Name: Olivia Metzdorf
Job Title: Real Estate Agent
Company: Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Realty
What was your first job in the industry? Executive administrator and ISA for MovedByMegan Inc. at Keller Williams Realty Lanier Partners
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Gainesville, Ga. and loved every moment of it.
Growing up, what did you want to be? I always wanted to be an actor or singer, and was actually set to go to college for the arts. I changed degrees in college—the week before classes started—from the performing arts to a paralegal and political science degree. I stumbled into the real estate industry as an assistant to an agent, helping with contracts, documents and organizing. I worked my way up and through each layer of the industry, and found myself being drawn more and more to be an agent myself. Real estate was something I never saw myself getting into, but it fits all of my strengths so perfectly. It’s definitely something I never imagined I would fall in love with but am glad I found it!
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Anytime I feel overwhelmed, I like to work out. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment and gets those endorphins going.
If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? I would really like to actually have lunch with the president. A lot of times media can be hyper when they report on things or current political views, and I would really like to just sit down with him firsthand and get to know what he is like out of the media’s eye and see what his views are on the hot topics of today.
Where is your favorite place to hang out? I honestly could call it my second home because I’m there so much, but my favorite place to hang out is a coffee shop spot in Gainesville called Inman Perk. They have some great coffee and food, and it’s perfect for winding down when things get hectic.
What do you love most about the industry? I absolutely love finding a home that fits what clients are looking for and then seeing their reaction; it’s like Christmas morning for me. Helping people find their new home, and helping them make homeownership a reality, is one of the best feelings.
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? I really like to think that I keep the relationship with my clients as my first field of focus, rather than the actual transaction. If my outlook is to treat clients like friends or family, then I think the level of quality in my work will always be at the highest level that I can offer to anyone I work with.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job? Remembering to be flexible and not letting the process overwhelm you, so you can be the reassurance your clients need to have peace of mind through it all. There are a lot of moving parts from start to close and keeping an open and eased mind about any hiccups or delays can sometimes be hard.
Where do you go to network and meet new clients? I try to be active in my communities’ events and just be social. It’s about meeting people and creating that organic relationship that in turn will turn into potential business.
What has been your greatest accomplishment? I had a friend whose family was at the bad end of a contract and was able to help her and her family find a new home in a really short timeframe. Knowing I was able to do that for them is one of my highlights to date.
What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? The most recent movie I saw was Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot. It’s about the comic artist John Callahan, and it’s a great story about overcoming hardships and making the most out of life.
What is your favorite restaurant? Scott’s on the Square in Gainesville never disappoints.
Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Atlanta? The Battery Atlanta at Suntrust Park is one of my favorite places. It’s a super well done mixed multi-use space.
What kind of car do you drive? I drive an E-Class Mercedes and have never driven a better handling car.
Smartphone or paper? I love how I can multitask on my phone between apps, emails and documents. As agents we are always on the go and never know when we might have to look over or send something to someone. But I’m a pretty big advocate for paper too, and when it comes to writing notes and keeping hard copies or getting ready for a meeting, paper wins every time.
What is your favorite city after Atlanta? I love Chicago. The architecture, restaurants and city life definitely come in second place for me.
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Be proactive. You are the boss; you are your business.
What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? I love using Trello. It’s great for having an easy-to-use checklist and reminder for what needs to be done or what should be happening.
Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? Ricky Carruth is my number one favorite person to follow on social media. He’s a great motivation to keep going and offers great real estate advice and tips, especially for new agents.
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