Today we’d like to introduce you to Randi Dukes.
Hi Randi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I had been working in the content creation and social media world since my kids were young but in 2017, I went through a divorce and became a single mom of five kids, from elementary to college age. I wanted more security than my current job provided and needed something with an element of flexibility.
Real estate had been on my radar for years because I love houses. Whether it’s a gorgeous high-end home or a boarded-up fixer-upper, I can get excited about a house and its potential and I knew I would enjoy helping clients in that process.
I got my real estate license at the end of 2019 and signed on with a brokerage in January of 2020, entering the market just before the pandemic! It was a crazy time to start a new career but I worked hard, pivoted where necessary, and ended up as Rookie of the Year in my brokerage. I more than tripled my business the following year and have just continued to work really hard to serve my clients well. I love working in real estate. It’s an honor to be trusted to guide someone in such a huge investment.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Shows like Selling Sunset make real estate look easy and it isn’t. To have success in real estate, you have to work hard to find clients and get them all the way to the closing table. There are a lot of bumps in the road. The biggest challenge in real estate, but also one of the things that makes it fun and interesting, is that it’s always changing. There are so many factors that dictate what the market’s doing and you have to be able to stay on top of those things and pivot where needed.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In a nutshell, I help people buy and sell houses throughout the DFW metroplex but there’s a lot more to it than that. For me, it isn’t just about selling the house. I want to guide clients through the process, educate them at each step, and help them make a decision that they feel really good about … and sometimes that means walking away from a house. I think real estate is less about houses and more about relationships. I love getting to know families during the real estate process.
In addition to being a residential real estate agent, I also have a designation as a divorce real estate specialist. I have special training to handle the intricacies and complications that often come along with dealing with property during a divorce. When I went through my own divorce, I realized how important community property becomes in establishing the financial future for both spouses. I knew I wanted to earn this designation and help families with this huge part of the divorce process.
I’m really proud of the variety of transactions that I’ve had in my career. I’ve sold boarded-up houses that should almost be torn down and I’ve sold luxury listings. If you tell me what you’re looking for, I’m going to help you find it. And that’s led me to work with clients on some really amazing projects. One of my clients bought an old Victorian house and turned it into a music studio, another client bought an old house and remodeled it to use as a grief retreat for widows, and I’ve had another client buy a property that now serves as an adorable Airbnb. I pride myself on really listening to my clients so I can help them find ideal properties that fit with their dreams.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Two very different career paths have led me to where I am today. Before I had kids, I worked as a nurse, and for the last ten or twelve years, I worked as a successful content creator, creating blog posts for large brands like Michaels, The Home Depot, Cricut, and Ford. Thanks to the longevity of Pinterest and google, my craft and DIY content is still viewed thousands of times a day. One of the highlights of that season of my life was flying to L.A. to film two Halloween costume segments for a show called FabLife, hosted by Tyra Banks and Chrissy Teigen.
Both of those careers developed skills that now help me serve my real estate clients, including critical thinking, troubleshooting, negotiating, and creative marketing in social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://randidukesrealtor.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randidukesrealtor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randidukesrealtor
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rdukesrealtor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RandiDukesDallasFortWorthREALTOR
