Veach Realty Group, Springfield, Virginia
How did you get involved in real estate?
When he returned from World War II, my grandfather became a developer. He and my grandmother started buying land in south and central Florida, and using skills that he learned in the Army, he started developing it. My mom grew up observing my grandfather’s business, and in the mid-1970s, she got started selling real estate and stayed in the business for about 35 years along with my stepfather.
About the time that she was thinking about retiring, I was a young mom working in corporate governance and government relations. I absolutely loved what I was doing, but it was not conducive to raising children. So, my stepfather said, “You should go get your real estate license.” I got my license thinking that I could help them. I’ve never looked back once I got started on my own.
When did you decide to pursue your CRS Designation?
I had been in the business for a while, and I had always tried to learn something new. I didn’t like taking the same courses over and over again. I got hooked on the CRS courses; the classes and instructors were great. So, I started looking into the Designation, fulfilling the education requirements and completing enough transactions to apply for membership. The courses made sense and I enjoyed everything that I was learning. I liked sampling different styles and techniques. I try to keep challenging myself and staying on top of the industry.
How have you taken advantage of RRC’s educational offerings?
Five or six years ago, I went to my first Sell-a-bration® in Arizona, and I thought, “Oh, I have found my people!” I picked up some great nuggets of information from that very first Sell-a-bration. I came back and, little by little, implemented some of the things that I learned. Each year, I’ve gone back to Sell-a-bration and I haven’t missed one—except during the pandemic—but each year I bring back something from the event, even if it’s just one little nugget that I can implement.
What kinds of tips have you been able to use in your business?
One of the first instructors I really connected with was Debbie Yost, CRS. But one of the very first things that resonated with me was helping clients celebrate the homeownership process. She planted the seed for an idea of doing a bow and ribbon or ribbon-cutting ceremony. I adapted it so that any buyer who closes on a house gets a red ribbon ceremony when we do the final walkthrough. I have this gigantic ribbon that I put across the doorframe with a big red bow, and I bought these huge scissors to cut it. We take a video and post it on social media, and then every year, I send them a postcard with “Happy Home-iversary.” The clients love it.
Do you take part in any community service projects?
Right now, I am the president of the Brain Foundation. It was founded by REALTOR® Trudy Harsh to help her daughter and others who suffer from brain disease or injury make sure they have access to a decent and affordable place to live independently, with supportive services. Many of them are on disability income because they can’t work, so they don’t have a lot of money. Harsh started working with HUD and different agencies within the state, and the Foundation bought nine houses over several years. We run them as group homes, and we help find support for the individuals in each house. We rent the residents a furnished room well below market price and we pay the utilities. We charge 35% of their income for the rent. We don’t provide services, but we partner with agencies that do and make sure they have support from Fairfax County to live independently.
Dallison Veach, CRS, achieved the CRS Designation in 2016. She can be reached at VeachRealty@gmail.com or 703-477-7920.
Photo: Aaron Clampage
