CAROLGRAVES

With her father’s military background and her husband on active-duty orders overseas, Rising Star Carol Graves is the perfect liaison and advocate for the military community. She has personally lived through the joys, sorrows, and changes of military life. With joy and passion, Carol is using her past and present experiences to create an exciting future for her clients and for her family.

rising star

By Ruth Gnirk Photography by

Brianna Cortez Photography

Location provided by

Church Unlimited

Military families are close to Carol’s heart. Her father served in the army as far back as she can remember. He was active duty for 24 years, and then civil service for 26. Carol’s family moved and traveled for her whole life. Graves and her husband were high school sweethearts. He is now a U.S. Navy Pilot.

As a young adult, and then a young wife, Carol was involved in luxury retail management. After the birth of their daughter, Carol wanted more family time, but it was hard to find because of her job. One of Carol’s managers reinstated her REALTOR® license and started sharing some of her success stories. Carol, a young wife and mother living in a rental house, was glad for her mentor’s success. For Graves, homeownership was just a distant dream, and real estate wasn’t even on her radar. Soon after Carol began hearing of her mentor’s real estate achievements, Carol’s beloved husband was given a new assignment, which meant a move from Jacksonville to Corpus Christi. After looking at the job and housing markets, Carol decided it was time for a bold change. She enrolled in an online real estate course herself, while she was still living in Florida. Carol moved to Corpus Christi and earned her Texas REALTOR® license in the summer of 2018.

When Carol started working for Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Real Estate Center, the team welcomed her with open arms. Carol is grateful for the team’s mentorship and guidance. It was especially significant when she first moved, because Carol didn’t know anyone in Corpus except her husband, her broker, and one of her husband’s friends. Graves recalled that her first year was rough, and she felt she was just spinning her wheels at times. Carol made her first sale through a connection from her husband’s friend, after she had been a REALTOR® for six months. “I started nurturing my sphere by reaching out to my professional network,” Carol recalled.

She is learning to trust her instincts, and honor her inner voice. “I am not here just to sell homes, but to change lives. That is still the motivator that keeps the engine moving every day.”

Carol Graves has been recognized as being in the top 8% by the Leading Edge Society, a Top 100 REALTOR® in MLS in 2020, and a PropertySpark Top 100 Texas Real Estate Agent on Social Media. However, Carol said that her greatest honor to date is being nominated by her teammates, and then chosen, as a Corpus Christi Real Producers Rising Star.

Carol is very grateful for her team members, and her mentors. She is especially thankful for Jody Schultz, and for her broker Misty Svoboda. They have taught Carol by word and example, and continue to encourage her to recognize and utilize her strengths.

More than 90% of Carol’s clients are in the military community or are first-time home buyers. It is important to Carol and her team to think and talk about them as clients, not transactions. “At closing, I still want to be a resource,” Graves said, “And a friend. It goes past the closing table.”

Many of Carol’s clients are experiencing the same things that she has, such as being new in town, or having a spouse deployed. “Sometimes they will see my social media posts, and clients will reach out to check on me,” she shared. It means a lot to Carol to know the feelings of care and concern are mutual. She is intentional about continuing relationships with clients who are willing.

Graves found that her initial real estate course taught her the “do’s and don’ts” of the industry, but there are

I AM NOT HERE JUST TO SELL HOMES, BUT TO CHANGE LIVES. That is still the motivator that keeps the engine moving every day.

some things about real estate that are more of an art than a science. “Ditch whatever isn’t working. Abort the mission when there is no movement or return on your investment,” Carol advises. “Nurture your social media platforms instead of spending money on Google ads or mailers. Nurture the relationships you have developed through the years, and build your referral network.”

Carol has not had to learn everything the hard way. She enjoys learning through the experiences of others. She has been enlightened and encouraged during specialty designation courses, as instructors and classmates share personal examples. Carol recently earned an Accredited Buyer’s Representation, and is working on a Military Relocation Professional certification so she can be an even better advocate for her clients. She has some potential plans for her future and is determined to meet her goal of completing one or two real estate designations each year.

Keep your eyes on this rising star! Carol Graves has a wealth of life experience, a growing group of clientsturned-friends, and a heart to match.

Nurture your social media platforms instead of spending money on Google ads or mailers.