About Emily

Grounded in Grit. Fueled by Family.

When people talk about hardworking real estate agents in Southwest Iowa and the Omaha Metro, Emily Swinford’s name often comes up, and for good reason. She didn’t just learn a strong work ethic; she inherited it. Raised in Glenwood, Iowa, Emily grew up watching her family pour heart, soul, and sweat into their small businesses. From the trash trucks, to stories from the Navy, to the hum of a home hair salon, hard work runs deep in her blood.

The Konfrst Legacy
Emily’s grandfather, Mike Konfrst, owned and operated the Standard Station in Glenwood on the corner of Sharp & Locust Streets. She spent her early years riding shotgun in the tank wagon with him, learning what it meant to show up, rain or shine. Her grandmother, Donetta, ran an in-home hair salon, where Emily folded towels, swept up hair, and absorbed the buzz of small-town conversation and connection.

Years later, Emily opened Glenwood’s first Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate office out of that very same home salon space.

The Pulsifer Legacy
Emily’s great-grandfather, Woody Pulsifer, owned Glenwood Lumber Company, once a cornerstone of the local business community. His son and Emily’s grandfather, Butch Pulsifer, worked there after serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy. That legacy of service instilled in Emily a deep respect for veterans, which is why she actively supports military families and veteran-focused causes in Mills County.

Emily’s grandmother, Nancy Pulsifer, held things down on the home front:  raising a family, packing up every few years as the Navy moved them around, and building a successful side-hustle as an award-winning Avon rep along the way.

At the lumber yard, employees wore aprons that read: “For a square deal and quick delivery, call number 1.” That slogan lives on through Emily’s approach to business today:  honest, no-nonsense, and always client-first.

“I watched my family build businesses and community at the same time. That’s where I learned how to treat people and the meaning of hard work.”
— Emily Swinford

Small Town Service; Big City Resources
Emily’s approach to real estate is rooted in those family values: work hard, care deeply, and always show up. Clients describe her as approachable, proactive, and committed. She’s the one who takes your call, writes the contract, negotiates the deal, and keeps the process moving, but she doesn’t do it alone.

Emily has built an incredible team around her, including several real estate agents-turned-friends (or friends-turned-real estate agents), her best friend and marketing director Jennie, and her mom, LeAnn, who has served as her transaction coordinator for over three years. Together, they’ve turned Emily’s business into a family-run powerhouse that blends small-town service with big-city resources.

Over the past 11 years, Emily has sold more than 700 homes across Southwest Iowa and the Omaha metro. She treats clients like teammates with a shared goal and it shows. She’s built a relationship-first business, and many of her clients become friends for life.

Emily’s team is a family who values what Emily’s family taught her: do it right, or don’t do it at all.

Real-Life Emily
If you catch Emily out in the wild, she’s probably singing along to 90s country at Music Bingo, planning her next community event (with snacks, obviously), golfing, or cheering on her girls from the sidelines or at the county fair. She’s a proud mom, a loyal friend, and the kind of agent who actually answers her phone, unless she’s at Bingo, in which case you’ll get a call back right away.

Let’s Connect
If you're ready to buy, sell, or just want to chat about the Southwest Iowa real estate market, Emily’s your girl. Call or text her at 712-520-4237 to schedule a meeting.