Daily Inspiration: Meet Gail Craven

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gail Craven.

Hi Gail, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
In December 1999, I had an epiphany that I should get into real estate. I was 48 years old and had to borrow money to take the real estate class. In March of 2000, I got my license and went to work. The first year I made $8000. My dad had a men’s clothing store in Eastern North Carolina, and I worked in his store from a very early age, around 8 years old. My dad instilled a fervent work ethic, so I was determined to get started and not quit. I have just completed my 24th year in real estate. I am so grateful for the people I have met in the business and the wonderful clients who have trusted me and hired me.

Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely could have been a smoother road. Just as I began to sell some properties, 9/11 happened in 2001. The world stopped, and I didn’t think I would ever sell another house. The 2008 economic crisis hit the real estate business extremely hard. Many agents left the business. I hung on and also did some moonlighting. I had a side hustle called Craven Cakes and made wonderful homemade cakes for friends and business associates. I also returned to my roots and sold women’s clothing in a high-end ladies’ store. The economy has ups and downs, but working with people has challenges. I remember one couple that was moving from Florida. I worked with them for nine months, showing them every inch of the area. They came to town on Easter weekend, and I spent all day Friday and Saturday and told them we would resume our search on Monday after Easter. I still remember how devastating it was when I called them early Monday, and they advised me they bought a for Sale by Owner home on Easter Sunday without me. My colleagues experience things like this all the time. This business requires tough skin and a soft heart to survive the disappointing things that happen as you serve clients. I have been blessed with many wonderful, kind, ethical clients, and just a few bad eggs were thrown in. “For every hill, I’ve had to climb, for every stone that bruised my feet, for all the blood, sweat, and grime, for blinding storms and burning heat. For my heart sings but a grateful song…for these are the things that made me strong…”

Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am in the real estate business. I am in the people business. I specialize in helping my clients prepare their houses, staging, decluttering, organizing, and improving curb appeal to help them raise their bottom line. I recently had clients that were going to sell their house to a buyer off the market instead of listing it because it was easy. I helped them prepare the house, and they got $200,000 more with my help than the buyer offered. When helping buyers, I want them to find a house they love and one that will have a good return on investment. While I don’t have a crystal ball, I study trends and learn what sells and doesn’t to guide my clients to a great property. It’s always better to pay a fair price on a great property rather than get a great price on a fair property. I am gratified when my clients call me to sell the property I help them purchase, and they get a great return on their investment. I care about my clients and truly go the extra mile to serve my clients. “Find something you love to do, and you’ll never work a day.”

How would we have described you growing up if we knew you were growing up?
My dad was a great influence on me. He was an entrepreneur and stressed the importance of being in business for yourself. Be your boss. He also valued the teaching of character to young people. He initiated a program in the public schools in our small town called “Character Building words for successful Living. “These words are the foundation on which I built my business on. I had a lot of energy and was fearless. I was a good student but didn’t study much. I realized later I was and am a perfectionist. I remember writing papers in ink and would mess up on the last line. I would start over and write the whole paper again, sometimes 2 or 3 times. I loved the outdoors, rode my bike everywhere, and loved swimming. I was a people person. I always had a job. I worked for my dad in his men’s clothing store. I worked for my uncle, who sold ladies’ clothing. I worked at a shoe store. I babysat often. I worked at the grill at the country club, flipping burgers. I was a teller in our hometown bank and always balanced to the penny. I was a math tutor in college and even got hired to wash hair in a salon for a short time.

Contact Info:

• Website: gailcraven.mackeyrealty.com