The Right Real Estate Broker

When my phone rang and the caller ID listed Mike Chiarelli, I was curious. Mike was the real estate broker I chose to work with when we sold our last house and bought the one I currently call home. Mike became a friend, but not one with whom I chat often. I took the call.

The conversation was brief. Mike recommended I become a real estate broker. He assured me I had the natural qualities to work in real estate. Namely, he pointed to my ability to connect with people: to welcome, listen, empathize, and serve them, loyally.

Study Real Estate

Study real estate and become a broker, was the gist of what he told me. “Don’t overthink it,” was his precise directive afterward.

I was intrigued since I’d never seriously considered going into real estate. But, I did precisely what he warned me not to do. I overthought his suggestion and talked myself out of taking immediate action. Yet, the seed he’d planted took root, despite my second-guessing.

Then, around 6 months later (or more, but who’s really counting), I revisited Mike’s idea. Why not, I asked myself. Why not study real estate? And though my mind still produced a laundry list of excuses for not taking action, I came to two overwhelming conclusions:

1.      People need realtors who have a heart to serve people.

2.      Getting outside of my comfort zone is where growth occurs.

I registered for the required courses. And though it challenged my budget to do so, I knew having real skin in the game would be a serious motivator for me to succeed.

Mike advised me to take in-person classes; however, I knew that wasn’t going to work with my already full schedule of work and life. So, I registered for and eventually completed an online, accredited course.

Education and Support

Admittedly, it was difficult. Learning so much new material was overwhelming. I had to keep talking myself into staying the course because I was pretty sure that my brain couldn’t retain and apply so much information on test day. But, it did.

I passed the course and the national and state exams. I became a provisional real estate broker.  Of course, I still have more to learn in continuing education (and real life experiences). No worries, I have great teachers/support in Mike and his wife, Michele, at Cana Realty Advisors.

Right Relationships in Real Estate

Reflecting on those conclusions I drew when I decided to take Mike’s advice, one of the things I learned from my personal experiences in buying and selling previous homes, with the help of real estate brokers, is that relationships matter.

For most of us, the sale or purchase of a home is the largest financial investment we’ll make. On top of that, a home often represents something deeper than a mere financial investment. It’s personal.

The person you choose to help you navigate buying and selling a home has to be the right fit for you, relationally. Mike was that right fit when I bought and sold, and he recognized qualities in me that would serve others just as well.

Additionally, his advice was the catalyst that moved me out of my comfort zone and into growth. There’s much more to come, for sure, but it all needed to start somewhere. For me, it started with a phone call and someone having the wisdom (and courage) to push me to tackle new skills and exercise natural strengths.

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