Alice Dahlgren

COVER STORY

STORY BY ZACH COHEN | PHOTOS BY MARIA SHARP, PEAK RES

In 1981, our world was a markedly different place. That year, NASA launched the first space shuttle mission, Sandra Day O'Connor was sworn in as the first female judge on the Supreme Court, and Ronald Reagan was U.S. President. That’s also the year that Alice Dahlgren began her real estate career.

At the time, Alice was a stay-at-home mom for her children, who were 3 and 5 years old. When her husband changed careers and went into business for himself, Alice was thrust into a new role as a financial provider. She had previously worked as a school teacher but didn’t desire a return to her old work. Instead, she took a leap of faith that has turned into a 40-year career.

“My good fortune was living across the street from someone who became a friend and encouraged me to get my real estate license. I said, ‘And then what?’ She said to take one day at a time,” Alice reflects.

“One day at a time” has turned into a wildly successful career spanning over four decades.

OKC Roots

Alice was born and raised in Oklahoma City and received a degree in vocational home economics from the University of Oklahoma. Professionally, Alice began as a school teacher before deciding to stay at home with her children. During those years, she made extra money by helping her sister in the design and printing business and crafting decorating items, which she sold at local events.

Eventually, Alice and her family moved back to Oklahoma City, and in 1981, she began her real estate career. As she embarked upon a new career, Alice recalled a friend of hers from her time in Bartlesville, who was also a REALTOR®.

“I met a REALTOR® who also had small children. She was very successful in home sales. She also clipped coupons, raised a garden, and amazingly, had time for her family and friends. I saw that she could work and be a mom, so I felt like I could try it, too,” Alice reflects.

Experience Matters

Over the years, Alice steadily grew her business to become one of Oklahoma City’s best. She operates under the principle that her clients deserve a full-service, high-quality, honorable experience — a philosophy that has helped her achieve 12 top-10 rankings among Oklahoma RE/MAX agents in the last 15 years.

After working with someone on her team for over 30 years, Alice recently decided to return to working solo. Her business has evolved to the point where she has more time and flexibility to be hands-on with her clients.

“A revelation of being in the business for a long time is that my customer base has moved up in price. So, I’m not selling as many houses as I once did, but what I sell are wonderful homes to really great people. Therefore, it’s fewer in number but higher in volume, and I have more time to be hands-on.”

Difference Makers

Alice has drawn on personal experience in her career to offer stellar service and empathy. Earlier in life, she once moved 13 times in 12 years. She understands the energy and effort it takes to move and how important it is to be spacious and organized during a transition. As a result, she is able to offer both empathy and support to her buyers and sellers.

Alice prides herself on being a strong voice for her clients, as well.

“I find I do not have difficulty conveying a customer’s wishes, nor do I have any problem rendering my opinion if asked,” Alice says.

Perhaps more than anything, Alice has steadily relied on traditional morals. Integrity, trust, and loyalty are at the top of her list of values.

“[I want to be remembered for being] nice as well as honest. Impartial,” Alice says. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Family First

Family has always been at the center of Alice’s life. From her days as a stay-at-home mom to her years as a REALTOR®, constantly balancing family commitments to today, family has always come first.

Alice’s children, Eric and Emily, are now grown, and she has six grandchildren. She cherishes time with her grandkids and also loves to travel, listen to music, and dance.

Fun Fact

Alice and her husband, Don, both love to cook. It’s a serendipitous pleasure because the couple actually met “over table service.” Don was a waiter and dishwasher at Alice’s sorority.

As Alice looks ahead, she hopes to continue growing with the times. She advises any agent to keep up with training if they want to build consistent businesses — and she’s willing to take her own advice.

“My goal is to improve myself digitally,” she says. “That’s what I'm spending time on right now. The marketing aspect of real estate has changed so drastically.”

With over 40 years of real estate experience, Alice doesn’t have any plans of slowing down.

“[I look forward to] the challenge of always improving myself and to continue being successful in what I do.”