Running free was always something I enjoyed doing as a child. Any moment I could get outdoors to run, to jump off high walls, to play kick ball, hopscotch, to ride fast on a bicycle, you name it I loved being in control of my actions away from the confines of growing up in a row home with a tiny backyard where I was the youngest of seven children.
Out of that crowded upbringing and from challenges in my teen years I grasped onto the dream of being my own boss and being self employed. This dream saved me and carried me for many years. So when the opportunity to be self-employed presented itself in the most unpredictable way I was open to its possibilities.
Shortly after Doug and I started hanging out, Doug suggested the idea of us becoming partners as Realtors. He wanted to scale down on his work as a contractor, to not have to climb on roofs and work out in the heat and cold anymore. He thought we would make a good team with his vast knowledge of houses and my many years in customer service and my gift of gab.
At first I was very hesitant…. sales?…sell people houses? No way. This was a profession so far off from my prior life choices, how could that work? But I remained open to the idea and we did our research. We spoke with many agents and recruiters, and one recruiter seemed to explain the career of real estate agents in a way that hit a heart cord with me. So I agreed to take the classes to see where it would lead: to take the ball and run with it, like I loved to do in my youth.
While we were students I was also looking for my first house. Having worked for non-profits for many years I had a low income to work with and a very small inheritance for the down payment from my parents’ estate. I made the purchase and my inheritance was gone.
We passed the real estate licensing exam the first time around and set up shop in the office of the recruiter who told it to us straight. We began to work with First Time Home Buyers and found out about the programs available to such buyers in Delaware County and in Pennsylvania.
It was then that I was given another reason for continuing on as a Realtor. We needed to be advocates for First Time Home Buyers who had good credit scores, a steady job, but were low on hard cash. My frustration at my realtor for not knowing about a program which I could have qualified for and potentially have had an additional $7000 to work with for closing costs, solidified my reasons for continuing as a Realtor.
Now when we meet a First Time Home Buyer we immediately tell them about the grant programs even if they are working with another agent. I would not want someone who is eligible to miss out on receiving much-needed funds like I did in order to fulfill their dream. (Written by Gloria)
Thanks for sharing your personal history. Best wishes for continued success!
Blooming for you!
Gloria, I enjoyed reading your story and it really hits home (pun intended)! Great photo and 'take the ball and run with it' is a great analogy! The best to you in the contest. *Suggested*
Gloria - I love your humble story about why you choose to become a Realtor. I love the way you took chances and you and Doug did it together becoming advocates for first time home buyers because you needed help so it sent you in another direction. Great entry - suggested!
Great story, Gloria. I need to sit down and complete my story, but every time I try, it brings back bad memories.
Gloria,
What a lovely story, and it is wonderful that you and Doug have a great partnership and happy to work together. Wishing you both continued success. A
Gloria, an interesting read. Your adventure in real estate is more of a calling to help first timer buyers get as much of an advantage as they can.
I like how this all evolved, Gloria. But, although Doug may not be climbing up on the roof any more, you still have the heat and cold, LOL. Is there any other life?
Gloria, double the experience and advice in one package, wonderful, you two are a gold mine for your clients.
Good morning.
This is a very moving story... Love the photo...
Wishing you a great day.
Doug & Gloria,
You both bring so much, "added value." to your service as REALTORS. It's no wonder that you are successful.
Best,
Steve
Great idea for a blog.. I really like your personal story. Thanks for sharing.. it's always nice to find out how people got in the business they're in.
Hi Gloria, what a great story and nice picture of the two of you! Seems you found your calling.
It is a buyer's agent JOB to know all the things that will help all buyers... We have a great mortgage banker that we rely on for things from that end.!!
Hi Roy, Thank you.
Hi Wanda, Thank you! Like you humor! Good luck to you also! Thanks for suggesting!
Hi Kristine, Thanks for your feedback. This was an interesting exercise to step back and put things into words this way. Amazing what one finds out when inspired by a contest. Thanks for suggesting!
Hi Jim, Sorry to hear it is too painful for you to look back. This contest may not be the one for you unless if you can find a photo and then bridge over that painful stuff to where you entered real estate. I have only a few photos available to me from my youth and this one had really fond memories attached to it. Which was a good thing. All the best.
I enjoyed reading your story, Gloria. I also love working with first-time buyers, and wish that my husband and I had been better represented when we bought our first home many years ago! I think it's great that the two of you get to work together!
Is that little you, Gloria? What a cute little girl you were. I don't think there exist any pictures of me at that age! lol
Hi Alexandra, Thank you. Like you and Ron we enjoy our time together no matter what we are doing.
Hi Ed, We help when we can!
Thanks Teral!
Hi Juli, So true! I'm glad he's not on the ladder that much any more!
Thanks for that David!
Hi Joshua, Thank you.
Thanks Steve.
Hi David, I did this in response to a contest put on by Deb Brooks in the Diary of A Realtor® group Contest. Check it out!
Hi Silvia, It feels that way!
Hi Sheila, I so agree. Agents need to be alert to all that is available to buyers if they are going to work with buyers.
Hi Rose, Thank you and I'm sorry to hear you had a similar experience.
Hi Eric, Yes that is me at 4 years old at my grandparents farm which was like heaven to me in my memories. The farm was sold a year later after my grandfather died. But my memories are so strong of that place. I am very sorry to hear you do not have photos from that tender age........
Gloria
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