TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Dena Hobbs-Lix

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Dena Hobbs-Lix is one of the few people who can say she got into real estate since high school. Her mother was in real estate, and Dena started helping with files, and when her mom got into mortgage, she helped with that aspect as well. Today, after 25 years in sales, education, and consulting, she’s returned to real estate as a residential agent with JLA Realty in Houston, Texas. JLA Realty is just over seven years old, but already at 20 locations and 1,200 agents throughout the state. She works with her managers, Kim and Mike Buish, and partners with other JLA agents and offices. Since getting back into real estate, Dena has sold everything from lots to million-dollar homes, urban and waterfront properties, and everything in between, all while constantly growing her client base through referrals. She was top producer in her office of over 100 agents in 2020, and has been ranked in the top 10 producers consistently over the years. She is the 2020 co-chair for marketing for the Women’s Council of Realtors, as well as the 2021 membership director. She’s also been named a 5 Star Professionals Rising Star in the Houston area. To describe Dena’s rise as parabolic would be an understatement.

 

As an awarding-winning industry professional, Dena brings not only the insight gained from her early foray into the field, but over two decades of experience in sales, education, and consulting, which gives her a unique insight and approach to the real estate process. Dena got into sales and education first, a career she would stay with for 25 years, serving as regional education managers for several major companies, responsible for recruiting, training, and developing teams for various firms. Later, she and her then-husband, who was working in the oil and gas industry, were living and working internationally, including in Yucatan, Mexico. Returning to the U.S., they started their own oil and gas consulting firm, which enjoyed considerable success for a number of years. When Dena went solo again, she took her wealth of international experience and insight and pursued real estate full time—with all her business coming from the referrals of extremely satisfied clients. That’s because not only does she have the insight from her years in education, sales, and consulting, but because she’s dedicated to her clients and their needs. “Many of my clients are friends and family, and if they’re not, they’re friends by the time the transaction is done,” Dena says. Not only do her clients appreciate her caring and dedication, but her fellow agents do, too, and she’s built and maintained close relationships with many colleagues.

 

When she’s not helping clients and collaborating with colleagues, Dena is active in her community. She’s been the co-associate director for Miss Southeast Texas, a scholarship provider for young women in the nation, for more than 16 years. She’s also a volunteer for the Texas Children’s Hospital’s prom night, and is on the scholarship committee for her high school alumni association. In the past, she’s volunteered for the American Cancer Society. And perhaps what she’s most proud of is her son, who’s been her “rock” through everything. Now 28, he’s a Texas A&M alum and former Corps of Cadets and Ross volunteer who is now working in the renewables industry and splits his time between Houston, Boston, and Belgium.

 

Dena Hobbs-Lix

Realtor — JLA Realty

Website: www.denahl.com