REAM: Tell us a little about your career prior to becoming a real estate agent.

PP: In 2002, after working as an automotive technician for Toyota for many years, I decided it was time for a career change which offered a more flexible work schedule and the opportunity to interact more with others. I enjoy meeting new people and that was definitely missing in my life at the time.

REAM: What prompted the transition to real estate?

PP: I’ve always been interested in real estate and thought becoming a real estate agent offered a more flexible schedule. Boy was I wrong! I don’t mind though; you never do mind long hours when you’re doing something you love. My parents bought and sold properties in California a long time ago and I saw how much money they made from those transactions and I really felt it was something I could be good at. I became a real estate agent on my own initiative. I wanted the exposure in the real estate industry and Las Vegas is an exciting place to be an agent.

REAM: What was your first year like?

PP: My first year was definitely tough and challenging. We’re told to reach out to our sphere of influence so I counted on family and friends for most of my transactions for education/experience. Looking back, I should have focused more on investing and property management, it’s an area I both enjoy and feel I serve my clients best. Building and maintaining that trust with my clients has been a crucial part in helping my business to grow and for me to enjoy the success I have. I know it sounds trite, but my clients become friends and they know I’ll always act in their best interest.

REAM: What do you enjoy most about your work?

PP: I enjoy meeting people from different parts of the country and the world. It’s truly amazing to me how many fascinating lives/stories are out there, you just need to reach out and connect with people. The world is filled with wonderful people and working in the real estate industry allows me the means and opportunity to meet so many of them.

REAM: What have been the greatest challenges?

PP: The most challenging aspect of this field, like many other fields I suppose, would be keeping up with technology that’s constantly changing. Don’t get me wrong, I love technology. Especially given my background as a technician I find the innovations exciting and fascinating, it’s just a question of which products or tools will be most effective. I don’t want to jump on the band wagon and follow the “next big thing” unless I am convinced it’s something that will either directly benefit my clients or make my processes faster/more efficient to better serve them.

REAM: Have you encountered any strange or scary situations in your work?

PP: Being a property manager can be scary at times especially when you discover squatters in a vacant property. You either have to be very brave or a little crazy to be a PM. Fortunately, nothing has ever been life-threatening but just the fact that you never know what or who you might encounter at a vacant property can be a little stressful at times.

REAM: Is this what you expected it to be?

PP: Real estate is not exactly where I expected to end up. In order to survive and be successful, one must work very long hours – far more than the 40 Toyota required. I think I initially was a bit naïve about just how much I had to learn. From the outside looking in real estate seems pretty simple but there is so much to know about the market and that never stops. If you don’t stay current and well informed, you probably should choose another profession. My clients trust me to be the expert and give good advice, and I won’t let them down. Otherwise, with the advent of the internet, why would they need you?

REAM: If anything, what surprised you most about real estate?

PP: This probably isn’t the PC thing to admit, but honestly what surprised me most about being a real estate agent is the lack of professionalism in the industry. I take this profession and my responsibilities very seriously — not only to my clients but to my fellow agents. Knowing I am entrusted with handling one of the largest, most expensive asset a client has is humbling. It’s an honor to be given the privilege to sell someone’s home or investment.

REAM: What made you choose ADG Realty as your brokerage?

PP: My broker truly loves to share his knowledge and experience to help his agents not only become successful but better people as a whole whether it be a better father, brother or son. I feel ADG has offered me both the support and the independence to build and serve my business best.

REAM: What advice would you offer someone who, like you might want to switch careers?

PP: My advice to people considering the switch to real estate is be prepared to work long hours, be ethical and work your butt off! I would further suggest that they really research the industry and, if after seeing the actual effort and time that goes into it still want to pursue a real estate career, I would recommend finding a broker or other mentor. There is so much to learn and someone who has already walked the path can make it so much easier for a beginner.

REAM: Do you have a favorite quote?

PP: Yes, in fact I include it as part of my email signature: We don’t have to be smarter than the rest. We have to be more disciplined than the rest. — Warren Buffet

REAM: What do you do to relax?

PP: In my spare time, I like to watch sports like football or boxing, MMA. I like to spend time with my wife when she’s free. She’s as busy as I am so matching up schedules can be tricky. I also like working on my own cars and doing home improvements/projects like painting or landscaping. I like spending time with my children as well when they are available.

REAM: Do you ever miss your previous career or consider returning to it?

PP: That’s an easy and resounding NO. I do not miss my previous career, but I am grateful for all the friends I made along the way and experience I’ve learned working on cars.

REAM: Tell us a little about your career prior to becoming a real estate agent.

DK: I pursued visual communication and advertising. The gifts I picked up there were to listen with intent, to solve challenges, and the endless pursuit of providing others value. I was fortunate to surround myself with many great leaders to confide in, who are passionate, inspiring, and keen in delivery. Serving well-known companies and brands with a consistent pursuit of excellence was a privilege, and so delivering at your best in the creative and communication industry is the norm, and I’m fortunate in my lessons.

REAM: What prompted the change in careers?

DK: I was drawn to this career change and serving others years before it happened. When I saw a nationwide economic slowdown, I was in real estate school and preparing. When I jumped into the business, I was relentless about working hard and going the extra mile for others. I invested in delivering first class service by making the process as simple and stress free as possible. We deliver a smart, repeatable system and are fully committed to honoring and championing the client’s trust.

REAM:  Looking back, is there anything you might have done differently?

DK: I would have made the move years sooner. The valued clients, suppliers, gained expertise, and shared occasions are incredible. We’ve enjoyed great bonds in celebrating some awesome occasions. Delivering a home is an awesome honor. We’re fully connected to the results and investing in relationships to make great service personal.

REAM: What tools, marketing efforts or sales style has been most successful for you?

DK: Building relationships and treating our clients like kings and queens. We strive to make a positive impact. Asking the right questions, listening, and solving the challenge is what shapes me into a better person.

REAM: What do you enjoy most about real estate?

DK: Making a positive impact in the lives of others. Our clients trust and open up to us, allows us to make the process more rewarding and personal to them. With trust comes a greater privilege to strengthen bonds and deliver the results that are personal and that matter to the client.

REAM: Is real estate what you expected it to be?

DK: I have always been committed to learning, growing, and sharing what is best with others. As for the challenges, every lesson is worth the cost. I’m a believer that there is no such thing as a free education.

REAM: If anything, what surprised you most about being a real estate agent?

DK: Agents and coaching companies over complicate the process with scripts and selling to people. Our focus is on delivering and communicating results. Sure, some clients want to be sold, but in this scenario the very best the agent sees is a short-term gain but has lost trust. At worst, a failure to properly communicate costs everyone valuable time without any valuable result. This is why relationships matter more than transactions, and relationships are forever. I’ve been doing this long enough to know the business is unlimited, and so we want to see our clients win through expert advice, integrity and trust. We value relationships and trust. Trust is incredible as it allows us to go deeper and serve at a personal level.

REAM: What advice would you offer someone who, like you, might want to switch careers?

DK: Focus your energy on relationship building and how you can best serve others. Some of my best clients never bought a property from me, but they referred five people who bought, sold, and referred more people to me. When you do good things, good flows back to you. Treat everyone the way you want to be treated, and that’s how we are going to change this business. Creating and maintaining a positive relationship is forever.

REAM: What do you do in your spare time?

DK: Anything outdoors – running, hiking, backpacking, camping, biking, swimming, and lately, HITT training. I love to cook healthy, and host fun events with good food, great clients, friends and family.

REAM: Tell us a little about your career prior to becoming a real estate agent.

RL: I started my career in residential construction. I enjoyed being outside, the camaraderie and the creativity of building. Throughout my career I was very fortunate to have surrounded myself with smart and highly motivated people, including business partners, employees, and associates. This allowed me to be involved in many successful ventures, from ownership of a multiple state contracting business, land development, design services to remodeling and new home construction. I was also able to spend many years with industry groups such as American Lung Association, Minnesota Cold Climate Housing, University of Minnesota Building Science Department, and I had the honor of sitting on the board at The Moisture In Buildings Group with the state of Minnesota.

REAM: What prompted the change in careers?

RL: I’m a people person and have always been drawn to sales. Helping people buy and sell homes gives me the opportunity to use my past construction experience to help educate my clients on how homes are designed, function and maintained.

REAM: Did you have a mentor or someone who helped/encouraged you when embarking on your real estate career?

RL: Absolutely! My business partner Jordan Schroeder has been an industry leader and a top producer for many years. Jordan is a great educator and will always go the extra mile for his clients and team members.

REAM: What was your first year like?

RL: My first year was 100 percent designated as a year for learning. I was fortunate to have been drawing a full time salary from my remodeling company as I navigated the turbulent waters of becoming a real estate agent. It takes a while for anyone other than close friends or family to have faith in you as a new agent that you can competitively market, negotiate and successfully close on one of your clients biggest if not their biggest assets.

REAM: Looking back, is there anything you might have done differently?

RL: Looking back I’m happy with the road I chose that brought me to where I’m at today; although, if I had the chance to step back in time, I would likely get my real estate license earlier.

if I had the chance to step back in time, I would likely get my real estate license earlier.

REAM: What have been the most successful “tools” for you?

RL: Building relationships is the most important part of my business. I treat all my clients with the same respect as my immediate family and I never want them feeling pressured to make a decision. The most rewarding part of my job is being blessed with countless lifelong friends who were at one time just strangers looking to buy a home. I did not expect so many people would be a part of my life long after the transaction is over.  As far as tools, I love technology and its steady flow of new industry software and tech gadgets. New innovative tech keeps me excited for the future and I continually can’t wait to see what the next year brings!

REAM: What do you enjoy most about real estate?

RL: Helping first time owners purchase a home is my favorite aspect of the job. The energy and emotions of buying your first home is so exciting and a typically a monumental event in one’s life, it is such an honor for me to be a part of it.

REAM: What have been the greatest challenges?

RL: Time management, balancing work and family time is always a challenge, especially in the first-time homebuyer market. The majority of my clients tell me they want to be respectful of my time and they do not need me to get them into new listing the same day request. My response is always thank you, but if we are going to find you a house in the current sellers’ market we are going to need to set up a showing to get in the home same day or at least within 24 hours. A successful real estate agent figures out a way to basically be on call the majority of the day and night within reason.

REAM: Is real estate what you expected it to be?

RL: It is far more rewarding than I ever expected. The financial rewards are nice, but the friendships I have acquired are priceless.

REAM: If anything, what surprised you most about being a real estate agent?

RL: As I mentioned earlier, I’m continually amazed at the amount of nice people I get to spend time with. Being involved in one of someone’s major life events can definitely result in a strong bond that continues far into the future.

Being involved in one of someone’s major life events can definitely result in a strong bond that continues far into the future.

REAM: What made you choose RE/MAX Results?

RL: RE/MAX Results is a brokerage that provides its real estate agents with industry leading technology, tools and support. They allow their agents to run their business as they see fit and as a result their agents are continually ranked as the top producing agents in the industry. I have spent the majority of my life being self-employed as a business owner and when I was making my decision on who to work with I was most attracted to the fact that RE/MAX Results has a hands off approach when overseeing their agents.

REAM: Do you ever miss your career in construction or consider returning to it?

RL: My past career is so tied to my present I feel I have never changed just expanded.

REAM: What advice would you offer someone who, like you might want to switch careers?

RL: Spend some time shadowing as many real estate agents as you can before making the decision to enter the industry. As you can tell from my answers I feel very fulfilled with my career, but it is a real grind during the first few years and the balancing act between your personal life and career is almost always why people leave the profession.

REAM: What do you do in your spare time?

RL: Everything I can! I love spending time with my family and friends, but my passion and is Kiteboarding and I will try to ride whenever the opportunity allows. Snow covered frozen lakes with a snowboard, twin tip and foil boards in the water on a local lake, or a surfboard and huge waves on frigid Lake Superior! It is all good with me