Today we’d like to introduce you to Diedra Cox.
Diedra, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Providing home for people has been my profession since 2004. I started leasing apartments in college to support my daughter and I. The rest is history. I promoted to property manager after a few years, leading 17 employees and serving 449 student renters. Once I moved to Dallas in 2008, I attempted to switch careers but kept landing back in the multi-family housing industry.
While running my mouth one day at the salon, I met a successful – female – black – broker. Not an agent. A Broker. She told me, straight up, to get my license. She said I had “the juice” required to make it real estate. Then, she explained the earning potential and how 5 sales could cover my $50,000 per year salary in 60 days. So, I enrolled in school, achieving my AAS in Real Estate within a years time, again, making history. I had a goal too… to be come a successful – female – black – broker.
I quit my job, got an apartment, and started a radio show called The Real Estate Reality on BlogTalkRadio.com. It’s like a felt God say, “Go for it! And tell everyone about it!”
That was 6 years ago. I have been homeless twice trying to figure out this business. But I never gave up. I kept hustling. I opened MDR Real Estate in April of 2017, achieving my goal of becoming a Real Estate Broker in the State of Texas.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have a Cancer sun and a Gemini moon sign. Nothing is every easy with all the drama in my stars! LOL But honestly, somethings have been easy and other have not.
Because I started without a mentor and had no entrepreneurial friends, I had no clue how to run a business. Knowledge is power. My mistakes became my mentor until I was blessed to network with some of the best in the business.
I am also not from Dallas. Building a database and a sphere of influence takes time. My first year in the business, I did make more than my $50,000 per year salary, but I also had $42,000 in business expenses. I am not sure how I made it out alive! Oh yeah… God.
Here are a few of my personal stories:
My first networking event in 2012 was Obama’s re-election night. I had my business cards in hand and went out with a friend to an Urban League Young Professionals party. I just knew I would meet my first client at that event! Instead, I was the girl who fell down the concrete stairs, breaking my fall on the concrete floor with my head. Obama won, but I lost that night. I was bedridden for weeks after just quitting my property management job. Fear and pity definitely tried to take me out.
Also, not many people know that I was living in a hotel on my 30th birthday. Six months before that, my car was repossessed. It seemed like everything caved in at once. I was scratching by, living”closing to closing” at the time. Managing business expenses and caring for my children took me down. Not to mention, I was homeless at 28 as well, so my anxiety was destructive. Now at 33, I am grateful for the experience. The road hasn’t been smooth for me at all, however, I wouldn’t change it. The miracles I experienced during those trials have built my faith and matured me tremendously. I don’t mind the stability of my six figure income either. The broker I met at the salon was right; I have the juice!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with MDR Real Estate – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
The biggest difference, for me, is the foundation from which I built the idea of MDR. I dedicated this company to the idea creating more experiences to express love, in business. Ask any of my clients. I truly love them. And that comes out in how I serve them and how I hold my affiliates and partners accountable to serve our clients from the heart as well. I’m the sweetest person in the world, until you derail my clients’ experience or neglect to communicate with them. Then I can become a bit of a lioness. Going ape for my clients is a service included in the commission. I don’t charge extra for the personality! But we have fun at MDR! It’s our mantra.
On paper, MDR Real Estate is a service company that focuses on new construction sales, development, and serving young professionals. We do everyday real estate, and we do the big fun projects too. We are focused on providing an experience to our clients that move beyond the transaction to a level of relationship.
Smart transactions that build wealth is the service we sale. Our vibe at MDR is more focused on the people we work with and their lifestyle, wellbeing, and sense of connectedness to the community. Most of our clients are by referral, so many are relocating from out of state. Our lifestyle tours win them over every time.
Many of our young professional clients are experts in their field. So when they buy a home, they want to work with an expert as well. When you spend $400,000 at one time, you want someone who can serve your individual needs and keep you informed. Many of my clients are attorneys, doctors, and IT professionals. However, I ride or die for my single moms and young families too. We have to stick together!
On a personal level, I have this itch for all things media. Opening MDR allowed me to stay true to my calling as an educator and speaker-personality while branding myself along the way. Our Real Estate Reality Podcast, on Soundcloud, offers the fundamental information buyers and sellers want to know before they enter the market.
Our Consultation Conversation events are hands-on workshops offered to first-time buyers, walking you through the purchase process from start to finish. Organizations can invite me to bring the CC workshops to their monthly meetings and their intentional groups to talk about the market and how to prepare to buy or make money in our current market climate. I am a regular panelist and speaker when I can, and I’ve been known to blog a bit. These special offerings give MDR a voice, and that was my goal with the company.
In my real estate career, I have sold over 25 million in volume, helping more than 85 families to date. We have sold 0 energy homes for builders and helped numerous repeat clients turn 18 months in a starter home into upwards of $50,000 in profits each time. I think the most one of my starter home clients made was $72,000. I was voted Best of D Realtors in 2017, which we announced at the MDR’s Garden Party last July.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Well, I got the media bug for sure. I was offered the opportunity to be featured on two nationally syndicated episodes on HGTV House Hunters in the rotation, RIGHT NOW, with our amazing MDR clients with plans for more. Our latest episode was released on August 29th!
We are excited about our exclusively brokered community, Chariot Village, located in East Dallas! Buyers can build new construction homes, starting in the $240,000s less than 15 minutes from Downtown Dallas. We are so humbled to working with Builders of Hope CDC on this takedown. This project is so special because part of the proceeds from each home will help fund more affordable housing in West Dallas. It’s a win-win.. It feels great to be in this time of my career, serving the community and helping people build wealth via home ownership.
I also mentor agents now, which is even more fun! I have coached two agents through the process of getting their license, and have two coaching clients with contracts written in less than 30 days of having their license. I’ve done most of this work behind the scenes, but plan to offer coaching services soon.
I am currently between California and Dallas often… More to come on what that means for us!
The biggest thing for me is to continue to go with the flow and accept everything as it comes. Good always comes around if you are patient and firm in gratitude when it’s not so good. My advice to any agents, broker hopefuls, or entrepreneurs is to stay encouraged. Keep focused on building on the foundation of love. And don’t be afraid of the reset button.
Pricing:
- Buyers: Did you know you don’t have to pay for your Realtor’s commission? The seller pays all commission!
- New Construction Buyers: Did you know the builder will pay for you to have representation?
- Sellers: Did you know that you could offer your home off market prior to listing on the MLS? Hire an agent with a network!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.movmdr.com
- Phone: 972.854.9277
- Email: dee@movemdr.com
- Instagram:@diedra_cox
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/diedracoxmdr
- Twitter:https://twitter.com/diedradcox
Image Credit:
Photos by Cyndi Brown @cyndiibee_
Make-Up by D’Jai @j_ivory
Styled by Ray Hopkins Aura Style @aurastyle_
Styled by Nicky Hawkins @styledbynickyhawkins
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
