Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Conway.
Kara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started working on getting my real estate license when my oldest daughter was six months old. We had just spent the last year on and off looking for a new home and we finally found the one and moved. In the process of being a buyer, I fell in love with the whole real estate business. Since I had a small child who I didn’t have a sitter for, I did the online course for getting my license. December of 2013, I passed my real estate licensing exam on the first try and my new career began. I got lucky my first year couple years and was able to get under the wing of another agent who was much more seasoned and was able to help me out. He sent me a few referrals and helped me on a lot of my transactions. Once you get your license, you essentially get thrown to the wolves. There are already tons of agents out there and they are all competition. Having help in the beginning was big.
I started Conway Home Realty, LLC my second year in real estate to brand my business. My business is currently brokered with Virtual Properties Realty and I love the company I work for. I have been blessed to have been able to meet the goals I have set for myself the last few years. While a lot of my clients are leaded generated, most of my business is referral based. That is the ultimate compliment for a Realtor! Having your clients send you to their friends and family means they trust you, and they know you will take care of them. I go above and beyond for my clients and make sure I can make the process as easy for them as possible.
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?
Real estate is far from a smooth road. The market is constantly changing, people who you think are loyal to you are not and working to find clients can be difficult. With all of my income coming from closings, you never know what a paycheck will look like or if you are going to get one every month. The average transaction takes a minimum of 30 days to close. That means even if I get a contract for a client of mine, I’m not get paid for at least 30 days or more. If you are one to need a monthly guaranteed paycheck, real estate full time may not be for you if you don’t actually put in the work.
A lot of people think that real estate is so easy, but there is so much more work that goes into it than just putting a house on an MLS and sticking a sign in the yard. The hours of behinds the scene work is never ending. It’s far from a 9-5 job. If you did just get started in real estate and feel like you have no clue what you are doing and have no clue where to start, welcome to the club! See if you can find a mentor to help or a great broker that is there for you.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
As a Realtor in the Atlanta area, I am able to work all over but I tend to stick to East Atlanta, mainly Gwinnett County, Walton County, Barrow County and that surrounding area. I’m happy to travel for close friends and family but I know so many amazing agents all over the Atlanta area that I can refer someone to if it is needed. I mainly handle residential properties. I am able to do a commercial for anyone if it is needed though. My goal in the near future is to get my brokers license
I’m blessed to have amazing clients have allowed me to achieve Million Dollar Club status with my board of Realtors for 4 years now. I’m lucky that I have a great list of trusted vendors that I have made relationships with over the years as well. As a Realtor for Virtual Properties Realty, I am able to brand myself, Conway Home Realty, but I also have the support of multiple brokers and thousands of other agents. Overall I am proud of what I have done for my clients and the relationships I have made with them over these past 6+ years.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
I have many women who have inspired me throughout the years, but my mother is one of the biggest inspirations. Her outlook on life, the Lord and her passion for helping people, has always been an inspiration. She has always wanted to help anyone she could. From being a kindergarten/first grade para-professional for years, volunteering and fundraising for CURE Childhood Cancer with her sorority, and volunteering at local ministries in our area, she has always been a person to look up to.
My mother in law has helped run her and her husbands construction business for 30+ years. She recently took it over as her own and is minority certified in multiple states. Being a successful woman in a predominately male business is a big accomplishment. I am also lucky to know many small business owners who have made a huge name for themselves. All women and all kicking butt in the process. Being able to have Conway Home Realty as a woman-owned company is just a small part of why I love real estate. I can make my company into whatever I want it to be with the values that I want to have- Faith. Family. Finding Dream Homes.
Contact Info:
- Address: 414 Pine Grove Ave, Grayson GA 30017
- Website: www.conwayhomerealty.com
- Phone: 404-597-5943
- Email: KaraConwayRealtor@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/karaconway_realtor
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/KaraConwayRealtor
Image Credit:
Headshots/Marketing images by Jenna Wade Photography
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