Who we are?
Want to Know a little About us?
Let us tell you.
At SRT we promise to be the hardest working realtors in the area. We strive to be honest, trustworthy, and transparent in all aspects of the process. We look to make lasting relationships with our clients that don’t end on closing day. Our business thrives from these relationships as we continue to help educate and support all clients in the current real estate market. We go above and beyond by creating a strong network of dedicated professionals that are willing to meet the client’s needs in every step of the buying/selling process. Our business offers many other services related to the real estate market such as home market analysis, new home buyer educational videos, etc. “We are more than just a sign in the yard.”
Reuben Stence
After graduation from Newton Community High School in 2007, Reuben pursued a degree in Elementary Education from Eastern Illinois University. Reuben took his first teaching job in 2010 in a small school by Mt. Vernon and transferred back to Oblong to teach in 2011. After moving several times for school and work, Reuben decided to obtain his real estate license after several negative transactions with realtors. The driving force was to treat the customer with the utmost respect and always be fair and honest in any deal. These values still hold true in the transactions he completes today.
Reuben married Erica (Thompson) Stence in 2010 and started the process of moving back to Marshall and Clark County to teach and be closer to family. In 2013, the property of their dreams came available and they bought it in hopes of reestablishing the family farm. The pastures of Oval Ridge Farm are now filled with registered Angus cattle with genetics being marketed all across the country.
In November of 2021, Reuben and Erica decided it was time to begin their own team focused around the traits they believe should be in a realty office. The office of Stence Realty Team is now a client focused/family focused realtor office located in the heart of Marshall and serving all of East Central Illinois and West Central Indiana.
In the Stence’s spare time, they love spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing, gardening and spending time with family. Reuben cherishes the time he gets to spend with his beautiful wife and two children Lucas and Natalie.
Hard work, honesty, dedication, and determination have shaped Reuben’s personal and professional life and he looks forward to putting those traits to work for you in buying or selling your home.
Erica Stence
Erica was born and raised in Marshall, IL. She attended and graduated from EIU with a B.S. in Therapeutic Recreation. It was there that she met Reuben, and after graduation they were married and began traveling to follow job opportunities. Their family grew during this time as they welcomed their son Lucas and their daughter Natalie into the world. They finally settled back in Marshall close to family and have an established cattle farm at their home where they have resided since 2013. Erica enjoys spending time with her family who loves the outdoors, traveling to new places around the country, gardening, and just getting to spend time together.
During the span of 5 years Erica and Reuben bought and sold 4 homes and it ignited a spark for realty in both of them. At Stence Realty Team, Erica enjoys being the office manager and getting the chance to help the realtors make their client’s home buying/selling dreams come true.
Wes Smith
Wes graduated from West Richland High School in Noble, IL in May of 2007. After graduation, Wes pursued a degree in Business Management by way of Olney Central College and Eastern Illinois University.
After graduating, he married Madison (Stence) Smith in 2011 and accepted a position for Cabela’s World Headquarters in Sidney, Nebraska. The move away from home and family was tough, but it is something that he says to this day did nothing but make them stronger together.
After working for Cabela’s for 5 years and earning multiple promotions, Wes accepted a new position back closer to home and family. Shortly after the move back, a property that couldn’t be passed up became available and that is where Wes’s love for homes and helping people all started. The Smith’s have been happily planted now for over 5 years in Lawrence County, Illinois. Recently a new addition came into Wes and Madison’s life by the way of a baby boy! Wryland Bryant joined the Smith crew and turned the happy couple into a happy family!
When the Smith’s have some spare time, you can find them enjoying time together. Some things they enjoy are spending time with other family members, fishing, hunting, and eating somewhere new! Wes’s love for bass fishing has translated into fishing competitively regionally and you will find Madison and Wryland right by his side!
Wes was inspired to get his real estate license because of his love for helping people. Throughout his life he has been an extremely dedicated and hard worker and will not stop until the job is completed. The traits of hard work, ethics, and communication are what he is looking forward to putting to work for you whether you are looking to buy or sell your next home.
Carol Rice
Broker
Carol was born and raised in the Wabash Valley. She attended Ivy Tech in Terre Haute and studied Business Management. She then moved to Marshall, IL in 1991 where she later married her husband Roy. From there she received her Real Estate license in both Indiana and Illinois. Her and Roy moved several times in IL to pursue his career and Carol continued working in sales, marketing and advertising while selling Real Estate part time.
During the last 9 years Roy and Carol have lived in Marshall, IL as she worked as a full time Real Estate agent for Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group and Troy Helman in Indiana. Carol began working at Stence Realty Team in early 2022.
In the Rice’s spare time they love spending time with their wonderful children; a daughter Ashley and 2 sons Cole and Cody, and 6 beautiful grandchildren.
She is dedicated to providing the highest level of service to her clients and customers. Her success in Real Estate is built on client referrals and repeat business. Carol is a hardworking, focused professional that has built a reputation based on honesty, integrity, and commitment. She is constantly researching the latest technologies, tools, and services so that her clients benefit with the sale or purchase of their home.
As a full time Real Estate Broker/Transaction Manager at Stence Realty Team, she can meet all your needs, whether you are buying or selling a property.
Dylan Herrington
Assistant
Dylan was born and raised in Marshall, IL. He Graduated from Marshall High School in the spring of 2021. Dylan is currently working in management for Walmart Inc, assisting in the office of Stence Realty Team, and actively pursuing his Real Estate Broker license. He enjoys assisting in the office, and looks forward to becoming a licensed Broker in the early summer.
Some of the extracurricular activities that he enjoys are doing volunteer work for the community, gardening, and simply being outdoors. He also loves spending time with close friends and family.
Dylan was inspired to pursue a career in Real Estate because of his love for people and his desire to help them find their dream home. He is honest, hardworking and very self-motivated and is excited to put these character traits to work for his clients, whether they are buying or selling a home.