How Do You Purchase Property Professionally In Pittsburgh? – Rachel Becker
On this episode of The Closing Table, we sat down with Rachel Becker!
To watch the full episode, check it out on YouTube below. In the meantime, here’s a summary of the conversation…
Here’s what you missed from Rachel Becker…
The conversation began with a this or that icebreaker on closing skills, property management, and more. Outside of real estate, Rachel introduces herself as a devoted wife and mother of three, celebrating an enduring 18-year marriage with her husband, a notable City of Pittsburgh fireman battalion chief stationed on the north side. Her candid and engaging personality shines through social media, where she candidly shares the highs and lows, aiming to evoke laughter and foster transparency. Alongside her digital presence, Rachel’s affection for animals, particularly horses, draws her to a weekly barn visit, where she spends time with her cherished adopted horse.
Rachel paints a portrait of the prevailing real estate market, indicating a recent deceleration despite retaining a seller’s advantage. A contrast to the bustling pace of 2021-2022, the market now shows signs of moderation. Geographically, her professional scope encompasses the Pittsburgh market, while her residence in Brookline positions her a mere ten minutes away from the city, facilitating her ability to cater to clients within an hour’s radius across diverse buyer and seller profiles. The prevailing average home price stands at $275,000. The city’s landscape also hosts several colleges, with Oakland being a hub, infusing a collegiate atmosphere into the locale. Pittsburgh’s climate showcases warm summers punctuated by abundant rainfall, along with picturesque falls and manageable winters despite the challenges posed by its hilly terrain.
Drawing from her Instagram content on “How to Know If It’s The Right Home For You,” Rachel outlines four key criteria: Location, Layout & Functionality, Affordability & Financial Readiness, and Trusting Your Gut. When analyzing these criteria holistically, Rachel emphasizes the vital role of financial readiness in the home-buying process, underscoring the necessity of securing pre-approval to establish affordability. This step anchors the buyer’s journey. Subsequently, selecting the right location gains significance; Rachel advocates driving through neighborhoods before considering a specific property to gauge personal affinity with the surroundings. Following this, the ideal home should resonate upon entry, aligning with the intuition that guides decision-making. Rachel’s personal experience echoes this, as her chosen home resonated with her from the moment she stepped inside. Rachel adapts this framework to each client’s unique needs and preferences, recognizing the dynamic nature of priorities in the home selection process.
Rachel then reflects on her experiences with challenging clients, highlighting two instances that stand out. She explains that dealing with family and friends in real estate can be uniquely tough due to heightened expectations. While neither of these difficult clients were family, both were friends. One client’s behavior escalated to an extreme level, resulting in Rachel blocking him and involving her broker due to the relentless aggression she faced. The situation had pushed her to respond in ways she typically wouldn’t, prompting her broker’s intervention. Another demanding client, from a couple of summers back, was both buying and selling properties concurrently, a complex situation that coincided with Rachel’s excruciating tooth abscess. Despite the pain and immense pressure, she managed to close deals for both clients, though the experience made her question her commitment to the field.
Rachel also recounts how she discovered The Beauty Boost Day Retreat through Instagram, drawn by its focus on women and women-owned businesses. Joining the initiative, she appreciated its departure from the norm, particularly its nature-inspired approach that stood apart from the conventional, sometimes stuffy, real estate events. As someone who embraces unique and different approaches, Rachel found this event to be a refreshing avenue to engage with and support fellow female entrepreneurs.
Following that, Rachel opens up about a recent setback that extended beyond a single transaction. Over the past six months, her son’s departure for the Air Force profoundly impacted her emotional well-being. While her son’s well-being was assured, the adjustment left Rachel in a difficult place. This personal struggle affected her professional performance, resulting in a slowdown in her real estate activities. Rachel explains how the nature of real estate compounds this effect; any slowdown in business now affects the pipeline for months due to the extended timeline of closing deals. Despite having to turn clients away due to a busy period in the past, the present downturn has forced her to reassess and rebuild her momentum. Rachel underscores that this period served as a necessary reset, allowing her to rejuvenate before re-entering the field with renewed vigor.
Drawing from her role as an #AirForceMom, Rachel reflects on her desire to aid those who have served the country. She narrates an instance where her professional skills intertwined with her personal connections to help a military family. This particular client, close friends of hers, had a son in the Marines who had been stationed in Afghanistan. Grateful for his safe return, the family was seeking to buy and sell homes. Rachel’s assistance was motivated by both friendship and a shared military background. While she acknowledges not having worked extensively with military families yet, being a new military mom herself, she is eager to extend her expertise to this group.
Rachel reflects on her generally positive client interactions, highlighting the rapport she builds. Many clients express how they will miss conversing with her once a transaction concludes. Her particular satisfaction, however, lies in guiding first-time homebuyers through the process. The gratification of handing over keys to these clients and facilitating such a significant milestone resonates deeply with her, adding an enriching layer to her profession.
The conversation wraps up with Rachel contemplating on her approach to homeownership given her experience and current resources. She emphasizes the importance of financial preparedness and a proactive mindset. Advocating for determination and wholehearted commitment, she advises potential homebuyers to embrace the concept of compromise and flexibility. Rachel also stresses the significance of trusting one’s instincts, acknowledging that a perfect home might not exist but the right one certainly does.
Check out Rachel Becker:
Facebook Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheRachelBeckerTeam
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbeckerpghrealtor/
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