Real Estate has an emotional component. For most, a home is the largest investment they’ll ever make. Down-sizing, empty-nesting, relocating, and moving kids and pets can stir drama, tug on heart strings and upset the balance of life. However, a caring Realtor and strong team can make all the difference. Meet Gayle Huffman, who has been active in real estate since 1975.
Huffman has worked as an agent for many independently and corporately owned agencies. She’s been in the West Houston and Katy area all these years. Today, she and business partner Kathy Girgenti are co-owners of Keller Williams Premier Realty Katy (KWPRK). Huffman is the broker and operating principal and feels the success of the company comes from hard work of nearly 200 agents, give or take, who represent KWPRK.
Corporate Culture
“We are fortunate to have an international Keller Williams culture that emphasizes: God first, family second, business third,” says Huffman. “We have incredible leadership team. Fred and Stacie Wright, a married couple, work together and are starting year 15 with Keller Williams. They are amazing, along withTammy Harris, our operations manager.” The focus is on support, encouragement and development. “Our agency is comprised of Realtors, a trademark term, meaning they are governed by a code of ethics and standards of practice as defined by the National Association of Realtors (NAR),” says Huffman.
In Huffman’s view, the agents are most important people. Although KWPRK has a website, but it is not the main focus. “Our sales team are independent contractors, and we train them to have productive businesses. If you visualize each agent having his or her own company and website, you’ll see busy, professional realtors attracting homebuyers and sellers through social media and their own sphere of influence. We help agents build and be profitable.”
Success Through Ethics
KWPRK is ranked highly at #13 in the Houston Business Journal for all real estate companies in the Houston Metroplex (out of over 2000), and that’s a huge achievement. “I think our success stems from the Keller Williams International culture,” says Huffman. We have a belief system that includes such positive philosophies, and our mission statement says it all:
To exceed our customer / client expectations while increasing the growth and profitability of our associates and company by promoting success through community service, consulting, ethics, recruiting , teamwork, technology, training, and WI4C2T’S.
The Agents Make it Happen
And speaking of community service, KWPRK supports Cinch Charities, a nonprofit that provides residential housing for caregivers to patients who have devastating illnesses. “It’s similar to Ronald McDonald House, and we are so thankful for the Ballard family, who have donated enough funds for us to plant roots and provide a permanent facility,” says Huffman. The West Medical Center, including M.D. Anderson near Christus St. Catherine, has referred multiple dozens of people so far.
Mo Anderson is in charge of culture internationally and challenged agents about six years ago to build a legacy in their communities. “Our culture encourages us to give back, and on May 10 we had hundreds out at the Brookwood Community painting houses and working on vehicles alongside Home Depot, Lowes and many others. This was how we celebrated RED Day, an international Keller Williams designated day for giving back.
Happily Entrenched in Katy
Huffman is happily married to Phil, who is also a Realtor. “I don’t list and sell, but he does,” says Huffman. The couple loves collecting art and traveling, and just came back from China. They also have a deep Christian faith. “Philip and I are both Christians, and I have a running conversation with God all the time because I think that’s what gets me through my day and helps me relate to the agents.”
Huffman loves feedback from clients. “They walk in our front door and feel the energy — “Your office feels good!” they say. “It’s the agents doing that. The people in my company are just amazing. They have same ups and downs as all of us do and work for commission only,which can creates stress. Yet 99% of time they are upbeat, production driven and other-oriented. They make me very proud.”
KWPRK is located at 22762 Westheimer Parkway, Suite 430, Katy, TX 77450. Visit them at www.katytxhomes.com.
