WHAT MAKES YOU SUCCESSFUL???

Just alittle over two years ago, on January 28, 2006, I passed my real estate licensee exam.  It was a Friday, three days later on Monday I was showing property.  I even remember the very first couple I took out.  Very nice couple visiting from New York..no they did not buy a home through me. :(

Through it all I have remained at the same office I started at, Aparo-Griffin Properties.  Prior to becoming licensed I worked as an assistant for my broker, Kathy Aparo-Griffin, she is always Top Twenty at our board, West Volusia Association of Realtors.  I believe she was Number 6 for all of 2007!!!  Way to go Kath!

Over the past two years I have closed 30+ transactions.  I consider myself successful!  I have not made a ton of money, but I am growing my business, and have started to receive referrals from customers that have already done business with me!!! and I've even made some friends along the way  :)  I attribute MY success to my work environment!!!  (well, and my good attitude ;0)

I have learned SOOOO many things in the past two years that I KNOW I would never have learned without starting right where I did!

Not only have a learned how to write a proper contract, navigate first time home buyers through FHA contracts, down payment assistance AND county assistance programs.....

I have learned to think creatively!!! 

Problem:  There was the young divorce that couldn't qualify for enough of a home for herself and three kids...she'd had already been on a deed and we couldn't get her county money for down payment, during the divorce the husband got the house, and as part of the decree it said once the husband sold it she was owed $$$. Fix: Had the husband take an equity line out and she signed a satisfaction!!! Crazy!

Problem:  Nice couple moves down from Virginia...they are at retirement age, his on disability and social security, she works for temp agency.  They have money in the bank from selling their homestead!!  Can't get financing because of income, of course the temp job wasn't counted and the husband will have an increase in social security in April.  Fix: They wanted a place now!!! I found em a house with seller financing (wasn't difficult at all!)

Problem:  Sweet young couple newly married with two kids!!  They are happy, wow to see a couple you find truly in love and respectful of each other, WOW!!!  Well, sent em to one lender, sent em to a another lender... I was looking for and FHA loan!!!...it's very forgiving..They had some minor things along with some repossessions...that weren't really repos..they were actually STOLEN!!! Fix: Well, finally I got the right person!!  NEVER give up!!!

Being a good agent means always educating yourself, and being open minded and thinking outside the box.. DON'T give up!!  Right now, it seems like every deal is a hard deal!!!  :)  Don't worry if it doesn't kill you it will make you stronger.