Well, I still haven't signed the contract, but beginning TODAY, I am the Office Administrator for GreenWorks Realty in Seattle.
Unfortunately the agency had to layoff the Office Manager - the company was proud to pay a living wage and provide health benefits for Audrey Triantafillidis, who managed the office for over two years. She accomplished things for the company that I personally would not have had the energy or motivation for, probably. She created formal marketing, developed and maintained the web site, implemented a human resources system, among other great achievements. It is unfortunate that the current real estate market has not enabled the agents and broker to retain her. I liked Audrey immediately and really wish I could work WITH her, instead of replacing her at her desk. It is sad.
BUT it is good for me since it allows me to really commit 100% to my real estate business instead of spending most of my time looking for a J-O-B (it really is a 4 letter word, it just looks like a 3 letter word). I had a few interviews between October and today, but had not managed to be "the one" to get the prize. Perhaps it was because I truly was meant to be at the real estate office - I have been branding myself as a green home expert and real estate agent for almost two years via my blog (greenspacesrealestate.com) and I have worked so hard to make a name for myself in this niche, it made me sick to think of giving it up.
But now I don't have to! I am only being paid a token, in fact, it is a third of what I was making in my last contract. But to be an agent at the office (25 hours a week, planning on 5+ hours a day), keep the lights on and the papers moving, and being able to put my A-board on the sidewalk and work with walk-in clients - could be invaluable. The office is on a great street in the Greenwood neighborhood of North Seattle. Next door is Bambu Organic Salon where I can get my hair done without chemicals, and on the end of our building is Zak and Zoe's, a great pet store that hands out treats to visitors. Which is good, because SOPHIA is my co-worker and companion in this venture, and will be going to the office with me every day. And Greenlake is nearby, and we will have available to us - and no excuses to avoid, really - the pinnacle of human and dog walking locations.
The announcement sent out to my company included a brief work history, which I am including here since it enhances my "profile" information (on the right sidebar) without being too long.
Wendy’s earliest background began in the property management industry and she worked in regional offices of multi-state and national real estate asset management corporations. For a few years she was a background investigator for multifamily housing. Later she moved to office and retail management and was on the building management team at the Columbia Tower downtown. She and her husband, Steve, were married on the O deck (73rd floor).
Later, Wendy worked independently for a Windermere Real Estate agent and after a year became an agent on her own. In the last 5 years Wendy directed the personal marketing campaigns for loan officers, created a client support system and prospect management process specific to the mortgage banking industry, and also served as a right-of-way (road projects) and relocation (SeaTac Airport 3rd runway) subcontracting agent for municipal contracts.
She has provided office management and administrative support for two non-profits (one affordable housing, one environmental) in addition to transaction management for the last real estate broker she worked for. She has had her real estate license for over 5 years (cumulative), and became a Built Green Certified Professional Real Estate agent in 2007. She is very excited to be working with like-minded professionals who have passion for both real estate and healthy homes and lifestyles.
You will see her and her rescued Italian greyhound, Sophia, at the office 25 hours a week. Her hours will vary to both accommodate the work load in the office and foot traffic in the neighborhood. If you have specific needs at the office, please call for staffing information.
So that is my big announcement and I am very happy to be able to commit to my real estate business at such an intense level. If you know of someone thinking of buying or selling a home and in need of real estate advice, I am a FULL-TIME AGENT and am happy to provide phone consultation or email communication with folks who have questions regarding the condition of today's market.
Thank you for your support!
