Matthew Walker, Lorie Walker, Mark C. Walker, Christine Walker Skozilas and Logan Hartz
For M.C. Walker Realty, selling houses is a three-generation, family affair.
Founder Mark Walker has operated the agency for 47 years, along with his wife Lorie. Daughter Christine and son Matt are both realtors and, just recently, the firm welcomed grandson Logan Hartz to the fold as an associate realtor.
“The kids were brought up in business,” Mark said. “We used to bring them with us on jobs, so they grew up repairing and fixing up homes and apartments.”
Besides working with family, Mark said that he enjoys the profession because it gives him a chance to get out and help others.
“Every day is different in the real estate business, and I really love that,” he said. “Mechanicsburg is a great community, and we love giving back to the people who live here.”
Mark praised wife Lorie as “the glue” that keeps the business together. Lorie quickly returned the compliment by stating that Mark is the mainstay of the business.
“We have great faith in the way Mark runs the business,” Lorie said. “We just trust him, and he’s never let us down. He built a great business over the years, and we’re just grateful for his leadership.”
Christine said that she didn’t start out wanting to become a realtor but fell in love with the job over time.
“I really love connecting buyers and sellers,” she said. “Our clients became like family members.”
Matt added that he got into the business because he didn’t want to work a 9-to-5 job behind a desk.
“I just wanted to be out doing things and being around people,” he said. “I just wanted to help people in any way I could.”
He said that it’s been a pleasure welcoming the next generation to the fold, Logan.
“He’s eager to learn and easy to teach,” Matt said. “He’s going to have a great future in the real estate business.”
For his part, Logan said that, growing up, he always figured that he’d join the family business someday.
“I got to see things up real close and finally decided this was what I wanted to do with my life,” he said. “It’s wonderful working with my family. You know if you have any questions that they’ll help you out.”
Great People
The family closeness extends to the agency’s clients.
Tom Balafoutas, owner of the popular Snappers Bar and Grill in Mechanicsburg, said that he’s known the Walker family for 22 years, and they’ve provided valuable information to him, specifically in the management of his various rental properties.
“We just don’t have the time to look into everything, so we trust them to give us the best advice possible,” Balafoutas said. “They keep up with everything going on in Mechanicsburg, and they’re a good source of information.”
He noted that a lot of businesses have problems in making the transition to younger family members but not this one.
“A lot of time, the younger generation isn’t interested in the business, but that’s not the case with the Walkers,” Balafoutas said. “I think the business will be in good hands for a number of years to come.”
Terry Hammaker said that the agency does a great job with background checks on his prospective renters.
“They know the type of renters I’m looking for,” Hammaker said. “They’re very thorough, and I can count on them.”
And that closeness doesn’t just extend to family members and clients. It’s also felt by employees of the agency,
Office Manager Michael Bennett, who has been with Walker for 29 years, has a favorite story to tell. He said that, several years ago, his family was getting ready for their annual summer vacation.
However, just as they were making their final arrangements, their car broke down. Bennett said that he didn’t know what to do since it was going to take a week or more to fix it.
However, Bennett said Mark Walker simply handed him the keys to one of his family’s vehicles and told him to use it for the trip.
“I couldn’t believe someone would do something like that for me and my family,” Bennett said. “But that’s the type of people they are.”
In the end, the agency, established by Mark Walker nearly 50 years ago, seems secure as the next generation steps up.
“It’s great working in a family business where we all get along and try to help each other as much as we can,” Christine said. “It’s been great working with my dad and learning the business from him.”
M.C. Walker Realty is located at 14 North Walnut St., Mechanicsburg. For more information, visit www.mcwalker.com.
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