We recently connected with Igor Grager and have shared our conversation below.

Igor, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back at the decisions you made early in your career, particularly whether to join a firm or start your own, do you feel you made the right choice for that stage of your career?

When I first started out in the Real Estate industry, I went and interviewed many firms, the key word here is I interviewed them. With so many options it was very crucial for me to find a firm that would be my partner and always have my back. During my interviews with large firms, I felt as though I was just another number for them, a stream of revenue, and most times they would offer little to no support. However, on the plus, their platform was superior, and having a big brand name was a benefit. When I interviewed with boutique companies, I felt as though they wanted me to join their team, they fought for me. One company, in particular, was a family-owned brokerage that has been around for over 30 years, when I walked into their office, I had a great feeling of belonging. At the time, it was a perfect fit. I am extremely grateful for making the decision to join their company. They supported me and walked me through the process of my first few transactions, they made the transition substantially easier for me. I am thankful to the brokerage and team for all that they have done for me. When the time was right and the decision came to open the doors to my own brokerage, GRAGER REALTY GRP CORP, they were part of the inspiration and example for what and how a company should be run. I love what I do, and the look on my client’s faces when I hand them the keys to their home and/or investment property in Florida brings me an abundance of joy, happiness, appreciation, and fulfillment. Looking back, it was not an easy road, when one first starts out in the Real Estate industry, it is far from simple. Everyone focuses on the glam of the field, however, fail to notice the hard work one puts in. It takes time to build a reputation, to be noticed, and to be acknowledged in different areas and communities. The process of figuring out what areas you want to farm your business and what clients you want to focus on is crucial. Marketing is extremely pivotal and very expensive; however, one must invest in themselves and in their team in order to succeed. What helped me progress was my wife, she went above and beyond taking tasks upon herself, conducting research, handling all social media platforms, marketing, and the day-to-day operations. Meanwhile, originally coming from another state, I began reaching out to my contacts letting them know that I relocated to Miami, Florida, and advising them should they require real estate and/or mortgage assistance in Florida, I am here to help. For the first roughly seven months, it was difficult handling both being a Mortgage Loan Officer and Real Estate Broker full-time. I am exceptionally blessed, thankful, and grateful for my partner, my wife, and my motivation! She has been present and assisting me from day one.

Igor, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Igor Grager, I originally began my career as a Mortgage Loan Originator. After almost two decades in the mortgage industry, my experience in residential and commercial lending helps a great deal and takes the service I provide to a greater level. My experience allows me to properly assist my real estate clients when they receive offers on their listings and my knowledge also provides a huge benefit when I am dealing with buyers and investors. Prior to becoming a Real Estate Broker, I would refer my mortgage clients out to realtors, and I was noticing that unfortunately, the service they were receiving was not to the standards that they expected, ultimately causing disappointment. That is where I made the decision that in order to do right by my clients, I need to become a Real Estate Broker myself. In a service-providing industry, the experience your clients have is a huge factor in whether this client will be with you forever and refer others to you as well. I am blessed to say that thankfully all my clients come back to me in both the real estate and mortgage space (residential and commercial). Reputation is essential, and I stand by mine. Roughly, I would say that a tad bit more than half of my clients come to me once they have been rejected by another lender, to have an arsenal of products is very vital to my business. There is always a solution or a program I am able to offer the client, allowing me the opportunity to earn their business in both real estate and mortgages. I believe what sets me apart from others is my ability to communicate, speed, efficiency, and work ethic. I am trustworthy, knowledgeable, professional, responsive, and a great negotiator. Communication is a key factor to the client; they want to be informed and kept up to date with their purchase and/or the sale of their property. The ability to foresee what may possibly occur or what obstacles we might need to overcome and the speed of the solutions, as well as the attention to detail or precision of getting the client what they need and want, is a major factor that sets me apart from everyone else in my industry. What I am most proud of is my real estate brokerage, GRAGER REALTY GRP CORP is a family business, and my team and our clients always feel that they are our priority and family.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

The key is knowledge, being trustworthy, consistent, punctual, and most importantly surrounding yourself with a great team of people, reputation is everything in this business. I am very blessed and appreciative to have my wife who is my partner in GRAGER REALTY GRP CORP. She provides huge assistance for me with her expert due diligence and the key to detail on every task is what makes this partnership and business work sufficient and successful!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

There have been many times in a slower-than-usual market when a lot of people left the industry. The key is consistency and never giving up. We must always remember that without our clients, we do not exist. When the market is slow, invest more in yourself through marketing, getting your face and name out there and pushing through is what will set you apart. When most people stop the hustle, you must turn it up and hustle harder.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/igor.grager
• Facebook: facebook.com/igrager
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/igor-grager
• Twitter: twitter.com/gragerigor