Residential & Commercial ROOFING
New Roofing
Roof Installation, Metal Roofing, Shingles Roofing, Flat Roofing
GUTTERS
Seamless Rain Gutters, Gutter Installation
Meet The Team
Robert Orso Publisher/Owner
Rebecca Wilson Writer
Ron Sivak Writter
Dave Danielson Writer
Jess Wellar Writer Christina Kitchen Ad Strategist
Cheri Social Media Manager
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!
ALARM/SECURITY SYSTEMS
& MONITORING
Hunter Security, Inc. (251) 626-5112 huntersecurity.net
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Mobile Chamber of Commerce
Michael Galvin (251) 431-8628 mobilechamber.com
CLEANING - RESIDENTIAL
J. S. Fresh Start Cleaning Services, LLC (251) 654-5650
CUSTOM BUILDER
Ark Builders LLC (251) 709-4331
arkbuildersllc.com
FENCING SOLUTIONS
Eastern Shore Fence Company (251) 604-3018
FLOORING & DESIGN
Prestigious Flooring and Design LLC
Garrett Scarberry (251) 802-0363
prestigiousflooringand designllc.com
FOUNDATION REPAIR
MDH Foundation Repair
Shannon Reichart (251) 375-0565
108 5th Street, Daphne, AL 36526 mdhfoundationrepair.com/
FOUNDATION REPAIR AND WATERPROOFING
APS Foundation (205) 243-4741 alabamaprofessional.com
HOME INSPECTION
Complete Home Inspections, LLC (251) 510-1809 completehomeinspectionsllc.com
Knockout Home Inspections (251) 747-1214 koinspections.com
HVAC/PLUMBING/ ELECTRICIANS
Hansen Super Techs Brianna Mcadory (251) 850-5322 HansenSuperTechs.com
LENDER
Home Front Lending (251) 509-7791 hflend.com
Movement Mortgage
Richard C Hampton (251) 270-4482
4851 Wharf Parkway Suite D-228 Orange Beach, AL 36561 movement.com/chad.hampton
MORTGAGE / LENDER
New American Funding (952) 715-7295 nafinc.com
MOVING/DELIVERY/STORAGE
All My Sons Moving & Storage www.allmysons.com/mobile/ index.aspx
PEST SOLUTIONS
E3 Termite & Pest Control
Mike Adams (251) 850-7378 975 W I65 Service Rd N Mobile, AL 36618 E3pest.com
Prewett Pest Control (251) 709-5949 prewettpestcontrol.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
Captured By Tyler (706) 599-8194 capturedbytyler.com
Dream Home Productions (256) 590-3510
REAL ESTATE ORGANIZATIONS
Baldwin Realtors Association (251) 947-3777 baldwinrealtors.com
ROOFING SERVICES
Pelican Roofing And Gutters (251) 725-3375 pelicanroofingal.com
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
VACATION RENTALS
iTrip Vacations
Alabama Beaches (251) 974-1404 alabamaitrip.co
VIDEO PRODUCTION/ DRONE SERVICES
EyeSky Video & Photo, LLC
Stephen Hinds (317) 727-2919
297 Beall Lane Daphne, AL 36526 eyeskyvp.com
The Mission of Mobile Bay Real Producers
Celebrating Your Success
BY ROBERT ORSO
The Mission of Real Producers is to elevate the culture of our real estate community by inspiring us to know one another better. It is quite a simple concept... when we know one another better, we treat each other better, and when we treat each other better, it leads to trust. When we trust one another, it becomes an honor and privilege to do business together.
This is true with realtor-to-realtor relationships (buyer’s agent/seller’s agent) and is also true with realtor to vendor relationships.
This magazine is published and mailed to a very elite group of realtors who carry this real estate market by producing over 90% of the transactions and sales volume.
My goal is not to just meet you once and publish an article about your success. I really want to get to know you
all better and I work extremely hard to create a social community of and for the best realtors in Baldwin and Mobile counties and to connect you with the best vendors whose businesses serve the needs of realtors and their clients.
I am happy that our readership is high because you want to learn more about your fellow realtors. The stories we publish month after month are consistently interesting and inspiring. There is something any realtor can benefit from in each story.
EVENTS – One of the elements of our social community is our quarterly Social Events. Our last event was at TopGolf in Mobile and we had a ton of fun. When you get the RSVP Invitation from Event Brite, please RSVP and join us. You will probably meet realtors you may have worked with but have never met. Our events are relaxed with no speeches or
presentations. Just good food, drinks, door prizes and networking. If you have never attended one of our events you are missing out.
SOMETHING NEW IN 2025
Each month I will host a Magazine Celebration Party for the realtors and the preferred partners who are featured that month. This is a small intimate gathering with champagne and snacks to celebrate the realtors who qualified to be featured in Gulf Coast Real Producers. A few realtors and a few preferred partners will be invited.
I want to encourage you all to engage with us this year. Our goal is to connect, elevate and inspire you all. Keep reading the magazine each month and attend our social events. You have everything to gain.
Happy New Year!
IDelivering
a
ASHLEY DARST
New American Funding
BY DAVE DANIELSON
n the process of getting your clients to the closing table, you look for every advantage you can to make the process as stress-free and easy as possible for them. Luckily, you have that advantage with Mortgage Consultant Ashley Darst and New American Funding. With roots in Minnesota and a career that spans several states and roles, Ashley has a deep understanding of the mortgage industry and a genuine love for helping her clients find the best solutions to meet their unique needs.
Getting Her Start
Ashley’s career in finance started in the heart of Minnesota, where she began working at Wells Fargo as a Teller after graduating from college in Oklahoma. It didn’t take long for her to climb the ranks at the bank, moving from Teller to Banker and eventually transitioning into the mortgage department, where she worked on the Operations side of a Correspondent team that purchased mortgages from other banks. Over time, she honed her skills even further by specializing in USDA loans as a Processor.
From Wells Fargo, Ashley transitioned to a smaller mortgage company before ultimately finding her place at New American Funding.
“All of my past experience has really primed me for this role,” Ashley explains.
“What I love most about being a mortgage consultant is putting all the pieces together. It’s about listening to people’s stories and finding a loan product that
fits their specific needs. I also really enjoy the problem-solving aspect—it’s something I’ve always been good at because I’m a bit of a math nerd!”
Passion for the Profession
Ashley’s passion for mortgage lending is deeply tied to the people she works with. “I love connecting with people and hearing their stories. Every person is unique, and finding a solution that works for them is incredibly fulfilling,” she says. But it’s not just the clients who make the job rewarding—Ashley also enjoys the collaborative nature of her role. “I have a phenomenal team that I’ve worked with for over eight years. We’re all very aligned, and that has been a huge factor in my success,” she adds.
In addition to the strong support system at New American Funding, Ashley credits her team’s ability
to provide clients with a wide variety of loan options as another key to their success. “One thing I love to tell agents and clients is that New American Funding offers a diverse range of loan programs beyond the standard ones,” Ashley explains. “We have bank statement loans, down payment assistance programs, and even a special NAF Cash program, which transforms the buyer into a cash buyer. This helps our clients become more competitive in the market.”
Care in Action
Ashley is also excited about the tech-driven tools New American Funding offers, such as the NAF Connect platform, which allows clients to track the status of their loan throughout the process. “Having access to real-time updates is a huge benefit, but I also make sure to provide personal updates to my clients,” she
PHOTOS BY STEPHEN HINDS, EYE SKY PHOTO & VIDEO
says. “Additionally, if I’m unavailable, Realtors can pull their own pre-approval letter through our system, which is incredibly helpful, especially for late-night offers.”
Another standout feature of working with New American Funding is their speed and efficiency. “We pride ourselves on our quick turnaround time,” Ashley says. “On average, we close on a purchase in 22 days or less, though we’ve often been able to close even faster. Our ability to work efficiently helps our clients move quickly when they find the right property.”
Family Foundation
Ashley is dedicated to her family, which is her biggest source of support.
“I’m blessed to have a wonderful husband, Mike, and two beautiful daughters—Cameron, who is 3, and Naomi, who is 1,” she says. “They’re my biggest supporters, and I couldn’t ask for a better family. We have a great time together, and they’re always there for me.”
In addition to spending quality time with her family, Ashley is also deeply involved in her local community in Alabama. “I’ve been in Alabama for five years now, and I absolutely love it here,” she says. “I’m involved in a number of groups, including the Junior League of Mobile, where I was Chair of Special Events for our top fundraiser, the Christmas Jubilee. I’m also part of a Mardi Gras group and the Mobile Chamber of Commerce.”
Ashley’s commitment to community extends to her faith-based and service-
oriented work as well.
“I’m also a member of the Christian Women’s Business Organization, and we focus a lot on giving back,” she shares. “My husband’s parents live right across the street from us, which has been a blessing. It’s nice to be close to family, and we all enjoy supporting each other.”
When it comes to personal interests, Ashley and her family love to spend time together at the beach, visit Minnesota to see family, and they also adore their two puppies—Harvey and Penny.
One of their favorite things is taking them for walks.
“We’re always on the go, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she says with a smile.
Communication for Results
Ashley’s approach to her mortgage business is grounded in a commitment to communication. “I want my clients to feel like the process is seamless,” she explains. “I work hard to make sure they receive the
right amount of information and frequent updates. It’s very important to me that they feel like they’re in trusted hands.”
Her dedication to exceeding client expectations has earned her a reputation for providing exceptional service. “When clients tell me that I made the process easy for them and that they felt informed every step of the way, it means a lot to me,” Ashley says. “Communication is key, and I want everyone I work with to feel well taken care of.”
As Ashley continues to help clients navigate the mortgage process, she remains committed to offering personalized, efficient, and caring service. With a combination of experience, expertise, and a genuine love for people, Ashley Darst is a mortgage consultant who goes above and beyond to ensure her clients’ dreams of homeownership become a reality.
I work hard to make sure they receive the right amount of information and frequent updates. It’s very important to me that they feel like they’re in trusted hands.”
KelseyNever One & Done
BY JESS WELLAR
King
PHOTOS BY TYLER ERTZBERGER, CAPTURED BY TYLER
“I never want to have one transaction with a buyer or seller,” Kelsey King begins. “My goal is to create a client for life. I have found by having this mentality, the ability to connect and work with people is the most rewarding.”
A top Realtor at Keller Williams Alabama Gulf Coast, Kelsey has built a solid reputation over the past eight years on the depth of her relationships, creating a rewarding career that thrives on lifelong connections.
Putting Down Roots
Growing up in the small Appalachian valley town of Erwin, Tennessee, Kelsey learned early on the importance of genuine relationships and a solid work ethic. She earned her bachelor’s in science and service management and soon found herself working with Marriott, initially in food and beverage, then in sales and catering, and eventually as an event planner.
“I worked my way up to Director of Events at the Downtown Marriott,” she explains, a role that required her to travel extensively. “I was gone 20 days at a time, and as much as I loved the job, it was a lot. My husband, Chris, and I had moved to the Mobile Bay area for his job, and I eventually decided that traveling wasn’t sustainable if we wanted to build a life in Baldwin County.”
Despite being new to the area, Kelsey’s husband encouraged her to pursue real estate — a field he understood well from his background in the mortgage industry.
“My husband thought I’d excel in real estate!” Kelsey beams. “His encouragement
was the push I needed to get my license and dive into this new career path.”
Making The Leap
Initially, Kelsey dipped her toes into real estate part-time while continuing to work at a local restaurant, Brick and Spoon, where she made lasting connections with customers and colleagues.
“I started by closing a few deals a year from my restaurant relationships,” she recals. Even with a solid client base, she kept another income stream, acknowledging, “Those early days were a lot of hard work, and I had a fantastic mentor in my husband, Chris, who has been my biggest supporter and helped me navigate the mortgage side.”
She also credits her former broker, Stacey Rogers, who was always there to answer questions and guide her in those early days.
Since taking her real estate career full-time, Kelsey’s
business has flourished. She’s on track for $16 million in volume and 35 units this year, with a proven track record of consistency from Keller Williams as a Top 20 agent each year since 2021 — this year climbing into the Top 5 out of 200 agents.
“It’s an honor to be recognized, but at the end of the day, success for me is about being happy with yourself, family, and friends,” she notes.
Going That Extra Mile
Kelsey’s approach to real estate is simple but powerful: whatever her clients need, she’s there to assist. Whether that means helping her clients find local doctors, connecting them with the best boat launches, or even bringing dinner to their home after a long day of unpacking, she goes out of her way to support them.
“I always appoint myself the quarterback of the transaction, making sure every piece moves smoothly to closing,” she elaborates.
I’m
grateful for my growing business, but
I
important moment
don’t want to miss an with my daughter either.”
“I want the client to have the best experience possible and make the transaction as effortless as it can be because I know they can be exhausted and stressed.”
For newer agents, Kelsey points out there are no shortcuts to building a sphere of influence: “Do the activities every day. Go to every class your schedule will allow. Have as many real estate conversations as you possibly can.”
Reflecting on her own experience, she continues, “When you first start, it’s easy to skip that networking event or that open house, but those are the things that build your business. Don’t let any opportunity slip by.”
Kelsey’s attentiveness to her clients doesn’t stop when the transaction closes either. Last year, she hosted a client appreciation party, celebrating the relationships she’s built — and as a former event planner, of course it was going to be fun!
“We had 60 clients attend last time,” she smiles.
“I’m doing it again this February because I want my clients to know they’re appreciated, that they’re not just another sale.”
Family First
When she’s not guiding clients, Kelsey’s world revolves around her loved ones. She and her husband Chris, her “college sweetheart” whom she married in 2011, have
a spunky four-year-old daughter named Orie.
“Orie is full of life and sass,” Kelsey laughs. The Kings also have a beloved five-year-old French-Boston mix named Lola Bean, who’s as much a part of the family as anyone.
“Lola sleeps with our daughter every night and she’s the best dog I’ve ever had,” Kelsey adds.
Balancing a busy real estate career with family life isn’t always easy, but Kelsey is committed to making it work.
“My short-term goal is definitely work-life balance,” she admits. “I’m grateful for my growing business, but I don’t want to miss an important moment with my daughter either.”
Together, Kelsey and her brood make time for family
In the long term, I’d love to create a business I can pass on to my daughter”
beach days, boating, and traveling. They recently visited the Dominican Republic and are busy planning an extended family trip to Costa Rica in
Kelsey is also deeply involved in her community,
organizations. She’s a proud member of the Pleasure Island Junior Women’s Club, which organizes fun events like sand castle building competitions, a fall gala, and spring 5K run to raise funds for local childrens’ clothing needs. Through Impact 100, Kelsey helps raise over $500,000 annually to support local nonprofits, and she’s a passionate supporter of the American Heart Association
Look ahead, Kelsey’s future plans are grounded in her top priorities — building relationships to
“In the long term, I’d love to create a business daughter,” she concludes. “My number one business priority is for my clients to be happy, and for them to make the most informed real estate decisions.”
For questions or comments about this article, contact Kelsey at kelsey.king@ kw.com or 423-330-8853
JEFF & DAPHNE
DYNAMIC DUO COOK
BY RON SIVAK
Jeff and Daphne Cook have taken the industry by storm, primarily due to their faith, strong work ethic, and past success as “accidental entrepreneurs”. Their foundation is cemented by a 35-year marriage between a couple that was destined to connect. Here is their story.
Daphne Cook
“I was born and raised in Atmore and loved participating in cheerleading, tennis, theater, ensemble and pageants. After high school, I headed to the University of Montevallo with a partial academic scholarship and faith that God would provide the rest.” Daphne said. Cook quickly discovered Campus Outreach Ministry which helped establish habits such as daily bible reading, prayer and scripture memory and set the tone for the rest of her life.
Two years later, mentors challenged Daphne to transfer to Jacksonville State University to help start a ministry. Changing schools meant losing her scholarship, but she was confident God would provide.
“After a tough first year of working full time, God sent an ‘angel’ who funded the remainder of my college expenses.” Cook said.
In her junior year, Daphne was selected to serve as a summer camp counselor in Lafayette.
“I had broken off an engagement the prior year, and was not looking to date for a while. However, when I arrived early for lifeguard certification, I met a very handsome young man who captured my heart.” she said.
Jeff Cook
Jeff grew up in Phenix City and was passionate about football and baseball. He was recruited to play football for Troy University but was unable to compete due to a sports injury, and later realized that God had another plan. Cook soon discovered Campus Outreach Ministry and soon transferred to Valdosta State University, Georgia, to help start a ministry. Around that time, he also joined the Naval Reserve and decided to work as a summer camp counselor in Lafayette. When arriving
early for lifeguard training, he met Daphne and was instantly smitten.
Power Team
A well-known directive mandated by the camp director at the time for councilors was that “Dating is not allowed, but you can marry when you leave.” Jeff and Daphne honored the rule; after camp they dated long distance for 16 months and married in 1989.
After college, they both taught and coached multiple sports at rival middle schools. As track coaches, they competed
against one another for 2 years. Jeff eventually secured a pharmaceutical sales position and then moved to Birmingham. Daphne continued teaching until 2000 when Jeff’s work led them to Baldwin County. Daphne considered starting a real estate career, but the timing was not right.
“We will never forget driving down Highway 98 and taking in the beauty of the Eastern Shore. We quickly fell in love and it was so easy to get connected and amazed to find a small town that was so rich in art, culture, parks,
PHOTOS BY TYLER ERTZBERGER, CAPTURED BY TYLER
sporting activities, restaurants and breathtaking sunsets.”
After moving to Fairhope, they were ready to start a family and chose to adopt their first child. Within a few months their son, Nathan, was born in Mobile. They later had two biological children, a daughter Alex, born in 2002 and a son, Broxton, in 2005. It was during this time, as a homeschooling mom, that Daphne became an “accidental entrepreneur” in what would become a wildly successful business venture.
“After a very difficult delivery with my daughter, I was exhausted,” she said. She went on to say that a friend shared nutritional supplements which helped restore her energy and get back in shape. Wanting to work from home to be available for her young family, Daphne learned how to turn her passion into income. Jeff also loved the supplements and they soon partnered to build what was initially a side business. By 2010, the income from their venture matched Jeff’s pharmaceutical income, just as he was laid off. As their business continued to grow, the duo became top producers and helped others become top producers. Regarding their extraordinary success, Jeff explained, “Being involved in a strong leadership culture made an incredible impact on our lives, our family, and our business.”
Although loving their business, she and Jeff still had a desire to get involved with Real Estate. In 2019, when the compensation plan for their company changed abruptly, they knew that the opportunity to become Realtors would be their next pivot, but they had to move fast.
With a 2-month warning, they branched out into consulting, interior home painting and property management to provide for their family while starting in real estate. Although 2019-2020 was extremely challenging, the skills and resilience developed in their past business venture served them well.
“THE PIVOT TO REAL ESTATE WAS EXTREMELY CHALLENGING, BUT WE ARE BLOWN AWAY BY WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. WE ARE ALSO GRATEFUL FOR THE AMAZING FRIENDSHIPS WITH OUR CLIENTS, SERVICE PROVIDERS AND OTHER AGENTS.”
“It took 3 long months to close the first sale and then came Covid and Hurricane Sally. However, we prayed, worked long hours and sold 14 properties in year one.” Daphne said.
In 2021, their volume was just over $10 million and the duo earned the eXp ICON award. That year, Jeff transitioned full-time into real estate, and the couple closed over $13M the following year.
“The pivot to real estate was extremely challenging, but we are blown away by what God has done in the last five years. We are also grateful for the amazing friendships with our clients, service providers and other agents”, Daphne said.
“In 2005 we both read ‘The Travelers Gift’ by Andy Andrews, and it ignited a passion for leadership development that has deeply impacted our lives. A friend painted the ‘7 Decisions’ from that book for us, and it still hangs in our foyer as a daily reminder of the power of applying those principles.” Jeff said.
“One of our mentors, Charlie Tremendous Jones, states that the next five years of your life will be the same as now, except for the people you meet and the books you read. This transition has confirmed our belief in that.” Daphne concluded.
For questions or comments about this article, contact Daphne at daphne. cook@exprealty.com or 251-767-3807
Mary CumbestCarpenter
PURE, HARD WORK
Mary Cumbest-Carpenter, Mobile Bay Real Producers Broker in Charge for January, has a strong family legacy in real estate. Born at Ocean Springs Hospital, she grew up in Wade, Mississippi.
“I grew up in a very small community north of Pascagoula, living in the same home my whole life and only a few minutes away from Cumbest Realty in Moss Point.” Cumbest-Carpenter said. A well-rounded student, Mary was energetic at East Central High School.
“I was in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, ran cross-country, active in student government, French club, with history and algebra as my favorite classes.” she said.
On a side note, a noteworthy friendship was established in high school with fellow ECHS alum, Brad Arnold, the lead singer of Three Doors Down.
“Brad and I had geometry together and were in the same church youth group for years. I remember that he played drums in church. We kept in touch after graduation, and a few years later it was surreal to see them at Oktoberfest, as they became famous.”
Cumbest-Carpenter said.
With dreams of law school, Mary enrolled at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Gautier before a major life event caused her first pivot.
“My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer and I changed majors to stay local. During my first year of college, he passed away and I then finished nursing school at the University of Mobile, graduating in 2001.” she said.
Running parallel to her career, Mary married Scott Carpenter and the newlyweds promptly purchased their first home.
“Scott and I met each other after high school, and he was a few years older. He owned a contracting business at the time and his background helped us with buying and renovating real estate.” she said.
REAL ESTATE HERITAGE
While working as a nurse at Mobile Infirmary, Mary’s real estate DNA inexorably emerged, first seen through her hobbies.
“In my early 20’s, on my weekends off work, I would go to visit open houses and always loved it. Seven years in nursing had also made me realize that this wasn’t the career that I wanted to follow for the rest of my life. After talking to family involved with Cumbest Realty, I decided to get my Realtor’s license in 2007.” she said.
BY RON SIVAK
PHOTOS BY TYLER ERTZBERGER, CAPTURED BY TYLER
Incidentally, late 2007 was also the start of the “Great Recession”, hitting the U.S. real estate market like a sledgehammer. While many local agents were departing en masse, Mary was initially unaware of the downturn.
“I had the blessing of not really knowing that the market was on its way down when starting, and was focused on learning how to build my business, treating it like a 9-to-5 job. I went into the office daily like punching a time clock, and my first closing was done in 90 days.” Mary said.
Cumbest-Carpenter was recognized as “Rookie of the Year” at the end of 2008 and, to this day, it is her proudest award among a shelf full of trophies earned over nearly a two decade career.
TRACKING SUCCESS
The ensuing years sped by and milestones were hit with increasing frequency.
2010 saw her earn a broker’s license with ambitious early plans of opening an office.
2012 witnessed the birth of her daughter (Madison Claire) and, while caring for a toddler, she doubled her production in 2014 to $10 million while maintaining a work/life balance.
2015 began with the hire of a business coach to add systems and processes to manage her exponentially increasing production.
In 2017, Mary triumphantly became a broker/owner, in partnership with her husband Scott, of Re/Max Legacy Group.
“We opened our office at 7267 Cottage Hill Road and were very blessed to buy the building in such a great location. My husband has a lot of experience in construction before working in real estate, and his team renovated the space.” Cumbest-Carpenter said.
To date, Mary has helped over 2,000 clients, successfully closed upwards of $180 million and has been consistently ranked among the Top 1% in Mobile area market sales volume, out of over 2,000 active agents.
Moving into 2025 and beyond, Mary wants to increase the time she spends providing business coaching
by hosting trainings at her office, and enjoys mentoring new agents. Her dual mantra preaches juxtaposing continuous self-improvement with a healthy work/life balance.
“To master a skill, you should invest 10,000 hours of your time. 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? You must constantly improve.” she said.
QUALITY TIME
Mary’s story highlights a unique blend of professional success, faith-driven advocacy, and personal fulfillment.
Her passion for her Christian faith and strong connections to Israel demonstrate a deeply rooted commitment to her beliefs and values. Her family’s continued pilgrimages to Israel reflect a desire to deepen spiritual ties and build meaningful relationships within the Jewish state, which aligns with her involvement in organizations that support the region.
“One of the highlights of our first trip was going to Re/Max Jerusalem and, as an office, we support the Jewish state. We’re very involved in several organizations that support Israel and are really looking forward to our time there this year.” she said.
Mary and Scott also stay busy on the family side of things, as their daughter is actively involved in sports and is currently a member of a traveling volleyball team.
INSIGHT
When asked for advice to give those inspired by her story, Mary was accommodating.
“Treat this as a business and be fully committed. The secret to success is pure, hard work and it’s not easy. It’s also wise to have six months of reserve funds, because you don’t want to be forced to pull the plug while on the verge of a breakthrough.”
For questions or comments about this article, contact Mary at marycarpenter. realtor@gmail.com or 251-367-1318
“TREAT
THIS AS A BUSINESS AND BE FULLY COMMITTED. THE SECRET TO SUCCESS IS PURE, HARD WORK AND IT’S NOT EASY.”
What Top Realtors Think About Mobile Bay Real Producers
Amanda Spears – Bellator Realty, Spanish Fort
“I would like to extend my thanks to the Mobile Bay Real Producers team and their advertisers for their unwavering support. Their dedication to showcasing our area’s top producing agents, hosting networking events, and providing FREE publicity through their publication and social media is greatly appreciated!”
Cody Maley – Scout South Properties, Elberta
“I LOVE the Mobile Bay Real Producers community! From the social events to the meaningful articles composed in the magazine to the rich social media content, the quality of the brand is evident in every facet. I’m very thankful for this publication dedicated to Realtors and the real estate sector.”
Erick Haffner – Realty Executives, Gulf Shores
“Real Producers Magazine is an excellent platform for fostering connections with fellow agents and brokers, offering invaluable industry knowledge. Furthermore, it serves as an exceptional source for locating licensed vendors catering to the diverse, everyday needs within the real estate profession.”
Tracy Womack – RE/MAX Signature Properties, Mobile
“Mobile Bay Real Producers Magazine is a big supporter of the Real Estate industry in general. They work hard to make sure the public knows who the Real Estate agents are that are well connected, knowledgeable & giving back to the communities we live in. They also do a great job of connecting their readers with high quality resources from anything such as attorneys to heating and air companies. I always love to read the magazine every month!”
Stan Szapiel – Caribe Realty Inc., Orange Beach
“I cannot express how impressed I have been with the article I was featured in for Mobile Bay Real Producers As the on-site Broker for Caribe Resort / Caribe Realty in Orange Beach, Alabama, this article has not only had an impact to our local market, but several of my clients from around the country called to congratulate me. Many of the guests that visit our resort come back every year and I have come to know them over the course of my employment. This article was greatly embraced by some of our long- term guests and clients who have purchased property from me. To this day I keep a copy or two in the sales office which gives me instant credibility to the buyers and sellers of Caribe Resort condominiums. I must say, not only did I get an ego boost, but my clients could not congratulate me more on such a fine article.”
Many thanks to the team at Mobile Bay Real Producers!
Pam Stein – Roberts Brothers Realty, Fairhope
“The magazine got me a lot of recognition and great reviews from my friends and clients. I felt like it was very classy, and the article was well written. Thanks for this great opportunity”.
Victor Howard – Ridings Realty, Mobile
I am Victor Howard, a passionate and dedicated Realtor with Ridings Realty, LLC, with almost three years of industry experience. I would like to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation to Mobile Bay Real Producers magazine for their unwavering support and commitment to promoting real estate professionals. Their team has been a delight to work with, showcasing utmost professionalism, organization, and a hands-on approach. I was honored to be featured in their March 2023 issue as a rising star, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share my enthusiasm for real estate with others. Thank you Mobile Bay Real Producers for all that you do!
Kayla Sanders, Marketing & Communications Director, Baldwin Realtors “Baldwin REALTORS® is thankful for the partnership we have with Mobile Bay Real Producers. As our affiliate members, they have sponsored several of our REALTOR® networking opportunities throughout the year. And we know they are working hard to spread a good word about the value of our members to the communities they serve.”
Amanda Spears
Erick Haffner
Tracy Womack
Pam Stein
Kayla Sanders
Victor Howard
Stan Szapiel
Cody Maley
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,
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
