Patrick Curry, President: “When Rob Gutterridge from the NWA Business Journal approached me about being a sponsor for the 11th annual A-List Event recognizing the top REALTORS® and Agency in Northwest Arkansas, I wanted to do something different. I envisioned new awards to recognize REALTORS® who are making a mark on our community. The Rising Star Award honors individuals new to the residential real estate industry who are producing outstanding results. Nominees are submitted by their peers for up-and-coming REALTORS® who have been in the business for five years or less. An anonymous panel selected the winner for the 1st annual award.”
- Nominee – Alisa May-Horgan Broker, REALTOR®, NWA Metro Group @ Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney Faucette
- Nominee – Phillip Shepard, REALTOR® All Things NWA @ Collier & Associates
- Award Winner – Matt Blood Executive Broker, REALTOR®, GRI McMullen Group
Vice President of Operations, Amanda Brumbelow, and Melony Belt, head of Business Development, recently met with Matt to learn more about him. “We [Allegiance] wanted to spotlight the achievement and share who Matt Blood is outside of being a REALTOR® and recipient of this award, said Amanda. “I could quickly tell that Matt has a lot of drive, and he’s driven by his love for his family.”
Matt Blood is an Executive Broker at McMullen Realty Group, and has been a REALTOR® since 2020 after being let go from his position as an Automotive Service Manager. When asked how he got into real estate, he shared, “It was God’s plan. I am the sole provider for my family of six, so I had to figure it out. I was always interested in Real Estate. I was let go from my position on a Thursday and started Real Estate school on Monday. Six months later, when unemployment timed out, I closed my first deal less than five days later.”
Matt’s peers said the following on his nomination form:
- Most notable work achievements:
- 2020 – Year 1 – 3 million in sales
- 2021 – Year 2 – 9 million in sales
- 2022 – Year 3 – 11.5 million in sales
- 2023 – Already crushing it! On the way to 15+ million in sales.
- Most notable community achievements:
- Served in the U.S. Army for five years as E5 Sargent
- Served Iraq 2007-2008
- Referee for kids’ football in NWA for over nine years
Want to get to know Matt a little better? Here are some fun facts!
- First Concert – “Alan Jackson @ Fort Bragg, North Carolina”
- Two items you can’t live without on a deserted island – “Hat & my wife”
- Favorite part about being a REALTOR® – “The flexibility to spend quality time with family. My wife and I are raising four boys, ages 14, 9, 7, and 5. We’ve got three in traveling baseball. My wife is amazing, and she does it all so I can be successful as a REALTOR®. I appreciate the moments when I can step away to pick up my teenager from practice or hang out with the family. Moments like that will pass you by if you aren’t intentional about quality time.”
- Who is your mentor? – “Jason Dickson was my first mentor when I entered the business. We work a lot alike. Misty & Greg McMullen are my principal brokers now, and they are the best anywhere. Misty has given me the biggest push to get me to grow. She’s helped me set high goals for 2023 to increase 2022 YOY by 100%. It’s going to be tough, but it’s doable.”
- What advice would you give to someone who wants to enter the REALTOR® field? “DO IT! There’s no secret to what we do, but they [potential clients] have to know what you do. The first few years, I drove around town in a wrapped truck so everyone in the community knew I was a REALTOR®.”
- How do you define success? “I believe that we’re not defined by what we do. I am blessed to do what I do every day, and it allows me to focus on what I believe defines my success, my family.”
Melony Belt asked Matt, “What’s one thing you want people to know about you? Matt replied, “I tell my clients that we enter the transaction as strangers, but my goal is to end as friends. It’s not just about a transaction; we’re way more than a transaction. It’s our community I want to be proud of the families I have helped and they be proud of me, to be able to walk around in the community and folks be proud that I was their REALTOR®, and not turn and walk away when they see me. “
Find the full list at Northwest Arkansas Business Journal
No comment