Your First Time
You Never Forget
Real Talk
20 | LI HOME Magazine | SPRING 2022
very real estate deal is unique. Some are certainly more memorable than others, naturally, as each buyer and bidding war, each seller and situs, each neighborhood and negotiation, brings something unique to the table. Yet there is something truly special about that very first deal that makes it unforgettable. With a mix of life-changing moments, career-informing lessons and emotional rides, our gathering of Long Island real estate professionals look back and share stories of their first time.
Kevin Leatherman Leatherman Homes It was at The Parker Deauville, in Long Beach. I was the board president and sold one of my neighbor’s units during a very slow market. I had a warm emotionally soaring feeling on scoring on my first deal with a buyer that truly appreciated my hard work and efforts in helping them. For the first time in my professional life, everything just clicked! I felt like I had arrived! I knew before the closing that real estate was my true calling. Soon after, I quit my full-time job as a Wall Street trader and opened my own agency. I went for loving what I do for a living over just making as much money as possible, and I never looked back.
Elizabeth Markovic Compass Real Estate The first time I must say, I was a little nervous, mainly because I didn’t want anything to go wrong. I feel that I was lucky, as my buyer was really a pleasure to work with, along with the listing agent. It was interesting to see how comfortable both the buyer and seller were at the closing table, which created a very pleasant atmosphere. continued on page 22
