How His Life Story Can Improve Your Next Real Estate Deal
Ray Gernhart is honored to be the cover story for July’s issue of NoVA Real Producers magazine! The accolade comes as no surprise, though. With thirty-five years of experience and a career volume sitting at more than $1 billion, he’s a natural choice. (Check out the full article here.)
As you can imagine, any feature on Ray is going to be as fabulous as he is! Here are the key takeaways you can learn from his story:
5 Lessons from Ray’s Life Story That Apply to Your Next Real Estate Deal
1.Change Is Hard…and Good
Ray is a natural showman, storyteller, and entertainer. It’s what his real estate clients have come to love about him. He makes the buying and selling of real estate—so often dull, bureaucratic, and stressful—fun! It should come as no surprise then that Ray’s initial aspirations were of stardom.
Trying to make it in show business was tough, though, and at twenty-two, his mother suggested a switch to real estate. Despite not knowing what a real estate agent even did, he jumped in with both feet. It was a big transition, but the decision ended up changing the course of Ray’s personal and professional life.
Change isn’t always easy, but it can lead to unforeseen adventure. If you’re on the fence about buying or selling a home, don’t be afraid to take the plunge! If you know in your heart it’s time for a change, take the steps to move forward!
2. Be Fearlessly, Enthusiastically Yourself
Leather jeans. Pierced ear. Purple hair and eyeshadow. Did Ray look and act like every other Realtor out there? Absolutely not! He was a self-described “anomaly,” but that was exactly what helped him stand out. He sold his first house after just one week on the job.
People get into the real estate market for a lot of reasons. To lovingly update older properties. To flip for profit. To provide stability and financial wealth for one’s family. The reasons are as varied and unique as the people buying the homes. Whatever motivates and drives you to participate in the real estate market, own it!
3. Go After What You Want
The show must go on. For Ray, these words mean a lot more than the cliché they’ve become. Even when he broke his leg during a performance, he persisted and continued to the final curtain! He now brings that tenacity to buying and selling properties with his clients.
Whether you’re buying or selling, come with the same unwavering attitude. If there’s a house you know is perfect for you, do everything in your power to secure that property. Be willing to rearrange your schedule to make the open house. Be decisive and enticing with your offer.
(This is where working with an experienced Realtor can be a huge advantage. It’ll let you know what makes sense to concede and where you should dig in your heels. This applies to everything from raising your asking price to waiving the inspection.)
4. See the Full Opportunity of Every Deal
Ray strives to be so amazing at his job that every real estate deal is actually three: the home he initially sells you, the deal years down the road when you’re looking to sell that property, and the referral you send his way.
This attitude is great for his clients, but it also holds an important lesson you can take into your next real estate deal. Every house is an opportunity. Maybe your first home isn’t your forever home, but it can be an important step in growing your wealth. Take the equity you earn from that starter home and translate it into a house that’s one step up. Repeat until you’ve climbed the real estate ladder to your dream home!
5. Have Fun!
Ray is nothing if not fun. His tagline (For a good time and a great deal, talk to Ray) is less a gimmick and more a mantra.
Yes, real estate can be intimidating, especially for first-time buyers. Yes, it involves important financial decisions that shouldn’t be taken lightly. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyable! If you’re overly stressed and having no fun whatsoever searching for a home or putting one on the market, reconsider how you’re approaching real estate. Find a Realtor who can do the heavy lifting for you, removing the strain and injecting some fun into the proceedings!
Congratulations again to Ray on his amazing cover story!
Interested in learning more about Ray or working with him for your next real estate deal? Contact us today!
