Guru Heather Ludlow with Nest Realty

Rick Ripma: 0:00

Welcome to Indy's Real Estate Gurus. I'm recruitment your hard work and mortgage guy and I've been in mortgages and real estate for over 34 years, I've helped over5200 folks finance their homes,maybe 5300. Now, my team and I believe in custom tailored loans, not a one size fits all approach. We believe there is the right mortgage for you, and we believe we are the team to deliver it.

Ian Arnold: 0:21

And I'm Ian Arnold partof Ricks hard working mortgage team. I've been in financial industry for 15 years helping customers rebuild their credit, get the best possible interest rate. And I also have a passion helping you secure your overall real estate dreams and also hopefully pay off your home even faster.

Rick Ripma: 0:35

And for the most up to date information on mortgages or the Indian real estate market, go to HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com Or you can call 317-672-1938.That's 317-672-1938. And today,we have Heather Ludlow. Hey,thank you for joining us. We really appreciate it. Yeah.

Heather Ludlow: 0:56

Thanks for having me. Excited to be here.

Rick Ripma: 0:58

Great. And you're with what company?

Heather Ludlow: 1:00

I'm with Nest Realty. Our main offices, Avon,Indiana. Alright. Yeah.

Rick Ripma: 1:05

So you serve the west side, obviously. But probably more than that. I think I saw I think I even saw a map where you you go way up Northern Indiana.

Heather Ludlow: 1:13

I have some referral partners out there that I would probably refer that out to but um, definitely, you know,the metro area. You know, North I do go north side. Okay, but not not too far.

Rick Ripma: 1:28

Not too far. I think it makes sense. Ya know, the market so you

Heather Ludlow: 1:32

I want to know the market. I think it's better for my clients that way. And the service animal partners,

Rick Ripma: 1:35

if you have the right referral partners, that makes all the difference,because I think people if if they're moving from Indianapolis, or this our area to I don't care Kansas City or you know, Seattle, no matter where having an agent here who can refer you to somebody is a big deal. Oh, most definitely.Yeah. That's a good solid agent.

Heather Ludlow: 1:55

You do those their local market? Yeah. And that can be imperative.Absolutely.

Rick Ripma: 2:01

So how did you What did you do before real estate?Where did you grow up the words you got to school?

Heather Ludlow: 2:07

Yeah, so I was born and raised in Danville,Indiana. So I don't know if you guys are familiar with the area.Okay. So just outside of Indy,about, what 30 minutes or so. So born and raised there, went to high school there. And then went to IUPUI for a little while winter IV. A little while. All the while I was always in some sort of a sales role or position. Actually, my grandparents owned a Maytag business. So they sold washers,dryers, all the appliances,right? So they were pretty big in Plainfield at the time. And when I was just out of high school, and in college, I worked on their Salesforce helped with scheduling service calls, just jack of all trades there. But it taught me a lot. And then from there, I also waited tables. I was a bartender, I managed at a nice restaurant. And then I also worked for a staffing company.I've always been in a sales role, I guess at the end of the day. Yeah. So that's kind of where I was at prior to delving into real estate

Rick Ripma: 3:14

restaurants is a good I got my first job. While I was going to school was I was a bartender. Yeah, it's a good job to learn how to communicate to people talk to people, you know,hone in some of those. Not that we weren't social already, but you know, hone those

Heather Ludlow: 3:33

hone those skills. Yeah, absolutely. It really did.

Rick Ripma: 3:36

Okay, so there's probably a story behind how you got into real estate. So how did you get into real estate?

Heather Ludlow: 3:42

Yeah, so I was working for a staffing company at the time, and I ended up getting pregnant with my with my first child had a really crazy pregnancy, very high risk. We don't have enough time to talk about that here, but ended up having to go on bed rest for pretty much my entire pregnancy.And then my son was born at 27weeks. So we were in the hospital about three months before we could take him home.And when I had a lot of health issues, when we did get them home, so I could not go back to a nine to five kind of position,and even a sales position where I might have to travel a little bit just, it wasn't in the cards for me. So I had a friend that I've known for many, many years,she was in real estate and had been probably for, you know,maybe four or five years at that time and was like how do you be great at real estate? And I was like, Yeah, okay, you know, I mean, I do like houses and design and all that good stuff.But you know, I know there's probably more to it. So not that I was naive, I did kind of, you know, you look at the HGTV HGTV of the world and you're kind of like, Oh, this looks so Fun, I get to go show homes and you know, and just have a great time with people well turned out way more to that. But so she kind of got me started. I went to real estate school and then started with Keller Williams, which was the company she was at. So yeah,so that's kind of how I got into the business.

Rick Ripma: 5:21

To start with Keller Williams, good for you. Was that a good training grounds? Or?

Heather Ludlow: 5:25

Um, I think it can be. Personally, it wasn't what it wasn't the right fit for me. But they're great. I, you know, I needed I think somebody that could come alongside me a little more, because I was so eager to learn. I was in the office every day, you know,like, just waiting for somebody to walk in and be like, help me,you know, I'm always trying to learn, but I didn't have like a true mentor there. So at that time, I was working at a high end restaurant, and I was bartending, okay. And I would help them manage here and there.And I couldn't quit that job.You know, it was it was good money. And I was helping my husband and trying to start the real estate, you know, so I didn't have any money. That's it's pretty broke. So long story short, I had some, some customers that sat at my bar.And they were very well known real estate agents. And I just,I loved them. They were great.We would talk all the time, they knew I was in real estate. And then one day, I just said, you know, can I take you out to lunch. And that's kind of how I found my mentor. As far as that goes. So my mentor Robin and I went out to lunch. And and it just kind of started organically from there. They weren't really looking for anybody to join their team, but I just fit and I wanted to learn. And so I ended up joining their team and then switching brokerages. They were at REMAX and so and so that's where I've been up until this past well last June. Okay, so until we

Rick Ripma: 7:03

started our own brokerage, but it's really important to have that mentor.

Heather Ludlow: 7:07

Oh, 100% I don't think I would be nearly as successful as I am now with without that,

Rick Ripma: 7:13

right. Yeah, that's what we see when we talk to people is like, one of the biggest things is you got to have a finding the right fit.And part of that is the mentor that you're the people that you work with. Because with that you you actually learn the business,and especially if you're eager,like you were to learn. Yeah,

Heather Ludlow: 7:31

yeah, yeah.Yeah. I mean, they, you know, in school, they teach you, what galleries, your business, not how to do business, you just, I really did feel kind of thrown to the wolves. And so that was super helpful to have a mentor,you know, walk alongside me, and it was awesome.

Ian Arnold: 7:48

So how did you end up get going? Did you it was just your spiritual? Or just your influences around you? Or was it something else?

Heather Ludlow: 7:55

Yeah, that's a great question. Um, so I just went full force and got myself out there. I didn't want to be a secret agent. Let everybody know, I think it did help that I worked in, we had a bar. Because I did like what some of my first clients were people that sat at my bar, because they knew me,they liked me, they trusted me.Right? And knew that I would,you know, I was gonna work super hard for them. I never was like,I know it all. I would tell them if I don't know any answer to a question. Go find it. Right. And that's the same way to this.

Rick Ripma: 8:25

important is it to get out there? Because that's kind of what you did. How important is that? For some?Right? Well, I

Heather Ludlow: 8:30

think it's super important. I think it's, I mean,nobody's gonna know, if you don't tell them. Right. I think,you know, I'm big on social media. And I think that's a super important thing, things like this podcasts and and that it's, yeah, it's the difference between having sales and not having sales, to be honest with you. Yeah.

Rick Ripma: 8:50

I just one of the reason I ask is, is I have a, my personal trainer, is he got his license, and the guy sponsor him and did that. And he got his licenses once he's just starting in real estate, we still a personal trainer. Yeah. And his his worry, I think is what a lot of people have. And that is,who's going to work with me. I'm a personal trainer, they're not going to work with me. So he doesn't want to talk to people about what he's doing with his real estate, but you got to talk about it. Yes.

Heather Ludlow: 9:19

And I think the more you talk about it, the more trust you gain, yes. You know,and then you learn more in the process, too. And, you know,people know that they can come to you for questions, and it just builds from there. Yes. How

Rick Ripma: 9:32

are you talking about real estate? The more you know, the more you learn, right?Oh, absolutely. 100% And it's why office every day.

Heather Ludlow: 9:38

It's why I was just trying to soak up all the knowledge. Because, honestly, I just didn't know anything. You know, I knew how to pass that test. So yeah, actually,

Rick Ripma: 9:49

TV didn't teach you what you needed.

Heather Ludlow: 9:51

Really didn't sadly, I was hopeful. But it just didn't work out that way.I'm shocked. I know. And it worked that way.

Ian Arnold: 9:58

No, I mean, it's You got to watch the reality shows.Those are where it's really true.

Heather Ludlow: 10:03

Oh, yeah, right.Right. Yeah. I can't even watch like the selling sunsets of the world. They're not even. I mean,it's just, it's hilarious. Yes,yeah.

Rick Ripma: 10:13

I the only shows like that, that I watch. As I've started watching one out of Britain, oh, yeah, buying,buying in the country or moving to the country or something like that. And it's just because I love to see the scenery there.Their scenery is spectacular.Yeah, my wife won't travel. So the only time I'm going to see Britain is on TV. But it's interesting how they, like,their pricing is more like what we have today, which is they'll price a home and they'll say this home is offered for450,000. You know, or above, you know, basically taking offers above, at or above 415. So that,and that's kind of been our market. But historically,that's, you know, we've always priced them and then we negotiate from there. But it's interesting how they they just do it different.

Heather Ludlow: 11:04

It is interesting. Yeah. I have some referral partners in Canada, and it's interesting to talk to them. Oh, yeah. Right. And like,just see how their market is.And

Rick Ripma: 11:12

yeah, tell them to quit sending their smoke down here.

Heather Ludlow: 11:16

Oh, I know. All right. Don't stop. I'll let them know. I think they're tired of it seems like Gosh, bad. So

Ian Arnold: 11:26

if somebody's wanting to work with you,they're by salary. Just talk real estate with you. What's the best way they can get a hold of you? Oh, gosh,

Heather Ludlow: 11:32

several ways.Phone is obvious. My number is317-698-2311 they can text me call me that signal me whatever.And then email is Heather.Heather ludlow.com just tried to keep it simple with my name there. And I'm on all the socials as well so can definitely find me there and private message me and

Rick Ripma: 11:58

yep, so the number if they then call or text 317698to 311 Correct. Yes. Perfect.Yeah, to get a hold of either I got a HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com Or you can call 317-672-1938.That's 317-672-1938. And thanks for joining and listening dandies, real estate gurus, the Guru's we interview share valuable insights. They reveal their strengths, personalities and how they'll work for you.Well, we hardworking mortgage guys, secure your best mortgage real estate, a guru's work hard to they avoid problems the amateurs don't see I almost messed that up. They listen,they find unrealized opportunities, if they're buying or selling, if you're buying or selling a home or real estate guru is a valuable asset. If you've been thinking of buying or selling a home, keep listening and definitely call one of India's real estate gurus.

Ian Arnold: 12:49

All right. So here's the question. So let's say you can't work for 24 hours. No phone. What do we catch you doing for fun?

Heather Ludlow: 12:58

I'm probably at the lake. Ah, yeah, that's probably where I'm at. I live on a private lake. So yeah, we'll get on the boat and try to silence things. So if I didn't,yeah, I would just probably be floating around on the water.What kind of boat? We just have a pontoon. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. So like, I live out here. Ditch lake. So I don't know if you're familiar with the area. It's it's a little over 320 acres. So yeah. All out there. But

Rick Ripma: 13:28

I like pontoons.When I was younger, I wanted to speed boat. Yeah. Okay. But now of course, pontoon is all you need. It's where it's at. Yeah,how many people you know I mean,it's I mean, depending

Heather Ludlow: 13:41

on how big your your boat is. Yeah, we can get we've gotten about 12 or 13. I mean, it's a little tight. It does work and it does still float with that many people

Rick Ripma: 13:51

so that's what I'm worried about. Because I was on one where it started to go down because I had too

Heather Ludlow: 13:56

many people.I've been there too. Yeah, yeah,that's a little scary.

Rick Ripma: 13:59

We threw the light

Heather Ludlow: 14:00

ones over I mean, yeah, just yeah, just save the cooler Yeah, you're good.

Ian Arnold: 14:05

All kids getting the water

Heather Ludlow: 14:11

Yeah, yeah,that's probably where I'll be. I love the water. So when we vacation you know we like to hit the beaches and our family is just for water people. Alright,

Rick Ripma: 14:21

perfect. So were we beach do you go to where do you go to go?

Heather Ludlow: 14:25

So we generally every year we go to Florida,Daytona Beach Ormond Beach area is kind of our every year family trip that we take. For sure. So,but I love all beaches. Um,yeah, equal opportunity there.

Rick Ripma: 14:40

Now. You have a family?

Heather Ludlow: 14:43

I do. Yes.

Rick Ripma: 14:44

So you have how many kids?

Heather Ludlow: 14:45

I have two kids.Okay, um, I've got a son Cameron. He is 17 And then my daughter Adeline is 12 Okay,yeah, so

Rick Ripma: 14:53

they're getting they're getting get we're not old yet. They're still my youngest is 30. So to me,they're okay. Yeah. Yeah,they're they're fun now.

Heather Ludlow: 15:01

They are fun.They're more self sufficient,which is nice. They kind of, you know, they're teenagers. So yeah, sometimes the attitude is not fun, but they're really good kids. So yeah, I'm lucky.

Rick Ripma: 15:13

I've always had good parents. Yeah, my heart

Heather Ludlow: 15:15

so I think so. I think we're pretty good. Anyway.Try.

Rick Ripma: 15:21

Kid, right.

Heather Ludlow: 15:22

We do our best sometimes I'm like, am I failing at this completely? But you know,

Rick Ripma: 15:26

sometimes you go,man, I don't know how those kids so great when the parent

Ian Arnold: 15:32

Hey, sometimes when I tell my kids every birthday,it's not your birthday. It's just I haven't I haven't done anything wrong to you survived.Yeah, like

Heather Ludlow: 15:42

that. I might have to start using that. See?

Ian Arnold: 15:44

Yeah, son has survived 17 years as you as a parent, you're doing just great.I feel

Heather Ludlow: 15:48

the same. Yes.Thank you. That makes you feel better.

Rick Ripma: 15:53

And, and your husband is He? Is he in the restaurant business?

Heather Ludlow: 15:56

No, he is actually an aircraft mechanic.And he works for the Colts and their flight department. So he's cool. He's got a pretty interesting fun job. Yeah, yeah.

Rick Ripma: 16:05

I would think a mechanic. I mean, a flight.airplane mechanic is a big deal.Yeah. It's

Heather Ludlow: 16:13

a lot. I mean,he does a lot of stuff. I'm like, I would never want to do that. You can't

Rick Ripma: 16:17

have a car can break. Yeah, but you can drive down the road. A car can break.Yeah. When airplane

Heather Ludlow: 16:21

break. It's a little Yeah, it's bad. Yeah,it's

Rick Ripma: 16:25

it's all right. The wing fell off. Now that doesn't work.

Heather Ludlow: 16:29

Got to have that. And it needs to be real functional. Yeah.

Rick Ripma: 16:32

So you have to work all that.

Heather Ludlow: 16:33

Yeah. So important. It is it is.

Rick Ripma: 16:36

So what would you say your superpower or superpowers are?

Heather Ludlow: 16:40

Oh, great question. Um, I think my superpowers would be listening,and communication. I like to listen to people and really understand what their wants their needs, are so that I can kind of custom tailor plans,much like you guys do with mortgages, to fit them and so that we can kind of put something together and, and make the process and easier.

Rick Ripma: 17:03

That's a lot like a bartender, isn't it? That's,that's what I thought, wow.That's a lot like a bar.

Heather Ludlow: 17:08

Yeah, yeah, it is. And, and really, when I think back about all of my jobs,it's kind of they've each put a piece in place for me to be where I am now.

Rick Ripma: 17:16

Yes, yeah. And it makes you good at what you're doing. Because you had all those those skills. Yeah. So I'm sure the other another superpower that you haven't even talked about is eyes in the back of your head.

Heather Ludlow: 17:26

Yes. I also have those. All moms,

Rick Ripma: 17:29

I know, it sounds messy when you're pregnant?

Heather Ludlow: 17:33

I think so. I think so that's about the first time I ever. Yeah, it's just one of those things. So they're hidden, but they're there.

Ian Arnold: 17:42

So what does your team look like? Is it just you?Or do you have a full team or Yeah, so

Heather Ludlow: 17:46

our office is a prized of for agents, as far as that goes, but we all sell individually, we all will help each other out, like, you know,when we're gone for vacations,and things like that, but it's all individual sales. So right now, it's just me, I do have a transaction coordinator. I brought her on a couple of months ago. And that's been an amazing decision. I tend to kind of want to get my hands in everything and, and not give up control sometimes. And so that I'm learning that I that I need to sometimes have other people there with strong skill sets to get that done. It frees me up to help way more people.

Rick Ripma: 18:28

Right, I find that that's usually the big issue.I've seen it in loan officers,and in real estate agents, and probably an every is is maybe it's salespeople, we don't want to give up anything. But by not giving up anything. There's a whole bunch of things we're giving up. Oh, absolutely.Right. Absolutely. And you learn that once you bring in that transaction coordinator, yes,

Heather Ludlow: 18:53

it's life changing. Yeah. Is because my superpower is not necessarily paperwork, I like to talk to people I like to you know, what I mean, make plans for people and, and guide them. I don't like to be stuck in an office and putting things all the time so she's been an invaluable asset because I've been able to you know, continue to grow my business and and help more people

Rick Ripma: 19:16

so in reality you you end up with more time to do what you really are. Your your skills, your your superpowers,and she her superpower is probably paperwork and doing that thing. And so she's far better at it, which it's hard for us to admit, but they're far better at it than we are.

Heather Ludlow: 19:33

Yes, yes. I told her the other day I'm like, You are just like an angel to me because I don't know why it took me so long. You know, I know I gotta kind of I gotta you know,stop doing that so much. I don't want to have to up the salary much more. Yes. Are

Rick Ripma: 19:50

you still looking to hire additional?

Heather Ludlow: 19:52

i Yeah, I think my next hire will probably be an admin. And so you know, I can have them working in tandem, but maybe an admin to help me with just, you know, client outreach,things that you kind of get so bogged down with the day to day minutia. But you still need to grow your business. Right. So I think with that, you know, with marketing and advertising and things like that, to continue what I've already started, but that I can hand it off to them,and know that it's being done in the background while I'm out helping my clients.

Ian Arnold: 20:26

But what's nice is you started with one person,yeah. And then you saw Oh, wait,this is beneficial. And now you're like, Okay, so now I can look, see what areas you can add, instead of just doing all at once. That would pry somebody who is basically very, let's say, a control freak. Is it's hard for you to relinquish all that to several people, but you can slowly do it. So I think you're doing it the right way.

Heather Ludlow: 20:52

Thank you. I'm trying to ease into it. And it's working so far. So you know, you see those results in you're like, Okay, this is making sense. Now, it's time to maybe delve into a little more. So yeah,

Rick Ripma: 21:06

well, we get caught up, I'm guessing based on what you're saying, like you're the same as I am, we get caught up and working in our business and not working. We don't work on our business. And so when you add these people, it gives you an opportunity to work on your business. And that's vitally important to do absolutely tend to put it

Heather Ludlow: 21:26

off. Yeah, yeah.And we tend to stretch ourselves too thin and try to be everything to everyone all the time. And you just I don't know that that's you just can't operate on that long term. In my opinion.

Rick Ripma: 21:39

So are you the broker for this office?

Heather Ludlow: 21:42

Business? No, I actually my mentor is actually our broker owner. Oh, she moved from Remax Yeah, moved from we all moved. So there were four of us. And we were a team at REMAX.And then we were just kicking around the idea, really, we had for a couple of years, it took us a little time, like why don't we open our own brokerage. You know, we're, we kind of were just doing our own thing at REMAX. I mean, we'd been there a long time, and we're one of the top producing teams. And so they kind of let us do. Yeah, you know, I mean, obviously, you know, within reason, but you know, we just kind of did our own thing. And, and we were just like, you know, I think let's start something on our own. So it just organically happened that way.

Rick Ripma: 22:24

It seems like there's a movement in real estate, that direction. Is that true? Oh, yeah. I'm seeing it more often. Yeah. So my that and I'm seeing more more agents who are getting licensed in multiple states. I'm to which I've never I've been I've been in this a long time. Until recently. I never saw that. It's very rare sometimes in Florida in here.But that was about it.

Heather Ludlow: 22:48

Right? Yeah, we have I am seeing it a lot more.For me. I don't know if that would make sense. Just because I like to be really specialized in the areas that I serve. But some for some people, it really works.

Rick Ripma: 22:59

If you want to spend you know, six months in Florida and six months in Indiana,absolutely. You know, it gives you that I met a loan officer who he lived in Utah. Did all his business in New York. Yeah.And that's something 20 years ago, you could not have done that. No, no, even maybe 10 You couldn't but today, you can do that. Yeah, it's amazing.

Heather Ludlow: 23:21

Really work from anywhere. Yeah, yeah. No,

Rick Ripma: 23:24

he had to he has to travel back, ya know, and do that, but and you have to have people there to take you take

Heather Ludlow: 23:30

care of on the ground kind of people.

Rick Ripma: 23:34

Yeah, definitely need that.

Ian Arnold: 23:36

So do you know how the because you guys have a unique name. So how did that you know how the name started?

Heather Ludlow: 23:42

Oh, yeah. Okay,so it's a fun. So we were actually at lunch one day, and we were just spitballing names.My personal mentor and our broker owner, her name is Robin.And she was like, I've always thought it would be cool to have my own brokerage with Robin's nest or something like that. And so Gina, who's one of our other agents in the office was in she was like, that's perfect. And we looked at each other same kind of the same time. That's perfect. Nest. I mean, you build your nest egg you you know what I mean? Your nest is your home.So many different plays on words there as far as that goes. And so that's kind of how it came to be just

Rick Ripma: 24:26

and Robin fit right.Yeah, Robin's nest. The bird Robin and nest for Robin is a very well made. Nest. Yes. Yes,I happen to have everybody in my family but me and my son, one son are the other three are really into birds. So ya know lots about birds and that nest is my wife's always like, Oh,the Robins Nest is so wonderful.So it's a great it actually did it that way too.

Heather Ludlow: 24:49

I like to hear that. That's cool. Yeah, that's very well. Last.

Ian Arnold: 24:52

Yeah. So if you're looking for a good nest to live in, yeah, come see Heather and to get a hold of Heather you would call her at

Heather Ludlow: 24:59

317 16982311

Rick Ripma: 25:02

Doesn't he just make the greatest transition?Awesome. Yeah,

Heather Ludlow: 25:06

really good. And

Rick Ripma: 25:07

the reason I keep him around

Ian Arnold: 25:08

Well, I do think it's good every once in a while.

Rick Ripma: 25:13

Nike I, you know,I'm getting old. I don't remember half of what I'm supposed to remember it.

Heather Ludlow: 25:18

Okay. Yeah, it's terrible. I have to write everything down. I feel like that's the key. That's

Rick Ripma: 25:24

that if you can just find your note. Right.

Heather Ludlow: 25:27

I happen to me yesterday. Yeah. And then of course, I had to take a phone call while I'm driving. You know what I mean? Like, while I'm in the car, and I didn't have my note right in front of me. And I'm like, I'm gonna have to call you back so I can make sure that I'm telling you this correctly.

Rick Ripma: 25:39

Yeah, that's a catch22 Isn't it? When you're, you're in your car. You're driving down the road? My, your phone rings?You don't you want to answer it because you don't want to let it go to voicemail. But on the other side, if it's a in depth conversation while you're driving down the road, you can't take any notes. Now.

Heather Ludlow: 25:57

It's probably not safe to do that right.around the pond, maybe you

Rick Ripma: 26:01

need a dry like The Lincoln Lawyer. You just need somebody to drive you everywhere. Wouldn't that be cool? I would love that. That would be awesome. Yeah.

Ian Arnold: 26:08

You do have a 17year old son.

Heather Ludlow: 26:11

I do. He can't drive. Oh, yeah. He has a golf car. So he does drive me around.For long distances, that might be tricky. But yeah, yeah. But when my daughter gets older, it is a pretty good idea. Maybe we'll invest in like one of those really cool vans and make a mobile office. Get a little hat to There you go. Yeah, like a little chauffeur. Yep.

Rick Ripma: 26:35

Van would be kind of cool. You wouldn't even need to wait. You just drive it you get somebody you pull over you get back you have a table you have your office

Heather Ludlow: 26:42

will do. Oh,yeah. I don't know why somebody hasn't done that. See? I'm sure somebody does. And you

Rick Ripma: 26:47

could paint it up.Have Robin's nest on your name your picture? You could have it all?

Heather Ludlow: 26:52

You could really Yeah, I would really do big things.

Rick Ripma: 26:55

I could never drive a car with my face all over it my in the information for people to contact me

Heather Ludlow: 27:00

and either no way. I feel like I'm a pretty good driver. But the first time I would accidentally cut somebody off or not signal, I'd probably be blasted or something. So aren't you

Rick Ripma: 27:10

like I'm a great driver is everybody else you can drive?

Heather Ludlow: 27:13

So Mike, my husband?

Rick Ripma: 27:15

We did talk before you.

Heather Ludlow: 27:17

Okay, okay.

Ian Arnold: 27:20

All right. So, and Rick, how would someone get ahold of you? Or I

Rick Ripma: 27:23

go to HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com?That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com. Or you can call 317-672-1938.That's 317-672-1938.

Ian Arnold: 27:33

All right. And we'll get into the question of the week and the question that week is sponsored by Hey, Rick and I the hard working mortgage guys where we believe in helping and supporting you and your real realtor by sending constant updates through the loan process. We don't like living in a black hole, so we do not allow it. Alright, so here's your tough question. Okay.

Heather Ludlow: 27:51

I think I'm ready.

Ian Arnold: 27:52

What was your first car?

Heather Ludlow: 27:54

Oh, it was a real nice one. It wasn't really it was a Ford Escort. Pony. Have you ever heard of those? It was a Yeah, yeah, that was the kind it was. I don't know. It wasn't there was nothing real special about it. But it did have crank windows. Fun story, I'll tell because this always makes people laugh. It didn't even it didn't have automatic steering. When I when I got it. It had an am radio in it. So my parents were like, Hey, we bought you this car. You're gonna have to figure the rest out which is good on their part. So I put a new stereo on layaway. And until then, I did drive around with a boombox because I had to have some tunes, but it was a good car. Yeah, I mean, got me around. And

Rick Ripma: 28:45

you can tell she's not a car person. She called it automatic steering.

Heather Ludlow: 28:49

Oh, yeah. I'm not really Oh, no power steering. Power steering. Yeah,you're right.

Rick Ripma: 28:55

Probably got a lot of muscle from driving that car because non power steering cars are hard to Yeah, it

Heather Ludlow: 29:00

was hard to turn. Yeah, it was hard to turn.

Rick Ripma: 29:02

I have several friends who have bought old cars. Because you know, my age group. Everybody thinks they want the cars that they always wanted when in the 60s and stuff, right? Yeah. Yeah. And I tell them all make sure you got power steering, power brakes,disc brakes, you know, you need all that good stuff. And they two of them have gone without power steering. And they probably immediately regretted that they did one sold their car and the other one never drives it because it doesn't have power steering and they're just hard to drive. They're

Heather Ludlow: 29:30

hard to drive.Yeah, yeah. Yeah, it's

Rick Ripma: 29:32

a lot better. But at least you knew it wasn't power steering. It was

Heather Ludlow: 29:35

right. Yeah. I don't know a ton about cars but air conditioning. It did have air conditioning. You know, what would you did have air conditioning or power steering.Personally, I would rather have air conditioning. Yeah.Especially when it's hot out like today.

Rick Ripma: 29:48

Yeah, exactly. So what would you what would you say? Is like a misconception people have about being a real estate agent.

Heather Ludlow: 30:00

That's easy money, and that you don't have to work. What's the reality, the reality is I work all the time.And it's not easy money. I am essentially a therapist for a lot of people, which I love. I,you know, I love to help people,and that's why I do what I do.But it's a lot of work, it's a lot of work. There's a lot of times where I've wanted to be present at things that I couldn't be because I was building my business out, and I had to meet with clients, you know, I think over the years,I've learned how to manage my time a little more effectively,not have to be, you know, under,under the thumb of everyone else all the time. And that's made me a more effective agent and a better agent.

Rick Ripma: 30:47

Because a lot of people get into it, because they they look out and they go, it's self employed. i My time is my time. And in some ways it is right. Because it's, it's you're free to get get in your car and go somewhere. And as long as nobody, you know, you don't have a showing or something closing or, you know, follow up or, you know, prospecting or any of those things going on, then you can get in your car and go to the bank and the middle of the day. Right. Right.

Heather Ludlow: 31:12

Right. Yeah,yeah, there is some freedom.There is some freedom, which I love. Yes, I love that freedom.I love being able to, in a way set my own schedule, but I do have, you know, just like you guys, we have to work around our clients time as well. Yeah, so there is that that innate freedom. That's nice. But what

Rick Ripma: 31:30

misconceptions does a client have of what a real estate agent does? Like?

Heather Ludlow: 31:36

Okay, yeah,that's great question. Well, I think if they are not, if the real estate agent isn't communicating with their client,they could maybe think they're not doing anything. I mean, at the end of the day, if their house isn't selling and sitting there, and they're not, you know, constantly communicating and letting them know how they're marketing, and you know,what I mean, like feedback and things like that, I can see how a consumer would be like, well,what are they doing for me?Right, you know? So I think that's the difference between good and bad. Again, that superpower of communication,you're going to hear from me,you know, every week, right? And sometimes when we're in the trenches, you're going to hear from me, sometimes every hour,right? What's necessary, and sometimes that's what's necessary, right? Yeah, yeah,exactly. But I'm never going to leave you in the lurch. And like, Hey, I've heard from a realtor, you know,

Rick Ripma: 32:27

we find that you call, even if there's nothing to tell them. Yes, you call them and tell them, there's nothing to tell them. Because people can build in their mind. If you're there, if you don't tell them something. In their mind. The worst case scenario is is

Heather Ludlow: 32:42

always happening, always happening. And you know, I kind of got that too. Just going back to past jobs from the from the restaurant industry. You know,you could look, you know, you go to a restaurant and you get sat at a table, and they're incredibly busy. And you see that, but maybe somebody doesn't come over for five to 10minutes. You're automatically in a bad state. Yes. Right. So I learned really early on. Even if I was slammed, I would go over and touch them and say, Hey,listen, I'll be right with you.You know what I mean? I have somebody bringing waters over.And instantly, it calms nerves,it calms fears. And, you know,the rest of it flows. Yes. As it should. Yeah. So

Rick Ripma: 33:20

as a bartender, I learned the same thing. Yeah.You, you acknowledge them? And they'll sit patiently for 510minutes? Yeah, you don't acknowledge them? They will sit patiently for about 15 seconds.Yes.

Heather Ludlow: 33:35

And you're still gonna have to wait on them. And it's going to be a terrible experience for all involved, and you're probably not gonna make that much money,

Rick Ripma: 33:41

right? There's gonna be a low tip. And, and deservedly, so deservedly. So it's not that hard to go. I'm sorry. We're really slammed, I will be with you as quick as I can. And if it's 10 minutes,five minutes later, good. I haven't forgot about you. Yeah,that's all it takes. That's all it takes. And it is it is very frustrating to be sitting there waiting for somebody and you don't know what it is and, and you and I were able to transfer that to what we're doing and go.It's important that we're always acknowledging somebody so absolutely. Not that we don't at least me I fail sometimes. But I really it's one of those things we really try never to fail out.Because it's so important. But every once in a while, you just you know, things don't go the way you expect.

Heather Ludlow: 34:22

Life happens,right? Yeah, exactly. Yeah,absolutely. Absolutely. So that's been a big thing for me for sure. If I don't have anything to tell you, you're still going to hear from me. I tried to do Fridays. Okay, you know if I can. This is like a follow up Friday with all my sellers, and then I'll have a day for all my buyers. And yes,you know, so they can ask me questions. And

Rick Ripma: 34:43

yes, sometimes they won't call and ask. But if you call me

Heather Ludlow: 34:46

they're bothering me. Yes. You're not bothering me. You can call me any time. And if I can't answer at that point, I'll call you back. Right. You'll hear back from me today. Yeah,

Rick Ripma: 34:55

yeah. And that's important. It's important to have somebody with your knowledge and experience, and also with your mentor, with their experience, and also probably the people you work with, because there's mentors on our same level that can, you know, our friends can be mentors, people, and you know,the owner can be a mentor, but you can also be a mentor to them. So there's a lot of mentors. And if you have experienced people, they've seen things you haven't you've seen things they haven't. So you have great people to bounce things off. Absolutely.

Heather Ludlow: 35:27

And I think that's why our group works so well together, because that's literally how we are, you know,like, I might say to Robin, or Tony, I've never seen this before, can you look that look at this and give me your insights? Or am I said that you,we always are bouncing ideas off each other. So while I have a decade of experience, I really feel like I might have 40 or 50years of experience combined with everyone. Yes. You know, so you have those? Yeah, it's just it's so much more beneficial for everybody.

Ian Arnold: 35:56

Good. I just wanted to hear about some of the experiences. So Oh, what was one of your favorite memories of being a realtor?

Heather Ludlow: 36:05

Oh, gosh, um,that's a several. Um, so my very first deal was with one of my son's therapists, he has physical therapy, speech therapy, it was a speech therapist, and it was just, I don't know, it was my first deal. So I'll never forget that.Right. I had no clue what I was doing. But she trusted me. I did have people alongside me to help me and all that good stuff. And over the years, I mean, she has a she's a wonderful referral partner for me now. I've helped her buy and sell several times.So and we're friends, you know what I mean? I made friendships.So I, I tend to do that with my clients is, and I kind of tell them upfront, we're probably going to end up being friends after all this is said and done.So that's one, I've had a lot of crazy experiences, too. I mean,I think we all have you never know what's around the corner.But that's probably my favorite deal, because she's just been such a great source of I mean,friendship, number one, but then also, you know, you kind of build that pipeline of people that, you know, believe in you and trust you. And she trusted me from the beginning. Right. So that means a lot. Yeah.

Rick Ripma: 37:17

You know, and that's something that I think a lot of new agents struggle with is just because you're a real estate agent, you've become a real estate agent doesn't even mean your family will use you. Oh,right. I know. Yeah. And I think that for me, I tell new people in the mortgage industry, and I think for real estate agents,and when I told my, my personal trainers now real estate agent,I said, Listen, the one thing you got to go learn everything.You got to go get the knowledge because your knowledge will overcome your inexperience. Yes,yes. As soon as they talk to you, especially we've had people on. We had a real estate agent of the youngest when she started when she was 18 years old. Can you imagine starting in real estate at 18 years old?

Heather Ludlow: 37:57

You didn't even know who I was at 18 years old?No, that's amazing. I think it's awesome. And she

Rick Ripma: 38:02

struggled, but she's doing extremely well. Yeah. And,and her husband also is a real estate agent. He started at 21.You know, so they were really,really young. But what they did is they went and got knowledge.And that's how they they had great mentors. Number one, you have to have great mentors. And number two, you got to go get the knowledge, because that's how you overcome. You overcome your inexperience with mentors that you can sell. Yes. And knowledge. So people go, Oh,they do know what

Heather Ludlow: 38:30

they do know what they're doing. They are valuable.

Rick Ripma: 38:32

Yes. You could have had, you could have been the daughter of a real estate agent.And you you may have you may be18 years old, but for the last16 years, you've spent 16 years with your mother or father.Learning real estate. It doesn't mean you're inexperienced.Right,

Heather Ludlow: 38:49

right. Yeah. Oh,I have to communicate that.Yeah. To communicate that. Yeah,absolutely. Absolutely.

Rick Ripma: 38:54

And so you were you were what, 12 when you got started, you said you've been doing?

Heather Ludlow: 38:59

Yeah, let's go with that. Yeah. Oh, gosh, I've been I'm 44 now. So I was almost34 When I when I got started when I started going to school,because I've been doing it 10years.

Rick Ripma: 39:11

Yeah, yeah, yeah,that's right. A decade. Yeah,

Heather Ludlow: 39:15

but let's go with the 22. We'll say 12. I like that better.

Rick Ripma: 39:20

Yeah. Well, I'll tell you the older I get the younger everybody looks.

Heather Ludlow: 39:25

Same here. Yeah.

Rick Ripma: 39:26

It's unbelievable.We're going to store and it's like that they couldn't be over fifth grade. How can

Heather Ludlow: 39:34

how can they be purchasing alcohol?

Ian Arnold: 39:37

Oh, by your guys's math standards, you're telling people alcohol at the age of 12.

Heather Ludlow: 39:42

That is true.License.

Rick Ripma: 39:48

Back then you could do that.

Heather Ludlow: 39:50

Totally fine.

Rick Ripma: 39:53

So what what? What would you say the most common reason isn't somebody fails in real estate because so many letters 90% fail in the first three to five years pretty high

Heather Ludlow: 40:06

number. And, um,I would think, you know, you just have to have that work ethic, you have to always be,like we've just talked, you have to always be learning, you know,when you stop, my philosophy is if I'm not learning, I'm dying,right? So that's, that's very key, I think in this industry.Just just always being willing to learn always being willing to, you know, find things out to seek people out, you can't be afraid to talk to people. No,you, you cannot. And I think a lot of people just, you know,think it's gonna be a little easier than it really is. And you really have to hit the ground, you know, boots on the ground, get out there, get seen get the knowledge. And if you're not doing that, it's just not,it's not going to be the right fit for you. I don't think, you know, if you're not willing to really work really hard. I mean,when I first started out, I was working probably 7080 hours a week, honestly. And some days,in some weeks, I still do that.Right. You know, I mean, I was up until like, sometimes midnight, you know, putting things together and my husband be like, are you coming to Tibet, I will want him to you know, I mean, this is time, you know, Time is of essence here.

Rick Ripma: 41:22

So it's more of a transaction coordinator now.Yes.

Heather Ludlow: 41:25

And I don't have to say I won't stay up till midnight anymore.

Rick Ripma: 41:29

I can't. I can't even

Heather Ludlow: 41:32

I don't know what happened. But about eight or nine

Rick Ripma: 41:34

like that, Ian?

Ian Arnold: 41:35

I can't be. Yeah.What is it? For the fourth of July, I'd like to have some fireworks for my kids or whatnot. My kids are eight and six. So they're not. They're not staying up. Too late. Right around 10 o'clock. I'm like, we finally put them to bed. And that's late for them. And my wife and I look at each other.We go. You ready for bed? Yeah,let's go.

Heather Ludlow: 41:58

Yeah, Tim's really late for me. Yeah. Like,I like to be in bed by about nine.

Ian Arnold: 42:02

If I can make kids change the whole entire thing.Once you have kids. staying up late is like no, let's just go to bed rather not. Yeah. Yeah.Which is weird

Rick Ripma: 42:12

for people who are bartenders and worked in in restaurants. I worked at a bar where I got home at seven o'clock. Eight o'clock in the morning. Oh, wow. Yeah, we closed it for up. Yeah. And by time you got home. It was really early early in the morning.Yeah. Yeah. You know, I could do that today. I don't think I could. I don't know. Good. I don't know. Yeah. So what is owning real estate? This is a question Ian likes and I've kind of I really like I've kind of stole it from real estate due for a family or a person especially the first time homebuyer, what does it do for them?

Heather Ludlow: 42:48

Oh, my gosh, I think it sets them up on such a great path, especially if they have some, some good guidance with their agent, their lender and the team that's around them,you know, buy in the right time period, and then the right place. And you know, if you're a first time homebuyer, that's probably not going to be your forever home, right. But it sets you up for generational wealth,right? And it can Yes, and I just look at that, like, I get to help people every day, buy and sell. But it's so much more than that. Because they're making you know, they could really pull themselves out of a bad situation. Yeah, you can build that it's just a wealth building. Yes. You know,

Rick Ripma: 43:25

and then also, when you have when you own over renting, there's a whole different what do you call that?And all feeling there's a whole different.

Heather Ludlow: 43:36

It's something you it's yours, yours? Yeah,it's yours. It's something you put some roots down. You know, I think that can change the trajectory of a family completely. Yeah. In a great way. Yeah. Yeah. You live

Rick Ripma: 43:48

changes your life totally changes your kid's life.It does, right. Yeah. Where they go to school changes their changes their lives. So where you live makes a difference, who they hang out with, because of where you live, can change their lives. It can, it can, and it for the good and the bad. So it's really important that you buy, you know, the people buy the right home and in the right spot, because it does it's such a it's it's not only financial,but it's it makes a huge difference in your life.

Heather Ludlow: 44:16

It does, it does. And that's something I always try to keep in the back of my mind, you know, when even if it's a first time homebuyer or somebody that's about 15 or20 times, I was talking about resale value, and you know what I mean, things like that,because I don't want you ever stuck in a bad situation if we can help that. Right.

Rick Ripma: 44:31

Yeah, yeah. And resale value is vitally important. Although I, and I'm a finance guy, right. I don't actually believe it's the most important. Yeah, I think it's I think it's important, but I think it's more important to buy the right home. That's right for your family. Unless you're going to stay there a year to three years then. Yeah, definitely.You got to make sure you buy the right house when I was younger,I'd never because I'm really a finance This guy so I, I sold new homes for builder. And I mean, my thing was buy the cheapest home in the neighborhood, ya know, because that's what you, you know, these things, these things and these things. Yeah, those are the things that get your value back.And, and that's that's all you got to do. But people would come in and they'd spend, I remember tell them one person that they said, you know, they said, What do you think I said, Well,you're spending more money than anybody else has here. I said,if you're gonna stay here for a long time, it can make perfect sense. If you're not going to be here very long, then I would not do this, right. I'd love to sell you the house, but I wouldn't,right? Well, they ended up getting divorced. And he called me and he goes, and he said,Yeah, we got sound data. And he goes, yep, you told us we weren't gonna be there long that this was the wrong thing to do.And you were right. But he went mad at me. Yeah, I told them.

Heather Ludlow: 45:47

Yeah, yeah, you communicate it, right. I mean,you told them Hey, listen. Yeah,here's pros and cons,

Rick Ripma: 45:52

pros and cons. And there is to buy in. But man, the value if you buy, what, what?Two years ago? We went up by1718 plus shops, even in Indiana, Indiana. Yeah. And we're I always thought we were3%. But I guess our average is more like four to 5%. Yeah, it's close to five. It's close to five. Yeah. So 5% means that if somebody buys a $200,000 house next year, it's worth 210. Yeah.Right. Yeah. And the next year,it's worth 222. Five. Yeah, like that. It's like that. It just keeps going up. It does. And that may end with that. Their mortgage is getting paid down.Yeah. That doesn't happen with rent. No, rent just goes up.

Heather Ludlow: 46:35

Yeah. And you have something Yes. To show at the end of the day. Yes. You can make your own.

Rick Ripma: 46:39

Yes. How does owning a home change change your life?

Heather Ludlow: 46:43

Oh, my gosh, in so many ways. It's made me I feel like I'm really adulting right. I feel like I'm actually an adult now. Um, yeah. So that way, but I mean, for us, I mean,it's, we were able to sell our previous home and make a lot of money on it, and then build our dream home, you know, I mean,and then we also my husband and I have a rental business as well. So, you know, we're always looking for good deals. To to,to do that on that investment side. So it's changed our lives.Real Estate in general. Right.In a great way. Yes. Yeah. It's improved. It's improved. Yeah,yeah. Most definitely.

Ian Arnold: 47:24

And if you want to change somebody's life, how would they get a hold of you?Oh, gosh,

Heather Ludlow: 47:27

they should just give me a call text me317-698-2311 or shoot me an email at Heather at Heather ludlow.com.

Rick Ripma: 47:36

And to get a hold of Ian or I go to HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com Or you can call 31767 to 1938.That's 31767 to 1938. And follow us for more indies real estate gurus

Ian Arnold: 47:49

and reminder if you have any friends, family,coworkers looking to buy, sell,refinance, contact us. We'll be more than happy to help you.Other thank you for joining us on our show. It's been a pleasure

Heather Ludlow: 47:59

having you.Yeah, it's been awesome, guys. I really appreciate your time and having me on the show.

Announcer: 48:04

Thanks for joining us. We really appreciate it.Yeah, thank you. Brent. NMLS number 33041 Recruitment NMLS number 64589. You know Arnold NMLS number is 195469 equal housing opportunity. So most persons apply