M O B I L E B AY
C O N N E C T I N G .
E L E VAT I N G .
I N S P I R I N G .
Real Producer
RISING STAR:
Rick Sharpe BROKER IN CHARGE:
TRACEY WOMACK
Mary Carpenter
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT:
Lisa Hannah Walker Clear Title
By Jon Jeffress, Deep South Focus Photography
M AY 2 0 2 2
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
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ldholt.com • attorney@ldholt.com 7581 Spanish Fort Blvd, Spanish Fort, AL 36527
WWW.FAIRHOPETITLE.COM 2 • May 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
"We are Diane Brookerd and Kimberly Blake. We have a combined experience level of 48 years in our local title insurance industry. It is our honor to serve you and your clients with a warm welcome and huge smile on our faces. We are blessed to represent Springdale Title, LLC and we are excited to introduce you to our wonderful company! Springdale Title is not like the rest, come and let us show you what you are missing!" We have closed thousands of loans for a variety of lenders. Our staff is cross-trained both in multiple facets of the closing process and in the varying nuances of many title issues for the state in which we operate.
14
20
Publisher’s Note: It’s All About Community
Event Recap Photos: Mobile Carnival Museum
Clear Path to Closing: Get Clear Title
24
32
38
Real Producer: Tracy Womack
Rising Star: Rick Sharpe
Broker In Charge: Mary Carpenter
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
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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
Owner/Publisher
Jon Jeffress Photographer
6 • May 2022
Ad Strategist
Jill Claire Gentry Writer
James Avera Photographer
Dave Danielson Contributing Writer
Lew Thomas,
Videographer Adobe House Media Productions
Asia Schnoes Social Media Project Manager
Olivia McNorton
Publishing Assistant & Writer
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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 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 Southern Inspection Services, LLC Mike Burchfield 1612 Chase Drive Saraland, AL 36571 (251) 404-0957 HOME WARRANTY Old Republic Home Protection Todd Powell (850) 543-1512 x1 www.ORHP.com
8 • May 2022
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 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 Movement Mortgage Richard C Hampton 4851 Wharf Parkway Suite D-228 Orange Beach, AL 36561 (251) 270-4482 movement.com/chad. hampton
Clear Mortgage Kenneth Harter (251) 282-6894 clearmortgage.com
MOLD AND ODOR REMEDIATION AdvantaClean Jimmie Newton 25421 Hwy. 181, Suite 103 Daphne, AL 36526 (251) 776-4669 advantaclean.com
Cornerstone Mortgage Solutions Bart Hare 12180 Ariel Way Spanish Fort, AL 36527 (251) 753-5105 choosecornerstone.com
PEST SOLUTIONS E3 Termite & Pest Control Mike Adams 20040 Hwy 181 Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 850-7378 E3pest.com
Guaranteed Rate Mortgage Garett Caywood 27084 Valamour Blvd. Loxley, AL 36551 (251) 455-2028 guaranteedrate.com
Mr. Buggs Pest Patrol Kenneth Kirby (205) 369-2205 mrbuggs.com
Homespire Mortgage Corporation Kelly Lankford (251) 213-8314 homespiremortgage.com
Proshield Termite & Pest Control Michael Hayes (251) 776-2362
Southeastern Exterminating Mike Hollis 25378 Profit Drive Daphne, AL 36561 (251) 402-0264 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/ POWER WASHING Prestige Power Washing John Lankford 14194 Sierra Court Summerdale, AL 36580 (251) 213-8313
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING Southern View Media Michelle Murrill (251) 583-2605 southernviewmedia.com
Fairhope Title Services, LLC Brian Britt 455 Magnolia Street Suite C-1 Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 928-9900 www.fairhopetitle.com
STAGE & DESIGN Show Homes, Mobile - Baldwin Kim Odom 82 Plantation Pointe Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 622-5004
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
PROVIDES A QUICK, PROFESSIONAL TERMITE REPORT, TO BOND THE HOME & GET THE CLOSING QUICKER!
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 8370 Jeff Hamilton Rd. Ext. | Mobile, AL 36695
25378 Profit Dr. | Daphne, AL 36526
251-621-1750 251-639-3481 SouthEasternSolutions.com
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 9
publisher’s note
It’s All About
COMMUNITY Real Producing REALTORS® and Their Business Partners
It is always great to be a part of something that is significant and beneficial to you personally and professionally. We find a lot of satisfaction, gratitude and often profit by being a part of a community. Most of you know that Real Producers is a national franchise with platforms and top REALTOR® communities in over 100 U.S. markets. Mobile Bay Real Producers launched in this market in April 2020. Since then, we have worked and endeavored to build a close community made up of the top-producing REALTORS® and your business partners who advertise and support your magazine and social events. We hosted our third private social event on March 10 at the Mobile Carnival Museum, and the feeling of community was extraordinarily strong. You can watch the video recap on our Mobile Bay Real Producers Facebook page to get a sense of how the top REALTORS® who attended felt about the event. The banner that is on the front cover of every issue is “Connecting, Elevating, Inspiring” top REALTORS®. That is our mission. Who are the members of the community we build? The top-producing REALTORS® in the market. Those
10 • May 2022
As I meet with Real Producing REALTORS®, I only ask for two things in return for what we do: First, I ask you to make our social events a priority and attend them if possible. We have all had functions that we did not feel we had the time or energy to attend, but we went anyway, and once there we had a fun time. I guarantee you will enjoy the Real Producers events. Secondly, I ask you to refer me or introduce me to your best and trusted service providers (vendors). Some of them you may think are already
REALTORS® who have not reached top status are also watching and inquiring about how they can be a member. And the business partners who to a large degree gain most of their business from REALTOR® referrals and want to develop relationships with you top REALTORS® and increase the number of referrals. Even if they are already extremely busy and do not think they need to advertise makes no difference. The important thing is that they join the community and support the REALTORS® who are sending them the line share of their business.
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I want to give my sincere thanks to all of you who have become an enthusiastic member of the Mobile Bay Real Producers community. I appreciate your participation and positive feedback. Our community is already big, and I look forward to the excitement and engagement growing stronger. See you at the next event!
Prestige Power Washing LLC Professional Exterior Cleaning providing Soft Washing & Power Washing Services for all of Baldwin County and surrounding areas. More than 10yrs of experience and knowledge in the industry and known for the highest quality work!
John Lankford (Owner)
Follow Us On
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SCAN HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT!
Did you know there are more victims held against their will today than ever before? That’s
How do we build and maintain the community? By providing a forum for you all to tell your stories. I know by talking to many of you that you have worked with other agents on the other side of transactions, that you have never met and know truly little about. We give you the opportunity to meet them in our magazine, learn all about them, and hopefully learn what has made them so successful. Our private social events are icing on the cake as you get to meet one another and improve your collaboration in the future. For all of you top REALTORS® (Real Producers), this is a community without costs. We never ask you to pay for the magazine or the articles that are written about you.
remarkably busy, but that has nothing to do with anything. It is all about joining the community that supports their businesses.
why The N2 Company – the company behind this publication and 850+ others like it – is financially committed to end human trafficking.
FOR EVERY AD WE SELL, N2 DONATES ENOUGH MONEY TO FREE 2 SLAVES FROM CAPTIVITY. The average Fortune 500 company donates about 1% of their profits to charity. The N2 Company donates more than 2% of their gross revenue.
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Visit n2gives.com to learn more about our fight.
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 11
If you missed our March 10th Mobile Bay Real Producers social event, you missed a good time! Thanks to all of the top REALTORS® who turned out and thanks for all your positive feedback and testimonials on the recap videos now posted on FaceBook. I want to give a special thanks to all of our advertising partners who sponsored this event. Without your support, the event would not have been possible. Everyone, be on the lookout for a “Save the Date” email for our next event.
MARCH 10 SOCIAL EVENT RECAP EVENT SPONSOR RECOGNITION
GOLD SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
SUPPORTING SPONSOR
12 • May 2022
SUPPORTING SPONSOR
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 13
event recap photos Photos by Jon Jeffress, Deep South Focus Photography
Carnival Museum Mobile
14 • May 2022
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 15
16 • May 2022
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 17
OWNER
Your premier hometown roofing experts. Call Lois Stauter today for a complimentary estimate. 251.230.7090 StauterBuilt.com Locally Owned & Operated • • • •
Commercial & Residential Roofing Residential Re-Roof Insurance Restoration Standing Seam Metal
18 • May 2022
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 19
Written By Jill Claire Gentry Photos By Sam Whitt
T
he title business certainly involves a lot of details and paperwork. But Lisa Hannah Walker, owner of Clear Title, LLC in Gulf Shores, says for her, it’s all about people. Her team, along with the real estate agents, lenders, buyers and sellers she serves, are the reasons she’s spent 24 happy years in the title business. “I love being able to help people, whether they are buying, selling or refinancing,” Walker says. “My favorite part of my job is helping first-time homebuyers. Buying your first home is a major milestone. It is exciting, but it can also be scary. I like helping them get through the complicated process to closing and hearing about their plans for the house. It is so rewarding to help them realize their dream.” Because of its coastal location, Clear Title often works with buyers and sellers of secondary and investment homes. That kind of market lends itself to unique challenges, as well as fun transactions.
GET CLEAR TITLE CLEAR PATH TO CLOSING
20 • May 2022
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“Every transaction is unique. Many of our buyers and sellers do not live here, so it can be challenging to get everything pulled together on time,” Walker says. “We use email, overnight delivery or mobile notary services to accommodate outof-town customers who are unable to come to closing in person. About once a year, usually around Christmas, I’ll have a buyer who is gifting their family a property on the beach, and we get to help with the surprise. Serving such a diverse group of customers and hearing their unique stories brings another dimension to pushing paperwork.”
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Walker says while professionalism is key, she has also worked hard to create an office culture that embraces the laid-back, fun-loving spirit of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Walker’s dog, Rufus, serves as Clear Title’s mascot in the office, which is located in the heart of Gulf Shores on West Second Street. Rufus often settles nerves and calms awkward situations during closings. “We do everything we can in tense closing situations to make sure everyone stays happy, but Rufus is often the best one to send into a closing room to calm the waters,” Walker says.
Serving such a diverse group of customers and hearing their unique stories brings another dimension to pushing paperwork.
Above-and-beyond customer service is what sets Clear Title apart in the industry. Walker’s staff of 11 includes two others with more than 20 years of experience, and most of the team has been in the business between seven and 15 years. Every one of them is as dedicated as Walker to ensuring each client has a positive experience.
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 21
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 23
TRACEY WOMACK Advocating for Clients real producer By Jill Clair Gentry Photos by Jon Jeffress, Deep South Focus Photography
Tracy Womack of WhiteSpunner Realty believes in homeownership, and she is passionate about doing whatever it takes to help her clients get to the closing table.
24 • May 2022
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 25
Advocating for clients
“I am a huge advocate for first-time homebuyers,” she says. “There have been clients who I have helped manage a plan to get to homeownership for well over a year — we have set a goal, I got them set up with a great lender, stayed in regular communication with them, and when the time was right, they were able to purchase a home. I cannot tell you how exciting those closings are.” Tracy brings this kind of energy and dedication to all her clients, not just first-time buyers. She works with sellers to get their homes ready to list and teaches them how to make their home stand out to get the highest and best price for their home in the shortest amount of time. “My sellers lean on me to know the market and to know what buyers are looking for,” she says. “No one likes having their home on the market. It is my job as the listing agent to make this all happen as smoothly and as easily as possible.” One of her favorite niches in the industry is working with relocation clients. “These are families who are moving here and know very little — sometimes nothing — about our area,” Tracy says. “They may not even see the house until they move in. It is my job to coordinate everything for them, from purchase to close to move-in day.” Getting started in real estate
Tracy has been an agent since 2004, when she obtained her real estate license after leaving her job as a financial aid counselor at the University of Mobile. “I have always loved helping people,” Tracy says. “I got into the business after having my first child, staying home for a short while, and realizing I was looking for a career that would allow me to utilize my business mind while juggling both a busy family life and a career helping others. This business has given me all that excitement and more.” Tracy chose her brokerage, White-Spunner Realty, after working for a residential-only firm for several years. “I decided I wanted to learn other areas of the real estate business, and I have been able to do that and more at White-Spunner,” she says. “I also love that it is a family-owned and -operated company, and I get 26 • May 2022
to walk down the hall and talk to the owner if I have a problem or a question. I don’t have to call corporate. With the White-Spunner name comes a family business that has nurtured over 60 years of respected relationships in Mobile and Baldwin counties. The knowledge I have gained from just being in the same room as Blacksher White-Spunner is priceless.” Advice for newer agents
Tracy’s advice for newer agents revolves around gratitude and relationships. “Remember your clients during each transaction, and be grateful for each opportunity,” she says. @realproducers
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 27
Always remember, they called you to walk through that season with them, so it’s essential to be respectful and grateful for the opportunity.
Homeowners, Life, Auto & Business Insurance We approach insurance with the heart of a teacher and will help you... “Sometimes as agents, we can get so caught up in everything that has to be done — the difficulty of the transaction or looking for the next transaction — that we forget to be grateful for the client right in front of us.”
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Remembering that real estate transactions almost always accompany huge life changes is incredibly important. “Oftentimes we are walking with our clients through every season of life — good and bad ones. Whether it’s divorce, death, marriage, new babies, or financial changes, there is a reason they are buying or selling. Always remember, they called you to walk through that season with them, so it’s essential to be respectful and grateful for the opportunity.”
3660 Dauphin St. Ste A • Mobile, AL 36608 Kurt Wielkens, Agent 251-344-9898 kurt@coastalinsgrp
Check us out on Facebook or online at
www.coastalinsgrp.com
Ryan Ried, Agent 251-342-8269 ryan@coastalinsgrp.com
Outside of real estate
When Tracy isn’t working, she stays busy with her family and her involvement in the community. She serves on the Baldwin REALTORS® Board of Directors, the Prodisee Pantry Advisory Board, is a member of the Junior League of Mobile, and is a member of two Mystic Societies. She has been married to Sean for 27 years. The couple has two children: Caroline, who attends the University of Southern Mississippi, and Colin, who attends Coastal Community College. “My husband and I love grilling on the back porch, watching Alabama football, traveling to new places, and boating — especially if we can get our kids to come along.” Contact Tracy 251-370-3686 tracy@tracywomackrealty.com 28 • May 2022
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 29
30 • May 2022
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 31
RICK
SHARPE
Enjoying The Journey In life, some of the most rewarding moments come in between the milestones we achieve … by really having a passion for the activities that add up to the achievements. That’s something that Rick Sharpe personifies.
rising star
As a REALTOR® with Water’s Edge Realty, Rick definitely enjoys the journey of supporting his clients on their own journeys in life.
By Dave Danielson Photos by James Avera, Avera Design
all walks of life and learn about where they’re from, and what they’ve done.” Deep Local Roots
As Rick says, “I love getting out and just talking to people. I’m very blessed that in this profession in the fact that I get to meet all types of people from
Rick earned his real estate license in 2019. But the fourth-generation native of the Eastern Shore started his professional career on another path. “Through my other career, I got to witness an agent help a client with a very tricky situation with a house, and I was a part of helping them figure that out. Through that process, I was just talking very candidly with the agent, learning more about the industry, and just seeing how grateful those people were for their help,” Rick recalls. “The big push for me was seeing how much they appreciated the work of that agent. I was in a profession where I was not really appreciated for what I was doing. So that really resonated with me.” Moving Ahead Undaunted
Rick faced many of the same challenges as others who become a REALTOR®. But he moved forward undaunted. “I live a life where I don’t really look back. I only like to look forward. So I burned the ships, and there was no going back. This was the only direction,” he remembers. “For the first year, I worked seven days a week, 70 to 80 hours a week, including nights and weekends. It was very challenging, because in my first year, we also had our second child. That was an interesting
WATER’S EDGE REALTY 32 • May 2022
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 33
He shines the spotlight on his wife, Anna, and her ongoing role in his success, along with their children — Hampton and Beatrice. “In the beginning, I would not have had the confidence to pursue this. I would not have been able to do this without the encouragement of Anna and the motivation of my children,” Rick says with a smile. “I have an outstanding support group, including my family and friends helping me to get my name out there. When you start, that’s probably the hardest piece.” In his free time, Rick and his family enjoy going to the beach. “We fill our days at the pools, or anything pertaining to water basically,” Rick says. Rick also has a heart for helping his community. As part of that, he is involved with his church—the Eastern Shore Church of Christ in Daphne. Showing the Way
Day in and day out, Rick moves forward with the goal of being a reliable resource for those around him. “I like to be someone who people can trust,” he emphasizes.
balancing act between creating a new career and having a new child.”
direction, letting me know that I was doing the right thing,” he says.
Gaining Momentum
Signs of Success
Through the ups and downs, Rick saw indications that he was heading in the right direction for himself and his family.
After quickly establishing his reputation for quality and service, Rick kept building his business. In fact, last year during 2021, he helped 53 families achieve their goals in real estate … and he did it as an individual agent.
“Every time that I would get those thoughts of, ‘Am I doing the right thing,’ I would always get some little nudge or nugget that would put me in the right
34 • May 2022
Family Fulfillment
Family is at the heart of life for Rick.
“When push comes to shove, they can get someone who’s friendly, encouraging and motivating. I love giving back wherever I can.” Congratulations to Rick Sharpe … this month’s Rising Star who enjoys the journey of helping his clients get further ahead in their own lives. For comments or questions about this article, contact Rick Sharpe rsharpehomes@gmail.com or (251) 786-2644.
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 35
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36 • May 2022
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 37
mary
CARPENTER RE/MAX LEGACY GROUP
FROM TOP REALTOR® TO BROKER broker in charge By Jill Clair Gentry Photos by Lisa Johnson, Deep South Focus Photography
Just three years after becoming a real estate agent in 2007, Mary Carpenter of RE/MAX Legacy Group became a broker.
accomplish their goals. I was a manager in nursing in my previous career, and I loved the idea of bringing that into real estate.”
“From the beginning, I was interested in becoming a broker,” Mary says. “I always saw myself running an office dedicated to helping agents
In 2021, Mary’s boutique firm of 11 agents closed 90 transactions and received the RE/MAX Chairman’s Club Award.
38 • May 2022
@realproducers
I always saw myself running an office dedicated to helping agents accomplish their goals. I was a manager in nursing in my previous career, and I loved the idea of bringing that into real estate.
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 39
“The agents in our office improved their numbers last year over the year before,” she says. “That is always a win in my book.”
Helping agents set goals and write them down is a major priority for Mary. She begins each year by helping agents craft written goals.
number-one real estate franchise in the world, and more RE/MAX agents complete more transactions each year than any other brand.”
Leadership style
“I have learned that we have to run to something and not from something,” she says. “It’s important to try not to run from what we did not accomplish in the previous year, and focus on what’s ahead. We have to have specific goals and keep them in front of us.”
The network of RE/MAX agents across the country makes doing business simple for the agents and their clients.
To lead well in real estate, Mary says, a broker must be both structured and flexible — different situations call for different leadership styles. “Although it can go from 0 to 100 in no time at all, and things can seem to turn on a dime, the need for structure in the office is a must,” she says. “But we also have to be able to problem-solve and think outside of the box. Our goal as agents is to bring the buyer and seller together. So often, the expectations of each party could not be farther apart, and we have to dive in and figure out a middle ground so everyone can feel like they have won.”
40 • May 2022
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Choosing RE/MAX
Mary is passionate about working with RE/MAX. The company’s greatest strength, she says, is the brand and what it represents. Even the American feel of the red, white, and blue RE/ MAX balloon is inspiring to her. “I love the brand — it was created by agents for agents,” Mary says. “It’s the
“With so many coming in and out of our area, I love being able to refer clients to top agents I know I can trust around the state and country,” Mary says. Advice for new agents
Mary loves training and mentoring new agents. The most important quality in an agent is to be teachable, she says. “Do not get in this business and think that it is easy,” Mary says. “This is
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 41
A CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL INSPECTOR YOU CAN REFER TO YOUR CLIENTS.
• Open 7 days a week • Same day Reports • Mold and Air Quality Testing • Residential & Commercial Inspections absolutely not an easy profession, and while it can be simple to achieve success once you define your specific plan, it is never easy.” Investing in yourself is also key. Even though she is a broker mentoring other agents, Mary still meets regularly with her own mentor. “I think it is important that we are all accountable to someone,” she says. “I have calls each month to my coach, and I hope the agents see that I do the very things I encourage them to do.” In a fast-paced business full of tiny details, Mary advises agents to remember there will always be mistakes and to learn from every single one. “If you are teachable and coachable, you can learn from your mistakes, and if you’re being mentored, you can
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learn from my mistakes and not have to make them yourself. The bottom line is to remember you will never get to a place where you can stop growing and learning.” Mary’s previous career in the medical field still gives her perspective as she works through stressful situations with her clients. As a nurse, she cared for people on some of the worst days of their lives. As an agent, she walks people through some of the most important financial decisions of their lives. “The stress of the daily work environment is similar and different,” she says. “It’s important to keep it in perspective. When I first started real estate I would say, ‘At least nobody will die today,’ and that was, at time, the most reassuring thought I could have when I knew very little about
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I know at times people in a real estate transaction will feel like they are going to die, but they won’t. It’s going to be OK in the end, and you’re here to walk them through it.
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what was going on around me. I know at times people in a real estate transaction will feel like they are going to die, but they won’t. It’s going to be OK in the end, and you’re here to walk them through it.”
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Riaan du Plessis, CPI
Mary is married to Scott and has an 8-year-old daughter, Madison Claire. When she isn’t working, Mary loves to travel and spend time with her family.
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 43