Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Lafortune.
Michele, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Whether we like it or not, life is a journey. As a baby boomer, I have been exposed to several amazing decades of technological and societal advancements, from the fax machine and email all the way to historic civil rights movements. It all started with being born and raised in Montreal, Canada in the year of rock and roll. As a middle child with two brothers and two sisters, I began to master negotiation and flexibility at a young age. Before moving to the United States, I spent many of my young adult years as the owner of a hair salon where I expanded my skills with managing a business. This is when I discovered that I had a passion for helping people.
I moved to the DFW area in the early 90’s, and I am blessed with two amazing kids Elisa and Jonathan. Raising a family in another part of the continent had its challenges, but the rewards and experiences allowed me to never look back. Despite the obstacles of learning a new language & country, I never hesitated to volunteer for opportunities to engage with the community through PTA meetings, Canadian clubs, international support groups, and many other organizations where I could make a difference.
My love for architecture, interior design, and attention to detail guided me into real estate 13 years ago which set me on the path that I am on today. I found it easy for me to connect with people, and real estate has given me an avenue to use my experience and expertise to help others achieve their dreams of owning a home.
Great, 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?
The road of an expat living in a foreign country has both its disadvantages and privileges. Speaking a second language has opened doors that I didn’t know existed. While anyone who learns a second language can testify to the challenges involved, one of the lesser-known obstacles I encountered along my journey is overcoming and changing the American perception of Canada and its denizens.
Coming to the United States I quickly learned of drastic differences in a range of American opinions on topics like gun violence, racism, foreign policy, religion, and more. At every turn, I found that the American people are not well-represented in the media. At the end of the day what I’ve learned is that everyone in the land of opportunity shares some level of the same goals: a roof over their head, a family provided for, and the opportunity to bring yourself up and beyond your situation.
I have been given a clear advantage in connecting with people by having an accent and knowing a second language. Upon hearing my accent, other foreigners in the U.S., even those not from Canada, can instantly find a connection with me. Raising a family in America is a unique challenge that forces foreign parents to balance the difficult task of ensuring their American children fit in, but also ensuring they retain their heritage and culture. Additionally, children raised in an international household lends them to being more tolerant and understanding of other people’s differences naturally.
As I’ve gotten older (and hopefully wiser), I have come to learn that the face of America is changing. I strongly believe that we must educate our children in the ways of communicating and understanding each other in order to ensure that they can successfully navigate our changing environment.
Alright – so let’s talk business. What else should we know about your work?
As a realtor in the digital age, I have been forced to adapt and evolve my business in order to ensure that the things which make me unique have the opportunity to shine and remain effective. At face value, one could say that I buy and sell houses. However, my obligations and goals for myself and for my clients to go so much further. Something that has always set me apart from the competition is my desire to see others succeed – and in this industry, that means helping my clients build equity.
This is not easy in a world where large corporations use machine learning and algorithms to automate the buying and selling process to fit their interests. Another unique benefit that I bring to the table is trust and skilled negotiations. A skilled negotiator that has your trust and your best interests at heart is a powerful way to not only turn a profit where possible but also ensure that the transaction meets your desired outcome.
A foundation to being able to compete in this market is having a strong team at your back – and for that, I can surely thank Buffini and Company. They have been my primary source of training, education, and support. With them, I have been able to conduct business at a caliber much higher than what most people expect from a realtor. When a client and I work together as a team, it yields the best results. Results that allow us to distinguish between a house and a home, and between wants and needs. Results that ensure you’re satisfied with the outcome.
Where do you see your industry going over the next 5-10 years? Any big shifts, changes, trends, etc?
The Real Estate industry is experiencing a major shift, and we are constantly observing new trends. The landscape of one of the most powerful economic pillars of our country is changing, and many of us will be left behind if we don’t get on board. In 2018 Buffini and Company along with Dr. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), highlighted that the U.S. had the most competitive economy in the world for the first time in ten years. The U.S. boasted an economy with a 3.1% wage growth and an unemployment rate at 3.6%. We are seeing average 30-year fixed interest rates, and according to Freddie Mac (the industry recognized number) the interest are in the mid-3s down from the upper 4s” in 2018.
The influx of venture capital funding into real estate (to the tune of $5.4 billion globally in 2018), and new real estate technology is paced to upset how our industry has worked for decades. In 2010 United States tech companies alone invested $30 million in real estate, up to $5.4 billion in 2017. “I-Buyer” companies like Zillow, Open Door, TurnKey and Redfin are using technology to automate property valuation and make instant offers on homes. It allows sellers to close quickly and then allows the company to turn around and resell the home for profit. 25,000 transactions like these accounted for .2% of the market traffic in 2018. As always consumers need to read the fine print and must know the real value of their home and their closing costs.
It’s very confusing to the public, and many agents are poorly equipped with this new market. Venture capital funding may make considerable changes to the market; however, it does not and will not replace the value of a real estate professional. The impact on brokerage firms is unprecedented and the media is notorious for bringing confusion and anxiety to many Americans. We are entering into some unchartered territory, but one sure thing is that the basics will remain a priority. A highly skilled agent will always be able to provide you with an accurate analysis of your market and your home while meeting wants and needs on the path to guiding you down the best decisions both financially and for your life & family.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1001 15th Street, Ste 200 Plano, TX 75074
- Website: www.mlafortune.com
- Phone: 972-978-4000
- Email: michele@mlafortune.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mmlafortune/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northdallasrealty/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MicheleLafortu1
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlafortune/
Image Credit:
Matt Pasant
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
