Brokering the Deal at Allen Real Estate

Photo by Anita L. Sherman Allen Real Estate Company boasts a combined 70 years of experience between father and son. Find Tray and Joe Allen at 43 Culpeper Street in Warrenton.

By Anita L. Sherman

Allen Real Estate Company, located in historic Old Town Warrenton, has been at the corner of Culpeper and Lee Street for more than 30 years. Its offices house a dynamic father-son team, Joe and Tray Allen.

“My mother was in real estate,” said Joe Allen, who founded the company in 1990 after 16 years of managing large real estate offices in Northern Virginia.

“When I started the business…we started in the briar patch. We were in a recession…in fact, we’ve been through five recessions…There’s little we haven’t seen before (in the real estate market.)

A veteran of the U.S. Navy, the elder Allen has called Fauquier County home most of his life. His love of the area hasn’t diminished and his enthusiasm has only grown throughout the years.

“We have a great quality of life here,” said Allen.

“It’s a wonderful place and it just keeps getting better.”

Tray Allen, the younger broker of the company, agrees. Born and raised in Fauquier County, he represents the third generation of his family to enter real estate.

He joined the company in 1998 after earning a degree in finance from Virginia Tech. Now into his 23rd year working with his father, he shares the same love of the area and particularly the growing vibrancy of the town.

Joe smiled and cast a glance at his son.

“He applied for the job,” the father said with a smile.

“I knew that I always had an opportunity to work here,” added Tray. “It’s a great place to come home to.”

The father of two young sons, Tray is married to the former Emily Ashwell, whose brother Will and father Greg also anchor a father-son partnership in the legal arena. Their offices – Ashwell and Ashwell - are just up the street. The two families are close.

For the last few years, there has been a shortage of properties in Fauquier County but the demand remains high.

“We didn’t know what to expect with COVID…but 2020 ended very well,” Joe Allen said. “People are coming from the cities in droves.”

While they have garnered a niche in dealing with luxury country properties, the Allens handle properties in all price ranges.

They also believe in giving back to the community and are active supporters of the Fauquier Community Theater, the Warrenton Horse Show and the Fauquier SPCA, among others. During 2018 and 2019, Allen Real Estate donated $1,000 to the SPCA for every transaction closed. Tray serves on the Greater Piedmont Realtors board.

When the two aren’t working, they enjoy traveling and family time.

“Our biggest decision each day is where to eat lunch,” Joe said, adding that the two share this ritual daily. It’s a time to talk business, a time to connect.

“We’re big Tech football fans,” Tray said. “It’s a big tradition for us in the fall.”

Tray Allen also dotes on his two sons.

“I love hearing about what they’ve learned,” said Tray of his two young sons. “They are little miracles.”

“He’s a little salesman,” Joe said of 3-year-old grandson, Joe IV.

Perhaps a fourth generation will be taking the lead.

Allen Real Estate Company 43 Culpeper Street Warrenton, Virginia 20186 540-347-3838 Joe Allen: 540-229-1770 Tray Allen: 540-2223838 www.allenrealestate.com