Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivy Bennett.
Hi Ivy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I decided to take the real estate course at the insistence of my partner whom I call “Broker Bae.” As we talked about my financial goals and passions, he thought that I would do well in the real estate industry, so I decided to go for it. I took a one-week course at Gold Coast Schools, passed my class and state test, joined his brokerage (Solid Ground Realty, Inc.) and the South Broward Board of Realtors, then hit the ground running.
As a new agent, I initially started working with renters as I knew that renters would eventually become buyers. My plan was to get a solid flow of renters that I could educate over time and prep for homeownership. I executed this plan during my first year in real estate. Eventually, I transitioned to primarily working with buyers and sellers, as family, friends, and colleagues would send prospective clients my way.
Most of my business has come from previous relationships for which I am grateful, I hear often ‘I want to work with you or I’m sending someone to you because I trust you.’ I pride myself on being knowledgeable, honest, efficient, and communicative with all my clients. Now that I am five years in the industry, I have decided to niche my services even more by specifically serving high-income earning women and homeowners looking to sell their properties as a listing agent.
It is important to me that I continue to reinvent myself and the services that I provide. There are a ton of Realtors, and I strive for one of the best. In order to be the best, I have to be clear about who I serve and how I can provide a quality experience for my clients.
Through real estate, I’ve met and worked with amazing people, I have paid down a significant amount of debt (a personal goal of mine is to be 100% consumer and student loan debt-free), and I get the opportunity to educate those that I come in contact with.
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?
Thankfully, I have not experienced significant struggles in the industry. I have a fantastic Broker, Noel A. Brown, who is always available to support and assist with any issues that may come up, he has 20+ years in real estate so he’s seen almost every scenario.
As with any industry, there are true professionals and then you have those that are not, I try my best to navigate each situation the same, ‘respond, do not react’ is my mantra. I have learned that if you treat people well, work with integrity and communicate, most things eventually work themselves out. One of my gripes, however, is dealing with bias and racism in the industry.
As a Black woman Realtor, and working with black clients, we sometimes deal with extra layers of scrutiny and resistance that other agents are not subjected to. I have learned to navigate difficult circumstances by keeping my client’s goals in mind and staying the course.
More often than not, I deal with great agents whom I work well with, but when I get the opportunity to speak about my experiences, I would be remiss if I withheld my full experience in this wonderful industry.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In addition to real estate, I work as a Director at an arts and education non-profit.
I have been a creative (dancer and choreographer) my entire life, so it’s fitting that I’ve worked in arts administration for 15 years. Working with artists, children, and communities has helped to shape how I provide services.
Having a keen understanding of people, listening to their needs and desires, and providing a curated experience to help them execute their goals is what I am good at. I educate, I inspire and I work very hard to achieve my client’s desired outcome.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I am a serial book starter LOL, right now I read “Women Evolve” by Sarah Jake Roberts, I recently purchased “Get Good with Money” by Tiffany Aliche and I love “Lead from the Outside” by Stacey Abrams.
Since I have been on a debt-free journey for the past six years, lots of my preferences include self-improvement, money management, and the F.I.R.E (financial independence retire early) content.
Some of my fave YouTube channels include Rich and Regular, Our Rich Journey, and Better Than Yesterday. If I want to be inspired fashion-wise and get a good laugh, I love Politics and Fashion.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.ivysgrflorida.com
- Instagram: @ivyb_the_realtor
- Facebook: Ivy S. Bennett, Realtor
