Through taking a huge risk, I learned a valuable lesson.
"I quit." As soon as the words left my mouth, my boss looked at me like I had lost my mind. "But you just bought a house!" It may have looked like I was crazy, but really, I knew exactly what I was about to do.
After a year and a half of preparation, I quit my day job and became a full-time REALTOR®. I had been a licensed REALTOR® for six years and loved it, but was never able to commit as much as I hoped because I was also working a full-time job. I hate doing anything if I cannot give it my all, and all my energy and passion was with my clients. For most of my professional life, I danced around the real estate industry working at real estate investment firms, a bank, and as a paralegal. Finally, it was time to go all in.
My children were a toddler and teenager at the time, and it was a lot to balance. However, they were the biggest driving force behind what I was doing. When I was younger, I wanted to be a criminal defense attorney. However, after a year in that world, I realized it was not the life I wanted for myself. My son came along right when I was supposed to be figuring out what I wanted to do with my life. He lit a fire under me and inspired me to embrace what fit best. It led me to have a long career as a paralegal and to begin in real estate.
Becoming a mother was one of the best things to ever happen to me. From day one, I knew I would do everything I could to provide for my children and be there for them. Almost every school event, every trip—I did my best to be there. I even led a local Girl Scout troop with my daughter for five years. So, going to real estate full-time was a decision I made to give my family the life I imagined while continuing to help others.
My mother is a pastor in Fort Meade with her own church now, but when I was younger, we helped out in the streets. We fed the elderly, and later received a grant to continue our work which helped us feed the homeless, hand out toiletries to those in need, and set up drives to raise supplies and money for local communities. I come from a family filled with women who have a get up and go about them. I took that spark with me and used it to create a career and life that could continue our legacy of giving back.
A couple years after I left my job, things came together. It was not easy but failing was never an option; if I decide to do something I will darn well do it which is exactly what I did. What I realized along the way was that heart makes all the difference. Working for other companies did not fill me up any longer, and my passion was elsewhere. I have learned that if you are not good inside, then you cannot go out and help others.
I have been a licensed REALTOR® since 2009. I continue to enjoy helping my community outside of real estate with local charities and my family & I put together care packages for victims of tropical storms continuing our family legacy. Whenever I am not working, I enjoy traveling and seeing different places. My favorite part of being a REALTOR® is helping my clients begin the next chapter of their lives.
I know how overwhelming it can be to coordinate a big transition and it is why I work as a resource to my clients. If you need to find a new doctor or an electrician before, during, or after the transaction, give me a call. My husband is in the industry as well as a general contractor which has opened my eyes to what is possible with any given property. There is a lot to go over in a short amount of time and I will explain it all; I do not believe there are any stupid questions when it comes to real estate. With my experience in the legal and financial worlds, I can help you go make sense of all the details to find the best option for you. Over the years, I have done everything from probate to investment to relocations. I can help with property management and transitioning into whatever stage of life is next for you and I will continue to support you even after closing as your lifelong REALTOR®.
Sincerely,
Buffy Barrott