How long have you been working in the real estate industry?
24 years
How did you get into real estate?
I started with a small mortgage broker for two years, moved to a small community bank for almost 20 years, and then was recruited to Johnson Bank last year. I move to where I feel I will have the best resources to offer buyers.
What was one of your greatest challenges starting out?
Lack of training – there was no formal training when I started as a mortgage broker. On the job training while trying to provide service to customers was extremely challenging, and not a great way to do business. I had to learn one on one from others within my organization, ask questions, and admit I didn’t know everything. Now, I continue to take training courses.
What support or advice did you find most helpful when starting out in the industry?
There are people in our industry that are always willing to help individuals as they start out. They will respect that you take the initiative to reach out. You just have to be willing to put yourself out there and make a cold call.
What do you enjoy most about working in real estate?
Getting to know new people and helping them through such an important transition in their lives. Also, hearing customers’ individual stories and what has led them to move to our area. No two transactions are alike.
What is your proudest achievement or favorite memory in real estate?
There are a handful of times when a first-time buyer is at closing and their parents are there taking pictures. One time a buyer brought champagne and popped it right after being handed the keys. Those times when buyers are excited that they are becoming homeowners always provide a sense of accomplishment.
What advice would you give to someone new to the industry, or someone considering real estate?
Create your own network. If you only go to the same people as everyone else in your organization you are not doing that. It is your own network that will develop business and help you when facing a challenge. Also, when I started most business was done through postage mail and fax, and appraisals still had actual photos rubber cemented on the pages. Embrace technology to help you improve your service.
How has being a member of RASCW benefited you?
RASCW helps by elevating everyone’s professionalism. It helps identify the professionals that I should be doing business with in our area. Being involved on a RASCW committee has helped me keep in touch with changes in our market while supplying opportunities to give back to new individuals joining the real estate industry.
How are you involved and making a difference in your community?
I had been on a non-profit board for 13 years working around housing solutions and disabilities. Now I am involved with a non-profit doing cancer research funding. I also volunteer as a coach for various youth sports.
If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, alive or not, who would it be?
I would like to say someone profound, but actually just my kids. We are all so busy now – they are always out doing their own things – and I am aware that we are coming to the time where dad is not cool enough to hang out with.
Outside of work, what makes you happy?
Family, watching my sons play sports…and a whiskey sour from Gates & Brovi.
