The following is the fourth in a series of Top Agent Profiles.

After graduating with a Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Connecticut in May of 2004, I found myself searching for a way to fulfill my childhood dream: to live in New York City. The summer after graduation, I landed my first real job in the art world; I was an assistant to a large scale metal sculptor in Connecticut. After about 8 months, I quickly learned two important lessons: I did not want to live or work in Connecticut. Also, I no longer wanted to create art as a career. These two significant events lead me to October of 2005, when I began my real estate career with Citi Habitats at the ripe old age of 22.

Growing up on a farm in Northern Connecticut is a very different lifestyle than living in New York City. My very first apartment was located at 151st Street and Broadway. Most people move in with friends, family, or coworkers. Unfortunately, I was not in such a position and my three roommates all turned out to be men found through craigslist. I know what you are thinking, not the brightest move, but, at that time I went with my gut and all three turned out to be excellent roommates and wonderful friends. So there we were, the real estate agent, the actor, the neuroscientist, and the German publisher. We were a motley crew to say the least.

Although I grew up in Connecticut, I had only traveled to New York a handful of times. There was quite a learning curve those first few months in New York. I didn’t know First Avenue from Fifth Avenue, a local train from an express, and most importantly, I knew absolutely nothing about residential real estate. As a matter of fact, I never took a single business course at college. Clearly the odds were stacked against me. It has been almost 6 years since that momentous October in 2005 when Gordon Golub, Executive Vice President and Director of Rentals for Citi Habitats (but at that time my manager), saw potential and hired me to be an agent at his Upper East Side office. Gordon was a role model and leader, he taught me how close a deal, he taught me the importance of negotiating, he taught me how to be successful. For that, I will always be grateful.

It was under Gordon’s watch that I almost quit the real estate industry. About 3 months into my new venture, I was frustrated, my feet hurt, I was exhausted and not to mention, broke. If you are new to this business, I am sure you are feeling the same way. Gordon convinced me to stick it out for one more month and in that next month, I did 6 rental deals. This was in January of 2006, supposedly the slowest time of the year. For the next 3 years I never did less than 6 deals a month.

The volume of transactions I achieved over the years resulted in a number of accolades. My first year at Citi Habitats, I was named Rookie of the Year for my office, and Rookie of the Year for my company of more than 700 agents. That same year, I won the Customer Service award and the Platinum Award for completing over 50 transactions. The following year I was presented with the Top Rental Agent and the Platinum Award. In 2008 I was named Top Producer, Top Rental Agent, and received another Platinum Award. 2008 was a very special year, in addition to my company’s awards, I received the REBNY Rental Deal of the Year Award for skillful negotiation of a $30,000 a month rental deal on Central Park West. In 2009 I was awarded Top Producer and the Platinum Award. I have also had numerous quotes and articles in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Mann Report and Page Six.

But the absolute most exciting moment in my career was when I was chosen (after 3 rounds of casting calls) to be on Tim Gunn’s reality TV show “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style”. I was able to work closely with an amazing group of people, who shared valuable style tips with me and truly helped improve my image. At the end of the taping, to my surprise and delight, Tim Gunn asked me to be his real estate agent. Here I am, a 25 year old kid, and Tim Gunn is asking me to be his agent!!! To say I was in shock would be an understatement. Needless to say, I was successful in selling him his dream apartment.
Over the years, I have been asked to speak at REBNY seminars, at Citi Habitats trainings and at local Universities. A common question is always, “How did you do it? What makes you so much more successful than other rental agents?” My answers are always the same and I will share them here with you:

• Treat others as you would want to be treated.
• Be yourself.
• Don’t get discouraged, for every 10 no’s you will get 1 yes.
• Stay positive.
• Be consistent.
• Be patient.
• Don’t be afraid to try, even if it doesn’t work out, you learned a valuable lesson.

This job is not rocket science but it certainly can be an emotional rollercoaster. Take the proper time, energy and money to get your business started, put in the hours and don’t take short cuts. You will be reaping the rewards before you know it!

Let’s fast forward to today. After building such a large database of over 5000 contacts and clients from scratch, plus acquiring two listing accounts, I found it too difficult to manage everything on my own. Currently I have a team of people who work for me, 2 full time team members, plus a full time administrative assistant. Personally, half my business still comes from rentals and the other half comes from sales. My sales business has continued to grow based off of my rental reputation and I am very thankful for all the opportunities that have come my way over the years. If it weren’t for the amazing managers in my life, Gordon Golub and Adam Goldstein, who knows if I would even be in this business today.

To all the readers out there, I wish you the best of luck in your business and I hope someday we may be able to work together on a transaction. Thank you for taking the time to read this profile, I hope it provides you with valuable information and inspiration.

Caroline Bass
Senior Vice President
Associate Broker
The BASS Team