Is there a more perfect last name for an equestrian than “Roan”? Seriously, we think Kathryn Roan, an Ebby Halliday Realtor with Texas Equestrian Properties, was made for this business. With only a year under her belt as a Realtor, Kathryn already has excellent perspective on the market.
You’ll be seeing more of Kathryn on SecondShelters.com, and occasionally on daltxrealestate.com, too, as our farm and ranch correspondent. We’re thrilled to have this talented Realtor and horse-lover on our team.
Want to find out about this lovely gal? Our Q&A with Kathryn is after the jump!
daltxrealestate.com: Where are you from?
Kathryn Roan: I was born in Midland, Texas, and raised in Dallas, graduating from Highland Park High School in a year I’m not willing to share!
CD: How did you get into real estate?
Roan: After spending 10 years in the oil and gas industry, it was time for a career change that involved less traveling. The time frame from when I decided to go into real estate to the point I had my license was about six weeks. When I interviewed with Ebby Halliday Realtors, I had yet to start my real estate classes. It was all a bit spontaneous.
CD: You specialize in farm, ranch, and equestrian properties with Ebby Halliday Realtors. Tell us: What are some unique challenges that Realtors face in this market?
Roan:Farm and ranch owners are a breed all their own. They don’t respect money, labels, or high heels. They respect hard work and a willingness to get dirty. On a recent listing appointment, to which I had worn boots and jeans, one of my current sellers said to me, “Our last Realtor showed up in heels and stepped around all the horse poop. We didn’t like her.” A rural realtor has to understand that the land and the barn is more important than the house. If the land doesn’t “work,” it doesn’t matter if the house is the Taj Mahal. Sometimes a client loves the land, and hates the house … or loves the house and hates the land. You have to find the right combination of both.
CD: Where is home for you in Dallas?
Roan: I live on an 8 acre horse farm in a community east of Rockwall called Poetry, TX. It’s a darling horse-owning paradise on sandy loam soil, earning the area the nickname “Little Aubrey.” In true horse person fashion, I purchased for the land and not the house, which we all lovingly refer to as “The Shack.”
CD: And you drive a … let me guess, Mercedes Benz?
Roan: I had a Mercedes in college. A dark gold 1985 turbo diesel. It looked like a baby Rolls and I LOVED it. But alas, practicality wins the day and I drive a Chevy 3500 dually diesel for showing big property and pulling the horse trailer. Not to be left out, my daily driver, a Nissan Altima, has driven a few properties! Only got it stuck once …
CD: What’s your favorite ‘hood in Dallas and why?
Roan: I really do love the Rockwall area. There is something to the lake-culture-meets-East Texas thing. People are just nicer on this side of the lake! It’s very city-meets-country.
CD: What was your best/highest sale?
Roan: A lakeside house in Rockwall.
CD: Likewise, what was your most challenging or memorable transaction?
Roan: My most memorable thus far was a property that had quite a few different personal issues going. My sellers did not get along, and the buyers were from out of state. The house had been vacant for over a year, so I ended up doing a lot of clean-up on the house myself, and went through about 30 cans of wasp spray. I was elated and relieved to get that one closed!
CD: How quickly have you ever turned a house?
Roan: Not very. Farm and ranch property takes time. Its extremely rare to see a property sell in a matter of days like you’ll see in the city.
CD: How much did you sell last year?
Roan: Zero. I was still working in oil & gas last year!
CD: What words of wisdom do you often share with clients?
Roan: Not to panic that they will have nowhere to go when their house sells. Moving a farm to a new farm is a production. You cannot just pack your boxes and call a moving van. There are often horses, cows, and farm equipment to consider. I explain their options and am happy to start looking for property before they have a contract on their current home, so they’re reassured that they won’t be standing on the curb holding leadropes on closing day.
CD: If you ever change careers for an encore you’ll…
Roan: Probably go back to oil & gas.
CD: Do you have a second home? If so, where?
Roan: I do not. But if I did, it would be 100 acres of sandy loam soil, all pipe fenced, with a 30-stall barn and a huge indoor arena. A girl can dream, right?
