Those who move into a new home want to know that the property they have invested in will be there through time … that it will stay strong to meet their family’s needs in years to come.

 

The same peace of mind comes from knowing that you will be there for them as their real estate agent and resource today and tomorrow.

 

That ongoing role of trust and responsibility is something that Sue Carter honors for those around her. As Designated Broker/Owner of Sue Carter Real Estate Group, she provides a level of support and energetic excellence that is definitely made to last.

 

Sue earned her real estate license and got her start in the business in 2003. Prior to that, she had worked in business management and marketing. She had worked as a Buyer for Neiman Marcus, managed retail operations at Wal-Mart and Ethan Allen, and owned a consulting company for small and midsize businesses, where she did their financials, marketing, advertising, and human resource management.

 

As she says, “All of those work experiences allowed me to begin a career in real estate with a lot of business knowledge, selling skills and interior design background. It was a natural fit.”

 

At first, Sue decided to test out the waters of real estate on a part-time basis. She had taken a few years off to raise her children and wanted to ease back into the workforce.

 

“I loved staying home with the kids, but I missed having a career. Real estate provided the flexibility that I was looking for. The business was both challenging and rewarding. Within six months, I sold 17 homes and I was completely hooked.” Sue remembers.

 

From 2003 to 2005, she was an independent agent at Keller Williams Realty. In 2005, she expanded her business and hired an administrative assistant and a buyer’s agent.

 

“Those hires allowed me to focus on growth. I expanded my business into the new construction market. By 2006 I represented 18 different builders throughout the Greater Springfield area.” she remembers.

Over the next several years, her team was averaging 120 units a year. As she remembers, 2014 was a year of transition. She moved away from new construction sales and focused on repeat and referral business, which had grown exponentially over the years.

 

“In 2017, a commercial building in Republic came on the market. I drove by it at least a dozen times before considering it. It was in a great location, but in very poor condition. I didn’t have a clear vision of remodeling it with the intention of becoming an independent brokerage. Thankfully, my husband did. He encouraged me and I’ll have to admit, it took some convincing. It was a major project. “ Sue says.

 

“I chose Republic because it’s home to me. I’ve lived there for 21 years, raised my family and I’ve built friendships and business relationships. I am deeply rooted in the community and I cannot imagine a more perfect fit.

 

Today, Sue leads a team of nine agents that focus on residential, land, farms, development, investments and commercial sales and leasing.

 

“2022 was our biggest year. All of our agents exceeded their sales goals and our company received the CoStar Economic Impact Award for Acquisition of the Year. It’s exciting to be a small part of the Brookline Expansion Project and contribute to the growth of the community. Greg O’Neal and I were recognized by City of Republic leadership. I’m really proud of Greg’s work on the project. In 2022, the team had a fantastic year, recording nearly $50 million in sales volume.”

 

The heart of Sue Carter Real Estate Group is relationships. Nearly 100% of her personal sales business is repeat and referral clients. The engagement that Sue feels for her work comes through loud and clear. 

“I wanted to have a business and brokerage that would support agents and help them grow their businesses through relationships. We work very hard on our client retention and relations. The training and development I provide is personalized, one-on-one and individualized because agents have different needs and their professional growth is unique” she says. “I offer a cap system, allowing agents the opportunity to earn 100% commission.

 

Away from work, Sue treasures time with her family, including her husband, Matt Hilburn, who also has his real estate license in addition to owning metal fabrication manufacturing businesses, Accurate Metal Works and F5 Storm Shelters, as well as Liberty Safe of Nixa.

 

Sue and Matt have four children. Grayson, a Paramedic at Cox Hospital; Jordan, a college senior at Kansas Wesleyan University; their daughter, Emma, a senior at the University of Arkansas; and their son, Landon, a freshman at North Arkansas College.

 

In their free time, Sue and her family spend time together at the lake. They enjoy boating, riding jet skis, and entertaining friends and family. They also have a passion for traveling. One of their favorite activities no matter where they go is hiking.

 

“We have visited Fiji, Tahiti, New Zealand, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Switzerland and Bora Bora … anywhere where we can hike and enjoy nature. We have hiked hundreds of miles,” she says.

 

Sue has also been very involved in the community through time, serving on the Executive Board for the Chamber of Commerce, on the Republic Community Foundation, as well as on bond committees for the local school district.

 

Those who know and work with Sue appreciate her dedicated nature and the way she comes alongside those she serves as a friend.

 

Congratulations to Sue Carter for making a difference in the lives of her team members, clients and community members with a brand of commitment that is made to last.