M O B I L E B AY
C O N N E C T I N G .
E L E VAT I N G .
I N S P I R I N G .
Top Agent
MARY CARPENTER
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Lisa Hannah Walker RISING STAR
Erica Tivet CELEBRATING LEADERS
Sandy Wise APRIL 2020
2 • April 2020
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 3
TABLE OF
CONTENTS 06
07
10
Meet The Team
Publisher’s Note: Welcome to Mobile Bay RP
Clear Path to Closing: Get Clear Title
14
18
22
Leader/ Broker: Sandy Wise
Celebrating a Rising Star: Erica TivetSmith
Top Agent: Mary Carpenter
If you are interested in contributing or nominating Realtors for certain stories, please email us at Robert.orso@RealProducersMag.com .DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of N2 Publishing but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Mobile Bay Real Producers magazine are not endorsed or recommended by N2 Publishing or the publisher. Therefore, neither N2 Publishing nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies.
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 5
publisher’s note
M E E T T H E M O B I L E B AY R E A L P R O D U C E R S T E A M
WELCOME to Mobile Bay Real Producers!
Robert Orso
Owner/Publisher
Sam Whitt Photographer
Michelle Medeiros Ad Strategist
Jill Claire Gentry Writer
Welcome to the Mobile Bay Real Producers community! It is my honor to serve you and celebrate everything that makes you an outstanding part of the Mobile Bay real estate community. I look forward to highlighting your accomplishments, encouraging your dreams, and recognizing you for your continued excellence in serving your clients.
Rose & Ken Muse Photographers
Real Producers started as an idea in 2015 and is spreading across the nation like wildfire. We are now in 110 cities and changing the way the real estate community interacts across America. As we embark on this journey in the Mobile Bay area, I promise to create platforms to connect and forums to recognize and celebrate what makes each and every one of you iconic. I have already met with and interviewed almost 100 of you and in the years to come, I hope to get to know each of you on a personal level and hear your stories of success. I look forward to celebrating you at our events, providing tools to help you grow your business, and representing your passion for excellence in this dynamic industry we all share.
Dave Danielson Contributing Writer
F ul l Servic e Home St a gi ng Prepare To Sell Quickly with Home Staging
HERE ARE SOME QUICK FACTS ABOUT REAL PRODUCERS: Distribution: This magazine is sent free of charge to the top
agents in the Baldwin and Mobile markets, based on MLS productivity. Within this area, there are over 3,500 active agents but everyone who receives this publication is part of an elite group. You are remarkable and just to be in this group is truly a badge of honor! Content: This is all about you, the Mobile Bay real estate com-
Lets connect to start attracting your ideal buyer!
Stephanie Cunningham
munity. We will do personal and unique stories on members in this community giving you a platform to inspire others. As we grow, we will add fresh content focused entirely on you. In the coming months, we will be adding several other sections as well. It costs absolutely nothing for a real estate agent to be featured in the publication, but to be featured, you must be in the top ten percent of agents. We are always taking nominations and encourage you to nominate individuals who are making a huge impact in our local real estate market. Our Partners: Anyone listed as a “preferred partner” in the
251.404.8726 stephanie@sprucedupstaging.com sprucedupstaging.com 6 • April 2020
Providing a platform to celebra unite the te and to estate ag p real en the Mobil ts in e Bay area!
front of the publication is a part of this community. They will have an ad in every issue, attend our events, and be a part of our online community. We don’t just find these businesses off the
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street, nor do we work with all businesses that approach us. One or many of you have recommended every single preferred partner you see in this publication. We do not meet with businesses until they are vetted by one of the agents in our community and receive a “stamp of approval.” If you are looking to add to your arsenal of incredible vendors, look no further. Events: Along with the monthly publication we will host
various social networking events where we, the best of the best, get together at reputable local venues to rub elbows, mastermind, have a good time, and strengthen our Mobile Bay real estate community. We will communicate information about the events through the publication, e-mails, and social media. Contribution: If you are interested in contributing, nomi-
nating REALTORS® for certain features, know of top-notch affiliate partners who should be a part of our community, or would simply like to network, please e-mail me at any time. I look forward to hearing from all of you! I’d like to personally thank all of our business sponsors who partnered with us, as well as the dozens of REALTORS® I’ve already met with and helped bring Mobile Bay Real Producers to life. We would not exist without you. I would also like to thank my team, who jumped on board this journey with me and bring passion to what we do every single day. I appreciate you all, and I’ll see you at the launch party, coming soon! Robert Orso Owner/Publisher Mobile Bay Real Producers Robert.Orso@RealProducersMag.com
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 7
PREFERRED PARTNERS
This section has been created to give you easier access when searching for a trusted real estate affiliate. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the businesses sponsoring your magazine. These local businesses are proud to partner with you and make this magazine possible. Please support these businesses and thank them for supporting the REALTOR® community!
HOME WARRANTY Old Republic Home Protection Sabrina Serrano (321) 392-2288 www.ORHP.com INSURANCE The Myrick Agency Miranda Bennett 3794 McKenzie Street Foley, AL 36535 (251) 517-5603 themyrickagency.com LENDER Alabama Ag Credit Andy Grant 9810 Timber Circle Spanish Fort, AL 36527 (251) 626-2929 alabamaagcredit.com Bancorp South Richard Fuquay 3290 Dauphin Street Suite 600 Mobile, AL 36606 (251) 340-1760 www.bxs.com
8 • April 2020
MOVERS Eastern Shore Transfer, Inc. Jason & Angie Garner 586Theakston Street Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 517-4434 x2512093868 PHOTOGRAPHY Cornerstone Photography Rose Muse 1781-A Dawes Road Mobile, AL 36695 (251) 634-1272 Sam Whitt Photography Sam Whitt 11650 Stucki Road Elberta, AL 36530 (251) 213-3570 STAGE & DESIGN Show Homes, Mobile - Baldwin Kim Odom 526 Calibre Street Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 622-5004 showhomes.com/ mobile-baldwin
Spruced Up Staging Stephanie Cunningham 20750 State Highway 181 Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 404-8726 sprucedupstaging.com TITLE COMPANY Anchor Title Company Preston Nash 3173 - B Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36606 (251) 478-9800 anchor title.com
Fairhope Title Services, LLC Brian Britt 455 Magnolia Street Suite C-1 Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 928-9900 www.fairhopetitle.com Gulf Shores Title James Owen 100 Cove Avenue Gulf Shores, AL 36547 (251) 968-6185 gulfshorestitle.com
Clear Title Lisa Hannah Walker 1680 West 2nd Street Unit A Gulf Shores, AL 36547 (251) 747-2550 x2517524181 www.getcleartitle.com
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 9
clear path to closing Written By Jill Claire Gentry | Photos By Sam Whitt
The title business certainly involves a lot of details and paperwork. But Lisa Hannah Walker, owner of Clear Title, LLC in Gulf Shores says for her, it’s all about people. Her team, along with the real estate agents, lenders, buyers and sellers she serves are the reasons she’s spent 24 happy years in the title business.
“I love being able to help people, whether they are buying, selling or refinancing,” Walker says. “My favorite part of my job is helping first-time home buyers. Buying your first home is a major milestone. It is exciting, but it can also be scary. I like helping them get through the complicated process to closing and hearing about their plans for the house. It is so rewarding to help them realize their dream.”
GET
CLEAR TITLE
10 • April 2020
Because of its coastal location, Clear Title often works with buyers and sellers of secondary and investment homes. That kind of market lends itself to unique challenges, as well as fun transactions. “Every transaction is unique. Many of our buyers and sellers do not live here, so it can be challenging to get everything pulled together on time,” Walker says. “We use
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email, overnight delivery or mobile notary services to accommodate out-of-town customers who are unable to come to closing in person. About once a year, usually around Christmas, I’ll have a buyer who is gifting their family a property on the beach, and we get to help with the surprise. Serving such a diverse group of customers and hearing their unique stories brings another dimension to pushing paperwork.”
“My favorite part of my job is helping first-time home buyers.”
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 11
A Staged Home is a Walker says while professionalism is key, she has also worked hard to create an office culture that embraces the laid-back, fun-loving spirit of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Walker’s dog, Rufus, serves as Clear Title’s mascot in the office, which is located in the heart of Gulf Shores on West 2nd Street. Rufus often settles nerves and calms awkward situations during closings. “We do everything we can in tense closing situations to make sure everyone stays happy, but Rufus is often the best one to send into a closing room to calm the waters,” Walker says. Above-and-beyond customer service is what sets Clear Title apart in the industry. Walker’s staff of 11 includes two others with more
Sold Home
“We do everything we can in tense closing situations to make sure everyone stays happy...”
Kim Odom
Tel: (251) 622-5004 Email: kodom@showhomes.com
than 20 years of experience, and most of the team has been in the business between seven and 15 years. Every one of them is as dedicated as Walker to ensuring each client has a positive experience.
Call today and let us help you secure a quick and higher sale.
Follow Us On 12 • April 2020
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Home Staging | Restyle | Design www.showhomesmobilebaldwin.com Mobile Bay Real Producers • 13
W I S E L I V I N G R E A L E S TAT E SERVES COMMUNITY & PROVIDES EXPERTISE TO CLIENTS To say Sandy Wise has an entrepreneurial spirit might be an understatement. He’s spent nearly 30 years building a dizzying array of businesses in Baldwin County— including fencing, climate-controlled storage buildings, boat storage, commercial warehouse space, residential and commercial construction, vacation rentals—and in 2018, he opened a real estate brokerage in Fairhope with business partner Laura Norton.
“My college degree was in real estate finance, and I always said I was going to end up in real estate one day,” Wise says. “It took me 20 years to get there, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I have a great network today because I have been involved in all these different businesses for so many years.”
leader/broker Written By Jill Clair Gentry Photos By Sam Whitt
SANDY WISE of Wise Living Real Estate
14 • April 2020
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BORN TO HONOR A LEGACY
Wise Living was created after the devastating 2017 loss of Wise’s 19-year-old son, Henry, in an effort to fund organizations that Henry loved, make a difference in the lives of other teens and support first responders. “We started the HAW 5 foundation after we lost Henry in a boating accident, and rather than rely on donations, we decided the best way to keep the foundation going was to fund it ourselves through proceeds from real estate transactions,” Wise says. “So Laura and I, who had been on a real estate team together for five years, decided to open Wise Living Real Estate in January 2018, six months after Henry’s accident.”
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Wise Living Real Estate has closed over $100 million in transactions since it began, and a portion of every transaction goes to the foundation. “Every day, I get to get up list and sell a piece of property and make one more contribution, whether that’s sending a mother and son to JH Ranch in California, sponsoring a teenager’s spring break mission trip to Honduras, sending a kid to YoungLife Camp or writing a check to a family after they experience something similar to what we went through,” Wise says.
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 15
BUILT TO GROW
When Norton and Wise founded Wise Living, they knew it would grow quickly, so they invested on the front end. Wise Living specializes in residential and commercial real estate, vacation rentals and property management. “We invested in our company as if it was a company with 100 REALTORS® already doing $100 million in sales,” Wise says. “We went ahead and set it up so we could just fill the funnel. We also made sure to find the right talent for our team.” Just as Wise and Norton bring vastly different and complementary skill sets to their partnership—Wise has 25 years of experience as a general contractor, property owner and vacation rental expert, while Norton is a brilliant real estate agent with a magnetic personality—the company seeks out agents and staff that add value to their customers. One agent specializes in commercial and residential real estate and serves customers who own businesses, so they don’t have to work with separate REALTORS® to find a home as well as office space. Another agent assists with clients’ interior design needs.
We want to offer our clients all the knowledge within our organization to make every transaction as easy as possible.
Wise says whether it’s recommending an electrician to install a plug for a buyer’s Tesla, serving short-term rental clients or advising a buyer or seller about possibilities for a remodel, he wants Wise Living to be a one-stop-shop for its clients. “We want to offer our clients all the knowledge within our organization to make every transaction as easy as possible,” Wise says.
Every day, I get to get up list and sell a piece of property and make one more contribution.
16 • April 2020
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 17
Erica TivetSmith builds real relationships with veteran clients & finds meaning in her career
By Jill Clair Gentry Photos By Sam Whitt
celebrating a rising star
When Erica Tivet-Smith began her real estate career four years ago, she was stuck. Stuck in a negative narrative about her self-worth and stuck believing she had no career potential after staying home with her four sons for 22 years.
18 • April 2020
Erica
“I was told a couple of times that I’d be good at real estate, but I kept putting it off,” TivetSmith says. “I’m so glad I finally did it. Real estate has boosted my self-esteem so much. My second year, I closed 40 transactions while battling thyroid cancer. The third year, I beat breast cancer and still managed to close over $8 million in total value. My husband and I bought a house in Fairhope last year. For someone who struggled with depression and anxiety, this career has been amazing.”
TIVET-SMITH
The key to working with veterans is relationships.
of Core 3 Realty, LLC
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F i n d i n g h e r n i c h e
Tivet-Smith comes from a military family, is married to a retired veteran and her 18-year-old son Tyler was sworn into the Marines in February. She understands the unique struggles veterans and their families face. “So when I started out in real estate, I naturally wanted to learn about the VA loan process,” she says. “And it turns out I was really good at it.” Seventy-five percent of Tivet-Smith’s transactions are now VA loans, and she loves serving veterans through the home buying process. “The key to working with veterans is relationships,” Tivet-Smith says. “I make every effort to meet in my office with my clients for an hour before we even go out to look at houses. Many of them are also first-time homebuyers,
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 19
so they’re very nervous. I always, always give them time and space to make these big decisions, and I like to share my own experiences with them so they know they’re not alone in this.” Tivet-Smith says she takes the relationship-building part of her business so seriously that she ends up walking away from many of her transactions with lifelong friendships. “I just got back from a cruise with some veteran ladies who were clients of mine,” she says. “We’ve become such good friends that we vacation together now. I hardly ever just do a transaction and lose touch with them.
They wanted to build something different, and they’re extremely willing to help, very easygoing and involved in the community.
Residential and Commercial Closings 1031 and Reverse 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges
New beginnings
In January, Tivet-Smith began a new adventure and switched brokerages to join Core 3 Realty in Spanish Fort. “When I ended up moving to Baldwin County, I needed something closer to home,” she says. “I like to go to the office if I’m not out showing.” Tivet-Smith was drawn to Core 3 after closing a deal with them and noticing their upbeat company culture and easygoing dynamic. “Two ladies, Ann Andrew and Tracey Goens, own it, and they’ve both worked at several other brokerages, so they bring a lot of experience,” she says. “They wanted to build something different, and they’re extremely willing to help, very easygoing and involved in the community. It is inspiring to see these two women who created something brand new and they are just awesome at it. I wanted to be part of it.”
1680 West 2nd Street, Unit A Gulf Shores, AL 36542
getcleartitle.com 251.980.1500 ALBANY • ALBUQUERQUE • CHESAPEAKE • ATLANTA • AUSTIN • BALTIMORE • BOULDER CHARLOTTE • CHICAGO • CINCINNATI • CLEVELAND • COUR D’ ALENE • COLORADO SPRINGS COLUMBUS • DALLAS • DAVENPORT • DAYTONA BEACH • DENVER • FT. WAYNE • GRAND RAPIDS HOUSTON • INDIANAPOLIS • JACKSON • JACKSONVILLE • KANSAS CITY • LAS VEGAS • LINCOLN LITTLE ROCK • LUBBOCK • MILWAUKEE • MURRIETA • MONTERREY BAY • NASHVILLE • NEW ORLEANS NEWPORT BEACH • NORTH DALLAS • NOVA • OAKLAND COUNTY • OKLAHOMA CITY • OMAHA ORLANDO • PHILADELPHIA • PHOENIX • PITTSBURGH • PORTLAND • RALEIGH • SALEM • SAN DIEGO SEATTLE • SILICON VALLEY • SPOKANE • ST. LOUIS • TAMPA BAY • TEMECULA • TRI-CITIES • TRIAD TUCSON • TWIN CITIES • VIRGINIA BEACH • WASHINGTON D.C • WAYNE COUNTY • WEST VALLEY AMERICA'S BEST REAL ESTATE AGENTS WILMINGTON • YOUNGSTOWN • ALBANY • ALBUQUERQUE • CHESAPEAKE • ATLANTA • AUSTIN BALTIMORE • BOULDER • CHARLOTTE • CHICAGO • CINCINNATI • CLEVELAND • COUR D’ ALENE COLORADO SPRINGS • COLUMBUS • DALLAS • DAVENPORT • DAYTONA BEACH • DENVER • FT. WAYNE GRAND RAPIDS • HOUSTON • INDIANAPOLIS • JACKSONVILLE • KANSAS CITY • LAS VEGAS • LINCOLN LITTLE ROCK • LUBBOCK • MILWAUKEE • MURRIETA • MONTERREY BAY • NASHVILLE • NEW ORLEANS NEWPORT BEACH • NORTH DALLAS • NOVA • OAKLAND COUNTY • OKLAHOMA CITY • OMAHA ORLANDO • PHILADELPHIA • PHOENIX • PITTSBURGH • PORTLAND • RALEIGH • SALEM • SAN DIEGO SEATTLE • SILICON VALLEY • SPOKANE • ST. LOUIS • TAMPA BAY • TEMECULA • TRI-CITIES • TRIAD TUCSON • TWIN CITIES • VIRGINIA BEACH • WASHINGTON D.C • WAYNE COUNTY • WEST VALLEY OF THE NATIONAL REAL PRODUCERS MOVEMENT WILMINGTONBE • PART YOUNGSTOWNALBANY • ALBUQUERQUE • CHESAPEAKE • ATLANTA • AUSTIN BALTIMORE • BOULDER • CHARLOTTE • CHICAGO • CINCINNATI • CLEVELAND • COUR D’ ALENE FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM TODAY COLORADO SPRINGS • COLUMBUS • DALLAS • DAVENPORT • DAYTONA BEACH • DENVER • FT. WAYNE @realproducers GRAND RAPIDS • HOUSTON • INDIANAPOLIS • JACKSON • JACKSONVILLE • KANSAS CITY • LAS VEGAS
I moved here in 2012 from Louisiana to care for my father, who was battling thyroid cancer. He passed away in 2015, so I don’t have family here anymore. My work has been what has made this feel like home to me.”
20 • April 2020
For the ultimate protection of your client, choose Clear Title, LLC.
RECOGNIZED
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 21
MARY CARPENTER RE/MAX LEGACY GROUP
top agent Written By Jill Clair Gentry Photos By Rose and Ken Muse
Sharing Success IN OCTOBER 2007, JUST AS THE SUBPRIME MORTGAGE CRISIS BEGAN TO ROCK THE REAL ESTATE MARKET AND THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE, MARY CARPENTER LEFT HER SEVEN-YEAR NURSING CAREER AND OBTAINED A REAL ESTATE LICENSE. OTHER AGENTS WERE LEAVING THE INDUSTRY IN DROVES, BUT CARPENTER WAS DETERMINED TO SUCCEED DESPITE THE DOWNTURN.
“I had the blessing of not really knowing the market was on its way down when I started,” Carpenter says. “I was just so focused on getting in and learning how to be an agent and build a business. I worked it like a job—I went to the office every day, took an hour lunch—I acted like I was punching a time clock. I think starting that way has taught me how to work hard and smart, and to realize business doesn’t just fall in your lap.” SLOWER PACE, BIGGER IMPACT
Thirteen years later, Carpenter is now the owner/broker of Re/Max Legacy Group. In recent years, Carpenter has reached up to $17 million in annual sales, focusing mostly on listing properties in West Mobile. A vast majority of her clients are referrals.
After 13 years and $1 billion in transactions, Mary Carpenter finds fulfillment in coaching other agents 22 • April 2020
“I’ve stayed incredibly busy because I don’t just target high-end homes—the average sales price of my listings is around $210,000,” she says. “So that means a lot of movement and a lot of transactions.”
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Carpenter is a huge proponent of setting quarterly and annual goals and staying accountable to a colleague or mentor. This year, her annual goals have shifted, decreasing her sales numbers and increasing the time she spends providing business coaching to others. Four times per month, Carpenter hosts trainings at her office, and she enjoys mentoring newer agents. “It’s a big commitment on my part—I have to stay current so I can train and teach them with a system I know works,” Carpenter says. “There are multiple ways to have
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 23
success in real estate. All I can teach you is what I know.”
beginning to listen to clients and make sure you’re on the same page with their wants, needs and capabilities.
With 13 years of experience and $1 billion in total transactions, Carpenter is a well of knowledge for agents who are just beginning their careers. Her biggest advice, apart from setting goals and staying accountable to someone, is to take time in the
“Sometimes, what I would do is not exactly what they want or can do,” she says. “I might be going into a listing thinking ‘If you could invest $6,000, you’d make $10,000,’ and that’s great, but for some sellers, they’ve gone through a divorce or they’ve already moved out of state or they don’t have that money sitting around—so their ideas aren’t necessarily the same as mine. It’s so important to meet with them on the front end and really listen to them.” In addition, Carpenter is adamant that successful agents are those who invest in their own professional development. It takes much more than a license to create a career in real estate. “To be a master of anything, you’re going to invest 10,000 hours of your life,” she says. “You can’t think you can just show up and sell. What are you doing when you’re not with your clients? How are you practicing, what are you reading and how are you educating yourself?” FAMILY TIME
In addition to being a fulfilling addition to her career, Carpenter’s increased focus on business coaching and training has also allowed her to spend more time with her husband, Scott, and their 7-year-old daughter, Madison Claire. The family loves to travel and visited Israel together during Mardi Gras break. “I love the flexibility my career allows me,” Carpenter says. “I’m able to help in my daughter’s classroom, go to the parties at school, take her to practices and travel with her. I think all the time about if I was still in nursing, working 12-hour shifts. There’s no way I’d be available to do all I do with my family.”
24 • April 2020
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To be a master of anything, you’re going to invest
hours of your life.
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 25
Offering: Traditional Headshots On-Location Headshots Team Photos Industrial Photos Family Portraits Ken & Rose Muse, Owners/Photographers
1781 A Dawes Rd • Mobile, AL 36695 customerservice@cornerstonephoto.net • 251-634-1272
Serving the Gulf Coast since 2003 26 • April 2020
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 27
AL_Mobile Bay Real Producers
