Attend Inman Connect in Las Vegas July 30-August 1! Seize the moment and take control of the next era of real estate. Through immersive experiences, innovative formats and an unparalleled lineup of speakers, this gathering becomes more than just a conference, it becomes a collaborative force shaping the future of our industry. Grab your tickets now!
In this column, real estate agents from across the country share the lessons they’ve learned in the industry.
After moving to New York at age 11, Marzena Wawrzaszek fell in love with New York City. She earned her real estate license during her first semester of college and learned the ropes from her father, who was in the construction business.
Wawrzaszek combines deep market knowledge with a background in the hospitality industry to serve clients in the luxury and new development industries in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Look how this SERHANT does it. The agent, who started from scratch, talks about how her childhood dream created a life through design.
Name: Dream Varzazek
title: Licensed Real Estate Sales Agent
experience: 8 years
Place: New York City
Brokerage company name: servant.
What’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned in real estate?
One important lesson I learned from my real estate experience is the importance of consistent follow-up. Neglecting to stay in touch with potential clients can result in missed opportunities. If you’re not in front of them, someone else is. I missed a lot of opportunities because I didn’t follow up.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Growing up, I always wanted to be my own boss. I once said I wanted to be a businesswoman, even though I had no idea what that meant at the time.
The typical 9 to 5 job never really sparked my interest. I was craving something more creative, something I could actually enjoy and have fun with, but I just didn’t quite understand what that was yet. There was a time when I wanted to be a flight attendant because the idea of traveling the world excited me, but I quickly reconsidered after considering the tight schedule.
Another dream of mine is to become a fashion designer. I love to draw and the funny thing is, my sketches always revolve around two things – clothes and houses. I felt like everything was going great for me in real estate – I could run my own business and enjoy the freedom and creativity that aligned with my childhood dreams.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Stop playing small and own it!
What would you tell a new agent before they start in the business?
Be prepared to make little to no money in the first year, so saving is crucial. If you enter the real estate industry with expectations based on reality TV shows that emphasize glamorous lifestyles, know that the reality is completely different and it requires hard work, tenacity, sweat, and tears.
What do clients need to know before starting a real estate transaction?
Get your finances in order, know how much you can afford, and work with an agent who understands your market.
What do few agents know that would make their lives easier?
Learn how to manage your time and make time for self-care. This is an extremely stressful industry. We’re always catering to others, so prioritizing tasks and making time for yourself is extremely important to managing stress and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
If you could do anything else besides real estate, what would you do?
While I love what I do, it’s natural to have some thoughts running through my head. The beauty and wellness industry is so big that I once thought about opening my own wellness center, a place to detox and recharge the mind and body, offering experiences like saunas and red light therapy. It all comes down to helping people navigate today’s fast-paced world.
Tell us a story about your most memorable transaction
I’m helping an international family find a place to stay. We looked at everything on the market and then suddenly they went silent and wouldn’t respond to my calls and emails. I followed like a persistent stalker for five months.
Eventually, they responded that they would be arriving in New York the next day and wanted to revisit the five buildings. I moved everything on my schedule to accommodate them. They decided to build a new development in the city center and negotiations took six weeks, dealing with a very difficult sponsor.
At the last inspection, there were numerous issues with the apartment, including water leaks and a cracked window on the 26th floor! The developer insisted on closing, but my client was frustrated and ready to leave, losing 10% of his deposit.
After another round of intense negotiations, we reached an agreement. The sponsor agreed to escrow a certain amount of funds and provided my client with a temporary apartment rent-free until all issues were resolved.
Eventually, they moved in and thanked me for my help and figured out a creative way to do it. It’s moments like this that make my work meaningful.
Would you like to be featured in an upcoming Lessons Learned column? Please contact us here.
Christy Murdock is a freelance writer, coach, and consultant, and write about real estate.Contact Writing Real Estate Instagram and subscribe to the weekly roundup, ketchup.
