This week’s Q&A column is sponsored and written by Lisa Groover with McEnearney Associates Realtors®, the leading real estate firm in Alexandria. To learn more about this article and relevant Alexandria market news, contact Lisa at 703.919.4426 or email [email protected]. You may also submit your questions to McEnearney Associates via email for response in future columns.
Question: What sort of previous experience do I need to become a real estate agent?
Answer: I knew I wanted to be in real estate when I was in college, and a young agent was extremely uncommon. For that reason, I went into the hotel business, was a meeting planner, and sold promotional products before I started my fourth career.
Now, we are seeing new agents right out of school (or soon thereafter) — especially when other members of their family are in the industry. I am thrilled to have been contacted by a senior from Alexandria City High School who wanted to intern with an agent as part of her Senior Experience. She will be heading off to Virginia Tech in the fall to major in Environmental Economics; however, as one of her first careers, she would like to take part in real estate.
We have attended McEnearney’s business meetings, training sessions, open houses, closings, and she even already met with our recruiter!
According to Effirata Berasu, “Working with Lisa has been the best experience to learn about the world of real estate!”
Quite a few agents are like me in that they have been in one or more fields prior to entering real estate. I always like to ask my fellow agents what they did before they got into the business. In addition to previous sales roles, you would be surprised at some of the other answers, such as bankers, attorneys, teachers, nurses, photographers, writers, engineers, interior designers, construction contractors, home inspectors, technology fields, landscapers, and so many more.
For me, my previous experience taught me to be a collaborator, a good listener, a creative resource, and a detail-oriented professional. Others bring skills from their former lives that they continue to use, allowing for the right agent for everyone.
Since buying or selling a house can be extremely stressful, it is important to work with someone that is the right fit for you and your lifestyle or personality. Select an agent that makes you feel comfortable.
We just had a workshop on different personality styles and how they work with other similar or entirely different types of people. It was interesting to identify the traits for the “power,” “party,” “peace,” and “perfection” categories. Are they risk takers that are more bottom-line oriented? Or people that don’t like change and, therefore, are slower in making decisions? Do they rely on the present, future, or need information from the past to establish their next steps? Is data a key factor, or do they count on a gut reaction?
I love the testimonial from a client that chose to work with me after interviewing several other agents.
“Lisa is a joy to work with and is highly flexible and collaborative. Her ability to use the latest marketing technology effectively brought us a buyer in two days. Her warm personality and excellent interpersonal skills turned a stressful time into a truly enjoyable experience. Our thanks and appreciation for Lisa as a partner in selling our home in Old Town Alexandria.” – Jasper Womach and Marilynne Black
When people ask me how they can get started, I share my personal experience. Before I was licensed, I went to 5-10 open houses every weekend to learn about neighborhoods, price ranges, home styles, staging, and how the agents interacted with the attendees. When I became an agent, I worked 39 out of 52 weekends holding open houses for other agents until I established my own listings. In addition to the post-licensing education that is required once you pass your test and “hang” your license with a firm, I did my best to attend as many workshops and training sessions as possible in order to hit the ground running. Having a designated McEnearney mentor for my first 6 months allowed me to gain real-life knowledge from an extremely experienced and well-respected agent. We continue to collaborate and even share a storage unit for our staging items.
My best advice for a new agent is to ask questions!
Good luck!
If you would like a question answered in our weekly column or to set up an appointment with one of our Associates, please email: [email protected] or call 703.549.9292
McEnearney Associates Realtors®, 109 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. www.McEnearney.com Equal Housing Opportunity. #WeAreAlexandria
Address: 410 Prince Street
Neighborhood: Old Town Alexandria
Listed:Â $3,195,000
Built in 1800, this detached, Victorian masterpiece is located on a picturesque street in the heart of Old Town Alexandria.
The classic vestibule entry welcomes you into a spacious foyer and sitting room with access to the lovely, screened porch. Generously sized living and dining rooms adorn the front of the home are perfect for entertaining or casual enjoyment.
A half bath, wet bar and coat closet and are discreetly tucked away beyond the formal living spaces. The back of the house offers a family room, kitchen and sunroom or breakfast room perfect for practical everyday use. The upper level encompasses 4 bedrooms, 3 en suite baths, a den, an office and a chic laundry room.
The finished lower level is a bonus recreation room or gym with additional storage. Access the beautiful private garden from the back alley, side gate, family room or breakfast room. Leave your car at home in the off-street parking space and enjoy walking to all the delights of Old Town.
Located steps from the Mt. Vernon Trail, the Potomac River, shops and restaurants, with easy access to National Airport, Metro, Amazon HQ2 and commuter routes this is a one-of-a-kind home not to be missed!
Listed by:
Lauren Bishop
McEnearney Associates, Realtors
202.361.5079
[email protected]
LaurenBishopHomes.com
Address: 225 N. West Street
Neighborhood: Parker Gray
Listed: $1,049,500
Open: Thursday, May 12 from 5-7 p.m.
If you’re looking for an updated modern home with the charm of Old Town, look no further. This detached row home was completely renovated in 2020. The exterior features original wood siding and the traditional look of a historic home, while the interior has an open floor plan, new flooring and updated hardware throughout.
The main floor includes a living room and large hallway with a powder room, which opens to the dining area and kitchen. The kitchen features black stainless-steel appliances, a hooded range and updated quartz countertops with a large island perfect for entertaining guests.
The second floor has 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms, as well as a laundry area. The primary bedroom has a walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom complete with a walk-in shower with newly tiled walls and floor. A large and beautifully landscaped backyard has natural tree cover for shade and a built-in fire-pit area with overhead lighting and a large patio for entertaining. A shed provides storage for landscaping tools and for garbage containers.
It is located only a block and a half from King St. and less than a mile from the waterfront and is only ½ mile from both the Braddock Rd. and King St. metro stations.
Listed by:
Erica Gray
Samson Properties
(571) 302-6276
[email protected]
https://bit.ly/3ytKjZG
The current market is hot! A low inventory is pushing prices and demand up — bringing opportunity for sellers, and competition for buyers.
What does that mean for you? Whether you’re buying or selling, HergGroup Greater Washington will work with you to ensure you come out on top of any transaction. Our experienced team has the industry knowledge and understanding to help you in today’s competitive market.
Despite the hot market, sometimes properties get reduced in price to stay competitive. Here are some that were just reduced over the past week or so:
- 661 S Columbus Street ($569,000 -> $559,700)
- 801 Pitt Street #804 ($349,999 -> $329,999)
- 319 S Henry Street ($1,249,000 -> $1,195,000)
- 619 N Saint Asaph Street ($745,000 -> $724,000)
- 102 Roberts Court ($749,900 -> $744,900)
- 1421 Princess Street ($1,099,900 -> $999,900)
The preceding feature was written and sponsored by HergGroup Greater Washington.
