Mildred Thomas

Top Agent Millie Thomas has been fascinated with homes from the time she was a little girl. "I remember being about five years old and going visiting with my parents," she re - calls. "I would take off and explore the house on my own." So when she and her husband got married and started rehabbing investment properties, it was a natural fit. "We did that for several years, then I worked in banking for about 10 years, too." Finally, Millie's mother-in-law, herself a REALTOR(R) in Florida, convinced her that her skills and experience would serve her well as a real estate agent. "That was almost 24 years ago, and I've loved it ever since," Millie says. Now, Millie and her team serve the North Fork of Long Island with residential real estate services. "Our office is in Wading River, about a mile from the beach in wine country," she says. "We serve all the small towns in the area plus some points east, as well as senior living communities in Ridge and Riverhead." And because their New York state license allows them to practice real estate in four boroughs, Millie's agents will sometimes even sell in Queens or Brooklyn. "But for the most part, we stay local," she says. Millie herself primarily focuses on new construction and working with sellers, many of whom have come to her via referral or are repeat customers. She tells the story of one family she works with whose third generation is beginning to use her services. "The original couple had seven children, four of them have worked with me and now one of the grandchildren just contacted me," she says. "I've been to anniversary parties, christenings and so many other family events with them," she says. "They've become good friends." Along with her highly personalized service, Millie cites experience and excellent negotiation skills as giving her a competitive advantage. "Clients have to know I really care about them and what their needs are," she says. "They have to feel comfortable enough to trust their largest investment with me," she continues. "Moving is a very stressful time for people, regardless of the reason for the move. Clients need to have someone who can orchestrate the whole thing for them, take the stress and burden away and make the transaction as smooth as possible." Millie has served on the Long Island Board of REALTORS(R) for 14 years, and has received their Distinguished Service Award. She has also earned a number of specialty designations, including the GRI and ABR. And yet for her, the most rewarding aspect of her chosen career comes directly from her clients. "I really just love helping clients reach their goals and getting that smile at the end that lets me know I've done a good job," she says. It's important to Millie to give back to the communities that support her business. She is active with three local Chambers of Commerce and supports a variety of causes, including the Ronald McDonald House, Seeing Eye Foundation, Little Flower Children's Home and the Carol Baldwin Breast Cancer Foundation. "I started an annual 5K walk/run for the foundation 20 years ago and we still do it every May," she says proudly. Looking to the future of her business, Millie is excited that her son has come to work with her. "He has a background in graphic design and currently does all our marketing," she says. "He is now working with me as a team member. I'd like to eventually pass the business on to him." Millie also looks forward to more real estate teaching opportunities. "Teaching real estate is something I'd like to focus on more," she says. "I really see myself heading in that direction."