Behind the Keys: More Than Just Selling Homes

I get asked a lot: What do realtors actually do? Here’s the real answer.

I just wrapped up a full time year in real estate, and to be honest—it’s been a wild ride. 

From the outside, it probably looks like a steady stream of open houses, “Just Sold” signs, and smiling clients holding their keys. And those moments are real—but they’re only a small part of the story.

What you don’t see is everything that happens behind the scenes. The 50-hour workweeks, 35 of those spent on the road. The late-night calls. The stress, the problem-solving, the heartbreak, and the joy. The quiet moments where you sit with a client through panic and try to find the best path forward. That’s the real work—and the part I love most.

I didn’t leave a stable career in IT—with benefits, bonuses, and paid vacation—for the photo ops or the idea of being my own boss. I made that leap because I believe that housing is a human right. And for me, that belief isn’t just something I say—it’s something I live.

I grew up in foster care. I know exactly what it feels like to be unsure of where you will sleep that night, or to carry that constant question of “Where do I belong?” So now, every time I hand someone the keys to their new home, it means something deeper. I’m not just helping them buy a house—I’m helping them build security. A future. A foundation.

This past year hasn’t been easy on me (Thank God for Heidi). But it’s been worth every second. Because I get to do meaningful work with people who care. I get to support my clients, advocate for them, and walk beside them in one of the biggest decisions of their lives.

And at the same time, I get to be present for my own family. That kind of balance is rare, and I don’t take it for granted.

And I’m not in it alone.

I’m lucky to be part of a brokerage that leads with heart. We give back to our community—not because it looks good, but because it’s who we are. We support organizations like the Children’s Miracle Network, Rod’s House, and Petals for Patients. We even host Radio-A-Thons—not because it looks good, but because it’s who we are.

In our homes, we live these same values. Our people host foreign exchange students and welcome Pippins baseball players into their homes. To us, home isn’t just a place—it’s a feeling. One we try to extend to everyone who walks through our door.

That mindset carries into our work. Whether someone’s buying a $5,000 piece of land or a $3 million property, they get the same care, the same energy, and the same respect. Because everyone deserves that.

I’m so proud to be part of this team. It started with a few agents and a broker who believed in doing real estate differently. Since then, we’ve grown into a collective that’s not just selling homes—we’re working to expand access, create equity, and make space for everyone at the table.

I don’t want to just close deals. I want to build relationships. I want to be there when things get hard. I want my clients to feel seen, heard, and supported—not just as buyers or sellers, but as people.

So yes, I love those ‘Just Sold’ photos, …and the endless supply of wine—because celebrating people’s new beginnings is one of the best parts

But what fills my heart is knowing I’m part of a collective that believes in giving back —and does the real, daily work to make it happen.

Every late-night text.
Every showing.
Every key handed over.

It’s all worth it.

Because we’re not just selling homes.
We’re helping people build a future.

And that’s what keeps me going—every single day.