Melissa Lambert’s Bold Career Shifts: Finding a Forever Career in Real Estate
On this episode of The Closing Table, we sat down with Melissa Lambert!
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 Melissa Lambert…
Melissa Lambert’s journey is a testament to intentional career changes. Growing up in Michigan and attending Michigan State University, she studied International Development and Chinese language and culture, even living in China for a while. Post-graduation, she moved to Washington, DC for graduate school, studying International Economics.
Her career started in policy research with various nonprofits, including the World Bank. A common thread in her journey was the desire to do meaningful work that contributed to the greater good. However, the distance between her daily tasks and their actual impact led to a sense of unfulfillment.
During this time, Melissa and her husband were starting a family. Her interest in childhood development led her to switch careers, becoming an early elementary educator. She taught kindergarten through second grade in DC public and private schools and Montgomery County Public Schools for 13 years. Teaching provided the direct interaction and impact she craved, but it was not without challenges. The skills she gained as a teacher—managing diverse personalities, planning, attention to detail, and effective communication—proved invaluable in her later career as a real estate agent.
As Melissa phased out of teaching, she sought a career that would be fulfilling, meaningful, and utilize her transferable skills. A friend suggested that she could help people without sacrificing herself, which shifted her perspective on sales. Real estate stood out as a field where she could make a significant impact on people’s lives. Melissa’s personal experience with housing, from growing up in trailer parks to eventually living in a home on Lake Michigan, underscored the importance of home as part of one’s identity and life experience.
Melissa’s leap into real estate required intentionality. Now in her 40s with a family to support, she needed a career she could be successful in. Listening to real estate podcasts during her commute provided her with insider perspectives and built her confidence in her ability to succeed in the field. This preparation was crucial as she made the transition.
Melissa’s teaching background helped her set up her own structure in her real estate business. She craved more autonomy and control over her schedule, which she found in real estate. During her search for a brokerage and team, she preferred those that offered flexibility rather than rigid structures. This autonomy has allowed her to thrive, creating a balanced and fulfilling career.
In her first year, Melissa primarily assisted buyers, applying her skills in communication and planning to help her clients navigate the competitive market. Her story is an inspiring example of how diverse experiences and skills can lead to success in real estate, making her a valuable asset to her clients and the industry.
Next, Melissa reflected on the biggest lesson she’s learned since entering the real estate world, drawing parallels to her previous experience as a teacher. In her teaching days, she found herself working largely independently, relying on her own knowledge and intuition to make decisions. However, in real estate, she quickly learned the importance of asking for help.
Despite her initial hesitance, she realized that joining a team and leveraging the collective experience of her colleagues was crucial for success. Even seasoned agents with decades of experience continue to encounter new and unique situations, underscoring the importance of having a support network to consult with.
Another significant lesson Melissa learned is the importance of truly listening to clients. She emphasized that it’s not just about hearing the words they say but reading between the lines to understand their underlying needs and motivations. Many clients come with surface-level requests that act as proxies for their deeper desires. By digging deeper and decoding their true motivations, Melissa has been able to more effectively help her clients achieve their goals, even when they themselves might not fully understand what they want.
Melissa shared an anecdote about helping a seller whose home had previously failed to sell. Through cold calling expired listings, she met a seller with a lovely home that had been on the market for a year without any offers. Despite professional photos and a complete listing, the home hadn’t sold. Upon visiting the property, Melissa discovered a significant but overlooked feature: a fully finished basement apartment with a separate entrance.
Recognizing the potential for multigenerational living or rental income, she revamped the marketing strategy to highlight this unique aspect. Her efforts paid off, and the home quickly went under contract, illustrating the power of effective marketing and presentation.
Addressing common myths about real estate, Melissa debunked the idea that the market is destined to crash soon. She explained that while real estate is cyclical and seasonal, it generally follows an upward trajectory with occasional dips. The current high demand and low supply of homes make a crash unlikely without a major global event. Melissa emphasized the importance of entering the market when possible to benefit from increasing property values and equity.
Reflecting on her goals, Melissa shared that her initial goal was simply to survive her first year in real estate. She aimed to see some success by the six-month mark to justify staying in the industry. Fortunately, she experienced steady progress, averaging one transaction per month. Looking ahead, she aims to increase her transaction rate and continues to set daily and weekly goals to maintain her momentum. She believes in the power of consistent effort and faith in the process to achieve long-term success.
Check out Melissa Lambert:
https://linktr.ee/mlamberthomes
https://www.instagram.com/melissalamberthomes/
If you loved this episode subscribe so you never miss one! Want more The Closing Table content? Head over to our blog.