During the HomeFinder.com 30 Days of Gratitude Contest, we asked real estate agents from across the country to tell us why they are grateful for their real estate business, for the chance to win $250 for themselves and a $250 donation to their charity of choice. The real estate agent who stood out from all of the entries was Pat Haddad, a 10-year real estate industry veteran and Realtor®/Broker Associate of Haddad Team/Keller Williams Realty, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Below, Pat shares how she successfully guides her clients through one of their most significant purchases, what it takes to mentor a successful team and how real estate helps her give back to her community.
1.) As you guide clients through one of the most important chapters of their life, the purchase of a home, how do you best help them navigate through this chapter? Before getting into real estate, I was a teacher. I find providing as much information as possible about the home buying process and making sure they understand all components, is the best thing I can do. I stay involved making sure everything goes as planned—all the way from the loan pre-approval process, negotiating the offer, home inspection, and closing.
2.) What is the best financial advice you can offer homeowners who are experiencing home owning hardships? I help my clients analyze where they are financially to determine if it might be possible to refinance and stay in the home or try a loan modification. If all else fails, I am also qualified to help them with the short sale process so that they can avoid foreclosure. The important thing is to take action and not just wait for something to happen. The first action might be contacting a knowledgeable professional for guidance and advice. A good REALTOR® should be able to help.
3.) What is the most important advice you impart on team members you mentor to help them succeed in real estate? Honesty and genuine caring for their clients. If they do not have these characteristics naturally, they are not on my team. After that, it is to never stop learning and keeping up with the trends—both market trends and marketing trends.
4.) You are fortunate enough to be able to give a portion of each commission to help the homeless. This is very full circle, since you make a living helping others buy homes and you are taking your rewards to help those without homes. Do you have any advice for real estate agents who are also looking to make a charitable difference in their community? It is so easy to do the minimum, which is contributing a portion of each commission. My local board has a program where I can mail a donation monthly for that month’s transactions. The great thing is that I can donate it in the name of the agent on the other side of the transaction. In this way, I thank that agent and promote a good cause. The average age of a homeless person is ten years old. I cannot think of a better cause.
5.) How do your charitable efforts and the mentoring of your clients and team members set you apart from other real estate agents in your area? There are many agents who do what I do and more. I do not think I am special in this regard and I hope that I am just one of many!
Read more on Pat’s winning entry here. Visit Pat Haddad and the Haddad Team at Haddad Team Realty and connect on Facebook!
Pat is a jewel and I’m so happy she married me. Everything Pat does is from the heart!!
What a sweet comment. We are so glad she entered; it’s been a pleasure working with her!