Introducing Haynsworth Realty

30
Jul

Posted by Liz

Ahh, I can’t tell you how excited I am to finally write this post!!!! This big news has been in the making for the better part of a year, so my anticipation is huge!

So, by now you know that in June I left my job at a law firm to co-found a real estate agency with my husband. Well, the beginning of this story actually starts last summer, way back when Jason and I started our quest to find our very own fixer-upper. The quest was long and arduous and involved personally touring at least 100 houses. At least! Seriously, if a house came on the market in our price range, we saw it – often more than once. Fortunately for us, we were able to tour all of these houses as we pleased since my good ol’ hubby was (and is) a realtor – so convenient!! However, this also kind of fed our madness since we knew that we could see all the houses that we wanted without irritating a realtor that would have to show us around. And this is also the point where my love of houses turned into more of a passion. I realized that I adored touring home after home, comparing their attributes and price points, and even the ultimate haggling over sales price and concessions once the perfect home was found.

And, of course, Jason and I ultimately did find our dream house, and we remodeled it within an inch of its life. And through that whole process, we realized that we were a great team. An awesome team, actually. We balance each other really well, and can actually stand being around each other for ridiculous periods of time. We also do well under pressure. Hmm, the wheels started turning.

At the beginning of this year, we began talking seriously about starting our own real estate agency. Jason was already a realtor and loved it, and I knew that at the very least I wanted to get my real estate license. The plan was for us to work together to start the business, which Jason would run until I left my job in February of 2010. For several months, we spent nights and weekends developing a business plan, starting a website, designing our yard signs, and all that other fun stuff that goes along with starting a new business.

Well, we all know that I didn’t quite last until February of 2010!! Once the whole process of creating our business began, I just got way too excited thinking about the future, and I knew that I couldn’t wait months and months to finally join the team. So, once everything (for the most part) was in place, I told my firm that I was leaving (and of course cried like a baby – I’m such a wuss!!). They were lovely about it, and sent me on my way with happy wishes and good vibes.

So that’s the story!! Haynsworth Realty has become a reality, and it’s more exciting than I ever imagined. You’ll have to scope out our website – and I can’t wait to read all of your comments about this whole shebang!!

This post is shared with Hooked on Houses.

25 Responses to “Introducing Haynsworth Realty”

Beth July 30, 2009

This is SOO exciting Liz! Congrats and Good Luck!

Cheyenne July 30, 2009

How exciting! I’m very happy for you! I know who I’m calling when I start my search!

jess@noelmarie July 30, 2009

Congrats on your new venture! Your home looks great. It is so exciting to start something new and really follow your passion. I was happy to read your story, as I am about to launch my own business soon too.

Tonya July 30, 2009

What a great story Liz! I’m so happy for you and Jason. I love that you have followed your passion and are doing something you love! You are truly a wonderful example for us all!

Liz July 30, 2009

Guys, thanks so much for all of your encouragement and congratulations!! I’ve been waiting FOREVER to tell you guys this, so thanks for your enthusiasm!! :) And seriously, I would LOVE it if you guys would give us a ring when you start looking for houses!

Jess@noelmarie,

I just checked out your new blog and I love it!! Thanks so much for stopping by so we could get a chance to check it out! Good luck in your new venture!

~ Liz

christy July 30, 2009

Liz,
This is terribly exciting! I am so happy for you and your husband.

I love your Web site and your logo – great branding and design. I can’t wait to hear more about it. I wish all the luck in the world, and if I ever move to Dallas, you know I’ll enlist your services!!!

Christy

Kristina July 30, 2009

So this was the big secret! Wow! This is great news! Congrats!!

Lucinda July 30, 2009

Everything looks top notch! Can’t wait for the 1st open house.

Averill July 30, 2009

I love your logo — did you guys come up with it yourself or did you hire a graphic designer?

Also, CONGRATS on leaving the firm! I have so, SO many law school friends who are itching to leave and do what they love — major kudos to you for going for it! [Btw, I cried when I left my firm, too....but I'd never quit a job before!]

Liz July 30, 2009

Averill,

Yay, we love it, too! Thanks! It’s actually something that we came up with ourselves, and we’re really happy with how the logo turned out.

As for leaving the firm, I’m like you – it’s the first job that I’ve ever quit! Now that I think about it, I’ve never really quit anything before so it was harder than it probably would have been otherwise. And same with my friends from law school – it seems like everybody is fleeing these days!

~ Liz

DesignTies July 30, 2009

Good for you!! Hearing about people who follow their dreams to do what they have a passion for always inspires me. I’ve just started my own interior decorating business, so I know the excitement you’re feeling. I’ll be even more excited when it gets off the ground and I can quit my day job!!

Congrats & have fun!!

Kelly @ DesignTies

Erika July 30, 2009

Wow, that is great! Good luck! I’m sure you’ll do amazing!

Feel free to check out my brand new blog at http://oopsicraftmypants.blogspot.com/

Porch Days July 30, 2009

Exciting times. Best of luck! Are you not worried about starting such a venture in these bad market times? Our house is on the market and it looks hopeless.

Terry Kearns July 30, 2009

I love real estate guys who love houses. We looked at almost 50 before we bought. The same agent stuck with us though it all and we are grateful. Best wishes on your new business.

Jenny July 30, 2009

That is really exciting! Your website is awesome. I also like the signs and cards you made. They are simple and classic looking.

Sarah @ Thriftydecorchick July 30, 2009

Congrats!! That is so exciting!

Susan July 31, 2009

That is so amazing AND inspiring! Working for yourself isn’t work at all, so you’re going to have a blast. And totally amazing that you and hubby team up so well – very cool!

Liz July 31, 2009

Porch Days,

Of course, we are totally nervous! :) Luckily, we’ve prepared as best we can (both real estate-wise and financially) to give ourselves the greatest chance of success as possible. And for us, this was kind of a now-or-never situation – we just wouldn’t feel right about making a huge move like this once we have kids, and we’d like to be established before we start down the kid path. The timing just made sense for us, even if it’s not the greatest time economically. I’m really sorry that you’re feeling hopeless about selling your home – we all have our fingers crossed that it will sell quickly!

Erika and Kelly@DesignTies,

Ladies, congrats to both of you on your new ventures!!! Erika, I’m loving the crafts on your blog, so creative! And Kelly, good luck with your interior decorating business – that is beyond exciting!!

~ Liz

Laura Ingalls Gunn July 31, 2009

I am visiting via Hooked on Houses. Such fun!

Please drop by and enter my giveaway.

Have a blessed weekend!

Nicole July 31, 2009

Congrats, Liz! I’m just now catching up. How exciting – well done on following your dream.

Struggler July 31, 2009

Congratulations on finding the courage to follow your dream. Your signs look great, very best of luck!

Pam Kersting July 31, 2009

Congratulations! How exciting! I, too, just got my real estate license. Good luck to you both!

nikkisnacs July 31, 2009

Congrats! It sounds very exciting.

Julia @ Hooked on Houses August 1, 2009

Congratulations! Love your logo.

I’m jealous–must be fun to be married to someone in the house business. Unfortunately, I fell in love with someone in the computer business instead. :-)

I’ll go check out your website now. Best of luck on your exciting new venture!

Rona August 4, 2009