The Human Side – Clients, Values, Doubt, and the Future

If real estate were only about transactions, I would have left this career in the first three months.

Those early days were quiet. I was excited, licensed, and ready, but the phone did not ring the way I hoped. Many people did not want to trust a “new” agent. It was a difficult stretch, because I had chosen to step away from a stable corporate path and become my own boss—with all the pros and cons that come with it.

What kept me going was not blind optimism. It was a belief that if I showed up with empathy, integrity, and consistency, the right people would eventually find me.

Over time, they did.

One client remembers me as “the realtor who never pushed us to close early.” They described the process as lengthy and sometimes bothersome, but they also remembered that I did not leave any stone unturned. In that particular case, I fought hard with a builder to secure a significant discount for them. The builder was surprised by how firmly I negotiated on the buyer’s behalf—but to me, that is the job. I am there to protect the client’s money, not the builder’s margins.

Another client recalls meeting me when they had a specific budget and location in mind. I told them they had multiple options that could work. Together, we found the right home and closed in less than 10 days. What stood out to them was not just the speed, but also the communication—coordinating smoothly with the builder, lender, and everyone involved, while remaining patient with their questions and concerns.

One of the stories that stays closest to my heart is a family that had been in the U.S. for only 14 months. From the beginning, they dreamed of having a place of their own—somewhere to build memories and stability. I encouraged them, explained each step, helped with documents that felt confusing, and reminded them in stressful moments: “You’ve got this. Don’t worry.” They closed on their home and even received incentives they did not expect. For them, it was more than a transaction. It was a new chapter.

These stories are not about me. They are about what matters in this work:

The patience to let clients move at their own pace.

The empathy to understand how big and scary this decision can feel.

The willingness to advocate fiercely, even when it would be easier to stay quiet.

There are also lines I will not cross, even if it costs me a deal. I will not hide material issues from buyers. I will not pressure someone into a home that stretches them beyond a healthy budget. I will not promise outcomes I cannot control just to win a client’s trust. Integrity and work ethic are not negotiable for me.

So, who is this story really for?

It is for the first‑time buyer who feels like everyone else already understands this game, and they are late to it.
It is for the immigrant family that is working hard, saving diligently, and wondering if homeownership is actually possible here.
It is for entrepreneurs, investors, and people starting over who want a broker who understands both the numbers and the emotions behind them.
It is for anyone who believes, like I do, that how you do the work matters more than how loudly you talk about it.

Five years from now, I do not just want people in Austin to say I am one of the big real estate brokers in the city. I want them to say, “He can be trusted. He shows up the same way every time—ethical, calm, and on our side.”

If there is only one belief you take away from my story, let it be this:

Empathy and consistency, practiced over time, create outcomes that no shortcut ever will.