Hilary Pennarts smiles when she talks about her role as a Real Estate Agent with Reece Nichols.

 

Sure, it’s the career path that she has chosen and is very successful at it, but that’s just the start.

 

She gains a lot of satisfaction from working with her clients and helping them see the possibilities of their new house and home.

 

Hilary remembers getting her first glimpses of the business as a little girl growing up.

 

“My dad, Jack Pennarts, was a builder and framer for over two decades in the Ozarks,” Hilary says. “I had worked with him as a child and learned as I went. My dad taught me all the things it takes to build a house from the bottom up.”

 

Those memorable moments growing up have translated into a truly tangible benefit that Hilary delivers to her clients with each deal.

 

“I really love helping clients understand about the house they’re going to purchase and take care of,” Hilary says. “It makes me proud with all the information my father taught me that I can pass it on … to help them know what to do in certain situations.”

 

As Hilary grew and completed high school, she went on to earn her Art History degree at UMKC, with her sights set on becoming an art historian.

 

“In time, I realized that I didn’t get the same kind of fulfillment from my degree that I did from helping people,” she remembers.

 

“Around that time, my father passed away. The impression he made on me was that he would give the shirt off his back to help others. I wanted to impact others, too. So I looked into real estate.”

 

So Hilary earned her license in 2016. The market at the time was flooded with first-time homebuyers. As Hilary dove in and got her feet wet in the business, she found herself working on quite a few USDA loans.

 

“From the start, I enjoyed walking people through the process and helping to set their expectations about what it would be like going through the transaction,” she says.

 

Her days of working with her father continue to influence the way she really gets into a property to check it out for her clients.

 

“I crawl through crawlspaces, and I get into attics to see if a home is going to last for my clients. I have the knowledge of electrical, plumbing, framing and HVAC and I like putting that to work for those I serve — in turn, passing on the knowledge that my father gave me.”

One of the other rewarding aspects of Hilary’s work today is the fact that she gets to do it with her younger sister, Lainie. Together, the two form a dynamic team.

 

“Lainie and I think a lot alike and we both have the same drive. That was a family thing. My dad came to America in 1959, and he owned a business as a builder and framer,” Hilary says.

 

“We learned that, to get anywhere in life, your client comes first … and that you need to work hard to have the American dream.”

 

She also appreciates the environment on the Rob Ellerman Team that supports her in her growing business.

 

“Rob has given me a platform that allows me to be more successful. Before joining his team I was doing around $3 million in sales volume in a year. After joining his team, that skyrocketed to over $10 million in sales volume,” Hilary tells me.

 

“Without that opportunity of working on Rob’s team, I don’t know if I would have been as successful. He provides many opportunities, including marketing support.”

 

Away from work, Hilary has an eye for picking up older treasures and finding bargains. Some of her favorite items to hunt for include vintage chairs and clothing.

 

She also looks forward to time spent with her dog, Dash, who goes with Hilary to showings and closings.

 

Those who know Hilary appreciate her go-getter mentality and approach to rolling up her sleeves, setting a plan and getting results.

 

“I will do whatever it takes on the listing side or the buying side to make sure their dream comes true. I truly care,” she says. “I treat every client like they are my only client. That is one of my top priorities. I will answer the phone whenever they call. They are my top priority.”

 

In turn, Hilary Pennarts opens new doors — and a world of opportunity — for her clients.