Today we’d like to introduce you to Westin Means

Hi Westin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

While studying finance at Cal State East Bay, I developed my love for financial mathematics and analytics and initially wanted to become a financial analyst. However, after carefully considering it, I decided I wouldn’t be fulfilled spending most of my working hours behind a desk. My next logical career choice was being a financial advisor, which aligned with my goal of bringing more financial education to the world but would also allow me to be on my feet more than at a desk. While growing up in the Bay Area, I noticed many of my peers had no financial goals or plans to own real estate, and I sincerely wanted to change that. Like many others, I learned nothing about financial education in public school. Still, I was lucky enough to have parents who moved into their first duplex in Berkeley with me in the early nineties when I was about one year old. Because I had observed my own family investing in real estate, I thought that if I was going to become a financial advisor, I better get my real estate license since buying real estate (in my view) was a vital part of a well-diversified portfolio. So, while I studied for the Series 7 General Securities Exam, I simultaneously studied for my real estate license and passed the California real estate exam on the first try. Shortly after getting my license, I joined a team (TEAMFAST), stuck with them for several years, and have been solo for almost two years.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Many agents you meet will tell you how many deals they closed in their first year as an agent, and it’s usually something amazing. I’ll be the first to tell you that I only closed four deals in my first two years in this business. I had no background in real estate or sales (in fact, I went into real estate, not realizing that it is, indeed, a sales position), I was fresh out of college, and for those first two years, I refused to market to my sphere (meaning my friends & family). Looking back, this was a mistake because I was backed by a solid team, but I wanted to be good at what I was doing before I sold to them and had the idea that I didn’t want them to suffer from my lack of knowledge or amateurism.

In those first two years, I failed at many things and intentionally did many things that made me uncomfortable and forced me to grow. Cold calling, door knocking, making videos on social media, holding open houses. Many of these things gave me the jitters, but that’s exactly why I kept doing them. I knew that if I pushed myself, I would inevitably get better. Despite my efforts, I only closed two sales in my first year. My second year was 2020, when the pandemic happened, and I traveled most of the year, unable to go on showings with clients.

Nevertheless, I went from having no sales background in those early years to forcing myself to cold-call five days a week (and sometimes more) to practice conversing with people about real estate. I learned things the hard way. I had people hang up on me and cuss me out, but through the process, I refined how I talk to people, which is invaluable in every aspect of life. I don’t cold-call anymore, but I still see that time in my career as essential to who I’ve become.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

In the beginning, my primary focus was assisting first-time home buyers. I was driven by my desire to help families build generational wealth through real estate, bridging the gap for those who didn’t know where to start with real estate investing. I can proudly say that most of my past clients up to this point have been first-time buyers, so I’ve seemingly achieved those initial goals to an extent, but the work never stops. I’ve continued to expand my horizons, carefully studying how to leverage my vast network of professionals and the power of video marketing (on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, & Facebook) along with active and passive marketing techniques to prepare and market homes to appeal to (and reach) the widest audience possible for my seller clients. This key pivot arose from the realization that many of my past clients will (at one point) become sellers, and for me to continue helping them build long-term wealth, I must be a preeminent expert in assisting them to get the highest sales prices possible when they decide to sell. The selling process involves running cost-benefit analyses, collecting and comparing bids for renovations, project management, and employing all marketing and sales strategies to reach the widest audience. This strategic shift has garnered more attention and views, leading to higher and faster sales for my sellers.

Throughout my real estate career, I’ve found the most rewarding moments in reigniting hope in individuals who were on the verge of giving up. By assuring them that their breakthrough was imminent, I’ve been able to secure the home or negotiate a deal they once thought was unattainable. These instances, where I’ve been able to transform their real estate journey, are the most memorable and fulfilling for me. They underscore the profound impact of the service I provide and the meaningful relationships I build with my clients.

The qualities that set me apart are summarized in my tagline: “Honesty, Dedication, Persistence.” When I started my business, I knew real estate agents didn’t have the best reputations. One of the things I heard over and over in the media and from stories from friends and family members who bought with agents was that their agents had lied, manipulated information, or omitted information to make the sale, leaving their clients in over their heads with problems that were extremely difficult or extremely expensive to fix. I knew I didn’t want to be like that. I wanted to turn the paradigm on its head. I wanted to become a trustworthy advisor who understood the issues that can arise with homes back and forth, knowing how to identify them for my clients. I wanted to educate my clients on why a small crack adjacent to a window or a slight slope in the floor could indicate a much more significant problem and advise them against buying homes with these issues. I want to give my clients all the reasons they shouldn’t buy a home rather than only focus on why they should. I wanted to explain the items on house, pest, roof, and foundation inspections in depth so that my clients would understand precisely what they are buying.

Another differentiator is my unwavering commitment to my clients. I’ve invested countless hours in reviewing hundreds of disclosure packets, understanding the common issues that arise with homes, and leveraging my construction and energy consulting background to provide the most up-to-date home and building information. I’ve also spent countless hours researching how to best market and sell homes, what today’s buyers expect, and how to prepare a home for the market best. This dedication is a testament to the value I bring to my clients, ensuring they are equipped with all the correct data and the best options to make the best decisions for themselves and feel secure in their real estate journey.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?

I’m passionate about Soccer and love playing it. I started playing, probably around age 5, in a league in Oakland, CA. I stuck with it in official leagues until age 15, playing in East Bay and Marin County leagues, and made it to class 3, mostly playing “sweeper” (center defender) and some center and right midfield. I was even featured in a newspaper in San Rafael and a local magazine when my class 3 team was doing well.

These days, I still play soccer as much as possible in various pickup games/leagues around the Bay Area. When I have time, I like to play in a few different groups in Alameda and Berkeley, and I have also played in a few leagues in San Francisco. If I could, I’d play every day. It is, indeed, one of my true passions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://westinmeansbusiness.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westinmeansbusiness/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westinmeansbusiness
• Twitter: https://x.com/WestinMeans
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@westinmeansbusiness
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/westin-means-exp-realty-oakland

Image Credits

Diana Garcia or myself for all photos