GCAAR is proud to present…
OUR 2021 NAR 30 UNDER 30 HONOREES Each year, the National Association of REALTORS® highlights 30 young REALTORS® for their exemplary achievements in the profession, and we are excited to announce that two GCAAR members have been selected as 2021 honorees. We spoke to REALTORS® Molly Branson and Daniel Walcott about their burgeoning careers and what advice they have for young, local real estate agents looking to enter and advance in the field.
Molly Branson Molly Branson, 28, has been working as a REALTOR® since 2015. A lifelong resident of the DMV, Branson now works with RLAH Real Estate. Early on in her career, she knew the value of having mentors, and that looking to more seasoned REALTORS® for guidance was key to building a successful business. She says her career really took off in late 2016, after her mentor invited her to start a team with him at a boutique brokerage. There, she says, she learned about the development side of the industry. “It was a lot of fun walking construction sites, analyzing floor plans, picking finishes and seeing the finished project,” she says.
“In my experience, don't go at this alone. Learn from other people, and don't be afraid to ask to shadow, ask to follow them.”
Now, half of her business comes from developers, while the other half is made up of first-time homebuyers—meaning she sees a balance of the people who are creating the housing inventory, and those who are buying inventory for the first time. “I think having the relationship with both really benefits both,” she explains. “When I’m touring properties with my buyers I’m constantly asking them what works, what do they like, what don't they like. From asking and gathering info, I’m better able to advise my developers on what people are actually looking for. Then we can adjust floor plans and adjust finishes before a property hits the market and have a wider range of buyers who are interested.”
Branson’s biggest piece of advice to young REALTORS® is to balance the independent, entrepreneurial mindset that attracts people to the industry with the need to find mentorship and support from teams. “In my experience, don’t go at this alone,” she says. “Learn from other people, and don’t be afraid to ask to shadow, ask to follow them. Use your resources, not just online, but in physical interactions with good agents.” In addition to seeking support from her colleagues, Branson says she has expanded her network with the help of GCAAR’s Young Professionals Network. “This job can be really tiring. It is seven days a week, 365 days a year, and if you don't have a strong support system you will get burnt out,” she says.
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CAPITAL AREA REALTOR ® — May/June 2021
