Guru Rochelle Perkins with Garnet Group

Rick Ripma: 0:00

Welcome to Indy's Real Estate Gurus. I'm recruitment your hardworking mortgage guy. And I've been in real estate and mortgages for over 34 years, my team and I believe in custom tailored loans, not a one size fits all approach. We believe there is right mortgage for you. And we believe we are the team to deliver it.

Ian Arnold: 0:15

And I mean Arnold part of Ricks hardworking mortgage team have been in the financial industry for 15 years helping customers rebuild their credit to get the best possible interest rate, passion, helping you secure your overall real estate dreams. And also, if you're anything like me, pay your home off even faster. And

Rick Ripma: 0:29

if you have any real estate questions, or you'd like to talk about mortgages, please go to HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com. All of Ian's My information is there, or you can give us a call at 317-672-1938. That's 317-672-1938. And today we have Rochelle Perkins Yes, right. Yes. And resells. Rochelle is a phenomenal agent doing extremely well. And you're with the garnet group. Yes. But it's Rochelle knows indie.

Rochelle Perkins: 1:01

Yes, as a solo agent. I am Rochelle nosey and Dion across all platforms. Really. It's just Facebook and Instagram. I'm that social media platform that I'm done. And then my brokerage is the garnet group. We I am the managing broker. I've got a business partner who's my co owner, and then we've got three agents. Okay, although we're all solo agents,

Rick Ripma: 1:26

yeah. So you got your own group, which, that's got to be fun.

Rochelle Perkins: 1:32

It's very fun. Um, in this particular climate, we are just focusing on ramping up and being ready. Because things have slowed down quite a bit, you know, um, but I think, you know, we're ready to weather the storm.

Rick Ripma: 1:49

Yeah. You know, it's really, it, that's the best thing to do is get ready because I've been in this a long time, and it goes up and it goes down. And when it goes down, you got to get prepared, get better, so that when it gets busy, you're better at what you do. And you've gone through the busy times, you kind of know what you were like, yeah, so let's go backwards. And let's talk about find out more about you of Where'd you grow up? You know, how did you get, you know, what did you do before real estate? How did you get into real estate.

Rochelle Perkins: 2:21

So I am basically Indianapolis, born and raised. I lived in California as a kid until I was like five and then came back here so it doesn't really count. So I went to Ben Davis High School from there, went to Marian University. I'm an overachiever, I immediately went and got my master's degree at 25 years old, because I wanted to be done with school don't want to go back Been there, done that got a t shirt and the debt to prove it. So from there, I kind of started working at a bank as just a teller while I was in college, and kind of just worked my way up so and went to another like small credit union, which is where I really got my passion for financial service. Because we did things that were not in the box. We did credit counseling, we did credit restoration, we did credit repair, we helped we truly, truly helped people and served people with financial literacy. We did financial workshops, we taught people like basically everything except the mortgage piece. So there's been times like, my time there, when I was a financial counselor, I've helped people go from the 400 to 700, it's on their credit, it's awesome. With just a little diligence, because, you know, once your credit gets bad, you can't get anything else, you can't make it worse. Until we kind of demystify that process. And then I had always wanted to get into real estate. Probably for the wrong reasons, watching HGTV, that kind of thing. Um, but yeah, it looks so easy. But I, I initially had that dream in like 2010 So I'm like 22 years old, still a little too feisty to be professional. So I kept my career in banking and then decided, You know what, there's a few life models I have and one is ain't nothing to it, but to do it. And I just decided like, I'm taking care of myself. If I can't do that, that you know, it's not like there are other people depending on me. So I just decided I'm gonna jump in full time I quit my job. Don't recommend necessarily, but I quit my job. I jumped in full time. And the rest is kind of history. It it took me four years Used to be kind of an overnight success in real estate.

Rick Ripma: 5:03

So you quit your job, which means you had to, you have to earn money had to write. So what did you do? What was your process? What did you do to get off the ground because it's a tough business to get off the ground. And I did

Rochelle Perkins: 5:16

everything. Everyone said they were successful. And I did everything I did open houses I did. I will go into banks and do mortgage today because of course, I'm comfortable in a bank, right? So I was sitting in the lobby with candy and a prize will and give out giveaways and just beg people to talk to me about real estate. I did videos on social media before everybody were like videos, I think you got to do. I did it all, any way that I could get somebody to talk to me about real estate is what it was about. And I wanted people to associate my name with real estate. So like, when you think of real estate, I wanted you to be like, you know, I know somebody I know, Rochelle, I'm gonna call her and ask her a question. And I just took everything I could get. And I took it as, because as long as a consumer was talking to me about it, I was like, Okay, we're here. This is the lead, whether it works out or not, and so ever short of like, creating and only fans or something, but everything else

Rick Ripma: 6:24

was your most successful, or couple of most successful pieces that you did,

Rochelle Perkins: 6:28

um, I will say my social media was probably the most successful thing I did. And the reason why is because I didn't curate my social media the way you think you should, I would have conversations with people offline, like people that are not in this business, people that know nothing about this business. And I would listen to what they think the real estate process is. And I would, because there's a lot of misconceptions out there, they kind of all run in the same vein. But what I would do is take their language and how they talk about it, and then tell them what the truth is, in their words, right, because it helps them wrap their mind around it easier. And I think one of the biggest things in this industry right now, which, hence, the lawsuits is consumers don't understand real estate. And they don't understand our business, they don't understand our business model. And so that's how we, as an industry, are facing the class action right now. The class action lawsuit that I won't dig too far into, because I haven't read much, but I know a little, I know a little but be dangerous. Yeah, I think the main key when someone is looking to hire a real estate agent looking to hire a mortgage loan officer, they just want to know that they can trust you. And the easiest way to do that is to build rapport is by speaking their language and not talking over them with a bunch of stuff. You heard other realtors say?

Rick Ripma: 7:58

Yeah, that makes total sense. And that worked well, very well. And you still do that on most social media, I'm guessing. Oh, yeah.

Rochelle Perkins: 8:06

Yeah, yeah. And it's just easier for me to pick my phone up, shoot a video and speak in my voice versus some curated content. Somebody who doesn't know me wrote for me, the one thing I rejected the most. And I know I said, I did everything to get business. I also did not follow scripts. Because they're not they were written by me, they're not in my language. I can say what the script says, I'm just not going to read it verbatim. Because that's not how I speak. Right? I would

Ian Arnold: 8:35

fully agree with you. Yeah, I've done a lot of sales trainings. I am not a script person will do ads for the show. And I'll look and try to read the script. And I'll mess up so much, because I'm so so used to going off the cuff with the flow. And just however I normally talk, I just go with it. Absolutely.

Rochelle Perkins: 8:51

And I think having an authentic brand is going to lead more people to you. Then watching this podcast, I'm trying to do everything I've told you to do. I think I also explained to my agents amplify who you are, because people want to know who you are before they buy anything you're selling. And so that's what I tried to communicate. Yeah,

Rick Ripma: 9:15

I know who you are. They know they can trust you. I want to really, that's what this podcast really is about is trying to get let your personality get out there where people get to know who you are. Yeah, that's what that's what matters. Yeah.

Rochelle Perkins: 9:26

Because our clients spend a couple of months with us. And if we don't like each other, this is gonna be a long road.

Rick Ripma: 9:33

Neither one of you wants that.

Rochelle Perkins: 9:37

Nobody wants that.

Ian Arnold: 9:38

So you did all that stuff to get going. So when just for new news agents are thinking about getting the business. How long did it take you to get your first deal?

Rochelle Perkins: 9:48

Oh, this is unfair. I had my first deal before I left my job. Oh, really?

Ian Arnold: 9:53

Let's go with the second one.

Rochelle Perkins: 9:56

My second deal probably came about too. translator. Um, and even that is kind of fast when you think about the app. Yes. So I was my first year I did 18 transactions, which is huge. Yeah, that's a lot please if you take nothing else from this podcast if you're a new agent 18 deals in your first year is a lot, okay. And I own a brokerage and I want to recruit agents. But I also want to be honest, I'm not gonna come in until you're gonna be a millionaire tomorrow. You're not especially in the environment we're in now. I'm so when I got in, I think rates were like at four and a half, maybe five. Now they're above seven. After people were very comfortable with them being in threes. So adjust your adjust your, you know, your, your mindset when you get into this business. Um, but yeah, I think yeah, my first year I did 18 deals second year, somewhere around there. Things really took a turn my, I believe my fourth or fifth year I did like

Unknown: 11:11

115. That's, that's incredible. Yeah, great job.

Rochelle Perkins: 11:15

And that was a lead from another agent. From my Facebook. She was looking for an agent in Indianapolis. And she referred me a client in 2020. Shopping with him world shuts down, he goes back home and decided to just work remotely, which was fine. And then she's like, well, I have another client that and I like your social media, your your social media presence is not stuffy. It's very authentic. It's genuine. And I think you'd be a good fit for this client. And the rest was history.

Ian Arnold: 11:56

Awesome. But I think that's, you might say that a that's not normal or something. But you did something that a little not normal. Like you said, when you first started get going, you're doing open houses, you're walking into bank sitting at a desk or desk table, trying to get whatever you can. So many people I think and I think is one reason why we see a mass decline was agents 90% agents in the first three years drop out of being from being realtors, is they're not doing all that hard work. So your hard work? Yeah, it took a little bit, but then it finally pays off.

Rochelle Perkins: 12:33

Yes, absolutely. And I think a big thing that, you know, we as realtors, it, even just being an independent contractor at all, if you have something to sell is you have to get over the fact that people don't want to hear from you. People do want to hear from you. They do want to know what you're doing. They do want to see that you are the expert and what other way to demonstrate being the expert and talking about what you do in your industry. And I think a lot of times people just get afraid to talk. And I don't know if that's a byproduct of society. But there's so many different mediums to talk like you don't have to get on camera. You could do voice over videos, you could write blogs, you could be on a podcast. That is audio, um, but you have to get over not wanting to hear your voice not wanting to see yourself on camera and thinking that people don't want to talk to you.

Rick Ripma: 13:35

Most people are very interested in real estate. Sure. It matters to them, whether they have a house or they want to buy a house, real estate's important. So the vast majority of people want to talk about it. I always find that that's a harder thing with mortgages, because most people don't really want to talk about mortgages till they need to talk about a mortgage. Yeah, right. Other than that we don't really want to talk about Yeah.

Ian Arnold: 13:58

So I don't want you to be that secret agent. I want you to still work hard. What's the best way so my get in contact with you.

Rochelle Perkins: 14:04

Um, they can call me or text me. My phone number is 765-609-7316 I am an ND is just when I signed up for that phone. They were out of 317 numbers so and then also my social media platforms just Facebook and Instagram. Rochelle knows NB R O C h e l l e k n o w s i n d y and that's on Facebook and Instagram at Rochelle knows nd

Rick Ripma: 14:37

Rochelle knows that. That's a good one. First off her shell is a good name because not a lot of people have it. So it's been a good one. It's weird because Rick has a pretty good name now too, because nobody really has Rick anymore. And if you would like to get a hold of ESRI, go to HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com. You can look up our information there you can give us Call it 317-672-1938 That's 31767 to 1938. And thanks for listening to indies real estate gurus, the gurus we interview, share valuable insights they reveal their strengths, personalities and how they'll work for you. While we hardworking mortgage guys secure your best mortgage real estate gurus work hard to they avoid problems the amateurs don't see they listen and they find unrealized opportunities. If you're buying or selling a home, a 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: 15:33

Alright, Rochelle, so I do have a question for you. And it's gonna be a tough one. Because I'm gonna take away your phone for 24 hours. You cannot use it. Okay, what do we catch you doing for fun?

Rochelle Perkins: 15:43

Oh, watching the worst reality TV. Right now I'm knee deep in sister wives and things are off the rails.

Ian Arnold: 15:58

I've never really gotten into the full reality shows like I'll even watch some TV shows. My wife will see me watching something. And she'll be like, Oh, the drama go, Hey, I'd rather watch drama. There have been over over drama with us. So

Rochelle Perkins: 16:11

yeah, it's so good. And honestly, it kind of just became my mindless pleasure. You know, we work really hard in this industry. And so when I have free time, I don't want to think I just want to soak up the mess of other people's lives.

Rick Ripma: 16:28

So what does that show called?

Rochelle Perkins: 16:30

It's called Sister Wives. What's

Rick Ripma: 16:31

it about?

Rochelle Perkins: 16:32

It's about a polygamous polygamous family in there. Now in Flagstaff, Arizona. They used to be in Utah, but they're they started the show maybe 10 or 11 years ago. And they were advocates for polygamy. And now not so much. Oh, really? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Rick Ripma: 16:49

I can't imagine why that doesn't work.

Rochelle Perkins: 16:52

One guy was for a while. I

Rick Ripma: 16:55

can't imagine why there's a problem at all.

Unknown: 17:01

That is something Yeah, yeah. So

Rick Ripma: 17:04

So what would you say your superpower or superpowers are?

Rochelle Perkins: 17:08

Oh, my superpower is staying level headed. I just don't really get riled up much. I don't really panic, often. Things happen. And I don't know something about my brain can just clarify things. And I'm okay. Like, it's not one of one of my other favorites. You guys get a lot of polls for me here. One of my other favorite things to say is, but did you die though. So you know, and this industry has so many ups and downs, the real estate market. It's up, it's down, you never know, like, what new news is gonna come out. And I just kind of stay the course. That's probably another thing. It's my endurance. And I think those are two things that make me successful in this business, because I just don't let the pressure get to me. I just, you know, when it's a tough business, but when you just do your job, it's not, you know, and I'm also a systems person. So I've got, I've got a system for everything. And I've got my steps. And my workflows, and all this will

Rick Ripma: 18:25

help a lot to make sure you do you know exactly what you got to do to get everything done. Yeah, that's a big deal. Yeah.

Ian Arnold: 18:33

I agree. Especially, you don't have a big team, you said, you mostly work. You guys are at the Garnett group, independent agents. So that is huge by having steps, because you can forget stuff very quickly. And you never know that phone calls, disrupts you in the middle. And you're like, Wait, I gotta do this that. So steps?

Rochelle Perkins: 18:56

Yeah, I'm a checklist kind of girl. I have to, I have to have it. And, and I like the satisfaction of checking it off.

Ian Arnold: 19:06

So I mentioned the gardener group. So what made you choose like our knit group? What made it seem like a great fit for you?

Rochelle Perkins: 19:12

So there's a very roundabout way that we got here. Essentially, me and my business partner decided that we could go out on our own, you know, and it's funny how messages get delivered to you. I had a few conversations over like a month time before she even mentioned that we should go independent. And I was out at a few events and a couple times people pulled me to the side. They're like, so when are you going to launch her own brokerage? And I'm like, Who told you to ask me that? And it happened, like five times in the course of one month and it's like, okay, okay, I get it. I get it. I will do it. So I take my mandatory broker training and then like she said it and I was like, it's funny. I've had all these conversations. So we decided to open and really I like the way we came up with the name of it is a great story. A lot of people like to hear it. So I'll tell you, we hired someone because we were like, we just can't think of a name. We didn't want it to be our names because it's not our thing. We wanted it to be something that wasn't so tied and anchored to. So we wanted something different. So we hire somebody to think of a name, hated the name she came up with. So, but I was like, Okay, we kind of have something here. And both of our birthdays are in January. And one thing that we bonded over is both of our mom's health ID, you know, gone a little to the wayside at the same time, they ended up in the same hospital on the same floor in the same hallway at the same time. Really, wow, me and her. We're working from the hospital cafeteria on the weak Wi Fi, getting deals done. And but one thing that I joked about one day, I was like, you know, my mom was the only person that ever buys me Garnet stuff like birth, my birthstone it's January. And I was like, what if we were the garnet group? And that's how it came about.

Rick Ripma: 21:09

Wow, yeah. Hire somebody you can't get in that, ya know, and

Unknown: 21:12

it just just happened. Yeah,

Rochelle Perkins: 21:14

she got she got my wheels spinning. Yeah. But we hated the name she came up with.

Unknown: 21:19

So it's worth doing it was worth

Rochelle Perkins: 21:21

doing. Because, you know, we paid her and still ultimately thought of it. But I don't think we would have thought of it without her. So

Unknown: 21:27

So that's worth it was worth it. Yeah,

Rick Ripma: 21:29

that's a good thing. For the hard work of mortgage guy, I just had a marketing guy that I was working with. He was he he listened to me, you know, he wrote everything down. He came in one day he goes, You need to be the hard work and mortgage guy. I mean, that's what resonates.

Rochelle Perkins: 21:42

Yeah. Yeah. And it's self explanatory. You don't have a lot have to do a lot of work to explain your brand story. Like it's just,

Rick Ripma: 21:50

yeah, it's just too long. Sometimes it's too long, too. Well,

Rochelle Perkins: 21:54

you work hard. And you do mortgages.

Rick Ripma: 21:56

That's right. That's, that's right. As I get older, though, I'm worried I won't be able to work as hard. Yeah, nothing's happening every day.

Ian Arnold: 22:08

That's all right. That's why you got me right. Yeah. What? What is, what do you like? How do you define your brand? Like,

Rochelle Perkins: 22:19

so I mean, my personal brand is me. That's why my name is on everything. My face is on everything. Now. You know, when I first started, I didn't want to put my picture on stuff. I don't know why. I don't know what I was thinking there. But now, my face and my name, are the focal points of my brand. And it's because when you call Rochelle, you're gonna get Rochelle. And it was very. So I'll also say this, I need things to be. I don't want to say I'm lazy, because I'm certainly not, but I need it to be lazy, I need it to be easy for me to be consistent at it. So I needed my brand to be something authentic, I needed to be able to wake up in the morning, and be who I am. And so that is really, where my branding came from. It was just like, you know, what, my brand is gonna be me, it's gonna be authentically me. That way, I don't feel like I have to suit up and, and polish myself in order to do my job. I can wake up, I can be myself, I can talk, you know about the things that I know, and and do what I need to do. I don't have to be super curated or have a different personality. That's not my own. Yeah. It's a little refined from from my, my own personality.

Rick Ripma: 23:42

Well, I think it's, it's one of those things where, when you're, when you're trying to be out there as as you have to be, you have to make it. It's easy for yourself, because there's so many things you have to do. And that's not lazy, right? That's just smart. Yeah. Right. You have to make it an easy process. You're very process. So you have your process, you make your process very easy so that you can do the process. And that way you, you make you make it go smoothly for everybody. Because smooth. Having a smooth transaction in real estate is vitally important. Absolutely.

Rochelle Perkins: 24:17

And the biggest compliment I get is like, at the end like this really wasn't hard at all. Yeah, it doesn't have to be.

Rick Ripma: 24:24

Yeah, I think it's also I think it's a compliment to somebody when the customer thinks, you know what, I think I could sell real estate. You make it look so easily. Yeah, that means you really did a phenomenal job. Absolutely.

Rochelle Perkins: 24:36

And I like my clients to think I'm overpaid. Yeah. Yeah, I take no offense.

Rick Ripma: 24:42

You talked about the you know how people look at real estate you you look to HGTV. What do you think some of the misconceptions by the consumer is of what a real estate agent does?

Rochelle Perkins: 24:56

Um, I think some of the myths conceptions are that we can get you from contract to closing in 30 minutes, because that's how long those shows are. That we can narrow it down to three houses, you pick one and we, we go and write the offer and next day you're getting keys. It's not quite that simple. I think that, you know, people think we just dress up and, and buy each other drinks and drive nice cars. I would actually, you know, that's a great question. I would love to know what people's perception is of real estate agents. But it's so much more than that. It's understanding the market is understanding different neighborhoods because especially in a unique city like Indianapolis, you can have vastly different neighborhoods on the other side of one street. So it's understanding geographically, like different areas and and what that means in different school systems and what your preferences are, and what's desired. And what's the new thing? And also, what's the new trend in decor and what are buyer preferences looking at looking like now, versus I don't know, maybe last season, and paying attention to what people are seeing online. I made a joke recently, and I hope to not offend anyone. But I blame tic toc for people painting rooms black. I see it a lot. I really like putting down the tricorn black, oh. Because lately when I'm running a lot of comps, and looking, I see people painting entire bedrooms, bathrooms, black. And that's something that I've seen it on Tiktok and Instagram and things like that. And I know that that's a home trend that I hoped I assume. But it's because my preference is bright, light, and you know, software palettes, but you have to also understand those things because you may walk into a listing appointment, and they have an all black living room and you're like, Oh, we're gonna change this. It's also understanding how to negotiate. It's also understanding how to be a team player, because every single transaction, you have a new set of co workers. And that's probably the biggest thing that you have to understand if you wanted to get into this business, if you hated group work in school, and if you're not playing too well with your co workers. Well guess what? You have new co workers and a new boss every time.

Ian Arnold: 27:42

Alright, so I don't want somebody to paint their house, or one of the rooms black without your permission first. So if somebody wants some advice before painting, or buying or selling, how can they get ahold of you?

Rochelle Perkins: 27:56

Absolutely via my phone 765-609-7316 That is my personal cell go straight to me call or text is fine. And then on my social media is Rochelle nose MD on Instagram and Facebook, r o c h e l l e k n o w s i n d y that is Rochelle knows nd on Instagram and Facebook.

Rick Ripma: 28:21

And to get a hold of Ian or I go to HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com You can look up our information there. Or you can give us a call at 317-672-1938. That's 317-672-1938.

Ian Arnold: 28:34

And now we'll get into the question of the week. And the question of the week is sponsored by Hey, Rick and I the hard working mortgage guys where we believe in helping supporting you and your realtor by sending constant updates to the loan process. We don't like living in a black hole so we don't allow you to live in a black or in a black room or black room. No.

Rick Ripma: 28:50

No black paint on our walls.

Ian Arnold: 28:53

All right. So here's your question. What was your first car?

Rochelle Perkins: 28:59

It was a Mazda six to six. I believe it was like at 99. And, man, I had so many curves and mailboxes and nothing like it this year. Oh man. Learning to drive was a fun time. It's also so it's funny. I got my license and driving is what made me realize that I need glasses. Because I kept hitting curbs and couldn't see street signs. So I went home one day and I was like we're gonna need glasses. I keep taking stuff out on the road. And so that's that's how I found out

Rick Ripma: 29:39

no way When did your driver's test they didn't. They did. They didn't do your I

Rochelle Perkins: 29:44

did find on that. But oh, yeah. Very weird.

Ian Arnold: 29:48

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, but you gotta think those they're only doing the bare minimum.

Rochelle Perkins: 29:52

Yeah. Can you see that? Yeah, the Big E at the top. Yeah. Can

Ian Arnold: 29:55

you read that billboard? That's five feet away. Yeah, I can do that. It's not

Rick Ripma: 30:00

that easy. They make me wear glasses too. And I don't wear glasses for hardly anything, but they make me wear glasses.

Ian Arnold: 30:06

Yes. But when you're 110 They started to have a little bit more how to

Rick Ripma: 30:09

what if I'm still driving it? 100 you better all get off the road.

Rochelle Perkins: 30:14

Right? Yeah.

Ian Arnold: 30:17

But so was that your excuse to your parents after they see all the damage on the car and hitting the mailbox? I think any clashes mom and dad.

Rochelle Perkins: 30:25

Yeah, that was exactly. And actually also at the same time, I had this algebra class, and I was sitting in the back and I couldn't see the board. And I thought that's why I was bad at it. No, I was bad at it. Because it was just a hard subject for me.

Rick Ripma: 30:42

Yeah, if I only had glasses, I could pass it. Yeah.

Ian Arnold: 30:46

Yeah, the glasses make you look smarter.

Unknown: 30:49

Yeah, it all made excuse. Yeah.

Ian Arnold: 30:50

I will say though, it is weird. So you when you notice that so after a COVID got done, we start going back to church and everything. Well, my church does everything on the screens. And I'm like, looking at the screen. And I'm like, Liga scripture. I'm like, Honey, is that blurry? Is that just me? She goes, I think he might need your eyes checked. And that's when I found out that I needed glasses. So

Rick Ripma: 31:12

I have a similar experience. Why? Because I see real good real, I can see perfect up up close, which doc doctor always says that but I was. I said then in church and in his like, they need to they need to focus in on this. What they were showing. Yeah. And my wife looks at me, it's perfectly it was Yeah. It was there. There.

Rochelle Perkins: 31:35

You know, white lettering will reveal yourself every time. Yeah, I think so. white lettering normally is like, you know, on your,

Rick Ripma: 31:42

on your on your black paint. I have noticed there are a lot more houses on the outside painted black. Is that part of that trend?

Rochelle Perkins: 31:53

I think so.

Unknown: 31:54

I think tickets I like it. Yeah,

Rochelle Perkins: 31:56

I don't mind it. Like I've seen some black farmhouses and things like that. Yeah, I think it can be done tastefully. But I'm interested to see if that will become if that will remain timeless.

Rick Ripma: 32:10

See that's that is the big deal is is it just because it's a trend right now? That's what we'd have decorators come in, and they'd say, Well, you know, this is the trend. I don't care. I want it the way I want it. Yeah. Because when I when I go to sell it isn't today and it'll all change. Oh, it is one of the way I want it.

Rochelle Perkins: 32:28

Yeah. So I'm always like, back and forth. Like is the black paint trend? Or trend? The red kitchen of the 2000?

Rick Ripma: 32:36

Was it a big deal? Red kitchen?

Unknown: 32:38

You don't remember the red kitchen? No, I don't like

Rick Ripma: 32:42

paying attention early

Rochelle Perkins: 32:44

2000s It was a red kitchen with the like roosters and Oh,

Rick Ripma: 32:50

okay. Yeah, you'll see, remember the roosters See, there's kind of back to back. Yeah, I've noticed.

Rochelle Perkins: 32:56

I guess if you if you are going to paint your home black just stay long enough for it to come back and start

Unknown: 33:03

or repainting.

Ian Arnold: 33:06

I will say though, paint has gotten a lot better a used to have, like we did a dark color. And you want to put you had to put for four or five layers. Now. It's like one layer. You're completely done here. Like this is awesome. Yeah. So paint is not

Rochelle Perkins: 33:20

too bad. No, it's not. And that's not to the buyers out there painting is not too bad if you if you like the bones, but you're gonna have to paint over that black master bedroom, it's fine. Just get a a gallon bucket from Home Depot, and one afternoon and it'll be

Ian Arnold: 33:39

so my recommendation for anybody purchasing a home, especially if you have the opportunity to leave like with my wife and I did it. We had one month rent left when we purchased our home. So we slowly transitioned painting and everything without furniture being in the white. Now I know that's not an option for everybody. But if you can, I highly recommend that case you could slowly move in.

Rochelle Perkins: 34:04

I mean, I think and we probably you've sat through my buyers count because that is one of the first things I say is you don't want to have to leave one place and move into another on the same day because you're at a time at your rental or your previous home. I did the same thing I bought and I had about six weeks to ease myself into that into that place. And it was so much easier than having to take a moving truck to closing.

Ian Arnold: 34:36

And then for for clearances. I've never done a her class yet. I might do it now because it looks like we think alike, but yeah, so what do you consider one of your most memorable deals?

Rochelle Perkins: 34:48

Oh, what am I most memorable deals? I'm trying not to think of a painful one because you know, we carry with memorable Yeah, we carry our trauma in this industry. Um I would probably say, like my favorite ones are my people that are getting to upgrade out of their starter homes, and they take the benefit of the amount of equity they've gained, and they're able to kind of buy that dream home. This is where we're gonna raise our family for the next number of years. And I love that process the most. Because that's where, you know, we talk about you build equity and homeownership is an investment but in still until you see those tangible numbers and how that first home can help you afford that dream home. It it's hard for me to quantify it if you haven't experienced it yet.

Rick Ripma: 35:47

Yeah. And it's it's vitally important. When I sold new homes. And when I sold new homes, you get a new or a new buyer in or you know, and it was like you had I always tried to educate them on you know, what you want to do is you want to buy if you're the first time homebuyer and you know, this is a move up, you're not buying your dream home. So buy the home, put the basics, and we I mean, I have a pretty good idea at that time what you needed to put in the house for resale. And what you didn't need, yeah, because the reality is, when somebody comes to buy your house, they expect carpet. And if you put in, you know, three times more expensive carpet, it may last longer, maybe easier to live with, but they're not going to pay any more for that. Nope. They expect carpet, right? They expect windows and they're just certain things they expect. Yeah. So you try to just, you know, you want to live there. So you got to make it liveable for you make it comfortable and you're happy. But realize it's just a stepping stone.

Rochelle Perkins: 36:43

Absolutely. And I I personally, this is my opinion, I think master bedrooms and kitchen sell homes. Yeah,

Ian Arnold: 36:53

I would agree with that. Because let's be honest, that people paying for that home are mostly in the master bedroom, and the kitchen. Whatever thing I think you've you touched on but you didn't go into it too much is for especially first time homebuyers that home doesn't have to be your forever home.

Rochelle Perkins: 37:12

No. And very first one will it be? Yep. Yeah, we all start somewhere. I mean, whether So my approach, when I bought my first home was this is my first investment property, no matter how long I have to live here, I'm not gonna move out of it unless I don't have to sell it to make my next move. And that panned out, I'm currently renting out that first home. But it could also be your stepping stone to be able to get to your dream home. And it's really a long game that first home is a long game, like you're like you get in, you do what you can with it, and you build the equity to be able to move on. And honestly, I bought my home before I got into real estate and I just told myself it would be an investment property. And then when I got into real estate, I found out how good of an idea that because it's an asset and now I've got a two and a half percent interest rate on the mortgage on it. So that's even better.

Rick Ripma: 38:14

It is it is a very smart thing to do now. It's coming from somebody who's lived in their house for 33 years. Okay, and it's my first house. Oh, nice. Okay, okay. And but I heard a guy I heard a person talking. And it was on some podcast or webcast. And they were saying that the way to wealth one of the best ways to well, for people to do exactly what you just said. They said buy a home live there two years, make it a rental property, buy another home there two years said after 10 homes. Now I don't think this numbers, right. He said after 10 homes, you're a millionaire. I don't think that's accurate. But if you did that you have five homes that you're running out. And if you have I mean, it's amazing how much income that can give you. Oh, yeah. And how much equity it gives you that especially when most people are not going to have two and a half percent interest rate. But you know, that's incredible.

Rochelle Perkins: 39:10

If you're a buyer shopping now close your ears. Also, if you're a buyer shopping now, it's I don't want to rub it in your face. But my first home was moving ready. And it was only $68,000. Yeah,

Rick Ripma: 39:22

so that's changed too. Right

Rochelle Perkins: 39:24

saves the big time.

Ian Arnold: 39:25

Yeah. What also you didn't mention and Rick and I've had this conversation is how much you're getting paid. Yeah, I go. So people want to say Oh, well, the homes have gone. I think the average in my board which is right around Annapolis in the surrounding counties is roughly about 255 Okay, well, yeah, you go back 10 years, it wasn't that high, but you will get back 10 years and you're getting paid by $7 an hour working at McDonald's Yeah, now you're getting I drive by I've no I haven't applied but you drive by you see starting salaries 17 $16 an hour. Okay, that just almost doubled 2.5 times you weren't getting paid.

Rochelle Perkins: 40:07

Yeah. And it's reflected in the market. So homes are about two and a half times more expensive than they were 10 years ago. Yeah,

Rick Ripma: 40:14

that's what happens. That's why pay increases are not the end all for everything. Because as they increase everything increase, just you want to stay, at least stay up with it, you know, and then get better jobs. But yeah, speaking of jobs, I know you have a little bit you have a company, you have three, three members on that plus your partner. So tell us about about like that, you know, how do you run that? And are you looking for people to join your team? And if so, what do you look for?

Rochelle Perkins: 40:47

So, we run, we're independent agents, we run kind of independently, basically. But we are full service, my agents can get a hold of me anytime they need me. I'm always, as I learned new things, I'm passing it to them. We have training opportunities. We have agents that are brand new, and then I believe, our oldest or our longest tenured agent is probably 15 years plus. So we take anyone from brand new all the way to experienced, and we're really looking for people who are self motivated, go getters want to run their own business. I always tell my agents who do not work for me where this is not an employee relationship. I need to say that while an IRS witness is sitting next to me, because you are an independent contractor, you are running your business and I am here to champion and cheerlead that in any way you see fit. Because I believe, if you're a longtime listener of this podcast, probably every single guest they've had runs their business differently. And so there is no one way to do it. And so that's really, if you want to find your strengths, find your voice and run your business, then we could be a good fit for you.

Rick Ripma: 42:09

And it's extremely valuable to have good solid mentorship. In the company, I think that's one of the big things that separates those who struggle when they first get in the business especially. And even when you've got experience having other people with experience to bounce things off of and talk to and talk through. There's always different things that come up in real estate that maybe somebody else has dealt with, and you just never have. And you can get other ideas on how to deal with things. Yeah,

Rochelle Perkins: 42:36

one thing I never like to say is I've seen it all, because I'll see something new five minutes later. And I'm like, Okay, we've never seen it all. Never, ever, ever.

Ian Arnold: 42:46

So what do you see, like the indie market doing, let's say the next few years? What do you think?

Rochelle Perkins: 42:55

So I think in the next few years, and I've really been thinking about this a lot as home affordability has been at the forefront of the real estate market in Indianapolis specifically. And I've been looking at some of the other metro areas that experience there, boom. That was Austin, Texas. That's Nashville, and kind of looking at what happened there. Because while affordability is shrinking in our in our market, I'm like so so what happened to those people, and Denver is another one that experienced the boom, like, who knew what the number was, aside from the Broncos and now. And now all of a sudden, they experienced a big boom, and I was looking at how does that happen? And I think they have leveled out some, but they do still have some affordable inventory. So what I think is gonna happen in Indianapolis is our metro area is going to expand. You know, those of us in the Midwest, we love getting places in 20 minutes or less. I think that's going to be a thing of the past and unfortunately, and I think we're gonna grow larger and wider. As more people migrate to the Midwest, they discover our property taxes and things like that. I don't see home prices going backwards. I think Indianapolis is still outperforming larger segments of the country. I think that and that's hard to hear sometimes. But what I kind of grappled was what major metro area is affordable.

Unknown: 44:36

Yep. It all depends on your incomes. Yeah. On our

Rochelle Perkins: 44:39

incomes compared right. Yeah. So I see our metro area expanding. I see us getting more attractions, more national businesses coming here that businesses that have a national footprint, and I think it's just going to be a really great place to live. We just have to get through our growing pains. Have all the traffic and construction first. It'll be a much smoother place to navigate once all the

Unknown: 45:06

orange cones are put away and I hear you're running for office.

Rochelle Perkins: 45:09

I am so I'm running for the district five seat on the board of directors at my bore. That service area is Western Marion County, Hendricks County in Morgan County. Awesome. Yes.

Rick Ripma: 45:21

And when does that election?

Rochelle Perkins: 45:23

Voting takes place? September 29 to October 5.

Rick Ripma: 45:26

Have you been out kissing babies?

Rochelle Perkins: 45:28

Oh, I will be out. I'll be hitting multiple events hitting the golf outing. I've got some giveaways to give away. I really want to put my all into this campaign because if I lose, I'm going to lose fair and square.

Ian Arnold: 45:47

You put it all? Yes. Good. All right. So I want you to win. I want you to get your name out there and want you to sell more homes. What's the best way somebody get in contact with you?

Rochelle Perkins: 45:58

Yeah, so on my social media platforms, and my website is also Rochelle knows Andy that's on Facebook, Instagram and Rochelle knows nd.com that is r o c h e l l e k n o ws Indy, why? And then my phone number is my direct line to my cell phone is 765-609-7316.

Rick Ripma: 46:21

And remember, vote for Rochelle Perkins, right? Remember that?

Unknown: 46:25

Yeah, that's who they need to vote for? Yep. Rochelle for district five Rochelle for district

Rick Ripma: 46:29

five. And to get a hold of you and I got a HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com That's HardWorkingMortgageGuys.com Or you give us a call at 317-672-1938. That's 317-672-1938. And please follow us for more indies real estate gurus

Ian Arnold: 46:44

reminder. If you have any friends, family or coworkers looking to buy, sell or refinance? Let us know. We'll be more than happy to help you. Worship. Thank you for joining us on our show. It's been a pleasure having you on.

Rochelle Perkins: 46:52

I appreciate you guys for having me. Thank you. You're welcome.

Announcer: 46:55

Brent NMLS number 33041. Witness NMLS number 6645899. Arnold's NMLS number is 195469 equal housing opportunity some restrictions apply