Sep. 24, 2005 - Diary Of A Real Estate Mother

Diary Of A Real Estate Mother

By Rossi

Since publishing Rich Agent, Poor Agent in Realty Times last year where I outlined the three reasons that people get into real estate as Money, Freedom and ILHILP (I Love Houses and I Love People), Ive had several agents and brokers approach me with different reasons for getting into real estate.  One man even said that he went through two rounds of the Dot Bomb and decided to apply his technology skills where they could give him real freedom, real estate.  Several have told me that they had such a horrible experience buying or selling that they just knew that they could do a better job.  But the one that took me back was from a very pleasant and fun Broker in Nashville, TN, Karen Hoff.  Karen enrolled herself and three of her buyers agents in ASPIRE, my personal coaching program.  At the end of a long day of strategic planning, Karen stayed to return phone calls while I packed up my gear.  Along with the usual real estate calls, I overheard her talking to one of her children.  When she hung up I commented on how calm and non-judgmental she was speaking to her child and how I admired the adult way she was conversing with him.  Im sure, subconsciously, I was reflecting on phone conversations with my kids of, Youre not going anywhere until you clean your room! or I dont care if Paige pierces her forehead with a railroad spike, youre not getting a navel ring!  But not Karen, she was softly talking about after school activities, some work the child was doing at her office, and then about dinner.  Upon further inquiry she told me, I got into real estate to have children.  My jaw dropped, as a past manager I had heard numerous times that they couldnt get into real estate because their kids were too young, too old, or not dead yet.  Children were always the reason not to and now Im hearing from Karen that the reason she got into real estate was to have children.  I had to know more. 

The story, as Karen tells it.  She and her husband, Robert, in their first year of marriage were planning a family and looking for a house.  Karen hasnt changed much, she still plans and gets more done in a shorter amount of time than most people I know.  Robert was a video tape editor at channel 8 TV and she worked at a credit union as a member services representative.  They were the typical 80s couple, lots of credit card debit, two new cars and no down payment.  She pre-qualified herself at the Credit Union for $40,000-$45,000 and proceeded to call agents to look at homes.  She said upon giving her financial qualifications they (real estate agents) laughed, told her to save money and call back in a year.  Finally she found an agent who ran ads for foreclosures and made an appointment to meet.  The agent who showed up was expecting and had another one strapped in a child seat in the back of her car.  She showed us the house holding her childs hand and telling us how easy this home would be to redo and live in. Karen said.  We ended up buying a HUD home from her.  She was very good at here job and I was impressed that she could include her family as she sold.

She further explained how she and Robert talked about the restrictions a 9 to 5 job held for parents.  How when they had kids they wanted to participate in every activity with them and it looked like real estate was the place to make that happen.  Karen got her license and took off on a career of helping first time buyers like her and Robert.  She said, There are plenty of homes out there that need a little love and attention, and Im the one to find them and their new owners.

Now, almost 20 years and three children later, Katrina, 16, Bob, 14, & Forrest, 12, they have achieved their goal of having a successful real estate career and a happy family life.  Karen says, It is with great joy that I can  say I spent a lot of time watching my children grow.  After all, when we are gone, our kids are what we hopefully leave as the best of ourselves in this world.  Not the biggest building, the next sale, or the most transactions.  It is important to be the best in our work, to excel to meet our goals, but we must remember to spend time with our families, the people who are there for us when we need them, the ones who depend on our love and attention as much as we do theirs.

Karen is a highly productive Nashville real estate broker who will close over 350 houses in 2005.  She and her husband own ERA Historic and Distinctive Homes, 1105 Holly St. Nashville, TN 37206 615-228-3723 http://KarenHoff.com email Karen@KarenHoff.com