A Customer For Life

What happens when Brookfield’s best customer discovers Kissing Tree? Love at first sight…

A Love for Brookfield Homes

Before buying here at Kissing Tree, Zarina Stanford had already purchased two Brookfield Residential homes in the gated community at The Cottages at Crystal Falls: one for herself, and one as a guesthouse for when family comes to visit. She had even gotten her sister to buy a home in the community before it closed out! “There are only 52 homes; it’s just such a cozy community,” Zarina says. “We say we’re like a deck of cards!”

As corporate marketing executive, Zarina had intended for the Austin home to be her part-time escape. “I bought it thinking it would be my lock-and-leave; I love that feature,” Zarina says. Then, when the Covid pandemic hit and she transitioned to remote work, Zarina hunkered down in her Austin dream home, enjoying her huge back deck with sweeping views and a hot tub.

Kissing Tree: The Next Chapter

It was on that very deck that Zarina first heard about Kissing Tree from Lou, the Brookfield New Home Counselor who had helped her sister. Lou told Zarina she thought she would love Brookfield Residential’s 55-plus active adult community in San Marcos. “Lou said how cool it was and that we should look at it,” Zarina says. “So my friend Elaine and I went down to check out the neighborhood. We came home that day and said, ‘We should really do this.’ I had been thinking about getting a place in San Antonio, because my new office is there. And the funny thing was, my girlfriend was there just to help out! Her husband wasn’t even there with us! But she absolutely loved it, too.”

Lots to Choose From

Excited about the prospect of living in Kissing Tree, the friends went back and met with Marc, one of Kissing Tree’s New Home Counselors. Marc helped them choose lots overlooking the golf course in the neighborhood’s newest section, Bonnell. “You know it’s not about product, it’s about people,” Zarina says. “Marc fit us in and took us around, and we picked lots on the same street — my friend’s husband hadn’t even seen it before she bought it! Marc told us what the houses would be next door, so we could make sure we weren’t looking at the neighbors’ patios.” Zarina and Elaine both ended up picking the Albany floorplan; Zarina chose the modern farmhouse style with the metal roof, and Elaine opted for Santa Barbara. Zarina opted to keep the open den and also added the golf cart storage in the garage.

New Community, New Adventures

Zarina’s home in Kissing Tree won’t be finished until spring of 2022, but she’s excited to become a part of that growing community. “I’m keeping my cottage at Crystal Falls – that’s my city home. And then Kissing Tree will be my country home and where I stay when I’m working in San Antonio. And when I retire, I can have fun there!” Part of the appeal of Kissing Tree was all of the resort-style amenities. “I love love love what they did in the gym; I will make total use of it,” Zarina says. “We already met one of the personal trainers. And the two pools, indoor and outdoor – stunning! And we’re going to learn to play golf!” It’s no surprise that Zarina is already trying to get her brother and sister to look at homes in Kissing Tree as well.

Creating Customers for Life Starts with the People

At Brookfield Residential, it’s our goal to do such a good job with both our homes and our customer service that you’ll come back to us when you’re ready to buy your next home—we call it creating customers for life. And Zarina’s story is a great example. “I love Brookfield,” she says. “They build good homes. I’m really amazed at the selection of product. But I have to give a shoutout to the people: Amy, Lou, and Marc. It’s almost like consulting—they’re very advisory. That’s the very best kind of sales practice. You don’t feel like you’re being sold; you’re treated as friends and with respect, and that’s really important. I give Brookfield the credit of hiring people of that caliber.” Aww, thanks so much, Zarina! We can’t wait to see you around Kissing Tree!