Before we were mega agents! featuring special Guest Guy Blume

 

Guy is a full-time Realtor in Alameda, CA specializing in the unique neighborhoods and architecture ranging from Victorian era, Craftsman, Mid-century and new construction. From a client services perspective, working with these clients has fostered a friendly yet straightforward approach to helping people get the information they need in order to create a pleasurable, profitable, efficient and low-stress experience.

 

Guy has also been nationally ranked as a top producing agent for buyers and sellers in addition to receiving over 70 online reviews from past clients. When you work with Guy and his group you're getting more than one local experienced professional working for you, you're getting several.

On This Episode:

Before We Were Successful Real Estate Agents! Featuring Guy BlumeThis is going to be a fun episode! The Guy Blume Group is one of the top teams in Alameda and the East Bay. Both he and Kerri had some colorful pasts and interesting professions before getting into real estate. For most agents, real estate is their second, third or even fourth career! As you’ll see from this week’s episode, that makes for some pretty amazing stories.

Kerri and Guy discuss:

* Their previous lives before real estate* How Kerri learned to deal with clients’ fears during the home-buying process* Guy Blume’s colorful back story* Keith asks: Is having a college education important as a real estate agent?* Is selling something we learn as children?* At the end of the day your ability to help people matters the most* What does Guy love about Alameda?* We burned the boats there’s no going back!

About your host Kerri

It all began with the game of Monopoly®

I grew up in the late 1970s-early 1980s when video games were either unavailable or too pricey for my welfare-dependent family. So I played board games; Monopoly was my favorite. I developed my version of the game, with credit cards, loans, and renters, by the time I was eight.

After working since age 14, and saving most of my pay, I set a goal—to become a homeowner by the time I was 25. One crack house in Oakland became “home sweet home” the day I turned 25.Three years later my boss, Moe, at the tattoo shop asked when I was going to purchase an income property. I claimed not to have adequate savings. That’s when Moe taught me the power of leverage.Over the next couple of years, friends and family would ask me for real estate advice. After being repeatedly told, “You have given me better advice than my agent” or “If you were an agent I would use you,” I earned my license in 2006.When the housing market crashed, I had to learn and adapt quickly. Instead of praying for a market recovery I looked for opportunities. My first question, “Who would be buying or selling in a market like this?” Two answers: Investors and short sellers.

 

Investors came quickly; I am one and know the business. Short sellers came later when I met Monica Cabrera, an agent with an unmatched local short-sale track record. We joined forces and formed the Bay Area Short Sale Angels,* now Northern California’s #1 short sale team, in 2008. (www.BayAreaShortSaleAngels.com).

We have helped families, individuals, and investors avoid foreclosure and improve their financial future and outlook. Staying on top of the market has made us a trusted resource and trainer to other agents. Our 98% success ratio is unheard of in a business with a 50% national success rate. Our team of five now includes a successful buyers’ specialist.

 

I have been a top producer for the last two years and enjoyed every detail of my work. I get to help others achieve their goals and, most importantly, to feel hopeful about their future. Thinking outside the Monopoly box led me to become the successful agent, team leader, and homeowner advocate I am today.

 

About your co-host Keith 

 

Keith B Dixon is a freelance commercial photographer, specializing in corporate e