From Hair to Houses, Tarrant County Agent Brings the Style

By Rick Mauch
Candy’s Dirt Contributor

Whether it’s styling hair or putting people in stylish homes, Monica Spence specializes in making people feel better about themselves and their lives.

Monica, who is part of the Willow Park-based Spence Real Estate Agency with her husband Cliff, was a hairstylist/salon owner for 27 years. Then, in January 2020, she married Cliff, who had been in the real estate business for several years.

Shortly after, the COVID-19 pandemic, her salon closed and joining Cliff seemed like a good option — which she took. Now, two years and three months later, she is working alongside her husband selling properties in Keller, Haslet, North Fort Worth, and surrounding areas.

“I wear many hats, but my official title is buyer’s agent and team leader for Spence Real Estate Group,” Monica said.

Monica, 52, was born in Amarillo. However, she got to Fort Worth as quickly as she could, as her family moved to the area when she was 2.

Spence took time to discuss her career passions.

Can you elaborate on how you got into the real estate business?

We had been discussing my taking classes to get my license and were trying to figure out where I would fit classes into my busy schedule. I started researching schools in March, and just as soon as I started, COVID hit and they were all closed. Not long after, my salon got shut down as well, and I had nothing but time on my hands for the next two months. After a week of panic and wondering what was happening, I got enrolled in real estate school online.

Over the next six weeks, I took all my classes and more, then when the testing centers opened back up, I drove all the way to Waco to take my exam since all the locations in the DFW area was backlogged by people whose exam got canceled. I passed and started my real estate career in May 2020 thanks to the gift of time that COVID brought.

Does it help to have a spouse in the same business?

Yes, it helps tremendously that my husband is in the business. He helps me with so much, and it helps that he is right here with me all the time. We work together on everything.

Do you sell together or is there a friendly competition?

I am competitive by nature, so it was a little competitive at first until I realized I didn’t know what I was doing but liked to think I did (chuckle). However, we each have different strengths and weaknesses, so we realized it’s just best to work together so we both win. I’m the people person, and he is the desk person.

What would you say separates you from others in the industry?

We love to give back and help people! We are Homes for Heroes affiliates, so we donate back 25 percent of our commissions to the military, first-responders, healthcare workers, and teachers, which cover many of the people out there. And, the fact that when you work with us, you get both of us, separates us.

Can you explain what a probate real estate agent is and why that’s important to you?

I love to stay educated, and have taken many classes and gotten certifications, and earned several designations, but the one that means the most to me is my recent certification to become a probate real estate agent, CPRES.
I lost both my parents and had to go through the probate process, so I understand the process as well as the pain of grief that people are going through during the process. I have true compassion when working with these clients and love helping them in more ways than just real estate. I teach grief classes and also share that with them as a way to help them heal.

What are your thoughts on the challenges of do-it-yourself apps for potential home buyers?

I hate that buyers can get taken advantage of so easily with them. For the most part, people don’t read the fine print, and there are many hidden fees and legal jargon that they just gloss over. Money is left on the table, and they have no idea.

What do you see as the biggest challenge in the industry today?

Competition with the do-it-yourself apps is one, educating the consumer on all the work Realtors do behind the scenes is the other. Until I became a Realtor, I had no idea of all the work and knowledge that was involved. People have had bad experiences with bad Realtors and ruined it for the others. I’ve encountered many people in my short career thus far who think we are overpaid for ‘putting a sign in the yard’ and think they can do it themselves, not realizing how much work there is or how much more money they could have made. But, it’s our job to educate each client we encounter.

If you could change one thing in the industry what would it be?

The first thing that comes to mind is get rid of the Zestimate (from Zillow). The numbers that are put out there are usually inaccurate and give potential clients a false sense of what they could sell their house for. Then, when we give them the accurate numbers, they don’t want to believe us.

What are your hobbies?

Volunteering at my church, doing triathlons and endurance events, raising money for charity (she’s on the board for Children’s Charities of Fort Worth).

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