Carlson and Follis sell the community of Fallbrook

Kim Carlson and Ken Follis are a local real estate team that is invested in the Fallbrook community as residents as well as agents. They both grew up in Orange County but each ended up moving to Fallbrook and eventually they became successful business partners.

They are both service-oriented agents who put their clients first. They said that looking out for their clients' needs is important to them. They put what's best for their clients first, even if it means telling them that now is not the right time to sell their home.

"Selling their home is not always the best decision," Follis said. "The most important thing is what's best for the client and leading them to their final goal."

The partners get a lot of repeat and referred business because of their client-centered approach. They also have more 5-star client reviews on Zillow than any other local agent.

Right now there is an inventory shortage, Follis said, so homes are in high demand. Besides that, he said this is a good time to sell as homes show better during holidays and people looking to move this time of year are serious buyers.

He called Fallbrook a 'destination community' since residents get out of town guests who fall in love with the area. Many people who move here just happened to "stumble upon it" he said.

As for their real estate group, Carlson said, "Our team is amazing, way beyond our expectations, the most diverse and service-oriented team" in town. Their clients have not one agent, but two in addition to a diversified licensed staff. Their team at the Windermere office includes a listing agent, marketing agent, business manager, sales/marketing manager, an IT person and six buyers agents.

Carlson said they do massive amounts of marketing to bring in buyers who keep those six agents busy. She added that their reputation has agents coming to them asking to be on their team.

They have one person who spends several hours on Facebook to promote the properties they have for sale. Carlson said Facebook works well for selling real estate as it enables them to reach their target market. Being "on the cutting edge, doing the latest thing" also contributes to their success.

Carlson and Follis not only have successful careers in real estate in common, they also are both community and family oriented.

Furthermore, referring to the aftermath of the Lilac fire, Follis said he wants people to know "how proud we are to be part of a community that rallies around each other. It is a pleasure to be a part of this community."

Carlson is married to Dr. Randy Carlson, a dentist with an office in Bonsall. They moved here from Oceanside 19 years ago. She said it was the trees and peaceful feeling that appealed to them.

The Carlsons have three grown children; her two sons work with her as part of the Kim & Ken team. She also has two grandchildren, both 2 years old, and another one on the way. "They are the highlight of our lives," she said, adding that she and her husband have decided that this is "the best season of our life, ever."

Her children live in Menifee, Temecula and Oceanside, so it is "a blessing to be near them," Carlson said.

She is also an animal lover. Her chocolate lab, Bear, has its own Facebook page and she has a horse which was evacuated during the Lilac fire.

Follis and his wife, Jody, bought property in Fallbrook in 1972 while living in San Marcos. After not finding the right house for them, they built one here in 1998. They have moved twice since then, living at their current home for the past 12 1/2 years. He said, "We are not moving 'til we move up north."

For Follis and his wife, the main draw was the small town feel of Fallbrook. They like running into people they know when they are out dining or shopping.

Like Carlson, Follis loves dogs. He has two, a golden doodle named Maggie and an Airedale named Abbie. "They let us live inside with them," he said.

Also like Carlson, Follis has three grown children. The oldest is retired navy, in real estate in Hawaii while the other two live up in the valley with his five grandchildren who are "the light of our lives when we get to see them," he said.

Both Carlson and Follis are involved in their churches, she at Riverview and he at LifePointe.

Besides handling commercial, land, and residential properties for buyers and sellers, the business partners also work with nonprofit organizations. They said that people give them a lot of trust, asking for their input, advice and knowledge. "We cherish that and handle it as least as good as our own property."

The business partners give back to the community by donating a percentage of each sale to local charities in Fallbrook. The main three nonprofits they support are Fallbrook Pregnancy Resource Center, Foundation for Senior Care and REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship Program. They also let charities use their moving van; past and present clients are also offered use of the van free of charge.

Carlson said they both like that Fallbrook is a family-oriented community. "We love that small-town atmosphere." Follis added, "Our team is like our work family...only it is not work because we love it."

For 2018, Follis sees a great amount of growth in this area with the new developments of homes and Palomar's satellite college coming to the I-15 corridor, (north of State Route 76), and a new, younger demographic coming with it.

He added, "For our team there are quite a few new and exciting things coming in the new year, so if you want to know what's coming up in 2018, call Kim and Ken."

Carlson can be reached at (760) 434-6873 and Follis at (760) 803-6235. Their office is located at 746 S. Main Ave., Suite A in Fallbrook.