Pleasanton, CA — December 14, 2022 — NextHome is proud to announce our newest addition to the franchise, NextHome Northern Lights Realty, located in Hallowell, Maine. The brokerage joins the growing NextHome franchise that currently has 604 active office locations across the country.
Popular with tourists, Hallowell is noted for its culture and old architecture. More than 123,000 people call the region home and NextHome Northern Lights Realty will serve the unique needs of each client throughout Kennebec County, Maine and the surrounding areas.
NextHome Northern Lights Realty is owned by Amy MacDonald and Tim Fortin, two dedicated and knowledgeable real estate professionals with a heart for helping their clients. Amy will be NextHome Northern Lights Realty’s Designated Broker, focusing on office growth and agent support. Tim will be NextHome Northern Lights Realty’s Associate Broker/Owner, focusing his talents on client service.
Amy spent a decade as a social worker before obtaining her real estate sales license in 2007. Amy has always been fascinated by homes and wanted to find a career where she could combine her heart for helping others with her passion for home design.
“Real estate transactions can come packaged with a lot of emotions,” Amy said. “I hope that we can offer our clients both transaction expertise, and the ability to navigate the roller coaster of emotions that can come with buying or selling. I love working in real estate because it is all about helping people. We are problem-solving all while helping our clients with their unique needs.”
Amy’s dedication to her clients created a thriving career, despite the national housing crisis that followed 2007. Her first year in real estate, Amy achieved three million in sales volume – an unheard of amount in her small Maine market. In addition to being named Rookie of the Year at her local brokerage, Amy’s success caught the eye of REALTOR® Magazine. She was a featured success story in the magazine’s January 2009 edition. Amy’s remarkable achievements also caught the attention of Coldwell Banker, who asked her to speak at their International Business Conference in 2009. Her comments on how to build a successful real estate career in a shifting market inspired many around her.
Throughout her time in real estate, Amy has also worked in lending and offers a broad range of transaction knowledge.
After meeting at a local networking event, Amy and Tim opened their own independent brokerage, Fortin & MacDonald Real Estate in 2016. The brokerage maintained a focus on growing slowly, with an emphasis on quality associate service rather than the size of the office. This emphasis on nurturing high quality agent talent built an office of six client-centered professionals.
“It is central to how we do business to have a good reputation and do quality work,” Amy said. “Our clients can always expect integrity and a willingness to do what it takes to help them achieve their goals, no matter who from our office is handling their transaction.”
Tim, who also has a background in psychology, began his real estate career in 2010. Tim developed early expertise around commercial leasing in addition to residential real estate. His hard work for his clients earned Tim several awards and recognitions. Tim was named REALTOR® of the Year in 2019 by the Kennebec Valley Board of REALTORS®. That same year, Tim was also recognized as REALTOR® of the Year by his state association. In addition, he has served on multiple boards and has taught the Code of Ethics course for the Kennebec Valley Board of REALTORS® for five years.
Despite these accolades, Tim’s greatest professional achievement remains the people he has been able to serve.
“Real estate is a unique job, because it allows you to build lifelong relationships with great people,” Tim said. “It’s amazing to be able to work with people who start out as clients, but then become friends. That’s a gift in real estate, and one reason why this career brings me so much joy.”
Tim and Amy’s commitment to client-centered service led them to NextHome.
“We knew we needed cost-effective access to cutting-edge technology and marketing, but it needed to be packaged with a philosophy that is centered around integrity and ethics,” Tim said. “That’s why we chose NextHome.”
Today, NextHome Northern Lights Realty is taking Amy and Tim’s commitment to their clients to greater heights through the backing of a company that center’s Humans over Houses.
“We hope that people know we can offer something different here,” Amy said. “Not only can we offer the industry’s best home marketing and technology, but we also operate with unparalleled integrity. If anyone wants to understand the NextHome Northern Lights Realty difference, come talk to us. We are here to listen and offer exceptional support for both associates and our clients.”
Both Amy and Tim are active members of their local real estate associations, and contribute to their community in both small and large ways.
Amy is the Kennebec Valley Board of REALTORS® Treasurer, and will be serving as the board’s Secretary in 2023. She’s will also be the 2023 Maine Association of REALTORS® Director. Tim is a past board President and teaches the board’s Code of Ethics and New Member Orientation classes.
Amy has taught a first-time homebuyer’s class through the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program for more than 14 years. Tim also began teaching those classes about eight years ago.
Tim has been an active fundraiser for many community organizations throughout the years, volunteering his time for golf tournaments and other fundraisers. He is the proud father of two grown sons.
Amy enjoys spending time with her three daughters.
Please join us in congratulating Tim, Amy, and the entire team at NextHome Northern Lights Realty on the opening of their new office in Hallowell, Maine!
Interested in being a part of the NextHome Real Estate Franchise? Contact VP of Sales Charis Moreno at Charis@NextHome.com.
Each office is an independently owned and operated business.