Lena Williams followed Mom’s footsteps but took her own path to 2016 Realtor of the Year.
Story: Leigh Neely
Lena Williams used to tell her mother, well-known Leesburg Realtor Theresa Morris, that she would never do real estate sales. However, as she grew older, she changed her mind, got her license in June 2000 at age 18, and has been selling houses ever since. Now she works with her mother, who is Broker/Owner of Morris Realty and Investments.
“We have some amazing Realtors in this community, so this was a surprise and a true honor to receive this award,” Lena says. “There are many deserving agents out there, including my mother and many of the agents at Morris Realty. I am humbled and very grateful.”
The Lake County native is a graduate of Leesburg High School, and she offers that as one of the reasons she loves her job so much. “I love living here, and I love selling people their homes here. This year I closed more than $17 million in real estate, but the important number is 77 transactions,” Lena says. “Each transaction represents a family or person I was able to help. I owe being Realtor of the Year to all my clients from the past 17 years.”
There’s another reason she has such a deep appreciation for the award—part of the recognition is due to community service. “I am passionate about this. I think everyone should dedicate some time to the betterment of the community,” Lena says. “I volunteer for several organizations, including the Boys and Girls Clubs. It is very important to me to give back. I cannot stress that enough. I encourage every person to choose something to do this New Year to make your community better.”
Lena freely admits it’s the personal connection she makes with each client that really appeals to her. She’s delighted when she runs into clients years later and they share how much they’re still enjoying the home she helped them purchase. “When you help someone with what’s often the largest purchase of their lives, they are trusting you. I don’t take that lightly.”
She’s also very pleased when a past client recommends her to friends or family, but no matter how the client comes to her, the dedication to pleasing that client is the same. “I approach every client with an open mind, listening to their concerns, and trying to guide them in the right direction.”
Real estate in this area is thriving, according to Lena. Prices are on a slow upswing, and buyers are not scared of the market. It’s still possible to buy a home with mortgage payments that are less than rent. If you are renting, Lena says it’s always a smart move to buy, and now is also a good time to upgrade to a larger home.
For those who might be considering real estate sales as a career, Lena encourages you to go for it, but be ready to work because it’s not an easy job. “You have to be self-motivated and willing to work many hours,” she adds. “However, it is well worth it for those who want to be successful.”
Family is very important to Lena. She and her husband Craig have two lovely daughters—Hannah is 8 years old and Haley is 6. Their favorite family activity is camping at Disney World and getting away for weekend trips to enjoy some quality time together.
“My family is my strength, and my husband is my biggest fan. He is always there to encourage and support me,” Lena says. “My family knows how hard I work so when we have our time together, we play hard.”
That little girl who used to tell her mother she’d never work in real estate has done quite well.
“In the end, it’s the best decision I ever made and, honestly, I owe it all to her. She is my inspiration.”
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