Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Swofford
Hi Stephanie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Over the years, my husband, Scott, and I have purchased primary residences that need a little TLC or even serious TLC. He is a licensed contractor (also Mr. Fix it/Honey-do), and I am fantastic at assisting, so we have had the luxury of keeping renovation costs low and reaping the benefits of our work. As the real estate market is ever-changing, we’ve always kept a close eye and have been able to take advantage. We branched out into investment and fix/flip opportunities. We quickly learned that a great real estate agent makes a purchase or sale much smoother and is a priority. Fortunately, we found one we could trust, thus encouraging me to research another avenue for our venture!
After a couple of transactions, becoming a real estate agent piqued my interest, so I didn’t hesitate to get licensed and begin taking our “show on the road.” I love looking at homes; it is a bit of an obsession. I enjoy envisioning what a space could become, and Scott can make it happen. We have faced challenges; it’s never easy, but the result, whether selling or holding onto a property, is always exciting!
While starting my career as a real estate agent was more about benefiting my family and what we could offer, it has now evolved into something I am genuinely passionate about. Every property has a different story, and it is gratifying to share that with clients. I have realized that a true partnership comes to life during a real estate transaction, and my goal is to maintain and nurture that partnership for a lifetime.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Trying to reinvent myself at 45 was quite intimidating. Constantly second-guessing my decisions and balancing that with a busy family presented a challenge. Fortunately, the support and encouragement from family and friends gave me the confidence to move forward and go for it.
While on real estate’s investor/fixer side, you are genuinely at the mercy of the market and availability. Time is of the essence. From submitting an offer to closing date to renovating, everything needs to go quickly and smoothly. Rarely does that happen! Every transaction is vital to the learning process, and the main goal is to harness the good and bad and apply them to the next property.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Swofford Solutions was “born” when I told my husband I needed to offer something to set me apart in the real estate world. I had to persuade him to let me use him as a consultant. His expertise quickly led to our own investments, allowing us to share our experiences and offer our services to buyers and sellers.
Let’s say you want to sell your home or have an investment property you’d like to sell. Renovations are needed, and you don’t have the time. As an agent and contractor, we can come as a package to get the most for your property!
Maybe you are a buyer who has found a great property that needs some “love.” Whether it’s a primary residence or an income-producing property, we can make it exactly what you want! My job would be to negotiate the best possible price while we could make it a great space through design and renovation.
While either scenario is ideal, I want to be a great agent at the end of the day! Offering assistance in any real estate sense is my main goal. We don’t have to renovate or redesign…I want to provide the best service possible and become a true partner, whether I list a home or help a client find their dream home. Downsizing, first-time home buyers, growing family, and needing to upsize. Maybe a vacation home or investment property…I want to be a part of all of it! I would never want to limit myself! These are milestones in life, and I want to make them smooth and memorable!
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Find a true village. Maybe this is a particular broker or a team of agents. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share your goals and will help you along the way. Always ask questions, and consider yourself “the least intelligent person in the room.” Don’t be afraid to ask for help and soak in all the information—the more you know, the more you can offer!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/swoffordsolutions
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/swoffordsolutions
Image Credits
Lauren Johnson
