Humans Over Houses with Julie Reisner
On this episode of The Closing Table, we sat down with Julie Reisner!
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 Julie Reisner…
Julie has dedicated a significant portion of her life to the real estate industry. Her journey began as an assistant to a producing agent, eventually becoming an agent herself. She gained valuable experience working for various brokerages, which paved the way for her current role as a broker with her own office and agents. Julie firmly believes that every experience along her career path has contributed to her professional growth and shaped her into the person she is today.
Reflecting on her career, Julie credits her success to the lessons learned and the people she met along the way. She values every experience and wouldn’t change a thing, recognizing the immense growth that came from each opportunity.
Julie’s tagline, “humans over houses,” underscores her commitment to understanding and meeting individual needs. She strives to tailor her approach to each client’s unique requirements, prioritizing their well-being over financial gain. Julie is dedicated to educating her clients, ensuring they have the best support team, and guiding them through sometimes difficult conversations to make the best financial decisions.
As an educator in the real estate market, Julie walks her clients through the financial implications of homeownership, beyond immediate affordability. She highlights the often-overlooked “phantom costs” associated with owning a home and partners with a team of professionals to help clients manage their finances wisely, reducing these hidden expenses.
Julie advises her clients to consult with a lender early in the home-buying process to ensure mortgage readiness and affordability. She provides worksheets to help clients factor in additional homeownership expenses and assists them in determining their comfort level with these costs, adjusting expectations as necessary.
Next, Julie describes Kalamazoo as a diverse area, conveniently located near Lake Michigan and offering various recreational activities. The city boasts art, farmers’ markets, and educational programs. Its proximity to major cities like Chicago and Detroit, as well as Grand Rapids and the lakeshore, makes Kalamazoo an appealing place to live.
Julie particularly enjoys working with first-time homebuyers due to their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. She recounts a memorable story of a young client who made astute investment decisions, turning homeownership into a source of income. This client’s willingness to compromise and focus on the long-term benefits of real estate investments left a lasting impression on Julie.
Following that, Julie acknowledges that many people hesitate to invest in real estate due to past market conditions and high-interest rates. She dispels the misconception that a home should be a forever home, emphasizing the financial benefits of owning a home, even if it’s not a long-term investment.
Julie points out a significant gap in education about homeownership and financial literacy, both at home and in schools. She expresses concern about the younger generation’s limited understanding of real estate and the potential risks associated with this lack of knowledge. She also highlights the dynamic nature of the real estate industry, emphasizing the need to adapt to constant changes. She believes that continuous learning is crucial for staying relevant and successful in this field.
Julie challenges the common misconception that real estate is an easy profession. She emphasizes the complexities and challenges involved, which often go unnoticed by clients. Many perceive real estate as an easy job, but Julie explains that agents take on significant stress and negotiations behind the scenes. Clients often remain unaware of these efforts, making it essential for agents to demonstrate their value and advocacy clearly.
Julie believes that merely talking about value is insufficient; it must be shown through actions. Clients need to see their agent’s efforts and advocacy throughout the transaction. Effective communication is vital to ensure clients understand the ongoing work and support provided by their agent. She explains that each transaction builds an agent’s experience and value. While new agents may hold the same designations, they lack the experience and insights of seasoned agents. She advises clients to thoroughly interview agents to understand their ability to advocate in tough situations and provide valuable solutions.
Julie stresses the importance of articulating various options and solutions for clients in difficult situations. Building a network of reliable contacts is essential for connecting clients with the right people to meet their needs and provide valuable solutions.
Advocating for clients in challenging circumstances showcases an agent’s value. Julie emphasizes the need for effective communication and proactive updates to ensure clients are aware of the agent’s efforts, even during quiet times in the transaction.
Julie sees herself as a connector, bringing valuable resources and connections to her clients. She encourages new agents to offer fresh perspectives and ideas, highlighting the importance of asking specific questions tailored to each situation. Julie advises clients to ask agents about their experience with different types of clients and challenges in the current real estate market. Understanding how agents navigate these challenges is crucial for assessing their ability to provide valuable support.
Next, Julie identifies inventory as a major challenge, with suppressed inventory and a lack of affordable housing. She explains that sellers often price for past market conditions, creating a gap in understanding with buyers’ expectations.
Julie has successfully opened a new brokerage location and achieved significant growth in the past year. She has shifted her focus from active selling to growing the brokerage, expanding into new geographical areas. Julie also believes that everyone in the real estate industry offers something of value to their agents. She acknowledges that growth is inevitable and occurs in seasons and transitional phases, underscoring the dynamic nature of the industry.
Check out Julie Reisner:
https://www.facebook.com/JulieSellsKzoo/
https://juliereisner.nexthome.one/index.php
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