Rio Linda-native Terrie Hunt surpasses 1000 real estate transactions in 30 years of business. Photo courtesy of Terrie Hunt

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Inspired by a high school teacher who sold real estate part time, Rio Linda-native Terrie Hunt has been serving the Greater Sacramento Area and beyond for the past 30 years, reaching more than 1,000 transactions and finding ways to give back to her community.

Dealing with residential, land, estate homes, ranches, foreclosures, commercial and investment properties, Hunt said that she loves her job with River Ridge Realty. When she was a broker’s associate, Hunt said, she ended up managing the brokerage, eventually purchasing her bid, making the brokerage her own. The agents stayed with her and Hunt said she had the opportunity to be more flexible with her clients and her commission structure, cutting out the middleman.

One aspect of her strategy that Hunt said contributed to her success was completing transactions at a 1% commission because she said it is a fair business practice allowing potential buyers more opportunities to succeed in their purchase. Commission that would normally go to a mortgage broker is instead filtered back into the community through Hunt’s “Giving Back” program.

“Growing up, I grew up very poor in the Rio Linda/Elverta area and I always remember, we, even poor, gave to the less fortunate, so I established what we call the ‘Giving Back’ program and a percentage of all the commissions that I make go back into the community for different projects,” Hunt said.

Donations to food banks, foster programs and educational institutions such as Sierra College are some of the charitable givebacks that her organization does. Hunt said she also chairs for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Toy Project. In 2022, “Giving Back” donated to the Rio Linda Archway, paying for repairs to restore lights to the town’s historic element.

Hunt said that she has a ranch where she rescues animals she comes across throughout her real estate career that would otherwise end up without a home, such as pot belly pigs, geese and a donkey. Children from her “Giving Back” program can visit the ranch and see the animals.

Discussing first time home-buyer programs and helping families establish financial trusts or plans to execute a successful and affordable purchase, Hunt said there are multiple avenues to navigate finding something affordable in a “decent neighborhood.” Hunt said that she also helps her clients maintain a generational plan, leading to repeat business and long-lasting relationships. 

Hunt said sometimes people don’t always need to sell their home and she tries to educate clients on ways to make their property work for them, saving them money or even making them money. Oftentimes, homes can become rental properties, she said, generating passive income; or instead of selling a home due to needed maintenance, weighing the cost of a purchase and property tax versus regular maintenance of the home already owned. 

“It’s just the right thing to do,” Hunt said. “Not everything is about a sale.” 

Only a small brokerage can provide an innovative approach to marketing and negotiating, Hunt said, and attributes her success to her years of experience and personalized service. Hunt is ranked in the top 1% of realtors, nationally, completing more than 100 transactions per year.  

Hunt has “an experienced team of professionals that include lenders, escrow officers, home inspectors, appraisers, pest inspectors, marketing specialists, numerous websites, photographers, licensed and bonded contractors, 1031 tax deferred exchange companies and home warranty providers,” according to her website. 

For more information about Hunt and services provided through River Ridge Realty, visit riverridgerealty.net or call the main office at 916-988-8880. Hunt can be reached directly by phone at 916- 663-6300 or by email at [email protected]. River Ridge Realty is located at 7889 Lichen Drive, number 353 in Citrus Heights.