This “about me” describes the way I believe the real estate business should be treated.
You may recognize the photo above from the sitcom “Friends” from the 1990′s and early 2000′s. It was about six people in their 20s making their way in Manhattan. They finished college and started living by themselves sharing expenses and memorable periods of their lives together. Imagine if Joey was a professional real estate agent, and was excellent at his job. Chances are they would have found their next apartment using his services. Why? Because they could trust him.
Putting aside the Hollywood version, I want to bring forward a rare approach to the business. I strongly believe if you are knowledgeable about the real estate market and have great people skills you have just built the best foundation for your clients venture for their next home and investment property. Most agents’ objective is to simply “close the deal” and move on to the next deal. Only a few agents will make sure that their clients have been taken care of LONG after they move in. It’s not just about sending them corny Christmas cards or giving them a refrigerator magnet at closing. Treating your future clients as good friends will make the process easier and more rewarding.
I grew up in Las Vegas, NV during the 1990′s and early 2000′s when Las Vegas was a very booming market. I saw freeways and master-planned neighborhoods grow at a high rate of speed as the town was exploding with opportunities. As a child, I unknowingly developed a passion for real estate but didn’t truly recognize it until later.
As I continued to get older, thoughts of city planning, architecture and the way real estate worked captivated my mind. When I rented my first apartment at 18, I remembered how many flaws the management company/realtor had during the transaction by lack of my best interest. Simply only caring about their own commission check and not benefiting me…the client. I later ended up working for a private landlord and I loved the job, however, I had no control over the way I believed in doing business. After all, I was working with a large native Las Vegas company that had their own ideas. Then a time came when I had an opportunity to visit Chicago. I will never forget the first time I arrived in downtown Chicago and experienced the “big city”. Billions of dollars in real estate stacked upon each other. I then decided that’s what I truly wanted to do as Las Vegas was no longer booming as recession affected the city. Chicago was a great city, but I knew that New York was #1. After a lot of thinking, I rose to the challenge and chased my dream to New York City.
When I arrived in the Big Apple, I did not know a single person, let alone ever visited the big city. I had my goals set, and aimed for them like a bull seeing red. When I moved here I did not have an agent by my side, on my apartment search, nor did they even care. Most of them either did not follow up for appointments or have anything to show me that was within my budget. I felt like I did all of the work myself. Luckily, I found a decent place the evening I arrived, although it wasn’t a place I loved, I ended up working a part time job and went to real estate school. As time passed, I met a lot of great friends and was able to live a normal life. I received my real estate license and began to take real estate at full force and quit my part time job.
The memory always stuck with me on how lost I felt when I moved here. As business progressed I had developed a trait that became extremely unique and useful; treating my clients like friends/family and listening to their every need. I then decided I needed to make some changes on how this business should be approached. As I continue to take on my challenges, I not only make my clients happy but I’m fulfilling my dream.
