Crystal Schirmer
Deep roots: Schirmer developed interest in real estate at Grandpa’s side
The coronavirus pandemic has cut down wide swaths of the American economy, with some notable exceptions.
Real estate, for example. Just ask Crystal Schirmer.
“Even during the pandemic, this has been my best year yet,” said Schirmer of Exit Elite Realty, 1960 Richardson Road, in Arnold. “I’ve sold the most I’ve sold in actually (the last) two years combined.
“The real estate market is still really hot. It’s a great sellers’ market because there’s just such low inventory (of homes). But at the same time, it’s a great buyers’ market because interest rates are still historically low.”
Festus resident Schirmer, 30, got her real estate license in 2015 and went right to work with Exit Elite Realty. But her roots in real estate actually go back to her childhood, watching her grandfather work.
“He had over 50 properties,” she said. “I learned about the investing side, and how you can buy property and help people with rentals. Just watching him help other people really got me intrigued into it.”
Now Schirmer, adapting to the times, does a lot of “virtual” home walk-throughs for prospective buyers, many of whom she discovers through social media. “Thank God for technology,” she said.
Her not-so-secret success formula centers on relationships, which generate referrals from happy clients – which leads to more business.
“If you genuinely care about people, they’re always going to follow through with you because they feel comfortable with you,” she said.
“Honestly, if my husband made enough money, I would probably do (this) for free because I do love doing it and I love working with people.
“As long as you give people all the knowledge and help them throughout the whole transaction, make it easy for them, and show them that you care, then they’re just going to come back to you.”