play baseball. HomeLink has also been involved with the Salvation Army and the East Alabama Food Bank and has sponsored many local baseball teams. Carrie adds that the company is always looking for opportunities to help and improve the lives of all who live within the community.

In conclusion, HomeLink’s mission statement is to provide professional and approachable real estate services that positively affect the communities of Lee County and surrounding areas. This is done through a focus on customers and a real team effort within the agency, favoring a focus on the individual instead of driving for the greatest profit and production. It is a strategy that has brought them great success, and the future looks bright.

We commend them for their contributions to our community and look forward to great things from HomeLink Realty in the future.

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