Ricky Cain, CRS, sales agent and owner of Cain Realty Group – Keller Williams Realty in Austin, Texas, is not your average real estate agent. As a Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), he demonstrates exceptional commitment to professionalism and service. However, what truly sets Cain apart is his dedication to giving back to his community through extensive volunteer work.
Reflecting on his career, Cain shares: “I got licensed in 2006, right before the great recession. Right when I figured out how to work in real estate, no one wanted to buy a house, so it was challenging.” Despite these early setbacks, Cain’s perseverance paid off. His commitment to excellence led him to pursue his CRS Designation, which he describes as a transformative experience. “I very quickly realized that the [agents] who had their CRS seemed easier to work with and like they really knew what they were doing,” he says. “The professionalism of the agents that have it were the type of agent I wanted to be.”
Volunteering has always been close to Cain’s heart. “To be honest, before I started in real estate, I had nothing. I had less than $1,000 in my bank account,” he recalls. Having come from humble beginnings, his dedication to giving back intensified as his career took off. He and his wife, KodiKay, have been involved in numerous charitable activities, from supporting Keller Williams’ KW Cares to founding their own nonprofit, Cain Cares, in 2016. “We created an event during our annual mega camp called the Mega Agent Mixer, and it became the largest fundraising event in KW Cares history,” he notes with pride.
Cain Cares was born out of a desire to support their past clients and their families in times of need. “On average, we probably have anywhere from four to eight acts we do through Cain Cares for past clients and their families every month,” says Cain. The initiatives range from sending meals to families dealing with illness to renovating homes for those in dire need. One touching story involved renovating a home for a veteran with terminal cancer, allowing him to spend his final days in comfort.
Cain’s advice for other agents and brokerages looking to get involved in their communities is straightforward: “Choose something you are deeply passionate about. If you’re deeply passionate, you’re going to feel a greater sense of fulfillment.” He also stressed the importance of aligning charitable efforts with one’s personal and professional values, ensuring that the impact is both meaningful and sustainable.
Looking ahead, Cain sees Cain Cares expanding organically as their client base grows. They plan to expand their reach to other cities in Texas, further solidifying their commitment to community service. “Money and good for the good that money can do,” says Cain. “When our time on this earth is over, I don’t think we’re going to be looking at our bank account—we’re going to be thinking of all of the people we were able to help.”
How do you give back to your community? Share your story and photos to social@crs.com for a chance to be featured in future issues of TRS!
