Avery Arjang: Even A Travel Photographer Needs A Home
Avery Arjang is a freelance photographer based out of New York City. Her focus is on travel, wedding and nature photography. She has been known to photograph some major celebrity events in recent years. Even though Arjang travels quite a bit due to her freelance photography gigs, she did manage to find a way to settle and buy a home in New York. Whenever she finds time to escape the business-oriented lifestyle, she enjoys the comfort of her home built a mere few feet from the Atlantic Ocean. Situated in the Hamptons, Arjang can let her creativity spill free as she photographs the changing seasons of the East Coast in between paid photo shoots.
What do you know about the real estate industry?
I know quite a lot for someone who is not officially a realtor. Many of my friends make a living from flipping houses. Additionally, a lot of them also have passive income streams from rental activities as they own apartment complexes. So, although I was never materially engaged in transactions of this nature, I think that I can hold an adequate conversation about real estate.
Have you ever sold real estate? How did you make it happen?
Absolutely. The first house that I bought went up for sale just a few years after I moved there. I utilized a real estate agent to help me find someone interested in buying the house. The person I worked with had excellent connections, and I was able to sell within three months from the day I put it on the market. I later used the same person to help me acquire a home in the Hamptons.
How much experience do you have in buying or selling real estate?
Not a lot. Most of it comes from personal purchases and sales that my family and I initiated over the past few decades. Also, from long conversations with friends who are experienced in the field.
Have you ever made a sell or a purchase you have regretted?
I cannot say that I have. Being that I travel so much for work, it’s important not to do anything impulsively. Everything I do is carefully thought out and planned. Being creative and free-spirited doesn’t mean that we’re careless. I always take the advice those more experienced than me give into consideration before making any significant choices.
What advice would you give inexperienced who are wanting to buy or sell?
You should realize that you will most likely be unable to finalize a sale without professional help. Regardless of all the information that you may possess about real estate, your knowledge is never on the same level as that of an expert who works in this field daily.
What have you found out to be the best way to market property?
Well, the approach used to be based on real estate agencies that would handle marketing. Nowadays, however, you can get online, snap a picture of your home, and have it displayed on dozens of websites that buyers look at. The payment system also changed, and you will now usually have to pay flat fees to use these online platforms whereas realtors charge a percentage of the sales price. In other words, there are various ways to market. You just have to decide which one is best for you.
What tools do you believe are essential for success in the real estate industry?
Experience is the number one tool that will always trump gadgets and technology. Finding a professional who has the skill and gall to market a client’s home and sell it quickly, is definitely a tool for success in real estate. Experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm should be a priority.
What has real estate taught you about life?
To be patient. When you look at the way that people make money from flipping homes, it seems a lot like the game of waiting. You must remain calm and wait for the market to grow. I mean, even the IRS mandates individuals to live in a home for multiple years or all of their capital gains will be taxable!
How can you use what you have learned in real estate to succeed in other areas?
Learning to be patient is a transferable skill that will help with every job in the world. In my case, being a photographer warrants a lot of patience. Sometimes you have to reshoot over and over again to get the perfect image.
Do you have a mentor who taught you what you know?
My father who taught me how to turn my dedication into a weapon for achieving goals.
Do you have a feedback system? How does it work?
My feedback system is simple. I review, send emails or letters, and let the people I work with how things can be better. Even if it’s great, there’s always room for improvement.
