Agent Story: Ce Ce Ellis, Gets Guidance From Above

Check out this Agent Story from December 2023 edition of St. Louis Real Producers.

CeCe Ellis, “Your REALTOR? Bestie,” is looking forward to opening her own brokerage, Ellis Luxury Homes LLC, later this year. With six years of experience behind her, she knows she is ready to offer her expertise to agents who are anxious to start their real estate journeys.

After serving 10 years in the U.S. Army, CeCe decided to hang up her perfectly polished combat boots to focus on her new family. “I was married with a small child, and when they called me to re-enlist and go back to war, I decided not to sign the contract and be a stay-at-home mom for a while,” CeCe said.

Staying at home was fun, but her love for fashion and facials took over. She went to esthetician school, got her license, and has successfully owned her own day spa for the past 12 years. “I had a great life, making good money, and life was great. Who doesn’t like lashes and facials?” she said, smiling. “My husband and I would use our few hours of date time to go to open houses just to see how to deco - rate our own house.”

During this time, she began thinking about selling real estate due to her pastor stopping his entire sermon to ask her if she had ever considered a career in real estate. “I’d never considered that before that special moment,” she said, “But I knew I could?help so many people not have the horrible home-purchasing experience that we did. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the ultimate luxury VIP experience.”

CeCe considers herself to be a believer in Jesus Christ and felt this was God’s voice giving her direction. She got licensed in 2017. Unfortunately, she could not work the first year due to medical issues with her 10-month-old son, causing an emergency surgery and an extended hospital stay.

“He’s 4 years old now and is fine,” she said. “But, I hit the ground running to recoup all the real estate-related expenses I had paid out to maintain my license. “I start with my clients at the begin - ning,” she said. “I don’t tell them to go to their lender, and when they have completed that process, come back and see me. Instead, I ask them where they are in the process, and we take it from there.

“I love this job because of all the interesting people I meet and build relationships with,” she said. “I’ve met some of the sweetest, loving and most genuine people, but I have also met people who are unpleasant and mean,” she said. “Give me five minutes with the most hateful person, and you will see them soften up.”

Her biggest challenge is not necessar - ily the market but cooperation among agents for the good of both parties. “Somebody is not going to leave happy when we do not work together,” she said.

“So, when two real estate agents can create a plan together and we’re agreeing to get both clients to the closing table with a smile, then we’ve done a great job.”

CeCe believes that transparency is a big part of her success in real estate. She said someone would choose her because, “I have no problem putting on my combat boots and fighting for my clients to get the best of what’s available to them.

I will advocate for them and make sure they get what they want, fairly. I believe that operating in love, integrity and patience will make any situation, good or bad, work out for the best and have God’s stamp of approval on it.”

She loves seeing her clients make the step to building generational wealth. “I have collaborated with first-time homebuyers and people who are almost like first-timers because even though they bought a house 10 or 15 years ago, it’s a different market now,” she said.

“They’re upgrading because they’re doing better financially, so when you go from a $100,000 house to a $400,000 house, it’s almost like the first time.” Her sweet spot, though, is rent-to-own clients because those are the people who are done with the renting life but need more time for traditional financing.

Many have lost hope and did not believe purchasing a home would be possible. Her plan allows them to choose a home to be purchased for them to rent for a period and then purchase back with traditional financing and with a good credit score.

CeCe and her husband, Tyrone, live in Black Jack, MO, with their three children: Jacob (4), McKenna (8) and Dylan (15). She likes traveling and recently went to Disney World and on a Caribbean cruise with her daughter, McKenna.

She went to New York and Mexico twice this year and is planning a family cruise. She also loves planning birthday soirees or any celebration. Much of her time is devoted to spending time with each of her children individually.

“Agents joining my brokerage will have a lot of hands-on training as well as a battle buddy to suit up with them for day-to-day real estate transactions,” she said. “I feel that the best teacher is you making money, not sit - ting in classes all day.

You can read all the books you want, but if you’re not in the field writing an offer, getting it accepted and closing, which equals making money, you aren’t going to understand the business. I love and respect my current broker and his entire family and will be partnering with them on some events soon.”

You can reach CeCe at 314-486-4522 or visit her website, www.EllisLuxuryHomes.com.

If you liked this article, read more fascinating stories about realtors and the companies that support realtors and their clients at www.realtorfocus.com for the most recent articles St. Louis Real Producers Magazine.