Benefit Realty, Franklin, Wisconsin
How did you get involved in real estate?
I worked for my family’s commercial real estate development company, helping with administrative tasks. Because my grandfather used to be a home builder before he did commercial development, as a hobby, he would fix up one house a year and flip it. So, I thought I could get my real estate license and then sell that one property a year for him, and that would be some additional income for me. I didn’t want to take my licensing classes through a brokerage because I initially didn’t intend to join a brokerage. I went to the local technical college, Waukesha County Technical College, which has a real estate program, and took the two classes I needed to take my real estate salesperson exam in Wisconsin. From there, I just fell in love with real estate.
My instructor encouraged us to get additional education and to take the broker’s exam. I thought that would be great; I’d get my broker’s license so that I could practice independently. I ended up getting my broker’s license, and even though I already had an undergraduate degree, I decided to get an associate degree in real estate.
How did you learn about the CRS Designation?
When I first got my license, I didn’t know how to do the business part. So, I started taking basic courses on how to be an agent. In Wisconsin, at that time, some of those classes were CRS classes. I took a two-day class on being a listing agent with Mike Parker, CRS, and learned so much. I got hooked on the education and the fact that CRSs are so willing to share their knowledge.
Have you been involved with CRS chapter activities?
I attended an NAR annual convention in Chicago, where I met Kristie Tindall, CRS, from Illinois, and she introduced me to some of the Wisconsin leadership. Six months later, I was helping out on the membership committee, and it kind of snowballed.
I became the events coordinator in 2020. (I did a lot of Zoom events!) That year, I became the membership leader. Then, last year, I was the Wisconsin RRC president and was voted the RRC State Leader of the Year.
How are things going in the Milwaukee housing market?
I’ve seen reports saying that the metro Milwaukee Area market is in the top five most competitive in the nation right now. I know there are other parts of the country where prices are going down, but we have not seen that. Things had slowed down a bit in the second half of last year, but we’re back to being busy this year, especially in the more affordable end of the spectrum. Anything that’s at a moderate price point, in decent condition and a desirable area will have multiple offers on it and end up going for over the list price. It’s very competitive. A lot of first-time homebuyers want to buy but can’t. And many people trying to downsize don’t want to compete with first-time homebuyers who are more used to paying over list price.
What do you do to relax?
I’ve made some of the best friends through the Council in the last two years. We met randomly after an NAR annual convention in San Diego, then the five of us ladies got together on a Zoom call and made it a monthly thing to chat.
One of my favorite things I’ve done in the last couple of years is traveling for RRC. Last year as Wisconsin RRC president, I got to travel so much, which was fantastic. I get to meet so many different RRC members who are such knowledge powerhouses across the nation; I feel blessed to be able to interact with them and learn from them.
Tamara Towns-Pozorski, CRS, achieved the CRS Designation in 2015. She can be reached at tamara@benefitrealty.com or 262-470-2300.
Photo: Narayan Mahon
