Real estate professionals are a passionate bunch, and we wanted to find out what they like most about being in this business.
Through e-mail, Facebook and Inman’s social media channels, 27 agents told us why do what they do.
1. “We help people have a better life.”
– Sunny Lake, principal managing broker at Coldwell Banker Bain; Bellingham, Washington
2. “Handing clients their keys on closing day is more than just a paycheck. It means that you successfully coached, mentored and supported another family through the journey of buying their new home.”
– Kenyatta Jones-Arietta, licensed broker/owner at R2M Realty; New York/New Jersey
3. “Knowing that when I help a client, the client is in great hands. I can shield them from many of the issues in our profession as named in the DANGER Report put out by NAR.”
– Shawn Shai Halahmy, Realtor at BrokerInTrust Real Estate; Northridge, California
4. “I like the feeling I get when a match is made…whether it is someone finding their first house, or matching a tenant and a landlord.”
– Rosanne Fernandez, real estate salesperson, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage; Ronkonkoma, New York
5. “I personally enjoy educating my buyers and love the look on their face when they have found their dream home. The whole process can be overwhelming and stressful, but the smile on my clients face when they have keys in hand makes everything worth it. My true passion is being a home matchmaker and I wouldn’t change a thing!”
– Krissy J. Hoffman, Realtor at Re/Max Encore; Lake Orion, Michigan
6. “I really enjoy telling first time buyers that the offer was accepted and then handing them keys at closing. I thrive off the excitement.”
– Kristina Carroll, agent with Ashworth Realty; Douglasville, Georgia
“I love helping clients realize their dream of homeownership. The flexibility in managing my schedule creates a better work-life balance.”
– Chris Soignier, Realtor with eXp Realty; Austin, Texas
8. “I love coaching people through what is one of the biggest decisions of adulthood. And I enjoy being my own boss. Making my own schedule. Being there for my family first and not missing out.”
– Susan Roche, broker/Realtor at Keller Williams; Ballantyne Area in Charlotte, North Carolina
9. “I enjoy the change. Every client is different, the market changes and you can always further your education in the field. Days go by quickly when you are having fun and taking the stress out of home buying or selling for clients.”
– Kati Ross, Realtor at United Properties of West Michigan; Sand Lake; Michigan
10. “Everyday is different, every customer so different and after 23 years I learn something new almost every deal. Helping people see their dreams come true make the bad days better.”
– Pam Greer Redden, agent with Crye-Leike Realtors; Dickson, Tennessee
11. “Excitement finding the perfect home, business or investment for the special understanding client.”
– Tracy Allis, real estate agent at Re/Max Town & Country; Flushing, Michigan
12. “The creative freedom … which I suppose you could have that with other jobs … but I always liked the ability to be creative and as outside the box as you wanted to be.”
– Kellie Tinnin-Yonemoto, career development director at ERA Sellers & Buyers Real Estate; Albuquerque, New Mexico
13. “I love that it’s always changing thanks to new technologies. They allow for more freedoms, more ways to stand out from the crowd, and more services you can offer your clients.”
– Elisha Brady, Realtor sales associate at Weichert, Realtors – Briotti Group; Waterbury, Connecticut
14. “I like the Art of the deal and how the challenges are always different as are the homes and the people.”
– Sandra Patti, sales associate at Weichert Realtors; Hillsborough, New Jersey
15. “Every day I wake up with hustle in my blood. I’m always in a competition with myself to strive for greatness. I would say real estate is truly something that keeps self-improvement and progress at the forefront of my mind. I’m always learning and the education never stops no matter how long you’ve been in the business.”
– Dominique Edwards, Realtor associate at Keller Williams City Life Realty; Hoboken, New Jersey
16. “I love how creative I can make my photos, descriptions … I love the freedom I have to make my own hours and still be a mother to my children … the $$ isn’t bad either.”
– Shannon De Gennaro, real estate agent at ERA 1st Independent Realty; Newburgh, New York
17. “The unpredictability of it all. Life would be boring having a 9-5 salaried job. Ugh!”
– Kathie Swanson, Century 21 Broker Associate; Loveland, Colorado
18. “Putting out fires! My husband says my job is more like a firefighter than a Realtor. Every deal spurs some sort of new and challenging obstacle, and I love being able to think outside the box or dig into the memories of my past deals to find the best solution to fit my client’s needs.”
– Maggie Claprood, Realtor at Benchmark Realty Mt. Juliet; Nashville, Tennessee
19. “I always say that real estate is a way of life, more than a career. Relationships continue after the closing and there is always something you can be doing for your business or your clients. You’re never ‘done.'”
– Terri Harder, Realtor at Keller Williams Realty; Minneapolis
20. “I love not knowing who or what will cross my path each day. I’m always moving forward and never looking back. I know that my efforts today may not come to fruition right away but will eventually; I’m totally OK with that!”
– Christopher Pagli, real estate broker at Ocean Gate Realty; Portland, Maine
21. “There is no luck in real estate. Successful real estate brokers and investors learn and work every day so that each day they become less lucky and more in the right place at right time for luck to occur.”
– Dominic Madrid, owner/qualifying broker at 1Shop Homes; Albuquerque, New Mexico
22. “It is not about my numbers, credentials, or achievements. For me, it is about finding the most important place in our lives for my clients — their home. And the lasting relationships that follow.”
– Diana Lipton, real estate agent at Re/Max Equity Group; Portland, Oregon
23. “I feel I’ve served a great purpose when I place keys to a buyer’s new home into their hands and say, ‘Welcome to your new home.’ The looks on their faces are priceless! I derive an equal amount of joy when I help a client sell their house in order to help them move onto the next chapter of their lives. It’s just such an awesome feeling to play an integral part in someone’s major life decision, for which I am truly grateful.”
– Deb Lord, Realtor at JK Realty; Gilbert, Arizona
24. “But most importantly, at the end of the day, the satisfaction of knowing you were not only helpful, but instrumental in positioning a family for their future.”
– Luke Thigpen, Realtor with eXp Realty; Lafayette, Louisiana.
25. “I Love the opportunity to build lifelong relationships with my amazing clients. Knowing that I am able to make their dreams of homeownership a reality is very rewarding.”
– Amber Boyd, broker/owner; Core One Real Estate; Lavon, Texas
26. “I love the look on clients faces whether its a sale or a rental when they receive their keys to their new home. Their happiness makes all the work so worth it!”
– Samantha Hibbard, Realtor at Top Flight & Property Management; Clarksville, Tennessee
27. “One of my favorites (besides exceeding a client’s expectations on finding ‘just the right home!’) is having the epiphany many years ago that real estate isn’t cut and dried or monotonous as most people assume. Navigating the nuances and different scenarios of the buying and selling process of every single transaction to a ‘win-win’ completion for the clients, customers and other brokers is always gratifying and fulfilling! I always learn new things and I’m doubly rewarded, and honored when a newer agent looks to me as a part mentor and proactive partner in making the magic happen. I love real estate!”
– Carl Dufton, Owner at Century 21 Bay Properties; Blaine, Washington
Want more reasons to love this job? Check out the video: “The best thing about working in real estate.”
Debbie Biery is the Expansion Ambassador with eXp Realty. You can follow her on Twitter or LinkedIn.