Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Sayeski.
Lauren, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
A passion for real estate started at a young age for me.
I got introduced to multi-family real estate when I was just a kid. I watched my grandparents maintain and manage rental units in the LA area growing up – spending hours after school tinkering around the shop with my Papa or helping my Nana clean a unit after a tenant moved out. Listening around the dinner table as they would complain about a tenant breaking something, or all the taxes they were going to have to pay.
By the time I was a teenager, I was making my mom rent a steamer to remove wallpaper so I could repaint the family bathroom. Instead of watching TRL or other teeny bopper shows, I watched HGTV 24/7. My family welcomed all my free labor with open arms and always encouraged me to go for it, even if I had no idea what I was doing. I’m really lucky.
My wheels were always turning and I loved to observe everything and ask a million questions! I moved out when I was nineteen and got married to my husband young… I learned to do a lot of things myself- and I love surprising people who think I’m just a blonde Valley girl by dropping some drywall or plumbing knowledge!
At twenty-one, I and my husband purchased and began managing/renovating a vintage 1905 Triplex in Washington State. My obsession continued…
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?
My fairytale story makes it seem like this was all handed to me from birth. It wasn’t.
The reality is, I’ve sacrificed most of my 20s to build the knowledge and career I have today. I didn’t take the traditional route of going to college and putting in long hours studying and partying… I rolled up my sleeves and got my hands dirty. I asked questions about intimidating people. I got fired for doing what was morally right instead of cashing the check. I still went for it when really significant people in my life were doubting me.
At the end of the day, I had to figure out what I stood for and learn to be confident in those values even when people thought I was in over my head.
My advice to other young women is to find out why you’re doing what you do. Weed out all the “basic” answers like: for my family! or for my future self! Actually, take a week (or a year) to truly define yourself and what it is you stand for and WHY. If there’s no depth or purpose, you’re probably not going to crush it. When you find that depth and that purpose- don’t take your eyes off of it.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Team Steele San Diego Homes – what should we know?
I mainly focus on residential real estate for my work, currently. I have a huge passion for “Fixer Uppers,” so my team and I created a segment on IG stories called “Fixer Friday” where we tour a gross house every week and tell you all the obstacles we foresee along with it’s potential. We have a lot of fun doing it!
I’m working on my personal home in La Mesa right now and I and my husband are doing a majority of the work ourselves. Being able to laugh, have fun, and see things that other people don’t is what sets me apart from the rest. This is all pretty serious stuff but we can have a good time doing it!
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
“Hidden Messages in Water” by Masaru Emoto changed my life and outlook on how I speak to myself and others.
Who doesn’t love Super Soul Sunday with Oprah?!
The Gary Vee Audio Experience is a huge motivation to get out of my ego and just do the work and be nice to people.
@flippinwendy on Instagram has given me design confidence to do weird stuff and surprise people!
Contact Info:
- Website: gratefullyhome.com/blog
- Phone: 619-736-1375
- Email: lauren@steelesandiegohomes.com
- Instagram: gratefully_home
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gratefullyhome/
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