Lynn Stephens

SUCCESS BUILT ON MOTHERLY INSTINCTS

By Robbyn Moore

Photos by Jermaine Buie with Perfect Light, LLC

Lynn Stephens is a master at multitasking and mentoring. She is reliable, organized and approachable, and offers a wealth of knowledge and experience. After being a stayat-home mom for 12 years, she spent nine years working as a loan operations supervisor, overseeing commercial and residential loans. Growing up, Lynn was inspired by her mother, who taught her the importance of helping, teaching and giving to others. Her intangible skills and willingness to work hard for her clients has made Lynn a rising star within the real estate industry.

It was at a holiday party where Lynn overheard her friend share how much she made as a real estate agent. “I had always been interested in the housing market, and the income opportunity really intrigued me,” Lynn recalled.

“But I’m not a ‘sales-y’ type of person, so that part made me a little hesitant and nervous. However, I was ready to make a transition from helping people find a loan to helping people find a home.”

Lynn was fortunate enough to step into real estate under the guidance of her friend Kelly Knight, who was also her original inspiration to get into the business. “I was lucky to be able to join a very well-known team within the real estate world,” Lynn shared. “My alignment with The Knight Team was so beneficial to my future success. They helped me with leads and showed me how to grow my business. I would highly recommend any new agent entering the marketplace to find a solid team like I did — the training and mentorship is invaluable.”

For Lynn, 2019 was a year of reflection. “It was a difficult time for me, both personally and professionally,” Lynn shared. “I found myself reflecting inwardly on the kind of person I really wanted to be. However, I am so grateful for that time because it changed my outlook on life. I realized life is too short to be unhappy, and I was reminded to do more of the things that make me — and those around me — happy. This was how my mother led her life, and I strive to be more like her every day — giving more and taking less.”

With her newfound confidence, outlook on life and support from her family, Lynn joined forces with eXp Realty in February 2019. She hit her stride by mentoring new agents and achieving top sales goals. “The lessons my mother showed me through helping others was impactful, and it is a big reason why I love helping people achieve homeownership,” she said.

Since launching her career four years ago, Lynn has achieved a career volume over $30 million. “I got into real estate because of the potential income, but when it comes right down to it, it’s because I love to help people,” Lynn said. “I’m thrilled to share my knowledge with fellow colleagues and help steer their careers in a forward direction. As for my clients, I’m especially enthusiastic with first-time homebuyers. I love walking them through the process and seeing the excitement when they find just the right home.”

For Lynn, the client relationship doesn’t end at the closing. “I stay close to my clients long after the keys to their dream home are handed over,” Lynn said. “Because friendships have formed, we stay in touch and share updates on each other’s lives. I love receiving updates from the young couples — it warms my heart when I see them starting their families.” Lynn is also very appreciative when her clients refer her to their friends and families. “I feel I must be doing something right for them to trust me with people they care about.”

Lynn’s kindhearted nature and “people-over-profits” mentality has kept her grounded and her business sky-high. “I try to go above and beyond to help my clients achieve their goals,” Lynn explained. “It makes me feel really good to be able to help in big and small ways — sometimes it’s staging and cleaning a house or simply helping elderly clients with technology. And on occasion, it’s giving a percentage of my commission, if necessary.”

This year, Lynn celebrated 30 years of marriage with her husband, Paul. “My husband has been rock solid with his support and confidence in me — he’s been the foundation for me to be successful at my job,” Lynn said. Together, they have four children: Olivia, who has a Ph.D. in molecular medicine; Allie, who is a cosmetologist; Zachary, who is completing HVAC School; and Emma, who is a pastry chef. As a family, they enjoy time boating on the lake, jet skiing and kayaking. When time permits, Lynn and Paul appreciate an afternoon together on the golf course.

Lynn’s biggest challenge since entering the real estate industry has been her continuous effort to overcome her worry of bothering others. “I have never been the traditional salesperson — knocking on doors, making cold calls. That’s just not who I am,” Lynn said. “However, in the past four years, I have done a lot of things outside my comfort zone, and it has paid off. I have found a way to put myself out there while still being true to myself.”

Recently, Lynn was nominated for Crain’s “Notable Women in Real Estate” and recognized as an Hour Detroit Real Estate All-Star in 2018 and 2019. Lynn is also a designated Accredited Buyer’s Representative, a designated Seller Representative Specialist, a professional staging consultant, a mentor for new eXp agents and Express Offers certified.

“After working in loan operations for nine years, I left the security of a steady income and began my career in real estate without having much experience in sales,” Lynn said. “But I soon discovered that the best prerequisites I needed to be successful came from the lessons I learned from my mother and from the time I spent at home with my kids. Above all, my true achievements have come from my eagerness to help others and listening to my intuition.”

Rising Star: Lynn Stephens