Alumni Spotlight - Landon Huffer

From fence lines to front doors, A&M-Texarkana alumnus and real estate broker Landon Huffer utilizes his degree daily, helping his business’ clients make the best real estate decisions for themselves.

“I wanted to build something bigger, something I could leave behind,” Landon shared.

A Texarkana native and Pleasant Grove graduate, Landon finished his Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in marketing in 2008. While a student, he was also working.

“I was cutting grass and one of my customers asked, ‘have you ever built a fence?’ and I said ‘no.’ She asked, ‘would you like to?’ and I said ‘sure, why not?’”

That simple exchange became Landon’s first business, even taking him to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina for restoration efforts. However, Landon knew he wanted to do more than build and repair fences for a living.

“I got my real estate license with one of my best friends, Brent, who I met at A&M-Texarkana. He wanted to get his license, so I thought it can’t hurt me to have mine. I earned my license in 2004 and activated it in 2005, so this is my 20th year in real estate.”

His real estate career started humbly while he continued to build fences, deliver papers for the Texarkana Gazette, and work at Home Depot before his career began to soar.

“It wasn’t something I set out to do, but something that evolved and came in time. I love real estate. I love helping people.”

He started in commercial real estate before one of his investors purchased a real estate firm and needed a broker. So, Landon became the broker for the investor’s new firm. He also worked with a local developer and investor to support him in commercial real estate sales and leasing.

“I decided I have a lot of experience, but still, plenty of room to grow. So, my wife Amanda and I began moving in the direction of opening our own business. We started Realty Fanatics in 2022, quickly adding Sumer Bright to our team. She’s been with us going on four years. Now, we have two more agents and another one coming on board this summer.”

Sumer also graduated from A&M-Texarkana, earning her Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing in 2016. “I didn’t even talk to other brokerages when I started, because I was pretty set on working with Landon and Amanda,” Sumer shared. “I’m a firm believer that the Lord set me here for a reason. Every year I’m continually reminded that this is where I’m meant to be. I truly believe they put their clients first and that isn’t how the world operates anymore. I’m super thankful to have a broker that continues to point me in that direction. I don’t think you can replicate that anywhere else.”

Realty Fanatics’ motto is “serving you in all things real estate.” Landon explained, “If it has to do with real estate, we do it.”

Landon loves watching his team grow and thrive in the business. “My whole life, I’ve always had fun watching others have fun. That’s just what I enjoy doing,” he shared. “Sumer recently earned Texarkana Gazette’s Readers’ Choice Best Realtor. She beat me out for that. I celebrated with her. For one of us to win was very exciting.”

Landon also appreciates the opportunity to serve his clients daily. “There’s nothing better than helping people through all seasons of life. We deal with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.”

It’s the daily interactions with clients that make Landon appreciate his A&M-Texarkana degree in Psychology. “It helped me understand how people are wired, how they’re triggered, and how they respond in certain situations,” Landon explained.

Landon’s wife, Amanda, is also a realtor on the team, handling the marketing and community engagement for Realty Fanatics, while Landon brokers, tends the books, and manages the business.

“I know a lot of couples that say they can’t work together, but I feel like we work well together and I enjoy it,” Amanda said. “I’ve always watched him in his other businesses and learned a lot from him and about the discipline it takes. It’s been neat to walk side by side in this business.”

Landon and Amanda are newly empty nesters, now that their only daughter Claire is a freshman at A&M-Texarkana, majoring in History. “She’s loving it. They’ve been role-playing and watching and critiquing movies. She hopes to one day work in the library or museum system. She also recently saved for a down payment and bought her first home that we had the privilege of helping her get.”

As a New Eagle Dad and Texarkana native, Landon is very excited about the University’s current growth. “I’m proud for our community that A&M-Texarkana sees the potential here and continues to invest so greatly in our market. The growth, the enrollment, and the atmosphere are impressive.”

He recently joined the A&M-Texarkana Alumni Board and is ready to get more involved. “I’m excited to give back to the University through service, volunteering, and participating in their events. I’m proud to be a graduate of A&M-Texarkana. In hindsight, I wouldn’t choose to go anywhere else, knowing what I know now and having that hometown pride of supporting and getting an education in your community at a great school.”