By Rick Mauch
Candy’s Dirt Contributor
Growing up in Midland, Redonna Dunlap had an inkling she might end up in the real estate business even as a child.
“My parents wanted me to be in real estate,” she said with a smile. “I was always moving furniture around when I was little and I had a knack for design.”
And indeed she is now a Realtor in Springtown, moving there from Austin 20 years ago from the hustle and bustle of one of the nation’s largest cities. Still, it wasn’t until 2017, at the age of 50 that she fulfilled her parents’ — and it turned out her own — wish and got her real estate license.
Like many, she had tried a few things before, such as working in the oil industry and in a memory care unit. It was at the latter that she realized her parents were right.
“I had to promote our building. I worked with our director as they sold rooms,” she said.
Still, there was one more thing to try before going into real estate. She owned a flower shop.
“Owning a flower shop is a very tough thing to do. When I failed at that I went to real estate school and life’s been great ever since,” Dunlap said. “I love everything about it. I really throw my heart into it. I can feel other people’s emotions, give them what they want, all glory to God.
“Next to your spouse and the birth of children, it’s (buying a home) the biggest investment you’ll ever make.”
Working through JPAR, Dunlap sells mostly to people who, like herself, choose to leave the city life and into the country. She does a lot of business in Parker County and even all the way to Hillsboro. She had also sold commercial real estate.
She admits she’s had challenges in life. She believes those have made her stronger and more understanding, which also helps her clients.
“I’ve bounced back. My faith is strong. My parents taught me to be strong,” she said. “I’m more compassionate and emphatic.”
For example, she recalled a time when a young family who had never owned a home bought a mobile home for around $125,000. While it wasn’t the kind of commission that would come with a much more expensive home, it was their dream come true.
“It meant everything to them, and for me to be a part of that was such a blessing,” she said.
Then, a little girl wanted a tire swing in her yard. Dunlap had her husband make one and they had it hanging up when the family moved in.
“That was so magical,” she said.
There was another time when a lady closed on her grandfather’s house and then sold it to a young man for his first home, going through Dunlap.
“That was pretty amazing. She had tears in her eyes at closing and this young man was so happy,” she said.
Though she’s never sold to anyone famous – yet – Dunlap recalled the time the son of a late famous rapper called her and asked about buying a home. It turned out he didn’t have the money to do so, but Dunlap nonetheless felt like she made a new friend.
“I told him someday you will have the money, so call me when you do,” she said.
Dunlap has won the Ruby Circle of Excellence Award three consecutive years for selling between $5-6 million in real estate.
“I’m working on the next one,” she said with a smile.
Dunlap’s advice to someone just starting out in the business?
“Stay steadfast. Listen to the positive. There is a lot of positive,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot in a short amount of time.
“Be kind and patient. Patient always wins.”
When she’s not working, Dunlap loves family time. She has three children and a dozen grandchildren.
She also loves walking, nature and sitting outside in the evening or first thing in the morning when the sun comes up.
“I just love life,” she said.
