Fort Worth Couple Proving All is Fair in Love … and Real Estate

By Rick Mauch
Candy’s Dirt Contributor

The family that sells real estate together …

As Eddie and Rhonda Forte are proving, such a family can be quite happy — and very successful. The Fort Worth couple’s marriage continues to grow stronger, as does their real estate business, Forte Legacy Group/TD Realty.

Eddie was already in the business when they met and has a career that now spans 15 years. Rhonda left her job as an elementary school secretary and got involved in the business after meeting Eddie seven years ago.

Eddie advanced to the status of Realtor a year ago, while Rhonda has now been a broker associate for a little more than a year.

Together, they serve multiple areas around the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond, from the Fort Worth area to Parker, Hood, and Johnson counties, down the Interstate 35W corridor, and more. They are researching and learning about the cities of Mansfield, Midlothian, and Waxahachie.

CandysDirt.com: How did the two of you meet and how long have you been married?

Eddie: Rhonda and I were introduced by a mutual friend. He thought we would make a great couple and he was sooooo right!

CandysDirt.com: Do you sell as a team or individually?

Eddie: Working in property management has afforded me relationships with investors. So, I work with a lot of investors, and my wife, Rhonda loves to work with first-time home buyers and millennials. However, for the most part, we work together as teammates.

CandysDirt.com: How does being husband and wife in the same business help each of you?

Rhonda: I think the workload is easier and less stressful when it’s divided into tasks that we enjoy doing. I am an administrative assistant by nature and experience — I love paperwork — and Eddy does most of the communicating to get business. I make sure that we are in compliance, and follow policy and procedures while Eddy is working on the next deal or how we will obtain new business.

CandysDirt.com: Is there ever a competition between you?

Eddie: We are very competitive and always push each other to accomplish our goals. Even though competition can get a little heated, it’s always friendly. Sometimes Rhonda will list a home and because I know and work with so many investors, I will bring a buyer and submit an offer, this is where integrity kicks in and we have to keep it professional. I haven’t won an offer or bid yet. However, I will keep trying.

CandysDirt.com: Do either of you come from real estate families? Do you think your children might follow you into the business?

Eddie: My mother was an entrepreneur and while living in Arizona owned group homes. However, Rhonda and I are the first in our family to become licensed real estate agents. We would like to build a legacy with our brokerage and would welcome any of our children and grandchildren to join us.

CandysDirt.com: How did you build your business?

Rhonda: Everyone thinks the real estate business is booming and all agents are making hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. However, that’s not the case for Forte Legacy Group. We’ve proudly built our business by word of mouth, referrals, and people who know, love, and trust us. We pride ourselves on giving 7-star service in a 5-star industry, going above and beyond for our clients. We purposely designed our business to assist first-time home buyers who are qualified for FHA loans and down payment assistance.

CandysDirt.com: What special challenges does today’s market present?

Rhonda: FHA clients/our buyers are being priced out of the market if they aren’t pre-approved for $305,000 or more to purchase a new build. Today’s buyers, who are winning offers on pre-owned homes are cash buyers and conventional loan holders who have approximately $10,000-$50,000 — or more — extra money to add to their offer to sweeten the deal. We now have to revamp our business and step out of our comfort zone to create new sales and we’re up for the challenge.

CandysDirt.com: Any additional thoughts/comments?

Rhonda: Forte Legacy Group is here to assist all clients, no matter what race, color, religion, or financial status. We always put our client’s needs first and wholeheartedly believe in fair housing. And thank you for the opportunity to show the world that husbands and wives can work together as a team in business as well as in marriage!

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If you know of an agent for us to profile, email Rick Mauch or [email protected]