For Local Real Estate Agent, Giving is Better than Receiving

In an economy and recession like the one America has experienced during the last two years, one Austin woman had a life changing moment that led her down the path of financial uncertainty, but she says she wouldn't have had it any other way.

Laurie Loew

Laurie Loew owns Give Realty, a local real estate company that donates 25 percent of their gross commission to charitable organizations of their clients' choice.

Loew says her "ah-ha" moment began in the summer of 2007 during the process of a divorce after 11 years of marriage.  She tried to figure out how to support herself, while staying in the business she loved.  Paychecks aren't very consistent in real estate, and she wanted a way to separate herself from more than 10,000 other Realtors® in the Austin area.

"While I was working on figuring that out, my soon to be ex and I were arguing over money and I was feeling a bit sorry for myself," said Loew.  "My Catholic guilt kicked in with a big 'shame on you Laurie Loew' and I felt I should go out and volunteer to help me realize just how fortunate I was/am.  That’s when the idea took shape.  It took a year for me to take the complete leap of faith and open up the brokerage."

Loew's agency is based on the idea that whenever a home is bought or sold, a portion of the commission will go to a 501(c)3 in good standing.  To date, Give Realty has donated more than $50,000 to local non-profits.  "After my first donation to Mobile Loaves and Fishes," Loew said, "I sat in my car and sobbed with joy.  It felt so good.  Now, it’s my favorite part of the transaction.  I still get goosebumps and I still get emotional about it.  It’s an amazing feeling and my life, relationships, values and idea of what success is have radically changed.  It has truly been transforming for me as a person."

But, one question many people ask is, "Why?!"  How can a person, especially in this economy, donate so much money to causes, although great, when surviving is more difficult than ever?

"Many people, including family, friends, colleagues and peers have said, what in the world are you thinking?!" Loew explained.  "But honestly, I don’t think I could have started the business at a better time, July 23,2008.  I really think people’s priorities and values have changed since the financial crash of September 2008, and the increase in unemployment [is higher than ever].  Believe me, with the economic downturn, there are some times my business and personal bank account have been pretty lean, but it has been extremely rewarding and it sure differentiates us in profession that most see as being a very self-serving one," said Loew.

Loew knows first hand the reaction from her clients is well received, telling The Austin Citysphere that many of her clients have never given as large of a donation in their life.  And a large portion of them don't consider themselves to be philanthropic, she said. 

"It’s really a fun experience for them.  The non-profits appreciate that the funds are unrestricted, and that they can use them where they are most needed.  They also like to meet the client since they are obviously passionate about the work that the non-profit is doing," said Loew.

Most recently, Give Realty, through the choice of a client who wanted to help Austin Pets Alive, donated $1,260 to the non-profit organization (pictured to the right, photo from Give Realty) that deals with pet advocacy and adoption.  Austin Pets Alive also recently won a major victory in town.  Austin's city council voted to make the Capitol City a no-kill city, an issue Austin Pets Alive has been working on for many years.

According to Austin Pets Alive communications director Gretchen Meyer,  a donation this big is a huge help to the mission of the organization.  "A $1,260 donation is definitely a really big deal for us.  This donation will save almost 13 dogs and cats.  We need to fund raise $100 for every pet we save.  We spend approximately $225 per pet to get them healthy, sterilized, and ready for adoption and get $125 back through adoption fees," she said. 

How it works

The Baker family donated $2,175 to the Philip Hayden Foundation. From GiveRealtyAustin.com

Give Realty clients are either buying or selling a home (sometimes a client does both).  When the transaction closes, Give Realty donates 25 percent of the gross commission they are paid to the non-profit of the client's choice.   Commissions are not “set” and each agent can decide what percentage commission they charge.  In most instances, three percent of the sale price of the home is paid to the selling agent and three percent to the buyer’s agent, with the seller paying both of these fees.

"In essence, we are discounting our commission, but in a very unique way where everyone in the community benefits, not just the individual buyer or the seller," Loew said.

"In many instances, when we represent the seller, they are allowed to take the tax deductible donation.  When we represent the buyer, the brokerage takes the tax deduction," Lowe added.  

Are clients happy to be able to participate?

"Yes!" exclaimed Loew.  "Some even end up volunteering with the organizations they donate to.  That’s one of the beauties of the business model – the client chooses the nonprofit - not us.  It allows the client to engage directly with the nonprofit, knowing they are having a considerable impact.  We have even had a client round up the donation, adding personal funds on top of the brokerage donation.  We also allow our clients to split the donation between multiple nonprofits."

Sean & Melissa de la Haye (L) donate $819 to CAFB, which buys 1,950 lbs of food! From GiveRealtyAustin.com

How many non profits total have you been able to donate to?

"As of March 26, we have represented 26 clients and have donated to 28 different nonprofits.  We have had different clients choose the same nonprofit and have donated a grand total of $51,283.50.  Included in this total is $5,628 in matching donations.  Plus, we have over $7,000 in pending donations for closings scheduled in the next three to four weeks.  And yes, we plan to keep this up.  Personally, as long as I am selling real estate, Give Realty will always be here and I have a lot of years left in me.  I hesitate to even call it work.  I have such great clients and a fabulous business partner, Robin LeTourneau, who believes in the model as strongly as I do."

Give Realty is one of those businesses that really makes someone believe that good in people still exists in this world.  Loew took a personal and financially devastating circumstance, and turned it into a business adventure that's serving people all over the Austin area. 

"[I] have a far stronger desire to do good than to get wealthy, and hope one day to start a charitable foundation with the corporate profits," said Loew.

The real estate business may at times feel like a visit to a car dealership.  It's frustrating and time consuming, and at the end you may feel like you've spent too much money.  But at least with Give Realty, if you've spent too much, it only means you're helping someone else who can use the cash.

Well done.

If you'd like to see all of the non-profits Give Realty has donated to, and to view the pictures of the check presentations, click here.