Ida Dennis - Pioneering President in Real Estate and the Art of Living in the Moment
Jul 20, 2024
Alimond Studio
Ever wondered how a career in jewelry management could lead to becoming the first African-American president of a major real estate association? Tune in to hear Ida Dennis' captivating journey from managing a Texas jewelry store to navigating the real estate markets of Maryland and Virginia. Ida's story is filled with life-changing moves and career pivots, highlighting her preference for personal interactions over social media and her invaluable advice for buyers and sellers in today's competitive landscape. She also shares what it's like to make history within the Dulles Area Association of Realtors and how her achievements have been warmly received by her peers. Outside the hustle and bustle of her professional life, Ida finds solace in beach trips, travel adventures, and quiet evenings with her beloved cats.
In a heartfelt discussion, we dive into life lessons that resonate beyond the world of real estate. Ida underscores the significance of living in the moment and the importance of perseverance, encapsulating her philosophy with the powerful mantra, "live your life, tomorrow's not promised." This episode isn't just about professional success; it's about embracing every step of life's journey with resilience and gratitude. Join us for an enriching conversation that promises not only to inspire but also to offer practical wisdom for both personal growth and market-savvy real estate decisions.
Ever wondered how a career in jewelry management could lead to becoming the first African-American president of a major real estate association? Tune in to hear Ida Dennis' captivating journey from managing a Texas jewelry store to navigating the real estate markets of Maryland and Virginia. Ida's story is filled with life-changing moves and career pivots, highlighting her preference for personal interactions over social media and her invaluable advice for buyers and sellers in today's competitive landscape. She also shares what it's like to make history within the Dulles Area Association of Realtors and how her achievements have been warmly received by her peers. Outside the hustle and bustle of her professional life, Ida finds solace in beach trips, travel adventures, and quiet evenings with her beloved cats.
In a heartfelt discussion, we dive into life lessons that resonate beyond the world of real estate. Ida underscores the significance of living in the moment and the importance of perseverance, encapsulating her philosophy with the powerful mantra, "live your life, tomorrow's not promised." This episode isn't just about professional success; it's about embracing every step of life's journey with resilience and gratitude. Join us for an enriching conversation that promises not only to inspire but also to offer practical wisdom for both personal growth and market-savvy real estate decisions.
Speaker 1:
I'm Ida Dennis and I'm a realtor, so I'm licensed in Maryland and Virginia and yeah, I just, you know, try my best to help people achieve that American dream that they want. I love that.
Speaker 2:
Can you give me a little bit of a background of how you got into your industry? What led you here? What were you originally? Maybe Because I know a lot of people change throughout life, so share that with us Prior to this was doing a.
Speaker 1:
I worked as a district manager for a jewelry store so a completely different field right, still sales, but completely different. And I was living in Texas. Long story short, living in Texas, parents weren't doing well, so I tried to come back to the Maryland area and the closest they could bring me was Virginia. And then they passed, you know, pretty soon afterwards, and I knew I needed a change, you know. And so the change was to get into real estate, and I've been in it almost 10 years now.
Speaker 2:
Wow that's quite an accolade there. Ten years is like a big chunk.
Speaker 1:
That's a decade, ma'am, so congratulations, yeah. That's quite an accolade there. Ten years is like a big chunk, that's a decade, ma'am, so congratulations yeah that's amazing.
Speaker 2:
When you're doing marketing for your business and for yourself, how do you go about doing that? Are you an avid social media user, like on Instagram, YouTube?
Speaker 1:
I am not. This is so out of my comfort zone, right?
Speaker 2:
now. Oh my God, Thank you for doing it then.
Speaker 1:
I'm not. It's something I'm definitely working on. I'm more. I'm better one-on-one having a conversation with you, so I work through referrals. You know, I like that personal interaction than just being out there.
Speaker 2:
Absolutely, and referrals are one of like the best feedback and just like getting clients, because it's word of mouth and it's people who have worked with you and they trust those people and they know that you'll do a good job. So that is awesome. Yeah, and tell me how it's been in these 10 years being a real estate agent. How has the industry shifted? How have you grown as a person? Tell us a little story.
Speaker 1:
We are going through a big change right now as an industry, not affecting Maryland and Virginia as much as it's affecting the rest of the country. So we're seeing the shift happen and this is probably the big shift in my career, because I started in 2015.
Speaker 1:
So you know we went on. Obviously, COVID was a different time too, but right now we're relearning as an industry, right, and so this part's challenging. But what's great is that currently I am the president of the Dallas Area Association Realtors and you learn a lot more, you're exposed to a lot more, and then you're able to share that information with our members, our colleagues and so forth. So hopefully that made sense.
Speaker 2:
No, I mean, I'm sure I'm not just that, no, it does. And now I know for the DAR. I don't know if you want to talk about this a little bit, but I read that you were one of the first African or not one of the first you are the first person to be president.
Speaker 1:
Yes, yes. So DAR, that's D-A-A-R. Sorry D-A-A-R, yes, sorry D-A-A-R, yes, yeah, so that was exciting to be installed as the first African-American president in over 60 years. So that was a big achievement and it was just wonderful the acceptance that was felt throughout the industry, or throughout our community.
Speaker 2:
Yeah.
Speaker 1:
So it was heartwarming.
Speaker 2:
That is amazing. Congratulations for that. That is like is like huge, so I'm happy. And who are you outside of work, like, what do you like to do? How do you?
Speaker 1:
unwind. I'm a complete beach bum, so summer is my favorite time, so I'm happy right now, even in the 100 degree weather, so I'm complete beach bum love it. You know, as a matter of fact, I'm going there this weekend, so looking forward to that Ocean.
Speaker 2:
City, nice, okay, yeah, I like it there. I like their boardwalks that they have.
Speaker 1:
Well, you know, I grew up in Maryland so that's where we went. That's where we went. Yeah, that's where we go, so it's great. I love to travel so outside of. You know the beaches. I love to just take off and travel. Each, each year, on my birthday, I take a trip and go. Is your birthday coming up or January February?
Speaker 2:
Okay, february. So you got something to plan and look forward to Something to plan, yeah.
Speaker 1:
And then you know, just like some quiet time too.
Speaker 2:
Oh, yes, yeah, secretly at home with my cats, so they don't tell anybody, right, right. And I have to ask where did you go this year for your birthday?
Speaker 1:
So I didn't go for my birthday because my sister-in-law had her birthday and she turned 60. And so we went to Belize, which was fabulous.
Speaker 2:
I hear they have pretty beaches over there Gorgeous, oh my goodness.
Speaker 1:
Gorgeous. You got to go. You got to put that on your list.
Speaker 2:
And for anybody listening out there who's maybe inquiring or looking to either sell or buy a home, what would you like for them to know or why they should reach out to you?
Speaker 1:
Yeah. So listen, in this market, you need someone who is experienced right as a buyer. You're competing against other buyers, so you need someone who's going to know how to negotiate on your behalf and get you the things you want Same thing as a seller. If you're out there, you need someone directing you, showing you the way as how to get your home ready to sell the things you need to do, and then also navigating this negotiating thing, because that is still happening. Even believe it or not, that's still happening. So, yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, what are some common misconceptions in the real estate world that maybe you'd like to clarify? You can give me like two or three as far as like people come to you, like, oh well, I thought that it was this, somebody told me this and you're like actually it's not, but a lot of people think that, so let me clarify that for you.
Speaker 1:
I think people these days are very well informed. I think buyers are very, very informed right now. Sellers are very informed. I'm not coming across people who are truly unaware or have misconceptions, right? For instance, I have new clients right now that are first-time buyers, which I love because it allows me to explain, right. Yes, I'm an explainer.
Speaker 1:
I love, that that's good and a communicator right, so I like that. But it's great having the conversation with them, because they already know it, you know, and they just delve a little bit deeper. Yes, what about this? And let me ask you this kind of thing. But I think our consumers are very, very informed. These days?
Speaker 2:
Probably too, because of so much access to information online too.
Speaker 1:
That helps videos.
Speaker 2:
And you're just like. They're kind of not holding their hand per se but like, but just leading the way. Yeah, exactly. Oh, we both said exactly the same time Okay, you owe me a soda. I'm just kidding, you know the jinx. You owe me a soda. Yeah, um, and as far as real estate, what have been some challenges for you that, um, maybe were hard and you want to share with anybody who may be going through the same thing and how you overcame it or how you're still overcoming it.
Speaker 1:
So I think, um, I think if you're thinking about getting into real estate, you have to prepare for it. It's not easy, it really isn't. You don't jump in and immediately you're, you know it's getting busters Top sellers, Right exactly.
Speaker 1:
So, save up before you do it right and then just jump into it. Jump into it full time and focus on it. Do your marketing, however you do it, whether it's social media, whether it's the one on one that I do, you know. Focus on that and just keep your head on Right, don't. Don't chase after all the shiny things that are out there Right, find something that works for you and stick to it.
Speaker 2:
Perfect, okay, and what's it like working with you as a client? Like what are your steps? Like how do you help me, how do you make me feel comfortable? Just in case anybody's like wondering.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, the very first initial conversation that we have, we kind of understand what it is that they're looking to do and I explain how I work. You know, and I'm very much a over communicator, so you're so you'll always know everything that's happening within your transaction and I like I hate having someone reach out and say hey, ida, you know what about this? Right, I want to have that answer to you before, so I don't get that call. Yes, yeah, so you know, I'm on top of it and I am in constant contact with the other side and my goal is for you to not ask me where we are.
Speaker 2:
Yeah Right, not keep you in the dark, and you know everything that's happening and why it's happening. Yeah, I like that. I can be like that as well, too. I'm just like wait, I'm just picturing all this, but yeah, and what are some key characteristics that you think is important for a real estate agent to have?
Speaker 1:
You have to be knowledgeable about your current market, wherever you're working. Like I said, I do both Maryland and Virginia licensed, so you have to know your stuff. Yes, absolutely you have to know your stuff and you have to be able to talk to people. I think that and I know I keep using the word communication, but it's so key. It's the key to everything that we do right. You have to be courteous. There are so many people out there that are not, and that goes a long way. You know, just being nice right goes a long way. You know, just being nice right goes a long way. And you have to be a good negotiator.
Speaker 2:
That's right. It's like a good combination that makes like the perfect blend and mix that people would want to work with and give their time and business to right Absolutely. And then is there a mantra that maybe you live by. You tell yourself and you like to just get inspiration or something uplifting that you could share with listeners who are looking for some inspo to mantra.
Speaker 1:
Now, you know, just do it. You know, don't be afraid to do this. This year I suffered. I hate talking about this, but I my sister passed away suddenly Sorry and um, what. What it did for me was you just can't sit around right. If you want to do it, do it. Live your life. Go out of your comfort zone, like I am doing this. Live your life. Go out of your comfort zone, like I am doing this. You know, do things that you want to do. Go out and explore and enjoy life, because you never know, tomorrow is not promised.
Speaker 2:
Look at that we did it again.
Speaker 1:
We did it again In synchronization.
Speaker 2:
Give me another soda girl, that's two, all right. And then my last question here is going to be Since I have you here, did I miss any key points that maybe you wanted to share, that I did not ask you about, or get to?
Speaker 1:
I don't think so. This is so new to me that I think we did it all. I'm like, oh my gosh, we're almost done.
Speaker 2:
I just wanted to make sure, like, since we have you here, there wasn't anything that maybe you wanted to.
Speaker 1:
Is there anything that I need to redo or resay?
Speaker 2:
Oh no, no, no, you're fine, I just wanted to make sure that I got everything, so you don't feel like, oh, I forgot to say this. Yeah, no, no, okay, cool If you could leave our listeners with one piece of advice or maybe a life lesson. I know you just said like, live your life. Tomorrow's not promised, yeah, but maybe you can build on top of that and share something with us or anything else that's been on your mind or in your heart, that and share something with us or anything else that's been on your mind or in your heart.
Speaker 1:
I mean that has been on my heart the most, the living your life now. That has been the only thing that's been driving me going forward. Yes, right, and it's a journey. It's a journey. So you just got to take it one step at a time and keep going. Whatever it is that you're doing, you know, don't give up.
Speaker 2:
Yeah Well, thank you so much for being on the show. I know it's not like your comfort zone, but I'm glad that you did it and every time you do it. Maybe now you'll.
