This week, we’re beginning a bi-weekly series that spotlights two HAAR Board Members and critical information they’d like to share with members – their inspirations, their challenges, and their advice about the industry.
To kick off this series, we’re excited to feature Directors Brenda Elliott from Weichert Realtors – The Space Place and Tim Brown of Keller Williams and the Favour Group.
Brenda Elliott
Raised in Covington, GA Brenda Elliott graduated from the University of Georgia with a BFA in Interior Design. After graduation, she was hired as a flight attendant by Delta Airlines, where she traveled the world for several years until she married Paul Elliott, an Army Aviator. With Paul, Brenda has three daughters, Erica, Alicia and Andrea. Brenda moved to Huntsville and founded her own company at Weichert Realtors – The Space Place in 1999, since expanding it to include offices in Huntsville, Madison, Hartselle and Cullman.
Brenda was inspired to enter real estate to learn from inside the industry what “makes or breaks” a sale, so that she could be better informed, more effective, and successful in her interior design business. She ended up falling in love with the industry and never wanted to leave it.
As a broker of her Huntsville and owner of her company, Brenda continues to develop innovative programs for agents while volunteering her time on the HAAR Board of Directors, helping to keep our industry striving for excellence in service to the North Alabama community.
Tim Brown
As a child, Tim can remember his passion for designing and drawing homes on various sketch pads. He attended a two-week fast track Real Estate Academy of Learning in December of 2005, while on Christmas break from his usual classes at Alabama A&M. The first year Tim was in business, he was named the 2006 Rookie of the Year at Distinctive GMAC Real Estate before winning multiple industry awards in the years to come.
In 2013, Tim launched The Favour Group (TFG) Brokerage. Five years later, TFG partnered with Keller Williams Realty as a general real estate team while remaining independent related to property management and investment projects.
Tim has served on various committees at HAAR, chaired the Realtor Party, was appointed as a State Director for the Alabama Association of Realtors, and is a 2019-2020 HAAR Director.
Question: What is the most important piece of advice you would give about our industry and real estate market?
Elliott: Keep your priorities in order! If you don’t have balance with faith, family, rest and relaxation, then everything else will suffer.
Brown: Pay attention to every detail. It will save you time, energy and money! To all our new agents: capitalize on your network and don’t look for handouts. Go get it!
Question: What do you think is the biggest challenge facing a new agent today?
Elliott: We have a terrific market right now, but in 2006 and 2007, it would be easy for a new agent to get pulled into deals before they knew what they were doing. Today, the key is for an agent to learn the business thoroughly so that they can professionally and knowledgeably represent and service their client in any market. Through that professional standard, they gain longevity and success in the business.