Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Haynes

Hi Tara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

From as far back as I can remember, I’ve always been naturally curious about people—what’s going on in their lives, what makes them happy, what makes them sad, and why they do the things they do. I used to be a bit of a rule breaker who loved to explore, often finding myself in new construction homes where I wasn’t supposed to be. I would wander through these homes under construction, imagining what they would look like when finished, who would live there, and what kind of family would make it their home.

When my parents entertained, I was in charge of cleaning up and making the house welcoming. From a young age, I had a natural talent for creating an inviting and welcoming home with what we had.

You could say that my natural inclination towards people, houses, and making homes beautiful made real estate the natural next step for me. It’s as though everything led me to this moment.

I began my real estate career with a local small brokerage and eventually partnered with the owner of that brokerage. She was extremely successful during the market crash in 2008 and was known in our area as the REO Queen. I learned all I could from that partnership and eventually became a co-owner of my real estate brokerage for several years.

Although I no longer own a brokerage, I still maintain my real estate associate broker’s license and specialize in buyers, sellers, and property management. I particularly enjoy working with first-time home buyers and military clients.

After many years and numerous life changes, real estate still makes perfect sense to me. It’s where I want to spend my time and effort. Real estate has been the perfect marriage of my passion for people, my love of homes, and my appreciation for beauty.

Knowing I am part of a significant time in most people’s lives is never lost on me. I take my career very seriously, understanding that I am part of what is often the most significant financial investment of someone’s life. I love people, my community, and what I do.

I wake up happy, grateful, and most of all, excited because of this path.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Real Estate is never a smooth path. You are dependent on different variables and factors beyond your control, such as the economy, interest rate fluctuations, pandemics like COVID-19, and personal long-term health struggles.

When I was a co-owner of my brokerage, we opened in April 2019, and by March 2020, the entire world shut down. Thankfully, real estate was still happening, but navigating that as a new small business was overwhelming and stressful.

Being an owner of a real estate brokerage was the hardest thing I had done until I became a foster parent. It highlighted all the ways in which I was unprepared, revealed inadequacies, and brought immense pressure to succeed for the sake of those who depended on me.

However, it was an amazing opportunity for growth. It made me reevaluate my definition of success and ultimately led me to understand what I am truly passionate about and why I am in real estate.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I tried for a long time to be your “typical” or “cookie-cutter” real estate agent. However, no matter how much I tried to portray that image, I couldn’t maintain it when working with clients. I had to find a way to be authentically myself, so when I met with clients, they knew exactly who I was, which helped build trust.

I believe what sets me apart is understanding that I am not for everyone, and everyone is not for me. I want to work with clients where the connection is real and authentic. I want the experience of buying or selling a home to be memorable and enjoyable. If there is a strained connection and I am only in it for the money, then I have lost sight of who I am and why I do what I do.

People often describe me as having a bubbly, outgoing personality with lots of charisma, which can sometimes confuse them because I am also an introvert who thinks deeply and sees the world differently.

I set expectations, lay out the process, and am straightforward. I take the negotiating, contracts, and ethical aspects of my job very seriously.

I believe people enjoy working with me because I make them feel safe and never judged. I am patient, and accepting, and work within the parameters set forth by the clients.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?

Finding a mentor can be daunting. However, there are a couple of key points to keep in mind. No one will ever do business exactly the way you do. You have to be willing to learn, observe, and ask questions. When the time is right for you to go out on your own, be thankful for the time and effort that was poured into you. Someone once told me, “Chew up the meat and spit out the bones.” Take what resonates with you and let the rest go. There is never another you, so you are unique to your brand and business.

Networking can be tough. When I was first starting, I had to practice small talk just to attend networking events. As someone who is introverted, has social anxiety, and is stretched thin with my time, I learned to evaluate which networking opportunities were beneficial to my business and aligned with my values. The key is that you can network all you want, but nothing beats real connections and relationships. I find it more beneficial in all aspects of my life to invest in the people I like, love, and want to be around. The network from that is a natural byproduct of living your life with love for others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.greentreerealty.homes/tara-haynes
• Instagram: @tarahaynes757
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/tarad.haynes