Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly McCormick.
Hi Holly, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Originally from Baton Rouge, I attended LSU then 1.5 weeks after graduation, I moved to Boston simply because I love the city, but I didn’t know a soul. I loved the history, vibrancy, youth and how close it was to gorgeous parts of the US. I worked hard to get a job at the best ad agency in Boston, after majoring in Mass Communications/Advertising, and finally landed a job at Arnold Communications! After 9/11, I found myself very sad and my friends from Baton Rouge were all moving to Austin, so I reluctantly left Boston and moved to Austin in 2001 which was such a smart move! I got my real estate license in 2003 and have lived in the Westlake (Cuernavaca) area since! I have sold over 70 houses in Cuernavaca and formed a team recently, The Council Real Estate Group! In my spare time, my husband and two teenage daughters travel as much as possible. We just returned from a 2.5 week trip to Tuscany, San Sebastian (our FAVE) and Paris (4th time)! We loved Montepulciano in Tuscany so much as well! Last year, we went on a Crystal Cruise down the Mediterranean with the girls and loved St. Tropez – but I thought the Straight of Gibralter was very strange. 🙂 St. Paul de Vence was also dreamy. We’d love to visit Greece, Thailand, Bali and so many other amazing places. We originally brought the girls to France when they were eleven and 9, and we toured Paris Normandy back then and they still remember what they learned (they are 16 and 18 now). Bringing all of this back full circle, my daughters love travel and we treat it as education. My oldest will even be attending my alma mater in the fall, LSU, majoring in business, hoping to go into Real Estate like me, and hoping to study abroad in Spain! We love bringing travel, work, family and traditions together to create an amazing life!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The real estate market was a huge challenge in 2008 and 2010, the years my girls were born and we really struggled then. I am glad I have seen almost every type of market since 2003, when I got my license, because now as our market is a little sluggish, I am well prepared.
As you know, we’re big fans of Council Real Estate Group, Realty Austin | Compass. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I have a marketing background from working at Arnold Communications in New Business in Boston and this helps me help my clients market their unique homes.
I have lived in the Cuernavaca area of Westlake since 2006 and Westlake since 2001 (small stint in 2003/4 off S. Lamar) and my girls have attended Eanes ISD schools K-12 so I know a lot about Westlake although we sell in Hill Country, Bee Cave, Westlake, Dripping Springs, Great Hills, Tarrytown as well.
I am an extrovert nerd who studies housing data and trends and who loves guiding folks toward wealth (even if it means telling someone not to sell their house).
I bring people together in my community (Cuernavaca/Bee Caves area) for various events, am on our board for LHCA, host 2/x month networking coffees at The Civil Goat to encourage community and as a result we sell some of our local listings by word of mouth before they go live on the market. I adore community and old school word of mouth selling which never goes out of style.
My business partners, Albina Rippy and Natasha Antonioni, do our social media, so we balance old and new school. @CouncilREGroup and my IG is @holmccormick. They are wonderful at our socials and Natasha is also a designer – so all of our listings look like million dollar listings even if they aren’t. She is writing a book about Intentional Design. Albina is our numbers girl as well as she was an accountant and (on another note) a “Yogalebrity” in Houston before moving here in 2019. She owned 7 yoga studios and sold them all for a great profit. Both of my partners are travel junkies too. In fact, Albina hosted a wellness retreat in Tuscany, which is why we went there.
We are approachable, knowledgable, involved and care and give advice that benefits our clients and have had record breaking sales in our market areas.
How do you think about happiness?
My family, Travel, LSU tailgates, Cuernavaca/Westlake, Lake Austin, jogging, RIDE Indoor Studios, Sancerre, my community, hosting events (Table Talks with Council RE Group, neighborhood events, wine tastings), trees, beaches, a clean house, unique clothes, putting outfits together with jewelry, skin care, socializing!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thecouncilregroup.com/
- Instagram: @holmccormick
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollymccormick
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-mccormick-897225/
