Time We Discuss: Why THIS GUY Quit Teaching to go into Real Estate
Watch/Listen to this Episode Why THIS GUY Quit Teaching to go into Real Estate
From teacher to fix-and-flipper to real estate agent, in this episode of Time We Discuss,Dan Gomer discusses his journey. We hear about the challenges he faced as a middle school science teacher and real estate, and how these experiences shaped his professional evolution.
Initially, Dan shares how teaching was his passion from a young age. A middle school teacher who encouraged him to lead a lesson solidified his desire to become a teacher. However, while he loved the art of teaching, he grew frustrated with the politics and financial difficulties that came with the profession. The 2008 financial crisis, pay freezes, and a tumultuous district environment made it difficult for him to support his family. His passion for teaching persisted, but the pressures and stress led him to the realization that he needed a change. After seven years, he left the teaching profession, acknowledging that it was no longer a good fit for him.
Dan then transitioned into real estate, starting with fixing and flipping houses. While he had some experience in construction, having worked on framing houses and building decks in college, the transition into real estate was challenging. His early ventures were difficult, and despite some successes—earning up to $80,000 on his best project, he ultimately ended up losing money overall. After four years of fix-and-flip projects, he decided to shift focus, using his real estate license to help others buy and sell homes as a traditional real estate agent. This pivot allowed him to leverage his time and resources more effectively, leading to a more sustainable career.
In the real estate industry, Dan struggled initially due to a lack of awareness from his network. He describes a turning point when a friend bought a house using another agent, simply because they didn’t realize Dan was in the business. This experience taught him the importance of making his role clear to those around him, leading him to transform his approach to networking and business development.
Dan's business steadily grew as he learned the intricacies of running a successful real estate practice. He highlights the steep learning curve and the challenges of building a business without prior experience, especially while raising a young family. Eventually, he overcame these hurdles by focusing on relationship-building and authenticity. He credits these values, along with a dedication to consistency, as key factors in his long-term success.
As of September of 2024, Dan leads a team of 34 real estate agents and finds fulfillment in coaching and helping others succeed. He is particularly passionate about recruiting former teachers into the real estate field, as he believes their skills in problem-solving, resourcefulness, and relationship-building make them well-suited for the industry. Dan's future plans include expanding his team across different markets and potentially internationally, leveraging the virtual platform of his company, EXP Realty.
Throughout the interview, Dan emphasizes the importance of resilience, adaptability, and passion in both teaching and real estate, and how his journey has shaped his current career and business philosophy.
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