ABOUT US
Stephens Real Estate was founded on May 1, 1978. The original office was located in the old Douglas County Bank building on Kentucky Street with 28 sales associates, a receptionist, secretary, bookkeeper and its founder and broker, Bob Stephens.
Bob and his family had come to Lawrence in 1963 when he was working as assistant sales manager for the Manor Baking Company and later as sales manager for the old Meyer’s Dairy in Lawrence, a time when milk was delivered door-to-door. During that time he got to know many Lawrence residents and eventually made friends with a local real estate agent, Warren Mitchell. The two of them started the Mitchell Agency in March, 1970, which became the Mitchell-Stephens Agency, Inc. in March of 1972. The partners split in 1978, resulting in Bob starting Stephens Real Estate, Inc. in 1978.
Bob had developed a deep love for the people of Lawrence and the University of Kansas and founded the company to be the most honest, reputable company in the city, with no pressure on clients to buy or sell. It was also important to him for his agents to give people the same high levels of service and care regardless of the price of the property involved and to give back to the community by a strong commitment to community services and volunteerism. This company philosophy endures to this day.
Through the years Stephens Real Estate continued to grow starting with the move from its original location at 9th & Kentucky Street to the current location at 2701 West 6th Street. The company introduced many new services over the years including insurance, commercial real estate services, real estate development and new construction marketing services, and relocation services. In 1983 Doug Stephens (Bob's son) joined the company as a salesperson and was promoted to President of Stephens Real Estate in 1997. In 1999 a branch office was opened 
at 705 High Street, Baldwin City Kansas with Debbie Morgan serving as Branch Broker. In 2009 Chris Earl was promoted to Sales Manager and Pat McCandless was promoted to New Agent Training Director.
During its thirty-plus year history, Stephens Real Estate, unlike its competition, has always been an independent, full service, community oriented company with a full support staff to assist its agents with a team approach to serving its customers and clients. Its reputation for honesty and community service is still widely acknowledged and the continued foundation of the company.
