4 minute read
Top Producer ~ Helen Kizer
STEPPING OUT FROM THE SHADOWS
Top Producer: Helen Kizer
By Zach Cohen
Before the financial crisis, Helen Kizer built a successful career in the mortgage industry. She worked her way up the ladder steadily, with her role growing from processing to managing a production team to managing a funding team. Just before the housing market crashed, she left the mortgage industry and, to her surprise, became a cake decorator. But the real estate business would eventually call her back.
In 2012, Helen’s husband, Carl, changed careers and got his real estate license. Helen joined him as his assistant shortly after.
“He asked me to come in and be his administrator, which is what I’m really passionate about and what my background was. After learning more, writing offers, getting a feel of what people were looking for in a home, scheduling appointments, and building a property management portfolio, I decided I could [sell real estate, too].”
Helen was licensed in 2015. For the next four years, she worked as Carl’s right-hand woman, managing the back end of the business while he was the public-facing figure.
STEPPING OUT FROM THE SHADOWS
In 2019, Carl had a heart attack and spent a week on life support. He was told he wouldn’t live but was able to fight through his health scare. He was
While Carl was able to escape the worst-case scenario following his heart attack, he wasn’t able to return to the real estate business. Helen, who had spent her entire career in the background, was thrust into the spotlight.
“I’ve always been in the background in anything I’ve done. I’ve been a hard worker but never the person out in front. My husband was the face of
I CAME OUT OF THE SHADOWS AND INTO THE LIGHT.
I ONLY SEE THE LIGHT AND HOW BRIGHT AND GENEROUS IT IS NOW, AND I WANT TO SPREAD IT EVERYWHERE I GO.
comfortable with,” Helen reflects.
“When he had this unexpected heart attack, I became the face of our business. If Carl felt he could beat his heart attack, I decided I was going to move from the shadows and continue what we started in real estate and see what happens.”
“I came out of the shadows and into the light. I only see the light and how bright and generous it is now, and I want to spread it everywhere I go.”
PART OF THE FAMILY
Over the past three years, Helen has proven she’s more than capable of being in the limelight. As a solo agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Lifestyles Realty, she closed an impressive 48 transactions for over $15 million in 2022. Better yet, she’s continuing the legacy she and Carl started together.
Helen has fallen in love with being the face of the business, taking the opportunity to do what she loves most — developing and nurturing relationships. She considers her clients part of her family, and she becomes part of their families, too. Helen has attended countless graduations, weddings, and other events for clients. She keeps in touch with past clients regularly, whether checking in with a note card or doing in-person pop-bys. Sometimes, she’ll bring home-baked treats, and the pop-by becomes more of a pop-and-stay. For Helen, that’s the most rewarding part of the business.
“Everybody I meet comes into my real estate family. I care about them. That’s what makes this work special,” Helen beams. “I love meeting people. I love making people laugh, smile and feel loved. I love what I do.”
LIVING IN GRATITUDE
