Award-winning Realtor passionate about her business

December 10-16, 2018

By Kara Lee Ford

 

Amy Eden is passionate about the real estate business, and it shows in her work ethic and involvement in industry associations. Therefore, being named 2018 Realtor of the Year for the South Central Arkansas Realtors Association was no surprise for people who know and work with her.

 

Paulette Richie, branch manager and executive broker for Coldwell Banker RMP Group in Bryant, says Eden is very good at what she does and keeps herself very busy.

 

“I am really proud of Amy,” Richie said. “When she came to this office, I encouraged Amy to get involved, and she jumped in with both feet.”

 

Eden has worked for Coldwell Banker RPM Group in Saline County for about five years and was with Century 21 United for eight years before that. In 2005 Eden was doing commercial property management when she decided to take her real estate license test. She started out working part-time since she was also working for an accountant and the general manager of a pecan farm. However, her real estate business continued to grow and was keeping her busy so she decided to go full-time. 

 

Eden sells properties all over Central Arkansas – everywhere from Benton and Bryant to Cabot, Maumelle and North Little Rock to Malvern and Sheridan.

 

When asked what she likes best about her job, Eden said: ”That is an easy answer. I love helping people. Purchasing a home is the American dream and is a monumental moment. I am so glad I get to be a part of that. I enjoy meeting different people with different personalities. As a Realtor, you have to be able to work with all types of people. You need to be outgoing and willing to listen to what your customers are looking for. You have to be pro-active.”

 

Eden said she was very surprised to win the 2018 Realtor of the Year Award.

 

“Winning this award was amazing,” Eden said. “It was always a goal of mine. However, selling as many houses as I can sell isn’t always my objective even though that is my main source of income. I want to make a difference in our industry.”

 

Eden recently returned home from Boston where she attended the REALTORS® Conference and Expo, the largest annual event for the most successful real estate professionals. Eden and others from across the United States were recognized for winning their state awards.

 

“It was awesome representing my state,” she said. “It was very surreal. I remember thinking “wow, I achieved the goal of winning Realtor of the Year so now I need to go out and try to make a bigger difference in our industry.”

 

She said she was grateful for people like Richie; Angie Johnson, 2019 Arkansas Realtors Association president, and Karen Crowson, who have encouraged her in her real estate career and helped her get involved in local and state real estate associations. 

 

“I’m very grateful and blessed to have these ladies believe in me. They helped me figure out how to get involved. I started by signing up for various committees in our local and state organizations.

 

“Paulette has been very supportive in my real estate journey since I have been with Coldwell Banker. I don’t know what I would have done without her. She is my mentor and friend, and I will always cherish what she has done for me.”

 

Eden is currently co-chair of the state association’s safety committee and is also on the board of directors. Next year she will serve as chair of the safety committee and director of Zone 9.

 

Among the list of things Eden has accomplished, she also builds houses. She and her business partner started American Custom Homes and Remodeling about three years ago.

 

“My step dad worked in construction, and building houses was something I always wanted to do. My partner’s background is in construction so we work really well together,” she said. “We are preparing to start on houses Nos. 6, 7 and 8. The houses are a nice craftsman style and range in size from 1,800 to 2,500 square feet. They have sold very quickly.”

 

  • Amy Eden
    Amy Eden