Arija Wilcox

A Lifelong Mission To Improve the Quality of Lives

By Robbyn Moore

Photos by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

While most real estate agents are in the business of buying and selling properties, Arija Wilcox views her occupation as an opportunity to improve the lives of those around her. For 26 years, she has been enhancing the lives of her clients, colleagues, and business partners through her kindness and patience, and with her ability to listen, educate and offer grace whenever it’s needed.

Currently, Arija leads her team at Wilcox GR Properties and Keller Williams Grand Rapids North. She has a career volume of over $200 million and a lengthy list of accomplishments, including a nomination as one of the 10 best real estate agents recognized by the American Institute of Real Estate Professionals. She is also a four-time winner for a Keller Williams national award and is a consistent Top Producer award winner for total volume and units closed for her brokerage.

“I began my career in real estate as a leasing consultant at the age of 19 to pay for college,” Arija shared. “I then became a property manager to earn enough money to purchase a home. For 13 years, I worked in property management, helping several failing communities out of the red and into the black. My interest in selling real estate began to pique in 1996, so I set up a meeting with the sales manager for Pulte Homes in Grand Rapids and asked for an interview — I was hired the following week.” Arija went on to become a top producer for Pulte Homes, Eastbrook Homes, Parkland Properties of Michigan, Jim Tibbe Homes and Keller Williams.

Photo submitted by agent. Her daughter, Kyrian (in the picture), took the photo.

Arija worked alongside the American Red Cross on her first day as a leasing consultant. Her job was to assist tenants from three buildings that had burned the previous morning. “They had nothing left — no clothing, no food, only each other,” she recalled. “I made meals, helped people find donated clothes and relocated families within the community. That experience taught me to never take anything for granted and to always find ways to be helpful and grateful.”

Those early experiences defined Arija’s path in life, and as a result, she has since spent every day excited to find opportunities where she can bring joy and happiness into people’s lives. “Whether I’m making breakfast for a contractor, counseling buyers and sellers on the emotional ups and downs of everyday real estate or supporting my team, I find my greatest joy in giving to others,” she said.

Arija works on a team of five other professionals — two buyer’s agents, Jimmy Scott and Joe Turner, a part-time administrative coordinator, Diane Roedema, and a transaction coordinator, Stephanie Hino. “We represent new development sales as well as existing home sales,” she said. “We are often ‘in the know’ of up-and-coming properties — new or existing — for our clients. It has also been an education for me and my team to learn about new construction over 26 years, especially with COVID, and properly market and develop new properties from start to finish. I have been blessed to work with some of the most brilliant developers, builders and investors in the industry.”

As much as Arija wants to always say “yes” to everyone, her years of experience has shown her the realities of taking on too much. “That’s why I built a team,” she explained. “I found myself at a breaking point when I was managing more than 120 transactions a year as an independent agent. I needed to set parameters for myself in order to be an excellent counselor and guide for my clients. I also needed to focus on my own family and improve their lives, too.”

Arija has intentionally built up a small team to ensure sustainable growth with the highest level of client service. “Sometimes, with growth, comes failure,” she said. “Being the biggest doesn’t always mean that you are the best. I never want to fail our clients with regards to personalized attention, especially when we’re dealing with life-altering investments.”

When Arija isn’t working, she enjoys taking nature walks, kayaking, cooking and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Todd, have two children — Kyrian, who is married to Rob, and Kam who is a senior and diver at Hope College. The couple also has two dogs, Lionel and Stanley, and one grand-pup, Remy.

On a typical day, Arija wakes up early and plans her day. Her strength is in time management; therefore, she gets the necessary items completed right away so she is prepared for her day and for all the unexpected events that arise in the life of a real estate agent. “This profession demands that we are there for our clients during one of the most stressful processes anyone can go through,” she said. “It’s important to start every day with a clear mind and an open heart to serve others. I’m also a big advocate of having grace. This is especially important to learn when first getting into this business. There will be lots of wins and lots of failures — grace allows for both so we can learn.”

Arija’s optimism and enthusiastic approach to her work has positively impacted those who know her, including her clients, colleagues, business partners and community. Her emphasis on serving others and making a difference in their lives has brought her unwavering success well beyond the closing table.

It’s important to start every day with a clear mind and an open heart to serve others. I’m also a big advocate of having grace.

TOP PRODUCER Arija Wilcox from Keller Williams Grand Rapids North