Tip: Don’t overbill yourself. It’s good to be confident, but never arrogant.
For people who thought they’d never achieve the dream of homeownership, Sean Moudry finds a way to make it happen.
The Lakewood, Colo., broker-associate’s interest in investing led him to research FHA and VA loan programs. He started advertising the programs to prospective buyers. “I found that when I advertised a great loan program, I got a larger response than when I advertised a specific house,” says Moudry, now in his seventh year in the business. In 2001, he did $16.7 million in sales volume and closed 100 transactions at RE/MAX Professionals Inc.
Moudry offers a one-stop shopping experience for buyer clients, helping them determine how much house they can afford, what type of mortgages they qualify for, and where to find good local contractors. Not surprisingly, 90 percent of his business comes from his loyal client base.
These days, Moudry’s also teaching his clients about the benefits of property investment and how to use home equity to buy rental property. “It helps them financially, and it’s fun and profitable for me,” he says. “I don’t think people realize that the business that comes to you is the business you work. You don’t have to sell million-dollar houses to be successful.”