Have you ever wondered about the human stories behind the facades of the real estate business? Sit tight, as Robin Wilson from the RW Family Team of Long and Foster takes us on a heartfelt journey, reflecting on the market crash crucible that honed her skills and the maternal inspiration that infused her career with a dedication to genuine client relationships. Hear Robin's take on merging life lessons with professional growth, the significance of empathy in realty, and how her faith and family values shape every negotiation and nurture friendships that last long after the ink dries on contracts.
Navigating the real estate market can be as baffling as a maze, but Robin Wilson throws down a lifeline of wisdom for first-time homebuyers and seasoned investors alike. She breaks down the pre-approval process, demystifies credit score improvements, and discusses the fluid nature of wish lists in property hunting. Furthermore, Robin delves into the importance of social media presence, contrasting the allure of personal, humor-laden posts with the sterility of pure business promotion. Her strategy of infusing real estate with relatable humor offers a unique blueprint for connecting with clients in an increasingly digital world.
Beyond the properties and the deals, Robin's life philosophy resonates with every listener who values the art of living well. From her invigorating Feel Good Friday tradition to her serene nature walks accompanied by the soulful sounds of K-Love radio, she embodies a spirit of gratitude and intention. Robin reminds us to savor the present and to ponder the impact of our daily choices on our enduring legacy. Join us for a conversation that promises not only to enlighten your understanding of real estate but also to inspire a more joyful and purpose-driven life.
Have you ever wondered about the human stories behind the facades of the real estate business? Sit tight, as Robin Wilson from the RW Family Team of Long and Foster takes us on a heartfelt journey, reflecting on the market crash crucible that honed her skills and the maternal inspiration that infused her career with a dedication to genuine client relationships. Hear Robin's take on merging life lessons with professional growth, the significance of empathy in realty, and how her faith and family values shape every negotiation and nurture friendships that last long after the ink dries on contracts.
Navigating the real estate market can be as baffling as a maze, but Robin Wilson throws down a lifeline of wisdom for first-time homebuyers and seasoned investors alike. She breaks down the pre-approval process, demystifies credit score improvements, and discusses the fluid nature of wish lists in property hunting. Furthermore, Robin delves into the importance of social media presence, contrasting the allure of personal, humor-laden posts with the sterility of pure business promotion. Her strategy of infusing real estate with relatable humor offers a unique blueprint for connecting with clients in an increasingly digital world.
Beyond the properties and the deals, Robin's life philosophy resonates with every listener who values the art of living well. From her invigorating Feel Good Friday tradition to her serene nature walks accompanied by the soulful sounds of K-Love radio, she embodies a spirit of gratitude and intention. Robin reminds us to savor the present and to ponder the impact of our daily choices on our enduring legacy. Join us for a conversation that promises not only to enlighten your understanding of real estate but also to inspire a more joyful and purpose-driven life.
Speaker 1:
Well, my name is Robin Wilson. I have a team called the RW Family Team of Long and Foster. I've been in real estate for 16 years going on 17 years now. I actually had my first real estate license when I was 25. My mother talked me into it. She was a real estate agent and she talked me into it.
Speaker 1:
I did. I hated it, absolutely hated it. But I helped her for like a year while I was going to college and then went back to college, got a degree in accounting, ended up in corporate accounting for a few years while I was married. Then, when I started having children, I quit and stayed at home with my kids which was amazing, loved it. And then one day, when my ex-husband and I were looking for a house, he was like, well, you should just get your license. And I was like you know what I probably should, right? So I did I got my license with. Really the funny thing was it was the intention not to use it as a career, but the intention was for us to buy a house and sell our house.
Speaker 1:
And you were like well, why don't I just do that? So. But as a result of that, I started getting to know the market, because when I got in the market, a lot of people were getting out of the market because it was when it crashed Yep.
Speaker 1:
And so people were like you're getting a license, like why? But it was the best time for me because I learned how to do short sales and foreclosures as my beginning to realize that's interesting. It really was. But I thought it was really fascinating and I really enjoyed it, and I didn't know how much until a few years into the business and I was like, you know, I really do like this and of course, every year you build, you build more, you get better, to the point where age luckily, you know, at 63, it helps me because I have experience not only in real estate but in life, yeah, and so so I'm here today. You know I have a great business, I have wonderful clients, I have an amazing family that supports me, yeah, so I'm really happy.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, it sounds like it. Did your mom say anything when she was like, look at you being a realtor? Remember those times, yeah.
Speaker 1:
So my mother passed away nine years ago. Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah, it was some hard times because basically my mother was still younger and but she got cancer and it was one of these aggressive, so she only lived for six weeks after she was born oh man.
Speaker 1:
It happened so fast. You know that really just getting through that was a really hard time for myself. But when I got my real estate license, yes, she was so excited. But what was really exciting for her is when I started winning awards and becoming like a top agent and then she was still a real estate license, had a real estate license of Florida, in Naples, florida, where my dad still lives. But she's the. You know, I'd send her some stuff and she'd show all her friends Like a oh, my daughter. She was so proud.
Speaker 2:
That is beautiful. I love that.
Speaker 1:
I love that she has that memory of you.
Speaker 2:
You know that's so beautiful. Is there anything special that you remember? That your mom taught you? That you learned when you were with her that you're like wow, I'm glad that I had this, yeah.
Speaker 1:
So one of the biggest takeaways for me as an agent and I'm also a Christian and so I lead my life through prayer and through trying to be Christ-like Was my mom treated everyone the same, meaning she helped anybody and there was, she had a level of more towards her clients were her friends, and typically when she helps somebody, they became her friend and they became family. So I've kind of taken that type of feeling and role. When I meet people too, they become and I tell them like like now you're my family, you're part of my family, and they really truly are. So yes, that's what I've taken away from that.
Speaker 2:
I love that. Can you tell me a little bit about why it's important for you to build those relationships with their clients, Like not just after you sell them or help them buy a house and it's just like all right, thanks, have a nice day and bye oh yeah, well, truly, I get to know my clients on a personal level, the foundation of any friendship getting to know somebody.
Speaker 1:
As a real estate agent. You really get to know people on all levels their life. We always say you know, we're a part therapist, you know when we're real estate agents trying to help people buy and sell, but being so personally involved with them for the length of time that we are, and a lot of them, yeah, are truly my friends, but a lot of them I just keep in touch with on a regular basis and they continue to send me their friends their family. You know their colleagues, all of that.
Speaker 2:
You're like their little hub that they look to for guidance and help.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, and if you continue to be that person that they are looking for for advice or information, it's very special. And yeah, there's nothing, there's really. For me, there's no greater feeling other than being a parent.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, love that For any first time home buyers. Have you noticed any like common mistakes that they make that you're like, oh, let me help you with that, or how do you handle that?
Speaker 1:
Well, most of the time with first time home buyers, it's they just want to get out there and they just want to go look at houses. So it's educating them on what they need to do first. They need to get pre-approved, they need to talk to a lender. They need to find out what it is that they need to do before they can actually write that contract on the house.
Speaker 1:
So it's just a learning process. In the beginning I'm happy that they're excited about getting a house, but then you got to go back a little bit and say, okay, let's just take a minute here, let's go through what you really need to do. Sometimes they might have to work on their credit, they might have to pay down some debt, but you do it in a it's always a gentle, loving way. I'm saying it's okay, you're still going to get that house, but we might have to do a few things first.
Speaker 2:
Okay Then, have you noticed any trends or anything? When people are looking for houses, they're like I got to have this. A lot of people saying that over and over again.
Speaker 1:
Oh well, the biggest thing is, when I talk to clients, I typically say, okay, give me your must-haves, then give me your I would really like to have this too. Okay, so it's a wish list. So they tell me one thing I need, let's just say, a colonial, four bedroom, three and a half bath, colonial. But as the process goes through and we start looking at houses, they're like well, I like that rancher too, that's what. Four is pretty nice too. Maybe that's yeah. So yes, they change their mind. That's a normal process.
Speaker 2:
I agree with that, I feel, because sometimes you're like, oh, I really want this, but then you see something else and you're like oh, but which one do I want? You're like you know what I change my mind. I want this one because this style is going to look better in the long term. Whatever have it be.
Speaker 1:
I think we all feel the same way about certain things that we think we like, until we go to put it on yeah, exactly Like well, that doesn't look as good as I thought.
Speaker 2:
The lighting's different here. Yeah, exactly yeah. And then how are you keeping up with technology or anything when it comes to real estate and listing and marketing Any AI use?
Speaker 1:
yet, or anything. I use very limited AI. I feel like that's. I don't know, I'm just not totally comfortable with AI.
Speaker 2:
That's totally fine.
Speaker 1:
I even find myself sometimes like whoa wait what and when I see I'm going to tell you, one of my pet peeves is I see these people on Facebook. They're using AI to change their images and they're oh, I'm like, oh dear, stop, stop stop, yeah, don't go there, right?
Speaker 2:
We want to get to know you, not what you think you see, we want to know you and it's okay. Yeah, yeah. How are you on social media, like with marketing?
Speaker 1:
in the homes. Well, that's my jam, so tell us about it. Yeah, well, I have my oldest. She is 32 and I have a grandson, and so she's also my social media guru, as I call her. Oh, I'm pretty good myself.
Speaker 2:
Okay, tell us about it.
Speaker 1:
I've gotten into it as well, so we do a lot of reels and she, of course, started us on. She's really good on Instagram, yeah, and so we have two accounts on Instagram, and then I have a Facebook account. Yeah, I've got multiple Facebook accounts, but the one I use the most is my personal account, because that's where my engagement is Okay. The business account is just basically, you know just like a listing or something.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, Just not personable the way my personal, actual one is. Yeah, I use it for both. So I'll put you know all my listings, all my sales, everything in there. But we'll use all the reels too in there. So reels are which show who you really are. So I've had fun doing reels, Believe it or not, when I was younger. Like this would have us sitting here talking would have been so intimidating for me. I would have been red, I would have been crying like Girl.
Speaker 2:
I was like that this morning, don't you worry.
Speaker 1:
But today, because I do so many videos and reels that I just feel more comfortable and the more comfortable you are with yourself and who you are. So I tell a lot of people like we go through Instagram and take out all the reels that we like because they're like us. For my daughter she has specific ones that she's really funny.
Speaker 2:
Humor is good, you got to have that.
Speaker 1:
Oh, and I love humor. She does some very funny ones and then we do like a mother-daughter or some you know mother-daughter ones Love that. And then I do ones that pretty much tell who I am as a person and so I get a lot of engagement because of it, because I'm being who I am yes, people want to see that they want to know who they're working with and I'm not a stats person Like like.
Speaker 2:
Oh, I got this many likes. Oh, my God.
Speaker 1:
No, what I mean stats is people put all the housing stats Ah okay, got it. Stats that say you know X amount of houses sold last month inventory is here. There's up, there's a down arrow. You know it's just the real estate market stats and I'm like blah blah, blah, blah blah. It's good to know. Yeah, but that's not who I am. I find that very tedious and boring, like nobody really cares.
Speaker 2:
Honestly, to be honest with you, I don't think I would watch those videos.
Speaker 1:
I'm like what does?
Speaker 2:
that even mean Like they're not breaking it down for me.
Speaker 1:
I You're going to buy a house. Okay, I mean, maybe you're a stats person and that might interest you. Yeah, but really that's not what interests you. Interest you is what I'm doing. What is my real estate agent doing? She's buying. She's helping people buy and sell houses. She's who she is. Yeah, she's real. She's part of the pun because I do a lot of real estate.
Speaker 2:
She's real.
Speaker 1:
But yeah, people want to see who you really are and that you really just a downed earth type person and that's who I am. I'm not really a fancy type person. Fancy, yeah, like I'm wearing pants. I'm not a dressed person, so this is my comfort level, other than when I'm home I'm wearing my sweats.
Speaker 2:
And I love that you know that and you embrace it. Yes, you're not trying to be somebody, you're trying to fit into a mold, and I think there's categories for every person for what kind of realtor they're looking for, and I'm happy that there's a wide variety, because not one size fits all Exactly. So I appreciate people who are themselves and not trying to fit the mold.
Speaker 1:
Exactly, and I tell real estate agents about this too. It's like you be you. Don't try to be me, don't try to be that person, don't try to be the other person. The more you are yourself, the more you're going to attract the people that will identify with you.
Speaker 1:
I agree and they're going to want to work with you because it's okay if somebody doesn't want to work with me because maybe they like you and your personality. So I'm happy for you and I always say you know, there was a time in my life where I used to get upset that I didn't get like that listing or that buyer wanted to work with somebody else. And then, of course, you know, as my faith grew stronger, I realized that wasn't meant for me, that was meant for them and I'm happy for them. Yeah, because you don't know what that person in life is going through. They might need that sale.
Speaker 2:
Yes.
Speaker 1:
That might be their only income.
Speaker 2:
I love that outlook.
Speaker 1:
And so you have to look at life as the purpose is always on purpose. We don't always know exactly why it happened or maybe it's good, maybe it's bad but know that there's a purpose and just be happy that you're alive today. Yes, you know you're in good health and if you're not, you just pray that. You know miracles happen and they do for you today.
Speaker 2:
Love that. What are some character traits that you think are good for a real estate to have?
Speaker 1:
Mmm. So Well, as we said, to be honest, you know and be yourself. That's probably the best trait you can be to be honest with people, to be a good listener.
Speaker 1:
I find that too many times, agents want to talk about themselves and all the things that they've done in their career and all the great things and accolades, but the client doesn't want to hear about that. They want you to listen to them and hear about what they're looking for, whether it's a buyer, because they're looking for a house, or, if it's a seller, all the things that they love about their house and the things that they need help with. And so a good listener is key.
Speaker 2:
It's key. Yes, right, love that. Have you had any experiences with any clients asking for weird requests when it comes to buying a home, or have you ever experienced Well, I've seen a few things.
Speaker 1:
Oh, tell us, I want to know. Oh, a pole in the middle of the room. Yeah, we're wondering what that pole's doing there. Yeah, just some crazy things. Okay, probably one of the.
Speaker 2:
The craziest one. What do you do in those?
Speaker 1:
situations we usually just laugh like oh wonder, what that's for.
Speaker 2:
I'd love to be there.
Speaker 1:
I'm sure you needed one of those right, okay, it's good to know.
Speaker 2:
I always like to ask realtors because I love hearing the stories and what they've experienced, so there was my question for the day for that one. Who are you outside of real estate? What do you like to do? What are your passions? Oh gosh.
Speaker 1:
Yes, well, my passions well, my kids are my greatest passion. So when I'm not working, I like to spend time with my family, my grandson, and then after that I love to walk. I love walking and listening to my favorite radio station, k-love, which is a Christian station that has the most upbeat songs. And I'm just going to go off track for a minute. That's okay, because when I talk to people about radio two years ago I think it was like two years ago I started listening to K-Love radio and they have what's called a 30-day challenge. They say listen to K-Love for 30 days and I promise you it'll change your life.
Speaker 2:
It did.
Speaker 1:
When I say it did, I mean it did. I don't even listen to any other radio station, I only live, and the way it makes you feel, I feel so positive all the time, that's great, it's amazing, it really is. And I think of more people. More people listen to Christian radio. It's like what we listen to, only it's more faith-based. Yeah, I mean because I love music. So another thing I love to dance, so I do what's feel good Fridays.
Speaker 2:
What's that.
Speaker 1:
So every Friday well, not every, because sometimes, when I get busy, I don't do it- it's understandable. So I try to schedule them, but sometimes it doesn't work out. But every Friday I do a reel with a song or a dance. That's feel good and so it's fun. So a lot of times I like to do a dance because I love to dance yeah.
Speaker 1:
I put on music on a reel and I'll start dancing and whether it's outside or in my house or wherever it is, and it is and it's trying to be positive and upbeat and uplifting to people that you never know who's going to hear it and who might need to hear it, yeah, and it'll resonate with them.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, and it might help. So I started that like a year ago and that's as a result of listening to K Love Radio. Wow, you hear that it really is. It's so you know, on the on the side of what I like to do, I love to go walking, that's my big thing and it kind of bring. I love to see nature and think about all the things that I want to do here, like we were talking in our women's Bible study last night about every day you wake up, you can write your story, your story. You can change your story.
Speaker 1:
You know, you know, and it's so you know. It's so enlightening to know that. You know yesterday might not have gone the way you wanted it to go, but today you can write another story. That's right. You know who you. Who do you want to be? You know what's your legacy going to be.
Speaker 2:
What do?
Speaker 1:
you want people to remember you like. So those are all the things that every day think about, like how are my kids going to feel when I'm gone? You know what would they say about me? You know how will other people, you know, think of me and try to think of those things that's very mindful. It is very, very mindful. Yeah, you know for yourself too. Like do you want to have regrets? Who wants to?
Speaker 2:
have regrets. It's hard to avoid those sometimes, but yes, I don't want to when you're younger.
Speaker 1:
Yes, it is hard, it is really hard, but as you get older, it's easier. Wow, well then I can't wait to get older?
Speaker 2:
Yeah Well, take it, take it, take it, take it. You're like take your time there, kid. That's amazing. I definitely need to check out your Instagram now because I want to see you like busting out those moves. I need to do that, but you just where do I start?
Speaker 1:
It's fun. You just start anywhere. It's like you just start and you just you know. Once you start, you get into it. It's fun.
Speaker 2:
Okay, I'm not much of a dancer but I will. I will see what I can do with my bones, moving them. And just to wrap things up here, if you could leave the world a message, our listeners, what would that message be? It could be in regards to faith, family, the world in general, something in your heart.
Speaker 1:
Well, I pretty much say this on every Feel. Good Friday and most of my other post as well is I end usually with every day is a gift, so live it the best that you can today, because tomorrow is a promise Nope. So live today, live it, live it well, you know. Enjoy it, be happy, do something to make yourself happy, you know. So that's, that's what I would leave to those around me, and those are the people that know me know that's how I feel, that every day really is a gift.
Speaker 2:
Thank you. That's such a good and powerful message. Where can people follow you? For those curious, so watch you dance and learn Okay.
Speaker 1:
So it's Elegant City Wheel Tour. Robin Wilson, the RW family of Long and Foster.
Speaker 2:
There we go. Thank you so much for your time and your wisdom and sharing your stories with me Well thank you for having me today.
