M O B I L E B AY
C O N N E C T I N G .
RISING STAR Meg Perkins Wittendorfer BROKER IN CHARGE Kasey Reeves
E L E VAT I N G .
I N S P I R I N G .
Real Producer
A n ne D o r ma n
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT Deep South Focus Photography
JANUARY 2022
Dedicated and Seasoned Attorneys You & Your Clients Can Trust. FAIRHOPE
455 Magnolia Ave., Ste C-1 Fairhope, AL 36532 Tel: 251-928-9900 Fax: 251-928-9904
GULF SHORES 125 Cove Ave Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Tel: 251-967-1026 Fax: 251-967-1085
U NSURPASSE D SERV IC E AND EX P ERTISE Attorney Owned & Operated Proudly serving Baldwin and Mobile County Realtors for over forty years. RES I DE NT IAL | COM MERCIA L | NEW C ONSTRUC T ION | RE FI NANC E T RANSAC T IONS
Reach out to us today at (251) 937-4111
ldholt.com • attorney@ldholt.com 7581 Spanish Fort Blvd, Spanish Fort, AL 36527
WWW.FAIRHOPETITLE.COM 2 • January 2022
• 1031 Tax Saving Realty Exchanges • Preserving Family Realty Legacies • Hold Realty Assets in Protected Entities • Moving Realty through Estate Issues
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 3
TABLE OF
CONTENTS 10
My name is Diane Brookerd. I am a local Title Agent with over 30 years of experience in the local title industry. I am excited to introduce you to SPRINGDALE TITLE where WE SAY YES! We have closed thousands of loans for a variety of lenders in multiple states. Our staff is cross-trained both in the multiple facets of the closing process and in the varying nuances of each state in which we operate.
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24
Publisher’s Note: Happy, Kind New Year!
Rising Star Meg Perkins Wittendorfer
Real Producer Anne Dorman
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40
46
Deep South Focus Photography
Broker in Charge Kasey Reeves
Real Estate Development News
We also pride ourselves on staying up-to-date technologically and educationally so that we may offer the safest and most satisfying closing experience possible to our clients. It is our pleasure to tackle the hard problems and complicated closings that other title companies shy away from.
solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Mobile Bay Real Producers magazine are not endorsed or recommended by The N2 Company or the publisher. Therefore, neither The N2 Company nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies.
Do you: · · · · ·
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 The N2 Company d/b/a Real Producers but remain
Need a split closing? Have a client who is out town and needs to sign remotely? Need extra documents drafted for your closing? Have a problem with your chain of title? Need an odd closing time, day, or location due to an emergency or other extraordinary circumstance?
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251-270-4500 | Diane.Brookerd@SpringdaleTitle.com | SpringdaleTitle.com 4 • January 2022
@SpringdaleTitleDaphne @realproducers
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 5
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
Robert Orso
Heather Johnson
James Avera Photographer
Videographer Adobe House Media Productions
Jon Jeffress
Jill Claire Gentry
Dave Danielson
Asia Schnoes
Owner/Publisher
Photographer
6 • January 2022
Ad Strategist
Writer
Contributing Writer
Lew Thomas,
Social Media Project Manager
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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! ATTORNEY - REAL ESTATE LD Holt & Associates, LLC LD Holt 7581 Spanish Fort Blvd. Spanish Fort, AL 36527 (251) 937-4111 LDholt.com BUILDER/CONSTRUCTION Lundy Akridge Construction & Development Aaron Akridge 6281 Halfmile Road Irvington, AL 36544 (251) 366-1508 CABINETS/CUSTOM Jimmy Stocks Woodworks James Stocks 10251 Gayfer Road Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 895-5524 FOUNDATION REPAIR MDH Foundation Repair Shannon Reichart 108 5th Street Daphne, AL 36526 (251) 375-0565 mdhfoundationrepair.com/ HOME INSPECTION Home Boss of Mobile County Riaan DuPlessis 109 Riveroaks Drive Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 300-4711 www.homeboss mobilecounty.com Mobile Bay Inspections Christian Leman 1664 Lamar Street Mobile, AL 36604 (765) 426-5575
8 • January 2022
Southern Inspection Services, LLC Mike Burchfield 1612 Chase Drive Saraland, AL 36571 (251) 404-0957
Guaranteed Rate Mortgage Garett Caywood 27084 Valamour Blvd. Loxley, AL 36551 (251) 455-2028 guaranteedrate.com
HOME WARRANTY Old Republic Home Protection Todd Powell (850) 543-1512 X1 www.ORHP.com
Homespire Mortgage Corporation Kelly Lankford (251) 213-8314 homespiremortgage.com
HVAC/PLUMBING Hansen Heating & Air Chad Setchell (251) 471-3047 Hansenair.com INSURANCE Coastal Insurance Group, LLC Kurt Wielkens 3660 Dauphin Street, Suite A Mobile, AL 36608 (251) 344-9898 www.coastalinsgrp.com LENDER Alabama Ag Credit Andy Grant 9810 Timber Circle Spanish Fort, AL 36527 (251) 626-2929 alabamaagcredit.com Bank of England Mortgage Alabama (BOE) Bryant MacKellar 1710 Main Street Daphne, AL 36526 (404) 840-6612 www.boealabama.com Clear Mortgage Kenneth Harter (251) 282-6894 clearmortgage.com
Mission 1st Mortgage, Inc. Bryan Dewberry 805 Church Street Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 583-4218 mission1stmortgageinc.com MOLD AND ODOR REMEDIATION AdvantaClean Jimmie Newton 25421 Hwy. 181, Suite 103 Daphne, AL 36526 (251) 776-4669 advantaclean.com MOVING COMPANY R S Services Kyle Richardson 3704 Moffett Road Mobile, AL 36618 (251) 895-2675 www.richardsonservices.com PEST SOLUTIONS E3 Termite & Pest Control Mike Adams 20040 Hwy 181 Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 278-7954 E3pest.com Mr. Buggs Pest Patrol Kenneth Kirby (205) 369-2205 mrbuggs.com
Proshield Termite & Pest Control Michael Hayes (251) 776-2362 PHOTOGRAPHY Avera Design James Avera (251) 479-2545 averadesign.com Deep South Focus Photography Jon Jeffress 233 Suzanne Circle Mobile, AL 36608 (251) 421-0517 www.deepsouthfocus.com/ PLUMBING Kirchler Plumbing Daniel Kirchler (251) 490-0931
STAGE & DESIGN Show Homes, Mobile - Baldwin Kim Odom 526 Caliber Steet Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 622-5004
Fairhope Title Services, LLC Brian Britt 455 Magnolia Street Suite C-1 Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 928-9900 www.fairhopetitle.com
STONE / CABINETRY / TILE Coastal Stone & Cabinetry Stephanie Hale 16020 S. Greeno Road Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 929-3475 www.coastalstonefairhope.com
Springdale Title, LLC Diane Brookerd 1501B Highway 98 Daphne, AL 36526 (251) 270-4500 springdaletitle.com
TITLE COMPANY Clear Title Lisa Walker 1680 West 2nd Street Unit A Gulf Shores, AL 36547 (251) 747-2550 x2517524181 www.getcleartitle.com
VIDEOGRAPHER Adobe House Media Production Lew Thomas 27940 Bay Branch Drive Daphne, AL 36526 (251) 454-0004 adobehousemp.com
ROOFING SERVICES Stauter Contracting Lois Stauter 302 Riverbend Drive Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 230-7090 stauterbuilt.com SIGNS & GRAPHICS Fast Signs Pauline McKean 4668 Airport Blvd. Mobile, AL 36608 (251) 279-0747 fastsigns.com SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING Southern View Media Michelle Murrill (251) 583-2605 southernviewmedia.com
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 9
Happy, Kind
NEW YEAR! publisher’s note
By Robert Orso
Happy New Year, Real Producers! My, what a momentous year you had in 2021. Many of you broke all your previous sales records. In reviewing the agent ranking report for the past 12 months, I see that the lowest qualifying sales to make the top three hundred list has increased by about $2.5 million and many of you have far surpassed your 2020 numbers by much more. Congratulations!
evil and embrace everything that is good and virtuous. 10 Be devoted to tenderly loving your fellow citizens as members of one family. Try to outdo yourselves in respect and honor of one another. 16 Live happily together in a spirit of harmony and be as mindful of another’s worth as you are your own.
You should feel blessed that amid a pandemic and many other cultural and economic challenges, the real estate industry has flourished. What can we expect for 2022?
Did you catch the ingredients of the recipe for a beautiful life that enriches those around you? 1. Don’t participate in the non-beneficial opinions and behaviors of the culture. Instead, be transformed inwardly and be your own person with a higher standard. 2. Don’t be prideful, no matter how successful you are. Live in humility toward God and others. My mother use to say, “I wish I could buy that person for what he is worth and sell him for what he thinks he is worth.” Don’t be that kind of person. 3. Develop appropriate self-esteem. Without this, you will not treat others with love and respect. 4. Let your heart and life be ruled by genuine love. Don’t masquerade as someone you are not. 5. Despise evil and focus on all the good and virtue around you. Never despise the people, only the evil.
Times are still challenging, and our national problems persist. Aside from the health and economic issues we face, there is a lot of division, hatred, and unrest all around us. So, how will we react or act? Action is always better than reaction, and the best course is to challenge ourselves to have influence, understanding that when we decide to not participate in the aforementioned maladies, we benefit ourselves as much or more than we benefit society. Most people have a creed or philosophy they live by. For me, it is the Bible. I do not consider it a rule book as much as I see it as the manual or instruction guide for a beautiful life. I like to read the various translations of scripture if they are true to the original text. One of my favorites is The Passion Translation (TPT). In the next few paragraphs, I would like to share some verses from Romans Chapter 12. These verses outline how we are to act toward others. 2 Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes. 3 God has given me grace to speak a warning about pride. I would ask each of you to be emptied of self-promotion and not create a false image of your importance. Instead, honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem. 9 Let the inner movement of your heart always be to love one another, and never play the role of an actor wearing a mask. Despise 10 • January 2022
The diversity of our culture is at least part of the reason for divisions. We can accept, respect, and even love those whose opinions and actions are different from ours. The surest path to peace is kindness and respect. Determining to be kind in all matters instead of reacting to how others act will defuse most any animosity and keep you and your environment peaceful. I do not expect that we will experience any kind of utopia in this life, but God daily shows us his kindness and mercy and has promised us His peace. Accept it, relish in it, and pass it on. Have a happy and prosperous 2022, filled with kindness.
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 11
BANK STATEMENT
GulfQuest
Self Employed? Close On A Home Loan Quickly Using Bank Statements
first social event of 2022
Maritime Museum
When you get the invitation, please RSVP and join other top-producing realtors and our preferred partners on Thursday, March 10 at the GulfQuest Maritime Museum, located at 155 S. Water Street in downtown Mobile. The event will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Watch for the invitation by email and text. If you do not receive an invitation, please contact me at robert.orso@ realproducersmag.com. The invitations will be one-plus, meaning you can bring your spouse, partner, or friend.
Self-employed borrowers can have a challenging time qualifying for a traditional home loan. But you don’t have to worry about there not being a program available for your client to qualify for a mortgage. Bank Statement programs are designed specifically for those who do not have the tax documents,W-2’s, or adequate proof of income that clearly indicates their ability to pay. Give your borrower the good news that the home that seemed out of reach can now be a reality.
Danielle Dewberry NMLS#2002296 | 251-281-8108 danielle@mission1stmortgageinc.com
Remember, this event is just for you and our advertising partners. Save the date and don’t miss it! No speeches, no agenda. This event is strictly social with great food and beverages in a beautiful setting. It’s a great opportunity for networking, collaboration, and fellowship.
This is not a commitment to make a loan, nor should it be construed as lending advice. Loans are subject to borrower qualifications, including income, property evaluation, sufficient equity in the home to meet LTV requirements, and final credit approval. Approvals are subject to underwriting guidelines, interest rates, and program guidelines, and are subject to change without notice based on applicant’s eligibility and market conditions. Refinancing an existing loan may result in total finance charges being higher over life of loan. Reduction in payments may reflect longer loan terms. Terms of the loan may be subject to payment of points and fees by the applicant. Mission 1st Mortgage Inc. is an Equal Housing Lender NMLS# 1968994.
12 • January 2022
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 13
2021 I N
R E V I E W
I want to thank all of our top agents, Real Producers, for their interesting and inspiring stories in 2021. It was a great year for Mobile Bay Real Producers. So many outstanding stories from the top agents, rising stars, brokers/leaders, and advertising partners. Looking forward to many more great articles in 2022!
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 15
Energizing the E x p e r i e n ce rising star By Dave Danielson Photos by James Avera, Avera Design
The lofty results you help your clients achieve don’t just happen by accident. Each day, you drive those milestones in the process. You make it all come together – and that’s exactly what Meg Wittendorfer does. Adding a Spark
As a REALTOR® with EXIT Realty Lyon Fairhope, and this month’s Rising Star, Meg energizes the experience for those around her and knows how to add a true spark to her interactions and work. “In my work with my clients, I always want to give them an easygoing transaction without high-pressure sales,” Meg explains. “At the end of the day life happens, so I want the process to be a smooth and enjoyable experience. I want to bring happiness and energy to it.”
M eg Pe rk i n s Witt en d o rfer 16 • January 2022
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Learning and Growing
After graduating high school from Bayside Academy, Meg then went to college and graduated from the University of Mobile in 2011 with an exercise physiology degree. Meg started her career managing a shoe boutique in Fairhope and later worked at Stowe’s Jewelers. She then went on and gained valuable experience in medical sales. In 2017, Meg married her husband, Brian, and they soon started their family.
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In the meantime, Meg and her family faced an unexpected hurdle after her mother suffered a stroke. “Suddenly I had to be both a new mom and a caretaker all at the same time, so I knew it was time for me to pull back from medical sales,” she says. Less than two years later, Meg and Brian welcomed their second child into the world, and it felt like the right time for Meg to make a professional change for her family.
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 17
It felt good getting back into the real world, and luckily everyone has so much grace for new moms. It’s a really wonderful thing that people understand.
area. She explains it was a very neat experience to have been a part of. Pushing Through
As Meg got her start in the real estate world, she worked through a challenging transition.
“We talked about it, and Brian was very encouraging for me to get my real estate license. I’m so glad that I did. It has been a game-changer,” Meg says with a warm smile. “It gives us a second income and also the flexibility to be a caretaker for my parents and a stay-at-home mom for my family.” Deep Roots
Meg earned her real estate license
18 • January 2022
“I was born and raised here just like the past six generations in my family, so our roots run deep,” Meg says.
“Since I had been a stay-athome mom, I had some challenges and a learning curve. I was talking and working with adults again,” she says. “It felt good getting back into the real world, and luckily everyone has so much grace for new moms. It’s a really wonderful thing that people understand.”
In fact, Meg had an unexpected opportunity to show a client of hers a home that unbeknownst to her had been built by her Great Uncle in the Fish River
The passion Meg feels for her work is fueled by achievement.
two years ago. Since then, she has enjoyed the opportunity to help residents of an area that has long been part of her family’s history.
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 19
As she says, “I love the excitement of being there for people to help them reach their goals … to get that call where they tell me what they’re looking for. It’s the excitement of helping them find their home.” The signs of success have been impressive for Meg. In fact, in 2021, she had already recorded over $2 million in sales volume through October. Rewarding World
Family time is at the heart of life for Meg. She cherishes time spent with Brian, and their two children — Brooks and Rebekah. In their free time, Meg and her family have a farmhouse that was built by her grandparents in 1939 that they like to visit. “We love to go and relax there,” Meg says. “It is definitely our happy place.” Meg also has a love for animals. In fact, she had chickens before getting married. She started a small business called Megg’s Eggs where she earned a reputation for quality. To this day, people in the community still know her as and call her Megg’s Eggs. Congratulations to Meg Wittendorfer for her dedication, commitment, and creativity … energizing the experience for her clients and her community.
20 • January 2022
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 21
A CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL INSPECTOR YOU CAN REFER TO YOUR CLIENTS. OWNER
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 23
real producer By Jill Clair Gentry Photos by Jon Jeffress, Deep South Focus Photography
A nne
D o r man of mobi l e bay real ty
Fam ily, co mmu n ity motivate A n ne Dorman to excel Anne Dorman has only been selling real estate for five years, but she’s already making waves as a top agent and co-owner of Mobile Bay Realty, in addition to raising three daughters and serving her community through involvement in several nonprofit organizations.
24 • January 2022
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 25
From therapist to real estate agent
Anne grew up in Midtown Mobile as the youngest child in a large family. “My parents instilled a highly productive work ethic in us all,” she says. “They not only showed us the value of hard work by their example, but we could also see that they enjoyed their careers and contributions to the community. They not only made me proud to have them as role models—they planted a desire in me to work hard and make them proud.” Before real estate, Anne was a therapist who specialized in providing trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to children and adolescents. She and her husband Lane, who is a hydrogeologist, lived in four different states before moving back to South Alabama eight years ago and settling in Fairhope. “I loved being a therapist, but after we got to Alabama, I was feeling burned out,” Anne says. “I had over 100 children on my caseload here, and it was just too much. My husband is so
supportive and said, ‘Maybe it’s time to try something different.’ Real estate seemed like a great fit for my high energy, outgoing, problem-solving personality.” And it has been a great fit—after just five years, Anne closed 70 properties worth $22 million in 2021. She also recently started a team, The Dorman Group. Mobile Bay Realty
For most of her career, Anne has worked with broker Alison Ward. Two years ago, an opportunity arose for Alison, Anne, and three other agents to venture out on their own, and Mobile Bay Realty was born. “The five of us are very different and we have various skills and talents we bring to the table,” Anne says. “We respect our unique differences, but we all share similar values and ideals, prioritize client care, agent care, and community involvement. I want to be a strong female role model for my three daughters, so I’m proud that our company is owned by five strong women.” Mobile Bay Realty’s mission is to be the most respected brokerage in Baldwin County. Anne says one way they are working toward that goal
is refraining from using recruitment tactics to grow the brokerage. “We are not trying to grow big or fast,” she says. “We are looking for agents that are a good fit, and so far, we’ve grown to 24 agents.”
26 • January 2022
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Another distinctive for Mobile Bay Realty—and for Anne, specifically— is community involvement.
goal is to work smarter, not harder so that I can dedicate more time to volunteer opportunities.”
“My family is very involved in the community, and I enjoy volunteering in my free time,” Anne says. “My
Anne serves with the Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation, her church (Fairhope United
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 27
I fi nd t he c halle nge s and t he re lat i o nsh ips bui l t d u ring a real e s tate t ra nsac t i o n to b e ve r y reward ing.
Methodist), Junior Auxiliary of the Eastern Shore, and her children’s schools. “These are things I feel passionate about and have also helped me to increase my sphere of influence in an organic way, which is much easier than cold calling,” she says. What she wants new agents to know
Anne’s advice for new agents is to reach out to seasoned agents for advice and mentorship. “The best real estate lessons I’ve learned are the ones over coffee with experienced agents who have a wealth of knowledge to share,” she says. “Seek out a role model, a mentor, or a coach. Do not view other agents as your
28 • January 2022
competition, but as your colleagues that share similar goals.” She also highly recommends joining a team. “I immediately joined a team when I was brand new to real estate, and that is why I was motivated to form my own team this year,” Anne says. “I feel that we can best serve our clients when we collaborate with other agents and use our different skills and talents to balance one another.” She also reminds agents to never forget their “why.” For Anne, her inspiration comes from serving those around her and being a role model for her children. “I find the challenges and the relationships built during a real estate
transaction to be very rewarding,” she says. “I also have three daughters who I want to make proud. Molly is in 11th grade at Alabama School of Math and Science in Mobile, Epsie is in seventh grade at Fairhope Middle, and Anna Elliott is in fourth grade at Fairhope Elementary. My daughters are my motivators—they are bright and energetic and each incredibly unique.” Anne also emphasizes that to be a successful real estate agent and a parent, it takes teamwork at home. “My husband is a huge support, and I could not have my career, family, and volunteer work without his unwavering support,” she says. “Although he is a scientist with a busy schedule, he is also the chef of our house and can braid hair, too.”
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 29
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30 • January 2022
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 31
By Jill Clair Gentry Photography by James Avera, Avera Design
DEEP SOUTH FOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY M A K I N G R E A L E S TAT E PHOTOGRAPHY THE EASIEST PA R T O F T H E S A L E In real estate, excellent photography is no longer optional, and features like 3D tours, aerial photography, and floorplans are becoming increasingly important as buyers rely more and more on online resources in their search for a home.
32 • January 2022
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property as opposed to cell phone photos,” Jeffress says. “The investment is totally worth it.” Making agents’ lives easier
Photographer Jon Jeffress, co-founder of Deep South Focus Photography, says professional photography is the best investment a listing agent or homeowner can make in their quest to sell a home.
Real estate photography is all about details—details agents often don’t have time to focus on when getting a property ready to put on the market. Jeffress provides agents a photography preparation list they can provide to the homeowners to ensure the photos are as good as they possibly can be.
“Professional photos are going to attract more potential buyers to the
“We really try to make the real estate agent’s life easier,” Jeffress says. “We
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 33
advise the homeowner to replace any burned-out lightbulbs and to make sure the bulbs are all the same color temperature, to open up blinds, clear out clutter, depersonalize, and remove trash cans and toilet plungers. We also give tips to enhance curb appeal—adding fresh plants and pine straw makes a huge impact, and it’s not that expensive to do.”
by the FAA to legally fly a drone for commercial purposes.
Every agent knows scheduling with third parties can be a nightmare phone tag scenario, but Deep South Focus uses cutting-edge scheduling software to remove the burden of scheduling from the agent.
Becoming a real estate photographer
“Agents must make sure a photographer or videographer is properly certified and insured to do commercial work with a drone,” he says. “It’s illegal to do commercial photos and video without a part 107 certificate from the FAA.”
Photography is Jeffress’ second career. He previously worked for a website hosting and marketing company, and photography was just a hobby. In 2009, he took a panoramic photo of a beach scene while on vacation in North Carolina and ended up winning an award for it.
“They can book the project online, and based on what services they choose, the system takes into consideration how long each service takes and calculates availability in real time based upon the address entered and the drive times from my other bookings,” Jeffress says. “They don’t have to play phone tag with me and the seller.”
“My wife Julie bought more equipment for me after that and I took some pictures at a classic car show,” he said. “I had a website where I stored all my photos online, and the website had a built-in shopping cart. I never expected to sell anything, but one day, someone bought some pictures of a car. I contacted him to ask why they purchased the photos, and he said, ‘It’s my car!’ That began my professional photography career.”
After the photos are taken, Jeffress guarantees a 24-hour turnaround time, even though his editing process is extensive. “I take multiple images of each composition and blend them together to bring out all the details and colors in the space,” he says. “Editing is definitely the more time-consuming part.”
In 2012, Jon and Julie chose the name Deep South Focus Photography. Jon focused on automotive event photography and began attending car shows all over the country with Julie, eventually setting up a mobile print studio that allowed them to print and frame car photos at the events.
Diverse service offerings
In today’s digital marketplace, photography is just one piece of the puzzle. Jeffress says the newest trend is 3D home tours. “We use a special camera, and it takes a spherical image of the room and stitches it together,” he says. “The editing process allows you to put labels and arrows on the images,
34 • January 2022
kind of like Google Earth for inside a house. It allows buyers to get a better feeling of the layout of the home.” Deep South Focus also offers Zillow 3D tours, which brings the property up higher in Zillow searches. According
to data from Zillow, homes with a 3D tour sell 10 percent faster than listings without them, and they are 22 percent more likely to sell within 30 days. Jeffress also offers a floorplan image that can be added to the listing. “It’s
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one thing to look at pictures of the home, but buyers want to know where the bedrooms are in relation to each other,” Jeffress says. “Someone with young kids might want the bedrooms near the master. Being able to see the layout can make a big difference and
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can save the buyer, agent, and seller a lot of time.” Listings that have a lot of land or are positioned near a waterfront can benefit from aerial photography and video as well. Jeffress is certified
Then, in 2015, the Jeffresses put their home on the market. “I figured, I’m a professional photographer; I can take the pictures for the listing,” he says. “We had multiple showings the first day it went live. We didn’t even get a sign in the yard—it
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 35
sold that quick. Our REALTOR® said the photos made the difference.” They slowly began adding more and more real estate clients to their workload, and in 2019, Jon and Julie took the business full time, spending weekends at car shows and photographing real estate during the week. Jeffress says he is truly passionate about assisting homeowners in selling their homes, aiding buyers in finding the perfect property, and helping agents build their businesses.
or someone else, utilize a photographer to help you visually market your listings. There’s enough business for all of us. I love to see agents invest
their time wisely and hire out these services so they can spend that saved time building their business.”
Be Confident In Your Property Transaction Inspecting homes pending a sale or pre-market home inspections!
“I just want agents to use their time wisely and to focus on what they do best in real estate. Use professionals, such as a professional photographer, that make your life easier and save you time,” he says. “Whether it’s me 36 • January 2022
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k
broker in charge By Jill Clair Gentry Photos by Jon Jeffress, Deep South Focus Photography
Kasey Reeves has degrees in nutrition and nursing, but her entire career trajectory changed when she bought her Daphne home in 2012. “I realized I liked real estate better than what I was doing, and the possibilities with real estate were so much bigger than with nursing,” she says. So instead of pursuing a lifelong nursing career, Kasey studied for the real estate exam and began working as an agent in 2015. Originally from Scottsboro, Alabama, Kasey had no network in South Alabama and decided to start selling at the beach.
Kasey Reeves
“I just knew that area from going there as a kid,” she says. “I started working with a lot of investors at the beach, which I still do, but I realized I was making a living, not making a life.” As she got to know the area, Kasey was drawn to the Eastern Shore. In 2018, Hollie MacKellar opened Local Property Inc., and Kasey was intrigued.
of Local Property
40 • January 2022
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Kasey Reeves finds belonging, community, and fulfillment through real estate
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“We had worked together before, and I really respected her, so I started watching what she was doing with this small, independent, boutique real estate firm concept,” Kasey says. “I could see myself working there. So, when she posted
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 41
on Facebook saying she wanted to grow her team, I sent her a message saying I was interested.”
I still sell so I can be in the trenches with them—I know the properties and the other agents, and I can help them navigate all kinds of situations because I’m doing it every day, too.
Hollie interviewed several candidates and called Kasey in January 2020 to tell her she was the perfect fit. The two hit it off immediately. “There’s such a great energy in downtown Fairhope,” Kasey says. “Having an office in the middle of all the action makes going to work fun. How many people can say that? I feel lucky to be a part of the Fairhope community and to be able to share that with and our agents.” In November 2020, Kasey earned her broker’s license and was promoted to Vice President of Sales. In addition to continuing to sell real estate, she runs the office—hiring, training, and paying agents—and everything in between. She is also the Qualifying Broker for Local Property’s beach office, which serves Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Escambia County in Florida.
this comes from my nursing background—I love to help agents grow. We are their biggest cheerleaders. I love answering questions. I still sell so I can be in the trenches with them—I know the properties and the other agents, and I can help them navigate all kinds of situations because I’m doing it every day, too.”
“My job is to make sure everyone is successful,” she says. “I think
The hard work Hollie, Kasey, and others have put in at Local Property
is paying off. In 2021, the 44 agents at Local Property closed nearly 400 transactions worth over $150 million. “I think the culture Hollie has built— that there is plenty of real estate to go around and all of us can succeed together—has really made the difference,” Kasey says. “We are one of the fastest-growing independent agencies in coastal Alabama.” As a broker, Kasey’s top advice for new agents is to persevere and work hard through the first couple of years, which can be challenging. “It gets better,” she says. “You eventually start getting repeat clients and building your pipeline. People want to do real estate because it’s flexible, but in the beginning, you don’t have a lot of free time. If you want to be successful, you have to grind. You have to be on the phone a lot and get out of your comfort zone. I try to be encouraging, but I also let them know you have to be motivated and a hard worker—there are so many agents, and if you’re not out there finding business, it’s not just going to fall in your lap.”
42 • January 2022
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It’s also essential to have exceptional training and mentorship. “You have to know how to get going— you can pass the test, but it’s like any degree. What’s on the test is not the real world,” Kasey says. “You need a broker or someone who is leading you, showing you the right way to do it. This is the largest investment people are making, and they’re trusting you with that. It can be scary and dangerous to hold that much power. They need an agent who is trained correctly and knows what they are doing.” When Kasey isn’t working, she spends time on her seven-acre farm, caring for her five horses and two dogs. She began playing polo three years ago and is involved with Chukkers for Charity, the event that replaced Polo at the Point. “Local Property was one of the major sponsors last year, and we had a great time,” she says. “I think it’s really cool to see the connection between polo and real estate come full circle. That’s how it should be—find something you love that makes you different and serve the people around you while you’re having fun.”
find something you love that makes you different and serve the people around you
44 • January 2022
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NEW MOBILE DOWNTOWN C O N D O M I N I U M S !
real estate development news Finally, another choice for downtown living! Creole Corner Condos are brand new so plan for very little maintenance. These are situated on the corner of N. Warren and St. Michael Streets, which is where the historic old Mobile Creole community was located in the 19th and 20th centuries, so while they are new, there is a ton of history in the neighborhood. The 1400 square feet include a 400-sq-ft heated secure garage, unheard of in downtown Mobile. The second floor is the open living/dining room, kitchen, and powder room. The third floor is a huge bedroom and bath with two walk-in closets. Every unit has a balcony overlooking the city and is within walking distance to so many restaurants, venues, galleries, and bars. You are going to love the gorgeous hardwood floors, high ceilings, and open concept. Creole Corner has a gated and lovely landscaped green space in the back, where you are going to love grilling out. It will include a common grill, granite bar, and a sink for your cookouts. The monthly condo fee of $370 includes exterior insurance and taxes and your personal gas, water, garbage, termite, and 100 Mbps broadband. The only utility bill you will have is electricity. We are making it easy on everyone. Prices starting at $299,000. Make an appointment today! Contact Lydia Blackwell. (251) 209-1817 or lydiablackwell59@gmail.com.
46 • January 2022
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