In the following interview, the owners of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene, Marilyn Eiland and Mark Woodroof, talk about company values and becoming the No. 1 brokerage in the Houston area.
Marilyn Eiland and Mark Woodroof
Owners
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene
Houston, Texas
Number of offices: 20
Number of agents: 850+
What impacted your decision to make a change for your company?
As our franchise agreement with Prudential Real Estate Services was coming to an end, we needed to ensure that we explored every business opportunity for our brokerage to determine the best option for our agents and their future within the industry. These options included becoming an independent company or creating a new relationship with a national brand.
We quickly recognized that joining a national franchise was important in supporting our business objective of continued growth. We also understood that our agents found great value in leveraging a recognizable brand within our market. Our brokerage had already become a pillar of the Houston community and the market leader for home sales in the area, but we needed a national partner that would give us the best tools, resources and support to drive strategic growth.
Every day, our leadership team supports us as we work to earn the right to be our agents’ brokerage. Our commitment to them was to do our due diligence and make the best decision for our company on behalf of those who make it a leading brokerage in our area—our agents.
What made you decide to join Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate?
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate has a fresh value proposition grounded in innovation and a rich understanding of the lifestyle elements incorporated into a home. From the moment we met Sherry Chris and her team, we knew that it was the brand for us. The company is one of the most innovative brands in the industry with a flair that will excite our clients and agents. From that first meeting, we knew that Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate would be the franchise that would give us the best opportunity to continue our growth objectives. In a way, we felt like we came home.
The brand recognition and seamless transition into the network were important factors in choosing Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. We take pride in being associated with the iconic Better Homes and Gardens® name. Every time we see the magazine while waiting in line at the grocery store or when the magazine is delivered to our clients’ homes, our brand is being marketed.
Becoming part of the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate network was well received and easily manageable for our existing agents and those who joined our company as part of a same-day merger within a northern Houston brokerage. They were easily able to integrate the new marketing tools and resources offered into their sales efforts. Since the transition occurred during a peak home-buying season, it was essential that business continued as usual. Thanks to our agents and the team at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, we didn’t miss a beat.
What has made you the No. 1 brokerage in the Houston area?
That’s easy: our people. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene has three core values that are embraced by all of our agents:
-Doing the right thing with a commitment to integrity
-Building enduring relationships with our clients, customers, associates and employees
-Acting as an advocate and counsel to our clients
By embracing these values in everything we do, we have become a trusted business in the community. Our clients know they will be receiving the best counsel regardless of how it affects our company’s financial gain. Our reputation as a trusted advisor in our community is invaluable. And you can’t keep getting bigger unless you’re getting better. So it’s critical that we grow and adapt our services with the ever-changing needs of the Houston market. As a company, our goal is to continue delivering that service to our clients’ children and grandchildren as we take on the future of real estate as Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene.
For more information, visit www.garygreene.com.
