TEXAS 9-19-22

TEXAS EDITION

5 Ways to

Why Millennials Are Now

TRANSFORM RENTERS INTO OWNERS

THE HOTTEST SEGMENT OF THE BUYERS MARKET

FEATURED AGENTS

BEYOND CLEANING AND DECLUTTERING: What Improvement Expenses Make the Most Sense?

DEBBIE MARETT CAROL KNOTT TEFFT DR. KANITHIA S. HILLS

COVER STORY

KAEDON KESTERSON

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5 Ways to Transform

Renters into Owners Perhaps the largest demographic of untapped business lies in the rental market. From major cities and suburbs to rural communities—renters across generations are opting to rent rather than own. The question is: why? For starters, many Americans are undereducated about the inventory and financing options available that might suit their budget and lifestyle. Secondly, many would-be homeowners have difficulty 4

visualizing the potential investment of purchasing property, and how homeownership can build wealth and security in the long-term.

As an agent, you’re always on the lookout for potential clientele. Now, to guide renters toward the real estate market, keep a few of these strategies in mind as you meet and greet this untapped demographic.

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Show renters that purchasing a home isn’t impossible

Possibly the biggest hurdle for renters is believing homeownership is possible. Beyond saving for a down payment and boosting credit scores, there are dozen more factors to consider: affording utilities, homeowner’s insurance, renovations, property taxes, and more. Besides that, assembling pay stubs, finding an agent, arranging house tours, negotiating a price, and timing the transition are all major considerations to surmount.

One way to combat this thinking is to make the process transparent and demystified. Find examples of past clients who made the leap successfully, or profile the average buyer in your marketplace and see how that renter compares. Provide evidence that it’s been done before and can be done again, then build a game plan from there.

into play. Consider making a checklist, or step-by-step road-map, that guides clients through the process from start to finish. This way, you’ll manage expectations and create a path to ownership that’s specific, instead of abstract. They won’t have to wonder what goes into buying a home when they can look at an interactive site or read a document and see the steps outlined before them, with you there to guide the way.

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Collaborate with mortgage professionals to find the right financing opportunities

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Help would-be homebuyers create a road-map to ownership

It’s no secret that buying a home can feel overwhelming. Compared to signing a yearlong lease on an apartment, taking on the house-hunting process is a daunting affair.

That’s where your expertise as an agent comes Top Agent Magazine

Many renters aren’t aware of the variety of mortgage financing options out there that cater to first-timers, offer low down payments, or down payment assistance. Most buyers believe that the standard 20% down is a hard and fast rule, when in reality, there’s far more flexibility out there to cater to renters where they are. There are even loan options catering to freelance workers, renovation options, and other unconventional routes to ownership.

Work with a mortgage pro and find the route that suits your renter best.

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pay monthly in a mortgage—while building a lasting asset.

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Compare and contrast rental rates with monthly mortgage payments One way to convince renters to make the shift is to demonstrate the savings potential of paying into a monthly mortgage, rather than throwing away rent on a property they don’t own. To do this, draw up the average rental rates in your area, then find some potential listings that would demand a similar amount in monthly mortgage payments. Sometimes placing these numbers and images sideby-side can prove to renters that what they manage to pay monthly in rent, they can

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Paint the big picture

For most, renting isn’t the most sustainable financial option when it comes to housing.

Rents rise, families grow, and retirement looms.

Building a financial future and homeownership go hand-in-hand. When planned appropriately, buying a home can create a path toward retirement and position homeowners in a better place for further investment in the future. A rental has little security or investment returns to offer, while owning a home makes a renter king or queen of the castle.

Prospecting renters as potential homebuyers may seem like a time-intensive way to cultivate new clients, but logic is on your side.

Keep these tips in mind as you broach the conversation with renters in your hometown.

All it takes is clear-cut value proposition and a listening ear.

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KAEDON KESTERSON

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Serving the Van Zandt County region, about an hour east of Dallas, Top Agent Kaedon Kesterson prioritizes his clients’ needs and loves making their real estate dreams come true.

When Kaedon Kesterson entered the real estate business, he knew building lasting relationships would be his top priority.

Some of the best advice he ever received at the beginning of his career was to never be afraid of being honest. “I want to gain people’s trust, so I am always upfront with my clients,” he explains. “That way, they know I have their best interests in mind.” Even if 8Copyright Top Agent Magazine

that means he is steering clients away from purchasing a property, he doesn’t hesitate, because he truly cares about those he serves.

This approach has led to a thriving real estate business, with Kaedon’s referrals growing exponentially.

He entered this field after working for a company that sold tiny homes, cottages and Top Agent Magazine

cabins. “I slowly worked my way up there, and got to the point where I was the sales and office manager,” Kaedon explains. Once he and his wife found out they were expecting their second child, he decided to reevaluate his career. “I was working 70-80 hours a Top Agent Magazine

week, and it just hit me that I could not sustain this and play the role I needed for my family.” Passionate about homes and design, the logical choice was real estate. He earned his license and hit the ground running, quickly seeing success in his first few months.

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“I want to gain people’s trust, so I am always upfront with my clients,” Kaedon explains. “That way, they know I have their best interests in mind.”

Serving the Van Zandt County region, about an hour east of Dallas, he prioritizes his clients’ needs and loves making their real estate dreams come true. With his background in construction, he is able to advise them on what might need attention and offer design ideas.

“I’ve learned a lot about what to look for in a house and how much certain projects might cost,” Kaedon says. “This is especially useful for my investor clients, who sometimes Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

buy a property without even walking into it based on my numbers.” Regardless of who he is helping, Kaedon does everything possible to ensure a smooth, stress-free journey by communicating at every step, preparing them for what comes next and answering any questions.

Once the transaction is over, they spread the word about his work. One recent client said, Top Agent Magazine

“We had multiple and very specific needs in finding both the right property and house.

Kaedon was consistently looking for us, but never pressured. After more than a yearlong search, the property we ended up with exceeded our expectations. Kaedon helped Top Agent Magazine

not only the sale of this house but also advised us in the sale of our property. Definitely went above and beyond.”

Serving on the Chamber of Commerce, Kaedon stays active in his community. “Our Copyright Top Agent Magazine 11

goal is to help small businesses grow, so we are always doing events to support them and the community,” he explains. They host various events throughout the year, including Boo on the Bricks for Halloween and Christmas on the Bricks for Christmas. When Kaedon has free time, he can be found hunting, going to the waterpark with his kids or relaxing with his wife. He and his wife are high

school sweethearts and married the summer after she graduated.

Kaedon is living his dream, helping people accomplish their real estate goals. He plans to grow his team in the coming years and continue enjoying every minute of his career. “It’s my goal to produce a seamless process, I never want it to be stressful for my clients.”

For more information about Kaedon Kesterson, please call 903-235-7445 or email kaedon.kestersonc21@gmail.com

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Why Millennials Are Now the Hottest Segment of the Buyers Market

and How You Can Attract Them to Your Home There are many factors when it comes to knowing how to sell your home to the Millennial generation. Millennials are becoming an important part of the buyer market, and to fail to cater to their needs will cut you off from a large and important segment. But, why have Millennials all of a sudden become interested in buying houses when they were perfectly content to rent for the rest of their lives?

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A number of factors contribute to what has recently made Millennials the hottest segment of the Buyers market. One factor is the improved job outlook for Millennials. Millennials took a serious blow during the recession.

Unemployment in this group soared to 14 percent, compared to the 9.6 percent for the population as a whole. But, in recent years that number has been decreasing, with unemployment for Millennials being 9.3 percent this past year.

Rising rents are also contributing to making Millennials more interested in purchasing homes now. Rents have risen so much that buying a home now just makes more sense. Half of all renters spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. Millennials are becoming increasingly stressed over the constantly increasing financial obligation to something that isn’t even theirs to own.

The near-historic low mortgage rates are luring Millennials towards purchasing a home with their promise of affordability. When compared with the skyrocketing rental rates, buying a house looks even more enticing.

Another factor helping Millennials get over the hump of purchasing a house is the lower down payment requirements. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are now offering new loan programs that require as little as a 3 percent down payment. This may just be the last push the Millennials needed to turn toward buying a home rather than rent.

So, now that we’ve established that Millennials are finally joining the Buyers market, the next thing that it is important to understand is what exactly Millennials are looking for in a home. What kind of floorplans do they prefer? What locations are they interested in? Here are some of the essentials that Millennials are looking for in a home: • Updated Kitchens and Baths: Almost everyone wants to buy a

home with new kitchen and bath fixtures, but this is especially true for Millennials Buyers. Millennials are going to spend most of their savings on the down payment and furnishings, leaving little room to update the Kitchen and Bath, which are also the most expensive parts of a home to

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update. Millennials who are on a budget simply won’t have the money to sink into those areas. An updated Kitchen and Bath is sure to bring in a younger crowd.

• Big Kitchen with Open Floor Plan: For Millennials, the kitchen has

become the room where they hangout in addition to the family room. This is why having an open space that can transition easily from the kitchen to the TV room is high on the list of things Millennials are looking for in a home. Along a similar vein, Millennials are attracted to an open floor plan rather than one that compartmentalizes the home. This has to do with how Millennials entertain. Millennials want their guests to flow through the rooms and mingle together, rather than be sectioned off in different rooms.

• Home Office: More than 13 million Americans now work from home,

and if you look at the trend, that number is only going to increase as the time goes on. With technology steadily increasing, more Millennials than ever have the flexibility to work from home. But, the home office isn’t just for someone working from home full time. Having a separate space dedicated to work helps people concentrate and focus on work while they are at home. They can separate themselves from the activities going on around the house and have a quiet space where they can set up their workday, plan a presentation, hold a meeting on Skype, or even pay bills.

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• Less Maintenance: Many Millennials work different schedules that

don’t conform to the 9 to 5 workday, as well as full social calendars. This doesn’t leave them much time to clean a big house. Lawn services and low-maintenance front yards are particularly appealing, as they take less responsibility to still keep the curb appeal high.

• Energy-Efficient Appliances: Millennials have been educated on

keeping the Earth clean from the time they were born. They want to do their part to help the environment and appreciate the long-term cost savings that come with it. Energy-efficient appliances and greener ways to heat and cool the home might end up being the tipping point that makes them choose one house over another.

• Hardwood Floors: Millennials don’t have the time or patience to clean

dirty carpets, especially those that own pets. Hardwood and laminate flooring is easy to mop up if there’s been a mess. The more time they can conserve, the better.

• Good Location: Millennial buyers are looking for homes that are in

proximity to public transportation and have a good walking score. Young Millennial buyers without children are more likely to want a location closer to the action of the city, while Millennials with children would prefer more residential areas.

• Technology: Technology rules the Millennial’s life. They do work on

their computers through an Internet connection and solely use cellphones for communication. They are going to ask about how strong the cell service is and about the Internet service provider. While these amenities are out of the seller’s hands, Millennials are still going to ask these questions, and you will need to know how to answer them.

Knowing what Millennials are looking for in a home will ultimately help you make the necessary changes that will attract these buyers to your home.

Since they are the a serious segment of the market now, updating your home to fit their needs will lead to more buyers and better offers. So, get with the times and embrace the Millennial buyer.

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DEBBIE MARETT

Debbie Marett of Austin, Texas, recently celebrated the banner year of her long and successful career in real estate. Her robust digital footprint, combined with her professional network of local agents, and a steadfast dedication to providing unparalleled client services, have her perfectly poised to maintain her position in Coldwell Banker’s International President’s Circle, which honors the top seven percent of real estate agents in the Coldwell Banker network worldwide. “Service has always been my love language. That’s just the way I’m wired – I’m not in it for huge volume, but when you work by referral, you must meet the high bar that your clients and friends set for you!”

1979, she was employed in the grueling and fast-paced food service industry. “My husband and I owned and operated fast food restaurants in Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio for about twenty-two years. The entire time, my father, who was a very successful real estate agent in California and Phoenix, kept bugging me and telling me how great I would be in real estate. I finally said, ‘Fine.’ I discovered I loved it very much, and I was very good at it!” The interpersonal relationships that she fostered during her restaurant career, and the priceless insights into the neighborhoods of central Texas, have served her real estate endeavors since she entered the field in 2004.

Originally, Debbie hails from Westchester County, New York, and she attended Syracuse University where she majored in Fine Arts and Art Education. After moving to Austin in

Today, in 2022, Debbie’s career as a solo agent and mentor at Coldwell Banker has grown on a foundation of continued education and community involvement. Debbie is a certified

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Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE), a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES), and she holds the Graduate, REALTOR® Institute designation in Texas. She also holds an e-PRO marketing certification, which amplifies the broadly cast digital net that benefits her sellers by distributing professional photography and videography for every listing. “Recently we had a big change of tech in our office, and I helped several co-agents with that – it’s something I’m very good at and really enjoy.”

Her penchant for assisting those nearby extends well beyond her colleagues. Debbie’s impact on the greater Austin community includes a ten plus year tenure as a Sunday school youth leader and many years organizing an arts and crafts show that drew crowds from all over Texas. Presently, she assists in the Habitat for Humanity build program, neighborhood fundraisers, and several community events. This energized and deeply interconnected lifestyle places Debbie in the heart of her city, and she revels in the daily opportunities to improve herself and the world around her. “I like to read. I like to garden. Any kind of exercise, I’m there – I just can’t function if I don’t get my hour of exercise every day. Right now, I’m going to Orange Theory for group exercise, and I’ve been doing some form of group fitness since I was eighteen.”

Reflecting on her busy calendar, Debbie cheerfully proclaims that she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I work because I like it, and because I’m good at it – it’s another way to stay connected and to serve the community that I love!”

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To learn more about Debbie Marett, visit austxrealestate.com, email dmarett@cbunited.com, or call 512.573.6532. www.

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Beyond Cleaning and Decluttering: What Improvement Expenses Make the Most Sense?

Decluttering open spaces, emptying cabinets and drawers and removing knick-knacks might seem like obvious – and free – ways to improve a home’s presentability. Unfortunately, however, not all sellers or agents are willing to do much more than decluttering and cleaning.

Think of the listing as a reflection on yourself. If you didn’t comb your hair, shine your shoes, dress 20

neatly and drive a clean car, people would think you don’t care about yourself. They may wonder, “If he doesn’t care about how he presents himself, how is he going to present my house?” Likewise, not prepare a house for its most beautiful presentation might cast doubt on how the overall marketing will go. And, while not all changes will be immediately noticeable, chances are that what isn’t changed will be noticed.

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Ashley Aguilera, REALTOR®, broker and owner of The Aguilera Team in California’s Murrieta Valley and Temecula, says that after every consultation, her team formulates a game-plan. “We want to set their property apart from everything else on the market, but also fall within the comfort zone of the seller’s lifestyle,” she says. Changes may run the gamut from minor repairs and moving furniture for better flow, to adding accent pieces to harmonize the home’s look or create a “wow” factor before professional photography.

Many agents recommend conducting a professional inspection prior to listing; some will even hire the inspector at their own expense. Of course, any necessary repairs found during inspection and not repaired before listing must be formally disclosed. But wouldn’t it be nice to have no surprises during the buyer’s formal inspection?

In general, some improvements are required, others are low-cost and others pay for themselves

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with lower time on the market, competing offers or higher sale price.

Landscaping & Exterior First impressions begin outside. Be sure to mow and edge the lawn regularly; prune back overgrown trees and hedges; hire a professional to repair uneven pavement (especially if it’s a hazard); remove or replace dying annuals; and clean or repair porches or railings. Are there dry or dead patches of lawn? An inexpensive repair to the irrigation system might be the solution.

While painting an entire house can be extreme, a wise investment is to paint trim, porches, steps or railings that may look tired or have too many colors; choosing a single, neutral color for trim can create a bright, cohesive look. Finally, check the roof, gutters and windows, looking for spots to caulk, shingles to replace, or debris to remove.

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Paint is extremely important if the home has faded or dirty walls, holes or chips on paint or plaster. If an entire paint job is not feasible, at least consider cleaning repairing the obvious and adding a fresh coat of semi-gloss to baseboards, moldings, windowsills, doors, banisters balustrades and built-ins. Don’t overlook the ceilings!

A long-ago leak from a second-floor bathroom may have been completely repaired and moisture abated, but a patched-up ceiling is a red-flag.

Kitchens and baths

Walls, carpets, ceilings and trim Next, it’s time for agent and seller to open up to one another about the interior. Janelle Holte, who leads Seller’s Edge Home Team in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, loves walking into a home knowing that her team will be the driving force behind selling it.

“I like seeing how owners took care of it and raised their family in it,” she says. “But I won’t sugar-coat anything, so I tell them not to shoot the messenger!” She gives it to them straight, explaining what needs to be done to stage it to present well from a buyer’s perspective.

Those changes often include repainting at least the primarily living areas and replacing carpet, especially worn carpet or carpet that has faded or stained beyond what professional carpet cleaning could remedy. Sometimes, all that’s needed is professional carpet stretching to remove any buckling prior to cleaning.

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Most agents agree that the easiest costs to recoup in home improvements prior to selling are those spent in bathroom and kitchen updates. Complete remodels are unwise; you can’t anticipate the style preferences of their buyer. But refinishing, touching-ug up or painting cabinets can create a great impact, while also forcing the seller to remove unwanted or overstocked items from cabinets and drawers. Don’t forget the cabinet pulls – shiny, new nobs look nice.

Lee Ritchie of Ritchie Realty Group in Columbus, Ohio, gives a reminder to discuss any and all issues up front. “People need to be able rely on the professional who’s presenting, pricing and marketing their home,” she says. An honest and diligent agent will be an open book about the current market conditions, the quality of comparable listings and the potential return-on-investment for improvements.

Some agents, like Debra Dobbs of @properties in Chicago, even roll up their sleeves to help with decluttering and repairs. While not at all required or expected, doing so sure lets sellers see the investment their agent is willing to make for them.

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CAROL KNOTT TEFFT Carol Knott Tefft of Spring, Texas, relies on her twenty-three years of real estate expertise to lead The Hometown Team: a group of six industry experts who serve the greater Houston area in residential real estate sales and purchases. “I have grown my team from three to six, and I plan to add another two members in the next year or so. I am predominantly a listing agent, and each of my team members specializes in a specific region, price range, or type of buyer. Between us, we have all our bases covered.”

Prior to entering the world of real estate, Carol enjoyed a career as a high school math teacher. She taught in various capacities while moving around the country with her husband: “I had been married to a gentleman that was transferred frequently, so we moved many times throughout the years, buying and selling multiple homes. At one point I thought, ‘Hmm …

I would really like to help buyers and sellers one day.’

When my youngest child started his senior year at The Woodlands High School where I was teaching, I thought ‘I think I’m going to graduate with him!’” Carol spent that year teaching during the day and working toward her license on weekends, and celebrated alongside her son at the end of the school year in 1999.

Since then, Carol has steadily built a network of clients and relationships that allows her to boast a real estate business that is over ninety percent repeat and referral clients. “Rather than worry about transactions, I focus on building relationships. If, or when, a transaction follows, then my clients will feel confident in me, so they usually come back later when they want to sell their original purchase or buy an additional home.” Carol’s dedication to candid interpersonal communication helps her clients stay connected, and she uses every opportunity and medium to reach out to her past clients. “I do handwritten notes, calls, texts, little videos, and pop-by gifts. We also have client appreciation get-togethers – coffee, lunch, all kinds of little things just to maintain the relationship.”

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On top of her established network, Carol also ensures that The Hometown Team uses every tool at its disposal to highlight their listings. They employ a combination of professional photography and videography, tailored staging, and a robust digital advertising approach that leverages social media advertising. “The most important thing is: I listen to the needs of the seller – their timing, what it is they want out of the transaction. We set the expectations for what’s realistic and how we can get what they most want.”

Carol extends the same care and consideration well beyond her clients and into the greater Houston community. She is an avid supporter of CASA: Court Appointed Special Advocates for those in the child welfare system. “I’m looking forward to September – I’m co-sponsoring a cornhole tournament at Southern Star Brewery that will benefit CASA. We’re also initiating a campaign to collect small luggage pieces and toiletries, journals, clothes; collecting items for kids who are placed in foster care.” She is also excited to spread her love and compassion to her own grandkids: “For Christmas each year, I buy them a vacation, and we get to plan it together. It’s a little bit selfish, but I just love to travel and make memories with them!”

Contact Carol at 713-253-7812, visit thehometownteam.com or email carol@thehometownteam.com www.

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How to Speed Up First-Time Homebuyer Transactions Working with first-time homebuyers can be among the most rewarding real estate transactions an agent can embark upon.

Not only are you helping guide newcomers into the housing market, but you’re also witness to the excitement and triumphs along the way, including handing over those keys for the first time. While 24

helping first-time homebuyers navigate the transactional process can be a reminder of real estate’s benevolent power, it can also come with its own bumps and bruises.

So, what’s the best way to streamline the homebuying process for first-timers, while maintaining the magic and keeping your sanity along the way?

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While helping first-time homebuyers navigate the transactional process can be a reminder of real estate’s benevolent power, it can also come with its own bumps and bruises.

Set expectations upfront and often.

It’s no secret that communication is a cornerstone of a successful real estate practice and client relationship. Amidst a transaction as complex as buying (or selling) a home, it’s important that no wires get crossed, no questions go unanswered, and no information gets lost in translation. To accomplish this, create communication parameters with your clients up front. Inquire about the communication medium they’re most comfortable with—a text, a call, an email, etc.

Then, tailor your outreach accordingly.

Also, consider setting a weekly time to check in, even if no official progress has been made. This helps clients and agents touch base, float questions and concerns, and get ahead of any problems or developments. Another helpful tool is to draft a transaction timeline for your client that outlines the major milestones along the way, what sort of information will need to be gathered, what steps taken, and what outcomes are possible. This might seem like exhaustive work, but in the era of digital research, clients will come to their own conclusions and biases Top Agent Magazine

whether you like it or not. To stay on the same page and timeline, be the foremost resource for your client, and don’t leave their questions up to chance.

Know your first-time homebuyer programs and perks.

There are a variety of national, state, regional, and local grants and programs that aid first-time homebuyers as they pay their down payment, shop for home or mortgage insurance, and otherwise deal with the financial implications of becoming a homeowner. Sometimes these programs are neighborhood-specific in certain cities, with incentives to buy in up and coming areas. In some cases, there are grants that support underrepresented minority communities breaking into homebuying, and these can go a long way in making the burden of a down payment and associated fees doable. In other words, do your research.

The right program or grant could make the difference in nabbing a dream starter home for your client, while setting them up for future financial success.

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Get pre-approved for a mortgage—and shop around for the best rate.

Not all mortgage rates are made equal. As an agent, you likely have good relationships with area lenders that you trust, but it’s still important to complete your due diligence when helping first-time homebuyers find the rate that suits their longterm housing goals. Also remember that first-time homebuyers are new to this process, and while real estate transactions are complex in their own right, the borrowing and lending processes can be alienating in their complexity. As an agent, it’s your job to play intermediary and teacher, ensuring your clients know their options, are prepared to make an educated decision, and

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feel confident that they’ve chosen correctly. Talk with your preferred mortgage partners to best outline options for your clients’ understanding, laying out a framework that’s informative, projected into the future, and allows them to feel empowered by knowledge.

All in all, working with first-time homebuyers can be an exciting and joyous occasion, as long as you’re adequately prepared for some hand-holding and instruction along the way. Aside from the enthusiasm of successful first-timers at the closing table, you’ll also enjoy the lasting benefit of strong referrals to their friends and family, many of whom will be shopping with you for their own first dream homes.

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DR. KANITHIA S. HILLS Dr. Kanithia S. Hills of Houston, Texas, combines her dedication to education with a robust digital marketing footprint to lead the Kanithia Sells Texas (KSTX) Realty Group. “I just really enjoy helping people achieve their goals. I tell all of my clients the same thing: ‘No is never the answer!’ Figuring out what needs to be done to turn a ‘no’ into a ‘yes’ is what I’m most passionate about.”

information– they cover things like budgeting, credit, lending, home ownership and much more – and it’s all shared on a virtual webinar. Combined with our credit care specialists in the KSTX Winner’s Circle Membership Program, we have lots of ways to turn some of those ‘nos’ into resounding ‘yesses.’”

Originally, Kanithia’s passion for helping others manifested in the field of education. “I was working on obtaining my doctorate as an educator, and to make sure I completed the program, I left the classroom after six years as a high school teacher and pursued real estate.”

Kanithia’s business had grown so large that she could no longer ignore the call to action. “I completed my degree, so I knew I could always return to education.

I decided to jump into real estate full time!” Today, in 2022, Kanithia’s business has expanded to include four total agents, a full-time administrative assistant, and a client care coordinator. The KSTX Realty Group services the greater Houston area, predominantly the area Kanithia refers to as “the quad county – Harris, Montgomery, Waller, and Brazoria – I’m all over!”

Collectively, the team averages forty-eight transactions each year, and Kanithia herself boasts a book of business that is over ninety percent referral based.

The cornerstone of Kanithia’s success is, perhaps unsurprisingly, centered on the power of education. “I really take the time to educate my clients about the process.

I cover everything from credit, to different loan products, new construction versus resale, land investments, everything.” With the KSTX team rapidly expanding, Kanithia is constantly refining her approach to agent education, and she’s excited to spread her industry expertise to the twenty thousand (and growing) Instagram followers who believe in her vision. “We have a masterclass titled ‘I Got The Keys 90 Day Challenge’ where we have different industry experts provide a wealth of Top Agent Magazine

Her passion for education extends well beyond her agents and clients and into the greater Houston community. “I have a thirteen year old daughter. She’s in eighth grade, and an all-star cheerleader. I have lots of reasons to stay involved with schools, and it’s just another way to keep giving back.”

Kanithia regularly assists with community volunteer events, and hosts free seminars on credit and real estate education.

With her team poised to tackle the burgeoning real estate markets in and around Houston, Kanithia is dedicated to her fundamental vision: “I want to continue to grow and create a platform where I can educate others about real estate. But I’ll never grow so fast that we lose sight of our core values. We’re champions for the people, we’re big on collaboration, we take pride in our integrity, we are community-driven, and our clients always stand in the middle of the spotlight.”

To learn more about Dr. Kanithia S. Hills, visit kstxrealtygroup.com, call 225-663-9413 or email dr.k@kstxrealtygroup.com www.

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