Daily Inspiration: Meet KC Lehman

Today we’d like to introduce you to KC Lehman.

Hi KC, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have been a real estate agent in my hometown of Los Angeles since 2013. I have always had a love for real estate, as both my grandfathers on both sides of my family were interested in the industry. One was a broker, and the other an investor. As such, I grew up understanding how real estate can create generational wealth, and initially imagined getting into the game as an investor. In the search for my own home, I learned I enjoyed the real estate sales process. 

I also have a love for architecture, as I used to work in PR for the architecture and design industry. 

I have been able to manage real estate as a full-time career thanks to the relationships I have built with my clients. Ninety percent of my business is by referral now, and I am grateful for these longstanding relationships that support my family and me. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Finding balance is the biggest struggle. Real estate doesn’t follow a 9-5 schedule, and it’s not corporate, so you have to set boundaries; otherwise, your life becomes work. I’m someone with a life and interests outside of work, so setting expectations with clients and colleagues about my availability has been of the utmost importance. 

Another challenge (and so many new agents learn this quickly) is the assumption that everyone who knows you will work with you and support your business. The truth is, they won’t. Because this is a business of relationships, people tend to work with whoever they know best, and you can’t take it personally. However, this is another area where boundaries are important because some people will want your expertise for their transactions with other agents. That’s a no-no. 

And lastly, it’s a competitive business with a lot of varying personalities. I am someone who is most often warm and open, but not everybody is. It doesn’t stop me from being me, but it has helped me develop a strong muscle of discernment when interacting with different people.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In real estate, I specialize in trust and estate transactions. My very first listings were from church members who were liquidating inherited property. I learned so much from those deals, and it was fulfilling because there is a lot of emotion around real estate transactions, but particularly when someone is selling property they inherited. So often it is the home they grew up in. In those cases, clients want to know that their interests are protected and cared for. This work is a great honor, and I have developed a system in these cases that makes the process easy for my clients. 

What sets me apart from other real estate agents is that Los Angeles is my home. I know it like the back of my hand and can educate my clients about communities they may never have heard of. I also have great relationships with many local businesses across various communities, and I enjoy introducing clients to services that will support them, whether they are moving in or out of a new home. Lastly, I have great relationships with the agents I’ve gotten to know over the years. They know I work collaboratively and am a closer, which helps my clients and supports a smooth transaction.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice for anyone new to the business is be yourself and be patient. Some of the best advice I received was from my first brokerage, Keller Williams in the South Bay. One of the team leaders said two things I’ll never forget: one is that lead generation is the business, and you have to do it every day, but you have to do it in a way you enjoy. He was a cyclist and built his business by joining a cycling club. I’m very social, so socializing and social media have been great outlets for me in growing my business. He also said authenticity beats a good performance any day of the week. I am someone with my own style. I like variety in my hairstyles, colors, and manicure designs, and I love sneakers—and again, real estate is not corporate—so I show up as me. Sometimes my hair is natural, sometimes it is silk-pressed. My nails could be any color or mix of colors under the rainbow. And my favorite work uniform is a pretty dress and a dope pair of sneakers. 

And about patience: real estate is not a get-rich-quick overnight business for most people. I don’t suggest going at it full-time without a plan and a massive list of contacts. For most people, it is better to keep a full-time job and work the business part-time until you have a system in place. Once it begins to make more money for you than your full-time job, then you’ll know it’s time to jump all the way in. 

Contact Info:

• Website: http://kclehmanrealty.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kclehmanre
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kclehmanrealty

Image Credits
Josephine Leily
Jo David
Eli Lehman