Why Real Estate?

To me, Real Estate is so much more than buying and selling a piece of property.  Clients need an agent that will put them first and always have their best interest at heart.  

I grew up in a Real Estate family.  My grandmother, who I spent the majority of my time with, was a top producing Real Estate agent. She only semi-retired at 84 years old. My grandfather and father were both builders.  I was able to watch and learn from all around me.  Those early memories cultivated a desire to help others through Real Estate.  

The path to starting my own Real Estate career was quite the journey.  While I always knew I wanted to sell Real Estate, it never felt like the right time.  In my mind, I alway dreamed of working with my grandmother and eventually taking over when she retired.  Life didn’t work out that way. 

At twenty one I married my high school sweetheart and we moved halfway across the country.  I was able to get my first taste of Real Estate working for a national builder as a sales agent, while in my senior year of College.  I happened to be pretty successful and that only increased my drive.  Scheduling for my final semester of senior year was brutal and unfortunately didn’t leave room for my work schedule. I needed to give up my newly earned promotion, and ultimately my job, in order to take the required classes needed for graduation. Real Estate would have to wait.  

After graduation, I worked for a year and then my husband and I started a family.  We had three kids.  I was busy being a mom with no family around and a husband that had a very demanding career.  Fun Fact: Between kid one and two I decided I would get my license.  I signed up for classes and met with several brokers.  The day after I paid for my classes, I found out I was pregnant with baby number two.  Oh, the timing.  I pulled the plug and decided, yet again, Real Estate would have to wait. Two months after our third child was born, we moved again.  This time to Alabama. 

Fast forward seven years.  I am still in Alabama!  My kids are all in school and involved in every sport possible.  We are so busy.  I could have easily kept saying the timing wasn’t right.  Luckily, after telling anyone that would listen, that I was considering getting into Real Estate, I got enough positive responses that I finally decided to give it a go.  I signed up for Real Estate classes online.  It wasn’t always easy, but it was absolutely worth it.  After many days spent in my home office working and studying, I passed my state and national Real Estate exams with flying colors and immediately got to work.  

What was different this time?  My foundation and belief in myself.  I have such a solid foundation with a supportive family.  (Husband and kids that think I am a rock star!)  I have friends that pushed me to go for it!  I have a broker that knows me, knows my family, knows our market, and really knows Real Estate.   Also, I knew that I was at a point that I wanted to make a difference helping others.  This takes me back to Real Estate being so much more than just buying and selling.  Real Estate is the single largest purchase of most people's lives.  Having an agent that will listen, put your interest above all else, and always operate with integrity is imperative. I know that I am capable of doing all of those things and so much more.  

I plan on blogging about my personal experiences and Real Estate in general.  The national market, and here in Alabama, is wild.  If you are looking for entertaining and informative content, you happen to be in the right place. 

For quick and interactive experiences follow me on Instagram @nicki_realestate_ontherun and on Facebook @nickirealestateontherun.