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

Amy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I got into real estate in 2014 after I bought my first home in 2013. As a single mom, I basically took home ownership off the table for myself, as I was working full time but finding it hard to save for a down payment. But I realized that I had to find a way to make it happen, and I tapped into my 401k savings. I took a hardship withdrawal out so I could purchase a small townhouse for my son and I. Quite a few people told me I was crazy to do that and risk my retirement, but I felt very strongly that home ownership would put me in a better spot financially. And I was right – within 5 years I was able to sell that small townhouse and profit over $100k, which allowed us to buy our current home.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

In 2014, I took the real estate licensing course at night while I worked at my full-time job during the day. I was fortunate to pass the exam on the first try and started as a part-time agent. Eventually, I realized that it was going to be very challenging to grow my business and give my clients the attention they deserved as a part-time realtor. In April 2015, I jumped full-time into real estate. I’ve always been a forward-thinker, and I have a deep passion for service. I think those two things have really helped me in my career, as I look at what I do as helping people secure their financial futures through home ownership. Every situation is unique, and I strive to meet people where they are at. Real estate is about people, plain and simple. My goal is to give each of my clients a seamless experience by providing guidance and open communication throughout their home-buying or selling process. I am a proactive thinker and always strive to stay ahead of any potential bumps in the road. I want each person I work with to feel like they are being cared for and that their wants and needs matter. Homeownership is the biggest investment most people make, and I want them to have an exceptional experience.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

All of my clients become friends. What I love the most about my career is that I get to meet so many people from all over the country who are moving to Charleston. As a transplant myself, I understand the excitement and the stress of moving to another part of the country where you don’t know anyone. I moved to Charleston in 2009 from Connecticut with my son and our dog. I was excited but nervous. I get that is how a lot of my clients feel too. Probably one of the biggest things that brings me joy is continuing to foster the relationships I build through my work. I love to hold client events throughout the year. Sometimes it’s just a simple cookout at my home. Other tImes I’ll host a ladies night out at a local candle-making shop, or purchase tickets for clients to go on a ghost tour downtown with happy hour beforehand. I love spending time with my clients outside of the transaction, and as I said before, this is probably what my clients take away from their relationship with me. They believe I care about them and therefore, they don’t hesitate to refer their friends or family to me, as they know I will treat them with the same level of care.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Hands down referrals are my biggest source of new clients. My business is about 95% referral and repeat business. I like to think that is a direct result of the level of service I provide and the level of caring I show each client. I never look at people as transactions – ever. I like to get to know my clients, understand what their goals are, and then help them get there.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amybandierabenjamin.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amybandierabenjamin/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amycharlestonrealestate
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/amybandierabenjamin

Image Credits
All images are from my phone:).