Good Neighbor Podcast: Youngstown

E8: Real Estate Changed Her Life, Now She's Helping Others Do the Same

• Stacey Willis • Episode 8

Share episode

Ever wondered if real estate could be a game-changer in your financial journey? Theresa Robin of Kelly Warren and Associates proves it can be through her own remarkable story shared on the Good Neighbor Podcast.

What started as a college student's practical decision to purchase a duplex—living on one side while renting the other—blossomed into a strategic wealth-building approach that completely transformed Theresa's life trajectory. Through smart property management, understanding equity growth, and leveraging tax advantages, she discovered firsthand how real estate could create opportunities that traditional career paths might not offer.

Now a seasoned realtor, Theresa channels her passion into demystifying homeownership for others. She particularly loves working with first-time homebuyers, guiding them through what many consider an intimidating process with education and hands-on support. "Homeownership is closer than you think," she emphasizes, countering the common misconception that buying property is impractical or financially out of reach. Her approach resonates so strongly with clients that her business thrives primarily on referrals and word-of-mouth.

Theresa's journey wasn't without challenges. She candidly discusses battling imposter syndrome as she established herself as a community professional—questioning whether she was truly qualified to guide others through major financial decisions. By recognizing the unique value of her combined academic knowledge (with a master's degree in business) and real-world investment experience, she overcame those doubts to become a trusted advisor in her community.

Whether you're curious about buying your first home, considering real estate as an investment strategy, or simply interested in how property ownership might change your financial future, Theresa's story offers practical insights and inspiration. Reach out directly to Theresa at 330-774-5684 or visit buysellohiohouses.com to start a conversation about your real estate journey today.

Speaker 1:

This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Stacey Willis.

Speaker 2:

Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast. Are you in need of a realtor? Well, one may be closer than you think. Today, I have the pleasure of introducing your good neighbor, teresa Robbins. Teresa, how are you doing? Hey?

Speaker 3:

Stacey, I'm great. How are you?

Speaker 2:

I'm doing very well, thank you. Well, we're excited to learn all about you and your business, so let's just jump right in and tell us all about it.

Speaker 3:

Absolutely Well. Thanks, first off, for having me. I appreciate you guys taking the time to speak with me and have me on your podcast on Good Neighbor. So really, what we do is we pretty much do it all. We represent buyers and sellers and also investors. So whether you're looking to get into real estate as your first time home buyer or you're looking to sell a piece of real estate whether it's land, commercial, residential maybe you're looking at real estate as another egg to host your retirement on and you want to start investing. So, whatever it may be, I mean we're well rounded in the real estate industry and well connected so we can help with all of the above.

Speaker 2:

And I did. I did not mention which. I apologize to the listeners. Kelly Warren is who you are with, correct?

Speaker 3:

Yes, that's correct. Yep Kelly, Warren and Associates.

Speaker 2:

Okay, and how did you get into this business?

Speaker 3:

Well, that's a great question. So I'm born and raised in Boston, massachusetts. I moved to the Youngstown Ohio area when I was about 19, 20 years old and essentially a couple of years in. So I started. I transferred school so let me back up here Transferred to YSU doing my undergrad degree in business and I met somebody that was selling their home and they said this would be a good opportunity for you.

Speaker 3:

It's a duplex. You can live in one side, rent free, and rent out the other side, because essentially that rent will be paying the cost of your mortgage and utilities. So you'll live for free while you're going to college. And I thought, well, that's a great idea. I just agreed to move to Ohio. So what could go wrong here, you know? So essentially, after I agreed to do that, I did exactly what the gentleman had recommended and it worked out well.

Speaker 3:

I guess at the time I didn't realize to what extent what I really had done for myself and how I set myself up.

Speaker 3:

So, being a landlord and owning that home, over the years I've learned a lot about houses, things that can go wrong, how to fix things, just really problem solving and the beauty of equity.

Speaker 3:

So essentially, after a few years of doing that, I ended up renting out both sides and buying another piece of property and that the rental income from the both sides at that time paid for that property and for me to have another house.

Speaker 3:

Um, and then I realized that there was the section 121 code in the tax code which allows you to sell your house after living in it for two of the last five years and not pay any uh taxes or capital gains up to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, because at the time I was unmarried and, um, I started selling my house after two years and sell my house and then I'd go and find another one and buy another one. So essentially all that, those proceeds were all tax free and it really just snowballed into this journey with real estate. So then I got licensed so that I can represent buyers and sellers and help them on their journey. So it really just unlocked a lot of potential and what there is in real estate, what you can do with real estate. And now you know, 16 years later, I'm able to say that I really understand what real estate has done for me in the position that it's put me in, just by making those small steps and that first decision to buy that duplex.

Speaker 2:

So I think you answered this a little bit, but I'm sure you can build off of it. What are some myths or misconceptions about the real estate industry?

Speaker 3:

what are some myths or misconceptions about the real estate industry. Well, that's a good question. So I mean, really, there's a lot of them. I think one of the biggest things is people think that owning a home is just not practical, not within the realm of reality. They don't realize how affordable and how, really, how easy it can be if you have the right team on your side. And I think that's really the biggest thing and I think that's really what I enjoy most about my job is showing people that you know this dream of homeownership is is closer than you think.

Speaker 2:

Who are your target customers and how are you currently attracting them?

Speaker 3:

Also another great question, stacey, thanks for asking. So really, like I said, we're well-versed in the real estate industry. What I love most is my first-time homebuyers, because I love educating them and I love how life-changing it is for them by getting them into their first home. Also, investors, because, again, I shared with you the piece of investment that I was able to take advantage of in investing in real estate and what that's done for me and how that set me up for my business today. So, between first-time homebuyers and investors, and really the way that I attract most of my clientele is referrals word of mouth, again, because I do a lot of that education piece and I like to hold the buyer's hand quote, unquote the first time buyers or even investors, and help walk them through what we're doing and why we're doing it and encourage any questions. I really get a lot of referrals, word of mouth and then a lot of networking events really. So just meeting other like-minded people or people that don't know where to start and helping them there.

Speaker 2:

Outside of work. What do you do for fun?

Speaker 3:

a star in helping them there. Outside of work, what do you do for fun? Oh, I love to golf. Anything outdoors is great, but really I love to golf. Not to say I'm good at it or anything. I'm not going to be in the masters anytime soon, but I do love to golf. I love to spend time with my family and travel.

Speaker 2:

All right, let's switch gears just a little bit. Can you describe a hardship or challenge you overcame and how it made you stronger? What comes to mind?

Speaker 3:

Oh, that's a good question. I think really just the probably something a lot of people face is the imposter syndrome. You know, when you start to go into things and I'd like to consider myself, of course, a member of the community, but also a professional within the community and a public figure, if you will there's a lot of self doubt. That happens when you get into these types of fields. So you go out there and you market yourself as this professional and as this trusted individual that will help you with one of the most important decisions of your life, one of the most major investments of your life.

Speaker 3:

And I think really just sometimes when you go to bed at night, you think to yourself can I really do this? Is this really, am I doing this? And fortunately I've received a great response from the community. So there's no doubt in my mind now. But I think initially just getting over that self-doubt I think probably was the hardest part of it and just saying you know what I am doing this, I can do this, I'm well qualified to do this. I have not only the textbook with my master's degree in business from YSU now, but I also have the smarts of actually going through this. So I remember what it was like and how I got started and what it's done for me.

Speaker 2:

So really just getting over, I think, that that self-doubt and overcoming that, Teresa, tell our listeners one thing that they should remember about Kelly Warren and associates.

Speaker 3:

Well, there's many things, but the one thing that I would say is that you know we're reliable, we're on your side, we're family to you. You know we, we are going to guide you through this process as if it was us. You know, and and being that person that we may have needed at the time that we were going through this same scenario. So, um, we're, we're trusted, we're reliable, um, reputable Robin.

Speaker 2:

I like that. How can our listeners learn more about you?

Speaker 3:

So they can either call or text 330-774-5684. You can find me on social media Teresa Robin, realtor with Kelly Warren and Associates. You can also visit buysellohiohousescom and you can check out our website and see you know what listings there are available if you'd like to start there. But I always encourage people call and text me. I love talking to people, I love talking about real estate. So the best way would be definitely to call or text me and let's have a conversation, let's meet for some coffee, and I'm just a regular person like everybody else, with a little more knowledge in the industry than the average.

Speaker 2:

All right, Teresa. Well, I really appreciate you being on our show. We wish you and your business the very best of luck moving forward.

Speaker 3:

Thank you so much again, Stacey. Thanks for having us.

Speaker 1:

Thanks for listening to the good neighbor podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnp youngstowncom. That's gnp youngstowncom, or call 330-355-3122.