We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Caroline Taicher a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Caroline , thanks for joining us today. The first dollar your firm earns is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.


I got my first client from my “sphere,” as they call it in real estate. It’s this idea that every person you’ve ever known—from family and friends to acquaintances from your past—can be a potential source of business. The key is to reach out to them, share your new venture, and let them know you’re now in real estate. So, I went through my mental Rolodex, dug up every email I could find, and sent out an enthusiastic e-blast announcing that I had officially become licensed in real estate!

One of those emails brought me my first client: a family friend, someone I’d known for years. She called me shortly after receiving the message. I was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement—this was the moment I’d been working toward! She told me she owned several properties and, knowing me for so long, trusted me to help her with one of them. It was a parcel of land in Hemet, California—multiple acres, with 5 income-generating units on it, valued at about $400,000. Hemet was about a two-hour drive from where I lived and I didn’t know the area well, but I wasn’t going to let that get in the way.

I drew up the contract, filled out all the paperwork, and in came the first hurdle! Every listing asks permission from the owner to advertise the property on various sites, use signs, etc. When I asked my client, she shot me down immediately. Her response: “No signs, no advertising, no telling the tenants, and absolutely no showings.” In fact, she didn’t want anyone to even know the property was for sale. The tenants could not be informed.

In my enthusiasm, I completely ignored the advice I’d been given by seasoned agents. Everyone laughed when I told them about the newly found restrictions. They reminded me, “You can’t list a ghost property. No one’s going to buy it if they can’t even see it!” Nevertheless, I was determined to find a way!

So, we went out to see the property. My plan was to take some photos and videos to show potential buyers privately…as soon as I started pulling out my camera, my client immediately stopped me. “No photos. Absolutely no photos or videos!” Her reasoning? She didn’t want to risk losing her tenants if they found out she was thinking about selling.

In retrospect, I laugh at how naïve I was. In my drive to succeed, I ignored all the practical advice from my more experienced colleagues. As a real estate agent, you need to focus on reasonable expectations and realistic opportunities. If your client has demands that make it impossible to effectively market the property, you need to be the voice of reason and either adjust those expectations or reconsider if this is the right fit.

Now, with a little more wisdom, I went on to list more properties, refined my approach, and started working with clients who are open to suggestion from a now seasoned professional. I will always be grateful for the experience I gained..selling a “ghost property”.

Always set yourself up for success…but never lose that voice inside that says…I CAN DO IT!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a commercial real estate agent in California. I focus on retail sales, leasing and investments. I work at a company called Kidder Mathews that has a plethora awards for being an exceptional brokerage.

What sets me apart from many in the industry is my ability to foster relationships. Unlike traditional salespeople, I view my role as more of a matchmaker, connecting tenants and landlords to help both parties thrive.

I approach each deal with a people-centric mindset, always striving to ensure that my clients’ businesses grow alongside their bottom lines.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me is two fold:

1)Referrals from happy clients!

2)Social media!! I am very active on social media and for my industry, it’s a little unconventional but I’m a huge fan!
Connect with me on Instagram:
@carolinetaicher

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Be yourself, be transparent and show up! Consistency is key in anything in life, social media is no exception. I love that you can build your business using images, music and a little creativity! It’s fun!…and isn’t that what it’s all about?!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kidder.com/professionals/taicher-caroline/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinetaicher/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091498434943&mibextid=FwtfSm
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-taicher?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits

Bradford Rogne