Today we’d like to introduce you to Pam Peterson.
Hi Pam, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I should have started out in real estate, but I didn’t. Instead, I took the safe route and found a corporate position right out of college that offered me set hours, a salary, and health benefits. On my first day in the office, I walked into the board room for a meeting full of newbie excitement and ambition. By the end of that first meeting one of the top salespeople in the company and the person who had recruited me, left in tears. I quickly noticed how this company was treating its employees and the stressful work environment they’d created. Even the highest paid salespeople with years of work at the company seemed unhappy. As a goal-oriented person, I needed something to work toward and a future at this company was not motivating.
I decided to be proactive and plan my exit. I signed up for my real estate course and pledged to do one chapter every night after getting home from work. Within 2 months my coursework was done. As soon as I passed my test, I quit my corporate job.
Fast forward to today, I’ve just passed my 10-year mark working full time in real estate. I’m consistently among the top selling agents in the area and in my firm. In 2021, I closed $13.8 million dollars in transactions and was honored to be a top producer in my company. The knowledge I’ve gained from my career has helped me in making my own real estate investments and I am currently renovating two rental properties of my own. Transitioning into real estate was the best decision I’ve ever made. It allowed me to set my own path and work toward financial freedom. I’ve never regretted this career choice!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I quit my corporate job, upper management told me the market was saturated with real estate agents and I would never become successful.
The number of Realtors didn’t worry me at all. I knew if I worked hard, aligned myself with the right people, and was knowledgeable, I would create my own niche and be successful.
The hardest part of becoming a real estate agent is getting started. Year 1 and 2 will make you or break you. Early on, I looked at starting a new career as a learning experience rather than focusing on income. I sought out mentors to work for and learn from. Instead of focusing on how much money I would make early on I focused on how much I could learn from successful agents around me. I looked at my early career as going to grad school. I set out to put in my time learning from the best. It paid off. My life has been full of mentors, and I am forever grateful.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I blend my professional life with my helping my community.
Both my work and my personal life are very focused on creating a “home.” I’ve always been a home body and I love helping others find their special place to call home as well. That includes both people and pets. In addition to selling houses, I knew for a long time I wanted to get involved in local animal rescue efforts, but I wasn’t quite sure how to get involved. Funny enough, the choice was made for me.
One day on the way home from work, my wife Susan passed a dog on the side of the highway. She pulled over to check on him fearing he’d been hit. Thankfully he wasn’t injured, but he was malnourished and exhausted with no collar or identification. She loaded him into her car and brought him home. We named him “Karl” and started reaching out to local rescues for help.
We quickly learned local rescues do not have enough foster homes for all the pets in need. One Love Animal Rescue offered to sponsor 100% of Karl’s medical care and costs if we could foster him until he found a forever home. In partnering with One Love to save Karl, we were introduced into Savannah’s incredible rescue community. We’ve been very involved since then!
Savannah, like much of the south, has a pet overpopulation problem. Continued breeding and not spaying and neutering pets has led to community issues of stray, shelters at full capacity, and animals being euthanized at a high rate. To pull dogs from kill shelters, rescues need foster homes.
Our involvement since finding Karl, has grown to include fostering, attending community rescue events, walking dogs and planning events. Through this process, we have met the most amazing selfless people. Becoming part of Savannah’s animal rescue efforts has shown us the best parts of this community. In addition to giving my time as a volunteer, I also donate $100 from every home I sell to One Love Animal Rescue as my small way to help.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Focusing on service. A few years ago, I made the conscious choice to focus my time and energy on helping others. My focus is on what I can provide my clients and the community, rather than what I will get out of the relationship. When you shift from a self-focus to a focus on providing value, it changes everything.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.forsalesavannah.com
- Instagram: pampetersonrealestate
Image Credits
Mackensey Alexander Photography
