Experience: 3.5 years as a realtor; 35 years in real estate related fields
Specializations: Land, Subdivisions, Estates, Minerals
Areas Served: Walker, Winston, Marion, Tuscaloosa, Jefferson & Shelby Counties
Q: What made you become interested in real estate?
A: I’ve worked for 35 years as a Mineral Landman all across this beautiful country and met some amazing people along the way. Many times, I have helped families settle estates or come up with equitable ways of division based on my expertise in the mineral field and my own personal experiences, so becoming a Realtor was just a natural fit and progression in this stage of my career.
Q: What was your favorite moment in your career so far?
A: It is always a thrill to me to help a first time home buyer or to help a family when they are under duress with settling an estate or dividing family land. I’m not sure which one I enjoy more, the thrill of watching a family get settled in their first home or the satisfaction of a family that has not been pulled apart by court proceedings and forced sales of division. Anytime I can help a family WIN, and maintain their family dynamics, it’s a win for me as well. Recently I helped a newly widowed friend sell her family home; we sold the surrounding property in attractive parcels that will make a great community of neighbors and the widow made several thousand dollars more selling it in this manner than she would have if it has been sold all together or in just 2 tracts. She was thrilled, all of the purchasers were thrilled, and it’s turning into a beautiful little community of close knit people, so I guess that is one for the record books.
Q: What do you wish you had known when you first got your real estate license?
A: I wish I had gotten my license 25 years earlier; I had so many brokers begging me to go to work with them and the market was booming! It would have been a great additional income stream. Hindsight is always 20/20; thankfully I finally did it!
Q: In what ways have you seen the real estate industry change since you started?
A: Oh goodness, it has changed so much with the pandemic that I do not know where to begin! I guess the biggest change is having more virtual showings and the closings are less personal, which I view as a loss to society. If we keep socially distancing, no one will ever want to come out of their boxes and they will not know their neighbors! Community means the world to humans.
Q: What’s the most challenging part of your job?
A: Financing has been an issue since the pandemic struck….with everyone working remotely, it’s harder than usual to get things closed and it can be so frustrating. Not to mention several contracts have fallen out due to loss of jobs.
Q: If you could sum up being a real estate agent in five words or less, what would you say?
A: If it was easy, everyone would be a Realtor.
Message has been sent!