Michael Hutton
When did you start your career in real estate? In 2009, I began reading and took the necessary classes to obtain my real estate license. I was an active REALTOR® by August 31, 2009, thanks to John Walton.
What did you do before real estate? I am from Lubbock and attended Texas Tech. After graduation, I followed the Lord in the calling of ministry.
Share the life events that led you to real estate. In 2007, while serving with my wife, Tammy, in Sydney, Nova Scotia, I received a call from my parents that my sister had been killed by her husband. In shock, Tammy and I traveled home to Lubbock for the funeral and to help my parents, who suddenly became the wards of her four sons. During the following year, I felt a heavy burden to move back to Lubbock to support my parents in their mission to raise the boys. In June 2008, we moved across the continent to start our young family’s life in Lubbock. I was not in any shape to continue to live the “fishbowl” life of ministry, so I worked part-time in a small United Methodist Church in Lubbock and tried to determine what would be next. In 2008-2009, I found my way into a career as a REALTOR® under John and Wayne Walton’s tutelage.
What do you find most fulfilling about your work? Aiding those who are transitioning from their current home to their dream home or from a family home to an empty nest. Helping others is a calling and a passion. I may not work in ministry as a vocation, but God has given me a pastor’s heart to do my part to see others along the path to meet their goals.
How did you choose your current brokerage? I started West Sage on January 8, 2020, with my business partner, Chase Head, with the dream of running a brokerage and creating an environment that is REALTOR®-centric for agents. I have a King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table approach. We all have input and a voice.
What drives you on tough days? Tough days are like storms that will pass. The goodness of life and the positivity of hard and consistent work will overcome the difficulties. Just wait a minute, and difficult times will pass. It takes character to endure these times, and I believe God has given me the ability to persevere.
Who are your mentors or people you look up to? John and Wayne Walton; Ruan Samuels, who helped me as a young agent; Cade Fowler, who has helped me grow in working and leading within our Lubbock Association; my leadership colleagues, Teresa Smith, Rich Eberhardt, Donna Sue Clements, Andrea Sturdivant, Colby Norris, and Tracy Thomason; and Scott Kesner, a broker in El Paso and current TREC Commissioner Chairman.
What are you most passionate about in real estate? I am passionate about participating in local, state, and national REALTOR® associations. I need to learn constantly, contribute globally, and connect intentionally around our state, strengthening what I can do for my clientele and licensees.
Please share a story about a memorable client or agent experience. My first few deals were with true, respected Lubbock REALTOR® vets. John Walton, Sarah Thornbury, and Winn Sikes were agents on the other sides of my first three deals.
Tell us about your family. Tammy Stonehouse Hutton is my wife, and we have four children: Cat, 23, who works in my office; Laura, 21, in nursing school (with our first grandchild on the way); Graham, 20, a sophomore at Tech in music education (Oboist), and Heidi, 18, graduating from Monterey High School and heading to TAMU this fall. We have three dogs, one cat, and a bearded dragon. We love being together.
How do you define success? Loving the Lord, my God, with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind. Also, loving my neighbor as myself.
What are you most grateful for? An amazing set of parents who adopted me as an infant, a wonderful wife who has been a God-send and truly completes me, and our four kids. Also, I have another set of (biological) parents and two full sisters I met in 2018 when I was 47 years old. I am grateful for a community of friends and family who surround me and make me a better man.
What is something that not many people know about you? I fell off a cliffside at Caprock Canyon while in college, which explains a lot for those who know me.
Anything else? I love music. I am not musical, but I love to listen and emote. 80s music rules! Irish music is a close second. U2 is probably my favorite band.
