While everything tilted out of place, I stayed the course. Though it was challenging and stressful at times, through years of hard work and commitment, I realized a valuable lesson.

As I arrived at the office and sat down at my desk, I couldn’t help but notice all the missing faces. So much had changed in the last year alone, but I dug in and got to work just like every other day.

When I became a licensed REALTOR® in 2002, I found success early on. From there, I continued to grow, and it was not long before I built a team of my own. Then, with the business growing and our family growing as well, in 2007, my wife and I decided it was the perfect time for her to stay home while our four children were still young.

Once the recession hit, our world turned upside down. Rather than give up on the life and career I had created, I buckled down and changed with it. I evolved and adapted to what worked and eliminated what did not. My wife and I sharpened our pencils and went at our budget with a fine-tooth comb. Our whole family adjusted our lifestyle together and found a way to survive.

Adaptability was key to our survival. The value of keeping up with the ever-changing world is something I instill in my children. The world is not here to cater to our needs or wrap around us. It is up to us to find where we fit into the world and live up to our full potential.

Though it was difficult, I never regret the career switch I made from a corporate sales job in 2002. My career before real estate required a lot of travel, which took away from time spent with my family. Family is paramount to me, and I wanted to be there by my wife’s side to help raise our children, not just on Sundays.

Real estate gave me that flexibility and grounded me in the community where I lived. It gave me the ability to attend school events, lead the Scout troops with each of my boys, and be there for the little moments too. Abandoning ship and quitting as a REALTOR® was never an option. My team shrank as some found opportunities elsewhere, but the rest of us continued to show up each day and give it our all.

I have always been a hard worker. When I was 14 years old, I spent summers on my uncle’s ranch, mucking stalls and tending to the horses. I also had various jobs in my youth, where I learned how to roll up my sleeves and get things done no matter what. At the same time, while I have found that hard work is key to success, I learned that consistency is what turns something good into something great.

We all go through struggles in life, but I always tell my children that no matter what happens, lessons from these hardships stick for life. Nobody can take that away, regardless of what the economy, market, or the world does. Further, the consistent execution of these lessons is how one reaches their full potential. Sticking to my word, putting in the effort day after day – that is how progress is made and how I continue to help my clients succeed no matter what’s going on in the market.

Even after 900 transactions and 22 years in the business, I still go out to look at homes with my buyers as if I were buying it for myself. Keeping in mind your criteria, I evaluate each home top to bottom to see if it is a good long-term investment for you. Whether you are buying or selling, I am not here for just one transaction. I want to help you begin the next phase of your life on the best terms possible, whether that is selling your home or finding more space for your growing family. By taking a bird’s eye view, I can foresee potential problems down the road and prepare ahead of time to keep your transaction smooth and stress-free. What I enjoy most is uniquely helping people. We all need something different in a house and in life. Helping families get what they want is why I look forward to every day as a REALTOR®. I’ll continue to be here for you in the years to come as your lifelong REALTOR®.

Sincerely,

James Keoughan
REALTOR®