“There are no shortcuts or substitutions for real, genuine relationships,” says Steve. Whether they’re personal or professional relationships, Steve goes the extra mile to make strong connections that last. One relationship that means a great deal to him and his family was fostered through his church and the charity foundation Children’s HopeChest. Martha, a 10-year-old girl from Uganda, has been sponsored by Steve and his family for the last five years. They receive monthly letters from her where they can witness the direct impact they’ve had on her growth and development.
In addition to charity work, Steve is also extremely family–oriented with two children of his own, Elliot and Brooklyn. Like many others in the industry, he doesn’t have a lot of personal time, but wakes up at 3:00 a.m. every morning so that he has time to be a dad, husband, and business owner. A big part of making his lifestyle work for him is openly communicating his schedule with those around him. “You’ve got to find time for yourself and find a routine that works for your lifestyle,” he says. “The key to being successful is not necessarily what you’re doing, but is just that you do it, and you do it every day – and you don’t miss.”
Steve’s determination and drive comes from a place that many others in this industry can relate to. Beginning his career as a loan officer at a bank, he no longer wanted to be tied to a desk. “The goal was to go out on my own and create a path for myself that had no ceiling. I wanted to be involved in my local real estate community and push the boundaries for what I was capable of, on a personal and professional level,” he says.
The need for person-to-person interactions in his everyday life is what fuels his passion for consistent and transparent communication with his clients. These communication methods are a key part of Steve’s business strategy, which he attributes his success to today. By using technology to grow his business rather than hinder it, Steve has found unique ways to make the financial process of home-buying as smooth as possible. “Between the automated emails, consistent Friday phone calls, and text messages throughout the process, there is never a reason that the buyer, buyer’s agent, or listing agent does not know what is happening in the financing process,” he explains.
Aside from these forms of communication, Steve enjoys interacting with his client base through social media. His goal is to create brand awareness around him as a person, as people like doing business with those who they like, know, and trust. Whether he’s making short videos about market updates or sharing major personal or professional milestones, Steve prioritizes connecting with his audience at least once a day. “The most important thing is being true to yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. If you’re consistent with what you do, the rest will take care of itself."
