Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaac Molina III.
Hi Isaac, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a Tampa native, born and raised, and lived here my whole life!
Funny enough, I didn’t go out looking for a Real Estate career, rather, I was a service technician for a company which manufactured and distributed nurse call equipment. I found myself driving ALL OVER Tampa Bay and the surrounding areas! I’ve been doing this for YEARS and, for the most part, was settled with the career I had.
One day, my wife bore me a son, and EVERYTHING changed! My mindset about working, income, and investments all CHANGED! I found myself WISHING I was home more to spend time with this new human being. I wanted to be home to help my wife with our newborn. This is when I began to research starting my own business. My “University” was my iPhone as I cradled my son 2AM on the rocking chair in his room.
Eventually, after reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad and a book on flipping houses, I felt I became a “PRO INVESTOR FLIPPER!” I linked up with a personal friend of mine and we became partners with ambitions to create a Real Estate Empire! We did buy a distressed home. We did hire contractors and handymen. This home became the BEST looking home on the block! We sold this home AND (drumroll for effect…) We basically broke even on the sell.
We’ve learned A LOT from this endeavor. Lessons learned can sting a bit sometimes. But, our goals and endeavors were not tarnished. We’ve learned that our endeavors can take longer than expected and cost more than expected. However, one thing I was certain about was that if I wanted to be a better investor, then I need to become a Real Estate Agent!
After researching the best online school for Real Estate (because you know I’m all about Mobile Universities), I began my studies! I became OBSESSED with the education. When midnight hit, school was in session! Any free time I had was dedicated to study! I studied the laws of Florida. I studied the math behind interest rates. I had a full-time day job, a one-year-old son, and a newborn daughter. My time was limited but my obsession and endeavors grew!
Fast forward to taking my state licensing exam. I remember the sweat dripping down my forehead as I answered each question. They gave me 3 hours to complete and my imposter syndrome was in FULL EFFECT when I completed the exam in half the time. My mentor’s (and now broker) voice echoed in my head, “There is a 1/3rd pass rate with this exam so don’t beat yourself up if you need to retake it…” I double-checked my answers. I TRIPPLE-CHECKED my answers! I looked around at all the other exam takers; Am I the first to finish??
I submitted my answers. I’m certain I failed; just like my investment property, I must have failed this one too! I walked to the admin who handed me my results discreetly. I PASSED?!?! Man, obsession can really push your success! Little do I know, the challenge has only begun.
I remember joining the wonderful brokerage of Lombardo Heights and finding myself an amazing mentor with my broker Jacqueline de la Rosa (that’s a shout-out)! I’ve learned that Real Estate school gets you enough to pass the State Exam. Now, how to market yourself as the best Realtor out there?? Get yourself a mentor ASAP!!!
I knew my first year as a Realtor was going to be challenging and I knew I wasn’t going to make much money in my first year. My challenge was to make, at the very least, 1 Real Estate transaction. Remember, I still had a full-time day job and responsibilities as a husband and father at home. So, one sale equals success for me. And the one sale, I DID!
I remember that first sale. It was an out of state family looking to relocate to Spring Hill, FL. I don’t think they knew this was my first sale. They just knew they were in a professional’s hands! I would use my lunch breaks as opportunities to show this family prospective homes! I was in a constant state of stress since I still had responsibilities with the day job and responsibility for this family.
One Saturday, this family was in town and there was an open house for a home they’d like to see. “You’re more than welcome to go tour it since it’s an open house. If you like it, I can write up an offer ASAP!” I remember it wasn’t even ten minutes later when they called me back, “MAKE THE OFFER!” That same evening, the listing agent calls me, “We want to go with your offer.” Yes, the family was ECSTATIC that they are now under contract with a home they absolutely LOVE!
Some 30 days later, I had my cousin create a beautiful sign for this family as a closing gift. It was big, simple, and perfect for them to hang in their living area! After closing, I told them, “let’s meet over at your new home so I can take some photos,” After driving there to their new home, I handed them their key and told them, “I have a gift for you.” When I pulled out the sign from my car, tears BURSTED through their eyes! The sign read, “The Prestons, This Is Our Home”. Indeed, it is! It was at that moment where I KNEW that this is going to be my new career endeavor.
That sale was the only sale for my first year of Real Estate. My second year, I had a goal to make at least five sales while I was still working my full-time job. Did I reach my goal? Actually, YES! And more! You see, that fist sale was around $200k. That was my sales for my first year. My second year, I did about $1M in sales! Now, beginning my 3rd year, I made about $1.5M on my first month alone! I was able to quit my day job and now I am working full time as a Realtor in Tampa, FL.
I’ve helped many families relocate, first-time homebuyers, and savvy investors purchase and sell their investment properties. I’ve found my passion! It’s less about the home and more about serving people in their need!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to my career is far from smooth! In fact, I would say that the road wasn’t even paved! I feel that if anyone goes into Real Estate, you will find it necessary to pave your own path and try to have as much fun as you go.
I’ve learned the hard way (and quickly) that there is no certainty with your income. You can be under contract on a home and BOOM the buyer wants to pull out of the deal.
However, once you learn this, you’ll learn to be creative in finding the answers and results for your client so you can be viewed as a problem solver. You’re more active than passive when problems come your way.
I’ve learned that there are many hats you were in the career I’m in. Sometimes, you’ll find yourself wearing a hat you’d NEVER thought you’d wear. And there are hats you’ll wear pretty much everyday.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Lombardo Heights, LLC?
I’m a Realtor at Lombardo Heights, LLC.
My passion is with helping families sell their homes and buying new ones. I’ve represented many families on the sale of their homes and they quickly find that there are obstacles that come their way that are very unexpected. This is where I shine! You see, I’m a problem solver. There are certain puzzle pieces seemingly goes unfit but I LOVE to create!
Some of these families return to me because they want to get into investing! I also shine here because this is how I started out in my Real Estate endeavors! Some people love the steady flow of income from rentals and so I would find the potential market rent on a prospective property; if it works, we move on it! Others like the risk of flipping homes with a bigger CHECK, so I would run a CMA on a distressed property to see how much it could sell for after it was rehabbed!
I’d like to think I’m going to be the friendliest Realtor you’ll ever meet so I pride myself in saying I’m Your Friendly Neighborhood Bald Guy!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
My favorite podcast to listen to is BiggerPockets podcast hosted by Brandon Turner and David Green. I’ve been listening to them for YEARS! They are mainly a Real Estate Investing podcast and listening to them will have you become a savvy investor in no time!
I have many books that have helped me in my business! Just to list a few: Sell It Like Serhant by Ryan Serhant is an amazing read! Sold by David Green, The Book On Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner, and The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason.
Pricing:
- When I list your home to sell, I charge 6% of the sale price. But this would be split between me and the Buyer’s agent. This fee would include marketing, professional photography, and all of my professional services till the closing date!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://isaactampabay.carrd.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isaactampabay/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsaacRealtor
Image Credits
Travis Hawkes
