We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eric Andrews. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eric below.

Eric , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

The biggest risk I’ve taken was quitting my job of 11 years to become an entrepreneur full time. I’d worked my way up in a property management company working many different facets and positions, but decided that Corporate America wasn’t for me. I had savings but they were exhausted in a matter of months. Nothing went as planned and almost, and I do mean almost everything took longer than planned. Building my business, staying focused, and finishing renovations all at the same time as dealing with real estate clients and the overall chaos that real estate is inherently. The easy thing to do would have been to call it quits or chase every dollar that came my way. Contrarily the answer was being even more selective about that work I took on. I spotted bullsh%*tters, and tire-kickers from a mile away, and went the other way.Whether it’s religious, spiritual, or delusional lol, you must have faith! Faith that things will work out, and patience.Ultimately you need to be objective enough to see if your plan is still (or ever was) viable as early you can, and most importantly if it’s time to call it quits.

Eric , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started in real estate my freshman year of college. It was meant to be an internship, and I was meant to be the concierge at a 288-unit Luxury apartment complex in Dearborn, Michigan. I interviewed with the staff and everyone was on board with bringing me in as a new hire. The first day I started was in the middle of real estate busy season which has changed a bit now after the recession, but generally speaking begins in Michigan the second it gets warm so around May of 2005. It was sooo busy in that office that day that I had to jump in taking tours as the leasing staff was completely overwhelmed. From that day on I was basically a leasing agent which I was completely happy with because the pay was better plus leasing commissions. Now I just had to figure out how to balance it with school.

I spent about 11+ years learning the ins and outs with Marquette Management a company that specialized in taking B & C properties and turning them into A+ properties for various funds/state funds and owners, as well as strong emphasis on customer service which I still retain today. In that 11+ years, I progressed from a concierge to a leasing agent, to property director at 55 W. Canfield lofts in Midtown Detroit. I was managing the build-out and lease-up for the owners, but once that was up, I ended up being a maintenance/grounds tech at the property I came from in Dearborn when I was downsized and the 3rd leasing position was dissolved.

Rather than not having a job I chose to take a bit of a demotion until I could figure out a better situation. In that time, it was winter time so mainly I shoveled snow and walkways all day in the cold snow to make sure that the pathways stayed free of ice while taking work orders, which I was horrible at (I’d watched my dad do construction and fixes around the home but I never really learned to use tools in the capacity I do now). The job honestly wasn’t that bad as I didn’t have to interact with high-end demanding clients all day like I did in leasing.

At that year’s internal Awards ceremony, I was approached by the property manager, and staff of our largest complex in Northville. Which was 736 units… they wanted me. So, I went… it was a hard decision because I had assured the maintenance supervisor that I wasn’t just taking the maintenance job because it was my only option, but we talked and he said to me “You gotta do, what you gotta do”. Thank god he did because had I not went, I would have missed the mark on a life-altering decision. I did my longest stint at this property and probably learned the most about managing property, accounting, maintenance, capital investments, and more importantly managing a team during my team there. I progressed from leasing to a companywide leasing trainer, floor manager, and finally assistant and at times acting manager (as the property went through many managers and transitions). I also received my C.A.M (Certified Apartment Manager) designation after passing a relatively rigorous class. Being organized was my biggest takeaway.

I’d saw a few realtors in my time that told me I should look into it. Years went pass and it just started to make sense, I’d always loved “House & Home” and Real Estate, and I always knew that I wanted to own my own thing. Finally, once I did the math, I did a 5-day crash course real estate class on “vacation”, got my license, and joined Keller Williams in Northville. Truthfully it felt much like what I was trying to get away from and I didn’t feel that the guidance and support was there the way I was looking for it to be. Not because they did anything wrong but it was more like a large corporate structure. So, I left and joined in with a small brokerage in my target area in Detroit. From there I began to learn what I really knew I needed to know about Detroit real estate if I was going to do real estate in the inner city successfully.

After I had enough time in, I passed my brokers class and started Brick & Mortar Detroit Real Estate Brokerage & Podcast to help my clients, investors, and followers to “Build their Dream”. Lately, we have specialized in relocation as many transplants have sought us out online through our website brickandmortardetroit.com and via our Instagram social media @tglchase & @brickmortardet.

What I came to specialize in most was removing the fluff in real estate, educating my clients in the 12 step process of buying a home, preparing them financially, consulting, and keeping my clients focused on the goal. Making the process seamless. The longer a deal goes on the more daunting they are. The more it’s likely to fall apart. No need spending time allowing clients to get caught up in arguments with sellers/buyers, and decide early what you are and are willing to do in a deal, and what you aren’t. Write it down, and stick to it. Stay away from emotion in negotiations. You either are or you aren’t, you either can or you can’t. Figure that out the best you can in beginning and it will reward you with its weight in gold.

I’m most proud of all of the people I’ve helped. Everything that I’ve learned about myself. Which is I am terribly resilient.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The latest lesson is that we all have dreams, ideas, and plans. They become exceedingly easier to execute when we are less rigid about how they look. You can execute and reach the same goal while taking routes that aren’t how you thought it’d be or aren’t as glamorous as you’d hoped they be. There’s more than one way to skin a cat. (The entries I’ve made earlier allude to the backstory)

How did you build your audience on social media?

I’ve built my social media presence by using all of the skill sets that I’ve ever learned. Photography/videography/editing/Real Estate knowledge, etc.. My main page is centered around the things I love/find important. Which are Business | Real Estate | Lifestyle | Travel all wide categories but I use my page and way of life to show through imagery how they intertwine.

When I first started my online presence much of it was a blog Brickandmortardetroit.com (many of the blogs were lost when I switched servers) that led back to my IG. Many seemed to be intrigued by my photos of architecture, other countries, Detroit, Detroit real estate-life, vacationing, travel-life, day-to-day life, work-life, gym-life, family-life with an emphasis on design and cinematic framing/conveyance along with think pieces on real estate and new technology for homes that could be beneficial to owners like solar roofs from time to time. Very niche, however in today’s social media it’s proven to not be niche enough. It’s just a vibe, either it speaks to you or it doesn’t.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.brickandmortardetroit.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tglchase/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-andrews-real-estate-broker-02a589119
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@brickmortardetroit7740?si=St019HfujdrVqyD5

Image Credits

Eric Andrews | Brick & Mortar Detroit