Capstone Blog
Get to Know the Capstone Title Team
Marlyn Pina - Commercial Escrow Assistant
Marlyn Pina is featured in our "Get to know the Capstone Title Team" series. Marlyn is a Commercial Escrow Assistant for Capstone Title.
1. Who inspires you?
People who take a risk and fail but unapologetically get right back up and try again anyways.
2. Favorite guilty pleasure movie?
Home Alone, I can quote almost every line of that movie.
3. What’s the best trip you’ve taken?
I spent a whole month in Naples, Italy the summer after 6th grade. My aunt was stationed there for the Navy.
4. Where is your happy place?
Target
5. What do you love about working at Capstone?
From the very first day that I started, everyone treated me like I was already a part of the family. I say family because although we are a team the kindness and concern that everyone shows for each other is unlike any work environment I’ve ever been a part of. Everyone operates as equals regardless of job title and are always willing to help each other out no matter what.
Marlyn Pina BIO
Capstone Title Charity Highlight
Austin Habitat for Humanity - By Eddie Rodriguez
Capstone Title's Eddie Rodriguez explains why Capstone Title supports Austin Habitat for Humanity.
I have been involved with Austin Habitat for Humanity since the late 1990’s. My support for Habitat stems from my heart-felt belief that everyone deserves a roof over their head and an opportunity to make the most of their life and the life of their family.
As most of us know, our City is becoming increasingly unaffordable for many Austinites. Austin Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to ending the cycle of poverty with a strongly held belief that everyone deserves a decent, affordable place to live. I am proud that Capstone Title actively supports this mission.
Over the years, Capstone Title has proudly sponsored Habitat builds where members of the Capstone Team volunteered to build, paint and landscape several Austin Habitat Homes. These volunteer opportunities are not only for team building but also a way for Capstone to give back to our Austin Community.
Please consider supporting Austin Habitat for Humanity today.
Austin Habitat for Humanity Donation Page
Homestead Exemption Information
By: Capstone Team 1/8/2021
The following are some helpful links on filing for your Homestead Exemption in Central Texas.
Travis County
www.traviscad.org/homesteadexemptions
Williamson County
www.wcad.org/online-exemption-information/
Hays County
www.hayscad.com/forms/
Caldwell County
www.caldwellcad.org/index.php/Forms
Texas Comptroller Homestead Exemption FAQ
comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/property-tax/exemptions/residence-faq.php
Texas Comptroller Homestead Exemption Application
Residence Homestead Exemption Application (Form 50-114)
Get to Know the Capstone Title Team
Matt Whigham - Title Examiner
Matt Whigham is featured in our "Get to know the Capstone Title Team" series. Matt is a Title Examiner for Capstone Title.
1. Favorite guilty pleasure movie?
The Heartbreak Kid
2. What’s the best trip you’ve taken?
Barcelona and Merakesh
3. Where is your happy place?
Colorado (Denver and Steamboat Springs) on my snowboard cruising.
4. Who inspires you?
Nicolas Berggruen AKA the homeless Billionaire
5. What do you love about working at Capstone?
The people, leadership and coworkers are amazing people who I enjoy being around and working with.
Matt Whigham BIO
Capstone Title Charity Highlight
Partnerships for Children
At Capstone Title, we have been a proud supporter of Partnerships for Children for over 6 years, contributing yearly to their Holiday Wishes Program, and participating in their annual Gala.
Partnerships for Children empowers and supports abused and neglected children in Central Texas who are in the care of Child Protective Services, with a variety of programs that offer resources, support and comfort for foster children and families in our community.
Our greatest resources are the beautiful children of our community here in Central Texas, some of which do not have the love and support of their own families. We feel this organization serves a vital need to help those children feel loved and empowered to ultimately be successful and happy. We have enjoyed being a part of PFC, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. During the holidays, our team has really enjoyed shopping for the children and making their Holiday Wishes come true.
If you would like to learn more about and/or donate please visit the Partnerships for Children website.
Get to Know the Capstone Title Team
Tish Pietsch - Escrow Assistant
Tish Pietsch is featured in our "Get to know the Capstone Title Team" series. Tish is an Escrow Assistant at our Rollingwood location.
1. Who inspires you?
My Husband and Children
2. Favorite guilty pleasure movie?
The Breakfast Club
3. How would your best friend describe you?
Loyal and Caring
4. Where is your happy place?
A white sandy beach, with beautiful clear water, with my Family.
5. What do you love about working at Capstone?
I love that we are a cohesive unit. I love that I feel free enough, to be my authentic self. I love our leadership, and how they go above and beyond to make us feel appreciated and respected. I love that giving back to the community, is a priority. I love that being kind and serving others, are two of our core values.
Tish Pietsch BIO
A Note from Brad - What is Our Why?
By: Brad Compere - 12/6/2019
Good Afternoon Friends!
At Capstone Title, we close real estate transactions. We receive and disburse millions of dollars. We are responsible for and handle hundreds of important documents. We are experts on land title, property law and escrow accounting. But, we are not in the transactions business. We are in the people business.
Noted business writer and speaker Simon Sinek said, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”
If we are going to be a successful company and compete in a crowded industry, we have to definitively know our WHY…
So, what is our WHY at Capstone Title? Our WHY is that we are here to help, were are here to serve. We are here to build relationships. Be a resource. Be a guide. Be kind, considerate, friendly, professional. Our WHY is loving people, no matter what.
Have a great weekend!
Get to Know Kelsey Morgan - Office Administrator
By: Capstone Team - 11/6/19
Kelsey Morgan is featured in our "Get to know the Capstone Title Team" series. Kelsey is Capstone Title's Office Administrator.
1. Who inspires you?
My parents. No matter what challenge comes their way, they are able to overcome it together and become stronger because of it. I hope one day to have that kind of love in my life.
2. Favorite childhood board game?
The Game of Life.
3. What’s the best trip you’ve taken?
My dad, mom, sister and I all went to Florida to visit Disneyworld. We all had a blast!
4. Where is your happy place?
My happy place is being curled up in a comfy chair with a good book.
5. What do you love about working at Capstone?
I love Capstone for the family atmosphere. I was welcomed with open arms when I started my job here and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to work with.
Kelsey Morgan BIO
A Note from Brad
By: Brad Compere - 7/12/2019
Good Afternoon Friends!
I recall as I was growing up in San Antonio consistently being told that I should walk the walk and not just talk the talk. Don’t talk about it, just do it. In a lot of ways, this encapsulates what it is like to be an entrepreneur. Make decisions. Take action. Take risks.
Mahatma Gandhi wisely said, “Action expresses priorities.”
Its what we do that defines who we are and what’s truly important to us. Not simply what we say. I can tell my kids that I love them…but its not until I read to them at bedtime, or coach their sports teams, show up to their recitals, or simply give them a hug when their down, that I truly SHOW them that I love them.
Don’t simply talk about what you are going to do. Take action. Do what needs to be done. Today.
Have a great action-packed weekend!
A Note from Brad
By: Brad Compere - 6/14/2019
Good Afternoon Friends!
As most of you know, I love to travel. When I wrote this note I was looking at beautiful Lake Tahoe and the mountains that paint the background over the lake. Truly breathtaking and peaceful. Traveling the world is a big part of my life and I am working hard to make it a big part of my children’s lives as well. Travel opens your eyes to so many different experiences, cultures, food, and beautiful creations of nature. I would take the experience of an amazing trip to another part of our world over a material possession any day.
All the way back in the fourth century, Saint Augustine said, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Take time to get away, experience what our beautiful world has to offer. Open the book and see what all is out there….
Get to Know Colby Bodoin - Director of Operations/Examination
By: Capstone Team - 6/5/19
Colby Bodoin is featured in our "Get to know the Capstone Title Team" series. Colby is Capstone Title's Director of Operations/Examination.
1. Who inspires you?
I am inspired by the three beautiful ladies in my life.
My wife Elisa, who motivates me to be the best version of myself that I can be. My grandmother Rose, who has a beautiful zest for life. And I can’t forget my golden retriever Kiwi, who never allows me to have a bad day!
2. If you could meet someone from the past, who would it be?
For me it would be my grandfather Pete. He was a brilliant businessman and taught me the fundamentals of operating a successful business. His greatest gift to me was teaching me how business can affect people’s lives in a positive way and that is a legacy I am passionate about passing forward. I would love to be able to go back in time and just shadow him for a day!
3. What’s the best trip you’ve taken?
A couple of years ago my wife and I took a trip to Spain and visited Barcelona and Pamplona. It was really unforgettable trip! We got engaged in Barcelona and then were able to attend the Festival of San Fermin in Pamplona and witness the Running of the Bulls. Pretty hard to top that one!
4. Where is your happy place?
I love travelling the world and experiencing different food, people, and cultures. I also enjoy an early morning fishing trip on a quiet lake. It’s definitely my “zen place”.
5. What do you love about working at Capstone?
For me it is the passion for people. Capstone’s values are not just a catch phrase. Brad and the entire team genuinely care about people and about making a difference. To be in a position to have a positive impact on our team, our clients, and our community is what I love most about my job!
Colby Bodoin BIO
A Note from Brad
By: Brad Compere - 5/31/2019
Good Afternoon Friends!
Listening is so important in business. It shows the other person that you’re interested, that they are important to you, and that you care. Remember – Capstone Cares!
I recall as a child that my parents, teachers, coaches…basically every adult in my life…said that you have two ears and one mouth for a reason. I think we have all been told that at one point in our lives, right?
Roy E. Moody, noted author and motivational speaker, said “The greatest motivational act one person can do for another is listen.”
It means a lot to me when I know someone is truly listening to me… particularly when I can get my kids to do it! And I know it means a lot to the people I’m around when I truly listen. Let’s all try to truly listen to our clients and those with whom we work… it will make a difference.
Listen… have yourselves a wonderful weekend!
Get to Know Kathy Moore - Escrow Officer
By: Capstone Team - 5/22/19
Kathy Moore is featured in our "Get to know the Capstone Title Team" series. Kathy serves as an Escrow Officer at our Lakeway location.
1. Who is your go to band or artist?
Tom Petty or U2
2. If you could meet someone from the past, who would it be?
Benjamin Franklin
3. What’s the best trip you’ve taken?
Traveled through Europe
4. Where is your happy place?
Out Camping any where
5. What do you love about working at Capstone?
The team comradery and how family oriented everyone is towards one another.
Kathy Moore BIO
A Note from Brad
By: Brad Compere - 5/10/2019
Good Afternoon Friends!
I believe that integrity is everything. I believe that being open, honest and transparent are the only way to operate a business…and the only way to live life. It can be extremely difficult at times to be that vulnerable, but I think the trade off is worth it. When I tell someone I’m going to do something, I will make damn sure I do it. To me, my character is vital to who I am. What you see is what you get.
John Wooden said, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
Its funny, growing up reputation was always so important. What are my friends going to think? Am I going to embarrass myself if I say this or that? Over time, I’ve learned that John Wooden’s words are so true….it doesn’t matter what others think of you, as long as you are true to yourself and your values.
There’s only one you. Be real. Be open. Be who you really are deep inside. Don’t hide from it. And life will pay you back in spades.
A Note from Brad
By: Brad Compere - 4/26/2019
Good Afternoon Friends!
I tell our Capstone Team that it is so important to always continue training, learning, growing….sharpening the saw, as they say. We are good at what we do, but mediocre compared to how GREAT we want to become.
We are a service business – our product is serving the Austin-area real estate community. Our main objective as a company is to serve, so customer service is vital to our success. The only way we can differentiate ourselves from our competition is to establish relationships and truly STAND OUT with our service excellence! If we fail to meet an excellence standard with our customer service, we are just a standard title company…not where we want to be.
A very simple way to STAND OUT is to be kind. Love people.
Mother Teresa said, “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” Beautiful. I challenge everyone to say a random, kind word to someone this week. I guarantee you it will make a difference.
Get to Know Belinda Zapata - Escrow Officer
By: Capstone Team - 4/8/19
Belinda Zapata is featured in our "Get to know the Capstone Title Team" series. Belinda is a Residential Escrow Officer as well as a Commercial Escrow assistant at our Rollingwood location.
1. What is your favorite childhood board game?
Monopoly
2. Who is your favorite band or musical artist?
Bruno Mars
3. Where is your happy place?
Port Aransas
4. What is the best trip you have taken?
New York
5. What do you love about working at Capstone?
I love that we are family oriented, we are not a corporate environment and love our team building events. Capstone is by far the best job I have ever worked at.
Belinda Zapata BIO
Get to Know Cassie Sunderland - Escrow Officer
By: Capstone Team - 3/27/19
Welcome to our new series called "Get to know the Capstone Title Team". Here are some questions we asked Cassie Sunderland, Escrow Officer at our Rollingwood location.
1. Who inspires you?
My mom. I strive to be as good of a mother as she is.
2. Favorite guilty pleasure movie?
Dirty Dancing (the original)
3. Favorite childhood board game?
Monopoly
4. Who is your go to band or artist?
Kenny Chesney
5. Where is your happy place?
Kauai, Hawaii with my husband Erik
6. What do you love about working at Capstone?
I LOVE working with the people at Capstone. I consider every single one of them family and I don’t ever want to work anywhere else; this is it!
Cassie Sunderland BIO
Get to Know Marissa Graham - Escrow Officer
By: Capstone Team - 3/19/19
We are starting a new series called "Get to know the Capstone Title Team". Our first team member we are highlighting is Marissa Graham, Escrow Officer at our Rollingwood location.
1. Where is your happy place?
Somewhere that has clear blue water and white sand.
2. What’s the best trip you’ve taken?
Alaska
3. If you could meet someone from the past, who would it be?
It would be my maternal Grandfather.
4. Favorite guilty pleasure movie?
Steel Magnolias
5. What do you love about working at Capstone?
I LOVE the people I work beside at Capstone! It’s a one-of-a-kind environment that allows me to shine and everyone can’t help but notice and want in on the secret! Capstone is the best and most balanced company that I’ve ever had the pleasure of working for!!
MARISSA GRAHAM BIO
Interview With Rob Gandy, Co-CEO of Cielo Property Group
By: Capstone Team - 10/31/18
In our latest interview we had the pleasure of talking with Rob Gandy. Rob Gandy serves as Co-CEO of Cielo Property Group. Rob’s time and talents are dedicated to creating, building, and enhancing investor relations, securing financing for deals, handling the operations, finances, and deal sourcing. Finance is Rob’s core background, having built and managed a commercial real estate loan portfolio as a commercial banker and prior to this having served as a VP in the Fixed Income Trading group for Sandler O’Neill and Partners. He traded municipal debt, and collateralized mortgage obligations. Texas is Rob’s home, earning his BA in Economics from University of Texas at Austin, serving on the Advisory Board for Urban Land Institute, Advisory Council for McCombs Real Estate Center, Board of Director for Hill Country Conservancy, Seton Fifty, and Dell Children’s Trust. Mr. Gandy is also a member of YPO.
1. Tell us a little about Cielo Property Group and how exactly you create exceptional real estate in the city of Austin.
At Cielo, we seek to transform people and places and positively impact our community and the people who live and work in our buildings. We know that our efforts also have a positive impact on the communities around our developments and that’s what makes our work so rewarding. We focus on creative solutions to build successful projects for the community and stakeholders.
2. As Founding Principal and Managing Partner, how do you ensure a strong company culture within your team and community?
Culture is the backbone of the company and we focus on high performance training for our entire team and we believe its that personal development that helps us achieve exceptional results.
3. We’ve seen your variety of projects at Cielo Property Group, what has been one of the most interesting you’ve had the opportunity to work on?
Our development at 220 South Congress. It is an iconic building from the 1930s and has been vacant and underutilized despite the fact that it sits at the gateway to downtown Austin.
When we believe a building or an opportunity has been mischaracterized, it makes that development very interesting to us because we often see a way to create value that others might overlook. That proved to be true for 220 South Congress, all we heard was that the building didn’t have any parking but we were able to see through that and count on the location to land such amazing tenants like YETI, Hossley and Tech Stars.
4. What area of Austin do you think has the most potential for commercial real estate development?
We focus on any areas in Austin that are highly amenitized, especially those that are walkable. Overall, we believe Austin is one of the strongest commercial real estate markets in the country.
5. What have you and your co-founder Bobby Dillard seen change in the industry since starting the company?
We’ve watched Austin experience unprecedented growth mainly because big companies follow exceptional talent and they select locations based on where they can recruit the best employees.
The biggest shift we’ve seen is the tech sector’s demand for large blocks of office space because these companies follow and cater to the talent we have in the Capital City.
6. We were blown away by you and Bobby’s amazing initiative to help the homeless here in Austin. Tell us more how you got involved with this project.
Homelessness is listed as one of downtown Austin’s top priorities and we wanted to be part of the solution to help this vulnerable group of people.
It’s been humbling and inspiring for us to see how hard some people work to help solve this pervasive problem.
7. As a UT alumnus and former student athlete, what was your favorite aspect of your time at UT?
I think back about my experience at UT and there were many great memories. Coming from the Rio Grande Valley, I feel my time on the 40 acres was pivotal because it sparked so much creativity and curiosity, which has been a big part of how I currently approach development projects.
Interview With Jay Tinney of Tinney Barbecue
By: Capstone Team - 10/10/18
Jay Tinney has had a love for cooking since his college days at Texas Tech University. He found out early on that if he was going to enjoy home cooked meals, he was going to have to figure out a way to cook for himself. He enjoyed finding the right ingredients to make a dish taste even better than the original recipe whether it be macaroni and cheese or a grilled steak. Through the years, he has been known for entertaining friends and family with his individual flair in all of the food he serves at his table.
In 2004, Jay started to follow his passion for cooking by entering barbecue competitions all over the state. In his first sanctioned competition in Taylor, Texas, he brought home a 5th place ribs award with over 100 entries. After that day, the excitement began. Jay frequents cook-offs all over the state and continues to bring home awards.
He will also be our very own pitmaster for our upcoming tailgate on October 13, 2018 for the Texas vs. Baylor game! We hope to see you there!
1. Tinney Barbecue has had such a great year, what have these accomplishments meant for you and Tinney Barbecue?
They have meant the world to us personally and for the business. We won the 2018 San Antonio Rodeo Cook Off, the largest cook off in the state, with 306 barbecue teams. We won first place brisket and received the coveted Grand Champion Award. This qualifies us automatically to cook in the Champions Corner in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2019. We are super excited about this opportunity. We also were invited to cook for all the U.S. Senators on Capitol Hill this year at a bipartisan luncheon. 85 of the 100 U.S. senators were in attendance and gave us a standing ovation. This was very exciting and humbling to be a part of this annual event.
We just got back from cooking the American Royal Barbecue contest in Kansas City, and we were one of the few Texas teams to get a call. We actually got a brisket call in the Invitational Cook off which featured 165 of the best barbecue teams in the world. These teams had to be invited to come cook so this was quite an honor for us and a bucket list for sure!
Another good win for us was first place brisket this year during the Dripping Springs Founders Day Festival. These awards mean a lot to Tinney Barbecue because we bring our competition style barbecue recipes and use those for catering. It allows people to taste barbecue that they normally wouldn’t get at just any salt and pepper type barbecue restaurant.
2. What was it like to be featured on a Travel Channel episode?
It was an awesome experience that took me out of my comfort zone. Everything is blind meaning that you have no idea what ingredients they will provide. You have to run into a kitchen, grab ingredients, prepare the dish and plate it with a nice presentation in a very short period of time. This was a lot of fun but challenging. We didn’t win, but we had a great time and learned a lot.
3. You’ve won so many awards! If you had to pick, which was your favorite cook-off or competition to compete in?
Winning Grand Champion at the San Antonio Barbecue Cook Off in 2018 is definitely the highlight of my barbecue career. To hit first place brisket out of 306 teams was just crazy exciting!
4. How do you maintain a fun atmosphere when cooking and competing as the pit-master?
We always maintain a fun atmosphere by listening to some great music while we are cooking! We love putting on a little Cody Jinks and maybe some old school John Lee Hooker. Combine that with a few beers and that is a recipe to keep the day light and fun. Life is too short not to have a great time every day we are above ground!
5. What events do you have coming up that you are looking most forward to?
One of the largest events coming up is the IBCA Showdown in Kingsville. It is a giant cook off that is going to happen at the end of October. It has a giant $65,000 payout. All of the competition cooks in Texas are very excited about that particular one. Also I am very excited to try and repeat as the Grand Champion of the San Antonio Rodeo Cook off in January and then go on to compete in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in February in Champion's Corner.
6. What would you say are some of the most popular meats or fixin's at Tinney Barbecue?
The brisket is what everybody wants at their events, and we also have had great success doing our Butter Bath Chicken cooked on-site at large events. Another dish that is popular and people rave about is our stuffed quail. It is stuffed with different kinds of sausage, cheese and jalapeños and topped off with an apple habanero glaze.
7. You’re known for finding that perfect combination of ingredients to improve any recipe, what is your go-to ingredient combo when cooking?
That is a hard one to say because I use a multitude of different ingredients and layers of rubs that I have been perfecting over the years with many different products.
Check out where you can get some of Jay’s award winning barbecue here! We are excited to have Jay as our tailgate pit master this week. We will be sharing his process and creations on our Instagram profile. Follow us for live updates from the tailgate!
Drop the Mic Operational Management: 10 Operational Management Tips
By: Capstone Title Director of Operations/Examination Colby Bodoin - 10/4/18
As the Director of Operations and Examination at Capstone, there are a few tips I’ve learned over the years to help our team be successful and efficient. Our success begins at the heart of our team and living out Capstone values every day. Below are 10 tips I’ve used to in addition to our values to continue growth and smooth operational transitions.
1. Focus on the why
Employees will be more invested in helping the company succeed if being prolific in their job role also helps them reach their personal goals. Maybe it’s taking their kids to Disneyland, buying their first home, or going on an African safari, whatever it is find out what motivates your employees and work together to reach the companies goals and the employees goals at the same time.
2. Numbers don’t lie
Managing by the numbers removes management variables and provides clear goals. Managers and employees will both know exactly what measures success or failure. If you want your employees to win the race don’t micromanage them into running faster but rather give them something to run towards. Give everyone in your organization a number to chase and reward them when they win!
3. Recruit the right players
Once you have an efficient and streamline operational model in place, find people that fit your companies job roles instead of modifying your job roles to fit your candidates. As your team’s coach it can sometimes be difficult to pass on the all-star player, but it is often better to internally develop the right role players that fit your system perfectly! Find people that fit your system and empower them to succeed within it.
4. Know when to hold’em and know when to fold’em
Let’s face it, if you want to grow your business you are going to have to take risks at some point. But is the timing right? It is far better to take a large leap as a company when your “chip count” is high. If your company has a string of profitable quarters then go all-in but if you are a little short on chips don’t be afraid to walk away from the table and revisit your options later.
5. Don’t jump without a parachute
I get it, every opportunity seems like gold but things are not always as they seem. Don’t get stuck chasing after fool’s gold. Remember, numbers don’t lie and they are here to keep you grounded so listen to what they are telling you. Try not to get caught up in a sales pitch or the emotions of the moment. Always analyze the numbers so you can make informed decisions and aren’t left with buyer’s remorse!
6. Make a damn decision
Sometimes leaders can get stuck in the mud with all the meetings, day- to-day problems, and endless sea of challenges. You get to a point sometimes where you feel like you and your company are running in a hamster wheel. Rise above the clutter, focus on action items, and just make a damn decision!
7. Stop the bleeding
You finally made a decision but you have come realized it was a terrible mistake. What do you we next? Go back to the drawing board? Get creative? Stay the course? Fund the losses? Sometimes we just have to swallow our pride and admit it’s not working. For your companies sake stop the bleeding and move on. If you made the wrong call don’t make another mistake, act quickly and set sail for smoother seas!
8. See the bigger picture
Often your employees will provide suggestions, critiques, and/or criticisms of your operational processes. It is important to hear them out and consider their suggestions but realize that their job is to focus on their role and it is your job to create an efficient operational model that works best for the entire organization. So get your Bob Ross on and see the bigger picture! In the end, your team will respect you for it.
9. Don’t buy the hype
Bell bottoms, lava lamps, Gangnam style, Pokemon Go, we have seen these fads come and go but yet many operational managers fall into the same trap. Recent business fads that are already on their way out: box subscriptions, hot-desking, open office concepts, crazy business titles, I could go on for days. My point is the boring fundamentals of business that have stood the test of time business are still around for a reason. Don’t fall for the shiny new toy, getting back to the basics is a trend that will never die!
10. Be a leader not a boss
A leader is at the front of the pack and leads by example while a boss stays on the sidelines and lets others do the work. A boss comes across as vague and confusing while a leader softens the blow but instructs in a direct manner. A leader takes care of their team and makes sure they are on a steady and healthy course at all times. Leaders always growing and learning while bosses think they have it all figured out. What got you here won’t get you there, be a leader not a boss!
Interview With DMA Compaines President and Owner Diana McIver
By: Capstone Team - 9/19/18
We are excited to share with you our recent interview with DMA Compaines President and Owner Diana McIver. Diana has been involved in the real estate industry, specializing in affordable housing, for 40 years. She founded DMA Development Company, LLC, DMA Properties, LLC, and DMA Property Advisors, LLC, as well as precursors Diana McIver & Associates, Inc. and Conroy & McIver. She serves as the General Partner in more than 25 housing partnerships, totaling more than 2200 apartments and has assisted smaller organizations with capacity building. She was recognized by Affordable Housing Finance Magazine’s Top Ten Influential Women in Affordable Housing in 2016 and was named Member of the Year 2014 by the Texas Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (TALHFA). She was also recipient of the Jean MacDonald Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013 by the Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers (TAAHP) and of the 2012 Community Vision Award from the Austin Chapter, American Institute of Architects. Lastly, she received Congressional Appointment in 2001 to the 14-member Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Care Facility Needs for Seniors in the 21st Century. She currently serves on the Board of the TALHFA where, as second Vice President, she chairs its Legislative Committee.
1. Tell us about DMA Companies and what inspired you to start this boutique real estate firm.
In 1998, I noticed a dearth of affordable housing options in the rural and smaller communities of Texas and decided to create a development company to develop and own affordable housing in these communities, which was quite a challenge. I discovered that I liked to tailor the housing to blend with the community and that I had an aversion to “cookie cutter” deals – even though they would most likely have been more profitable. This ability to do “one off” deals has made us an attractive partner to planned communities and special initiatives. As an example, we have just completed a mixed-use, mixed-income development at Mueller – Aldrich 51 – and will begin construction shortly on a mixed-use development with Travis County that will include 146 units of rental housing, 80,000 square feet of County office space and a shared parking garage.
2. As President and Owner, how do you ensure your team members are carrying out your company’s values as a mission-driven company?
I’m fortunate to have a strong and experienced leadership team who share DMA’s mission and pass these values along to our leaders-in-waiting. These values are so ingrained in our corporate culture that sometimes when I hear team members talking, I wonder if I’m actually a ventriloquist!
3. Where do you see the affordable housing market trending in Austin?
Austin has such a shortage of rental housing affordable to young families, seniors and the workforce in general that will only continue to worsen as our population grows. We need to be particularly smart in our location of affordable housing to ensure that it is near places of employment, preferably walkable or with easy access to transit. I’m particularly excited that we are about to begin construction on the redevelopment of the Rebekah Baines Johnson campus just north of Lady Bird Lake. Once completed this 18 acre-tract will include more than 500 affordable apartments for seniors, market-rate residences, and office and retail, all very walkable and with great access to transit.
4. DMA Companies does so much for the community. What initiatives does your company feel most passionate about?
We support any initiatives that support our residents; their success is important to us. Personally, my favorite initiative is our scholarship program available to the residents of our apartment communities. The Camile Pahwa Scholarship Fund was established in 2010 in memory of one of DMA’s outstanding young leaders – Camile Pahwa – who died of lymphoma at the young age of 32. Camile was a strong proponent of education and each year we award between $3,000 and $7,500 in scholarships to our residents for higher and continuing education, educational summer camps and senior education programs. The results are heartwarming.
5. Lastly, what’s your absolute favorite Austin activity you recommend to those visiting the city
I’m a fan of Austin’s sunsets and beautiful evening skies. And the great thing is that you can enjoy these beautiful sunsets whether you are out hiking or biking or simply enjoying a glass of your favorite beverage at one of Austin’s many outdoor cafes or bars.
Interview With REILLY, REALTORS® Owner and Managing Broker, Michael Reilly
By: Capstone Team - 8/1/18
We are excited to share our next interview series guest REILLY, REALTORS® Owner and Managing Broker Michael Reilly. Michael’s primary focus is on supporting his growing team of agents with outstanding marketing, technology and support services so they can better serve their clients.
Michael’s career started with a decade in high tech consulting, but his love of real estate led him to start an Austin based home building company in 2002 and earn his real estate license in 2003. In 2006, Michael, along with his wife, Shae, transitioned from building to running their own brokerage, which included launching www.AustinHomeListings.com. With a focus on ease of use, map searches and neighborhood profiles – a new concept at the time – the website quickly became one of Austin’s top home search destinations. The success of the website and Michael’s focus on customer service propelled him to become one of Austin’s top producing agents, averaging $15 million in sales annually until he shifted his focus to growing the brokerage in 2012.
About REILLY, REALTORS®, Michael says, “We are a team of top agents who succeed by demonstrating love for our city, community, work, clients, and each other. We take the high road and show respect to all parties in everything we do.”
Tell us a little about REILLY, REALTORS® and what your team of agents is like.
We’re a locally owned, independent brokerage with 140 agents and 500 hundred million in annual sales. We have a team of top agents who succeed by demonstrating love for our work, our city, our clients, our communities, and each other. We take the high road and show respect to all parties in everything we do.
We saw your vast experience in marketing. How do you think your company stands out in online home marketing from other real estate companies?
REILLY, REALTORS® has one of the top three real estate websites in Austin. We were one of the first brokerages in town to syndicate listings from the multiple listing service and create a website where clients could search available homes. Our website also features open house, coming soon and sold data, allowing clients to see what similar homes recently sold for.
What inspired your Love Austin program and is your team working on a community service initiative currently?
Austin may be one of the world's most prosperous cities, however there is still a great need among many of our fellow citizens. We owe our success to this amazing city and strive to give back to its residents as often as we can. Our team recently participated in a volunteer day with Habitat for Humanity and will be putting together another volunteer opportunity for our team in the fall! We have an entire committee dedicated to giving back, who help plan events. Typically, we’re doing monthly volunteer events, but we had to scale back for the busy summer months!
Which upcoming Austin neighborhood do you feel has the potential to rise in popularity in the next few years?
There are so many great new neighborhoods in development or opened in the last year.
When building a great team, like you have, what are the main qualities you look for in a person?
Naturally, we look for experienced, top producing agents to join our team. However, it’s also incredibly important to us that we have agents with a reputation for integrity, who treat others with respect and put their clients’ best interests first.
What inspired you to leave your career in high tech consulting and transition to real estate?
Plain and simple, my wife and I love homes and we love helping others find the perfect home. Personally, we’ve had 17 addresses since moving to Austin in 1997. Even while I was in “high tech” we were remodeling and flipping homes so it was a natural progression. Also, my father was a builder, so I grew up around real estate and always had an interest in it.
We know you absolutely love Austin, what’s your favorite Austin festival?
Austin City Limits is by far the best local festival. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend the last few years, and have seen some of my favorites perform.
Interview With Thrive, FP's President Adrian Lufschanowski
By: Capstone Team - 7/18/18
In this week’s blog we had the pleasure of interviewing Thrive, FP’s President Adrian Lufschanowski. Adrian Lufschanowski currently serves as President at Thrive, FP. Adrian’s career in raising capital started 12 years ago with a venture capital firm, Elevation Capital Partners. Adrian’s knowledge and expertise in financial markets and investments has added to his aptitude to identify sound startups and real estate ventures. For 10 years, Adrian studied the financial markets in depth to identify viable investments, perform risk/reward analysis, and preserve capital in his trading of equities and derivatives.
In 2007, Adrian was recruited to join First Capital Funding (Now Thrive, FP) as Director of Investor Relations and helped make First Capital Funding a top player in the state of Texas. In 2009, JP and Adrian had early identified the growing demand for multifamily housing in Texas and began acquiring a portfolio of 9,000 units with several strategic operating partners. Adrian obtained his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas, Austin. He then received his Masters of Human Services in Business Administration (MBA) and Social Psychology at St. Edward’s University. He is a licensed Realtor in Texas and a member of ABOR, TAR, and NAR.
1. Thrive FP is an incredible company in Austin. Can you tell us about your role as President and the values that drive your company.
My role as one of the two partners that own Thrive is split with responsibilities with JP Newman. We both run the company and deal with the day to day duties in addition to Investor Relations. I am in charge of raising all the money from our 350+ high net worth investors. My sole focus on the investor side is to build long standing relationships with investors and teach them why we do what we do.
We have always believed the best way to create relationships is through transparency, education, and a desire to protect investor money. We built this company for investors – not for us – and we have always believed if you put the investors needs in front of ours good things will happen. We do not base any decisions on how much we make on any deal. It is all about the risk and return for the investors. JP and I made a promise over 12 years ago that if we close any deal for fees it is time to step away from the business. We have yet to do that and I feel very confident we will not do that in the future.
Thrive FP is unique in that the FP is for purpose, for profit. We are very conscious capital and we believe in taking care of our tenants as our customers. If we keep them happy and they stay longer in our apartments, our investors benefit more because of better cash flow. We do not like to execute a model where someone wins at someone else's expense. We build long standing communities at our apartments where tenants call home and make a difference. We do not believe in just fixing up a property and charging higher rents. We work with nonprofits to create after school programs, job training and shuttle service for our tenants. We have also provided backpacks, meals and even tax return help for our tenants at some of our properties. That is our FP, for purpose for profit. That is how we value a win win for everyone.
2. What do most people not think to look for when identifying viable investments in your field?
Most people look at returns without any worry about the risk you take as an investor to get that return. The larger the return, typically, the larger the risk which no one wants to look at. We always make sure that if we do take more risk the return should be larger. We call this risk adjusted return. The other big focus for us is we always pay attention to where we are in the “cycle” for real estate. Any commodity or investment typically moves in a six to eight year cycle and then there is a two year down part of the cycle before the start of the next cycle. The closer we get to the end of a cycle, the more risk there is in the market from all the appreciation that has taken place. We always believe missed money is better than lost money in that passing on deals that we believe are too risky or too expensive is better than getting into deals that lose money for investors and do not work.
3. Back in 2009 how did you recognize the growing demand for multifamily housing in Texas and how did that lead you to where you are today?
That was a unique time for sure. There were so many factors that created the great recession, which in return created one of the best buying opportunities we have seen since the 1980s. Because of the global financial crisis we saw all construction stop, people losing their homes and values drop all over the USA. This created the perfect storm because at this time people began to accept renting as a better option than buying for many reasons. So supply could not keep up with demand and Texas saw an incredible amount of population growth which created this perfect opportunity to buy multifamily apartments. Demand far out stripped supply and it took almost five years to catch up. Texas continues to be one of the top states in job creation and as a result people want to move here and enjoy great jobs and very reasonable way of life here. We believe Texas will continue to be one of the best states for the next 10 years in job growth, great business environment, reasonable cost of living and overall great weather.
4. As president, how do you ensure your company’s positive culture and consistently inspire your team?
We really believe if you do things for the right reason great things follow. We don’t want to tell people how good we are or how different we are – we want to show it. This is when people notice you. We don’t act one way at work and another at home. We strive to have the right balance and it should be the same in life not at work versus home. We build relationships with partners and investors so that they are truly friends and family which we never want to disappoint. If you do not want to disappoint family, you will work harder to ensure things are done exceptionally well the first time.
5. How does the Thrive FP team give back to Austin community?
By building and creating better communities for people to live in. People that need to live in apartments we want to cater to them and thank them for living in our apartments. In return we want their experience to be like no other. We want them to feel appreciated and love where they live. It’s decency that is what we try to create.
6. Can you explain how Thrive’s Circle of Giving works and what initiatives Thrive FP is currently working on?
We have been very profitable for ourselves and our investors over the years. It is very important and an honor to be able to give back and donate or make someone else’s life better. We have been matching our investor’s donation to First Community Village. We have built four homes already for a total close to $80,000 and counting! The community helps homeless people and it is a huge success.
7. As a University of Texas alumnus, what’s your favorite UT sport to watch or attend?
I bleed orange and like anything Longhorn BUT if I had to choose I love football season. I try to pick one or two road games a year to go watch and I go to just about every home game. I love basketball as well.
WE LOVE LEARNING AND GROWING
By: Capstone Team - 6/25/18
Performance Feedback
We regularly provide candid, constructive performance feedback. At a minimum, your contributions and performance will be reviewed and discussed with you once per quarter.
Try New Things
We encourage all team members to try new things and bring fresh ideas to our attention. We would never claim to have all the answers. Please challenge us...and allow our company to grow and flourish.
Mistakes
When you try new things, you will make mistakes. They happen. But, it is critical that we learn from our mistakes and not repeat them.
Continuing Education
We offer monthly opportunities for education, training and personal growth. We encourage all team members to seek out additional educational opportunities. If you see something you like, go for it! We are happy to support you, and will consider tuition reimbursement for those seeking additional higher education.
Interview with Pearlstone Partners CEO and Principal Robert Lee
By: Capstone Team - 6/20/18
In this week’s blog we had the pleasure of interviewing a great friend of Capstone Title, Pearlstone Partners CEO and Principal Robert Lee.
Robert Lee is an entrepreneur and CEO with a proven track record of successful real estate projects in the Central Austin area. With more than 35 years of commercial real estate experience, Robert has been responsible for over $500 million in transactions overseeing the development, construction, and sale of product types ranging from single-family, multi-family, condo, office, and light industrial. An active member of both the Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, Robert is heavily involved in civic and philanthropic causes that better his community. Recently, Robert’s business expanded to markets outside the Austin area and he looks forward to conquering future challenges as his business continues to grow.
We are grateful Robert took a moment to share the latest regarding Pearlstone Partners and some insight to their company!
1. Tell us about Pearlstone Partners and what projects you are currently working on.
Pearlstone Partners is a full-service real estate development firm that specializes in infill condominium projects in some of Austin's most desirable neighborhoods. We've been responsible for more than $300 million in locally developed real estate and manage every stage of the property development life cycle, from initial building concepts to sales and investments strategies for the final product.
Currently, we're in the construction phase for our EastGate condominium project in East Austin. EastGate embodies our philosophy of providing a quality product in a desirable area for a price that allows more people to enjoy living in Austin's established and burgeoning central neighborhoods. The convenience of the lock and leave lifestyle and attainable pricing make condominiums a great alternative to single-family homes for many Austinites.
EastGate will be completed by summer of 2019, but we also have several projects set up for delivery in 2020 that we're excited about. We have several mid-rise condominiums being developed in prime locations off of Webberville Road, Govalle, and 25th & Lamar and 48 East will be a high-rise residential tower constructed in the popular Rainey Street district. We're also currently in the process of filling our pipeline for 2021.
2. What commercial real estate trends are you currently seeing in Austin?
Right now the Austin real estate market is thriving, but affordability continues to be a concern. There is a population of interested home buyers that aren't being served by the market because of the high-cost of living in Austin and we are continually trying to find ways to provide a product that better serves them. Overall, there seems to be a decreasing interest in multi-family while office and commercial property interest remains high.
3. What role does community service play in your company?
I believe it's important to give back to the community that has helped to push us forward. Especially as an Asian owned company, giving back to the Asian community at large is very important. I have a family history of service. My grandfather was the secretary general of Taiwan and had a history of impacting his community at a national level and I want to make at least a minor impact in Austin where I've lived for the last 40-50 years. We try to listen to the community and participate in the programs and initiatives put forth by the city to try to better it.
4. If you could give one piece of advice to someone looking to invest or purchase a commercial property in Austin, what would it be?
Find someone competent and educated for representation. A lot of people like to think they can go out and do things on their own, but you have to think about it like you're participating in legal proceedings. Not many people would want to represent themselves in a legal case, you'd want to get proper legal representation and an expert in their field to guide you through the process and fight for your best interests. It's the same with real estate - there is no substitute for an experienced team that are there to help you through the process and ultimately reach your financial goals.
5. Where do you see Austin’s commercial development heading in the next five years?
Commercial development is going to increase and become more dense. As more people move here and space is limited, density will be the key to increasing housing availability and improving affordability.
6. What empowered you to develop some of Austin’s most impressive projects?
It all starts with one thing: seeing a need and filling that need. We saw a need for attainable housing in Austin, especially in the center of the city. We wanted to try to open that market up to more people.
7. What is your favorite summer activity in Austin?
Work, because real estate is like the temperature of Texas. When the temperature rises, so does the market.
WE LOVE SERVING OTHERS
By: Capstone Team - 6/18/18
Service Company
We are a professional services company. We are here to serve our clients and each other. Lead with a servant’s heart and always ask first, “How can I help you?”
Community Involvement
We are passionate about supporting and giving back to our community. We regularly volunteer our time to worthwhile non-profit organizations in our community. We encourage you to bring suggestions on where the company can focus its giving and to personally be involved in the communities in which you live.
Why you should get involved with community service in Austin
By: Leslie Mullen Odom - 6/13/18
Oh Austin! We love your rolling hills and beautiful lakes and all you have to offer but most importantly we love your heart. “Keep Austin Weird” is not just our slogan it’s our mantra that we Austinintes take to heart. We like to hold our city to a higher
standard and because of this a rich culture of philanthropic giving has taken root.
Austin has more nonprofits per capita than any other city in Texas. We love to give and it shows. Take a look next time you’re at the dog park and I bet half of those dogs are rescues from Austin Pets Alive. Austin is celebrating its fifth year as the country’s largest no kill city.
With so many choices it may take a while to find your perfect fit but a world full of like minded and kind Austinites are waiting to show you the ropes. Here are a few favorite local charities that always need a helping hand.
Children’s Charities:
Dell
Children’s Trust
Joining the Dell Children’s Trust gives you the opportunity of a lifetime! You’ll make new friends, learn the latest in pediatric healthcare and have the ability to really make a difference in our community. dellchildrens.net/support-dell-childrens/get-involved/support-groups/dell-childrens-trust/
Partnerships for Children
As a nonprofit in Central Texas, Partnerships for Children leads a collection of programs that offer resources, support and comfort for foster children and families in our community. Our accessibility to CPS, efficient practices and ability to connect with kids at all stages in their lives allows us to better serve those who need us most by providing real and impactful solutions.
Learn how you can get involved here: partnershipsforchildren.org
Pop-Up Birthday
Provides personalized birthday celebrations to children in foster care, creating a moment of connection between the child and a loving adult. We believe that something as simple as a birthday party has the power to provide normalcy, joy and hope in a foster child’s life.
Learn more about them here: popupbirthday.org
Animals:
Austin Pets Alive!
Austin Pets Alive! is a nonprofit organization dedicated to stopping the killing of Austin’s adoptable dogs and cats. Led by Emancipet founder, Dr. Ellen Jefferson, they want to see the end of the killing of homeless pets in Austin, Central Texas, and the entire country. APA! is leading the no-kill movement in
Austin by energizing the public and maintaining comprehensive, innovative,
life-saving programs designed to save the animals most likely to be euthanized in shelters.
Check out this great organization: www.austinpetsalive.org
Homeless:
Mobile Loaves and Fishes
Mobile Loaves and Fishes provides food and clothing, cultivate community and promote dignity to our homeless brothers and sisters in need. Check out this great organization here: mlf.org
Community First! Village
Community First! Village is a 27-acre master planned community that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for the disabled, chronically homeless in Central Texas
Learn more about them here: mlf.org/community-first
WE LOVE OUR TEAM MEMBERS AND CLIENTS
By: Capstone Team - 6/11/18
Diversity
We embrace diversity and encourage anyone and everyone to interview to be a part of our team.
Respect
We treat all team members with dignity and respect. Treat your fellow team members as you would your closest family and friends. We do not participate in politics or gossip. We care enough about each other to have honest, respectful conversations.
Judgment
You are an adult. We are a professional services company. Use your best judgment in all situations, keeping in mind the best interest of our company and clients.
Unlimited Paid Time Off
We advocate for a healthy work-life balance. Get your work done. And spend time away from work to re-charge. Take as much time as you deem necessary to create balance in your life, keeping in mind your commitment to the rest of the team.
Office Attire
Wear clothes. Please. What exactly you wear is up to you. But please do keep in mind we are a professional services company. Dress appropriately.
Insurance/Retirement
We provide health and dental insurance coverage for all team members. Spouse and dependent coverage is available at your cost. We offer an optional 401(k) retirement plan and match 15% of 100% of your yearly contributions, vesting immediately.
Profit Sharing
We share our success with all of our team members. When the company makes a profit, you make a profit.
Communication
Communication is vitally important in our business. It is critical that we communicate clearly and consistently both internally and externally. And use your manners. We are a polite, kind, caring company.
We LOVE being open and honest!
By: Capstone Team - 6/4/18
Transparency
We are an open-book company. As much as we can legally share, we will. Just ask.
Open Door Policy
Leadership is always available for questions, concerns, suggestions. We encourage and periodically directly elicit thoughtful, constructive feedback.
Recruiting
We invite all of our team members to actively recruit other wonderful, high character, driven individuals to join our team. If we hire a new team member you have actively recruited, we will pay you a recruiting bonus.
Collaboration
We are a collaborative company. We encourage everyone to ask for help. Be prepared to work with, and be willing and available to help, your fellow team members.
Renting VS Buying & The Value in Each
By: Clari McGougan - 4/11/18
The rent versus buy decision was pretty-straight forward until 2007 when the housing bubble that had been slightly growing came to a screeching halt. Many mortgages went under and a foreclosure crisis ensued. Meanwhile, the renters of the world were doing relatively well.
Today there is no clear answer whether to rent or buy. In certain cities and for certain individuals buying a home may make more sense, while for others renting a home may be the better choice. It all depends on one’s circumstances, job stability, love for the area and whether they want to spend the rest of their lives there. There are significant advantages to homeownership, one being the mortgage interest deduction, which is a tax benefit that allows you to deduct mortgage interest payment from your taxable income. The mortgage payment goes towards increasing the stake in one’s equity.
Rental payments in contrast have no such advantages. Rental payment goes entirely to your landlord, and tends to increase over time. The costs of renting can be much higher than buying. Rents can change drastically over a few years, and there’s the ever-looming threat of eviction if a rent increase is more than you can afford. As a homeowner many will not face spikes in their payment (adjustable-rate mortgages are one exception), however most will not have to worry about being tossed out on street if the payment becomes too expensive.
Then there’s the question of maintenance: leaky pipes, painting, cleaning gutters, roof & HVAC and all the costs of owning a home. This can be a personal preference. Many homeowners take pride in working on their homes and by the same token many renters complain of unresponsive landlords who refuse to deal with certain issues.
Answering the question should I rent or buy requires some serious soul-searching. In the end the rent versus buy decision comes down to one’s preferences and plans. If you know exactly how long you want to stay in your home and where you want to live, and you have money saved up, the decision could be as easy as calculating which option will cost you less. If your future is unclear, you may have more to consider.
Our team. Our values. Why love drives our company culture.
By: Capstone CEO/President Brad Compere - 4/4/18
“A company is stronger if it is bound by love rather than by fear.” – Herb Kelleher, Southwest Airlines
This quote is stamped on the front of the Capstone Compendium – our operational Bible if you will. When we first began contemplating starting a title company, my partners and I agreed on many things. The most important was people and more specifically loving people. Being successful in business and life boils down to one simple concept: love.
We love to spend time together. Once a month we have an off-site team building opportunity. We may have dinner, drinks, go out on the lake or bowling. Whatever we do, we’re doing it together as a team. Once a quarter we take our team building to the community with a group volunteer opportunity with a local non-profit organization.
Love is such an ephemeral word. It brings to mind the romantic love Shakespeare wrote about in his timeless tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. But the concept as we use it is much broader. Love is care, kindness, respect, humility, honesty, integrity, service and community. It is approaching every situation, every decision, every relationship with “How can I help? How can I be of service?”
At Capstone Title we believe that “we” is the key. The key to a successful organization starts internally by taking care of each other. My job as the CEO is to make sure our team feels loved and strengthened by the collective goal to be great and to make a difference in our community. We are good at what we do but are mediocre compared to how great we want to become. Because we are strong internally, our work product reflects that inner greatness and we are able to provide an incredible level of service to our clients.
Success to us means truly caring about people, asking about their families, helping them set and achieve both professional and personal goals and truly listening. It means being kind in every action, thinking that you have a person with cares, concerns, troubles on the other end of every phone call, every email and every interaction. It means treating everyone with respect and using your manners (as each of other mothers taught us). It means being humble…taking personal blame and sharing success with the group. It means telling the truth, owning up to mistakes, no matter how difficult that might be. It means always doing the right thing in any given situation, setting aside pride and ego. It means offering help to anyone and everyone….leading with a servant’s heart. It means giving back to your community, taking the time to help those less fortunate than we are and being grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.
The real estate industry can feel very sterile and transactional. Our amazing team strives daily to make sure that the human piece of each real estate deal is not lost. Put simply, we love.
Archives
- Charity Highlight - Austin Habitat for Humanity
- Homestead Exemptions
- Get to Know Matt Whigham
- Charity Highlight - Partnerships for Children
- Get to Know Tish Pietsch
- Note from Brad (12/6/19)
- Get to Know Kelsey Morgan
- Note from Brad (7/12/19)
- Note from Brad (6/14/19)
- Get to Know Colby Bodoin
- Note from Brad (5/31/19)
- Get to Know Kathy Moore
- Note from Brad (5/10/19)
- Note from Brad (4/26/19)
- Get to Know Belinda Zapata
- Interview With Rob Gandy, Co-CEO Of Cielo Property Group
- Interview With Jay Tinney Of Tinney Barbecue
- Drop The Mic Operational Management: 10 Operational Management Tips
- Interview With DMA Compaines President And Owner Diana McIver
- Interview With REILLY, REALTORS® Owner And Managing Broker, Michael Reilly
- Interview With Thrive, FP's President Adrian Lufschanowski
- We LOVE Learning and Growing
- Interview With Pearlstone Partners CEO And Principal Robert Lee
- We LOVE Serving Others
- Why You Should Get Involved With Community Service In Austin
- We LOVE Our Team Members and Clients
- We LOVE Being Open And Honest!
- Renting VS Buying & The Value In Each
- Our Team. Our Values. Why Love Drives Our Company Culture.