In good times and bad times, there are some folks you can just count on. Maybe it’s your parents or your partner. Perhaps it’s your best friend (and built-in cheerleader). Maybe it’s a professional mentor or coach who’s always there to encourage, advise and celebrate your successes.
We love hearing about the folks you love, so we asked you to tell us about someone who’s meant a lot to your career. Was it an entrepreneurial (or real estate professional) parent who inspired you with their dinner-table conversation? Was it your first broker or team leader? Is it someone who has been by your side through thick and thin or a person you’ve met recently who helped you get to the next level? Here are your shout-outs.
- Gary Keller
- Vincent Robinson
- In the ’80s, I had the pleasure to work for the chairman of the board of Coldwell Banker at the national headquarters in Newport Beach, California. His name is Joe Hanauer. He’s the smartest guy I’ve ever met in my 48-year career. We both live in Laguna Beach and are friends to this day. He’s a multi-time client as well. He’s like a dad to me and by far my best mentor. He was President of NAR when he owned one of the biggest multi-branch firms in Chicago and sold it to CB when Sears acquired CB. Talk about a visionary of our industry. He also started Realtor.com after he retired and numerous other ventures. He’s an icon and legend in everything real estate. What an education and sounding board for me.
- Larry Barry, my first manager in real estate, had a profound effect on my career, I started in the business to be an assistant to my husband, who was also newly licensed. Comfortable to be a behind-the-scenes person. Larry wouldn’t hear any of that. He sat with me as I answered desk calls, made me use his index cards of scripts, and forced me to show my first house alone. He also celebrated my first settlement with me. Twenty-eight years later, I have my broker’s license in Maryland and Virginia and manage three branches of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty. Larry gave me the courage to really give real estate a shot. Without his coaching, pushing and support, I’d have never found this career I love.
- I started my real estate career 39 years ago in New York City. I was young and had just passed my real estate exam. I was teamed up with a veteran real estate agent, Priscilla Von Roeschlaub. I still, after all these years, remember many things that she taught me and now as a managing director at a preeminent company, I often use her language when training and helping my agents.
1. Never count or calculate your commission before its closed. You don’t want to taint the importance of a transaction based on the money you earn.
2. Talk slower and listen more. Fast talking will not push a deal or convince anyone.
3. Always set aside money each deal for taxes and savings. It will add up over time.
4. Hold onto buyers. Don’t let them go until you find them something. Sometimes it takes a long time.
5. Keep in touch with Sellers often otherwise they will think you are not doing anything.
6. Show up at the office early and leave late.
7. Have fun with this. It’s infectious.
- My father being a second-generation real estate broker gave me the foundation and experience to fail while he was alive so I can be a better broker now. Thanks, Dad.
Now it’s your turn to share the love! Tell us about the people who’ve helped you in the comments below.