DeFoor Realty started small and stayed that way, but it’s showing no signs of stopping or slowing down, especially as Columbia County keeps growing.
Lloyd DeFoor founded the business in 1980, having already started in real estate selling land with his father-in-law John Eubank.
The enterprise has since remained primarily a family-oriented business. Lloyd DeFoor’s sons, John and Jeff DeFoor, are associate broker and realtor at the company, respectively; Jeff’s wife, Christie DeFoor, is marketing director.
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“Lloyd decided to keep it smaller,” said Christie DeFoor. “Do it right instead of doing it too big.”
This sense of kinship is extended among the employees, whether blood related or not.
“I do love working here,” said Brittany Houston, real estate coordinator, who has been working at DeFoor Realty for almost a year. “We’re like a big family.”
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John DeFoor notes that the company’s amiable, close-knit dynamic is part of its business model. The cozy but inclusive tone is part and parcel of its relations with its prospective clients, complete with an adherence to the golden rule.
“We treat people like we treat our family,” said John DeFoor. “That bleeds into every aspect of our business. We tell people when we close on a home that that’s the end of the transaction, not the end of the relationship.”
DeFoor Realty is based in Appling, near Clarks Hill Lake, and has earned a reputation for offering lakeside properties. John DeFoor grew up spending summers vacationing at the lake, and he said this repute is not by accident.
“Back in the late 90s, we decided we want to be the dominant player out here on the lake,” he said. “If someone thinks of lake property, buying or selling, we want them to think of DeFoor Realty.”
The marketing followed the intention, and the DeFoors were already experienced with and highly knowledgeable about lake homes, with expertise regarding décor, septic tanks, property lines and the lake area. The company began highlighting this in its promotion until referrals built upon themselves and became the lifeblood of the business.
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The firm primarily deals in properties in Columbia County, Lincolnton and some in McCormick, S.C. It developed the Anderson Farms subdivision near Lewiston Road in a partnership with First Choice Homebuilders.
DeFoor Realty is finding itself in position rich with opportunity as Columbia County expands, with populations moving toward its location. John DeFoor has already observed the positive turns of the market. COVID caused some degree of anxiety, he said, because people wanted to move out of subdivisions where their neighbors were close. This seems to have only contributed to the growth.
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“What’s going on at the interstate with the Appling/Harlem exit is just exploding with Amazon and Club Car and all the developments we’ve been seeing,” said John DeFoor. “It’s just pushing people in our direction. We’re sitting in a great position to be able to capitalize on some of the opportunities that we have, surely because we’re at the right place at the right time. And location, location, location is everything in real estate.”
DeFoor Realty is located at 6430 Ridge Rd. in Appling. For more information visit its website at https://defoorrealty.com or call (706) 541-0637.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering Columbia County with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
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