Guru Alexandria Harris Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

Announcer: 0:01

Advisors Mortgage Group is proud to present in these real estate gurus hosted by Rick Ripma and Ian Arnold, the hard working mortgage guys, please contact Rick Annie and for all of your mortgage needs at HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com Now here's the hard working mortgage guys, Rick Ripma and Ian Arnold.

Rick Ripma: 0:25

Hi, everyone. Before we get started, I just wanted to remind you, for the most up to date information on mortgages and the Indian real estate market, go to HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com. That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com. And we are recording today from the advisors Mortgage Group studio. Hi, I'm Rick Ripma, the hardworking mortgage guy and I've had the honor of working with over 5200 home homebuyers and people refinancing, closing over $1 billion in mortgage loans, my team and I believe and custom tailored loans, not the one size fits all approach. We also believe there is a best mortgage for you. And we are the team to deliver it. We're very excited today to be talking with real estate guru, Alexandria Harris with Berkshire Hathaway homes, that Berkshire Hathaway homes is a mouthful. It is yes. But you know, it's funny because being an investing i That's a very common name. And that's super super company. Right. And you've been, you've been lies. You actually I thought it was interest. You got licensed. And you got your license, right as a pandemic yet?

Alexandria Harris: 1:31

I did. Yes. Yeah.

Rick Ripma: 1:32

And you know, of course. You know, it's funny, because a lot of people that stopped it didn't stop, you

Alexandria Harris: 1:39

know, I jumped right in, I dived in, you take full advantage. Yeah.

Rick Ripma: 1:44

And you made and you did what you wanted to do. And you made a career out of it. And you flourished. And you've done extremely well.

Alexandria Harris: 1:54

I've tried, yes. Well, I'll go beyond

Rick Ripma: 1:57

that you've actually accomplished and I'm sure you want to accomplish more like we all do lately, but your numbers, the amount of people you've been able to help get into homes is phenomenal. It puts put you in the top, top level. It's amazing, because I had somebody on and they said that 90% of real estate agents fail in the first three years.

Alexandria Harris: 2:21

Yes, I've heard that. Yeah. 90%. Yeah, that's it. Wow.

Rick Ripma: 2:25

Yeah. Yeah. And in that same environment, you flourished. So that says a lot about you. Thank you. Thank you. Phenomenal. So let's, let's start with how you, you know how or why did you get into real estate?

Alexandria Harris: 2:40

Yeah, well, great question that I get asked a lot. But I first started, I'll tell a quick story. When I, we were at my husband and I had sold our house. And then we purchased a new house. And the transaction was kind of seamless. And I was telling my husband, you know, I think I would really like this. And kind of backtracking a little bit. My background was in supply chain management, and transportation at the time. And so contracts and different things like that really intrigued me. So going through the purchase process, I was all into the to the paperwork, looking at the fine print and all of that. So when we were in the transaction, I'm telling my husband, you know, I really think I would really like to do this. And so we get to the closing table. And I tell my realtor at the time, like, hey, you know, this is something that I think I might be interested in. And he was like, you know, it's funny that you said that, because I was going to ask, if you'd be interested, I think you'd be great. And I'd really just kind of took that and kind of ran with it. And I went home and got online and looked at the classes and signed up. I took online classes and six months later here I am taking the test, like a day before everything shut down is when I got my license. And so I just jumped right in. And a lot of even the people that our I was actually studying with at the time, they didn't get the chance to take their test because of COVID everything was shut down.

Rick Ripma: 4:07

Oh, yeah. That would be awful. Taking all that time and effort and then you can't take

Alexandria Harris: 4:11

oh my gosh, yes. And it happened to a lot of a lot of people

Rick Ripma: 4:15

think that that would be terrible. Now, I thought along with all that you just said. I found it extremely interesting that you had a full time job at Allison.

Alexandria Harris: 4:25

Yes, Allison transmission.

Rick Ripma: 4:28

And you quit that job. Right at the pandemic. Yes. Full time in real estate. That takes guts.

Alexandria Harris: 4:38

It does. And it was not easy. It wasn't an easy decision. But I jumped right into real estate. I had a friend that wanted to sell their home and some other friends that said, Hey, I'm ready to buy and so here I am like hosting an open house for the first time in the middle of a pandemic and no one shows. And so I'm like kind of discouraged But I'm like, you know, I don't know, I don't know what to think this is my first one. So maybe this does happen. But literally just kept at it. And my kids were home from school. So I'm the teacher, I'm the full time, you know, contract specialist at Allison's, and I'm in the middle of an inspection period with real estate transaction. And so I told my husband, I'm like, something's gotta give. And I think it's the nine to five not getting rid of the kids. Exactly. And he's just like, you know, absolutely not. And I'm like, You gotta be kidding me. Like, no, I just have to, you know, I have to quit. And he's just like, No, no, you know, so we kind of talked about it, and, you know, went back and forth. And finally, he's like, whatever is gonna make you happy. Do it. And I'm like, Oh, my gosh, are you serious? So I remember having the conversation with my boss at the time. And, you know, I left on a really positive note, and just kind of, you know, I'm telling them, I got to be home with my kids. And, you know, it's just other things and always told me, you know, you know, if you want to come back, you, you're always welcome. So I really appreciated that. But, you know, I remember it like it was yesterday, I brought my stuff in, and, you know, turned everything in. And it was just kind of like a relief of, you know, weight has been lifted off of my shoulders, but I'm tackling on a whole different ballgame of things. And I just dived right in, and I was super excited to just be able to live out my passion and help others.

Rick Ripma: 6:28

Yeah, that's awesome. And it's, uh, you know, it says, first of all, you have a high belief in yourself, or you wouldn't have done that you have to have have a high belief. And it's really nice that your husband? Maybe not at first, because it is a shock, right? Oh, yeah. He came around, and he has a high belief in you. Yes. You know, so you have obviously a good good husband, who, you know, I don't know, when I was younger, I might have not, you know, done that. But I know that, you know, ultimately, as you know, I've been married for 38 years, 37 years. Ultimately, you're always gonna have to give into your wife. So just give him whatever, you know. And, you know, it does always work out. But you have, I think that commitment of okay, this is what I'm doing. That makes a big difference. Yes, it does. So how did you get going? I know you had, you were fortunate that you had some people, some. So you definitely worked in your sphere of influence. So somebody's brand new coming into this. Now they want to be a real estate agent. They're what what did you do to get going? So what would they do to get going?

Alexandria Harris: 7:34

Yeah, so I would say for for new agents that are getting into the business, I would stress just one working your sphere of influence. Or maybe you don't have that that sphere of influence. And so I would say get with a brokerage, that's going to be able to support you to give you that training. So maybe your niche is going to be you know, lead generation or maybe your niche is going to be going out to market yourself or network and bringing that business. So kind of find what is kind of best, or it could be social media right now. A lot of social media is driving a lot of business as well. So I would suggest this, finding your niche and what works best, what brings people into you, or what attracts you, and kind of push from there. So once you find that, and I tell a lot of new agents, once you find that push from there, and don't look back, yeah, yeah.

Rick Ripma: 8:27

Yeah. And you know, I always, I always go back to of course, my tagline is the hard work of mortgage guy. So I always go back to hard work. Absolutely. Yes, yes. So no matter what you do, work at it. So find the right things to do, or the best things you can figure out at the time and start working there. Even this fear of influence, okay, that's that those people that you have, you know, everybody has a network of some time. I don't care if you aren't even from here, and you've just moved here, and it's somewhere else. Absolutely. That doesn't mean you can't go there. Because in today's world, I know people and basically, maybe every state in the union. I mean, it's amazing how many people I know. And even if you don't, your Facebook friends, yes, I have Facebook friends everywhere. I have Facebook friends in Hawaii, because because I have family who has family in Hawaii, you know, isn't it amazing?

Alexandria Harris: 9:26

It is in social media right now is you've got to use it at your vantage. It's who you know who they know. And just kind of push through that that sphere and building relationships is is huge. So it's not necessarily just a transaction after the next transaction. It's building those relationships. I can't tell you how many people that I've met just by having real estate conversations. And that has just gone a long way and just being genuine. Like I said, it's a passion of mine to kind of take care of others. So just having that basic conversation saying here, you know, here's what my suggestion would be that goes a long way and word of mouth, they're going to tell someone, they're going to tell someone and you know, it just kind of trickles down. And that's, that's how I have sustained my business. Yes.

Rick Ripma: 10:12

And it's it's vital that you do that. Relationships. And, and, and sales is vital, especially I think in real estate sales. And I think one of the special things about that a real estate agent has available to them, is pretty much everybody is interested in real estate. Yes. So it's not, it's not hard. You you start up a conversation with somebody and ask what they do. And they're, they're probably going to ask you what you do. And you say, you're in real estate. And the next thing you know, you got 20 questions. It happens

Alexandria Harris: 10:41

every time. And I tell people, like I said, new agents all the time. How do I start off? Do I just tell them? I'm in real estate? No, you never you never have to? You can? I can? I don't? I can tell you, I can be at the nail salon, the grocery store talking like you have to be a people person and just have a conversation. Hey, how was your day today? You know, you know, that hat looks very nice on you. Your jacket looks so nice. Where did you get it? And it sparks a conversation and just being relational. And they'll it always happens? It always comes back to real estate.

Rick Ripma: 11:16

It does because everybody's interested in real estate. Absolutely. It's why I do a show on real estate and I'm a mortgage broker. Because nobody's interested in mortgages. They're interested in the minute that they're getting one. Yes, right. That's true. That's about the only time so you have to find something else. And quite honestly, I'm interested in real estate. I started out 30 something years ago, I spent 11 years with the new homebuilder. Okay, so I did that I got out of that 23 years ago and came into mortgages. So but real estate is very interesting. I bought when I was young, I bought rental property, I learned very quickly that there are people who are meant to have rental property and people who aren't. I'm one who is not. So I can't manage the rental property. I don't like it, you know, that kind of thing. The only time I ever made money was when I hired somebody to manage it for him. Yeah, and that that was the only time it started to work out. But it is a great way to build wealth, whether you're buying your own home, or you're buying a rental property. So what's your most enjoyable part of your job?

Alexandria Harris: 12:21

Oh, the most enjoyable part of my job would just be that I get to spread knowledge and information to people that may not think that they have it in them. So I love to spark conversations. And I like those that say like, you know, not me, maybe that person, but I'm like, No, you can too. And just being able to bring that out of someone gives me pure pure joy. If I'm in a transaction with someone that never thought that it was possible for them to be purchasing their first home. at the closing table, that is when I find pure joy, because it's like it wasn't me, I didn't force you to do this. I brought this out of you. And they're so grateful. And I'm always grateful that I can always put in some information that bring something out to someone else. It's a huge

Rick Ripma: 13:07

help to somebody. Yeah, we'll talk about that after the break. Before we go on break. How would somebody get a hold of you? What's the best way to contact you for any real estate needs?

Alexandria Harris: 13:15

Yes, I would think the best way to contact me would be just by my phone, I have it all the time. It's Area code 317-450-0817 or social media. I'm Alexandria Harris, or Alexandria, at your realtor and on Instagram. But I my phone would probably be the best. And they can call or text they can call or text anytime. That's 317-450-0817.

Rick Ripma: 13:44

And if you would like to get a hold of Ian or I for any mortgage needs, it's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com. After the break, we're going to talk more Alexandria about her real estate career. And here's some of these very fascinating stories.

Unknown: 14:04

Advisors, mortgage brokers licensed by Indiana Department of Financial Institution equal housing opportunity. NMLS 33041 Rick ritmos NMLS 664589

Rick Ripma: 14:12

Hi, I'm Rick Ripma. With the hard work and mortgage guys and advisors Mortgage Group where we believe delivering the best mortgage for you is why we exist and it's how we all succeed.

Unknown: 14:21

We believe honesty, kindness and hard work are how we honor each client at hardworking mortgage guys, we believe in custom tailored loans, not a one size fits all approach. We believe in always presenting you with all your options. So you get the loan you want the way you want it. We believe in continually monitoring the rules, rates and market trends. So you don't have to we believe in working hard to meet your closing date so that your entire plan isn't upended. We believe in offering the same quick online process that the bookstore mortgage companies brag about whether you're refinancing or buying your first home,

Rick Ripma: 14:55

we believe there is the best mortgage for you and we believe we are the team To deliver it find us online at hardworking mortgage guys.com.

Announcer: 15:08

Brought to you by advisors Mortgage Group, where we believe the more you know about financing a home, the less stressful buying and refinancing will be.

Rick Ripma: 15:21

Welcome back, and thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate you, you listening. But as we get started, we want to always start after our break. We start with our question of the week. Now it's time for questions with the gurus. And the question of the week is always the same. It's, it's, you know, what was your first car or what was your most memorable car?

Alexandria Harris: 15:52

Okay, my first car was a Chevy Malibu. It was like a turquoise green color. Beautiful. It was it was really nice. I loved that car. And I actually I have a twin sister. And so her and I shared this car. But that was mostly the driver. She wasn't she didn't really care to drive as much. So I was the driver. But we went everywhere in that car.

Rick Ripma: 16:15

That's a great car, though. It was. Yeah.

Alexandria Harris: 16:17

I mean, and a lot of our friends had like older cars, like our parents were able enough. Fortunate enough for us to have a brand new car. Brand new, it was new.

Rick Ripma: 16:29

Oh, I didn't know you were spoiled.

Alexandria Harris: 16:34

So they kind of set the bar pretty high, which now my husband doesn't understand why I always wanted a new car.

Rick Ripma: 16:41

You know, well, we need to talk as you did mention, your husband has a special car.

Alexandria Harris: 16:48

He does. And so he is actually into cars as well. He has a Hellcat. So he has a charger dodge Dodge Charger. Yes. And it's pretty fast. And I I'd rather go a little slower.

Rick Ripma: 17:05

Doesn't have to go fast. It doesn't have to know. And we only have 707. That's it.

Alexandria Harris: 17:11

Yeah, but it's pretty loud when it leaves the garage and the neighbors. Hey, I heard your husband this morning. Oh, I'm sure you did.

Rick Ripma: 17:19

I think on those I'm not positive. But I think on those there's a switch so you can make it quieter?

Alexandria Harris: 17:24

It is yes. And he tries to be quiet because he kind of works early mornings. So he tries to be quiet. When am I still or do

Rick Ripma: 17:35

that, you know, but it's kind of why you have the car too. Yeah, quite honestly, when you have a car like that you want people to hear it a little because to us guys, maybe you You seem like a car person. So it may seem the same to you. So I shouldn't say those guys, to us card people. That noise is is music.

Alexandria Harris: 17:54

yes to him? Absolutely. Sometimes for me, I'm like, could you just please keep it down or like, the one thing that really gets him is when we are dropping our kids off at school. My daughter is like, can you just make it a little bit quieter? And he's like, no, like, like the little boys and they're always like, wrap it up, wrap it up and and she's just so embarrassed

Rick Ripma: 18:16

that she'll remember that with fond memories. Yes,

Alexandria Harris: 18:19

absolutely.

Rick Ripma: 18:20

It's it's funny because cars. For some reason cars do that. Maybe because I'm such a car person that you know, I remember the first car it was gonna be a Dodge was called Superbird. Okay, yeah, I saw it across the street. They pulled into my neighbor's house, and I made a beeline over that huge wing that it had. And I'm in love with that car today. You know, it's just it's one of my favorite cars, but it's just cars do something.

Alexandria Harris: 18:45

They do. Yeah. And it's a conversation piece. And you know,

Rick Ripma: 18:49

it's funny to know, I'll get off cars, but you hit me on cars. It's hard for me to get I sold cars for five years. Oh, did you work for deal? Because I love cars. Right? And it was always interesting to me that mom and dad would bring their son in. Okay. And it's like, what is the cheapest car you got around? Do you have anything on the backlot? You know, he can work on it, whatever. And they would buy this on the cheapest most of the time they'll the cheapest junky as car they could find. Then two years later, they'll bring the daughter in or vice versa doesn't matter. And the daughter is looking at brand new car. Because you're not gonna let your daughter Yeah. It's not even I mean, really, if you watch like different shows today, there's many many girls who are much better at McCann much better mechanics and the boys are much better than me. I mean, I'm I don't like to get my hands dirty. So I did not make a good mechanic. So it's not accurate, but it is funny how we take how we look at our kids, you know, we do yes and how it is. Let's get back to real estate. So And I guess before we get too much into it, what would you consider your superpowers?

Alexandria Harris: 20:06

My superpowers? Putting all the pieces together, okay, I'm really good at at piecing it together and I use it as a challenge for myself to to be that puzzle piece maker.

Rick Ripma: 20:21

And there's a lot of pieces. Yes. And it's an it's a vital piece, you have to be able to do that to make a transaction go smoothly.

Alexandria Harris: 20:30

Yes, you do. You're You're the liaison for for this entire transaction, and you're putting all these pieces together. And they all have to talk to one another. And I think sometimes that's what people kind of fail to realize, is you've got to talk to this person and that person in order for all of it to come together. And I think my superpower is just to be be able to sense all of this this going on? And how can we do it all in a timely manner to come to closing on time?

Rick Ripma: 21:00

Well, you know, and I'll tell you, this is just a observation. I think one of your other superpowers is your enthusiasm. I think that's very, it's very catchy for people. And I think that's, you know, through a transaction people are already there's a lot of emotion, but sometimes the emotion is going the wrong direction. And that enthusiasm can help help people get to the right, the right side of that,

Alexandria Harris: 21:24

yes, yeah, thank you for saying that. Because that's true, I try to keep a positive attitude. Because a lot of transactions can be emotional, for for whatever reason, and just saying, you know, for me always saying, I tell my clients all the time, I got you, this is maybe a hurdle that we have to go through, here's a barrier right here. But stick with me, I got you. So, and we're sometimes kind of like a counselor at some sort. Because we do we, we kind of say, you know, kind of keep it keep, keep looking at me keep you know, stay focused on the on this as the prize. And we got to stick together. So I'm very passionate about keeping focus and, and getting to the finish line.

Rick Ripma: 22:08

Yeah. And go along with that, I think your enthusiasm. And the other thing that I noticed is your very level. Okay, which is a vital. So it's kind of a con contradiction a little bit, you have that enthusiasm, which you need, but you're also very level. So when that home buyer or home seller, or anybody else is getting excited or having those year, you're able to keep the calm, because there's always things not always there are some times when things happen, that we need. The real estate agent needs to be the one who walks calms it down and helps people make a rational decision. Not an emotional,

Alexandria Harris: 22:54

Yes, correct. Correct. And I always kind of tell my coach, myself and my manager right now, I mean, the broker is she tells me you don't control the outcome. You may have to deliver the information, but you don't control it and telling myself that and knowing that all the time, it helps me to kind of level myself in the situation and maybe de escalate some things to keep us moving forward. Right.

Rick Ripma: 23:16

Yeah, that's vital. Yeah. It's I think it's I think that really matters to most home buyers and sellers. When there is an issue. They may they may not, they may or may not appreciate it at that very minute. Yes. Right. But ultimately, they do appreciate it. Because ultimately, once the emotion goes away, they realize what you did is basically you talked them off the ledge, right? Yes. And you got them to see things in the way that they could make the correct decision for them. Yes. Because we don't make the decision for them. We just have to get them to where they can make the right decision. Yes, education is key. Yeah. And you don't want there's so many times when people they get emotional, and, and then we, we make a decision, and we do something. And it's like, dang, I really regretted doing that. And it's, it's you made it at the wrong time. Yeah. And then also, buying and selling homes most of the time is very exciting. But not for everybody.

Alexandria Harris: 24:20

No, you know, there's reasons why people sell there's, you know, why they buy so it's not always the pleasant, you know, the pleasant excitement of purchasing or selling a home, there comes a lot of kind of, you know, remorse or sadness when giving up a home or, you know, purchasing for whatever reason. So you have to understand and be aware of the emotional state of your clients. Yes. What?

Rick Ripma: 24:47

I kind of relate it to the cars. You know, we talked about that first car and the emotion that comes out about first cars with people. That's the car that you had for a year or two. You've been in the house five years. It's yours. You've brought your babies home to it, maybe. I mean, there's just so much involved in that house, that there's going to be a lot of emotion there. And you're and it's it's kind of like your kid, you're very protective of it. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. And it helps to have somebody levelheaded who can stay unemotional, and get you through that. And so I just thought you had a lot more superpowers that you want to do it.

Alexandria Harris: 25:23

Thank you for bringing that out.

Rick Ripma: 25:26

I think that's important. So what what two resources do you have, that you had? Or you use that you think, man, if I didn't have these resources? I would not be where I am today?

Alexandria Harris: 25:38

Oh, well. One in particular is my family. I have small kids. And so a lot of people will say like, oh my gosh, how do you do this, with your little ones I have, my daughter is eight and my son is four. So they keep me really busy. But if I did not have the support of my husband, who loves what I do encourage encourages me all the time to keep pushing forward. without his support, my families might their grandparents, I wouldn't be able to just move so fast so quickly for my clients. So that is those are resources that I don't take for granted. And they keep me you know, pushing towards my career. And then second resource would be my Berkshire Hathaway family. My manager, Lynne Wheeler, Craig West, all of them have been such a great support. And we talk about such a big company, but it's very small and very kind of intimate, and I can call on them for any type of resource. And they have really, really allowed me to kind of flourish in my career.

Rick Ripma: 26:43

Yeah, mentors are extremely important for I should bypass family family is probably the most important Yes, you have to have the support of your family. And but past that, then it's the mentors that you have. And I think the my age group was not, a lot of us. Didn't even say that I was not good with as much as using mentors. I never saw anybody as a mentor. I just it just wasn't how I saw life. My son, my youngest son, is phenomenal at being a mentor. And we're and having mentors that have that has made his life flourish because of it. So I see a huge value in mentors. And I also noticed, every real estate guru we talked to mentors are a big piece of it.

Alexandria Harris: 27:33

Yes, absolutely. I don't think I would be able to be sitting here today, if I didn't have people that I admire and look up to. I don't know, the quote that I always use. I don't know who said this, but mimic what you admire. And I live by that. If there I don't try to duplicate it. I tried to make it my own. But I tried to, you know, people that have come before me and that have done this. I don't try to reinvent the wheel. It's Hey, can we grab coffee? Let me let me talk to you. And let me ask some questions. That is how I am able to really succeed by those who have already gotten have been able to get there. So I just, I use that as a stepping stone to how can I get better? And it's going back to those that have come before me and that have already done what I'm trying to do.

Rick Ripma: 28:21

Yeah, and one of the things my son taught me and mentors is there's vertical. And there's horizontal members. Yes, mentors, mentors. I can't speak to that. I apologize. But it's all it's the you know, the mentors, the people who have been there, like your managers and things that are that the other managers, but they're much, much more than that, because they're great mentors. Yeah, it any any agent? I think this is anybody looking to become a real estate agent, or anybody looking to hire a real estate agent to help them in their sale? If it the mentors around them, the people around them, the team matters. It does you should ask about the team.

Alexandria Harris: 29:04

Yes, right. Yes. Where does your support come from? What are you What are you doing to keep this transaction in order? Who's helping you behind the scenes? Those are all great questions that you need to ask because you want someone that you trust, and is going to get the job done. But you want to know how they're going to get this job done? Are they just going to just be scatterbrain and just have things all over? Or do they have a system in place? That's going to get you from point A to point B?

Rick Ripma: 29:28

We're running out of time on the radio side. So please join us on the podcast. And if you need to get a hold of Ian or I, it's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com and Alexandria, what would be the best way they could get a hold of

Alexandria Harris: 29:44

you? Yes, that will be by phone. Or you can call or text that's 3174 or 500817.

Rick Ripma: 29:52

Okay, now we're going to the podcast side.

Announcer: 29:55

You're listening to indies real estate gurus with Rick Ripma and Ian Arnold to hear the conclusion of this interview, go to hardworking mortgage guys.com and hit the podcast tab. Brent NMLS number 33041. Rick Ripma NMLS number 664589. Ian Arnold's NMLS number is 1995469, equal housing opportunity, some restrictions apply.

Unknown: 30:16

Well, first off, thank you for joining us, Danielle. I appreciate it. And I just was curious, how did you come to find out about Rick Ripma and advisors mortgage, oh, I was looking for a mortgage for myself for a brand new home that I was building. And I wasn't sure the direction to go, I didn't have anybody in mind. So I kind of just spoke to whoever I could speak to, I got their number. And everything seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. So I went with them. The thing I liked the most about Rick and his advisors mortgage, is that I could go and upload things online. And I didn't have to always be on the phone with them or sending them documents or trying to look for certain things that I needed to get the process going. Which was really great for me, I had a processor named Mark Coleman, who really helped me out in making sure I had everything I needed. Because I I didn't know the first thing about having a mortgage. So it was awesome to have so much help. I think probably what I've benefited from the most is really just the understanding that sometimes I would get busy. And maybe I forgot to upload a document or I forgot to do a certain part of the process in a timely manner. And they would get right back with me. And it wasn't like a, hey, we really need this right now. It was always, Hey, just wanted to make sure you still remember that we need this. Well, you don't get that too much. In this day and age, it seems like most people are either, you know, very demanding of something they need from you. And they need it right now. And, and I agree. I've seen that in Rick's attitude with us over over the last 10 years that he's very patient, but also helpful to get the right things he needs. So exactly. In conclusion is Rick Ripma and advisors mortgage, somebody that you would use in the future and or tell your friends and family about? Absolutely. And I just want to thank them for all the effort they put in to help me find my dream home.

Announcer: 32:08

Ranch NMLS number 33041 Rick Ripma is NMLS number 664589 equal housing opportunity, some restrictions apply?

Rick Ripma: 32:14

I'm Rick Ripma, you can go to HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com. Well, welcome back, we appreciate it. Thanks for joining us on the podcast. If you came from the radio, you're in the right spot. I want to get more into you talked about the mentors. And you know, then we kind of got on to one of the next questions I wanted to ask, which is, what do you look for? If you're looking to hire a real estate agent to buy or sell a home? What should somebody look for in that agent?

Alexandria Harris: 32:42

Yeah, sure, there's definitely questions that you're going to want to ask, as well as just kind of pick up on when you're having that conversation. So if you are looking for a realtor to, you know, service, your real estate needs, you want to ask them, like, you know, what's their relationship style? What's their conversation style, do you prefer email or text, because whatever is going to work best for you is going to be how that you're, they're going to need to operate. But you want to bring that out of them. Because this transaction is literally serious stuff here. So you want to be able to have someone that you know, like and trust. So just asking those questions like, you know, how many kids do you have? Like, what is your you know, what is your style of business? Who like I said, Who do you have behind the scenes that helping Is there a transaction coordinator is there you know, someone else that I'll be working with, because you may want an agent that you're going to be able to want to talk to them, but you do have some agents that you're going to talk to their transaction coordinator or their assistant, if that's mean something to you, you're going to want to know that going forward. So setting those expectations of a client, and then knowing the expectations that that realtor has as well, and making sure they fit your needs.

Rick Ripma: 33:57

Yeah, I think, you know, we talked about first you had to have that back the mentors in the in the experience behind you. Yes. And then you you said, the relationships. And, you know, I can read my own writing isn't that terrible? Conversations? And, you know, the conversations I think is brilliant, because it does matter how somebody wants to be communicated with I started years ago, I do a tremendous amount of of lead generation and follow up. And that, you know, that's kind of what I do. And I've noticed that email used to be the thing. And now it is not the thing. And tech seems to be the thing. But even that seems to be waning, some but I'm not sure where it's going yet. Maybe it's social media. Yes. Yeah. But I just noticed the change. And you got to keep up with that. But what matters is what do you want? How do you? Exactly yeah, you want me to communicate? And an email? That's what I'll do. But on the other side for us, I find that it's getting difficult because and just you have to do it. I'm not saying that I'm just saying, you know, it becomes a little more difficult because you have so many different ways that you, you have to check your email, you have to check your text, you have to check your messages. You have to check everything all the time, all the time, you have to be getting that. And when you're like, I am a little I love technology. But I'm a little I'm not as savvy as probably you are. I don't have it all coming in correctly.

Alexandria Harris: 35:40

I can see it all the time. So you may miss something. Yes.

Rick Ripma: 35:44

And that drives me crazy. Because I think in that communication, it's how you want to be communicated. It's also to me very important, how quickly somebody is going to get back with you at least what is your expectation the house to

Alexandria Harris: 35:55

quickly get back and setting that expectation? Yes, yeah,

Rick Ripma: 35:58

I have a serious problem. And that I have a very, very, very high sense of urgency. So if somebody gets gets with me, at let's say it's 630 at night, right? I think they expect an answer right now. Me too. Yes. So you have the same problem. Yeah. And then you send it this like, Oh, I didn't expect an answer till tomorrow. I just sent it to you. Just like I do, though. I'll send this message at 637. Eight o'clock at night think and they'll just get it in the morning. That's fine. But man, if I get it,

Alexandria Harris: 36:28

I'm up like, Oh, before I go to bed, I gotta answer this or get this in order. Yeah, you're like, Oh, well, you could have just I just did this. So you can, you know, so I wouldn't forget. You could just see it in the morning. As is not how I operate. I'm like, oh, no, it's it with urgency. Yes. And sometimes it could be great. And then a lot of times, it's like, oh, man, it could have waited? Yes. So knowing those balances. Absolutely. And

Rick Ripma: 36:50

I think that the the issue isn't that with the with the customers, it's actually with our families, it Yes. Because what what we do when we do that is you you take away time from your family, when it really didn't have to be but I just see everything is urgent. And I I've tried, I just can't get over it.

Alexandria Harris: 37:11

You know, and I've put things in place, and I am still a work in progress. And I'm I will say that I'm better. But I just have that mentality to just go and go. And it's got to be done now. And I think maybe that's just the nature of our jobs. But I'm learning I'm learning it is

Rick Ripma: 37:30

the nature of our jobs. But I know for a fact not everybody is like That's true. Okay, because I've worked with agents. And I've worked with, with mortgage people who the in fact, the reason I set up my my whole process the way I did is because the biggest complaint I heard about other lenders is the communication. The lack of or the the timeliness of communication.

Alexandria Harris: 37:55

Yes. That's I mean, yeah, the you're true. You're absolutely right. Yeah.

Rick Ripma: 37:59

And I think it's the same with real estate. I had an agent and big agent. Okay. And, you know, I knew him personally. They lost, they know, I mean, if they wanted you, they expected you to get back with them immediately. If you wanted them. They didn't. They may or may never, they may get back, they may never get back into the matter. He lost a listing that he had for a couple million dollar house because he wouldn't talk to his client. He just didn't. He didn't, that wasn't something that was important to him. And that matters.

Alexandria Harris: 38:31

Yeah, it matters. And I always that you said that it brought home something for me because I don't care if you are a $90,000 client or $900,000 client, I want to give everyone that same respect and treat you as as value. And so that's really, really big for me, I'm not about money, I'm not really money driven. It's about helping that client and assisting them or wherever they may be in the situation financially, or you know, mentally I'm willing to help everyone I think that has gone a long way for my business because I treat everyone the same.

Rick Ripma: 39:09

I think it's vital if you're going to be working with somebody mortgage or a real estate agent, because in fact that's the only I don't have I knew you were like that because you wouldn't be on my show. Okay, thank you because I don't have people on who they don't put the customer first. Absolutely. If you don't put the customer first then you shouldn't I mean it's not that's not my way Yeah, it's not why I do the show. It's not why I don't want to promote somebody who does that. I want good solid people. I want the top people and you know what that this is the interesting part. I want the top people every top person I call okay that is somewhere in their hierarchy of of strategy of the way they are okay. Always in the top three. Yeah, always because they care and and the fat One of the reasons I know they care is because they share like you do you share what you do. For if there's if there's a new agent out there, and they're listening, you you share strategies. Yes. You know, because you care, you care about the industry, you care about your customers, you care about everything you care. So you're you're willing to do that. And I think, to me, I think that's probably the most important

Alexandria Harris: 40:22

piece. Yes, I think so

Rick Ripma: 40:24

of what any of us do. Yes, yeah. Now, what is your you kind of talked about? But what does your team look like?

Alexandria Harris: 40:30

Well, I am an individual agent. So I don't necessarily have a team, quote, unquote, team. So I have the, you know, the agents that are in my office, we have mastermind groups, and I collab with them all the time. And then like I said, my managers, and you know, those in management, I communicate with them very often. But I am kind of a one man show. I don't have a transaction coordinator. So a lot of the things that I do, I put a lot of hard work into myself. I have a strong marketing department at my company. So that helps a lot. But it's just it's just me.

Rick Ripma: 41:09

You do have a team? Because you talked about it. And that's your managers and all that they're your they aren't your and I understand exactly what you mean, you don't have a team, as most people might say, Okay, I have 15 people working underneath me that kind of thing. You have a team as in, I have a team in the background, who can help me through anything I need help through? Because they have I don't know they do they have all the tools, yes, you have all the tools that you need. And the other thing that says about you is that you do high volume, which means you must be extremely well organized.

Alexandria Harris: 41:44

I try to be

Rick Ripma: 41:46

you're probably better than you think. Because I don't say I don't know how you could do the volume you do. Because you're doing you're doing all of it.

Alexandria Harris: 41:53

Yes, I am. And so like I said it, it pays to be organized and to have a plan in place. And I'm trying to be a lot better about that. I could, of course, I could always be better. But yes, I try to keep a plan of action and using my resources that has helped me not to necessarily hire other people. Because I kind of resource it out. I'm like, Hey, can you help with this? Or, Hey, I'm, you know, I'm really kind of stuck on this marketing piece. So I'll use our marketing department to run strategies, and what do you think about this? So I think that being able to voice kind of what I need has been really helpful in people just coming to my aid sometimes when I just need that extra push. So like I said, not necessarily, I don't have a team that I've hired, but I definitely have a team.

Rick Ripma: 42:40

Yeah, you don't have it. And you know, I need to learn what you just said, I am terrible at asking for help. Terrible. I just do it myself. I have a team. Yeah. Okay. And I have plenty of people, but I tend to, and I think I personally, I would do it like you do, I would learn what I'm doing. I would learn the job before I brought somebody on to do a job because I want to know, I want to know how to do it. So I want to have a good understanding before I have somebody doing it. So I understand what they're doing and how they're doing it. What they're, and if for some reason they leave I still need to. Yes. That That, to me is very important. So what, what what is your most memorable deal?

Alexandria Harris: 43:27

Oh, my most memorable transaction. I had a client at that we looked at a house. And she loved this house. It was picture perfect. It was everything that she wanted. It was she was a first time homebuyer and it got, we didn't get the accepted offer. So literally, I felt so bummed for her. I'm like, you know, and I blamed myself, what can I have done better? How can I've made the offer, you know, sweeter? And I'm just like, okay, you know, let's just go look at more houses. And so I know, we probably looked at maybe, maybe three more houses. And she kept saying, I like it, but it's not this house. I like it, but it's not this. And she just kept referring back to this house. And we found a house that we were going to place an offer on in the moment that we were getting ready to place the offer. And maybe this is probably a month later, I got a call from another agent. And they're like, hey, you know, you're a client, I placed an offer on this home and our deal just fell through. We were supposed to close yesterday and it fell through. And I'm like literally in the middle of the grocery store. And I'm like dropping the groceries. Like, I know exactly who this is. And I'm like, What's the address? And I'm like, you've got to be kidding me. And I'm like, my client absolutely loved this house. Like what what do we have to do? And I remember calling her and like jaw dropping like she was like in tears. She was like, Oh my gosh, yes, I want this house. And for me like that's when I like really kind of like kicked my gear in Like, kicked it in gear that, you know, this was for me, because I felt so strong about this transaction with this client. And we were able to, you know, get her into this house. And to this day, she, I still follow up with her, she loves her house, she'll send me like, Hey, I redecorated the laundry room, take a look at this. And it was just the perfect, she was a single mom at the time. And like, that meant everything to me to be able to kind of work those deals and those transactions. And it's, like I said, it's a team effort with other agents with your clients. And for me, that is like the most memorable transaction that I had, because it was just, she thought there was in the world that she wasn't going to get this house. And here we are. And so I tell all my clients from that, what's meant to be will be, it's happened before where, you know, I saw something under contract, it just happened not long ago, and my client was bummed that it was already under contract, and here it is on the market again. So we were able to, you know, kind of get that house, but whatever it will be will be for you. Right. And if that wasn't the house for us, it wasn't meant to be. And so that's how I kind of move and tell my clients, like, if it's for you, it's going to be if we put in this offer, and it's meant for you to have it. It's gonna be however that works, right?

Rick Ripma: 46:15

You know, you can, you can control, you can't control the past, and you can't change the past. So you can't, right you learn from it, that's all you can do is learn from the past. You can't control the future, the only thing you can control, the only thing that will change the future is what you do the day salutely. And so that, that, that and so when something happens like that, I agree 100% What will be will be you keep going because you don't know, you don't know what the future holds. And I've had many, especially over the last few years, many clients who looked and made offers on multiple homes, right, many multiples. And they would call and you know, I'd be talking to them. And they're like, Yeah, you know, this is the fourth home we made an offer on we didn't get it. We really liked this one Aneta. And it's like, I tell them, I'd say listen, there's a I like country music. And there was at the time, and I don't even remember what the song is. But there was a song out the guys talking about thinking all the girls he had dated that had dumped him. Because without that he wouldn't have found his wife. Yes, right. Yeah. And to me, that's kind of what it is. You go and you you think you love this house. But every buddy that I've ever worked with, and and there may be one or two that I'm wrong, but the the one they end up with the house they end up with? Yeah. Is the one they they realized was the right? Absolutely,

Alexandria Harris: 47:40

yes. So I totally agree with you on that. If at the end, it's all worth it. And those other houses are kind of like in the past history. This is what we this was what was meant to be it's almost like the house finds us. Yes, absolutely.

Rick Ripma: 47:55

Yeah, it just I don't know, it. Just it just kind of weird how that works. So what are your goals for your business? For this year?

Alexandria Harris: 48:06

Yes. So this year, my my goals are just to kind of push forward and branch out to different different things. Like I said, my referrals and sphere of influence is really what has kept me. And now I'm wanting to kind of go out into a different world of networking, and hosting events, and just really getting into how can I be a better agent. So I've been focused on educating myself. And reading has been a really big piece for me this year. I haven't, I've never really been a book reader. And now I'm finding myself more and more engaging into books, whether it be fiction, nonfiction, business related personal, I just want to read. And I really love that because it opens up my mind to so much more. And so I just really want to be in be able to assist my clients better and help other agents as well. Maybe new new realtors that are in the business and in the industry, I want to bring things out of them that maybe they don't know that they have. So that's really a big piece for me this year. And not necessarily like a total number to make more money or anything like that. How can I help others, whether they be like I said, on the client side or in the industry as well, bringing out better agents. So

Rick Ripma: 49:26

because there what I found is, if you just help people, it all comes down

Alexandria Harris: 49:32

it goes a long way.

Rick Ripma: 49:34

And it's also I've said for many, many years, it's much more fun to give a gift than receive a gift. Absolutely like for Christmas or birthdays. It's getting the gift for your loved ones. That is more fun than the gifts that you Yes, right. Yes. So and it's the same with this. It's giving and and somehow some way it comes back and it is doesn't always come back directly. Because some people don't appreciate what you gave them. Yeah, right. But most people do. And so it somehow comes back. So even though even if they didn't appreciate it, some some someplace else that comes back from it. So always, it's just how the world works. It's how God set it up.

Alexandria Harris: 50:21

Right. Exactly, exactly. That's

Rick Ripma: 50:22

what I learned not to fight. I don't think I was like that when I was younger. But I have learned that and it's kind of interesting, I think what you what you said is the openness to help other real estate agents, who a lot of people look at his competition, but you realize it's that abundance mentality, you realize there's plenty out there is plenty to go around. And it's better if they're if they're good, right? It's much better to work with good agents than to be have you're on the buyer side or the seller side. And the other agent is has no mentors. They don't have any help. And they have no experience. They don't know what they're doing. Yes.

Alexandria Harris: 50:59

And I was that agent. Yeah, my first transaction. I'm like, I don't really know how to do this. I don't know how to open up a lockbox. I remember that selling agent on the other side was like, hey, what do you need, I can help. And she knew this was my first transaction. And I when I say she was helpful, like I remember to this day, she instructed me on how to actually use that lockbox and and what to do, so I appreciated that and I'm only giving what was given to me. Yes, yeah.

Rick Ripma: 51:27

Yeah, that's, that's awesome. I just think it's awesome, but we are running out of time. So if somebody has any real estate needs, what is the best way to get a hold of you?

Alexandria Harris: 51:36

Yes, if you need to get a hold of me. I'm Alexandria Harris on Facebook. And Instagram is Alexandria, your real Latour. And by phone call or text 3174 or 500817

Rick Ripma: 51:51

you need to get a hold of Ian or I, it's Awesome. If HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com. Thank you for joining us. Please subscribe to the channel. We just don't want you to miss any of our shows. Thanks so much. Have a great day.