Today we’d like to introduce you to Simi Rush
Hi Simi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began real estate in 2017 in Rhode Island. At the time I chose to pivot my career from working in the fundraising space for nonprofit organizations to real estate, my daughter, who was at the time just over a year old, had just completed chemotherapy.
I realized during the time she was in treatment that my husband and I had not set ourselves up for flexibility and freedom to take care of unexpected costs such as medical care if needed more in the future. I loved and still love working with people and helping others, but I also realized my income earning potential was capped within my current field.
My sisters and parents had always been invested in real estate, my sister at the time was an agent in the Chicago area, so I learned about the business just by our daily talks.
My husband at the time, had a fairly set schedule, which is not always guaranteed in his line of work- he’s an active duty Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy, but in Rhode Island, was an instructor at the Naval War College.
Around that time, I had met through a mutual friend, Tammy Bass, a rock star agent and also military spouse in Rhode Island and decided to partner up. She taught me everything I needed to know to get started and I taught her what I knew about marketing and together we built a great business.
By the second year in the business, we quickly rose to one of the top 5 teams in the state. I loved helping people and a good amount of our clients were also military since Rhode Island is a hub for various schools and trainings for many different areas within the military.
Fast forward to end of 2019, we decided to return back to San Diego, where I’ve spent most of my adult life. I attended UCSD as an Undergraduate and USD as a graduate student and was sad to leave the business I built, but happy to return to be closer to friends and family… and SUNSHINE!
However, the transition back to California was not as seamless for us personally and professionally. We returned to find my mother was in the middle of being diagnosed with ALS- so we quickly worked to help her and transition her to be closer to us. And, also COVID halted my plans to jump back into the California Real Estate market.
However, I was determined to find ways to adapt and overcome. I took CA coursework as quickly as I could, studied for the test, passed and quickly joined a brokerage where I could put my skills to use. I had reached out to my sphere and was ready to help many families relocate. As jobs became remote, I found myself utilizing my skills working with military families who were renting or buying from other countries helping corporate relocations.
Today, I’ve continue to level up and now work with dynamic women at Costa Modern Properties. I’m leveraging the talent I developed in Rhode Island with all the new tools and connections I have made in California to be a coast to coast agent. I love working with military families, “serving those who have served,” and love to provide first- time home buyers all the tools they need to feel empowered and educated to make one of the largest financial decisions.
I also work to give back to Rady’s Children’s Hospital as a member of the Auxiliary and honor my mother’s memory with various events for ALS.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I wish! No, it was not always smooth; COVID being my biggest obstacle for entry and also realizing real estate from the transactional stand point of me working with sellers or buyers no matter where I am in the US can be the same from the psychological aspect, the behind the scenes work varies here in California.
In California, we have title and escrow partners, whereas Rhode Island is an attorney state. There are lockboxes here where there are not back East. It can also be challenging to quickly rise to the top in California where it was much easier to be a “big fish in a small pond,” in RI.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a solo agent for Costa Modern Properties. I’ve recently moved brokerages to align myself with other like minded agents, We work independently, but mind hive ideas to elevate each members success.
What’s next?
I can’t wait to dig in at Costa Modern Properties. I am looking forward to elevating my brand and therefore showcasing my skills, connecting with even more military families, and giving back through my charitable efforts and events to celebrate my clients.
Pricing:
- I work with all price points. I have helped first time buyers get into their first homes to wealthy individuals buying second and third homes and investment properties.
- I am a VA home loan expert.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.soldbysimi.com
- Instagram: @simirush
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simi.rush1
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simi-rush-aa33911/
Image Credits
Mallory Kessel Photography
More photos forthcoming
