Today marks 17 years since I got my real estate license, and it felt like an appropriate time to write a letter thanking my business for all it has given me. Yes, money of course, but to me, it goes beyond that, (and don't worry, I am not going anywhere!). . This is just a reflection and my attempt to appreciate the journey thus far.
Here's a list in no particular order.
The fucking rad people I've met, who started as clients, and then have evolved into amazing friendships. In some cases, now spanning decades long friendships.
The AMAZING agents I've gotten to know. Colleagues who show up to my house with soup when I've been sick with COVID and care about the work they do. Professionals who care about this industry, this city, and about housing affordability and the people in it.
This work has allowed me to explore nooks and crannies of this city that most people probably don’t get to see. Streets, neighborhoods, pocket parks, you name it!
I've seen some AMAZING homes in this city. Wow… there are some beautiful homes which have been tended to with great tenderness and care
The homes I've been invited into. I don’t take that trust lightly, and I means a lot when someone invites me into their home.
The people and families who have shared some of their most tender moments with me; homes having to be sold because of unfortunate circumstances, and also joyful moments too.
The stories I get to hear about homes, and neighborhoods. The history surrounding when houses were built, and who they were built for, and what was going on in the city around those times.
I've learned how to get out of my own way, and be an active listener to what a client says is the most important thing to *them*
The amazing variety of things I get to learn about:
Trees! And how trees affect property value and how trees age and how to take care of them
Legalities of home ownership
Foundations and what affects them and how to maintain them
How national and local politics affects the housing market - dancing with the uncertainty of market changes.
Homes, and home maintenance. Does this mean I maintain my home with pristine care? No, but I do have a much deeper understanding of how homes like to be lived in. And having attended probably over 100 home inspections by this point, I have definitely gotten a much better feel for that
I have taught other real estate professionals about meditation and learned how much I love and enjoy that space
Learning to trust the 'heebie-jeebies' in a house. Sometimes the vibes are just 'off', and you gotta go with it.
I've also learned a LOT about myself:
How to be nimble and agile in this business (and life)!
How to have uncomfortable conversations around commissions, and owning my worth
Saying 'no' and turning down business that didn't feel right to me
Developing a thicker skin: How much it sucks when I lose a client to another agent… wow, that one stings.
The events I've gotten to throw! I LOVE throwing a good party, and this career gives me ample reason to do so!
The professionalism I get to share with clients
The creativity I get to express: whether it's Bodhi stickers, or girl-scout cookies, or eclipse glasses, or a fun reel on instagram. This career gives me so many outlets for creativity
The gifts I get to give: I get to give clients some amazing, fun gifts sometimes, and I enjoy thinking through what would be meaningful to them, and finding and executing on that.
The fun notecards I get to send out!
The team I've gotten to build, and the leadership role that's allowed me to step into and learn about leading with compassion and integrity. And also being able to say ‘I don’t know, but let’s find a way that feels fair to everyone’
The money I have made, that allows me to:
Live a meaningful life
Give money to causes I believe in
Spend my money locally
Take care of my mom
Take care of myself
Let's not forget treats for Bodhi!
Knowing that I probably would have made a great therapist too, considering how much un-official therapy I've done w/ clients :)
I've also learned how to manage a non-traditional work schedule AND a non-traditional income stream (phew, that can be a doozy sometimes!)
And of course, there are TONS of things that are difficult in my line of work as well, and I gripe about those on a regular basis, but it felt important to take some time to think about what I'm grateful for as I complete 17 years in this career.
I am looking forward to many more years in real estate, and I am glad I can say that.
I am deeply grateful for (mostly, ha!) all those who have crossed my path. Here's to many more years.
What are some of the gifts your career has given you?
Here are some fun pics from the years that I dug up:
Congratulations, my friend! 🎉❤️