Margie Dorrance-Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan

“Excelling in the Things She Loves the Most” By Barbara R. Davis


Growing up in the small, Midwest town of Salem, Illinois did not afford many extracurricular activities for a young, energetic girl like Margie Dorrance. Fortunately, though, there was one activity available that she loved and became quite accomplished in – baton twirling. Margie began twirling in fourth grade when she was nine years old. She devoted her spare time to practicing because she loved it so much and as a result won many competitions. In addition, she succeeded in becoming the head drum majorette in senior high. Upon graduating from high school, Margie had originally planned to attend the University of Illinois or Northwestern University where her parents had attended school but at that time there were no girls in the band and also no girl twirlers. When Margie was accepted at the University of Illinois, her high school band director kept trying to dissuade her by telling her that she would miss being a drum majorette and that she should apply elsewhere.. Margie asked him, “Where would I go?” He immediately replied, “You need to go to the South!”

Ms. Dorra which she did. She had also planned to contact the University of Florida but when the University of Texas invited her to attend school there as the head drum majorette for the Marching Longhorn Texas Band and with a full scholarship, she immediately accepted, much to her mother’s chagrin. When Ms. Dorrance first arrived in Texas, she didn’t know a soul there but now considers Texas her home. Interestingly enough, there were no girls in the University of Texas’s band either. In fact, there were only two other girl twirlers in Margie’s freshman year so they always rode in the UT band director’s car because the male only band members changed their clothes in the busses



Both of Dorrance’s parents were in the field of education. Her mother, Margie Smith, taught music and her father, Clyde Smith, was a school principal. Margie’s mother insisted that she get a teaching certificate, so Ms. Dorrance got a double degree in Business Administration and Business Education.

Margie had never thought about getting into real estate but her friend, Daisy Kinard, was recruiting and wouldn’t leave her alone. She kept telling Margie, “Come on, come on, come on!” Finally, it was easier for her to just say yes.

So Margie got her license and truly thought that she would never do anything with it. The same year that she got her license was also the year that she was the Chairman for the Junior League Charity Ball. It was very much like having a full-time, year round job. One night, her husband “Bubba” and she were at dinner with some good friends and they proceeded to ask her what was going on in her life. Dorrance’s husband excitingly said, “You’re not going to believe what Margie’s doing now. She’s gotten a real estate license!” One of the friends then responded, “You know, I’ve got some friends moving to Houston in a couple of weeks. Could we give you a phone call?” Margie then said, “Sure,” but she never dreamed that she would ever hear from them.

Lo and behold, two weeks went by and sure enough they called her! They said, “These people are coming now. Could you take them out to look at a house?” Without even thinking much about it, Margie said sure again. The next thing she knew, the people were calling her, as they had arrived and were staying in a motel. They asked her to come and talk to them and so she did. She tried her best to ask questions that she thought were important in helping them to choose the right house such as what type of home did they want and what area did they want to be in, etc., etc. They gave her a few answers and she responded by saying, “Okay”. They then asked if Margie could pick them up the next day at nine o’clock. At that point, Ms. Dorrance thought to herself that this was probably not a very good idea and that she wasn’t being very fair to these folks. She confided to them by saying, “You know what? I think I need to tell you something first. Not only have I never sold a house, I’ve never even shown a house! In addition to that, I’ve never been to my office! Knowing that, if you want me to come tomorrow morning at nine o’clock, I’ll be there!” The lady then asked, “Do you know anything about Houston?” and Margie replied that she could honestly say yes. So the lady said, “I’m a real estate agent in South Carolina so we will probably do fine.”

Then for the next two days they looked at houses. At the end of the second day, Margie started thinking, “I don’t have a clue what they want and I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know what they like and I don’t think that this is ever going to work for me!” She then said to her clients, “Let me be honest. You know I don’t know much about this business. Do you want a townhouse? Do you want a house? Do you like this? Do you like that?” The client then responded, “Do you know what, Margie? You have been so honest with us. I think I need to be honest with you.” Margie then said, “Ooh, okay, that would be great!” The client then said, “You know, we have just gotten married.” Margie was surprised because they were around fifty years old. Then the client said, “I don’t have any idea what we would like, either!” Margie exclaimed, “Whew! That makes me feel better because I thought it was just me that was clueless!”

The next day they were out in a townhouse complex and passed by one that had a “for sale by owner” sign in front of it. Margie hoped they would not see the sign but of course they saw it and wanted to look at it, too. So she had to go knock on the door and all the time she was hoping that no one was home. Right off the bat, someone did answer the door and she said, “I have some folks who would like to look at your house. Would you mind letting me show it?” The man then replied, “Oh yes, come on in. I was going to list it next week, so I am happy to work with an agent.” To make a long story short, Margie’s clients wanted to buy that house and the entire transaction worked out so beautifully that Margie fell in love with the real estate business. To this day, Ms. Dorrance believes in always being up front and honest with a client and “telling it like it is”. It is her professionalism and integrity that have made her what she is today.

Having a college degree, Margie didn’t have to go to school for a real estate license. All she had to do at the time was “read the book and take the test” but it has always been in her nature to work hard at being the best she can be. Ms. Dorrance does so by taking continuing education classes at Champion’s School of Real Estate so that she can be the best at her “game”.

Margie began in real estate with Greentree Realty, and before long became one of the owners of the company. She remained with Greentree until she made the move to Keller Williams. Dorrance had never heard of Keller Williams but they were trying to open an inner loop office and a lady named Peggy Tuthill called Margie every week for months hoping to get her to join the newly forming office. As the years had gone by at Greentree Realty, the direction in everyone’s lives there had changed, too and that is why Ms. Dorrance was contemplating Tuthill’s offer. As Margie was considering the move, she asked if she were to join them, would she be able to bring anybody who wanted to come with her regardless of their production. The response was yes, they would be thrilled to have anyone she brought to become part of the Keller Williams team.

So Margie decided to join Keller Williams and a new chapter in her successful career began. Dorrance is proud that she was there at the beginning and recently wrote this testimonial for Keller Williams:

“As one of the original realtors who launched this Keller Williams market center, I was excited yet concerned about the unknown but now, nine years later, it is my pride and joy. The Keller Williams’ belief, culture, and outstanding leadership have given me the perfect platform for my business. The freedom to work at the level I choose, enjoying a balanced life, and being generously financially rewarded were goals of mine that have been and continue to be met. The education and training, the family atmosphere that is very diverse yet very united, and the desire and willingness to help each other succeed, allows each of us to bring the highest quality of service to our customers. We are a team, we have fun while we work, and we have fellowship with our Keller Williams family. We are led, not managed, and we are successful.”

Margie went on to say that Mark Willis, President & CEO of Keller Williams International is her guiding light. “It is a privilege and an honor to know and work with Mark. He inspires and motivates me. He guides and supports me and shows me leadership at its highest level. I value and appreciate being in the business with Mark and Keller Williams.”

Mark Willis has a mutual admiration for Ms. Dorrance and shared these glowing comments, “Margie Dorrance is a leader with vision. She was one of the first agents to join the KW Metropolitan market center which has grown to be one of the most successful KW offices in the nation and the most successful Keller Williams franchise in Houston. Without Margie, we would not be where we are today. She is a visionary. She is positive. She is a total team player. She’s the best. Her influence has made a significant contribution to where Keller Williams is today in the city of Houston!”

Margie is also very appreciative of the support she gets from the market center. “In the Metropolitan Office, the professional support offered by our team leader, Carol Peyton, and the entire staff along with the KW culture, provides all of the ingredients for a dynamic workplace.” Dorrance also feels fortunate that she can always get assistance at anytime from the co-op department when she needs help with the accompanied showing or an open house and the “mega agent assistant” who is available for typing, filing, or inputting computer data.

Margie works equally well with both buyers and sellers and enjoys helping them with their various needs. Satisfied clients, Rhonda and Alex Wyche had this to say, “We have bought and sold three houses with Margie and we would never go to any other agent as long as she is active in the business. She has the gift of making you feel that you are her most important client ever. She is the best kind of a “Steel Magnolia” – always gracious, always generous, and nobody’s fool!”

Going “above and beyond the call of duty” seems to be what Margie does best and John Sullivan, one of Dorrance’s appreciative customers gave this testimonial about her, “I am forever grateful for all of Margie’s kindness, consideration, perseverance, and help that she extended me in the sale of my home. Without a doubt, it was her expertise and hard work that made my hopes and desires become a reality. Knowing that my home was outside of the general area that she serves and also a great distance from her office made for countless difficulties for her and yet, against all odds, the final closing occurred less than two months after she listed my home.”


When asked about what advice she would give a new agent, she said, “It’s very important to have a positive attitude. You’ve got to make a choice and I always choose to be happy. Why would you choose to be miserable? Things happen, so just put it behind you and move on. In addition, it is important to go with a company like Keller Williams that recognizes that it is the agent who drives the business, not the company. Finally, as a new agent, you must have realistic expectations about compensation. You are going to spend money before you are going to make money and you need to have money put aside. At Keller Williams, we believe in outstanding training and education. Take advantage of all you can! Above all, have a good work ethic, give it 100+ per cent, and be honest!

Throughout her life, Ms. Dorrance has actively volunteered for many organizations in her spare time including her church, her children’s schools, and the Junior League.

Currently, she is serving as Vice Chair and is on the Executive Committee of the Houston Association of Realtors®. She also serves on the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of Realtors® and the National Association of Realtors®.

Margie loves working with such dynamic people as Bob Hale, the President and CEO of the Houston Association of Realtors® and says that she learns so much from Bob and the other leaders in the industry. Margie jokes about her “paying job” and her “non-paying job” but she feels that it so important to give back.

The Keller Williams Metropolitan office has adopted an elementary school, J. Will Jones, and Margie has served as a “homeroom mother” on numerous occasions. “We helped with crafts and games at a fall festival and at Christmas, we took cupcakes and toys. It’s not a whole lot, but if everyone does a little bit, it’s amazing!” A lot of children live in shelters and are in need of some tender, loving attention and positive role models. How lucky they are to have Margie…she sure fills the bill!

One of her newer projects is spreading the word to her fellow realtors about The Furniture Bank, adding value to buyers and sellers by helping them get rid of furniture that they no longer need and making it available to those who are in need.

Margie truly appreciates her husband, George “Bubba” Dorrance and feels very fortunate that he lets her do what she loves. “The lucky ones are the ones that can do what they want to do whether it’s work or not. I’m lucky he let’s me make that choice. It can be hard sometimes because my business does interfere on occasion with family time, and it always has, but my husband is very understanding. He is also very secure in who he is and doesn’t feel threatened in any way and is proud of my accomplishments!”

Ms. Dorrance and her husband are so very proud of their three children and two grandchildren. John, the oldest, is married to Pam and they have two boys, Austen and Justen. John is a mortgage broker and Margie is delighted that they get to work together on occasion. Jennifer teaches second grade at a private school in Houston. Jessica, the youngest, just completed a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is now working there.

Margie has always felt “at home” on a farm as her both of her grandparents had farms in the Midwest so it is no surprise that she spends the small amount of leisure time she has by going to her own farm just an hour’s drive from Houston near Bellville, Texas. Margie and her family plus their extended family and friends gather at the farm to celebrate the holidays or spend pleasant weekends just relaxing there.

The majority of Dorrance’s business is from referrals. She has clients that go back twenty-five to thirty years who are still loyal to her because of her passion for excellence. She has never been concerned about the price range of a house. She’s the first to tell you that, “It’s more about the client than the price. This is a business built upon relationships. You can’t be successful in real estate without buyers and sellers. In some cases, I have dealt with grandmothers, parents, children, and if a young family member needs a small condo, I want to be sure they receive the same quality of service and respect that I give my million dollar buyers and sellers.” She is devoted to her clients and she will do anything for them.


Keller Williams has approximately 2,600 agents in the Houston area and last year, Margie ranked #8 in individual total closed production. One year, she ranked #1. Margie is a top producer and true professional, holding the prestigious CRS designation and consistently delivering solid, factual information to help her customers make good decisions. Though Margie can’t remember who to credit for this quote, it is one of her favorites, “Today’s success isn’t about what you have achieved in the past; it is about your capacity to learn and grow in the future.”

It looks like Margie plans to continue doing what she does, doing it well, and excelling in the things she loves the most.