Faina Shapiro, a licensed real estate salesperson specializing in luxury properties, made an impactful choice early in her career to conduct real estate classes within diverse communities. She continues to teach these classes today, recognizing them as invaluable resources for her clients. Moreover, this teaching endeavour serves as a personal motivation for Faina to continuously learn and educate herself, ensuring that she delivers up-to-date and pertinent information to participants. Although initially daunting, the experience of teaching has become a source of deep gratification and fulfilment for her.
Below are highlights of the interview:
How did you get started in the real estate industry, and what motivated you to pursue a leadership role in this field?
I was a landlord and investor before I became a real estate agent. I was motivated to pursue a leadership role because I feel a lot of home buyers, especially first-time home buyers, do not understand the financial impact of home ownership. This is the biggest purchase most people make in their lifetime and it should be treated with outmost importance and I want to help them with that.
What do you consider to be the biggest challenges facing the real estate industry today, and how do you think they can be addressed?
I think the biggest challenge in real estate is the competition buyers are facing in today’s market. My goal is to help my clients address this by ensuring I help them make educated decisions based on their personal real estate and financial goals and not be swayed by the current market.
How do you see technology changing the real estate industry in the next 5-10 years, and what opportunities and challenges do you think this will create?
Online marketplaces and AI are already impacting the RE industry and allowing more sellers to feel comfortable trying to sell their home themselves. While it may make it easier for sellers to sell their home, it may not be best for all sellers to do this because home selling can be very personal, which can create challenges and potentially lead to lawsuits because sellers do not have the same education and training as agents.
How important do you think sustainability and environmental responsibility are in the real estate industry, and what steps are you taking to address these issues in your work?
I think sustainability and environmental responsibility are as important in the real estate industry as they are in most industries. As an agent and residential remodelling specialist, I always encourage any renovation I suggest to be environmentally and budget friendly. I have also worked closely with buyers and sellers to discuss pros and cons of purchasing/selling homes with solar.
How do you approach team building and talent management in your organization, and what qualities do you look for in potential hires?
Attracting talent is something I take seriously. I recently motivated a person to change careers and join our office, and she is already doing great with several sales within her first several months. I think qualities that are important in our industry are knowledge, patience, empathy, and responsiveness, to name a few.
What advice would you give to young professionals just starting out in the real estate industry, and looking to build a successful career?
I highly recommend being prepared to work a lot while potentially not making a lot of money that first (or even second) year. I would also encourage you to find at least one mentor to shadow that you look up to in business.
What is your vision for the future of the real estate industry, and how do you see your leadership contributing to this vision?
My vision for the future of the real estate industry is for more people to realize we are in the service business and not the sales business. My leadership in teaching real estate classes all over MA to encourage buyers and sellers to learn to do their own due diligence will help bring a higher standard to what consumers should expect from agents. My clients know that when I work for them, my advice is always to help them achieve their real estate goals and to always do it with a smile and a positive attitude.
Website: https://www.bhhs.com/
