At the age of 17, Renee was obsessed with the Backstreet Boys. “They were my thing,” she smiles. She grew up in Georgia and was excited that a radio station was holding a contest for a four-day, all-expense-paid trip to Florida to see them in person. “The catch was we had to decorate our house,” she shares. She and her best friend skipped school and decorated their house extravagantly. They won the contest, flew to Florida, and watched their favorite band with their mothers. On the last night, as they were leaving an Applebee's, their car was t-boned by a truck. Renee woke up to chaos: her friend was unconscious, her friend’s mother injured, and her own mother, her best friend, lifeless. Her mother was airlifted to a hospital, but the news was grim—she wouldn’t make it. Renee’s life changed in an instant.

Returning to Georgia without her mother marked the onset of a challenging period in her life. Grieving and grappling with survivor’s guilt, Renee struggled to find her footing. Although she graduated with honors, she found it difficult to find healthy ways to cope with the pain. However, Renee learned to be an overcomer. “You don’t have to be a victim of your circumstances,” she shares.

It wasn’t until Max and Mia, Renee’s nephew and niece, came into her life that she found a reason to turn things around. “They didn’t need an aunt who made bad decisions,” she says. Determined to be a positive influence, she made significant changes, purchased a new home, and began to rebuild her life. Soon after, she met her husband, Patrick, and they are now happily married.

Moving to Tucson with Patrick marked a fresh start for Renee. Previously, she worked in healthcare for 16 years but was looking for something new. Encouraged to try real estate, Renee embraced the challenge, earning her license in 2019, she quickly became a top producer. 

“With this job, you have to be a self-starter and you have to keep going. You have to be consistent,” she shares. “When I moved out here, I didn’t know a single person. I did open houses all the time, and that’s how I built my business my first year.” Her success has grown with every passing year. She tells new agents, “Keep going, be consistent, and get a plan.” This mindset helped her soar in real estate.

Patrick left his job to start Pro Landscape Development, their landscape construction business. With Renee’s real estate success, Patrick has had the freedom to pursue his dream.

Empathy, a trait honed through her own experiences, sets Renee apart as a REALTOR® with Long Realty. “Buying a house is more than a transaction; it’s a journey with emotions and stories behind it,” she says.

Her caring nature, eagerness to connect with others, and deep understanding of human nature help her to relate to her clients easily and effortlessly. As a result, the home-buying process goes more smoothly for everyone involved.

Now, as a successful REALTOR®, Renee reflects on the lessons she’s learned. “It took me 20 years to turn around, but I finally gave myself some grace and forgiveness,” she says. Now she extends that same grace to others who cross her path. Because of the road she has walked, Renee lives life with purpose and passion. Coming out of tragedy, she learned how to be triumphant over the trials in life. “I am happy, and I haven’t been able to say that in a very long time,” she comments.

One reason for her happiness is her two adorable cats, Spartaca and Captain Sprinkles. “I love animals,” she raves. Spartaca, a black-and-white tuxedo cat from Atlanta, snuggles with her at night. Captain Sprinkles was a rescue cat who was found covered with cactus needles and attacked by a Chihuahua in the desert. “She and I are a perfect match. We were both traumatized.” Now they are on their own healing journey.

Other pastimes include bowling with Patrick in a 37-week league. “I’m a bipolar bowler,” laughs Renee. Her husband is a solid bowler, scoring in the 200s every time. “He is just good at everything,” says Renee. They also play golf together, which suits them to a tee. “My handicap is maxed out, but we still have fun,” says Renee.

From the depths of tragedy to rising in real estate, Renee continues to inspire others by showing that it’s never too late to change your life’s trajectory. She is an inspiration with her compassion, consideration for others, and empathy.