North Fort Worth Real Producers - February 2026

TAYLOR MCKINNEY OF PREP TO CLOSE

Restoring

Possibility

IN TRUST.

Preferred Partners

This section has been created to give you easier access when searching for a trusted real estate affiliate. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the businesses sponsoring your magazine. These local businesses are proud to partner with you and make this magazine possible. Please support these businesses and thank them for supporting the REALTOR® community!

BUILDER

Perry Homes, LLC (972) 629-3900 perryhomes.com; brittonhomestexas.com

BUSINESS COACHING

Igniteyou90.com

Business Coaching MIchelle Ozymy (214) 534-8758 igniteyou90.com

CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS

Partners in Building (214) 235-6814 partnersinbuilding.com

FOUNDATION REPAIR

Structured Foundation Repairs (972) 484-1200 structuredfoundation.com

HOME INSPECTION

Greenworks Inspections and Engineering (832) 209-7199 greenworksinspections.com

HomeTeam Inspection Service (972) 400-7034 HomeTeam-DFW.com

Inspect360 (817) 754-0360 inspect360.com

Semper Fi Home Inspections, Inc. (682) 351-2267 SemperFiHomeInspections.com

Viking Inspections (469) 209-8130 vikinginspections.com

HOME RENOVATION & REPAIR

Prep To Close

Taylor McKinney (469) 771-6613 preptoclose.com

HOME STAGING

Dream Haus Staging (214) 997-4664 dreamhausstaging.com

HOME WARRANTY

Achosa Home Warranty (817) 933-8707 www.achosahw.com

American Home Shield (303) 880-8517 ahs.com

HVAC

GC Legacy (214) 954-7851 gclegacyconstruction.com

INSURANCE

Century Insurance Agency (972) 539-4300 ciaauto.com

Goosehead InsuranceBen Jones Agency (972) 889-9112 goosehead.com/agents/tx/ flower-mound/ben-jones/

Jason Ridley Agency (817) 281-4500 jasonridleyagency.com

MORTGAGE LENDING

Cherry Creek Mortgage (817) 709-4683 NunisLending.com

Edge Home Finance (972) 333-7360

NicktheBroker.com

NEXA Mortgage (817) 201-1147

Nouri-mortgage.com

VIP Mortgage

Brian Shatto (817) 479-2808 vipmtg.com/brian

MOVING SERVICES

Black Tie Moving

Tyler Coleman (822) 920-2966 blacktiemoving.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

CSG Photos (682) 272-2099 csgphotos.com

Desiree Roberts Photography (972) 998-3133 DesireeRoberts.com

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

HomeSmiles, Northeast Tarrant County (817) 395-9795 netc.homesmiles.com

REAL ESTATE

PHOTOGRAPHY & MEDIA

Signature Real Estate Media (972) 972-9346 signaturerealestatemedia.com

RESIDENTIAL/ COMMERCIAL LENDER

Hometown Lending (972) 322-4472 hometownlend.com

ROOFING

CLC Roofing Inc. (817) 416-7663 clcroofing.com

Deluxe Roofing & Construction (817) 247-8628 deluxeroofingdfw.com

PROCO

Sara Lemley (817) 705-1501 procoroof.com

T-Rock Roofing & Contracting (704) 449-6033 dallasroofer.com

ROOFING & SOLAR

Rankin Roofing & Solar LLC (469) 952-9151 rankinroofingandsolar.com

Structured Foundation Repairs (972) 484-1200 structuredfoundation.com

TITLE COMPANY

Independence Title -

Schultz & Kellar

Matt Schultz (817) 308-3606 IndependenceDFW.com

McKnight Title (817) 500-4146 www.mcknighttitle.com

Texas Secure Title (817) 519-8800 texassecuretitle.com

VIDEOGRAPHY/ PHOTOGRAPHY

studioUSA (469) 955-5833 studiousa.live

~ WVOE

~ HELOC

~ HELOAN

~ Al l In On e

~ FIX & FLIP

~ Re n o va t i o n

~ Br i d ge Lo a n

~ PIGGY BACK

~ Hi g h Ba l a n ce

~ Ma n u fa ct u r e d

~ HARD MONEY

~ CONFORMING

~ Do ct o r s Lo a n s

~ 4 0 Ye a r Te r m s

~ REVERSE MORTGAGE

~ FOREIGN NATIONAL

~ In ve s t m e n t Pr o p e r t i e s

~ FHA ( DOWN TO 50 0 FICO)

~ NO FICO SCORE ( FHA & VA)

~ NON- WARRANTABLE CONDO

~ ONE YEAR TAX RETURN / 10 9 9

~ INCOME NO DOCS FOR PRIMARY

~ ONE TIME CLOSE CONSTRUCTION

Meet The Team

Have an Idea?

Want to pitch, nominate or share a really cool story with our readers? Scan the QR code to share with our Publisher.

DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of The N2 Company d/b/a Real Producers but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Real Producers magazine are not endorsed or recommended by The N2 Company or the publisher. Therefore, neither The N2 Company nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies.

CONGRATULATIONS

RP TOP AGENTS

Class of 2026!

If this publication has found its way into your hands, it’s time for a well-earned round of applause. You’ve officially secured your spot as a 2026 Real Producers Top Agent. Congratulations!

Whether this is your first time flipping through Real Producers or you’ve been with us since the early editions back in 2018, we’re glad you’re here. A quick refresher is in order, as the community has grown and evolved over the years and we’ve made some exciting updates heading into 2026.

First and foremost, you’re holding this magazine because you’ve earned it. RP Top Agent status is determined purely by 2025 residential MLS production. This is not a popularity contest. Real Producers agents earn their place through results.

Across DFW, there are four Real Producers communities: North Dallas, Dallas, North Fort Worth, and Fort Worth. With roughly 60,000 licensed agents in the Metroplex, about 15,000 in each community, being named a Top Agent means you’ve ranked among the top 1,000 agents, placing you in the top 6 percent of your market. That is no small accomplishment.

You may be wondering, what does this actually mean for me? There are many reasons to be proud of earning RP Top Agent status, but here are five key benefits we want to make sure you don’t miss:

1. Third-Party Recognition

Your hard work and success are recognized across the DFW real estate community through Real Producers as a trusted, third-party validation of your accomplishments.

2. Monthly Real Producers Magazine

All RP Top Agents will receive the digital magazine each month for the next 12 months, and Top 500 agents will also receive the printed edition.

3. Official RP Top Agent Badge

You’ll receive an official Real Producers Top Agent badge to use across your marketing. Your badge reflects both your production level and your RP community.

4. Access to Private RP Events

You’ll gain access to our invite-only events, exclusive to RP Top Agents, their teams, and our vetted business partners,

where meaningful relationships and opportunities are built.

5. Opportunity to Be Featured

You now have the opportunity to share your story in an upcoming issue at zero cost. What would typically cost five to ten thousand dollars elsewhere is made possible through the support of the vetted businesses your peers recommend who invest in this community to support you, the top agents in the DFW market. Can we get a thank you for our RP Preferred Partners?

Be sure to check your inbox for a congratulatory email and text, which include your 2026 Real Producers Top Agent badge

YOUR NORTH FORT WORTH REAL PRODUCERS BADGES

Congrats on being one of the top 500 real estate agents in North Fort Worth!

Because of your 2026 MLS production, you earned your spot as a 2026 North Fort Worth Real Producers Top Agent and can represent your badge proudly! This year, we have added NEW badges to the top 500 and top 1000 – top 10, top 25, top 100, top 250, and top 750 —the badge you will receive is determined by your production. Regardless, that is the top 6% in North Fort Worth!

Missing your badge? Email team@ dfwrealproducers.com.

Using your badge? We’d love to see how! Show us how you are using your

badge, and you may just find a picture of what you shared in the magazine! Social media, email signatures, web listings, marketing material... nothing’s off limits!

Our preferred partners have been carefully selected to be a part of this community and have their own badge as well! They have been recommended by your peers and are some of North Fort Worth’s most elite businesses. Look for this badge to know that you are working with one of the best, recommended by the best!

WHY CHOOSE OUR PRE-LISTING & CLOSING PACKAGES DESIGNED FOR YOUR SUCCESS?

• Cleaner Inspections

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Doug Skomer Owner & CEO

Asaad Todd

The path to a real estate career is rarely straightforward, but for Todd Asaad, it began with a decision that changed everything. In 2022, he and his wife stepped into a role they never expected—raising their six-month-old granddaughter, Charlotte, who had already endured one openheart surgery and was preparing for another. “Everything changed in 2022,” Todd says. “Balancing her intensive needs with leading a large church proved unsustainable. It forced us to make difficult decisions, reevaluate our lives, and ultimately begin a new chapter.”

That chapter led him away from a 38-year career in ministry—a calling he thought would define the rest of his working life. He had earned a Doctor of Chiropractic degree early on, served churches across the Midwest and Dallas, and completed a master’s in theology. His identity, rhythm, and purpose had long been rooted in guiding people through life’s most vulnerable moments. But raising Charlotte required a different pace, flexibility, and a fresh way of serving others.

Real estate—surprisingly—offered all three.

An Unexpected Fit

“Stepping out of full-time ministry wasn’t something I ever envisioned,” Todd reflects. Yet as he and his wife settled into their new reality, the question became: What now? He knew he needed something that preserved his ability to help people while allowing him to be available for Charlotte, who has now endured three open-heart surgeries and celebrated her fourth birthday in July.

Real estate had always interested him. So, in February 2023, he stepped into his second career—and into the mentorship of longtime friend Kristen Wright, leader of Be The Reason Real Estate Group. “Kristen was the turning point,” he says. “Her approach isn’t sales-driven; it’s service-driven.” Her belief in educating clients, empowering them through each step, resonated deeply with Todd’s pastoral heartbeat. “Working on her

team gave me a front-row seat to how integrity, education, and genuine care can transform a real estate experience.”

Within that environment of support, Todd found something surprising: real estate felt natural. “Decades of ministry taught me how to listen, how to problem-solve under pressure, and how to walk with people through major life transitions,” he says. “Those skills translate directly into helping clients buy or sell a home.”

Baptism by Fire

Todd’s introduction to the industry was anything but simple. His very first listing—a luxury home in Las Colinas— was owned by close friends. “I was

excited, and honestly a little terrified, because I wanted to serve them well,” he recalls. The property belonged to two separate HOAs, which created layers of complications for a brand-new agent.

“It turned out to be the best kind of baptism by fire,” he says with a smile. He learned how to navigate complex documentation, communicate with multiple stakeholders, and be the calming force his clients needed. “I’m grateful that was my first sale. I gained a deep respect for the details of this business. And I still learn something new with every transaction.”

That mindset—curiosity, humility, and a willingness to grow—has powered his

success. In just three years, Todd has closed over 29 transactions, totaling more than $11 million in career sales volume, with $5.8 million in 2024 alone.

Driven by People, Not Property

When Todd talks about real estate, he rarely starts with numbers, sales, or contracts. He starts with people. “Working with different people—I’m curious about them,” he explains. “Who are they? Where did they come from? What is going on in their lives?” That curiosity is his quiet superpower.

Success, to him, is less about the deal and more about the experience. “Success is helping people feel confident and

“At this stage of life, what matters most to me is loving my family well, showing up for the people God puts in my path, and building a life filled with kindness and purpose.”

cared for,” Todd says. “If my clients walk away saying, ‘That was easier than I expected, and I felt supported the whole way,’ then I’ve done my job.”

His career may be new, but his approach is timeless: protect, guide, and serve. It’s advice rooted in the words of his mentor Kristen Wright, who once told him, “Protect and serve your clients. This is one of the biggest investments of their lives.” Todd carries that with him every day.

A Life Shaped by Moments

Some of Todd’s deepest motivations come from experiences far beyond the closing table. One of the most profound

was hearing from his biological father for the first time at age 47. Plans to meet were cut short when his father suffered a stroke. Todd flew to see him, but he arrived only to hold the hand of a man in a coma—one he would never truly know.

“He passed soon after,” Todd says quietly. “Growing up without a dad and then losing the chance to meet him shaped me deeply. It taught me how short time really is and how important it is to show up for the people you love.” That lesson remains at the core of how he lives, works, and leads his family today.

Raising Charlotte has deepened that priority even further. “I want to show up well for the people in my life,” he says. “At this stage of life, what matters most to me is loving my family well, showing up for the people God puts in my path, and building a life filled with kindness and purpose.”

Looking Forward

Today, Todd is an individual agent at Independent Realty, but he’s already dreaming of what’s next. “I’d love to build a small team someday,” he says. “I enjoy helping others succeed, and the idea of mentoring newer agents really appeals to me.” For now, he’s focused on steady growth and strengthening his expertise.

Outside of work, you’ll find him golfing, gardening, or working out—simple pleasures that bring rhythm to his days and joy to the quiet moments.

When asked what he wants to be remembered for, Todd pauses. “I’m loving this industry and would like to have many more good years,” he says with a soft laugh. “So I’m not thinking about that yet.”

But one thing is clear: whether in ministry or real estate, Todd Asaad has always been someone people can trust—someone who listens, who shows up, and who makes the journey feel a little lighter.

And that is exactly what rising stars are made of.

McKinney TAYLOR

RESTORING POSSIBILITY of Prep To Close

FFor Taylor McKinney, renovation has never been just about materials, timelines, or finishes. It has always been about people. About dignity. About possibility. As sales manager and designer at Prep To Close, Taylor has spent the last decade reshaping how sellers, agents, and families experience one of the most stressful moments in real estate—preparing a home for market—by removing the very barriers that so often stand in the way.

Prep To Close is a full-service renovation and remodeling company, but its true distinction lies in its model. “We provide full-service home renovations with no upfront costs or credit checks for your listings,” Taylor explains. “It’s simple— we do the work and wait to get paid at the closing table.” In an industry filled with financing programs, liens, and fine print, Prep To Close stands alone in North Texas by offering true pay-at-close renovations—no loans, no interest, no fees, and no maximum spending cap.

That simplicity is intentional. And it’s deeply personal.

Taylor’s passion for homes began long before Prep To Close existed. Growing up, she watched her mother Diane—an enneagram 4 turned DIY-er, remodel homes with no formal training—turn worn spaces into something meaningful. Her mother had a gift for transforming the tired into the timeless, using creativity as both expression and income. But when her mother became terminally ill, Taylor’s family lost their home. The experience left an imprint that would later define her career.

“That shaped me and taught me how deeply a home ties into dignity, stability, and hope,” Taylor says. “So now, every listing we touch is personal.” What could have remained a painful memory instead became a calling. “My mission is simple: No homeowner should ever lose equity or opportunity just because their home needs work they can’t afford upfront.”

That belief is the foundation of Prep To Close.

While many companies offer renovation financing, Taylor is clear about the difference. “We remove every barrier that usually stops a seller from saying ‘yes’ to the updates their home needs,” she says. “No credit requirements, no maximum ceiling, no debt—ever.” The results speak loudly: Prep To Close has never had a home fail to sell, never had a homeowner fail to recoup their investment, and even in today’s challenging market, their listings average just 29 days on market.

The heart behind the numbers matters just as much. Taylor doesn’t shy away from that. “Renovations aren’t just about fresh paint and pretty finishes; they’re

Renovations aren’t just about fresh paint and pretty finishes; they’re about restoring possibility.”

about restoring possibility,” she says. That perspective has made Prep To Close a trusted partner for agents who want more than a contractor—they want an ally. “Everything we do is designed to make the agent look like a hero.”

And the data supports it. Homes sell faster, sellers walk away with more equity, and agents benefit as well. “Our average agent makes 7% more on their commission cut when the home is fully turnkey,” Taylor notes. By eliminating the biggest objection in real estate—a home that needs work the seller can’t afford— agents gain confidence, credibility, and stronger outcomes for their clients.

Taylor’s journey to this industry was anything but accidental. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, she moved to Dallas 13 years ago. “I thought we would be here for a year or two,” she says, “and we fell in love with Dallas and the community.” Her professional path included scaling multiple real estate start up companies including HomeLight, where she saw firsthand how a home’s condition directly impacted equity, days on market,

and opportunity. Combined with her desire to help solve problems no one is thinking about and background in lived experience, the idea for Prep To Close began to take shape—full renovations, paid at the closing table.

When asked what has been the biggest reason for her success, Taylor doesn’t hesitate. “Who I know,” she says simply. “I have had some of the most incredible mentors, REALTORS®, and vendor partners take me under their wing.” Those relationships propelled her forward and built a network rooted in trust. Today, she jokes that she’ll “always know who you need to know to get a property that’s stuck to the finish line.”

At home, Taylor’s life is anchored by faith and family. She met her husband in college, and fifteen years later, she says she loves him “more than the day I said I

do.” Together, they serve at their church, helping other couples strengthen their marriages and break generational cycles. They’re raising their 12-yearold son, Trenton—“pure joy wrapped in cleats and a jersey”—and spending downtime at Arbor Hills with their Bernese mountain dogs or cheering from the sidelines of Trenton’s football and basketball games.

“Faith anchors everything we do,” Taylor shares. “I’m a lover of Jesus and believe deeply in serving others with compassion, generosity, and integrity.” That faith also shapes how she protects her time. Sabbath, Sundays as a reset, and intentional rest are important, even as an Enneagram 2 who admits that balance doesn’t always come easily.

Our average agent makes 7% more on their commission cut when the home is fully turn-key.”

Looking ahead, Taylor’s goals are expansive but grounded. She wants to help more real estate agents empower the families their serving to reach the closing table with confidence, expand Prep To Close’s footprint across Texas, and continue proving that meaningful transformations don’t require financial strain. Long-term, she hopes to change how Texas thinks about listing preparation altogether— ensuring every homeowner, regardless of season or circumstance, has access to renovations that protect equity rather than create debt.

Her favorite quote from C.S. Lewis captures that spirit perfectly: “I am yours, O Lord, with all that I am. You can make me more than I am.”

Taylor McKinney is focused on transformation—of homes, of outcomes, and of lives. And in doing so, she’s reminding the real estate industry that restoring possibility may be the most valuable renovation of all.

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Real Producers FAQ Real Producers FAQ

Real Producers Magazine is a national franchise that started in Indianapolis in 2015 and is now in over 130 markets across the nation and continues to spread rapidly. DFW has four Real Producers Communities: North Dallas, Dallas, North Fort Worth, and Fort Worth Real Producers

Q: What is the goal of Real Producers?

A: We believe that we are better together. When we surround ourselves with other successful, like-minded people, we grow to new heights. Real Producers is a platform that brings together the most elite individuals in DFW real estate. We take the highest producing real estate agents, and RP-vetted businesses in every market, and build an exclusive community around that group. We share their stories, successes, upcoming events, and educate – really anything that will connect, inform and inspire, we put in our monthly publication.

At Real Producers, we believe we are one person, one conversation, or one idea away from everything in our business and life changing. With this powerhouse community, it happens all the time.

Q: How do you become a Real Producers Top Agent?

A: In all of DFW, there are roughly 60,000 licensed agents, meaning there are ~15,000 agents in each of our four communities. Agents are ranked by yearly MLS sales volume, and only the Top 1,000 earn Real Producers Top Agent

status, placing them among the top 6 percent in their market.

Q: Who receives Real Producers Magazine?

A: The Top 1000 agents in each community will receive the digital magazine for the year. The Top 500 agents will also receive the magazine physically to their mailbox. Our RP Preferred Partners also receive the magazine physically and digitally.

Q: Can I be featured?

A: If you are in the Top 1000, you have the opportunity to be featured! We love nominations and take them seriously. If you’d like to be considered for a feature, or if you would like to nominate someone, you can email team@dfwrealproducers.com.

Q: What does it cost to be featured as an RP Top Agent?

A: Zero, zilch, zippo, nada, nil. How, you ask? Because of the businesses that your peers have recommended, who partner with Real Producers, and invest in this community to support you. These companies have all been recommended by top agents and have been vetted by us to ensure they are of the highest quality. So instead of you paying $5k - $10k for this feature…they cover all those costs for you! Pretty incredible, right?

Q: Does Real Producers host events?

A: Yes, we host many different events throughout the year! Some large 400-800 people, some 75-250 people, and other more intimate events that are 30-50

people. We do Social Events, Masterclass Events, and an Awards Gala. You can see quick recaps of some of our events under the “Events” tab on our website.

For our events, we invite the top 1000 real estate agents and our RP-Preferred Partners. The Top 1000 agents are allowed to invite agents on their team, as well. These events are an incredible opportunity to connect with the best in DFW real estate. It is amazing to see the power in the connection made at these events. Be on the lookout for your exclusive invites!

Q: Who are the Preferred Partners?

A: They are some of the best businesses in DFW in their category! You can find them listed in our index and their ad in the magazine. We don’t just find these businesses off the street, nor do we work with all businesses that approach us. Each business has come recommended by your peers, the top producing real estate agents in the market. Our team will further vet every business to make sure they are a good fit and bring value to our community. Our goal is to create a powerhouse network, not only for the best real estate agents in the area but the best businesses, as well, so we can grow stronger together.

Q: Can I nominate an agent or recommend a business?

A: Absolutely! Email your nominations and recommendations to team@ dfwrealproducers.com.

SharonHodnett

SSuccess doesn’t arrive by accident. It’s built—hour by hour, lesson by lesson, failure by failure. Few understand that truth more deeply than Sharon Hodnett, real estate agent and Team Leader of Team Hodnett with Keller Williams DFW Southlake. With 36 years in real estate and a career that spans market cycles, milestones, and reinvention, Sharon’s story is living proof that success is available to anyone willing to believe it’s possible—and willing to pay the price to earn it.

Sharon’s foundation was laid long before she ever held a real estate license. A Fort Worth native, she grew up watching her mother, a trailblazer in the early 1970s, earn her insurance, broker’s, and securities licenses at a time when few women did. “My mother was a force to be reckoned with,” Sharon recalls. “I grew up around all the real estate lingo and adventures.” She rode along to appointments, absorbed negotiations, and learned early what it looked like to show up prepared and unafraid.

Her mother, Mary Autrey, built a thriving business— Mary Autrey & Associates— specializing in HUD foreclosure properties and serving Fort Worth’s Hispanic community. She advertised in El Informador magazine and hired interpreters long before it was common practice. Sharon followed that example, even hiring a Spanish-speaking assistant named Soledad to accompany her everywhere.

“That is where I cut my teeth on real estate,” she says. “I stayed with my mom’s office

for five years, and then moved to Century 21 Mike Bowman, where they taught me conventional real estate— the listing and selling game.”

Before any of that, Sharon lived a different chapter entirely. She married young, raised five children, and dedicated herself to being a stay-at-home mom. “I wanted to give my kids a really good foundation with their mom being there in the formative years,” she explains. When

her youngest entered kindergarten, Sharon knew it was time to step into a career of her own.

She earned her license in 1989 at age 33, guided again by her mother, who offered both funding and a firm condition: five years of commitment. Sharon agreed—and gained a mentor she still credits today.

“She was a tough negotiator and never let anyone walk all over her. I used to call

Many agents want to put in three to four hours and expect success. You cannot be successful on a part-time basis.”

her a ‘lioness.’” Her mother’s advice became Sharon’s professional mantra: “Put in eight hours a day of work, and the business will come.”

Sharon didn’t just believe it—she lived it. “I do eight to twelve hours a day, and I have more business than I can work,” she says. “Many agents want to put in three to four hours and expect success. You cannot be successful on a part-time basis.” Early momentum was

Put in the hours. Keep learning. Get a coach. Answer your calls. Don’t be afraid to fail— just get back up and try again.”

hard-won, but consistency paid off. “When you’re new, it’s tougher getting the momentum going,” she admits. “But showing up every day matters.”

One pivotal moment came during a Mike Ferry seminar, where Sharon

extraordinary. That’s when I learned it was hard work, answering the phone, and showing up.” She calls it overcoming “stinkin’ thinkin’.” “What you believe in your head is your limiting belief. When I gave myself permission to succeed, my career skyrocketed.”

That belief carried Sharon through decades of change. She built a reputation for responsiveness, clarity, and calm under pressure. “This business is like being on stage at all times,” she explains. “You have to be upbeat, energetic, and fully present.” Her background in speech, drama, music, and performance—she sings, plays piano, and once performed in a family band—shaped her confidence and communication style. “If I’m not in an appointment, I’m returning missed calls immediately,” she says. “Clients want answers, and that’s the service I provide. I’m an advisor, a counselor, and an expert.”

Defining success has evolved. Once thrilled by milestones in volume, Sharon now measures achievement through ownership, freedom, and longevity. “There is risk involved,” she admits. “But you have to have risk for the reward.” That mindset has opened doors—from selling churches and surgery centers to facilitating multi-million-dollar luxury deals born from trust and referrals. One relationship alone resulted in eight transactions. “What a story,” Sharon says, still amazed.

Through it all, her motivation has remained grounded. She wants to pay off her final investments, focus on development, and continue serving high-end clients— without ever fully stepping away. “I don’t plan to retire completely,” she says. “Just cut back some hours.”

was paired against a top-producing agent for role play. Standing across from someone she once viewed as untouchable, her perspective shifted. “I realized she was just like everyone else,” Sharon says. “She didn’t have anything that made her

Her production numbers reflect that commitment— over $52 million in 2021, more than $32 million in 2024, and strong momentum through a challenging 2025 market. Along the way, Sharon expanded beyond residential sales into luxury homes, commercial transactions, development, and investing. She now owns seven rental properties, most paid off, has completed dozens of flips, became a builder, and is actively developing a subdivision with partners. “I would never have been able to afford property without real estate as the instrument to do so,” she says.

Ask Sharon what matters most, and her answer is immediate. “My most important accomplishment is raising five wonderful children.” Now a grandmother of thirteen, she hopes to be remembered first as a devoted mother who led by example. Her advice to the next generation mirrors the wisdom passed down to her: “Put in the hours. Keep learning. Get a coach. Answer your calls. Don’t be afraid to fail—just get back up and try again.”

After 36 years, Sharon Hodnett’s story isn’t about luck or shortcuts. It’s about belief, discipline, and persistence. Success, she reminds us, is always available—but only to those willing to earn it.

RIDING FORWARD McCOY KATE

There’s a distinct moment in every real estate journey when a person realizes they’re stepping not just into a career, but into what they were destined for. For Kate McCoy, that moment happened in 2000, long before the awards, the brokerage, and the legacy she’s steadily building in North Fort Worth. It happened standing inside her soon-to-be home, watching a sales consultant named Kim Estill make the entire experience seamless. “She made it so fun and effortless,” Kate remembers. “I thought—I want to do that.”

What she didn’t know then was that her path toward real estate had actually begun much earlier, shaped by wideopen fields, early mornings in dusty

barns, and a horse-crazy childhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “I grew up as a crazy horse girl,” she laughs. “I still am today.”

Raised by a single mother alongside her sister, Kate found her sense of discipline, drive, and grit in the world of competitive riding. Those hours in the saddle weren’t just a hobby—they were shaping the competitive nature she would later rely on as an agent and, eventually, a broker.

Before real estate ever called her name, Kate worked primarily as an administrator and even made a brief detour into the world of horse trailers— selling them before eventually owning a dealership in the mid-2000s. But life shifted quickly. After moving to Texas

and experiencing her own homebuilding journey, she stepped into a role as a sales consultant for a national builder. There, she received what she now calls “some of the best training” from company president Adrian Arnold. “I still rely on that training today,” she says.

Then came 2008.

The financial meltdown swept through the industry, and Kate lost her job— again. “No one was hiring,” she recalls. So she did what people with grit do. She pivoted. She got her real estate license, joined Keller Williams, and walked into the office at a time when many agents were sprinting out. She laughs looking back, remembering the chaos of

My clients matter more than the sale. They’re my friends, or they become my friends through the process. We have fun and laugh a lot.”

a collapsing market colliding with the beginning of her new chapter. “While I knew how to sell new homes, I didn’t know how to sell pre-owned,” she says. “I needed training. KW gave me that— and more.”

What she found there wasn’t just education; it was momentum. She joined a high-producing team, learned the art of relationship-driven real estate, and in 2009 earned Rookie of the Year at Keller Williams Southlake. From that moment, the trajectory changed.

By 2017, with nearly two decades of experience behind her, Kate formed her own group: The Freedom Team. She still chuckles at the fact that earning her broker’s license wasn’t originally about opening a brokerage at all. “It was just a goal,” she says. But at 60 years old, that goal evolved—and Link’d Real Estate was born in 2023.

Her office today is a reflection of everything she loves: energy, camaraderie, mentorship, and a lot of horse talk. “I have a team of agents who

I love to help and motivate,” she says. “We laugh. We have fun. We all share a love of horses. We’re all ‘horse crazy’ girls—it just happened that way.”

The years between then and now have gifted her countless memories—clients who became lifelong friends, families she watched grow from first homes to grandchildren, moments of challenge and triumph, and markets that have changed shape around her. “I can’t say just one,” she says when asked about her most unforgettable career moment. “There are so many. I am truly grateful for what I’ve been given with this wonderful career.”

Through the chaos of economic downturns, unpredictable interest rates, and shifting buyer behavior, Kate’s unwavering excitement comes from problem-solving. “Overcoming challenging markets and finding ways to succeed through them,” she says. “I’ve seen so many different markets—2008, COVID, the crazy free-for-all market, high interest rates. Every one of them teaches you something.”

Her definition of success has never changed. “Happy clients,” she says simply. And her relationships prove it. “My clients matter more than the sale. They’re my friends, or they become my friends through the process. We have fun and laugh a lot.”

Outside the office, Kate still taps into the fire that shaped her. She competes with her horse, runs her Jack Russell terriers through agility courses when she has time, and plays pickleball—“a lot,” she admits. The same competitive spirit that once filled her childhood now fuels her both personally and professionally.

For newer agents, she offers simple but powerful advice. “Be a sponge,” she says. “Take all the classes you can. Learn from other agents. Learn your craft.” And one piece of guidance she never forgot came from fellow agent Chris Minteer: “Lifestyle changes drive the real estate market. There will always be buyers and sellers regardless of the condition of the market.”

After 24 years in the industry, Kate stands as proof of that truth. Markets shift. Life changes. Trends evolve. But people— people always need guidance, support, and someone who genuinely cares.

And in North Fort Worth, they find that in Kate McCoy—a leader, a competitor, a mentor, and a true “horse-crazy girl” who built a career on heart.

All In on Alignment

Curtis

Rose

KATHERINE H. FONDREN

PHOTOS BY

BETH GRAEME PHOTOGRAPHY

Curtis Rose Rise Through Risk and Reinvention

There’s a moment in every meaningful story when the path forward becomes impossible to ignore. For Curtis Rose, that moment didn’t arrive with fireworks or fanfare. It came during a routine business review—numbers on a page, a conversation across a desk, and a question that would quietly change the trajectory of his life.

Curtis grew up in a small town outside Lexington, Kentucky, a place where familiarity ran

deep and expectations were often inherited rather than imagined. He stayed close to home, attending Eastern Kentucky University, and built an early career rooted in stability. Before real estate, he worked as a Revenue Integrity Analyst for a large hospital system and spent evenings coaching competitive cheerleading. On paper, it was a solid life. Predictable. Safe. But Curtis knew, even then, that it wasn’t the whole picture.

“I started my career in 2017 after realizing that I didn’t want to sit

behind a desk all day and build someone else’s dream,” he says. Real estate offered something different—movement, autonomy, and the chance to define success on his own terms. What began as a leap of curiosity quickly turned into proof of potential.

Just one year into the business, Curtis sat down with Dana Gentry, the Operating Principal at his Keller Williams brokerage in Kentucky. Together, they reviewed his production from 2017. At the time, Curtis was still working full-time at the hospital, straddling two demanding worlds. Dana asked a simple question: How much money did he make at his hospital job?

When Curtis answered, her response stunned him. “If you will quit your full-time job, and go ALL IN on real estate, I will write you a check for the difference in what you make as an agent versus what you would make at your job, if you don’t at least make your salary.”

That day, Curtis put in his two week’s notice. Three months later, his gross commission income had already surpassed his hospital salary. By the end of the year, he had tripled it. The lesson wasn’t just financial—it was foundational. Betting on himself changed everything.

What excites Curtis most about real estate isn’t just the upside; it’s the openness. “The possibility,” he says. “This is a career that you can truly have anything and everything you want, as long as you know what that is. You get out of it what you put into it.” Over time, real estate became more than a profession. It became a vehicle for creativity, influence, and impact. “I want everyone to see what is ACTUALLY possible when you step outside of your comfort zone, take a risk—or

100—and go ALL IN on creating your reality.”

That philosophy was tested in the boldest way when Curtis decided to leave everything he had built behind. Four years ago, he sold his home, parted with nearly everything he owned, packed his clothes into the trunk of his car, and drove to Dallas. He arrived in DFW with no clients, no database, and no safety net.

“I knew exactly what the rest of my life looked like if I stayed, and I knew that it wasn’t what I wanted,” he explains. Starting over wasn’t a setback—it was intentional. Curtis came to Texas planning to take a year or two off, focusing on alignment and clarity. Instead, he rebuilt from zero and created something even bigger than before.

Today, Curtis is an individual agent with Keller Williams Southlake, bringing with him

a Kentucky career volume of more than $50 million and a Texas volume exceeding $22 million—despite taking significant time away from production. His success, however, is no longer measured by numbers alone.

“Success used to mean recognition, money, and brand names,” he says. “Now it means alignment.

It’s about living a life I don’t have to escape from—one built on purpose, peace, and presence.” To Curtis, real freedom is the ability to say yes or no without fear. “Money is good, for the good that money can do—not just for me, but for other people in my life.”

That sense of alignment deepened when he met his now-husband, a private pilot, with whom he shares a vision for building a big, intentional life. Outside of real estate, Curtis is anything but ordinary. A former all-star competitive cheerleader, he now owns four horses and barrel

races, balancing adrenaline with artistry through creative videography and design.

At his core, Curtis is motivated by freedom, growth, and the chance to influence others the way Dana Gentry once influenced him. One of his goals this year is to begin building a team—an opportunity to multiply impact and help others step fully into their potential.

His advice to rising producers is as direct as it is empowering: “If you don’t like something, change it. It doesn’t matter what it is. YOU are in control of your life.”

When Curtis Rose is remembered, he hopes it won’t just be for the deals closed or the businesses built. He wants to be known for going all in, refusing to settle, and choosing courage over comfort. In doing so, he’s not only taken control of his own life—he’s showing others that they can, too.

“I knew exactly what the rest of my life looked like if I stayed, and I knew that it wasn’t what I wanted.”

GROWTH VS. COMPLIANCE 10X IN 2026?

BY LES MCGEHEE

Each year, real estate professionals in the Dallas–Fort Worth market invest an extraordinary amount of time and money into required education. With more than 50,000 REALTORS® completing roughly 12 hours of education per year, that adds up to more than 600,000 hours and $6,000,000 of professional education investment annually.

This volume of learning should be a massive competitive advantage. Yet many REALTORS® waste their opportunity— and their money—by merely complying. Even worse, instead of “real estate is a local business” they send money out-of-state, spend extra, and gain no new local knowledge.

Compliance Is a Cost. Growth Is Leverage.

Six hundred thousand hours and millions of dollars invested is a powerful business asset hiding in plain sight!

When education is treated as a box to check, professionals don’t just miss upside—they actively cap their potential, hamstring their business, and insult their own professional self-image. They learn nothing new about how to operate more efficiently, serve clients better, or expand into new revenue streams. Over time, they could be killing their business.

By contrast, professionals who treat education as a growth tool compound advantage. They don’t just “stay current.” They become more capable operators, faster decision-makers, and stronger advisors in their markets.

There’s a reason Real Producers invest heavily in learning:

Earners are learners.

Not just because of one class—but because real, localized learning consistently produces better outcomes and keeps

learners current, vibrant, and locally powerful. The agent taking localized, quality education will consistently out-learn and out-earn the agent taking generic, national, dismissively “compliant” education.

What Growth-Focused, Local Education Actually Does for a Business

When education is intentional—especially local, market-specific, and on-demand—it delivers tangible business advantages:

• It opens new client segments.

Agents who understand local programs, lending products, local issues, and market-specific challenges can confidently serve buyers and sellers others can’t.

• It increases close rates while reducing effort. Better local market knowledge, systems, and strategies, mean fewer wasted conversations and clearer paths to “yes.”

• It shortens the learning curve on market shifts.

Professionals who are plugged into localized education adjust pricing, positioning, and messaging faster than competitors relying on generic national content.

• It elevates authority in the room.

Clients can hear the difference between someone repeating generic advice and a learning-based professional who understands local realities deeply.

• It builds scalable businesses instead of fragile ones. Growth-focused education reduces costly mistakes, rework, and reputation damage—allowing businesses to accelerate growth without breaking.

Compounded Learning

Twelve hours a year. Over ten years, that’s 120+ hours of education more than a major graduate program.

The growth-focused professional uses that time to deliberately sharpen judgment, leadership, strategy, and execution. Compliance is satisfied along the way, but it’s not the dominant goal.

The compliance-only professional takes the fastest, cheapest-in-attention option available—often national, generic, and disconnected from their market. Ironically, those courses are often more expensive than highquality local education.

Same required hours. Lower cost. Higher return. This might be your 10X.

Three Moves That Multiply the Value of Education You Already Have to Take

1. Choose education that expands revenue, not just compliance.

From Compliance to Growth

How Real Producers Turn Required Education to Advantage

2. Prioritize local education over national generic content.

3. Integrate professional development into your company strategy.

The strongest brokerages collaborate with associations to bring education directly into their firms—aligned with how their agents actually do business.

The Strategic Shift That Changes Everything

When education is treated as growth—not compliance— it becomes a profit center, a recruiting advantage, and a leadership multiplier.

The time is already being spent.

The only question is whether it’s being invested.