Today we’d like to introduce you to Sunny Sutherland.
Hi Sunny, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Years ago, I interviewed for the role of Executive Assistant to the CEO for a Home Builder on the East Coast. The interviewer/CEO said to me, “You’re qualified for this position, but with your personality, I see you as a successful Home Sales Agent, you could make 3x what this job pays”. He offered me that role on the spot. Like many of us working in corporate America, I was accustomed to being paid bi-weekly, and was terrified of taking on a commission-based position with no previous experience. Flattered but scared, I declined the offer. However, those words he said never left me, and it would be 15 years before I followed his recommendation.
In 2016, my husband received a job offer to relocate us from Los Angeles to Austin. We were thrilled at the prospect of living in a new city that would afford us the opportunity to become homeowners. There weren’t any lateral positions at the company I was with, so I dabbled in the Tech Industry for a few months, but quickly realized I needed to pursue a career that spoke to the woman, the mother and the outgoing person that is Sunny.
Becoming a Realtor has allowed me to explore and become familiar with all the neighborhoods and nuances of Austin. It has given me confidence as a business owner, and introduced me to a diverse group of amazing people that I now call friends. It gives me the opportunity to be a community champion, and, most importantly, allowed me to cultivate a life with balance.
Since joining Allure Real Estate in late 2019, I have been nominated for the 2020 Austin Board of Realtors Rookie of the Year Award. I have also served on the 2020 Texas Realtors YPN Diversity Committee and the ABOR Diversity Committee. Most recently, I have earned recognition as a Top Producer at my firm Allure by making the Million Dollar Club in November 2021, among other company recognition.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a career in the midst of pandemic was no easy feat. The rules were changing daily and real estate is a high contact business. Pivoting from the way business had been typically conducted took some getting used to, but thanks to modern technology, I was able to do many showings and consultations remotely. Nevertheless, I was determined to not let fear stop me from success. As interest rates dropped, buyers faced the most competitive market we have ever seen. Bidding wars, endless waitlists, escalation clauses, purchases without inspections, historic low inventory, and unprecedented labor and material shortages definitely presented obstacles for my clients and I to overcome.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The vast majority of my clients are relocating from another state. As a transplant who has lived on both the East and West Coasts, I share a unique perspective with many of those clients. I have been in their shoes; I can anticipate the needs of clients before they ask. As a mother, I researched the same questions for them that matter to me, from ‘where are the best schools?’ to ‘where is the closest Whole Foods?’ to ‘Where can I find the best tacos?’.
I am most proud that as an outsider, I have established a meaningful career in Austin. This allows me to help both Austinites and new transplants successfully navigate this city’s competitive and rapidly evolving real estate market.
What sets me apart is my willingness to go the extra mile-before, during and after the transaction, by providing excellent service and a point of view that is unique and useful.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I think of all the cities in Texas, Austin has the best weather and outdoor recreation opportunities, with plenty of hiking trails, activities and of course a live music scene second to none.
On the flip side, Austin’s infrastructure was not designed for the heavy influx of new residents and businesses. I am hopeful that the current public transportation system will evolve and grow, in order to ease the impact we see on the environment and accommodate lifestyles that require less driving.
Contact Info:
- Email: Sunny@alluretx.com
- Website: sunnysutherland.alluretx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnyatxhomes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunnyATXRealtor
