Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Matera.
Hi Lauren, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Covid pushed me in a whole new direction. I have always had a healthy obsession with entrepreneurship, leadership, and the power of social media, but I never dreamt of being the RealEstateChick.
I got my real estate license in 2018 to help my husband with his business from behind the scenes. He does not share the same enthusiasm for social media or marketing that I do. At the time I was already running another business and despite his encouragement, I had 0 interest in being an agent. I had been in sales for years building various businesses but real estate never appealed to me because if I’m honest, it always felt outdated, cold, and slimy. I am simply not a fan of some of the practices of the last 20 years but in their defense, they didn’t have the bandwidth we now have. It didn’t help that when it came time to buy our first house as a young couple those concerns were validated by not one but two agents.
In early 2020, Covid closed my coaching business and when my speaking engagements canceled, I had to quickly pivot and direct my energy towards something positive and productive. As a people person and extrovert, quarantine struck hard and I needed a way to connect authentically with my community. TikTok and the following that found me during late summer turned the very reasons I avoided being an agent into the inspiration to pursue it.
I wanted to prove 2 things; there were other ways to earn business as agent and that I didn’t have to wear a blazer and pearls, or be “all business” to be successful in this space. This is one of the most exciting milestones and largest investments for most of us and it should be celebrated. I set a standard as an agent to provide a fun, collaborative, and inclusive experience, keeping clients involved and educated so they feel confident in the decisions they make… When I posted my first “I’m an agent” content, I found that I wasn’t the only one craving personality, trust, and transparency in the industry. Consumers distrust the sales so much that sharing their email address might as well be their social security number.
I’ve worked hard this last year to show, through my content, the value genuine and knowledgeable agents can bring to clients. What has followed has been such a pleasant surprise but I’d lie if I said there wasn’t a great deal of thought and strategy behind getting here. I advocate for my clients, especially my first-time buyers who need the attention and conversations to make their decisions comfortably, a luxury we were not given when we bought our first house. I also support my sellers through the process of packing up and moving on by offering renovation resources before listing, cleaning, staging, and professional photography. There’s a lot of emotions when buying and selling and I try to manage that with positivity and my team of resources and professionals. I am always learning and evolving what my business here looks like and how to renovate the real estate experience for the next generation of ownership.
I went from a mom of 3 that really didn’t want to be in real estate to a full-time agent with a loyal following of over 340,000 online. In the last year, I have helped agents around the country find the confidence to authentically connect with their audience through the social media platforms that have brought me hundreds of contacts. My favorite part so far is when clients first reach out to me it’s like a message between two old friends, it’s organic and friendly. I am eager to continue in this direction and have even brought some of my leadership skills into the business by now mentoring a team of 5 agents so we can serve more clients throughout the Maryland region.
Alright, 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?
Surprisingly enough, I think the biggest struggle was with myself. It’s taken a long time to be ok with who I am and use it as part of my success plan. I was the kid that was told that due to my ADHD and struggles with grades I’d never go to college. I was told I’d always struggle and have to find a way to make things work. I was the kid whose desk was moved into the hallway so I didn’t disturb the other students learning. Everything they told me was shown in the light of being a weakness and disadvantage. It was hard to find value in the things I was exceptionally good at. It wasn’t until I was in the entrepreneur/sales channel where things like high energy, social esteem, and risk-taking aren’t only noticed but desirable. They told me I’d have to find a way but no one ever told me ” I would find a way”. It took me almost 30 years to fully embrace that just because my skills aren’t conventional doesn’t mean they aren’t amazing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are a realtor team of agents across Maryland with a mission to create a new experience in the real estate space by focusing on the client experience, innovation, and integrity.
As the industry continues to evolve and grow it’s more important than ever that we identify our core values and practices. Our values define our business, our brand, and our relationship with not only our clients but our community. It is our goal to offer exceptional customer service and consistency in all areas of our mission.
We are active on social media. We educate our clients. We nurture relationships. We work together. We problem-solve. We get in crawlspaces. We laugh. We enjoy our time with our clients. We celebrate accepted offers. And we wear Purple on Fridays.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Don’t let your pride get in the way of your success. I can’t even count the number of people who have asked me for my time and advice but dispute all of it because they aren’t ready to hear it. Insecurity and doubt kill a lot of amazing opportunities for people. You have to be open-minded and receptive in this business. Even if you don’t necessarily agree there is always something new you can learn. Surround yourself with the people out there killing it, climbing mountains, and paving the way. Reach out to them, ask them questions, be inspired by them.
Contact Info:
- Email: agent@materahometeam.com
- Website: https://www.materahometeam.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/itsthatrealestatechick
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsthatrealestatechick
Image Credits
Maureen Porto Studios
