Local Real Estate Broker Finds a Unique Way to Help His Clients and Habitat ReStore, Too
As a real estate broker, Matt Shaw looks for ways to help his clients.
It’s even more gratifying when that way contributes to making housing more affordable in the community and promotes sustainability.
“I love giving back,” said Shaw, an Associate Broker with 1st Class Real Estate Flagship in Virginia Beach. Matt and his wife, Chris, The Shaw Team, are specialists in listings. Chris has staged hundreds of homes in the Newport News area, using furniture and décor that typically reflects current trends and helps buyers envision themselves living there.
These days with many baby boomers downsizing, that often makes for a lot of extra unnecessary furniture and accessories. Matt partners with Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg’s Newport News ReStore, donating whatever can be resold.
Habitat ReStores sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, accessories and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price. All ReStore proceeds go toward building homes for sale to low- to moderate-income families, money that’s cycled right back into the local community.
“Some of the things we donate may be very valuable, but they might not fit into how we stage the house,” Matt said. “Habitat helps us help our clients by picking up everything we want to donate, so we can stage the house with our furniture for a more cohesive look to make our clients more money.”
“I believe in reduce, reuse, recycle,” said Matt, who had a lifelong interest in housing and homes before making a career in it.
Matt’s father served in the Coast Guard, so the family moved a lot when he was young. He graduated from Great Bridge High and earned degrees at UNC Wilmington and Radford University. After careers in criminal justice and information technology, Matt transitioned to real estate to improve his quality of life.
“I like what I do, and I love working with Habitat,” Matt said, noting especially Habitat’s mission to help families who never thought they could be able to buy a home.
Habitat homes are purchased with a zero-interest, 20- to 30-year mortgage.
“Helping people matters to me,” Matt said.
Not just in his business, but in this community.
Celebrating 40 Years of Impact
The Shaw Group’s support highlights the power of Habitat for Humanity’s mission. As Habitat Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg celebrates 40 years of building homes, communities and hope, we’re sharing 40 inspiring stories of transformation, featuring the individuals, families and organizations forever changed by this work.
Stay tuned for more stories that show what’s possible when people come together to build something bigger. And if Matt Shaw’s story inspires you, consider joining our mission by volunteering, donating or simply spreading the word. Because together, we’re building more than homes. We’re building hope.
