How long have you been working in the real estate industry?
5 years
How did you get into real estate?
I grew up on a family farm in Darlington. My family farms 3,000 acres and has 400 head of Black Angus cattle. I farmed for 15 plus years with my family, and then had an opportunity to get into the car business 15 years ago and was a general manager for a local Chrysler Dodge dealership for 10 years. I enjoyed the business but something was missing, and I always wanted to venture into real estate. When we had our first child it hit me that I needed a change in my life, something that would allow me to be present more with a growing family. I started my real estate journey then and have never looked back.
What was one of your greatest challenges starting out?
I’d say adapting to the lifestyle of real estate, meaning having to be available 24/7. I had to find my happy medium with work and home life.
What support or advice did you find most helpful when starting out in the industry?
Having a supporting broker that is there for you at all times is by far the best support you can have.
What do you enjoy most about working in real estate?
I enjoy the clients that I get to interact with.
What is your proudest achievement or favorite memory working in real estate?
My proudest achievement would be last year, 2021, when I received the Realtors® Land Institute Top 20 National Producer award. I was so humbled by this award. I was also then a recipient of the NAR 2022 National Commercial Award, which honors REALTORS® who received an award or recognition for their exceptional service and contributions to the commercial real estate industry.
What advice would you give to someone new to the industry, or someone considering real estate?
The advice that I would give is to know that it’s not always glitz and glamour. There’s a ton of work that goes into real estate that isn’t seen by the outside world. Most just see the social media of who got a new listing and another successful closing, but they don’t see the 300 plus phone calls you take at all hours of the day and night. They also don’t see the deals that you’ve put 50 hours into that end up falling apart and you don’t get paid anything for. Real estate involves a ton of hours to be successful, which is why I’m sitting here typing this at 4:07 AM on a Thursday morning. 🙂 At the end of the day, though, if you put in the work, real estate can be a very rewarding career.
How has being a member of RASCW benefited you?
I always recommend attending events that are associated with your work. It’s a great way to network and learn from your peers.
How are you involved and making a difference in your community?
My wife Jora and I are very involved in giving back to our surrounding communities. We try to attend as many fundraisers and benefits as possible, and feel it’s important to give back to those in need. There is no greater feeling than helping those less fortunate within your community. Since 2020 we have given more than $50,000 back to our surrounding communities. To be honest, that is what I’m most proud of in my real estate career.
If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, alive or not, who would it be?
This may sound corny, but I’d pick my wife, Jora.
Outside of work, what makes you happy?
I love the outdoors, hunting, trial riding, being with friends, and spending quality time with my family.
