We’re proud of the team of agents we’ve assembled here at Nest Realty. We think they’re pretty awesome, and we think you will too. During our “Meet the Agent” series, we sit down with our agents to learn more about them, what makes them tick, and why they’re passionate about the real estate industry. In this installment, we chat with Gregg Warren, a Broker with Nest Realty in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Nest Realty: Tell us a bit about yourself! Where are you from? What brought you to Raleigh?
Gregg Warren: I’m originally from a small town in upstate New York, Horseheads. I went to S.U.N.Y. Cortland College where I received my bachelor’s in physical education. I moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, right out of college and taught physical education and coached high school volleyball, golf, swimming, and track and field for seven years prior to getting into real estate. I’ve loved being in real estate for the past 10 years, as it has allowed me to to work from home and raise our two daughters, Vera (7) and Emme (5). Being in real estate has been a great experience, especially when I get to be reunited with families and even students who I once taught who are all grown up now and looking to purchase homes of their own.
NR: How did you get into real estate?
GW: I was looking for a change in career. I enjoy a job that does not feel like a job and a job where the more effort you put into it, the more rewards you see. I also love helping people, and being able to do so with one of the biggest decisions in people’s lives is a really fulfilling feeling.
NR: What was your previous career? How has that prepared you for real estate?
GW: I was a middle school and high school physical education teacher and a varsity coach for volleyball, golf, swimming, and track and field. Being a teacher has taught me how to reach and understand different people’s personalities. It has also taught me the value of the education process. Making sure my clients have a clear understanding of the home buying and selling process is key for me.
NR: What led you to Nest Realty, as opposed to another brokerage?
GW: After meeting with Julian and seeing the personal touches that Nest Realty does to connect agents and their clients and create such a tight-knit atmosphere, I thought it was something different than what the big brokerage firms were doing. I like to think of my clients as family and I thought Nest had similar thoughts with how they market and connect everyone.
NR: What is your favorite part of being an agent?
GW: Being involved in such a large part of people’s lives. We get to be a part of people’s lives that they may only do two or three times in their life! I even had one client who asked me to be a part of his plan and help him propose to his girlfriend during our final walk through on their closing day!
NR: Do you have a specific area of expertise to offer clients?
GW: Our team has had a phenomenal track record of utilizing our staging/renovating of homes to maximize list/sale prices when listing. We have been able to help our clients choose a strategy to put the least amount of money into their home, in order to get the most money out of their home.
NR: What makes you different from other agents? What sets you apart?
GW: I care! When I advise my clients, my advice comes from putting myself in my clients’ shoes to think about it as if it were my own home I was making a decision on. If my clients aren’t happy, then I’m not happy! I also go above and beyond for all my clients. If I can’t find them the perfect home on the market, then I will scour homes off the market until I can find them someone who will sell!
NR: What are five adjectives that describe you?
GW: Outgoing, athletic, family-man, caring, and enthusiastic.
NR: Who would be your dream client?
GW: My dream client would be Betty White. This could be only from what I have seen on TV from her, but she seems to have an amazing sense of humor. I’m guessing she would be into an older home with some character. And she reminds me of my grandmother, who was the all around best person I’ve ever met!
NR: If you had one piece of advice for a first-time home buyer, what would it be?
GW: Think long term! I know as a first-time home buyer, you can be overwhelmed and distracted by the big and shiny when looking at homes. Try to think of the future when buying your first home as well. Can I use it as an investment, can I grow a family in it, is it in a desirable location, is there an opportunity to build equity in the home?
NR: What is your favorite season in Raleigh?
GW: Fall, definitely! In Raleigh, fall (as short as it may be) is the perfect temperature and traveling to the mountains is one of the most eye catching spectacles you will ever see!
Gregg is a Broker with Nest Realty Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill. He comes from a background in teaching, so making sure his clients learn and have a clear understanding of the buying/selling process is always a priority. To learn more about Gregg, visit his agent page.