A career in real estate comes with some significant challenges, even in a place as beautiful and friendly as Southwest Michigan. There is no steady paycheck, no guaranteed income, and it costs money just to call yourself a REALTOR®. You might put in months of work, only to have it fall apart. When there is no deal, there is no pay. But beyond the financial loss, there is an emotional price. You're not just brokering a transaction; you are investing yourself in these situations and directly affecting peoples' lives. Through real estate, you build relationships, and you care about the people you've come to know. Which is why being a REALTOR® can also be extremely rewarding in ways that many careers are not.

I took on a listing which had been on the market for more than a year with other brokerages. With few showings and no offers, the owner was discouraged and dare I say, wary of real estate agents. She knew the property wouldn't appeal to just anyone, and she needed help to get it sold.  Although I had no prior sales in her immediate area, she put her trust in me, and I worked hard for her. I marketed her property extensively and brought it a lot of attention. I even attended every single showing, at her request – a 40 minute drive each way for me. But I did it for her, and I didn't give up. In the end, she had multiple offers to choose from and walked away from the closing table with a look on her face that I'd never seen there before: peace. That one detail really brought home to me the fact that what I do has a direct impact on both the financial and emotional well-being of my clients.

You're building trust each time you follow up with people, respect their decisions and search for solutions to their problems. You show your dedication when you negotiate on your client's behalf and don't give up when things get difficult. These are intangible aspects of the job that no one talks about much, but they make all the difference in the world when it comes to end results.

I could have chosen a different career path, one with steady income, predictable hours and less uncertainty. But then I would have missed out on the freedom, opportunity for personal growth and rewarding relationships that my real estate business has given me. I love what I do, and I am excited to see what the next years bring.