Amanda Harris opens real estate brokerage
MANSFIELD — Amanda Harris said opening her own real estate brokerage is one of the biggest accomplishments of her life.
The business owner is renting office space from Alpha & Omega Real Estate Group at 770 Lexington Ave. Harris Brookside Realty is located in Harris’ former Alpha & Omega office, where she started as a broker in March 2022.
“When I came to Elisa (Schunatz), she had told me ‘I will help you and support you however I can,’ ” Harris said. “When it came time to put her money where her mouth was, she did.
“We worked out an agreement where I rent space from her and we do the real estate, where she does the property management.”
Harris Brookside Realty specializes in real estate around Richland, Crawford, Morrow, Knox and Ashland counties.
“I knew I wanted to go into business for myself early on in my real estate career, I just didn’t know when and how,” Harris said. “I took my broker’s exam last May and it worked out to get started a little earlier than I expected.”
Harris’ family also owns Galion ice cream shop Caleb’s at DK’s. She said her four children are learning the importance of entrepreneurship through the family businesses.
“My husband and I work really hard to give our kids a good, stable life and show them how to be successful,” she said.
“You don’t meet many 11-year-olds that can explain to you what an escrow period is, but mine can. It’s the same with the ice cream business, my 15-year-old can take apart an ice cream machine and put it back together.”
Harris aims to support customers & agents
Including herself, Harris said there are five agents on the Harris Brookside team. The brokerage officially opened Feb .13 and listed its first property on Feb. 19.
“I want to be a business that not only helps our clients and our agents, but also our community,” the realtor said.
“A lot of people view real estate in a cut-throat way, and I don’t want to run my brokerage like that.
“Everyone who works in real estate is a budding entrepreneur, so I want to support them and that spirit. If you have grit and the right people in your corner, I think you can be successful.”
Harris said the support she received from Schunatz helped shape her goals.
Schunatz said the two agencies will be able to refer customers to each other depending on a client’s needs.
“I’ve always felt that in real estate, we should all be working together instead of against each other for the benefit of the public and our clients,” she said.
“I love that Amanda feels like I’m so supportive but I try to be supportive of all agents that work in the area. Anybody can call me and ask for help whenever.”
Harris, who grew up in Bellville and Madison Township, said her goal is to support all of her clients with individualized attention.
“I was born and raised in Richland County, so I think that helps to build trust,” she said. “My clients know that I’ll work hard and be honest with them.”
Harris Brookside Realty is on Facebook and can be reached at 419-632-4508.
