Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Humphries.
Daniel, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I first got into Real Estate about 3.5 years ago. My boss at an insurance company I worked for was a real estate agent. He used to take me out every few days during lunch and explain to me why real estate was important and why people throughout history have done well with it. He told me at one point during the 70’s or 80’s that something like 80% of millionaires had some interest in the real estate. it was still a few years after my insurance job that I finally made the jump into the wonderful world of real estate. I took my classes and passed the state exam on my first try. I went back to the broker with whom I had taken my classes and who actually taught my class and told her I wanted to work for her. She asked me to go interview with other brokerages and come back afterwards to make sure it was what I wanted. I told her no thanks and I had my mind made up. Her name was Dee and she was the help and motivation that pushed me to get to where I am today. My first full year in my new career I sold roughly 15 houses, I remember thinking that was mediocre and that I could do better. The next year I worked my butt off, any off time I had I spent trying to figure out how to get more leads. I didn’t work everyday though I still found some time to enjoy scuba diving which is my favorite hobby.
At the end of the year, I was burnt out but I had sold 35 homes on my own and didn’t even know it until the end of the year when my accountant told me how much I owed in taxes! LOL. After that year I decided it was time to partner with someone and work towards something bigger. I figured if real estate could change my life this much it could do the same for others and I think I have a pretty good system to help other people succeed as agents. This year I partnered up with a friend of mine named Thomas King. I have never felt the need to be the sole rainmaker or boss, I always thought that if you find someone who wants the same goal as you then why not help each other get there? My deal with Thomas was for him to come in and learn the system and start taking over sales while I got my brokers license and together we could open a brokerage. This year I have taken and passed my brokers exams and our team of now 4 agents and a closing coordinator will transform into Atlanta’s newest real estate brokerage.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely not! After getting my license, I went several months without a paycheck. You see when you first start no one believes in you, no one thinks you know what you’re doing or wants to trust the new person with their home search. People don’t understand that agents who really want this as a career will have a backing behind them. They will have enough support to get you a good deal and make sure you are taken care of throughout the process. I finally joined a business group and this small group of small business owners gave me a chance after a few nerve-racking presentations and weeks of showing up at 7:00 am to prove myself before everyone else’s days got started. Even then I have had issues with certain deals, I’ve attempted to contact the CEO of a major bank to get a loan to closing before so my clients wouldn’t lose their earnest money. Of course, I just got the secretary who actually put me in touch with the head of the mortgage department! That guy finally pulls some strings and a few days later we closed. I believe success isn’t gained or given, its something built with challenges and how we handle them.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Our company motto is very simple. We are a customer service based industry. We aim to provide the very best service through timely communication and education. We have found through extensive research that the #1 complaint people have about their agents is response time and lack of communication. We are going to make sure that when clients hear our name they associate that with timely communication. As for the education part, as a company, we want to make sure our clients understand every part of the transaction allowing them to make the best possible decision for them and/or their families.
We specialize in residential and investment home purchase and sales. We can find a property to rehab, or something move in ready. We tailor our searches to each client’s individual needs, we ask about their goals and their ambitions. We ask them to look into the future to give us an idea of where they plan to be in 5,10,15 years so we can better advise them on risks and rewards.
I think our company is going to be different from every other brokerage out there. I think in the next 5-10 years you will see H&K Realty like you see Keller Williams or Berkshire Hathaway. We operate as a team, the entire company is a team. Every agent has another agent that knows what is going on with their deals. Every client will essentially have two agents working on their behalf. This allows two things, 1 our clients get the best possible service available, 2 our agents are able to take time off, go on vacation, spend time with families and not get burnt out on an otherwise highly demanding job because their teammate can handle their deals while they are away and the clients are already familiar with both agents.
What were you like growing up?
Off the record? Lol. I’m kidding, growing up I was a much different person. I found myself trying very hard to fit in during my middle school and high school years. I succeeded and made tons of friends some of which have bought homes with me. I started working with my best buddy growing up at his dad’s wings restaurant. We were 12 years old cooking wings and running drive-throughs. We did this every summer for 2-3 years. I was a gymnast and baseball player until my sophomore year of high school. I always considered myself considerate towards others, for the most part, I did have a period of time I got into trouble growing up but I think that’s normal, at least I hope its normal lol. I coached gymnastics after high school and on the weekends. I was always into animals, Steve Erwin was and still is my idol. To be completely honest if someone came to me today and said Daniel do you want to come film animals for the rest of your life I would leave immediately and probably never be heard from again.
Pricing:
- We often run specials to help home buyers, we offer to contribute $500 towards their closing costs.
Contact Info:
- Website: HKAtlanta.com
- Email: Daniel@HKAtlanta.com
- Instagram: @HK_Real_Estate
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HKAtlanta/
- Other: SeeAtlantaAreaHomes.com
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