Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Thomas.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story has taken me through every emotion possible! Many people think I just started Real Estate and instantly started selling homes, but it took a lot of persistence, re-routing and focus to get me where I am today. I’ve been working in sales since I was in high school. I started off working at jobs like Kids Foot Locker and JCPenney shoe department. I was always a top salesperson and very hard working. Even in school, I always knew I would be an entrepreneur and eventually have my own business. After graduation, I started working in Office Management and Accounting positions. Right after graduation, my focus was on building my credit, saving money and making investments. That has always been very important to me. I had been thinking about getting into Real Estate for quite a while but continued to wait for “the perfect time” to start. The perfect time never came so I decided to start right where I was with what I had. I was working 8-5 am, which I felt really took most of my day and my time. I had no real interest or passion for what I was doing and for me, those types of positions just weren’t worth it anymore.
While working at a Property Management company, I started taking my online courses for Real Estate. I studied day and night. I remember because I was so focused on passing my exam and getting started that friends and family barely saw me during this time! I made so many sacrifices to get started because I knew to start this business was an investment in myself and my future and it would pay off.
After getting licensed, I became a Realtor at a brokerage of my choice. I liked the location and feel of the office. I started off doing a lot of rental properties, but I didn’t have enough guidance and support to get started with many sales. I continued working full-time to keep income coming in while I was getting my business off of the ground. I knew it was time for a change. My first plan was not as effective as I thought it would be so I knew I would still get to the destination, I just needed to change my route. No matter how long that may have taken, I didn’t mind because it is my passion and I didn’t expect it to happen overnight.
I ended up switching brokerages, to RE/MAX Specialists, which I am still licensed with now. With amazing support, guidance and training my business started taking off almost immediately after this switch. I was working day and night with my full-time job and now also having so many real estate clients. By December 2017, I decided I would not be going into the New Year exhausted with both jobs and it was time to take on full-time entrepreneurship! Although I was already selling homes, this was frightening! I was leaving salaried employment with benefits to a full commission structure. I took the leap of faith. It had been on my mind for so long, but once again, I was waiting for the right time. I remember the day I put in my two weeks notice I saw two quotes online as soon as I woke up. The first quotes that were on my feed were “Invest in yourself. You can afford it. Trust me”, “No decision will pay off more than prioritizing your life and giving extreme focus and energy to the things with the highest return.” and “There’s no safe way to wealth. The only way is risk”. Wow!! I took all of these as a sign and made my decision.
Honestly, that was the best decision I’ve ever made! My life has changed tremendously.
I love what I do! It makes me so happy to assist so many others with homeownership. Some who never thought it was possible for them. My clients are building wealth, starting families and making investments in the homes I’ve sold them. It’s very rewarding.
My clients always tell me that they can tell how much I enjoy assisting them to find the right home and not just making money/rushing them like some other Realtors have.
Real Estate has also helped me build great friendships with so many of the amazing clients I have.
I’m now a Top Producer, Award-Winning Realtor, Association of Realtors’ leader and an Accredited Buyer’s Representative. I’ve sold millions of dollars in Real Estate and helped so many people of all ages become homeowners!
Has it been a smooth road?
I can’t say that it has been all smooth, but it has been worth it! I can honestly say there’s not one thing I would change about my journey. My challenge was never time because I realized if there’s something we really want we will MAKE time. My main challenge was just finding my way and finding the right fit for myself and my business. Staying focused and keep working towards the goal. I think that can be one of the biggest challenges for all of us is continuing to work on a goal when it hasn’t started working yet, but we can work towards something for a year and in the second year is when we really start to see the results. I’m so happy I stuck with it and continued to let God order my steps.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am a Realtor that assists buyers, sellers and investors. I specialize in buyer’s representation, new construction homes, listing marketing and first-time buyers. I’m known for providing exceptional service and having such broad knowledge of the area.
I’m proud of assisting over 50 buyers to achieve homeownership and build wealth. Not only am I proud of how many clients I’ve assisted, but having all happy clients and building client relationships!
What sets me apart from others is that I always go above and beyond for my clients to make it work for them and make them happy! I communicate with my clients and also educate them throughout the process. I also have negotiated some amazing deals for my clients!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see such amazing, huge things in the future for my business. Every step of my business is planned so I can achieve the best results. Within the next 5-10 years, I see myself starting a team, becoming a Broker and starting my own Real Estate Brokerage. I see myself completing even more luxury transactions. I see myself training other agents on becoming successful in the industry. I see myself making more investments as well. Everything from flipping homes, building my own new construction communities and possibly even apartment buildings. I see myself giving back in any way possible to help others achieve homeownership and become successful with Real Estate and Investments.
Contact Info:
- Website: KatrinaThomas.BrightMLSHomes.com
- Phone: (301)300-8946
- Email: KatrinaThomas@Remax.net
- Instagram: Instagram.com/KatrinaThomas_
- Facebook: Facebook.com/KatrinaThomas.Realtor
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/katrina-thomas-realtor-re-max-specialists-upper-marlboro
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