Today we’d like to introduce you to Dalila Juarez.
Dalila, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Back in 2006, I found myself in College not really figuring out what I wanted to do in life. I had so many interests as a child and teen example: chef, photography, criminal justice, and I played softball most of my adolescence life, that I just felt like I was limited in what I wanted to do. I was raised by a Strong Single mom and I was the only child, so I always kept myself busy and had an interest in multiple things.
Someone I knew took a Real Estate class and we were so opposite of each other that when he told me he thought it was boring, I figured I would take a stab at it and thought, “Well if he disliked it, maybe I would like it.” Took my first class in 2006 and I ended up liking it very much! Being able to interact with different people still working on a computer, but being able to see homes and out and about felt like it was right for me.
In 2007, I was still taking my classes but was also looking for employment, so I landed a job showing New Construction homes part-time and eventually started working for a broker at a RE/MAX in North Houston close to the Klein area.
This was around the time when the market busted in 2008 and I was so new to the industry I got my Real Estate license, but I ended up going to work at a Farmers Insurance agency for a couple of years. As much as I disliked Insurance it has helped me tremendously when speaking to my clients and educating them about Hazard and Flood insurance and being sure that have the correct coverage and endorsements that is structured to their needs.
I had my son in 2010 and was back in Real Estate full time but a transaction coordinator for another Realtor in the Houston area. Just by working and watching him, I picked up what they don’t show you in Real Estate school, which is how to grab opportunities and business instead of waiting for it to be handed to you.
In 2013, I was pregnant with my daughter and decided I needed something a bit more stable since I was about to have another baby. I joined the Title/Escrow side of Real Estate and when I talk about a game-changer this was it. The wealth of knowledge I received as an Escrow Assistant in all aspects Real Estate was here.
Clearing title and dealing with every side of a transaction gave me the edge and knowledge I truly needed to be in this business. I still however felt like something was missing, like I never really dove into Real Estate like I wanted to be when I first started this journey and since my kids were a bit older, now I made the decision to get into Real Estate Full Time again.
This time I wasn’t going to work for anyone, I didn’t want to be anyone’s assistance, this time it was for me and solely me. So I brought it up to the Title Company I was working with at the time that I would like to transition back into Real Estate but I went in knowing that I was more than likely going to be let go right away.
I had my plan in place and at that time already interviewed companies and decided to join RE/MAX, the same company I started with many years ago. That same afternoon I was let go/quit and I hit the ground running.
My first year I made Rookie of the year within my office and my second year I made the 100% Club with RE/MAX, I was also featured in Houston’s Who’s Who in Houston Real Estate Magazine. I started from scratch and I had to build a book of business up from nothing other than the fact that people knew I was at one point in Real Estate and got out of it to work the behind the scenes of a Transaction.
Being a Single Mom with two kids and running a business can be stressful but I am beyond blessed and very thankful for the opportunities I’m presented with.
I am working on building a Team, but I did have a few setbacks earlier in the year. My dad, who I didn’t really get to know growing up, passed away from a heart condition, and it was something I had to deal with on a personal level. It has changed the way I see things in everyday life, and it has truly opened my eyes to something bigger and for that I decided that I wanted to do more than just Real Estate one day. So, I’m in the process of planning and putting together other businesses that will tie in with Real Estate. Something that I also want to do in the future is start a non-profit in memory of my Father amongst other things. I know there’s something greater out there that I am supposed to do… I just need to tie it all together now and keep following my faith and path.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely has been a struggle at some points, when I went back in this business full time I had a six and a three years old. Tackling motherhood and a business can be tiresome and it can make you doubt your sanity and question if this was the right decision for not only yourself but for the little humans you are responsible for.
Please tell us about Address Property Group – RE/MAX Top Realty.
Real Estate Sales, the majority of my clients are first time home buyers. I enjoy working with them the most due to the fact that this is one of the biggest purchases of their life! They are looking to me to guide them along the way and to make them feel secure with their decision. This is where some of their kid’s major milestones will be and memories will be had. I’m with them every step of the way, I don’t abandon them in the middle of a transaction or let them fend for themselves once we are in contract. We help them obtain inspection quotes, insurance quotes, (sometimes help them save money on their car insurance), keep them on track with their deadlines to make sure that they are also doing what they need to do to satisfy the loan deadlines. Once we are at the closing table and they are nervous but happy to get their keys that’s what I’m proud of.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I probably would have taken the risk to go full time long before I actually did. I would have done it back when I first got my license instead of waiting out of being afraid of taking that risk.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2011 Leeland Street
Houston, TX. 77003 - Website: www.dalilajuarez.com
- Phone: 832.331.9060
- Email: dalila@theaddressgrp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilahvj/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djuarezhtx/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lilahj
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalila-juarez-895b4928/
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