I have been selling Real Estate for over 11 yrs. My career started in NewYork back in 1996.
I had a pretty good life at the time and was having lots of fun. I was in the textile business and I helped my father-in-law run a textile mill in Manhattan. It was a regular 9-5 job and I did a bit of traveling to the West Coast to meet with long time clients and was learning different parts about the textile industry. Every 2 months I would travel to the mill located in Beavertown Pennsylvania. Life was good and I was recently married in 1989 so I thought it was a secure position to be in.
All the glamour was nice and the travel took my mind off of the regular grind back in the city. But truthfully I was becoming bored so I decided to resign. I took a long time away and went to work in my friends video store managing it and working 11 hours a day 6 days a week. It was more a release from the burn out working at the previous position. Then in 1995 I decided to research new things and was looking for a career change. I found out about taking classes in Real estate and then took the test and passed it. While all this was going on I worked a part time job and then one day during the Jewish holidays I went looking in the phone book and started to call real estate companies. At this point I was pretty depressed. I received one call back from a small company that interviewed me the next day and asked if I would be interested in coming on board. I did and stayed with them until I decided in 1999 to relocate to Pembroke Pines Florida. I got on the plane went down to see relatives and came back with a binder on a home. We moved into our home and I started to study for the class and the exam. I eventually passed it and the rest is history.
Today I live in Weston Florida and I can tell you that it took about 1 yr in the business to figure out the difference of selling real estate in Florida versus New York. Once I figured out the program then I was able to picture myself as being successful in this business. All of a sudden I was turning deals and making a good living....while I was doing all this I met my future partner and he and I decided that since we became good friends and we had the same interest that we would start looking into buying property.I took most of my earnings and transformed it into additional income. We then became partners in both our acquisitions of Real Estate as well as working with buyers and sellers as Realtors. We started to find property together whether it was rental property... flipping property or holding it. We could do no wrong. In the last 3 yrs besides our regular client base we have acquired about 15 properties for a total of about 30 transactions. We made a profit on all of them accept the one property we are currently holding.
We also were successful in the rental market and our rate of return was about 27% until last year when we liquidated most of the properties we had. To this day when my family and friends come visit they always tell me how I used to live in a cardboard box and now seem very proud of my accomplishments in Real Estate. If I can give anyone some advice it would be to look at everything and be patient. Rewards come from hard work and not just waiting by the phone. Before you make a decision you really need to look at the whole picture when venturing into this business. We were able to continue to live the lifestyle we want to lead and we continue to move forward even though it is a difficult market for some. Be grateful for what you have.
"Not too bad for two Jewish guys from New York?"
Another Localism post writien by Neal "The Real Deal" Bloom
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Not bad at all Neal! Tell me do you still enjoy selling real estate? It sounds like you do.
Good for you, Neal. That's a great story so glad to know you and appreciate your success.
It does take patience, determination and a whole lotta work to get started. It does pay off if one stays committed.
Thanks for telling your story. That was sheer determination to make something you loved work for you.
Very nice Neal. Good to learn a little more about you.
Monika,
Yes I enjoy it but wish I can close on some things easier in this market...but I have been through it and will survive as I always do and still would do nothing else!
Missy,
I was never handed anything so hard work is a given for me...some people gain success easier and that is ok..but with me it was a different story.
Sally,
You always preach from the same book as I so you know.
BB,
did you recover that quick? Like i told you on many occasions...I am the Real Deal and I am not ashamed to tell anyone where I came from..we are all different and we all live differently and it should not matter as long as you accomplish your goals and I try to keep it humble. You also learned my tongue is pretty long LOL!
Neal - I am happy for you to have the world by the tail - it is funny how the road of life takes you where you least expect it. I would have never thought of leaving the area I love so much - but it may be a reality - the great thing is.... I have the tools to do well no matter where I end up -
Hi Neal - so, you have a long tongue? That's what came out of the Orlando shindig??? And I missed it?!?!?!?
Seriously, how nice to read some of your background. Hard work, patience, persistance, and all that pays off.... success isn't always an easy path. Good for YOU!!!
Ann
Neal, I did not know you where in the Schmata Trade.... :-)
Neal,
Great advice and so very true! Thanks for sharing your story nice to know your "The Real Deal" :)
Hey Thesa,
I do not know about that. I just worked hard to ge twhat I wanted and most of it came true...I'm still waiting for the Maybac.
Hey Ann,
Long time...I know nothing about what you are talking about...I will neither confirm or deny that statement. As far as my background I do the best I can and I always want it to be the best it can be.
Matt,
Yes was in that business about 4-5 yrs.
Hey Suzanne,
Thanks for reading and stopping by.good job on the WIR!
Mazaltov, Good to hear of your success in Real Estate and life, thanks for all your good encouraging words of wisdom as well.
Nice story Neal... Patience is the killer. A test of time discourages so many good agents. Thanks for sharing your success with us.
Michael,
Thanks for your encouragement and interest in what I had to say.
Bob,
You are right..I fight patience sometimes and even when I blog I have to stop myself and take my time and it shows. I seem to write better at the last minute. Thanks!
Hey Neil, no not bad at all, you do follow through that's good if you see my picture it's kind of funny , i grew up Lubavitch, very orthodox and now, well.. i'm not anymore but i'm honest and a good person, i really believe that, so i hope i continue to do well even though i'm no longer religious. I like the point of rewards coming from hard work, i truly believe that as well.
Have a great day Neil.. Great post.
Tom Weiss
Neal,
What a tremendous "Feel Good" story...
Working on 7th Ave can kill you!
Let me see if i have this correct....New York - Florida .... Florida - New York? Hmmmm I'd say it shouldn't have been a very hard decision!
Great story Neal. Congratulations on your success!
Tom,
I just commented on your post. I am far fropm the religious person but I have gained some spiritual sense over the years.
Scott,
Did I make you feel good? Come to 7th and I'll show you how that life is.
Danny,
I like both places..but for the weather ..it is still nice to wake up and not have to put too many pieces of clothing on!
Leah,
All I can say is you are sweet and lovely!
ahh - some questions answered.
So do you love Florida as much as you did NY? Where did you meet your wife, in FL?
I have property in Fl. We have been down there a few times but I have to tell you making the transition from NY to FL looks hard. Don't you miss the change of seasons?
Congrats on your success. I always say that a Realtor should have a few transactions of their own to really KNOW real estate. Some are better than others.
Neal, great story and truth. If you are willing to put your mind to it, you can do it! Thanks for sharing!
Neal, that is always good to learn more about you and to let us know more from you :) keep the good work my friend , well done :)
I love reading stories from agents who have been in it for a while. Since I've only been a REALTOR since March, sometimes I need that little boost and reassurance to keep going! Thanks for putting the drive back into my real estate engine today Neal!
Christine,
Met my wife at Fridays in Westbury..and I said I would never meet my future wife in a bar but I guess I was wrong about that. I do not really miss the change of seasons..we do have a change of seasons here..it is just not as cold..it gets to 40 in Jan/Feb..but the beauty is at 12 it can rise to 60-70 and still feel great..you should visit one day. Yes it was a difficult transition but it worked out with patience.
David,
Thanks for stopping by to take time to read.
Ray,
You already know about me...now you want to know even more? Are you writing a book? LOL! Thanks
Joslyn,
Just keep driving as long as you can but do not crash. It is very hard especially if the financial security is not available...lots of agents are leaving the business because it is hard to survive..survival of the fittest is now...good luck and keep trying...go get the business do not wait by the phone or your number might become disconnected. LOL!
Neal, Look Mr. Popular guy, you do not need to have a book written by me or someone else :) you are one of the most populars guys here, keep the good work my friend :) and best wishes !
Ray,
you really know how to give me a compliment.