Another Pleasant Valley Sunday....

It's a beautiful spring day and I am sitting in my office in Pleasanton catching up on paperwork, writing up new listings, reviewing files, and making recruiting calls. A gentle breeze through the open windows gently lifts unsecured paper on my desk, and outside, kids on skateboards and scooters roll up and down the streets to the sound of barking dogs nipping at their heels.

I've had two neighbors stop into our office - a 1940's bungalow in a residential neighborhood, to say hello and to say that they enjoyed the string quartet that was playing on our front porch a few Sunday's back.

It's a good day - business is strong and the real estate market seems defintiely to be on the upswing. We have more buyers than we have available homes, interest rates are low, and affordability has never been better in California.

When I left my job as a television executive, my colleagues told me that I was crazy to leave to sell real estate - especially in a market that was on the brink of crashing and burning.

I knew that no sane person would ever make that decision, but I also knew that if I didn't do it now, I was never going to do it.

While agents that had reaped the rewards of the boom years in real estate were jumping ship, I made sure my tray table was up, my seat belt was securely fastened, and prepared for what I thought would be a bumpy ride.

But I found clear skies. And as I began to relax and become comfortable in my new career, the business started pouring in.

Why was I different than other agents that I saw struggling?

• I believed in myself - and I had faith that I could and would succeed;
• I saw that homes were still being bought and sold and someone was selling them - why couldn't it be me?
• I had a broker that allowed me to break the rules (legally of course!) and encouraged me to color outside the box;
• I figured out that the best way for me to learn was to teach others. While my real estate skills were relatively news, my marketing skills were not. I shared with my colleagues - and they shared with me.
• I realized that the company and the broker that I chose to work under were critical factors. If I was not proud of the brand that I represented - and if I could not trust that my broker was available to support me, I would not succeed.

Did you thrive these last few years, or did you struggle? Did you have the support and guidance from a caring broker to help keep you motivated and get you through those rough times? Did other companies try to recruit you and you chose not to meet with them because you were happy?

If you're looking for a unique, positive real estate environment, we're looking to talk to you to see if you may be a good fit with Windermere Welcome Home.

Not every agent is a good fit - but if you are, it could be the single most positive career choice you will ever make. With offices in Pleasanton, San Ramon, Livermore, and Castro Valley, there's plenty of room to grow. I am looking forward to your call.

Cindi Hagley

Broker 925-867-4663