Mobile Bay Real Producers | August 2023

REAL PRODUCER KYM

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT Beau Crum, Crum Home Inspections

BROKER IN CHARGE Ginny Stopa

RISING STAR Jeff Jones

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT Goosehead Insurance, Tessa Wiggins Agency

Baldwin Realtors 2023 Volunteer Days

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!

ATTORNEY - REAL ESTATE

LD Holt & Associates, LLC

LD Holt

(251) 937-4111

7581 Spanish Fort Blvd. Spanish Fort, AL 36527 LDholt.com

BUILDER

DR Horton (251) 447-0329 drhorton.com

FLOORING & DESIGN

Prestigious Flooring and Design LLC

Garrett Scarberry (251) 802-0363 prestigiousflooring anddesignllc.com

FOUNDATION REPAIR

MDH Foundation Repair

Shannon Reichart (251) 375-0565

108 5th Street, Daphne, AL 36526 mdhfoundationrepair.com/

HOME IMPROVEMENT/ MAINTENANCE

All Inclusive Maintenance (251) 509-4618 aimremodels.com

HOME INSPECTION

Complete Home Inspections, LLC (251) 510-1809 completehome inspectionsllc.com

Crum Home Inspections (251) 281-7387

www.crumhome inspections.com

Home Boss Inspection

Riaan du Plessis (251) 230-9595

323 De La Mare Ave, Suite 9 Fairhope, AL 36532

www.HomeBoss Inspection.com

Legendary Home Inspections (251) 367-3196

legendaryhome inspections.com

HOME WARRANTY

Home Warranty Inc. (260) 433-4027

homewarrantyinc.com

Old Republic Home Protection

Todd Powell (850) 543-1512 x1 www.ORHP.com

HVAC SERVICES

Don Hembree Heating & Air (251) 259-4664

hembreeac.com

HVAC/PLUMBING

Hansen Heating & Air

Brianna Mcadory (251) 471-3047

Hansenair.com

INSURANCE AGENCY

Coastal Insurance Group, LLC

Kurt Wielkens (251) 344-9898

3660 Dauphin Street, Suite A Mobile, AL 36608 www.coastalinsgrp.com

Goosehead Insurance (251) 999-6931 wigginsflock.com

Lynne Ernest Insurance, LC (251) 971-3622

LENDER

Airborne Mortgage Group

Kenneth Harter (251) 282-6894

airbornemortgagegroup.com

Holland Mortgage Advisors

Tiffany Bradley (251) 219-4043

HMAmortgage.com

Movement Mortgage

Richard C Hampton (251) 270-4482

4851 Wharf Parkway Suite D-228

Orange Beach, AL 36561 movement.com/chad.hampton

MOLD AND ODOR

REMEDIATION

AdvantaClean

Jimmie Newton (251) 776-4669

25421 Hwy. 181, Suite 103 Daphne, AL 36527 advantaclean.com

MOVING/DELIVERY/ STORAGE

All My Sons Moving & Storage

www.allmysons.com/mobile/ index.aspx

Motivated Movers (251) 621-0063

28225 N Main Street Daphne, AL 36526 getmotivatedmovers.com

PEST SOLUTIONS

E3 Termite & Pest Control

Mike Adams (251) 850-7378

20040 Hwy 181 Fairhope, AL 36532 E3pest.com

Proshield Termite & Pest Control

Michael Hayes (251) 776-2362

Southeastern Exterminating (251) 402-0264

PHOTOGRAPHY

Deep South

Focus Photography

Jon Jeffress (251) 421-0517

233 Suzanne Circle Mobile, AL 36608 www.deepsouthfocus.com/

POWER WASHING

Prestige Power Washing

John Lankford (251) 213-8313

14194 Sierra Court Summerdale, AL 36580

ROOFING SERVICES

Professional Roofing & Construction (251) 680-7500 prorc.org

SIGNS & GRAPHICS

Fast Signs

Pauline McKean (251) 279-0747 4668 Airport Blvd. Mobile, AL 36608 fastsigns.com

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING

Southern View Media (251) 517-9425 southernviewmedia.com

STAGE & DESIGN

Showhomes, Mobile - Baldwin

Kim Odom (251) 622-5004

82 Plantation Pointe Fairhope, AL 36532 www.showhomesmobile baldwin.com

TITLE COMPANY

MLJ Escrow (251) 968-5586 www.mljtitle.com

Springdale Title, LLC

Diane Brookerd (251) 270-4500 1501B Highway 98 Daphne, AL 36526 springdaletitle.com

VIDEO PRODUCTION/ DRONE SERVICES

EyeSky Video & Photo, LLC

Stephen Hinds (317) 727-2919

297 Beall Lane Daphne, AL 36526 eyeskyvp.com

By Robert Orso

RSVP emails began being sent out in July, so please RSVP early to allow us to accurately plan and make your event the best it can be. As always, great small bites will be provided, and for this event, a cash bar will be open.

Food availability will be based on RSVP responses, so be sure to RSVP!

New Partnership with

BALDWIN REALTORS®

Our Next Social Event - September 18th

The first order of business I want to cover in this publisher’s note is to thank Baldwin REALTORS® for our new partnership. Thanks to many of you members of this association for your compliments and positive comments to them about Mobile Bay Real Producers

Due to your love for what we do for you, we are now partnered with Baldwin REALTORS® and will include their information and announcements in our publication. I or one of my associates will endeavor to attend and, in some instances, sponsor some of the many events and functions the association hosts.

The second order of business is to announce that our next social event will be on September 18, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at One Club in Gulf Shores! Located at 4500 Gulf Shores Parkway. This is a beautiful facility and is the largest private community in the area. Our event will be centered around their new pool area with access to inside facilities as well. Due to the extreme heat, we wanted to wait until fall and get past Labor Day.

The only Realtors we invite to our events are the top Realtors who produce 90% of the real estate transactions. Currently, that is about 6% of the Realtors in Baldwin and Mobile Counties. You should be honored to be included and I hope you will make this a priority.

Our events are strictly social and networking events for the elite community of real estate titans, and they are always fun and rewarding because of who you meet and network with to continue your amazing success.

Be on the lookout for your invitation that will come via Eventbrite. I look forward to seeing all of you I have met and those of you I have yet to meet!

ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE

Welcome to Real Producers! Some of you may be wondering what this publication is all about, which is why we have created this FAQ page. Here, we will answer the most commonly asked questions from around the country regarding our program. My door is always open to discuss anything regarding this community — this publication is 100% designed to be your voice!

Q: WHO RECEIVES THIS MAGAZINE?

A: The top 300 agents in the Mobile Bay Area. We pulled the MLS numbers (by volume) from Jan. 1, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2021, in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. We cut the list off at number 300, and the distribution was born. For this year’s list, the minimum production level for our group is $7 million in 2021. The list will reset at the end of 2022 for next year and will continue to update annually.

Q: WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR BEING FEATURED IN THIS MAGAZINE?

A: The process is simple. Every feature you see has first been nominated. You can nominate REALTORS®, agents, affiliates, brokers, owners, or even yourself. Office leaders can also nominate real estate agents. We will consider anyone you bring to our attention because we don’t know everyone’s story, and we need your help to learn more.

A nomination currently looks like this: Email us at robert.orso@realproducersmag.com with the subject line “Nomination: (Name of Nominee)” and explain why you are nominating the individual. Maybe the person has an amazing story that we need to tell, or perhaps someone overcame extreme obstacles, is an exceptional leader, has the best customer service, or gives back to the community in a big way. The next step is an interview with us to ensure a good fit, and then we put the wheels in motion for our writer to conduct an interview and for our photographer to schedule a photo shoot.

Q: WHAT IS THE COST TO FEATURE A REALTOR®, AGENT, OR TEAM ?

A: Zero, zilch, zippo, nada, nil. The feature costs nothing, my friends, so nominate away! We are not a pay-to-play model. We share real stories of Real Producers.

Q: WHO ARE THE PREFERRED PARTNERS?

A: Anyone listed as a preferred partner in the front of the magazine is a part of this community and will have an ad in every issue of the magazine, attend our quarterly events, and be a part of our online community. We don’t just find these businesses off the street, nor do we work with all businesses that approach us. One or many of you have recommended every preferred partner you see in this publication. We won’t even meet with a business that you have not vetted and stamped for approval, in a sense. Our goal is to create a powerhouse network for the REALTORS® and agents in the area and for the best affiliates so we can grow stronger together.

Q: HOW CAN I RECOMMEND A PREFERRED PARTNER?

A: If you have a recommendation for a local business that works with top real estate agents, please let us know. Send an email to robert.orso@realproducersmag.com.

“Friendly crew, professional work. They do a great job the first time without having to have them come back and fix things.”

- Christopher P.

By Ron Sivak

FALL IN LOVE WITH INSURANCE

Tessa Wiggins, agency owner of the Mobile franchise for Goosehead Insurance, is Mobile Bay Real Producers’ Spotlight vendor for August.

Wiggins was born and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, attended private school and excelled academically.

“ I participated in a math club called Mu Alpha Theta, in honor society, and was involved on our Catholic diocesan youth board, where we planned all the youth events. I also skipped first grade and was younger than anyone else in my class all through school.” Tessa said.

Wiggins also made a name for herself athletically.

“I was a cheerleader in junior high but didn’t make the cut going into high school, so decided to twirl the baton instead.” Wiggins said.

“I ended up really doing well. I was Miss Majorette of Louisiana a couple of years in a row, and at the University of Notre Dame I competed in a world competition. There were three different divisions of twirling, and in one I placed third in world for my age group.” she continued.

Not slowing down, Wiggins decided to graduate early from high school and embarked on her journey quickly as a young adult.

“I left half a year early, during my senior year, through an early admissions program and soon after moved to Austin, Texas. I lived there about eight years, finishing college at Concordia University with a degree in business and then worked in marketing.”

After nearly a decade away, Tessa returned to Louisiana.

“An opportunity in the oil and gas industry for a company in Mandeville was available when coming back home. I have always been a math and science kid and it was an opportunity with a chemical injection pump manufacturer, a very interesting sales job.” Wiggins said.

Tessa

Wiggins

GOOSEHEAD INSURANCE

Photos by Lisa Johnson, Deep South Focus Photography

“I ended up being a sales manager for them and had nine salespeople working underneath me. I was the top salesperson several years and worked there successfully until the COVID-19 pandemic came around.” she added.

Tessa pivoted during the pandemic, parting ways from a position she had no desire to leave.

“COVID took a bad turn for the industry and our business slowed a lot. Our CEO downsized and decided to move the executive sales team to Dubai, leaving the production facility in Mandeville. I was laid off.” Wiggins said.

Divine providence soon intervened, however, and put her on a path towards a successful second act where she thrives today.

“Randomly, I had a recruiter contact me on LinkedIn from Goosehead Insurance before my current job ended. I didn’t give it much thought until after being let go, and then reached out.” Tessa said.

Not sure what to expect, Wiggins held the news from family and friends.

“I kept the interview to myself, but before the appointment I was on the phone with my mom. She said that a family friend was having success in insurance, and perhaps I should check into becoming an agent. Later that week, before the appointment, I was visiting with a good friend, and she also randomly mentioned considering insurance as a career. The two of them had not spoken.”

The opportunity with Goosehead presented itself to Tessa as the unmistakable guidance of God’s hand.

“Goosehead has a model that offers ongoing training and support. The overall culture of the company was a good fit for me. Whenever I called other agents that were franchise owners for feedback, it was always positive.” she said.

Living in Slidell at the time, the decision also made good sense from a logistical standpoint.

“My husband works in Pascagoula, and he had been commuting back and forth for 9 years. Our twin girls, Jayci, and Jansyn were transitioning into high school. Both want to attend Auburn. We moved

Reviewing insurance isn’t fun for most people. We’re able to explain their policy and break it down to where they can understand it and know about their coverages.

to Grand Bay, close to his work. I decided to open my agency in Mobile because the market seemed better than some of the surrounding areas.” Wiggins said.

New to the industry, new to the market and making a career move deep in the throes of a worldwide pandemic, Tessa rose to the challenge.

“When I opened in August of 2020, I was scared to death. In January of 2021 I went back for added training and my business took off from there. In July of 2021, I became the top agency in Alabama out of 17 locations and have maintained that position ever since. For 2022, we were also recognized as one of the top 10 offices for the Gulf Coast states, which includes over 100 agencies spread out between Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.” Wiggins said.

One month prior to her one-year anniversary, Tessa made her first agent hire. In November of 2022 she brought on her second producer.

Tessa’s business horizons have also broadened considerably since first opening her office 3 years ago.

“I initially thought it was just going to be me with a small, boutique agency, mostly working from home. I quickly realized that there was a need for what we do and fell in love with insurance. Now, I want to have at least 10 agents working in the office, in the next three to five years, and expand our product lines to offer commercial insurance as well.” she said.

“The thing that sets us apart is we really build a relationship with our clients, as well as try to help educate them. Reviewing insurance isn’t fun for most people. We’re able to explain

their policy and break it down to where they can understand it and know about their coverages. The other thing is being responsive. We’re going to call you back that day. You’re not going to wait to get a call back from us in a week.” she added.

When asked what insight she could provide others who might want to start (or pivot) into a career selling insurance, she offered a bit of advice.

“Get your insurance policy. Read it. If you fall asleep, this work is probably not the job for you. If you find it interesting, it might be something you’d really love and be successful at pursuing.”

For questions or comments about Goosehead Insurance, contact Tessa at (251) 999-6931 or tessa.wiggins@goosehead.com

Divine Drumbeat

Jeff Jones with Keller William is the featured August Rising Star for Real Producers, and, in hindsight, the mosaic of his life has led him down a seemingly preordained path towards remarkable success.

Every move may have been guided by divine intervention, but he has marched to his own drumbeat every step of the way.

EARLY FAITH, EARLY TALENT

A Mobile native, Jones found an anchor in Christian faith at an early age.

“In the fifth grade, a friend invited me to his church downtown for Vacation Bible School. After the preacher gave an altar call for Christ, I made the decision to surrender my life.”

A year later, Jeff discovered another Godgiven gift that has shaped his life ever since.

“The next summer I went along to pick up my brother from Bandcamp. He was a freshman at Shaw High School and played trumpet. I remember hearing the drumline for the first time and was addicted at that point. It was life changing.” Jones said.

JONES JEFF

JONES JEFF

rising star

By Ron Sivak

“I started playing drums with the Hillsdale Middle School Band. I later auditioned for the Mobile County, Middle School Honor Band and got First Chair in the county both years.” Jeff said.

“In high school, I was 1st chair in the state in the Alabama Allstate band all four years of high school. I also received music scholarship offers from LSU, Alabama, and Southern Mississippi, first going to USM because my brother was there.” he added.

Photo by Lisa Johnson, Deep South Focus Photography

FIRST STEPS

Jones soon came back home and in 1996 graduated from the University of Mobile with a degree in Psychology. He then made his way into the working world.

“In the fall of 1997, I got hired at Integrity Music to work in licensing and copyright. I soon realized filing papers was not what I wanted to do as a career. Eleven months later I resigned.”

He also continued playing in local bands.

“I got a call from a local band called ‘Dog Named David’. Andy Cloninger was the founder. Andy’s mom was a prolific songwriter in the Country and Christian music space.”

BIG STAGE

Towards the end of the 1990’s Jones was first introduced to the band that would shape life for the next decade while moving into the new millennium.

“I heard about this band in 1998 that was going to open for us at a University of Mobile event. They

He parted ways with Big Daddy Weave in 2013, shortly after the release of their greatest hit, a song called “Redeemed”.

In late 2019, while studying for the real estate exam and handling the social media and marketing for Power Real Estate, he discovered a love for the business.

“I decided to get my real estate license to lend credibility to my speaking and consulting. But when I sold properties my first three days on the job, I remember half-jokingly telling my wife we were going to be rich.” Jones said.

STUNNING SUCCESS

Jeff’s skill sets perfectly matched the profession.

Fast forward to today, and the full weight of his social media

Overall, the results of his media efforts have been overwhelming at times.

“I remember physically crying in my office in October of 2021 because I was so overwhelmed with business. I had 19 active buyers at the same time, and just couldn’t breathe. It was crazy.”

The end of 2021 saw Jones closing $16 million. In 2022 he closed $20 million. This year his goal is $25 million.

The optics around his brand also seem to be accelerating exponentially.

savvy, intended for clients as a consultant, has been applied to his own brand.

The long list of his accomplishments so far has been phenomenal.

In late 2020, Jones started a YouTube channel highlighting the City of Mobile that turbocharged an already white-hot career.

“I shot my first video myself, and then three years later that video has 46,000 views. That’s what started everything for me.” he said.

He went on to say the videos generate 50% of his current business. Potential buyers are surprised when he answers the phone, giving him the reverence of a TV show host due to the quality of the production.

In 2022 the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce approached him as a brand ambassador, due to his YouTube work highlighting the best parts of the city.

He was recently invited as a guest speaker in South Carolina for another Keller Williams office by peers who follow his Facebook page.

Facebook was also responsible for Jones’ invitation by Fox & Friends News for a guest appearance on their morning show as a local expert on Baldwin and Mobile County real estate. The future for Jeff seems virtually limitless.

For the short term, he plans to continue expanding his media brand into Baldwin County as well as Mississippi.

When asked what advice he could give anyone wanting to try and duplicate the whirlwind ride that has been his life lately, insight was offered.

“Sometimes you need to do as much as you possibly can, to find out what you don’t want to do. That’s what I did.”

For questions or comments about this article, contact Jeff at (251) 545-8445 or JeffJonesAgent@kw.com

Sometimes you need to do as much as you possibly can, to find out what you don’t want to do. That’s what I did.

BALDWIN REALTORS®

Furthers Their Commitment to Community Service

with their Meals on Wheels program in Foley. All together, these service projects aided a large portion of families and individuals facing food insecurity in Baldwin County.

If Realtors® were unable to physically get out and serve this week, they were invited to make a $25 donation to the Community Service Committee’s Backto-School initiative to bring backpacks and school supplies to the underprivileged in South Baldwin County.

“Across the country, almost 66% of all Realtors® volunteer monthly in their community. Giving back is part of who we are as both people and as professionals,” said Rachel Romash-Reese, 2023 President of Baldwin Realtors®. “Together with NAR, we encouraged our local Realtors® to display their hearts for our communities and passion for giving back by participating in this annual week of service.”

OFFICE SPOTLIGHT

Beach Life Vacation Rentals, LLC had 100% office participation in the 2023 Realtor® Volunteer Days. Angela Schoolmann is Broker/Owner of this company, which serves the Gulf Coast primarily through the management of 67 rental properties. Schoolmann founded Beach Life Vacation Rentals in 2016 and is proud to represent female and Native American Realtors® and entrepreneurs in our region.

them; they were like family. When we moved to Baldwin County, I searched but could not find any information about getting involved with this area’s Meals on Wheels program. Then, Baldwin Realtors® advertised the 2023 Volunteer Days, and I saw it listed as an opportunity to serve. I had to jump in!”

While summer months are a busy season for beach rental companies, Schoolmann says it’s invaluable to take a pause from the daily grind and give back. “Summer is a lucrative time, and we want to pay that forward to families that need help in any way we can. By helping our communities, we all succeed, and that’s something I truly have a heart for.” On top of physically volunteering, Beach Life Vacation Rentals also donated money to the Back-to-School initiative benefitting local children in need of support for the coming school year.

We provide resources, education and tools to over 3,000 professionals across the region. We work to protect the interests of property owners, and our members serve buyers and sellers as REAL Advocates, Advisors, and Experts. Realtors agree to abide by a strict code of ethics and are held to a high ethical standard by their peers through their association membership. The term Realtor is a federally registered trademark owned by the National Association of REALTORS® and denotes membership in the Nonprofit Association.

The National Association of Realtors® is America’s largest trade association, representing more than 1.5 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

For further information contact: Kayla Sanders, 251-270-2747 kayla@baldwinrealtors.com

By Kayla Sanders, Communications

Local Realtors® across the county served alongside Prodisee Pantry and Ecumenical Ministries as part of National Realtor® Volunteer Days

Robertsdale, AL (June 30, 2023) – At the beginning of June, Baldwin Realtors® participated in the 2023 REALTOR® Volunteer Days, giving local Realtors® an opportunity to showcase the time and effort they’ve dedicated to Baldwin County and surrounding communities. In partnership with the National Association of Realtors®, Realtors® throughout

South Alabama were encouraged to join in on the nationwide philanthropic initiative while maximizing the impact of their volunteer time.

The Community Service Committee of Baldwin Realtors® (BR) organized fourteen service opportunities during the nationally set aside week of June 3-11, in which any BR member could participate.

The projects included serving at Prodisee Pantry in Spanish Fort during their weekly volunteer times and assisting South Baldwin’s Ecumenical Ministries

When asked why she chose to get involved with Volunteer Days, Schoolmann shared, “Before 2016, my family lived in Tuscaloosa, and we regularly volunteered with the Meals on Wheels program in that area. I loved the relationships we formed with the people on our delivery route. Our presence made their days because many of them were homebound and lonely. My kids and I would take them special treats around the holidays to let them know we were thinking of

Baldwin REALTORS® is the source for real estate in Southern Alabama.

KYM

Unemployed EVERY DAY

Home Grown

Mobile Bay Real Producers Top Agent for August, Kym Trest, was born, raised and remains a staunchly proud product of the Port City.

“I was born and raised in Mobile and attended Shaw High School with two brothers and three sisters. My dad passed away when I was 3 and my mother was a single parent raising six children for nine years, until remarrying when I was 12 years old,” Trest said.

“We all had chores to do and there were no allowances. We would earn money for the movies, the skating rink, or other activities. We grew up working hard.” she added.

Sports were a big outlet for the siblings, and Trest emerged as the most talented of the bunch with softball and tumbling being her specialties.

“I was always athletic and very competitive. I played in the softball leagues and my nickname was ‘Sweet 16’ from my number.” she said.

After graduating in 1981, Kym soon married and started a family. She eventually raised four children, one son and three daughters whose names are (oldest to youngest): David, Deidra, Destin, and Dayla Rae.

The family also formed Trest Construction, and for the next 25 years she worked in and around the construction industry.

FAST START

In 2002, Kym decided to make a move into real estate.

“Over the years, we had bought and sold real estate. I knew houses and had a love for new construction and wanted to give real estate a try. I had big dreams to be one of the best and knew Robert’s Brothers was the best company.” Kym said.

Luck often is defined as preparation meeting opportunity. Trest’s first few months in the business were serendipitous to say the least. One seminal moment happened early at Lowe’s.

“I was in the business for just about three months and had to go to Lowe’s. While there I ran into Larry Givens, the developer and owner of a gated subdivision called the Isle of Palms in West Mobile. He noticed my announcement as a new Realtor. He then told me he hated Realtors, but he liked me. He said, ‘Come by my office and let’s talk’. I went to his office the next week, and my very first listing turned out to be one of most elite in town.” Kym said.

Trest then tapped into her 25 years of building experience to create another opportunity for herself while visiting her highend properties.

“I had 40 lots and would ride through, going out and talking to contractors to build relationships. One landscaper eventually referred me to Mark Boniol, the owner of an auto dealership. We met, he signed

a contract, the following Sunday we had an open house with three interested buyers. Within five weeks the house closed for $779,000. It was my first sale.”

BRIDGING REALTORS AND BUILDERS

Kym has built a reputation over the years as a trailblazer in terms of bridging the gap between realtors and builders.

An example of this was when her friend, local contractor and “Today’s Homeowner” media celebrity Danny Lipford reached out to her while on a business trip.

“Danny called and said, ‘I just had to call you. While attending a state homebuilder’s meeting, there was a conversation about how you are bridging the gap between realtors and builders in Mobile.’ It was a nice compliment and my background in construction helped get this accomplished.” Trest said.

Kym was already a longstanding member of the Alabama Homebuilder’s Association while in construction, and smoothly transitioned over as an affiliate with Robert’s Brothers.

“I applied for the hardest committee, the associate council, and got on as an alternate. I became a full associate member the next year and quickly moved up the ladder as chairperson in 2006. After

I had big dreams to be one of the best and knew Robert’s Brothers was the best company.

serving my term, I was selected by the association as an associate board member, and still serve on the board today.” she said.

ADAPTING TO THE TIMES

In 2008, Kym illustrated her business savvy again by adapting to a precipitous market.

With her “boots on the ground” approach, she had already noticed the writing on the wall locally of new construction’s devastation by the Great Recession. She enhanced her portfolio of current listings and weathered the storm when many of her peers abandoned the industry.

In 2020, after a banner sales year, she adjusted again at the onset of COVID-19.

“In March 2020, the world shut down. Many thought that it was going to be

2008 all over again. After about 30 days we got a call from the HBA to pick up our essential worker cards. Everybody was home with their kids, decided their houses didn’t have enough space and craved outdoor entertainment. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise with interest rates so low.”

GIVING BACK

Fast forward to today and Kym is now known as one of the most decorated and respected high performing Realtors in the area.

She has remained securely nestled among the top ten producers in the Mobile MLS listing since embarking on her career 22 years ago, and usually among the top five names seen on any Roberts Brother’s leaderboard put out in recent memory.

“I feel like you must give back within your community. Volunteer to do

some work. If you’re able, make donations. You don’t have to give every single dime, if you can help somebody by painting a door or helping install a toilet, do that.”

When asked about advice she could give anyone aspiring to follow in her footsteps today, Trest shared advice given to her at the start of her career.

“Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Do what you say you are going to do. Don’t be pushy. Be honest but not too overbearing.” Kym said.

“When I wake up, I am unemployed every day. I need to find a buyer and I need to find a seller. Work hard, treat people the way you want to be treated, give thanks, be grateful and this career can take you a long way.” she concluded.

For questions or comments about this article, contact Kym at (251) 377-8008 or kymtrest@robertsbrothers.com

By Dave Danielson

Providing a Full Picture of Properties

The transparency and guidance you provide to your clients and their families is absolutely essential as you help them move closer to making their dreams of homeownership possible.

That’s why it is so important to have someone you can partner with who shares that same open manner of serving your clients.

That’s exactly what you experience when you work with Beau Crum and Crum Home Inspections.

“I love letting people know what they are about to purchase. I’m very detailed in the inspection work

that I carry out. The REALTORS® who use me a lot know that I am there for the client,” Beau emphasizes.

“As part of that, I try not to overstate issues or derail a sale. I approach everything from the perspective that everything can be repairable. I try to keep the agent and buyer in the game so that everyone is happy.”

Making a Difference Through Time

Prior to beginning Crum Home Inspections, Beau had enjoyed extensive success in another career field. In fact, he spent 27 years in law enforcement, working with U.S. Customs.

Photos by Lew Thomas, Adobe House Media Productions

partner spotlight

“My mentor from law enforcement retired and became a home inspector in Texas. He told me he loved the work, and it was as close as he wanted to get to law enforcement after retirement,” he says.

“I bought a house in 2017 and I had it inspected. I really enjoyed seeing what our inspector at the time go through the process, and I thought this is what I wanted to do.”

An Amazing Journey

So Crum Home Inspections was born in 2018. As Beau says with a warm smile, his work in the industry has been an amazing journey.

“I have really enjoyed working with the people, including hundreds of REALTORS® and their clients,” he points out.

“In the process, I’m a one-man show. I’m a veteran-owned business. I serve lots of veterans and law enforcement. I’ve been doing this long enough that now I’m starting to conduct inspections for their kids as well as for their properties. The word-ofmouth referrals that I have received have meant a lot to me.”

Watching Out for Your Best Interests

On the road to helping his partners and clients, Beau enjoys giving them advice that can save them time and money in the long-run, including giving them a heads-up on certain elements to watch out for.

“One example of that is DURA-PEX plumbing,” Beau says. “The material is prone to leaks and issues for homeowners.”

One of Beau’s favorite items to use during his inspections is his drone.

“That’s my biggest tool. I have FAA certification to fly drones. It does a fantastic job,” he says.

“I have discovered more problems with a drone than I have anything else. I can see things that you don’t see during a regular inspection.”

Family Highlights

Away from work, Beau treasures time with his family, including his wife of 20 years, their three children and two grandchildren.

In their free time, Beau and his family have a passion for fishing, hunting, spending time at the beach and traveling. One of their favorite pursuits is spending time together with family.

I have really enjoyed working with the people, including hundreds of REALTORS® and their clients.

At the end of the day, success is built by doing the right things consistently through time. Beau Crum is a prime example of that truth. Those who work with him understand that he will always be fully forthright with his findings and opinions. And clearly, that’s the type advice you can take to the bank.

“I’m as honest as the day is long. I’m going to shoot straight and not sugarcoat anything. I will tell you if something is bad,” Beau says.

“I’m very compassionate and can read people very well. When I’m talking with a client, I support their realtors in the process.

You want them to have a good experience when they are buying a house.”

Long-Term Resource

The inspection process is not a one-and-done proposition for Beau either. In fact, in many cases, it’s just the start of a bond that he builds with REALTORS® and their clients.

As he says, “I’m here for them beyond that day. I don’t mind answering questions after the fact, too and helping them find people to help them take care of certain issues that may arise through time.”

When you’re looking for a partner who will provide a full picture of a property, including deal-saving solutions, look to Beau Crum and Crum Home Inspections.

Contact Crum Home Inspections Today!

Email: beau.crum@gmail.com

Cell: 251-281-7387

Web: www.CrumHomeInspections.com

By Dave Danielson

GINNY STOPA

GENUINE LEADERSHIP

You can tell when you see a true leader in their field … someone who is dedicated to continually learning, growing, and serving those around them with the best of intentions … someone like Ginny Stopa.

As Broker/Owner of NextHome Gulf Coast Living, Ginny demonstrates a high level of genuine leadership through her interactions with her team, her clients, and her community every day.

EARLY STEPS IN LIFE

Prior to beginning her adventure in real estate, Ginny managed a daycare at Gold’s Gym in Mobile. She also worked for parts houses and clerical work. Eventually, her mother’s path influenced her as well.

“My mother had started in real estate about three years before I did. She was doing sales and then she got into property management with Irvine & Company

Photos by Lew Thomas, Adobe House Media Productions

broker in charge

doing commercial, rentals, and residential work,” Ginny says. “I worked with her doing property management. In time, she bought the property management side of the company.”

MAKING AN IMPACT

Ginny earned her license in 1994. In those days before the Internet and social media, she remembers posting rental notices on a message board.

“At the time there were just a handful of companies that did property management,” Ginny says.

“In 2001, my husband, Clayton, and I bought the company from my parents. Today, Clayton runs that company — Alabama Coastal Rentals.”

PULLING TOGETHER

Today, Ginny leads the NextHome Gulf Coast Living brokerage that includes a talented team of professionals, including seven licensed

agents and a Closing Coordinator. She and Amy Slade form one team within the brokerage.

“I was with RE/MAX for over 20 years - Amy was with RE/MAX for over 8 years,” she points out.

“We have been together with NextHome for a year and a half.”

Ginny and Amy do around 100 transactions a year and recently earned a top-level production award from NextHome.

FULLY INVESTED IN THEIR NEEDS

When you talk with Ginny, it’s easy to see the strong passion she has for working with her clients and their families to help make their real estate dreams come true.

“Having that opportunity to work with clients is something I really enjoy,” she says.

TODAY, IF I WAS BRAND NEW, I WOULD JOIN A TEAM. I SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON TRIAL AND ERROR. ON A TEAM, YOU CAN SOMETIMES GET LEADS AND TRAINING WITHOUT THE HUGE COST. THAT’S A GREAT WAY TO GET A JUMP START.

“I enjoy showing properties, but usually work more with sellers than I do with buyers. I’m not out there to make a paycheck. I’m there for all the different life cycles that they will go through. I want to be their resource through time. I love when clients call and ask for my advice.”

FAMILY HIGHLIGHTS

Family is at the heart of life for Ginny. She and Clayton were married in 1995. They look forward to time spent with their children — Jackson, Morgan, and Victoria.

“My primary drive in what I do is my family,” she says. “Real estate gives me the flexibility to make my children’s events and be there to support them.”

In her free time, Ginny has a love for reading. Her favorite titles tend to involve growth and development topics.

When it comes to supporting the community, Ginny likes taking part in Luke Day—a day of volunteering for every NextHome office each June 15. One organization that they partner with is The Haven. The NextHome mascot is an orange Frenchie dog named Luke so it works well with their community outreach.

“This year we’re building Luke pet pantries like the blessing boxes,” Ginny says. “It provides pet supplies and food.”

Other favorites include K9 Companions, as well as the Prodisee Pantry in Spanish Fort.

As Ginny reflects on her career, she offers helpful advice to others who are looking to take their own steps forward in the business.

“The main thing is to treat it like a job. Don’t just work real estate around what you’re doing. It’s a serious job,” Ginny emphasizes.

“When I first got started, there was no such thing as a team concept. Today, if I was brand new, I would join a team. I spent a lot of money on trial and error. On a team, you can sometimes get leads and training without the huge cost. That’s a great way to get a jump start.”

With a knack for helping others and lifting them closer toward their own dreams, Ginny Stopa is a prime example of genuine leadership.

FOR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS ARTICLE, CONTACT GINNY AT (251) 623-0200 OR GINNY@GINNYSTOPA.COM