How Farming My Own Neighborhood Changed My Real Estate Business (and My Life)

When I first got into real estate, I’ll be honest — I felt overwhelmed. There were so many ways to grow your business, and everywhere I turned, someone was telling me I needed to do more. More cold calls. More door knocking. More everything.

But deep down, I knew I wanted to build something different. Something real. That’s when someone gave me a piece of advice that stuck with me:"Why not start right where you are?"

At first, I brushed it off. I mean, would my own neighbors really want to work with me? I wasn’t sure. But I decided to lean in — and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Why Farming Your Neighborhood Feels So Natural When you live in the community you're serving, you just get it. You know which streets flood when it rains, where the best coffee is, which park has the nicest shade trees in summer.

You’re not marketing in some random zip code where you barely know the difference between the streets — you’re showing up with real stories and real advice. And people can feel that difference.

The truth is, people don’t just want a Realtor. They want someone they trust. Someone who cares about the little things, because the little things matter when you're buying or selling a home.

How I Started (Without Feeling Salesy) I didn’t start by blasting everyone with “I'm your local Realtor!” postcards (though, to be fair, I eventually sent a few). I started by being present.

Small things — waving at neighbors on my evening walks, organizing a little neighborhood Easter egg hunt, dropping off handwritten notes during the holidays just thanking people for being great neighbors.

It wasn’t about pushing real estate. It was about being part of the community first — and letting the business side grow naturally.

It’s Slow at First — and That’s Okay I won’t sugarcoat it: farming takes time. Sometimes it felt like nothing was happening. No instant leads, no immediate listings.

But what was happening (quietly) was trust building. When neighbors needed advice — about remodeling, renting, refinancing, or eventually selling — they thought of me. Because I was already there, already invested, without any pressure.

If I Could Tell You One Thing… It’s this: you don’t have to be everywhere. You just have to be somewhere — consistently.

Farming your neighborhood isn’t about being the loudest voice or having the fanciest flyers. It’s about showing up with a genuine heart, really listening, and being willing to plant seeds without expecting them to sprout overnight.

Fast forward to today, and some of my proudest closings have come from neighbors who started as acquaintances and became lifelong friends. And it all started a few blocks from my own front door.

If you're feeling overwhelmed with where to start — maybe you don’t need to look any further than your own backyard. ❤️