Today we’d like to introduce you to Briana Palitz.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Briana. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story starts back in 2017 when I officially moved to San Diego from Toms River, New Jersey. My significant other, Chris, received orders to Camp Pendleton, and so our move from coast-to-coast began. To be honest, I was not thrilled. I know it sounds crazy because who wouldn’t want to live in San Diego? For me, though, the thought of leaving my friends, family and basically everything that I had grown up around was terrifying. I have my bachelor’s degree in Psychology but leaving home on such a whim, I had no time to look for a new career before we moved. Once we got to California, I picked up a job as a nanny and another side-job as a restaurant server. I didn’t know many people here at the time, so while Chris was on a six-month deployment, I decided to pursue my real estate license. I could always see myself doing real estate, and this was the perfect opportunity for me to pursue that. I love meeting new people, talking and problem-solving, so real estate was a natural fit for me.
After getting licensed, I decided to quit my job as a nanny and a restaurant server so that I could focus 100% on real estate. I started to shadow my former team leader, who helped me learn the ropes and give me a good start. One of the first things she had me do was write down all my California contacts. I will never forget staring at that page with only ten contacts. I knew I had to do something different to be able to reach out to people. Being a millennial, with no money and no contacts or referral base, I did what I know best: Social Media. I dove in headfirst with networking, branding, and making my name known all the social media platforms. I was able to relate instantly with fellow military families since most were going through what I had just gone through with Chris. We had just bought our very first home using the VA loan. Something just clicked in my head, and I knew that I had found my niche. Once I realized I could help other military families do the same thing, the sky was the limit. I grew strong, genuine relationships and friendships, which led to an amazing referral-based business that I am incredibly grateful for.
2019 was my first full year in real estate, and I ended the year with 13 closed transactions.
In 2020 I left the team I started with and switched brokerages. I was ready to be out on my own and have fully embraced it. This year alone, I have already closed 21 transactions, and am on track to double, if not triple, my business. I would love to say I do it all on my own, but I would not be where I am if it wasn’t for the amazing support and guidance of some people really close to me! It takes a lot of people to have a successful real estate transaction, and I am truly fortunate to work with the best.
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?
Not the smoothest road at all. Most people see a real estate agent as someone that just shows houses or puts a sign in your yard and sells your house. Not too many people really understand the early mornings, long nights, and time-consuming paperwork that goes into the home buying process. You need some thick skin to make it in this business. I learned early on to absorb as much information and knowledge as I can from other successful agents. There is a lot of stress, sleepless nights, and competition in this business, but the Jersey girl in me can handle all of that. Crazy enough, it wasn’t the lead generation that was a struggle to me. The true struggle in this business is learning balance, and not forgetting to take care of yourself!
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
My business is super simple and real, just like me. I am a real estate agent who specializes in VA loans, helping first-time military homebuyers and sellers. I think what sets me apart in this industry is that I am living the same lifestyle as my clients. I feel that my clients can relate to me because I have literally walked down the same path that they are. I am a San Diego transplant living here due to military orders, just like so many of my clients. I would say I am very honest with clients, but at the same time, personable, laid-back, and trustworthy. I am confident to say that if I called majority, if not all, of my clients from the last two years, they would still pick up the phone as if we were best friends still working together. I think what makes me most proud is that I never stopped being myself.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My absolute proudest moment is handing the keys over to my clients after we close escrow. That feeling never gets old, and the joy I get from helping my military clients achieve homeownership is surreal. Another proud moment is when I won my team’s 2019 Buyer’s Agent of the Year award.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.sellingcoasttocoast.com/
- Phone: 732-966-3737
- Email: briana@sellingcoasttocoast.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bripalitzrealestate/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bripalitzrealestate/
- Other: https://www.zillow.com/myzillow/Profile.htm
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