Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Wallace.
Hi Nicole, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a Caribbean girl originally from Trinidad and Tobago. I was the eldest of four children in a humble, hardworking family. When I was 18 years old, I met my husband, who was 5 years older than me and already established in the oil and gas industry. We started our family when I was just 20 years old, and I usually joke that we kept increasing our family and didn’t stop…. 6 children later!
There was a downturn in the oil sector, my husband was offered two options: lose his job or migrate to another country, which, with five children, was a no-brainer. As we left our small Caribbean island for a large 1st world country with no relatives or friends, this was the start of our adventure and progress. In 2009, we relocated to Scotland in the United Kingdom, which was a significant adjustment for us, but one that we eagerly accepted.
After three years living in Scotland, we were given the opportunity to move to Houston, Texas. I remember being excited since I had grown up hearing about the “US,” seen all the movies, heard of people’s experiences, all the shopping etc. I was overwhelmed with excitement for the relocation, we relocated to the United States in 2012! We quickly made friends, purchased a home, and settled in… I was loving it!
Our sixth kid was born a few years later, we became US citizens, and everything was perfect, except that my husband’s single paycheck for an entire family of eight was no longer enough, things grew tight, we were living on credit cards, and frustration was setting in. It was time for me to go to work. I was terrified; after 19 years as a mother and wife with no formal education or experience, I decided to give it a shot. I did a lot of hourly jobs and quit a lot of hourly jobs, lol! For the money I was making, it was not worth it for me to be gone, pay for daycare, and have my husband do a lot of the housework.
After a lot of thought and prayer I decided to give Real Estate a try, I was hesitant at first because I kept thinking I wasn’t a salesperson, but I decided to give it a try anyway. After passing my exam and registering with a brokerage, I quickly realized that this will be a costly endeavor as I will be forming my own small business, but the excitement of the business, the flexibility of my schedule, and the personal growth I was experiencing kept me going. It took me six months to secure my first sale. Today, I’ve been in the business for three years and now I’m a Top Producing agent.
We no longer live on credit cards, my kids can now do extracurricular activities, we can go out to family dinners without us breaking the bank and feeling frustrated. My daughter has recently started in the business also, and together we have formed Nicole Wallace Realty Group. This is a huge accomplishment for me; I never imagined I’d get here in my wildest dreams.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been an easy journey. Before coming here, I worked in a variety of positions, some of which required extensive training. I’ve worked as a front desk greeter, delivering groceries via an app, and even in an elderly care facility, to name a few.
When I first started in real estate, to stand out from the crowd of Realtors, I had to start my own company and brand myself. I had to prove and demonstrate how I was unique. I would not change any of my previous experiences because they have allowed me to become a much more modest and compassionate person.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We assist clients with their most important investment. As a selling agent, we advise our sellers on how to maximize the value of their property, we organize any necessary repairs or upgrades, and we collaborate with our sellers to stage their home so that it will be well-presented and stand out among the other homes on the market. Once their home is on the market, we market it and handle all of the negotiations to guarantee a seamless sale.
As a buyer’s agent, we advise our clients on the best options and steer them toward homes that will provide them with equity in the future if they need to sell. When they locate their dream house, we walk them through the process and advise them on how to effectively win the offer so they can move in.
We also work with investors, we run a lot of numbers for our investors so they are confident when purchasing an investment property that it will be the right decision for them financially.
We take pride in our devotion and dedication to our clients, we dedicate 100% of our time and attention to our clients. After the transaction is completed, our relationship with our clients does not end; we are available to assist them with any services they may require.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
When people learn how many children I have, they are always astonished. I try not to talk about my personal life or family when I first meet with a client because I want to get to know them as it is all about them. Then, once we’ve spent a significant amount of time together looking for their home, they’ll ask me about myself, and it’s hilarious watching their reaction when I tell them.
Contact Info:
- Email: wallacegroup8@gmail.com
- Website: www.nwallacerealtor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nwallacerealtor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NicoleWallaceRealtor
Image Credits
Tara Flannery Photography
