Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kurt Williams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kurt, thanks for joining us today. 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?

My start in Real Estate happened in the late 1990’s. I was working in the banking industry as a Client Services Representative offering bank products such as Asset Accounts, Retirement Stategies and Mortgage Loans. Admittedly, the Mortgage Loan product line was vast, confusing and intimidating. As a result, I wasn’t good at representing mortgage loans to clients. It so happened, I was afforded an opportunity to join a new start up Boutique Mortgage Loan Brokerage. Up for the challenge of conquering something that once intimidated me, I immersed myself in the machinations of Mortgage Finance as a Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) and before long, I became good at it. I Licensed as Mortgage Broker and started my own Mortgage Brokerage in 2002.

That same year 2002, I Licensed as Real Estate Sales Professional and started my Client based Realty Practice. Through the years, I gained sales experience from established Real Estate Brokerages including Coldwell Banker, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, eXp Realty and P. Rene’ Estates & Associates. At this stage of my career, it was a goal of mine to one day obtain my Real Estate Broker’s License in Georgia.

With Dual licenses in both Real Estate Sales and Mortgage Brokering, I was able to help many people find the home of their dreams AND provide the necessary access to mortgage funding that helped make those dreams come true.

The market crash of 2007-2008 had a downward impact on my Mortgage Brokerage, as it did with many Brokerages at the time. While pressing Pause on the Originations side of Mortgages, I maintained my Real Estates Sales Practice. An opportunity came about, from relationships established in Originations, to learn a new discipline in Mortgage Fi ance…Mortgage Underwriting. I took advantage of the opportunity, spending the next 10 plus years gaining Mortgage Banking Underwriting experience with various companies, most notably BBVA Compass Bank and JP Morgan Chase Bank. This experience would prove to be invaluably helpful for my Buyer Clients as I guide them through the Mortgage Lending part of the Homebuying process.

In 2017, I completed requirements for Licensure as Registered Appraiser in the State of Georgia. Understanding the importance of Valuations in the Real Estate industry, I was determined to gain knowledge and experience in Property Appraisals in an effort to provide a more informed and well rounded Realty Service for my clients.

From the relationships established in Appraisals, it so happened that I gained experience with the Fulton County Board of Assessors as a Residential Real Property Appraiser. Homeowners become Vested Partners with local municipalities by virtue of the Property Tax Revenue generated from the property taxes paid by homeowners. Today, EOA Realty Brokerage offers Property Appraisals as part of our Full Suite of Residential Realty Services.

In 2022, I realized one of my goals in Real Estate. I Leveled-Up to Licensed Real Estate Broker in the State of Georgia and launched EOA-Estates of Atlanta Realty Sales and Appraisal Services Brokerage.

That same year 2022, I returned to the space where it all started for me, Mortgage Finance, and realized yet another goal in Real Estate. This time, Leveled-Up to Licensed Mortgage Lender in the State of Georgia.

In retrospect, it was good for me to join a new start-up mortgage company that had enough experience to train a novice MLO while being considered a novice in the industry itself. There was an atmosphere of learning and growth both individually and collectively that would lay the foundation for starting my own Mortgage Brokerage a few years later and ultimately a Lending Company 20 years thereafter.

In Real Estate, Georgia Law requires a newly licensed Sales Professional to hang their license with a Broker for a minimum of 3 years. So, I had to join another Brokerage before I could start my own. This would prove beneficial for my professional development in the industry.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Recalling my first home purchase many years ago, I vividly remember the real estate agent that helped me through that exciting and somewhat daunting homebuying process. The agent’s Skill, Guidance and Care was so impactful that it shapes 3 Core Principle Values in my client relationships today.

1. Put People First
I’m not in the transactions business but rather the people and relationships business. My clients and their needs come first. As Fiduciary, I uphold the duty and responsibility of ensuring my client’s property and financial interests are put first. Naturally, through this process relationships are forged, bonds are made and the family circle enlarges. Long after the agency agreement expiration date, long after the transaction closing date, the relationships established will have lasting impact, like family.

2. Lead By Example With Integrity
Do the right thing for the right reason, all the time. My clients rely on the experience, expertise and guidance of their Real Estate Broker (Fiduciary) to take diligent care of their realty and financial concerns. With the client’s best interests at heart, I lead by example with Integrity doing the right thing for the right reason, all the time.

3. Give Back To Others
I believe we are our Sister’s and Brother’s Keeper. We all need help and support at some point in life. Each one reach one if in spirit or by deed, giving back to others is a now deposit for a future need. The passion I have for my work and the genuine concern I have for my client’s well being allows me to give from a place that is deeper than superficial. We are Blessed to be a Blessing to and for others.

With these Core Values as a beacon, my companies are better positioned to help meet the needs people have in Real Estate whether it’s needing to sell a home, buy a new home, relocate to a new city, invest for long term financial security and wealth building or lease it now own it later.
Providing Real Estate Brokerage, Mortgage Lending, Property Appraisal and Property Management services all in one extends my reach of helpfulness to those in need.

Two Facts…

1. Everyone needs a Roof over their head. Shelter is a necessity in life. The question is, whether the roof is owned or leased?

2. Most people need money or financing to purchase a home.

For me, the thing I’m most proud of given my three decades journey in real estate, is the far reaching positive impact it has on people. From advocating for homeownership to providing access to capital, to employing, mentoring, coaching and motivating people to be the best version of themselves that they can be. I want my clients and future clients to know how important it is for me to deliver on what they need when someone entrusts me with something as important as the roof over their head and the money that they need. I give it my all for them, and in the end, their success is my success.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I started in Real Estate in the late ’90s as a Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO). By 2002, I had grown a sizeable client base, helping many people obtain access to Mortgage Funding. I enjoyed the art of Deal Making and I became pretty good at it. I was comfortable as a MLO, financially stable and all was going well in business until…Change occurred and I had to pivot.

In the early 2000s, a MLO did not have to be licensed, but the MLO was required to practice under a Licensed Mortgage Broker or Lender. It so happened that the new startup Brokerage I practiced under divested…and closed their doors. I had to Pivot!

In essence, I had been running my own operation for a few years when Change was forced. Instead of practicing under another Brokerage, I Pivoted, Leveled-Up, Licensed as Mortgage Broker in the state of Georgia and started my own Brokerage, Harvestyme Mortgage Company, a small boutique Mortgage Brokerage specializing in Non-Conforming, Un-Conventional and Sub-Prime Loan Lending. At the same time in 2002 that I pivoted and licensed as Mortgage Broker, I also Expanded and obtained licensure as Real Estate Sales Professional in the State of Georgia. 2002 is a benchmark year in my professional career. Being licensed in both disciplines empowered me to help my clients without needing to hand them off to someone else for necessary services. I took care of my client’s Real Estate needs all In-House. All was well in business until Change occurred…and again I had to Pivot.

Have you ever had to pivot?

In 2007, the Financial Markets collapsed. This impacted the Real Estate industry and many small boutique Mortgage Brokerages and Lending Companies, including mine. Almost immediately, capital resources for Sub-Prime loan borrowers dried up…and so did my Brokerage. While maintaining my Sales License, I had to Pivot.

It so happened, through relationships forged in Mortgages, that an opportunity came about to learn a new discipline in Mortgage Finance…Mortgage Underwriting. Given the nature of what happens to a Loan File after it is Originated by a MLO, I was intrigued by the opportunity. So I Pivoted from Mortgage Loan Originations to Mortgage Loan Underwriting. I would spend the next decade learning the machinations of the Loan Process after Origination from Big Box outfits like BBVA Compass Bank and JP Morgan Chase Bank. As a Remote Front-Line Mortgage Banking Underwriter with FNMA Lending Authority, I gained in experience: Loan Processing, Loan Underwriting, Appraisal Underwriting, Title Work Underwriting, Loan Pricing, Risk Assessment, Risk Mitigation, Quality Control, Alternative Loan Placement, Employment/Income Assessment, Credit Assessment, Assets Assessment, Self-Employed Income Calculations, Annuitization of Assets for Income Assessments, Secondary Markets, Authorization to Approve or Decline a Loan request, and more. This is experience that understands how to get qualified for Mortgage Lending. Today, my clients benefit from this knowledge and experience.

Through the Forced Change, I was able to Pivot, Adjust and Adapt. These are important abilities to have for any business owner, large or small, new or seasoned.

Contact Info:

• Website: RE Brokerage Estates of Atlanta, www.EstateofAtlanta.net
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kurtb.williams
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kurtbradleywilliams
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtbwilliams
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/realtorkurtbw
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTddHm1LdOI5Snu_Fg2IJZA?view_as=subscriber
• Other: Real Estate Brokerage web site: http://www.EstatesofAtlanta.net

Image Credits
No credits due. All images were created by Owners camera phone.