Dream Team Realtors

REALTOR® team spotlight

Dream Team REALTORS®

Written by Dr. Kasia Suarez Photography By Sarah Greaud Photography

Lisa Barker lives by the motto Just Do It. She lives like there is nothing to fear, even when something is out of her comfort zone. Although many of the leaps she has taken have been scary, she says they were all worth it. Lisa has lived and worked in Aransas Pass all of her life and can’t imagine life anywhere else. She loved serving her community as a REALTOR®, and for the past four years, she has also been serving Aransas Pass as a broker with her Dream Team.

When her daughter was in first grade, Lisa was working a nine-to-five job that made it almost impossible to attend school functions, field trips, and other important events. One of her friends who was a real estate assistant suggested that Lisa look into becoming a REALTOR®. It seemed like a good fit, except that she was used to living on a steady income.

“I became a REALTOR® in January 2002 and started working for Sue Martin and Raymond Gallagher at Coldwell Banker Myers-Gallagher,” explained Lisa. “I was nervous about my transition into real estate and leaving my salaried job, but they also had another position open at the same time. They offered me the opportunity to work as an agent and fill their property management position. I knew I would have a salary coming in while learning how to be the best REALTOR®, so I accepted the position.”

Lisa obtained her broker license at the end of 2016 and anticipated one day having her own real estate company. In 2017 Hurricane Harvey hit, and the Coldwell Bankers Myers-Gallagher building was severely damaged. The owners approached Lisa, knowing she had her broker’s license.

“They asked me if I was ready to start my own business,” Lisa reminisced. “I didn’t think I was, but doors opened and I had an opportunity to purchase a building downtown. That is the building we operate out of now! I already had a team in place because the agents I worked with at Coldwell Banker wanted to come on board with me.”

She started Dream Team REALTORS® in 2018. It was a new company with a new name, but all of the stability and knowledge of a well-established team who knew and loved the area and worked well together. Martin and Gallagher, her mentor-broker, also offered her the opportunity to purchase Aransas Property Management. They have been essential in guiding her to her success.

Although Lisa had envisioned being her own boss one day, she had never imagined that she would be leading an entire team. Initially, it was a challenge to be a boutique brokerage and not work under a franchise. She has no regrets and believes her freedom is a benefit.

“People recognize and know The Dream Team as hometown REALTORS®,” smiled Lisa. “We have an extensive history together, and 97 years of combined experience! We all collaborate and work very well together to serve our clients as well as our entire community.”

As a REALTOR®, and now a broker in Aransas Pass, Barker has always been very active in the community. She and her team work closely with the schools for food drives, organizing events to promote teacher appreciation, and raising money for student scholarships. The team also hosts an annual turkey giveaway in the community.

Lisa shared, “When we helped out with the food drive at a school recently, one of the kids said, ‘We see your team everywhere, all the time.’ Even the kids recognize us! That makes it all worth it. Our community involvement has always been most important to me. My team and I are always here to help.”

Lisa is involved in numerous organizations around town. She is a very active member of the Board of Directors for the Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce. For nine years she has been on the Aransas Pass Planning and Zoning Board and has also served on the board of adjustments. Lisa was also a member of the Women’s Club. She prides herself in being an agent of change and being knowledgeable about the local market.

Lisa has received awards and recognition for her commitment to her clients, her team, and her community. Some of her favorites from her early real estate days are The San Patricio County Association of REALTORS® Top Sales Agent award in 2006, and the REALTOR® of the year award in 2007. She was given the San Patricio EDC County Community Engagement award in 2014, and the Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award in 2018. She has also been given the North Bay Area Readers Choice Best REALTOR® Award numerous times.

Good time management is crucial for Lisa as she runs two businesses and continues to serve as a REALTOR®. She tries to maintain a healthy worklife balance. She sets time aside for health, fitness, and family, schedules the things she enjoys doing, and then treats them like appointments. Lisa is grateful for her family’s support along the way.

Shirley Gallagher and her daughter Sandy Riggs work as a team so they can balance their business and personal schedules. Shirley comes from a medical background and has a business degree. She has extensive knowledge about successfully running a business and owned a real estate office herself in the past. Sandy is a self-starter who was instrumental in creating the robotics program at the Corpus Christi school in which she teaches.

Elizabeth “Liz” Dorris prides herself in knowing everyone in her neighborhood, Pelican Cove. Liz goes above and beyond her duties as a REALTOR® for her clients. Whether it’s cleaning,

selling their furniture, or staging their home for photos, she will get it done! Liz also serves on the planning and zoning committee for Aransas Pass and the MDD board.

Laurie Lewis is extremely detail-oriented and tenacious. She covers a larger area than most do and enjoys working with first-time home buyers. Laurie has served on the Board of REALTORS® for San Patricio County and is active in her children’s schools in Ingleside.

Lillie Kindell is fluent in Spanish, and she enjoys working with the Spanish-speaking community. Lillie is eager to learn and not afraid to ask questions. Lillie has served on the Board of REALTORS® for Rockport and on the housing authority for Aransas Pass.

Dee Jae Sullinger. “She has a heart of gold and she finds joy in working with buyers. Her endurance is unbelievable and she sticks with buyers until they find a property they love,” Lisa expressed. Dee Jae is also Lisa’s administrative assistant who is the backbone of Dream Team REALTORS® and makes sure things run seamlessly for everyone.

Lisa said she is truly blessed with the team that she has. All six of her agents are kind, diligent, and ethical. They all have different strengths and are a close-knit team that stays aligned with Lisa’s goals and expectations. The team has been improving their service each year.

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