Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Coselli.
Hi Thomas, 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 was born in Houston but I moved to Huntsville for my high school and college years. Like many people I had no idea what I wanted to do when I graduated so when a local Huntsville real estate broker offered me a job, I was so excited. That was eight years ago. That broker focused mainly on commercial and farm & ranch which I quickly realized wasn’t for me so I left Huntsville and came back home to Houston. I then discovered apartment locating and was immediately shocked by the incredible potential in the rental market. I joined up with a company called ULR, and was the Rookie of the Year that year. After a while I decided to dig deeper into the Houston rental market and see where that could take me. That desire prompted me to join forces with two other individuals and we started our own company focused on that goal.
Over the next several years we trained a very talented team and quickly made a name for ourselves in the rental market in Houston. It was at that time that Douglas Elliman opened a branch in town and we decided to move our operation to a larger brokerage. After two years with Elliman, it became clear that I had outgrown their current environment and I needed to find a place that would be better suitable for both myself and the agents I had been training there. Narrowing down options was easy, one company stood out far above the rest. COMPASS, the #1 real estate company in the US. Moving to COMPASS was a breath of fresh air, and with the freedom I now have the future is very exciting! I am currently training a team of amazing agents and broadening my involvement into much more than just the rental market. If you are an agent currently looking for an amazing place to call home, give me a call. I would be happy to talk about what we have to offer. Another great way to get ahold of me is my Instagram @tom_coselli.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
If the road is smooth, you are not taking enough risks. Risk adverse individuals will never become exceptional. In real estate, this is especially true. I’m not saying take foolish risks but get out of your comfort zone. That’s a struggle I had with previous brokerages/leaders when it came to the agents I was training. There is only so much you can learn in a classroom, and there is no substitute for real-world experience whether you are ready for it or not. With the right support system saying “yes” to something you maybe aren’t ready for will allow you to grow much faster through facing challenges and seizing opportunities. When a leader holds you back from these chances it is a major reflection on them. Usually they are out of touch with the market, or worse they are afraid you will outgrow them. Make sure your leadership is directly involved it the area of real estate you are, so you can fall back on their guidance. So take (calculated) risks and get uncomfortable! You know the saying, ships are safe in the harbor but that’s not what ships are for.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As I said earlier I got my start in apartment rentals and have really focused on helping Houstonians find a place to rent for the majority of my career. What I found however was that after a while many of my rental clients wanted to buy a home. This is when I started to realize the beauty of really focusing on apartments early in my career, and it is why I will always appreciate starting there. I now had a massive book of clients moving along in their lives and I was there to help them with their real estate needs as those needs evolved. So I switched gears and rounded out my expertise to a full service approach, and I now assist clients with buying, selling, leasing etc.
What am I most proud of? Real estate changed my life. When I started on this journey, I was sleeping on the floor of a relatives apartment. By working very hard and being very consistent I was able to use this industry as a tool to change my situation drastically in a relatively short amount of time. Now what I enjoy most, and am most proud of, is helping others to find this same freedom and change their own circumstances. For the last 5 years I have trained dozens of realtors how to perfect the art of apartment rentals, and I have seen so many of them truly thrive and see the positive changes that I saw for myself.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
The first person who deserves most credit is my amazing wife Britni. She has supported me through the highs and lows and I truly would not be the person I am without her. She has been all of those things to me, mentor, supporter, cheerleader, advocate, and team mate.
Another individual who has been an important factor in this journey is my brother Mark Coselli. He joined me a few years ago and has stepped up in a huge way as part of my team and now as a mentor to his own.
An amazing realtor who I have the utmost respect for and who has absolutely contributed to my success is my good friend Daniel Arbel. He works out of Dallas and I have learned many things from his experience and approach in this industry.
And last but not least my amazing team leaders at COMPASS Scott and Jessica! The loyalty and comradery they have cultivated within this team is a beautiful thing. I cant wait to see how far we will go together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.compass.com/agents/thomas-coselli/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tom_coselli/
