Loida Vasquez on Being a Successful Real Estate Agent
After being overworked and underpaid working in the corporate world, Loida decided to make a transition into real estate in 2014 and became licensed in California the following year.
Since then, Loida has built up a large YouTube following and a successful real estate business through the old-school approach of cold calling and door-knocking. Today she helps run Team BC along with Bryan Casella, a Nationwide team with Real Broker, and is licensed in California and Florida. She has helped train over 400 agents who have participated in her New Agent Bootcamp, and regularly travels and speaks at conferences.
We asked Loida a few questions about what it took for her to become a successful real estate entrepreneur and what advice she would give to others currently in real estate or just getting started:
How did you get into this field of work?
Prior to getting my real estate license back in 2015, I worked in marketing and advertising for 8 years. I represented high-profile clients in the entertainment and automotive industries and also traveled a lot. Even though I loved what I did, at one of the last companies I was at, it felt like I was being overworked and underpaid. I decided at the end of 2014 to look into real estate and becoming an agent and it was then that I took the leap of faith and made my transition into getting licensed and starting that process.
What is your favorite part about what you do?
I have worked with many first-time home buyers that thought homeownership was not something they would be able to attain, and I have also been able to help many homeowners sell their properties for even more than they thought they could get. Delivering the best results for my clients is very fulfilling and along the way, I have also been able to teach and mentor other agents to be able to do the same.
What is a common myth about your job or industry?
Being a real estate agent is definitely NOT like what you see on TV. There’s a lot of work that has to be put in from prospecting, following up, marketing, negotiating, and so much more. Along with that, sometimes a transaction can be very emotional. It is definitely not for everyone!
What do you wish you had known when you started?
I wish I would’ve gotten a heads-up that my patience would be tested many times. Patience in seeing results from my prospecting efforts, along with patience in knowing that everyone reacts differently depending on the situation.
What is the most important trait for independent landlords/property managers?
Patience and great communication are definitely things that landlords and property managers need to possess. Many times it can be challenging dealing with tenants because of their situation so it is extremely important to be able to effectively communicate with them in a way that everyone is on the same page and there is no misunderstanding.
What are some common mistakes landlords/property managers make?
I think some mistakes that are made are sometimes becoming very emotional when certain unforeseen situations arise. It is important to always stay calm and try to work things out so that things can be resolved quickly and everyone is happy at the end of the day.
What do you think the industry will look like in five years?
As there has been a lot more education on obtaining investment properties and leveraging multi-units, house hacking, and things like that, I think we are going to see a lot more buyers purchasing properties like this, therefore a lot more rentals.
What advice would you give first-time landlords?
You definitely want to make sure you know what your rights are as a landlord and also what rights the tenants have. I would recommend consulting with a company that specializes in contracts and paperwork so that in the event you have to evict a tenant, you have the proper paperwork that will hold up in court.
Where can we find you online?
On Instagram, find me at www.instagram.com/loidavelas. On YouTube, go to www.youtube.com/loidavelasquez. Also, visit www.loidavelasquez.com for more news and updates.
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Important Note: This post is for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be taken as legal, accounting, or tax advice, nor should it be used as a substitute for such services. Always consult your own legal, accounting, or tax counsel before taking any action based on this information.
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