Many people are familiar with the adage, fake it ‘til you make it, but what if faking it just isn’t your style? What if rather than looking around and doing what works for others, instead you chose to look inside and do what works for you?
Jeremie Fontaine, sales representative with EXIT Realty Associates in Dieppe, NB and 2021 Top Lister in North America for EXIT Realty, started his career with feelings of self-doubt. He didn’t think he could measure up to those in the industry with 20 plus years of experience, especially as a 21-year-old rookie, but he quickly realized that his age, and the knowledge that comes with it, could be used to his advantage. “My generation is mostly on social media, right? So, I was just posting everything I was doing. I was posting every day. I basically used online marketing to get my footprint out there,” Jeremie shared.
His consistent strategy of marketing to his own age group paid off. They saw Jeremie as someone they could relate to when they were getting into homeownership. Not only that, but they told their parents, and soon it was business by referral, something every real estate agent hopes for.
He began his venture into real estate in 2018. While at university studying finance, he invested in duplexes to rent out for extra cash flow. At his mentor’s suggestion, he obtained his real estate license and joined EXIT. After buying more properties for himself and selling to others, his side hustle became a full-time pursuit. In his first year Jeremie earned EXIT’s Bronze Award, which recognizes 25 plus ends closed, and by the following year he’d leap-frogged two levels, going from Bronze to Titanium, with over 150 closed transaction sides.
Now at age 25 with a flourishing real estate career, his advice might not be what you’re used to, but it has certainly worked in his favor: listen to your body and be yourself. Jeremie says that being a night owl means he gets more work done in the evening than others who might be early risers. He shows up completely as himself, whether you take it literally, dressed in a t-shirt rather than a suit, or figuratively, by showing up with a knowledge many might not expect at his age.
“I think a lot of people don’t realize that they try to copy a successful person and say, ‘Oh I need to be exactly like them.’ Yes, to some traits, like you need to work hard, however, you’re your own person, your own personality, so once you learn to find your strengths, you should emphasize them to build a business in real estate,” Jeremie says.
By sponsoring eight people with more on the way, he’s also adding to his thriving business. He is able to introduce like-minded individuals to EXIT Realty whom he can mentor, and in turn they can help him by being part of his team. In addition, he is being rewarded financially by EXIT’s head office for helping to grow the company.
There’s a common misconception about real estate; that it’s easy. Jeremie often tells those he has invited into the company to dispel this notion, “I will give you the necessary tools, but you have to build your home.” And if you’re anything like Jeremie, making it custom is probably the best way to go.
As seen in Buzz Magazine. Reproduced with permission.
great success congratulations