Great Western Home Loans Realtor of the Week: Julie Pillans

Introducing Great Western Home Loans “Realtor of the Week,” a new spot written by our favorite Vice President of Happiness (yup, that’s really his title!), Jeff Lindigrin.

If you know anything about Jeff, you know he is one of the happiest, coolest guys in Texas. And he’s a real Texan through and through, who raises cattle on his ranch and drives a truck. 

He even wears cowboy boots.

Jeff hosts The Great Western Home Loans Radio Show live every Saturday on KLIF 570 AM from 3 to 4 p.m. The show focuses on real estate personalities and mortgage questions, but Jeff’s sense of humor really owns the show. Sometimes Candy is his guest, then things get really wild!

Great Western was created in 1981 by the Fred McDonald family, who continues to own and operate it. From its inception, the company has maintained an entrepreneurial spirit with the focus on its team of outstanding employees.  The “people first” philosophy at all times enables Great Western to deliver superior mortgage services for its clients.  Headquartered in Plano, Great Western Home Loans offers a complete menu of purchase and refinance  mortgage products to smooth the road to home purchasing for every Realtor.

Here’s one of them: Julie Pillans.

Julie is a proud native Texan who grew up in Plano.

She is known for her honesty, integrity and strong negotiating skills. Like, this woman is tough. Her strong character has earned Julie the respect of her clients and real estate industry peers. Oh, and let’s not forget her amazing sense of humor and personality! Anyone who meets Julie immediately gets how down to earth funny she is. She treats everyone with the same lovable charm. Yep, Julie Pillans ranks pretty high on the “Likeability Chart”!

Julie has received numerous awards since she began her real estate career full time in 2000, including being selected one of D Magazines Best Realtors in 2015 (should have been every year) and the distinguished Ebby Halliday Customer Service VIP Award in 2014. When I asked why she choose a career in real estate, she had a zinger response:

“I’ve always had a job in the real estate industry and got my start as a leasing agent. I realized my passion and expertise is in sales, specifically residential real estate sales, and pursued my real estate license 11 year ago,” says Julie.  “I’ve been with Ebby Halliday Realtors – Preston Center for the last 4 years now. I just enjoy helping clients buy and sell residential real estate.”

Recently I asked her about her largest sale. I mean, it was a BIG one.

“I was blessed to represent clients who purchased a $10.5 M home on one of Dallas’ poshest streets. Like many of my clients, this couple was discriminating, interesting and fantastic to work with. It was a great experience,” said Julie.

Oh yeah, we remember THAT house!

“But, you know what? I love what I do and am just as happy and excited to represent a luxury buyer/seller as I am a first-time buyer/seller on a $300,000 house!”

You just gotta love that attitude.

Julie is a savvy realtor who also has great vision. There is no better example of this than the recent purchase of her own beautifully restored home, built in the 1940’s. It’s located in the La Foy neighborhood, which backs up to West Highland Park.  

“I enjoy being a part of a dynamic neighborhood that’s constantly changing,” says Julie. “La Foy is convenient and close to everything, Uptown, Downtown, North Park, East Dallas Love Field and points south.”

That sounded familiar. I’m pretty sure that description was used to describe the revival of West Dallas and the Bishop Arts District a few years ago. Julie has a great sense of value and advises her clients accordingly. No wonder Julie Pillans is our Realtor of the Week!!