Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanel James.
Hi Chanel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My road to real estate actually started in 2017, and the ONLY reason that I went to real estate school to get my real estate license was so that I could sell my house after finding out that I would have to pay the agent when I sold. I wanted something else under my belt and figured it was something I could always have once I passed my test. I did pass my test, and I did not even end up selling my house. The more I learned about real estate, the more I liked it. Then, that same year, one of my line sisters wanted to purchase a home and that was my first time going through the process and I found out how much joy I found in helping her secure a home. However, I was working in a very rigorous career training doctors on medical software and traveling all over the United States almost every week, so I truly didn’t have time to focus on real estate like I wanted to.
In 2018, my company that I worked seven years for went through a downsizing, and I actually took the payout and stayed in the industry for another year as a solo contractor vs working in corporate America. I still made great money but realized once I got engaged at the end of 2018 that I didn’t want to start a life where I would be gone every other week, traveling all the time and not truly being able to build family memories. End of 2019, once I completed the contract I worked for a little over a year, I made a conscious decision to learn everything I could about real estate. I joined a real estate a team and was mentored on how to truly become a great agent. In 2019, in those short 3-4 months, I closed 7 deals, and I realized the rush I got from real estate was amazing. I have always enjoyed helping people and ministry, and to me, real estate became just that… MINISTRY. The relationships that you build with your clients, the intimate moments that you have as they are going through the process, and the encouragement that you pour into your clients truly gave me joy and purpose.
2020, I was still on a team but a different one, and became the top agent on that team. In June, my husband and I found out that we were expecting and I figured that it was time for me to branch off and become a solo agent. I felt like I had learned enough and could build my own platform. That was ABSOLUTELY correct. 2020 ended up being one of my best years. It was my first year being full time in real estate and I was blessed to be able to help 25 families and reach enough volume to be able to be considered to be a “Top Producer” with the Atlanta Board of Realtors. I thoroughly enjoy real estate, my clients, the relationships, and everything that comes in between. I’m excited as 2021 has entered. I’m getting ready to be a new first-time mom and a great realtor. I’m looking forward to this year of “mompreneurship” and helping more and more families into their homes. It’s a lifestyle for me now. I literally eat breathe and sleep real estate, and I love it. Sometimes, it can be a bit overwhelming, but the gratification that is received from helping people become home owners is truly a feeling that is unmatched. To God be the glory as I continue in my journey, and I’m so thankful that I’ve been so blessed even during a pandemic.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think that it has been rough, but it hasn’t been super smooth either. I’m naturally a hard worker and a go getter, so when faced with real estate and a career change, the struggle for me was FEAR. I was afraid that I wouldn’t do well, and in some ways that stunted the potential of my growth. Building confidence in the industry came after the first couple of deals. It was difficult getting past where I had come from to where I was going, and finding a footing in the industry. However, one of my gifts is building relationships and influence, so it was a blessing to be able to network with so many great realtors on Instagram and build a community of help. There are definitely struggles in EVERY real estate transaction as well lol. I have probably only seen 1-2 real estate transactions that never ran into any glitches along the way, so there was the struggle of learning how to stay calm and work through each hiccup and be that rock for your client. I also think building relationships with lenders, attorneys, and so forth can be challenging at first when you don’t know much, but I did have mentors as well that taught me the ropes.
And another challenge could be generating business. I thank God that my business has been blossoming off of referrals and learning how to run advertisements, but I do think this is a trial and error process and has been a struggle at some point for any realtor. I’m still learning so much, and I believe that every day in real estate there is some type of trial to overcome. It’s one of the industries that you truly have to learn how to just roll with the punches and constantly adjust to the circumstances around you. I don’t think that any new venture that people set out for will be extremely easy and there will always be a little struggle, but with the right mindset, determination, work ethic, and leadership skills, I feel like the sky is the limit and any curveball thrown at you can always be caught!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Atlanta real estate professional Chanel is a graduate of Miles College, where she received the accolades of graduating Valedictorian with a Business Management and Accounting degree. Chanel is strongly dedicated to working hard for her clients to receive the best service and smooth transactions. Her experience in negotiating and building a team in network marketing is how she has groomed the skills that she uses every day with her clients. Chanel has spent time building relationships with many clients, investors, agents, brokers, attorneys, and lenders, and that has given her a competitive advantage to give her clients the best deals. Chanel has also experienced the home buying process for herself, purchasing her home at 23, and her goal is to make sure that every client understands the ends and outs to their transactions. She consistently advocates for the needs of her clients, and her vibrant spirt and enthusiasm for real estate allows her to earn the trust of every client that she builds a relationship with. She is relatable, enjoyable, knowledgeable, and helpful. Chanel is eager to help everyone in their real estate journey, whether you are first time buyer, move up buyer, investor, or have a home to sell. She is very generous with her resources and knowledge and would love to build a relationship with you. Chanel is ready to show you the home that fits your style, taste, and needs. She specializes in helping you through the home buying or home selling process, and has very complex negotiating skills, allowing her to solidify more WINS than losses in the industry. You can rely on Chanel to get the job done and keep you on track with your financial goals and abilities. Let’s get the ball rolling.
As far as brand wise, I am most proud of being authentically myself, and watching clients grow towards me and my love for God and being able to use my ministry as part of my platform. Many of my clients become my family or friends once the transaction has been completed, and I thorough enjoy that aspect of my brand. It’s not just about the business, but its the relationship that I build for a lifetime because this client buys a house, but in 5-7 years, I can turn around and work with them again and help sell their home or help them invest. So, its a never ending relationship building cycle and I love that my brand has created an environment that people enjoy and trust. I just truly want people to know that I am here to help and serve, and give people the opportunity to become homeowners in America. My goal is even to expand out of Georgia, into some of the other states that I frequently visit. So, if anyone is looking to buy, sell, or invest, I would love to help them.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can visit my website: www.chanelchasejames.com Follow me on social media: @chanelchasejames Contact me via email: chanel@chanelchasejames.com Contact me via phone: 678-898-4280.
Contact Info:
- Email: chanel@chanelchasejames.com
- Website: www.chanelchasejames.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chanelchasejames/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chanelchasejames
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/chanelchase
Image Credits
@lajoyphotographyllc Lajoy Cox
