Lyon Real Estate strong in El Dorado County

Lyon Real Estate President Pat Shea attributes the company’s success to the nearly 900 agents in the Sacramento area. The agents say the “back office support” is a key factor.

Lyon serves El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties in 17 offices. The Business Journal showed Lyon Real Estate as the No. 1. real estate firm in the Sacramento region based on total closed transactions for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

In El Dorado County, there are three offices. Brenda Manginelli is manager of the Cameron Park and Placerville offices. Brian Frazier is manager of the El Dorado Hills office.

Shea was selected to serve as president in September 2011 to replace Jean Li, who rose to chairman of the board. He has 23 years of real estate experience in Northern California, with many awards and honors. He started in 1989 with TRI Realtors in Sacramento, and came from Better Homes & Gardens Mason McDuffie in San Francisco. His wife, Eileen, is a Realtor, as is his oldest son.

Shea said that in his years in management his first goal was to smooth the obstacles to agents’ success.

Lyons Agent Support Center includes Lyons Leadership Team and the departments of accounting, corporate services (relocation), escrow, human resources, marketing, office support, special events/charitable giving, technology and training. Leadership training emphasizes modeling and instilling the values of integrity and a strong work ethic.

The company is also associated with Vitek Mortgage Group, Purves & Associates Insurance Agency and American Home Shield (home warranties).

The company provides an online licensing school in association with Chamberlin schools. Agents receive full reimbursement of their tuition when they close their first escrow.

Shea spoke about the importance of living a balanced life. Lyon leaders help sales agents and employees to balance career and financial goals with personal and family goals so they can lead satisfying lives.

“We have a unique culture. People are attracted to our style of business,” said Shea.

He acknowledged the agents who endured and survived during the most painful months of the real estate contraction. “In 2007-08 agents’ income dropped by 50 percent,” he said. “They continued to provide good customer service, helping people under duress.” He spread his praise not only to Lyon agents, but to all real estate agents who performed beyond their normal duties.

The real estate landscape has been altered. Lyon’s Trendgraphix monthly real estate report for November states that new listings for the four-county area consisted of 63 percent equity or traditional, 24 percent short sales, and 11 percent REO or bank-owned. This mix compares favorably to the previous month, with 55 percent equity, 24 percent short, and REO remaining at 11 percent.

“Although inventory is low, prices and interest rates are very attractive. Prospective buyers are not looking for their dream homes as they did in the past,” said Shea. They are looking for stability and value.”

Lyon encourages its agents to support the communities where they live and work. “It’s exciting to see how much our agents are giving back,” he said.

Brenda Manginelli reported that the Cameron Park and Placerville offices are yearly sponsors of the Soroptomists’ Chocolate Affair. They have collected over 200 Coats for Kids this year, collected Toys for Tots, donated a decorated Christmas tree for Pollock Pines Rotary, and supported the annual EDCAR Christmas Cantree.

At the El Dorado Hills office, agents focus on two main events. Brian Frazier gave the details of this year’s efforts. El Dorado Hills agents collected and delivered 40 coats to Hangtown Haven, the homeless camp in Placerville. They delivered over 100 coats to other organizations. They also collected and donated Toys for Tots.

“In all that we do, our clients’ interest comes first”, said Shea.

For more information, visit golyon.com.