FAIRFIELD — The building that previously housed The Fairfield Ledger has been converted into real estate offices.
Karen Hewitt runs LIV Real Estate & Property Management, a new business that opened at 112 E. Broadway Avenue in Fairfield. Fairfield Ledger called the space home for decades until December 2017, when it moved into an adjacent building to the east.
Hewitt, who has now worked in the real estate industry for 16 years, dreamed of venturing on his own after obtaining his broker’s license in 2015. By the end of 2021, she felt it was the right time to start her own business and started looking for her office space.
One day she happened to be driving down Broadway Avenue in Fairfield and saw the Old Ledger building for rent. She called the owner of her building, Chris Johnson, and he showed her around. She said the space “ticked a lot of boxes” on her wish list: High on that list was another office her space for having confidential conversations with clients. was to prepare Hewitt liked the amount of room she had to work in and she decided to move.
A previous occupant put in a new floor, so Hewitt didn’t have to touch it, but she remodeled much of the remaining space. and installed drywall in the ceiling, replaced the wood paneling with drywall, and installed new lights, windows, and doors.
The most notable refurbishment is the addition of a fireplace and large-screen TV to the west wall of the lobby, which Hewitt calls the “focal wall.” Near the back of the office is a kitchenette area with his two bathrooms, and Mr. Hewitt shares this space with another tenant in the building.
Under Hewitt are two agents, Tammy Thomas and Cooper Dalstrom. Thomas has worked in the real estate industry for more than four years, and the two share the same vision and thought process, Hewitt said.
“Tammy is very driven and hardworking,” said Hewitt.
Dahlstrom is the son of Shawn and Jill Dahlstrom of Packwood. Hewitt said she was thrilled to have him on board, describing him as a “very service-oriented” agent.
Even with these two agents, Hewitt still has room to grow in his new office space. She said she doesn’t want to grow too fast, but she hopes to hire two more agents within a year.
A native of Fairfield, Hewitt attended schools in both Fairfield and Cardinal before graduating from Fairfield High School in 1997. She became interested in real estate when she purchased her first home in 2002.
“It sparked something in me because it felt so privileged to do it,” Hewitt said. I didn’t decide to acquire it, but was motivated by a desire to pay it forward to help others do the same as I did.”
When it came time for Hewitt to start her own real estate company, she decided to join “LIV,” which is pronounced “live.” She said it embodies all the reasons people acquire housing: recreation, downsizing, moving closer to family, relocating for business. It said it was serving the surrounding areas and helping those in need of relocation.
Hewitt said her goal is to provide clients and agents with an experience that “embodies community, service and growth.”
Karen Hewitt stands outside the LIV Real Estate & Property Management real estate office at 112 E. Broadway Ave. in Fairfield. (Andy Holman/Union)
Karen Hewitt opens LIV Real Estate & Property Management. Her Hewitt & Associates at 112 E. Broadway Avenue, Fairfield is located in a building formerly used by The Fairfield Ledger until December 2017. (Andy Hallman/The Union)
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email [email protected].
Karen Hewitt stands in the lobby of her real estate office at 112 E. Broadway Ave. The remodeled interior features the lobby wall seen here, known as the ‘focal wall’ with a TV above the fireplace. (Andy Holman/Union)
One of LIV Real Estate & Property Management’s offices in Fairfield. (Andy Holman/Union)
The kitchenette at the back of LIV Real Estate has two newly renovated bathrooms. (Andy Holman/Union)
Karen Hewitt added the blue wall seen here to another office space in her business, LIV Real Estate & Property Management — Hewitt Associates. (Andy Holman/Union)