Why I Chose Real Estate! El Maktoob
El Maktoob means "destiny" or "fate" in the Arabic language and I believe that everything in our lives is predetermined. A poet has described El Maktoob as: "On the palm of fate we walk and do not know what is written." Since I believe in El Maktoob, I also believe that I became a REALTOR because I was meant to become one...and even though I worked in other industries (food & beverage, tourism, hospitality, retail, automotive and technology) from the time I was 16, I finally realized my destiny and became a REALTOR at the ripe old age of 28! :)
My very first aspiration in life was to become a hula dancer...then later, I wanted to be a ballerina. When I was old enough to seriously think about what I wanted to be when I grew up, I never had an answer that stuck until I was 24 years old and applied with United Airlines to become a flight attendant. However, after flying to Chicago for a final interview and receiving an offer of employment from United, my new boyfriend Bob decided the time to propose was now or never. So you can guess what happened next, right? I married Bob...and ditched United Airlines.
My very first real estate transaction was buying a waterfront lot when I was 26 years old. Bob and I were looking to buy a house the following year (to live in while we built a home on the lot) and I got so involved obsessed during the entire homebuying process, that I decided I really wanted to pursue a career as a real estate agent! Once I made this decision, it took me less than 3.5 months to get my real estate license and I started out doing real estate part-time on weekends. After my first 2 real estate transactions, I decided to quit my full-time job and dedicate my days, nights and weekends being a full-time REALTOR!
I've been a REALTOR for 12 years now and I'm still happy doing what I do...it was my destiny, remember? El Maktoob! Even though the real estate market has changed drastically since 1999, we have also evolved in the way we do business. Once upon a time, I was helping everyone buy and sell their homes (usually more than one) and now, the properties we obtain for our investor clients are mostly foreclosures. Although we sometimes have to deal with theft, vandalism, squatters and evictions, I wouldn't trade what I do for anything and it's rewarding to know that what we do makes a difference in the world our community. I LOVE transforming once-abandoned houses into beautiful homes again...to be lived in and loved by their new occupants, whether they are owners or renters. Here's an example of one of our latest home transformations in Loomis, CA:
BEFORE (Kitchen & Bathroom)
DURING (Removed wall between kitchen & living room, added a second sink in bathroom)
AFTER (No more oak kitchen! Bye-bye blue bathroom!)
BOB & LEILANI SOUZA
Real Estate Investment Specialists
Southwest Placer County, CA
Bob Souza - 925.513.3400 - bob@souzarealty.com
Leilani Souza - 916.408.5500 - leilani@souzarealty.com
FORECLOSURES : TRUSTEE'S SALE AUCTIONS : INVESTMENTS
LOTS AND LAND : PROPERTY MANAGEMENT : RENTALS
Roseville : Rocklin : Lincoln : Loomis : Granite Bay
Auburn : Newcastle : Penryn : Meadow Vista
SEARCH CALIFORNIA FORECLOSURES FOR FREE:
Copyright © 2002-2012 Souza Realty | All Rights Reserved | DRE #01262541
:) I am glad you have found your destiny - your El Maktoob - I enjoyed your story! Thanks for sharing.
Leilani - that's exactly what many people experienced. they started as customers and in the process decided that thhey can do it.
Good luck to you
You're welcome, Joy! Thanks for stopping by to read my "Why I Chose Real Estate!" contest entry. :)
Leilani
Jon, I agree with you...I know many people who got into real estate based on a previous real estate transaction. :)
Leilani
Now isn't that a coincidence. I have up being a flight attendant with British Airways for a man. Never married him though. It certainly was el maktoob that brought you to the real estate field, Leilani, and you certainly demonstrate your passion for it. Great makeovers above.
Now Jane, that is really a coincidence! Just think, if we did what we thought we were going to do, we may have crossed paths at an airport somewhere in the world, instead of here on ActiveRain! :)
Leilani
I also believe in destiny. I always say that real estate picked me.
Leilani~ destiny....... I believe in destiny and I love the story and your darlN pic~ Good Luck with the challenge! Not only am I full-time Realtor(R), but a flight attendant for United~ LOL~ I was on a furlough for 22 months and just got back July 1st, so busy that I searched for another F/A that would be interested in partnership flying. He will fly 1/2 a month and I fly the other 1/2... I am living two lives..... ;) So, my husband says........
Leilani: It's apparent that you made the right choice. I think we all have our lives mapped out for us and we just follow along that path. You and Bob make a really great team. I'm sure it was much more than chance that brought you together.
What a great story and a precious photo of you as a tiny tot Leilani. Love the makeover shots too.
Leilani,
What a great love story. It sounds like Bob understands timing very well. (lol) Destiny is a very real dynamic as your story reveals.
Wishing you much continued success!
Stev
Leilani - Amazing transformations! I love being a Realtor too and wouldn't change a thing.
Leilani - That is such an adorable picture of you as a little girl. I hadn't heard of the term El Maktoob, but it kind of gives me goose bumps! I'm glad you found your passion. Love seeing the transformations on those houses, too - what a difference!
Leilani, I enjoyed reading about how you got into this business. I'm sure you probably would have made a pretty good hula dancer too though. I guess the world of dancing has lost a performer to El Maktoob.
Jill, I believe our lives are predetermined and so is the manner in which we die.
Leilani
Thanks, DeeDee! I love the transformation too...it's amazing how much of a difference just removing a wall makes when it comes to the "feel" of a home. :)
Leilani
Lauren, that is a coincidence that you are living two lives...one as a REALTOR and one as a flight attendant! How exciting, I bet you never have a dull moment. :)
Leilani
Doug, sometimes I think it would be nice to see what the future holds, but after more thought...I really don't want to know! I'd rather just live and see what happens. :)
Leilani
Leilani - I love the hula outfit. But, more, I love how you share your passion about real estate. It's so great to be able to work at what we love. I like the before and after photos. It just shows what someone who knows what they're doing in real estate can do. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Anita! I was a little cutie, wasn't I? ;)
Leilani
Steve, even our signs ring true...Bob is "earth" (he's very grounded) and I am "air" (yep, I'm flighty), so we do complement each other. If I didn't get married and spent my life flying all over the world, I probably never would have settled down! :)
Leilani
Thank you, Michelle! I'm glad I took before, during and after pics on this property...I missed the opportunities with a few others. This one happened to be the most drastic improvement so far, though! :)
Leilani
Thanks, Sally! When I first heard the story in which the term "el maktoob" was introduced to me, I also got the goosebumps and it has stuck in my mind ever since. Now whenever something "happens" I think it always happens for a reason and I say to Bob, "El maktoob." :)
Leilani
Malcolm, I didn't mention this in my original post, but the last dance class I attended was...you'll never guess...FLAMENCO!!! :D
Leilani
I agree, Juli...we are lucky to be working in the field that we love. Looking at the "before" and "after" pics is something I'll never get tired of, and I'm always looking forward to our next project. :)
Leilani
Leilani, what a transformation in the kitchen and bath! You did a great job, and cute as a hula dancer too!
It was quite a transformation, Joan...thank you and thank you! :)
Leilani
Leilani my beautiful friend. Love the story and what a transformation of the two rooms. You did a magnificent job and I know you do one every single day!
Leilani, OMG, you are such a cutie! You should blow that up and have it framed. I certainly have enjoyed your post and I'm so glad to have you in the industry and as a friend! Thank you!
Deb