Veteran Realtor starts own agency in Sumter
Bowen finds niche with military community
From left, Pommetha McGill-Rice, Debbie Bowen, T.J. Green (standing) and Penny Reeser discuss client information on Tuesday at new offices at 3219 Broad St.
Debbie Bowen says she loves Sumter, and Sumter seems like a perfect fit for her also.
After working about 15 years in the local real estate market, including 10 as a broker-in-charge, Bowen stepped out and started Bowen & Associates Realty, 3219 Broad St., last fall.
She's always been a top producing Realtor in the area and said the move into ownership was something she had "dreamed about for a long time, but also kind of scary."
Her office appeals heavily to military-related families associated with Shaw Air Force Base, and her new location on Broad Street is less than one mile from the base.
Bowen said she's always made the effort to be well connected to the base.
"And I am a military brat as well, and they love that," she said.
Bowen's father, Rick Singleton, was a jet fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force and rose to the rank of colonel, she said. He was from Sumter but never stationed here but did choose to retire back home.
Bowen and the rest of the family came along.
The 5,000-square-foot office has about 12 employees, including 10 agents. A couple have many years of experience and are top producers in the field. The majority are mid-level producers and others are new Realtors, according to Bowen.
She also expects about 10 more agents to come on board by mid-June, when they finish their classes and receive their certification. Those individuals are training under experienced agents in the office and have made a commitment to work for Bowen.
After only being in business for four months, Bowen's firm ranked fourth in the local market for production volume for the month of January.
Several of her agents say it's a joy to work for Bowen, including Penny Reeser and T.J. Green.
"She is a great motivator and passionate about what she does and is a passionate person," Reeser said. "She just loves the people in the community."
Reeser and Green said Bowen is cordial with everyone, even competitors in the real estate market - a trait which is unusual in the industry.
Bowen said she has her personality because she's passionate about the business and also from her upbringing as a Christian.
"When you grow up in an Air Force home and your father is a military officer," Bowen said, "you are taught manners above anything. And manners encompass everything - kindness, being genuine. Our dad made us use manners all the time."