Great Florida Homes Blog

I was, 26 years old, married and I arrived in Coral Springs, Florida, with a real estate license that I obtained in Jacksonville, Florida, working as a receptionist for a Property Management firm.  I didn't even know what a REALTOR was, until I became one and I only became one as the result of a bad experience my parents had, from being taken advantage of by one. (That is a whole different story in itself).

Friends of mine were builders in Coral Springs and lo and behold unbeknown to me, my Dad's cousin from Nebraska was a builder here also.  Our family friends said, if you have a real estate license, you need to live and work in Coral Springs.  The developer, Coral Ridge Properties is who you need to work for.  I had always been a salesman, so how difficult could selling real estate be? 

My friends said, we build for the developer of the city we'll get you an interview.  Okay and VERY GREEN behind the ears....I'm all in!   Friends said they'd set me up and I call for the appointment.  Quickly I realize that they NEVER MADE THE CALL, to get me an interview with the developer of the city of Coral Springs.  OH WELL!  I've already made a fool of myself....I might as well go for broke! 

I did get the appointment and the Executive Vice President, Dick Steven (RIP), was BRUTAL in the interview.  Why should I hire you?!?!  YOU know nothing about real estate, you know nothing about land and you know NOTHING ABOUT Coral Springs!!!  I was flabbergasted but needed a job, so I countered with.  Come On......What do you have to lose?  I am a FAST LEARNER and I'll only take up space.  I got the job and he was right....I was a miserable failure for the first 6 months, until someone took pity on me (and that's another story!)

After that, with some coaching, I figured it out and took off!  Sold a million dollars in real estate and was flying after that, always in the top ten sales people. 

Lots of good years working for Coral Ridge Properties, the developer of the cities of Coral Springs and Parkland until the early 90's when the corporate downsizing began.  I was miserable.  I had worked for Coral Ridge Properties for my first 10 years of my real estate career and loved it.  Made lots of friends and enjoyed success.  The corporate downsizing took its toll on my emotional system.  Even though I knew I wouldn't get let go because I kept making the company money, I couldn't stand the toll it took on my friends so I decided to go into business for myself.

I've never been so scared in my life!!!!  By that time, I was divorced and had, my Mom and two little girls to support. I felt like I jumped off a cliff.  I knew I wasn't going to hit bottom, but I did not know how long I would fall.

I didn't fall far.  Went into debt the first year for a tremendous amount of money and paid it all off, very quickly.  Tripled my income and said, DARN, I wish I'd made the change sooner.

The bottom line is...IF YOU BELIEVE in what you are doing is RIGHT!!!   JUMP and Don't let anyone talk you out of it.  You WILL BE AFRAID.....Just Keep pushing Forward because DREAMS DO COME TRUE! (Sometimes they just take a little longer than we want!)