Starting at a new company
I've moved my real estate practice to 20 Degrees North Real Estate
In my last post, I shared about my decision to leave Redfin. It was my happy home for over eight years, and naturally, I’m having some withdrawals: I miss the team, the tech, and the slick marketing materials. Yesterday, I opened my first escrow and also had my first listing consult at my new company. The struggle was real not having the familiar and efficient Redfin tools.
In the ten days since I've moved, I’ve created my own spreadsheets, file systems, and templates to help me forge my new processes—it’s all been very manual and time-consuming, but fun, in a retro kind of way. I’m going back to the basics and gradually, I’m getting organized and getting it done!
From the title above, you’ve learned my new company’s name: 20 Degrees North Real Estate. In a previous post, I wrote the following about my new broker, Chris Prendergast:
I recently met with [a] Hawaii broker who incorporates some pro bono real estate into his practice…—putting people and relationships before profits. He has paid out of pocket for expenses in transactions above and beyond the commission he received …
… The broker’s company also handles all the rental agreements—at greatly reduced fees—for the non-profit Institute for Human Service’s Kahauiki Village, a plantation-style permanent supportive housing community for formerly homeless households.
[He is] serving the Lord as [he] serves his real estate clients. Degree of difficulty: as hard as it gets. Earnings: very small if not negative… but how extremely rewarding is this real estate with a mission.
As of November 15, I have joined Chris at 20 Degrees North Real Estate, where I’ll continue to serve buyers and sellers as an agent, as well as partner with Chris to support about 30 agents as a Broker-in-Charge. I hope to learn and emulate the type of missional real estate Chris is already doing.
When I wrote the chapter titled “Starting at a new company,” in my book for real estate professionals, I had no idea I would be turning to it for my own encouragement. The chapter talks about two emotions I’ve been having which are found in all new beginnings: hope and fear. Here is the Bible verse quoted at the end of the chapter:
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
True to this promise, God was with me the entire first day at 20 Degrees North. My first appointment was with past clients—a couple who wanted to buy five copies of my book, what a blessing! As we sat down to breakfast, I noticed the wife’s t-shirt: it said, “Save your homes.” They shared how they recently joined a non-profit that helps homeowners save their homes from foreclosure. I blotted so many Holy Spirit tears as I listened to these like-minded friends who are also pursuing missional real estate—what a divine appointment to kick off my new chapter!
After spending too many hours struggling to transfer a couple listings and launch a new one that day (by myself and without the help of a Redfin coordinator), God had another surprise for me at my church ohana group. I recently joined a Friday evening group who have been taking turns each week to share their life story and testimony. The man who shared that night was previously a top real estate agent—I had no idea. His heart for ministry in real estate found him helping many distressed homeowners negotiate short sales and prevent foreclosure.
Wow! God started and ended my first day at 20 Degrees North with the topic of foreclosure prevention. It was confirmation—a wink from God—that I had heard him correctly about moving companies. These two conversations about foreclosures stood out so distinctly to me because, in my career thus far, I’ve yet to help a distressed seller with a short sale—but my new broker, Chris, has helped many.
The winks from God continue. I started working with a new agent at 20 Degrees North right as God gave her her first listing opportunity: surprise, surprise, it’s a foreclosed leasehold condo. Chris and I will support her pro bono for this doozy of an assignment with a high degree of difficulty. And that first listing consult I had yesterday? It’s a leasehold situation similar to the “impossible” listing I wrote about in my book. I can’t wait to see how God shows up for our clients.
As I’ve started to work with Chris, I’m inspired by his even-keeled, humble spirit. He is focused first on the Lord, then his agents and clients. Even his wife, Rebecca, is a gracious giver—she helped him put up signs for my first 20 Degrees North open house! I am excited to learn from their example how to walk the walk as a Christian in real estate. I am feeling and enjoying a spiritual freedom at 20 Degrees North.
I’m slowly calling clients to explain it’s still me with my experience and knowledge. I’ll be able to give them even more direct service and care. This very inspired company will be a place to level up my servant heart. Ultimately, how well I help my real estate clients doesn’t depend on a computer system or fancy brand materials. The 20 Degrees North mission statement is based on this quote I’ve always loved:
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." —Maya Angelou
Here are a few of us 20 Degrees North agents last Friday at the Honolulu Board of Realtor’s Winter General Membership Meeting. I’ve been given such a warm welcome.
Thank you to the many friends and clients who’ve sent well-wishes. I’m energized and encouraged by your support. I look forward to serving you with faith in real estate! Aloha and God bless, Ali