Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Martin.
Alex, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My journey began when I made a one-way road trip from Connecticut. I left a former career as an aspiring Financial Advisor with Valark Financial Services in Hartford, CT. My journey in Atlanta was life-changing, humbling, and rewarding. I was qualified with an M.B.A degree from Springfield College and license designations, including insurance. I explored through different careers and part-time work. I pursued banking for two years while working retail for Jos A. Bank part-time. I also picked up other “side-hustles” like working catering events and driving Uber. Driving Uber was stressful and tiring, but a blessing in disguise because I began to become familiar with the entire Metro Atlanta. I realized I was learning more about this city than many people that have lived here their entire life. I also realized there was a vast amount of much potential in this Atlanta marker as a real estate agent and investor. I made the transition while at Bank of America, working a flex schedule to leave my shift early and attend a 7-week real estate pre-license course. It was a major sacrifice, but I passed both the pre-license, and state exam my first attempt! I made the decision to leave my full-time job in banking, and launch my own business in real estate as an agent and investor.
My first few months were slower in production, and more focused in the classroom learning the business. I had great leaders around me that I am forever grateful for. I now own a real estate consulting firm, “A. Martin Realty Group” that is partnered with Real Estate Gurus as my brokerage. My mentor Justin Giles, broker of Real Estate Gurus has helped me transcend my business to the next level and led me to get exposed to investors throughout Atlanta. Collectively, I built a network of vendors, including lenders, attorneys, contractors, inspectors, etc. I’ve worked a variety of deals ranging between distressed investment properties, to modern/contemporary new construction, and luxury. More extensively, I’ve gained experience with bankruptcy transactions, foreclosures, short sales, and commercial lease deals as well. My business started growing with new listings, buyer clients, and commercial clients. Last month (August 2019), was my first “million-dollar” month, tipping 1 million-dollars in Sales Volume, which was a milestone for me in the first year of my business. I am so humbled to be engaged at this level in my business. I’m honored that I’m building a presence in the Atlanta market. Atlanta is one of the most highly-sought cities in the country for many reasons, including real estate. The biggest reward is being a resource in Atlanta and trusted real estate professional that helps people achieve one of their biggest life goals.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
To be honest, I’ve struggled with finding my passion and purpose. The challenge was budgeting, managing my time and priorities to align with my goals. In a city like Atlanta, it’s so easy to get distracted! There’s so much to do and explore in entertainment, nightlife/social life, etc. I had to get it out of my system. While working at Bank of America, I felt like I was the only person that understood my true potential. I wasn’t performing to my full potential because I wasn’t truly passionate about what I was doing. It made me feel desensitized and immune to working for a paycheck, raise, promotion, etc. I soon realized I had to focus on building my legacy. I’ve lost a lot of sleep, working multiple jobs to make ends meet. Bills were tight, which put more pressure on me to start my own business and pursue relentlessly. In my mind, a major sacrifice was my only option that would be fulfilling.
A. Martin Realty Group – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business is “A. Martin Realty Group” which is my real estate consulting company, partnered with my broker Real Estate Gurus. I help families, investors and businesses with their residential and commercial real estate needs. I specialize in listing homes for investors, but not limited to helping first-time and repeat homebuyers, owner-occupant sellers, and business owners. I came from working at a bank, not having a sense of identity, to building a brand and legacy in the Atlanta real estate market. It was far from a smooth road, but I found my lane. What sets me apart is the range of skills I have from my experience in the Atlanta real estate market. I provide service beyond many agents because of my experience working on both sides of the residential purchase transaction. I’ve helped clients with different financing and programs so I understand the pros and cons across the board with FHA, Conventional, VA, NACA, Invest Atlanta, Georgia Dream, etc. As an agent and investor, I also have a source for off-market deals, aside from what I monitor on the market daily. I’ve learned so much from my experience working with traditional and hard money lenders, attorneys, contractors, inspectors, home warranty companies, etc. This business is very dynamic, so I developed strategies that give my clients a competitive advantage. I’ve implemented techniques to pricing, winning bidding wars and negotiating. My results have proven that I can help sellers sell fast for the highest price reasonably possible, and help buyers win bidding wars and purchase homes for up to $49,000 off original list price. My skillset and expertise in the Atlanta market gives my clients leverage in every transaction.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My first month hitting 1 million dollars in sales volume!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amartinrealtygroup.com
- Phone: 860-605-4309
- Email: amartinrealtygroup@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amartinrealty.atl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amartinindustries.atl
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-martin-mba-b932985b
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
