Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Whitner.
Hi Derek, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I had reached my tipping point. One final push led us to make radical changes toward the life we had imagined for our family. Diving into real estate together has enabled us to create the balance we needed while providing real value for the people in our community.
As I stepped outside, the sunlight was blinding, and I rubbed my eyes to adjust to the glare. I looked down at my watch and saw that it was 10 a.m. By the time I walked through the door to my home, I could barely keep my eyes open. Later that night, Lavenia and I decided that working 27 hours straight was not the lifestyle for us.
We had been married for over a year and were both doing well in our corporate careers by the time I had that marathon workday. Long hours at my job as a corporate controller were not out of the ordinary, but that day was unreal. Lavenia and I had both previously started investing in real estate years earlier, long before the recession. Those recession years presented challenges to successful investing, but we both adapted to make it through and eventually were thriving. Over the years together, we continued balancing investing in real estate with our full-time careers, and I had gotten my real estate license as well. We often talked about leaving behind our corporate careers to focus on real estate full-time, but never took the leap.
Two weeks after that marathon work day, that is exactly what I did. It was not easy, but I had already been doing real estate on the side for a while by then. We knew it was time for radical change. The difference was profound, and one of the best parts was that real estate gave me the ability to be there for my children. With real estate, I could make time for events, school activities and more that I would have otherwise missed with my career in finance. In the end, it opened a whole new world, a whole new way of life.
It was not long before business took off and I needed some help. Lavenia joined my team while continuing her career in IT. She had been in the field for over two decades and traveled weekly across the country for work. Lavenia has always been extremely focused, and while she handled both real estate and her career exceedingly well, it was not too long before we decided to go all in with real estate together. Her attention to detail perfectly complemented my strengths in real estate. Together we created a business, a team and a life that prioritizes balance over bottom lines on our own terms.
Ultimately, through the hardest parts of our journey, we let go and let God. We live our life by the five Fs: Faith, Family, Food, Friends, and Fun. When we were first married, we were still finding the balance between them. Although it is a continual work in progress, our real estate career allows us to focus on all of what matters to us together, not just work.
Sometimes in life we are tested to see how far we are willing to go. I would do anything for my family, and I am grateful that my finance job pushed beyond my limit in order to force me to make a change. It pushed me to live the life I truly wanted – a little push can go a long way.
We enjoy what we do and are making a conscious effort to move forward in the real estate industry by taking on leadership roles and more responsibility within industry organizations to make a real difference. We also enjoy good food, football and time with family. Our favorite part of being REALTORS® is helping people turn their dreams into reality through real estate.
Fast forward to today, we’ve EXPANDED our team, adding residential and commercial real estate specialists. So whether you’re selling or buying a home, a business or leasing commercial space, we will put ourselves in your shoes. We always begin with a strategy session to truly learn your goals and create the perfectly customized plan to fit your needs. Throughout the process, we will be by your side and communicate with you at every step. We will listen closely to your goals and keep them in mind throughout the transaction to ensure you always have the best options available. We care about your results and will go above and beyond to ensure you are getting the best deal possible by doing everything from attending inspections to checking in dusty crawlspaces and beyond. As former investors and from corporate backgrounds, we can speak your language whether you are a first-time homebuyer or an experienced investor. With experience in residential, investment and commercial, we are confident we can help you achieve your goals. Once the transaction is over, we will continue to support your success as your lifelong REALTORS®.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been smooth! Transitioning from one W2 to 1099 is tough, but transitioning TWO W2 jobs to 1099 is darn near impossible. We took on this impossible mission and continue to battle each and every day.
Work/life imbalance: Bein Buyer-focused at the time, I faced near faced near burnout in 2022 from driving all around Metro Atlanta. This issue peaked, after finding myself crying on the floor in my family room after a million dollar Buyer backed out, AFTER I had just negotiated and got them everything they asked for. At that point, it was time to take back control of our business and shift to work to Sellers.
My wife and Business partner, Lavenia, along with our Coach Oliver Adams helped transition our business from 80% Buyers to 70% Sellers. Wow – what a difference it’s made!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Team Whitner powered by BHGRE Metro Brokers?
We help people create generational wealth through Real Estate, both residential and commercial. Being powered by Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Metrobrokers & Coldwell Banker Commercial Metrobrokers, gives us the tools and the brand recognition to immediately be recognized by our clients and peers. Whether your buying, selling or Investing. We have the experience and knowledge to guide you through the process avoiding pitfalls that may stall the average agent.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Since I am always mobile. I use Audible and listen to tons of business books. Some of the books I have completed in the last twelve months include: “Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, John C. Maxwell’s “Developing the Leader Within You”, “The 12 Week Year” by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington and “Exactly What to Say” by Chris Smith, Jimmy Mackin and Phil Jones.
Pricing:
- Pricing is Critical
- Pricing is Critical
- Pricing is Critical
- Did I say Pricing is Critical?
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.teamwhitner.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamwhitnerrealestate
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/teamwhitner
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekwhitner
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@teamwhitnerrealestate
