Fort Worth Friday: Charity Really Does Begin in Cow Town

by Eric Prokesh

A Real Estate firm moniker doesn’t often provoke a swift u-turn (in routing and story choice) or a detailed inquiry into business plans, but driving by the choicely located Charitable Realty, at Camp Bowie and Clover Lane, I was provoked to do both. Charitable Realty, the inspiration of owner/founder, Lori Fowler, is eager and young. The first office in Aledo was only opened in 2011. The Fort Worth office has just marked one year since its opening.

The concept is simple. 10% of the commission paid is donated to a charity of the seller’s choice, in the seller’s name. Essentially, the only qualification is that the charity be a certified 501C3 organization.

“Everyone wants to do something, they just don’t know how,” observes agent JudyLynn Barrow.

“And I think the giving spirit carries over into the office environment. We tend to function as a family team,” adds fellow agent Rachel Prestage.

Michelle Moran completes the happy Real Estate trio who has welcomed me – the inquisitive intruder –  into their buoyantly informal sunny offices.

“Got a listing to show me?” I ask. Having thoughtlessly kept my new friends past lunchtime, JudyLynn suggests one of her listings nearby.

“Do you know Arlington Heights?”

Well, I do. My father grew up around the corner on Clover Lane, and my first design job of scope was down the street.

“Yes of course I know it.”

Arlington Heights is a neighborhood with lots of single story bungalows, mostly constructed in the 1920’s, which appeal to young professionals on the move who often contentedly stay – often for many years.

3917 Linden Avenue is of a later date. The circa 1951, three bedroom, two bath, 1585 square foot charmer with immediate curb appeal, blends pleasingly with its older neighbors. Original hardwoods have been lovingly refinished in rich Tudor Brown. Walls have been respected but openings judiciously enlarged to achieve the desired open expansive feel. A large, easy to use kitchen, with ample, attractive, updated cabinetry and attached additional eating area, make entertaining nearly effortless. One bedroom now designated as a work-out room, would obviously serve as nursery or home office. The back of the house terminates in paired bedrooms with a Jack and Jill bath between. The public bath, off the hall, contains full scale, stack, washer/dryer units. The house is on the market for a mere $329,500.

If you are beginning to suspect a feel good gimmick in Charitable Realty, you need only examine the weird and wonderful curriculum vitae of Charitable Realty’s founder, Lori Fowler, to be assured of the firm’s commitment to its mission. Possessing a Ph.D. in Sociology/Social work, concentrating in poverty, criminality and homelessness, as university professor for 18 years, she was one of the pioneers of “service learning” which took social work from the classroom into the community. Real Estate was inherited by blood and marriage-Father and Father-in Law both in the biz. It was perhaps only natural that Lori would test her mettle in the property arena and incorporate her social work experience into the mix. To date, donations of nearly $100,000.00 have been raised for charities as varied as Cook Children’s Hospital to Habitat for Humanity.

Asked if she has plans for expansion, Lori cryptically responds. “We are looking for one more location.” Adding. “ We have recently received notice that we are in the top 1% of producers in the state.”

Not bad for a recent boutique real estate start up with a big heart.
Eric Prokesh is an interior designer whose work has appeared on HGTV, in books and publications includingDHome, Southern Accents, House Beautiful, and House and Garden. In January 2005, HG named Eric one of the 50 tastemakers in America and DHome has included him as one of Dallas’ Best Designers for 10 years. Having lived most of his life in Dallas, he now calls Fort Worth home and is one of our experts on beautiful Fort Worth Dirt.