Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Spates.
Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Prior to becoming a Realtor, I was a teacher for six years. I taught in Houston for three years and I was an international teacher for three years in the Middle East. After returning to the states for my last year in teaching, I realized that teaching was no longer fulfilling to me. I was completely miserable going to work every day. I didn’t like the hours, I didn’t like the pay, I didn’t like the politics, I didn’t like feeling unappreciated, and I didn’t like that I didn’t feel as though I was truly able to service my students. I was completely over it! I would literally have to plan my morning routine to include time to sit in my car and prepare my head for the day. As sad as it is to say, sometimes that included crying. It got to a point where I realized that this wasn’t healthy for myself and that something had to change.
I began a process of serious reflection, focusing on what I was good at and what other career field could I feel confident in navigating. I have always had a love of looking at homes and attending open houses and on top of that, I was great at working with different types of people. I began taking my real estate classes in September 2016 and was fully licensed by March 2017. I resigned from teaching May 2017. I joined the RE/MAX Generation brokerage where, I have been able to receive top-notch mentorship on 2017. Fast forward to 2021, I’m an award-winning, multimillion-dollar producing Realtor. The number one aspect I enjoy about Real Estate is that I’m still able to educate and serve others, just in a different capacity than being a teacher.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has absolutely not been a smooth road and I’m completely ok with that. It has been a true learning process that I’m beyond grateful for. Going from employee to business owner required a complete mindset shift. Real Estate is not about single transactions, it’s about building lifelong relationships and running a business. If I had to pick, I would say my top 3 struggles were: 1) Coping with the fact that at the beginning I of my career, I didn’t always know when or if I was going to have a closing. That was such an uncomfortable feeling. However, it forced me to work harder than I have ever worked in my life. I literally did everything my Broker told me to do and that’s what ignited success in my career 2) I had to learn to be patient with myself. I am the type of person who has always done well in school, work, etc. Not having any prior experience with Real Estate, I always felt so lost! I felt like I never knew the right answer or how to navigate difficult transactions. Thankfully, the brokerage I’m at provided me the support I needed to learn and grow. 3) Learning the correct business parties to partner with to provide my clients with the best possible experience.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I bring a strategic yet personable approach to the home buying and selling process. Buying my first home in Houston ignited my interest in real estate. Drawing from years of experience as an educator, I have built a reputation for my refreshingly friendly customer care and proven ability to guide buyers to obtain the best value for their dream home and to assist sellers to a smooth, stress-free sale of their home. Having resided in the Houston area for ten years, I have extensive knowledge of the different cities and neighborhoods across the Houston area and I am dedicated to listening intently and matching individuals and families with the properties, buildings and neighborhoods that best suit their needs. Meeting new people and helping clients find the right house to call home is my passion.
My client dedication and love of helping others are what motivate me most. Having served in education for over ten years, I have become adept at catering and adapting to the varying needs and personalities of my clients. I service the entire Houston area and specializes in home buying and selling, investment properties, one-family and multi-residential properties. I bring my passion and sharp attention to detail to help buyers in a highly focused search for their new house and to help sellers get the most value for their home. As an agent, I understand that buying and selling is one of the biggest decisions in a client’s life and views representation and guidance of my clients through this process as a true privilege. I’m most proud of that fact that I was able to take a leap of faith, completely change careers, and still find success.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
One important lesson I have learned due to the Covid-19 Crisis is the importance of adaptation. Essentially, we never know when something drastic can come along and change our day-to-day functions and interrupt our business flows. Yes, Covid-19 came along, but people still needed places to live and to sell their homes! Throughout this pandemic, I had to conduct buyer consultations, open houses, and showings virtually! I have learned how to incorporate more technology into my business for the convenience and safety of my buyers and sellers.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.ashleyspates.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyspatesrealtygrouptx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleyspatesrealtygrouptx
Image Credits
Camille Percy
