When realtor Shantil Newton moved to Louisville, Kentucky from Atlanta with her husband, they only expected to stay for five years. “But in five years, we had two kids and multiple businesses,” she says with a laugh. One of those businesses is her real estate firm, Infinite Homes Realty, where she pairs buyers with homes they love.
Shantil went into real estate after becoming a homeowner herself. “Before we got married, our first baby was our rental property,” she says. “After purchasing our third rental property, my husband and I thought it would be a great idea to get my license.” The business has only grown from there, with a team of 10 agents offering all-in-one services from buying to selling.
Her greatest fulfillment is in guiding first-time homebuyers through the market — especially those who don’t qualify for a traditional mortgage. “There’s so much information out there, but it’s hard to know who to trust. I want to be that trusted source for our clients.”
As Shantil became an expert on the Louisville market, it became clear that her city needed a different model of homeownership. One where the benefits of owning a home can be felt while clients are still easing into the mortgage process. That led her team to launch their own lease-to-purchase program in 2021. Today it’s used to connect clients with Landis to become homeowners.
Louisville renters apply online for free and once approved, work with Shantil and her team to find the perfect home. Landis buys it in cash on their behalf, and provides coaching to help them raise their credit score while they rent for 1–2 years. “A portion of your rent goes towards your down payment and closing costs. So if you use Landis to purchase in today’s market, that’s equity you’re walking right into.”
Shantil says the program appeals to clients who are anywhere from 18 to 65 years old. College-aged adults are soon to graduate with a 2-year work history, while 65-year-olds are ready to downsize once their kids have left the nest.
But it takes work to find the right candidates. That’s why Shantil is also a master of marketing, putting effort into everything from meeting clients in-person to social media, radio ads, and more. “As an agent, you’re a walking billboard,” she says. “And real estate only works as hard as you do. So if you put effort in, you’ll be rewarded.”
After being in the industry for over 15 years, Shantil has created a lane for herself that focuses on communities and families that are often overlooked by traditional lenders. It’s helped her realize just how much power she has. “I want to be inspiring, and a motivating force for change. I want to change people’s lives through real estate.” It’s clear she’s already reaching her goal.