How long have you been working in the real estate industry?
3 years
How did you get into real estate?
I’ve worked in social services, mental health, and customer service for most of my career. I started renovating houses and began to be the guy that everyone asked about their home or home project. I realized that I really love helping people with their homes and thinking creatively about problems that come up. From there it was a short jump to home inspections. I got some really great training, started part-time for a couple of years, and have been a full-time home inspector for the last year.
What was one of your greatest challenges starting out?
It was really challenging to start part-time. I opened my own business doing home inspections but was also working full-time in youth mental health and mentoring, and my wife and I have four children. Building relationships with referral partners, getting training, and making time to promote the business was really difficult. Since family time is so important, it has been a huge blessing to be able to focus on the business full-time, instead of fitting it in outside of another job. Sometimes you just have to take the leap, trust the process, and work hard, knowing that a few months with less money will be worth it when you are up and running.
What support or advice did you find most helpful when starting out in the industry?
Get good training and practice a lot. It is a never-ending learning process as you keep encountering new products and unique situations. I joined associations and shadowed anyone who let me: other inspectors, foundation specialists, plumbers, etc. The other piece of advice that was really helpful was to be myself. Each of us has unique strengths and personality. People can tell when others are “selling themselves”, and mostly it seems that professionals just want to work with people they like and can trust. Building relationships with Realtors® who really believe in serving their clients has been a blast! I get to meet new people, hang out at coffee shops, and deliver pastries to offices full of Realtors® who are getting involved in the community.
What do you enjoy most about working in real estate?
Building relationships with referral partners and clients is my favorite part. Realtors®, other home inspectors, and lenders are mostly dedicated, passionate, and action-packed people. They like the hustle and are involved in their communities. There have also been so many clients who have been a joy to meet. Though I have to be pretty focused on the inspection process, I find ways to mix in fun and get clients involved as they are comfortable. I enjoy helping people move into a home they can trust and I have fun doing it. I consider it an honor when people trust me with their home inspections and Realtors® trust me with their clients.
What is your proudest achievement or favorite memory in real estate?
I had a client recently who was very excited about their accepted offer. The home was exactly what she was looking for but she had a lot of concern about what hidden problems there could be. She wanted to be right in the process and walked through the entire property with me. At one point there were a series of light switches that seemed to do nothing, pretty abnormal as the rest of the house was modern and predictable. She and I teamed up to sleuth out the functions of each and every one, shouting from other rooms and finally laughing when we found out that a switch had a super simple and obvious function. At the end she was thankful that she had an intimate knowledge of her new home, and it was pleasure for me to tell her that the home was in great shape.
What advice would you give to someone new to the industry, or someone considering real estate?
My main piece of advice is to be yourself and get creative! People love new ideas, new methods, and your unique perspective. Be open to feedback and be mindful of others, of course, but in the end, be yourself. People attend a million networking events and hear sales pitches. It can get tiring. The way to connect with more clients and referral partners is really to engage people in fun, meaningful conversations. For example, I recently drove past a farm stand that offered corn on the cob. You could buy a few ears for dinner… or like me, you could buy a huge burlap sack for $40. I spent the afternoon popping into Realtors®’ offices with armfuls of corn! Realtors® were surprised at this new approach and we all had a laugh. Plus, who doesn’t love fresh sweet corn?!
How has being a member of RASCW benefited you?
RASCW training opportunities are great and a chance to meet a lot of other incredible professionals. I went to a safety training that really changed a few of my habits, keeping me safe long term for my family and helping me to keep my clients safe as well. My local Sauk Columbia Chapter has also offered some fantastic events, and I plan to keep getting more involved.
How are you involved and making a difference in your community?
I’ve been blessed to have some fantastic opportunities to be involved in community organizing, youth mentoring, and our church. I’ve also enjoyed being an active member of the local Chamber of Commerce. To be honest, with four kids at home, my volunteer hours are less than they used to be. Only recently have I jumped back in to volunteering as a Spanish interpreter at the free medical clinic in Sauk City/Prairie du Sac. I also have prioritized meeting Spanish speaking Realtors® and joined the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County in order to start providing home inspection services to those whose primary language is Spanish.
If you could have lunch with anyone in the world, alive or not, who would it be?
I’d have lunch with my Grandpa Norman. He passed about five years ago, but was the absolute BEST person to go out to eat with. I used to pick him up from his home and take him out for breakfast. He was over 90 years old, and I remember the server asking if he wanted regular or decaf. He said regular. When she had filled our cups and left, he told me, “my doctors say caffeine isn’t good, but I’m 92 years old, so screw ’em!” He was so kind and had amazing stories. I’d love to have lunch with him again.
Outside of work, what makes you happy?
My wife, kids, and I love to be outside. Hiking, camping, biking, XC skiing; really anything we can do to be outside. Lake Superior is very special to our family, and we spend as much time as we can camping in Marquette, MI and the Bayfield, WI area. I also love to laugh. There is nothing like being with the friends and family you love, just laughing together. I also like really good food and trying new restaurants.
