Building community, one home at a time.
For three decades, Tina Hershberger has owned and managed Kalona Realty Inc. As of January, 2022, Hayley Hershberger is the proud Broker Owner of this community focused business. Some individuals know right from the start what career path they want to pursue; while others end up with a career that pursues them.
Initially, Erma Ropp began Kalona Realty in 1987 and worked with Tina Hershberger through Farmers State Bank here in Kalona. Tina understood real estate from the financial side, working with appraisals, mortgages, and loan processing. It didn’t take long before Erma presented the business to Tina, and in 1992 she bought Kalona Realty. As a licensed agent, Tina spent two years working and managing her new business while studying for her broker license as well. Though she wasn’t looking for this line of work, she enjoyed it far more than she expected.
Real estate business does not come without challenges. In 2008 was the housing bubble; and despite a housing recession of 50% in other areas of the U.S., locally house values dropped 5 - 10%. Around the same time, the Kalona area was re-mapped with 45% becoming labeled in a flood plain. Considering residents’ futures, Tina invested countless hours educating individuals on how their properties could be affected and the proper steps to protect themselves, as well as future buyers. Being a local, small corporation, means you wear many hats. The realtors at Kalona Realty Inc. are full-time agents and brokers, working without a secretary. This enables agents to be fully aware of their clients’ needs and keep their hands on the paperwork since they process as much as they can in-house.
A lot has changed since Tina began in 1992. Documentation when closing a house might have been a mere two pages, photos were taken with Polaroid cameras then submitted to the Press Citizen, film would be developed at Wal-Mart, lots of foot traffic from potential buyers and sellers came through the office. Any property information was acquired in-person at the assessors office. Now photographs, listings, and documentation have mostly gone digital. Houses are staged for buyers, and the market has continued to increase. With relocating clients and a strong reputation, Kalona Realty Inc. now serves clients in eight counties.
It is no small feat to manage a business, raise a family, and be actively involved in the community. Tina shares the need for perseverance, support from her family, the community, and amazing staff. “You have to be self-motivated and have a healthy balance.” Tina highly encourages exercising, personally she enjoys cycling. She is also involved with local organizations. Tina was the first woman Rotarian President, and proudly supports the Mid-Prairie Community School District. For 30 years Tina has enjoyed serving the real estate needs of the Kalona area, some might say it’s an easy-sell. We have a strong school district, the location is great for commuting, “the whole area is good,” she says.
Daughter-in-law, Hayley Hershberger, has found herself following in Tina’s footsteps. A Mid-Prairie graduate, Hayley and her family are well-rooted in the Kalona area. After high school Hayley considered nursing, but then turned to a finance degree at the University of Iowa. She was still uncertain of where this path would lead when Tina gave her a real estate book. Low and behold, Hayley found herself enjoying the real estate industry. Now, after eight years in the business and five years after acquiring her broker license, Hayley is the new company owner. Hayley and her husband, Riley, have two children, Tegan and Tinley; Hayley also volunteers as a Kalona First Responder, and is President of the Mid-Prairie Foundation.
The strong and successful women of Kalona Realty Inc. have given the business and Kalona community strength for 35 years. Congratulations to Tina, Hayley and their staff for the progress they have made and the future that lies ahead.
