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
Devin
Scott Broker in Charge David Horn Partner Spotlight
Social Events
RECAP
Todd Powell, Old Republic Home Protection Rising Star Amanda Spears
SEPTEMBER 2021
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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WWW.FAIRHOPETITLE.COM 2 • September 2021
• 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
LET US SERVE YOU
Alabama's Premier Veteran Mortgage Lender
TABLE OF
CONTENTS 14
VA Mortgage Loans for Veterans!
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July 22 Social Event Recap Hatcher Farms Venue
Rising Star Amanda Spears
26
32
38
Partner Spotlight Todd Powell
Broker in Charge, David Horn
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 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.
South Baldwin's Most Experienced Title and Closing Service!
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mission1stmortgageinc.com | NMLS# 1968994 | 805 CHURCH STREET, UNIT 2 | MOBILE, AL 36602 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 a longer loan term. 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.
4 • September 2021
20
July 15 Social Event Recap Provisions in Fairhope
REAL Producer Devin Scott
If you're a veteran or active duty personnel, you may be eligible to purchase or refinance a new home with favorable loan terms. Let's work together to explore the potential savings available.
16
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ALL TITLE RESEARCH PERFORMED BY OUR TITLE EXAMINERS AT OUR IN-HOUSE TITLE PLANT realproducersmag.com
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
Owner/Publisher
Jon Jeffress Photographer
Michelle Medeiros Ad Strategist
Jill Claire Gentry Writer
James Avera Photographer
Dave Danielson Contributing Writer
Lew Thomas,
Videographer Adobe House Media Productions
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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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.
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Did you know there are more victims held against their will today than ever before? That’s why The N2 Company – the company behind this publication and 850+ others like it – is financially committed to end human trafficking.
We also love to SAY YES to meeting needs in our community and offering discounts to the First Responders and Veterans that work so hard to keep us safe.
FOR EVERY AD SALE WE MAKE, 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 2.6% of their gross revenue.
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Thanks to the businesses within these pages, our Area Directors, and readers like you, we’re able to break the chains of this horrible reality.
Visit n2gives.com to learn more about our fight.
6 • September 2021
251-270-4500 | Diane.Brookerd@SpringdaleTitle.com | SpringdaleTitle.com @realproducers
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@SpringdaleTitleDaphne 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 FOUNDATION REPAIR MDH Foundation Repair Shannon Reichart 108 5th Street Daphne, AL 36526 (251) 375-0565 https://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
HOME MAINTENANCE & REMODELING Lat 30 Property Maintenance & Repair Brett Hataway 181 West 8th Avenue Gulf Shores, AL 36542 (251) 597-0589 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 Cornerstone Mortgage Solutions Bart Hare (251) 753-5105 www.choosecornerstone.com
8 • September 2021
Mission 1st Mortgage, Inc. Bryan Dewberry 805 Church Street Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 583-4218 mission1stmortgageinc.com Movement Mortgage Garett Caywood 7 South Bayview Suite N4 Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 455-2028 movement.com/lo/ garett-caywood 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 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 Showhomes Home Staging & Design Kim Odom Serving Mobile & Baldwin (251) 622-5004 www.showhomesmobile-baldwin.com
Fairhope Title Services, LLC Brian Britt 455 Magnolia Street Suite C-1 Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 928-9900 www.fairhopetitle.com Gulf Shores Title James Owen 100 Cove Avenue Gulf Shores, AL 36547 (251) 968-6185 gulfshorestitle.com
Spruced Up Staging Stephanie Cunningham 20750 State Highway 181 Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 404-8726 sprucedupstaging.com
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VIDEOGRAPHER Adobe House Media Production Lew Thomas 27940 Bay Branch Drive Daphne, AL 36526 (251) 454-0004 adobehousemp.com
Homeowners, Life, Auto & Business Insurance
STONE / CABINETRY / TILE Coastal Stone & Cabinetry Stephanie Hale 16020 S. Greeno Road Fairhope, AL 36532 (251) 929-3475 www.coastalstone fairhope.com TITLE COMPANY Clear Title Lisa Walker 1680 West 2nd Street Unit A Gulf Shores, AL 36547 (251) 747-2550 x2517524181 www.getcleartitle.com
Springdale Title, LLC Diane Brookerd 1501B Highway 98 Daphne, AL 36526 (251) 270-4500 springdaletitle.com
We approach insurance with the heart of a teacher and will help you... Understand your coverage BEFORE you file a claim • Answer all of your questions Make sure you understand your policies • Know what to do and expect We have dozens of companies to help with the most competitive home and auto policy for you. Give us a call today! 3660 Dauphin St. Ste A • Mobile, AL 36608 Kurt Wielkens, Agent 251-344-9898 kurt@coastalinsgrp
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Check us out on Facebook or online at
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Ryan Ried, Agent 251-342-8269 ryan@coastalinsgrp.com
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 9
Staging ensures you will get the highest sale price in the quickest time.
Ju ly So c ial Eve n t s Re cap
Call today and let us help you get your listing to appeal to as many buyers as possible!
WHY WE DO EVENTS By Robert Orso
In July, Mobile Bay REAL Producers hosted its first two private social events for the top agents who receive this magazine and our advertising partners who support the magazine and events. On July 15, we socialized at Provisions in Fairhope, and on July 22, we gathered at the Hatcher Farms Venue in West Mobile. Both events were a lot of fun with great food and beverages! If you were not able to come to these events, you want to make the next event in November. The date and location will be announced soon. Why Do We Do Private Social Events?
Social events are part of the REAL Producers platform. In addition to publishing your monthly magazine, our goal is to host a private event for our readers and partners each quarter of the year. These events are RSVPs for the top producing realtors in the market. Mobile Bay REAL Producers fills a void that you do not realize is here. We do so much virtual business that
10 • September 2021
often we have never met many of the realtors on the other side of the transaction. These events give you an opportunity to meet more top agents, improve your ability to work together, and collaborate on how to improve your business and success.
Kim Odom
(251) 622-5004 kodom@showhomes.com Follow Us On
Home Staging | Restyle | Design showhomesmobilebaldwin.com
These events are completely social. No agenda or selling or pressure to do anything but show up, eat, and drink, and socialize with the best of the best realtors in this market. Last, but certainly not least, the events give you an opportunity to meet the advertising partners who make your FREE monthly magazine possible and who sponsor the events. They deserve a little of your time each quarter and they would like to serve your real estate needs. The following pages contain recognition of our Event Sponsors and photos from the events. You can visit the Mobile Bay REAL Producers Facebook page, Instagram, or YouTube to see the video recaps. Hope to see you all at the next event!
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 11
Make your home’s first impression your best impression.
Stephanie Cunningham 251.404.8726
stephanie@sprucedupstaging.com sprucedupstaging.com
FULL SERVICE HOME STAGING POTENTIAL BUYERS SHOULD BE SWARMING THE PROPERTY
NOT PESTS. We get rid of pests fast, safely and affordably.
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Locally Owned & Operated | Over 30 years experience
myproshieldpest.com | (251) 776-2362 michael@myproshieldpest.com 12 • September 2021
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 13
july 15 social event recap
PROVISIONS IN FAIRHOPE
14 • September 2021
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 15
Hatcher Farms Venue
july 22 social event recap
By Robert Orso
16 • September 2021
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 17
18 • September 2021
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 19
Amanda Spears rising star
By Dave Danielson Photos by Jon Jeffress, Deep South Focus Photography
all the right reasons Doing your work to the best of your ability is rewarding. There’s a definite sense of achievement that comes as part of the process. But when there is a sense of true purpose in your work, it makes your contributions feel even more special. That’s the way it is for Amanda Spears. As a REALTOR® with Bellator Real Estate & Development, Amanda achieves excellence for all the right reasons — for those she serves.
20 • September 2021
@realproducers
in February 2018. But her story begins with her birth in Birmingham.
estate eventually came into view as a solid opportunity.
“My dad was in the army and we moved to Ft. Hood in Texas when I was 6 years old,” she remembers. “We lived there until I was 14, then moved to Anniston, Alabama when I was a sophomore in high school. In 2004, I moved to Baldwin County.”
As she says, “I worked several jobs through time. I wasn’t happy with what I was doing in these other positions and saw an opportunity. In 2017 there were a ton of online learning opportunities, so I started my courses. I got my license and then dove in.”
Amanda had long thought about a career in real estate, but it took a bit for the timing to be right for her.
“I really enjoy the relationship part of it, and then being able to build those bonds and go on to help their family members,” Amanda says. “I like helping people through the process, especially first-time homebuyers. I like holding their hand and making it a good experience for them.”
“I had two very young children and my husband at the time worked a lot of odd hours and would be gone a lot. So I couldn’t commit to real estate classes,” Amanda says. “At the time there were no online classes, so that wasn’t an option.”
Getting Her Start
The Time Is Right
Amanda earned her real estate license
Through life’s twists and turns, real
realproducersmag.com
Eventually, Amanda settled at Bellator Real Estate & Development. She started reaching results through good old-fashioned activity. “Even when I wasn’t busy, I made myself look busy.
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 21
I reached out to other agents to put their listings out there. I would do an ad of some type with all the information and then put my information on there with text that explained it was with permission from the listing agent,” Amanda recalls. “I explored a lot of different avenues to try to round up business. I’m always out talking with people and I would mention to them that I’m available to answer questions.” Driven to Serve
Amanda’s efforts caught traction and then continued building from there — all the while, fueled by her drive to be of service to others. Her success has been remarkable in a short time in the business. In fact, in 2020, she recorded 31 deals as an individual agent, representing $7.3 million in sales volume. Recently, Amanda formed her own team — Spears Group Real Estate Associates. In addition to Amanda, there are three other team members. “It’s been a big undertaking, but we’ve done really well this year. It’s been a learning curve for me since I had been used to flying solo. But it was time for it,” she explains. “It gives me the opportunity to share some of what I’ve learned throughout my process and help them become good agents who can provide good customer service to their clients.” Wonderful Life
Family is at the heart of life for Amanda. She looks forward to time spent with her children—19-yearold daughter, Emma, who plays tennis at Coastal Alabama Community College on a scholarship, and 17-year-old daughter, Lena, who will be a high school senior this year. Lena is a varsity cheerleader, president of her class, and plays tennis on her high school team. In Amanda’s free time, she has a passion for time at the beach. In a previous life, she also trained horses for a living and has had a very successful barrel-racing career. “I love it, but I haven’t done it for the past couple of years because I’m trying to build my business. I like to do things at 100 percent,” Amanda says. “I’m very competitive and want to be top of my game at anything I do. My daughter, Lena, also barrel races.” Giving back is a natural part of life for Amanda. In fact, through her time in barrel racing, she was instrumental in putting together Run for the Gold, a 22 • September 2021
special event that raises funds for families who have children who battle cancer. Before COVID, in 2018 and 2019, the event raised $14,000. The Run for the Gold event is scheduled to come back in September 2022. When you talk with Amanda, it’s easy to see the love she has for what she does, and who she gets the chance to work with along the way. As she smiles, “I’m passionate about what I do and my goal is to do the best job possible that I can for them to help them achieve whatever their real estate goals are.” Truly, Amanda Spears creates success for those around her — for all the right reasons. @realproducers
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 23
PREVENT LOSS, Contact the Boss!
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
251-300-4711
homebossmobilecounty.com riaan@homebossmobilecounty.com
FOLLOW US ON
Riaan du Plessis, CPI InterNACHI® Certified
Professional Inspector® 24 • September 2021
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 25
Devin
Scott
REAL producer By Jill Claire Gentry Photos by James Avera, Avera Design
For Roberts Brothers REALTOR® Devin Scott, real estate is all about new beginnings. Some of those beginnings are happy—a new couple buying their first home, a retiree downsizing to move to their dream location— while other beginnings are bittersweet, like homes being sold because of a divorce or a family relocating to a new place because of a job change. Regardless of the reason a client searches for a real estate agent, Scott knows it’s almost always an exciting, stressful, and scary time for them.
ROBERTS BROTHERS
Client education
“Agents should always remember how stressful this process is for people,” Scott says. “We do it for a living, so it feels normal to us, but it’s hard for our clients. There’s a lot going on in their lives, and this is an additional stressor.” Scott says one way she assists her clients through those new beginnings is by providing them with thorough education about the process of purchasing or selling a home. “I want them to know the process really well,” she says. “They really need to understand what they’re signing and what they’re agreeing to so they can make wise decisions and avoid pitfalls. I tell them the risks involved with every option so they can make the best decision.” Scott’s background is in finance and banking. In 2001, after earning a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis on finance from the University of South Alabama, she began working for the Alabama
26 • September 2021
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State Banking Department as a Bank Examiner followed by serving as the compliance operation officer for a financial institution.
ask, ‘At this sales price, are you sure you will still be able to put your kids in gymnastics? Are you prepared to eat ramen noodles?’”
“My banking background probably makes me a little more cautious than most agents,” she says. “I definitely am not afraid to have a conversation with my clients about financing. I will
Early mentorship
Scott began her real estate career in 2008, just as the market crashed. “I’m prouder of the $2.4 million I did that first year than I am of just about
Mobile Bay Real Producers • 27
anything else I’ve done,” she says. In 2020, Scott closed 69 transactions worth $14 million. “That time taught me to really know my contracts inside and out. Newer agents have come into a really busy market, but back then, there was zero room for mistakes, and most of our deals were foreclosures and short sales.” The secret to her early success, Scott says, was mentorship. Her first broker, Joe Rogers, who—fun fact—is now her husband, taught her about risk management and communication. Joe is now the CEO of the Gulf Coast Association of REALTORS® and Mississippi Gulf Coast MLS.
training as well as its affiliation with Berkshire-Hathaway is also beneficial to agents, Scott says. “We have non-competing brokers available to us all the time who provide a ton of tools and knowledge,” she says. “And being a Berkshire-Hathaway owned company, we get to see larger real estate companies in other markets test things out and then bring it to our area faster, knowing that it’s worked in a bigger place and that it is likely to work for us, too.”
Staying humble
In the 12 years she’s been an agent, Scott says she’s built her business around referrals. Over the years, she has made a name for herself. “Once people have a good experience, they refer friends and family to me,” she says. “That’s the part I find super rewarding.” She also loves to pursue relocation work, which is a fun challenge. “My
We all do this for money, but there’s more to it than that—I really love the community service aspect of Roberts Brothers.
“Joe and I worked closely together and had become dear friends by the time he left for his new position,” she says. “I was so mad when he announced he was leaving, and he told me, ‘Look, I spent six years teaching you how to know all the answers to your own questions. You don’t need me anymore—you are going to do great.’” Roberts Brothers Inc.
Scott made her way to Roberts Brothers, Inc. in April of 2014. She chose the brokerage in large part because of its reputation in the area, the leadership of Daniel Dennis, and the successful relocation department lead by Ann Akridge. “I also really fell in love with the company’s vision for being involved in the community,” she says. “We all do this for money, but there’s more to it than that—I really love the community service aspect of Roberts Brothers. Our why statement, ‘To deliberately live and give without hesitation, as life happens’ is so compelling to me.” Roberts Brothers’ commitment to providing top-notch tools and
28 • September 2021
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 29
husband always says, ‘You get more referrals in six months than I did my entire career,’ and while that’s what every REALTOR® wants to see, I don’t ever want to get complacent,” Scott says. “You compete with other agents on every relocation, and that keeps me sharper with my other listings. It also keeps me humble and reminds me there’s always room to improve.” In addition to staying humble and having a teachable attitude, Scott advises new agents to actively work with other agents on behalf of their clients. “We’ve got to work together and help match the right buyer and seller,” she says. “We have to be kind. I have been doing this for 12 years and I am still learning, so I try to be kind and understanding with other agents if there is a teachable moment during a transaction. Communication is key.” Regardless of the demands of the job, the long hours, and the nonstop flow of communication, Scott says being a REALTOR® is a dream. “We put in a lot of hours, and we basically do counseling with people during these really hard seasons in their lives,” she says. “I get tired often and this line of work is tough on your family, too, but I never could’ve imagined my job providing the lifestyle I am living while also being so rewarding. My husband and daughter stay supportive of me and remind me of the reason I hustle every day. Not everyone gets to live the American Dream anymore. Not only do I get to live it; I get to help other people live it through homeownership.”
30 • September 2021
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 31
partner spotlight
Saving the Day
Todd
Powell Old Republic Home Protection
32 • September 2021
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 33
S
uperheroes come in all shapes and sizes. Some of those who come through when it matters the most are the team members at Old Republic Home Protection. Old Republic Home Protection has been saving the day for clients for a long time as one of the largest home warranty companies in the nation.
Family Foundation
Away from work, Todd treasures time with his family, including his wife, Paige, who Todd calls another of his superheroes. “She is so supportive and does an amazing job with our family,” he smiles. “I don’t know how she does all that she does.” Todd and Paige have three children — 13-year-old Zoie, 12-year-old Rylie, and 11-year-old Gabriel.
Todd Powell is Senior Account Executive (and Home Warranty Superhero) at the company. As he says, “My superhero mission is helping our real estate partners cultivate their existing client base into raving fans and helping them reach their personal real estate goals.”
In his free time, Todd has a passion for scuba diving. He’s also a local leader with the Trail Life USA organization that began nationwide eight years ago, as a Christ-centered scouting organization that works with boys from kindergarten through the 12th grade. Todd is a second-generation Eagle Scout himself.
On a Mission
It’s a mission that is driven by a solid approach to life and business. As Todd says, “One of my superheroes was Zig Ziglar. He said, ‘You can have everything you want in life if you help others have everything they want.’ If I can help our partners get more clients through our marketing and stellar service, I can help agents be successful. If they are, I am, too.”
Todd is grateful to be surrounded by others who have special powers. “At the end of the day, it really falls back to the outstanding team we have,” he says with a smile. “Nicole Nicholson and Shannon Lutz are phenomenal. I would truly be a super zero without my superhero teammates.”
34 • September 2021
Back to Basics
True Partnership
The goals Todd and his team hold high come down to the basics of taking care of others. “We aren’t perfect, but we will do our very best to be the very best. When we aren’t perfect, the quicker I know about it, the quicker our team can put their capes on and swoop in and save the day,” he points out. “The only kryptonite that affects our ability to help clients with a busted water heater or HVAC down is when either the homeowners have opted out of the warranty or go with coverage that doesn’t give them everything they need.”
Along the way, Todd prizes the relationships he and his team have with their real estate partners.
Each day, it’s about remembering the reason for the protection. As he explains, “It’s really about remembering that there’s a human aspect to home warranties. There’s not always a black and white … there’s a gray … we often go the extra mile to serve our clients and try to get a claim covered.”
“We love seeing them be successful. I love that opportunity when I get a chance to go out and share our marketing tools or I can swoop in with a service issue and set it right … to be able to call the agent and let them know everything is good to go and then let them swoop in and be the superhero with their clients,” he emphasizes. Todd takes an active role in fostering his partners’ success. “I like visiting local agents and seeing what I can do to support them,” he says. “I like to give them some of the tools and tricks I’ve picked up through time to help them get more clients.”
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When you talk with Todd, you quickly understand that he feels a drive to serve that goes beyond himself. “I love when people are happy about what we do and see the results. But it’s not really from me. It reflects back on the Lord.” When you’re looking for a partner to be there and save the day when it matters most, look to Old Republic Home Protection. For More Information About Old Republic Home Protection: Cell: 850-739-HERO
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 35
Dream Home Looking to turn your
design into reality?
Visit our Showroom for
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36 • September 2021
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Mobile Bay Real Producers • 37
DAVID HORN
broker in charge By Jill Clair Gentry Photos by Jon Jeffress, Deep South Focus Photography
BELLATOR REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT, EASTERN SHORE
EMPHASIZING BUSINESS PLANNING, MENTORSHIP, & COOPERATIVE ENVIRONMENT
38 • September 2021
At Bellator Real Estate and Development’s Eastern Shore office, the culture is centered on empowering agents to achieve individualized goals through a highly nurturing and supportive leadership style. Meetings start with discussions about gratitude, the office sponsors social gatherings for agents and their families, and every agent is encouraged to work with a team to create their own detailed business plan.’’ Brokerage as business incubator
“I see this office as a business incubator,” says Managing Broker David Horn. “There are lots of ways to make money with a real estate license, and no two agents’ paths are the same. The agents here are my clients. My job is to lead them through difficult situations and find the things they need, so they can learn how to better serve their clients as a method of achieving their personal and family goals.” Horn says this ethos begins with a careful, thorough interview process when bringing in new agents. His role, he says, isn’t to attract as many agents as possible, but to build a team that shares the same values:
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cooperation, sharing knowledge, and community service. “My biggest role is nurturing and protecting our environment,” he says. “It’s really important for me to look for someone with the right character, personality, and attitude for our office. I’m not necessarily looking for an agent with the highest sales numbers. We all start from the same place—all of this is learnable, and we provide the path and the support for agents to succeed.” Expanded capacity
Horn made the jump to real estate after starting his career in insurance sales and mortgage lending. “I was sitting at a desk surrounded by files, and I wanted to do something where I could get out and be around people more,” he says. “I was definitely craving a higher level of interaction. So, I got my real estate license in 2009.” Horn began his career with a small brokerage that didn’t offer a lot of training or support. “By 2011, I felt like I knew enough about what I didn’t know, and I knew needed a change,” he says. “A good friend had recently
moved to Bellator, and he was always talking about how different it was. What really sold me on coming to Bellator was how the first question I was asked in the interview was about my involvement in the community and what kind of impact I wanted to make.” Horn worked as an agent until 2017, when he was tapped to begin Bellator’s relocation department. A year later, he added managing broker of the Eastern Shore office to his title. Horn says his position stems from his passion for sharing knowledge and helping others. “The biggest thing I’ve learned having both of those roles simultaneously is we all have more capacity than we feel like we do,” he says. “I am really glad I was taught not to limit myself, but to expand my own capacity to do a little more every day than I thought I could before.” Decide what you want, not what you think you can have
As a manager, Horn wants his agents to have that same revelation about their own abilities to achieve goals.
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Part of doing more than you think you can, he says, is having a team behind you that allows you to focus on what matters.
get. This business is not easy, but it is simple. And one of the things all of us need—even the very top producers—is honest support, a second set of eyes.”
Bellator’s president, Troy Wilson, reminds everyone at Bellator to focus on the small activities that build their businesses.
It may seem like a small detail, but Horn says the onboarding process at Bellator is also a gamechanger for agents.
“Closings are a lag measure,” Wilson says. “What sets top producers apart is they tend to focus on daily and weekly income-producing activities instead.”
“In the first 10 days, the new agent knows about all the tools available to them as well as every single one of Bellator’s policies and procedures,” he says. “It makes people feel comfortable and at ease very quickly.”
Horn says Bellator has a success formula, and everyone has access to it. “One of my goals is to help agents increase their income per hour so they can live the kind of life they want and avoid burnout,” Horn says. “I believe a lot of agents leave the industry because they were in the wrong environment and needed more guidance and support than they were able to
In addition to an in-house marketing team, support staff, and extensive training, Bellator has access to an unmatched wealth of expertise in our leadership. “Under this roof, there is a tremendous amount of varied experience you can’t find anywhere else,” Horn says. “We have people who can share knowledge within the company
WHAT SETS TOP PRODUCERS APART IS THEY TEND TO FOCUS ON DAILY AND WEEKLY INCOME-PRODUCING ACTIVITIES INSTEAD.
on just about everything. It’s a lot easier to retain talent because we have solutions to their problems and answers to their questions in-house.” Bellator’s parent company, 68 Ventures, also has under its umbrella a land development company, two home builders, a title company, a mortgage lender, a property management company, and several others—a total of 16 sister companies, all related to real estate. Results that speak for themselves
Like Horn’s friend told him before he interviewed at Bellator, this company just does business differently. And it works. In 2020, the 58 agents at Bellator Eastern Shore closed 714 transactions, worth over $240 million. The average Bellator agent’s volume is $3.66 million per year.
MY ROLE IS TO HELP THEM MANAGE THEIR BUSINESS ON A DAY-TODAY BASIS, ADAPT TO CHANGES AS THEY COME, AND HAVE A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.
Horn, however, doesn’t focus on metrics like these. “The way we judge success is the achievement of individual goals,” he says. “To me, it’s not about units sold or volume. Every agent in our office is different and comes with a different set of experiences, talents, and dreams. My role is to help them manage their business on a day-to-day basis, adapt to changes as they come, and have a plan for the future.” This management style, he believes, trickles down to the way agents serve their buyers and sellers. “I have never liked the idea of realtors being called salespeople,” he says. “From day one, my nametag said ‘real estate consultant’ because I believe we can provide a higher level of service than many in the public feel like they receive. I don’t encourage anyone to ‘sell’ their clients anything. Our role is that of a guide, protector, and educator. There are often many potholes in the road to homeownership—our job is to point them out, provide advice and guide our clients around them, not make decisions for them.”
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