Bess Dickson said she was excited to go to Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s because it gave her the best tools and opportunities to serve her clients. She recently started there after spending the past two years at Texas Urban Living Realty. Before that she was at Dallas City Center Realtors for several years.
“Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s has the same perspective that I do. It’s about relationships and how we can come along side you and help guide you,” she said. “There are so many things about a home that aren’t covered in a pic or online description and can’t be mathematically quantified. That’s what we as real estate professionals can help with.”
Many of Dickson’s clients are first-time buyers. She takes great pride in leading them through the process and helping them see the possibilities of certain properties that may not be readily apparent.
“I love to find a home that is not bulldozer bait, but maybe some people may turn their noses up at,” Dickson said. “We can determine if it would be a good project and how we could make it work.”
She also specializes in “right-sizing” or finding the proper amount of space that works for a client’s current lifestyle. Often this includes families who have taken in a parent, or people who are recently divorced and trying to find a home that works best for their new stage in life.
Dickson grew up helping her parents remodel old homes on weekends and holidays. As a teen, she went on overseas mission trips where she assisted and building projects in trying conditions. After graduating from college and raising a family, she had to decide what she wanted to do next.
“I thought, ‘I love people and adore houses inside and out. How could I best serve others?’ ” she said. “What if I became a real estate landmine queen?”
By that, Dickson meant guiding investors, buyers, and sellers through the real estate process where she said there’s always a surprise and no such thing as a “normal” transaction. She finds listening to people’s stories the most interesting part of her job, and often sees her role as that of playing matchmaker.
The last several years have been challenging for Dickson. Six years ago, her husband died unexpectedly. Last November, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went through treatment and has now been cancer free for 90 days.
“I found the best way to get through each day is to say, ‘How can I help?’ and ‘Let’s go.’ I try not to look backwards,” she said. “I’m not fearless, but I’m continuously joyful because I’m still here and very blessed.”
One thing that brings her great joy these days is working with the organization Back on My Feet, which helps recovering addicts and homeless people. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, she joins them for an early-morning run. The program emphasizes the benefits of commitment as well as the mental and physical benefits of running.
“We all have challenges in life and we all get knocked over,” she said. “It’s the ability to have self-perspective and the ability to dust yourself off and say, ‘OK, let’s get up and go’ that keeps you going.”
