TRICIA WAITE TRICIA WAITE EXPLORING NEW GROUND

It’s been said that life begins at the end of your comfort zone. When you move beyond what you’ve known, you have a chance to experience advantages and opportunities you’ve never known before either.

Tricia Waite represents that power of possibility.

A Brand New Venture

As Broker/Owner of Elite Real Estate Experts, Tricia demonstrates the possibilities of exploring new ground. The brokerage opened March 1. Tricia smiles as she talks about the rewarding new chapter.

“Jamie Hanson (who was the leader of a top-producing team) and I met for coffee to discuss CRMs and the market. We had been CO-OPing together for years and wanted to brainstorm. That was a Tuesday morning. By Friday night we had a logo, an office space, an operating agreement, a business name, and were well on to the new brokerage, with a completely new vision,” Tricia explains.

“At Elite Real Estate Experts, we want to offer a brokerage with seasoned, top-producing agents. We are designed to take care of the agents and help them GROW, but being partnered and collaborating daily with the best in the business. The objective is to build with agents that believe in this concept and help build their business. We are selective. We are Elite. We have the Hanson Waite Team and also offer a very competitive commission package for individual top-producing, experienced agents.”

Getting Her Start

Prior to real estate, Tricia worked as a restaurant server in college, pouring on superior service.

“I had a repeat customer that was a real estate agent,” she remembers. “He told me I should get into real estate. He said I reminded him of Lindi Laini who hit the ground running. I had children and needed flexibility and not work nights. That’s how I got into real estate in 2005.”

As she got her start in the business, Tricia worked on a team for two years.

“From the start, I enjoyed meeting new people and being part of their story,” she says. “Looking back, I have a lot of clients who I worked with on their first houses who now have worked with me to buy four houses. It means a lot to have been able to go through different chapters of their lives with them.”

Rising Above

In the beginning, Tricia was told by some that she likely wouldn’t make it in the business. But she went on to clearly prove them wrong. She remembers the outstanding influences that surrounded her during those early days.

“I was CO-OPing with Lee Harp during the time, and he was an amazing agent. He was very professional and helpful. He talked to me about Realty Executives, and I quickly made the move. I was surrounded by the BEST in the industry; Christy Freisen, Greg Robson, Larry Underhill, Daniel Hood, Tim Holt, Leanne Barney, Eric Locke, Lee Harp … to name a few,” she recalls. “This group was TOP NOTCH. We all helped, supported, and helped to grow each other. Those were the days! There was amazing camaraderie in this office.”

Tricia has created success for herself and those around her at an ever-growing pace. In fact, last year, she recorded $16 million on 96 transactions individually. Through her career, Tricia has amassed approximately $79 million in sales volume representing more than 560 total units as an independent agent.

Family Foundation

Tricia’s world is made much richer by family. Away from work, she looks forward to time spent with her husband, Cody (Owner of Waite Roofing and Construction), and her children — 24-year-old son, Angel; 19-yearold daughter, Liliana; 16-year-old son, Steven; 15-year-old daughter, Santana; 12-year-old son, Roman; and 2-year-old daughter, Oriah.

“My husband, Cody, is the glue to the family. He grounds me and is my better half. I was able to truly succeed when he became a part of my life in 2018,” she says. “It so important to have the right people in your corner, supporting, understanding. The true meaning of unconditional support and love.” smiles as she talks about the children.

“Each one of them brings a uniqueness to the family home and dynamics. Each of us has a role. For the team (household) to be successful, we all have to do our part. Using basketball, Santana is the point guard, Roman the wing, Stevie gets the rebound, Ry is the cheerleader, Cody Keeps score and I am the coach. Angel and Lily are subs since they’re adults and no longer live at home,” she smiles.

“In sports, everyone has to do their part to WIN. If the point guard fails to get the ball to the wing, there may never be a shot, if we don’t get a rebound, we can’t shoot again, if no one keeps score, how will we know who wins, and of course, the coach who motivates, encourages, and guides. Attempting to teach them all the roles in this home are important. And it takes the whole team. My team is my family.”

In her free time, Tricia enjoys being involved in sand volleyball, exercising and playing sports. They also just built a house at the lake, and enjoy family time boating, fishing, kayaking and riding jet skis.

When it comes to giving back, Tricia and her team sponsor a local basketball team.

“Right now we are still in the works of sponsoring a basketball team, we have made monetary donations, but we are looking to do more. This will be in the next year,” she says.

In addition, Tricia is working on putting together a scholarship for female graduates of Bishop Carrol High School who plan on studying business beginning with the 2024 graduating class.

Faith And Purpose

Each person faces challenges. Tricia recalls how faith helped her through time.

“I wanted to learn about Catholicism and attended class. At the first class the Priest made a statement I will never forget. He said,‘You don’t have to understand everything about faith, and you don’t have to become this sin-free Catholic overnight. If you are here to learn more, be closer to God, and work on one sin at a time, you are in the right place,’” she remembers.

“This was exactly what I needed to hear, and where I needed to be. This class taught me a completely different way to live. I could go on and on, because it did change my life. The biggest mindset reset was to give instead of receiving, to love instead of seeking love, to try to understand people and their situation versus judgement. The faith made me a better person. A better mother, friend, and just overall person.”

As Tricia says, her success is an ongoing pursuit.

“It’s about balance. As a mother of six, I have a very busy household. I also run three to four miles every day, and make a date with my husband weekly. I try my best to see friends and take time alone to breathe. Praying is a daily event, and I aspire to do more in the community,” she says.

“Everything I do comes at a cost on some level. I strive to be a Broker that is available for my agents. It is an ongoing goal. Some days I fail miserably, and some days I dominate! But every single day I try to wake with a grateful heart and go at it again. Regardless of the challenge in front of me, or what happened yesterday, every day is a new day to be a better version of myself. Success for me is staying true to that and giving myself grace.”

Today, Tricia continues learning, growing and contributing to the people around her in a number of meaningful and impactful ways. Each day, she demonstrates the promise and possibilities that can be realized by exploring new ground.