Lauryn Eadie
In this weekly column, real estate agents across the nation share stories of the lessons they’ve learned during their time in the industry.
As the owner of Circadian Realty Group, Lauryn Eadie brings market knowledge and years of expertise to her work with clients in the competitive Northern Virginia/D.C. Metro.
Find out how she turned an early experience as a client into a foundation for the kind of over-and-above service she and her team now offer.
How long have you been in the business?
I started in real estate in 2006. I purchased my first house at 23 (2003) because I didn’t want to rent. My space is important to me, and I wanted to be able to make it “my own.”
By the end of 2005 I had purchased two more homes, and it was clear to me that I had an interest and passion in real estate. I got my real estate license and got my start utilizing online forums like Active Rain and Craigslist, which were very new at the time.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In five years I see myself still in real estate — it’s what I love.
The great thing about this career is that every day is different, there is always something to learn, to change, to improve.
My team and I have big goals for the next five years. We take a tremendous amount of pride in what we do, and we want to show consumers what they should expect and demand from the agent they hire.
Our mission is to influence the level of service, expertise and knowledge that is required from those in our field.
What’s a big lesson you’ve learned in real estate?
Real estate is not about “you.” It’s about the client/consumer you are working for. I don’t sell real estate. We view ourselves as consultants.
We aren’t here to tell the client what to buy. But [we] help them work through the process and guide them to the best outcome for their goal. Every client has different goals, needs, wants. It’s no different than how a financial planner works for their clients. We just happen to focus on real estate.
Not only is a home a financial asset, but it’s an emotional asset as well. It either takes away or adds to someone’s lifestyle, serenity and happiness.
We take that seriously, just as if you were asking me to invest $500,000 in stocks and asking me which one. The financial aspect is tremendous, but so is the emotional aspect. It is important for us to respect both.
How did you learn it?
When I was purchasing my first home, my agent was just that — an agent. Nothing more, nothing less. He showed me houses and pointed to where to sign.
But being an exemplary agent is much more than that, and looking back on that experience, as the consumer, is what taught me and challenged me to do more for my clients — to do it all, do everything I had the capability and access to do to help them achieve their goal in real estate.
What advice would you give to new agents?
I would tell new agents that working for “yourself” requires the same hourly commitment, if not more, than any other career. Although there is flexibility in the schedule because you are the boss, it doesn’t mean that you don’t need discipline, a schedule and a plan to succeed.
Real estate is a hard business; the statistics are stacked against you. But if you love it, and you show your passion to others, they will want to work with you.
Master your craft, take classes, educate yourself, not only in real estate but in business. This isn’t a hobby, it’s a job, and the only way to succeed is to hustle!
Are you an agent with a story everyone can learn something from? Reach out to us (contributors@Inman.com). We look forward to featuring more of our best agents and brokers in a future edition of “Lesson learned.”
Christy Murdock Edgar is a Realtor, freelance writer, coach and consultant with Writing Real Estate in Alexandria, Virginia. Follow Writing Real Estate on Facebook or Twitter.
