3 minute read
Lance Tiffany
Ignited by the Fire Within
By Chris Menezes
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Photos by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC
Photo by Hannah Ziegeler
When Lance Tiffany obtained his real estate license in 2013, he never meant to actually become a real estate agent; he just wanted to help a friend for a while. He never expected it to light such an unextinguishable fire within him.
At the time, Lance’s friend needed help with her growing real estate business, and he figured he could do it part time until she was good to go. However, once he started working with buyers and forming new friendships, something sparked.
“I got to work with a lot of first-time buyers. It’s a very cool experience to be a part of a person’s first home purchase. There aren’t many careers that allow you to build friendships with your clients!” Lance said.
Prior to real estate, Lance worked in property and casualty insurance sales, primarily with commercial policies. The opportunity to establish close, personal relationships with clients
at these jobs were slim. He continued selling commercial insurance full time while moonlighting as a buyer’s agent for two years before going full time into real estate.
Once Lance went full time and began working with more and more people, his main challenge was learning how to balance his time, especially in the beginning. Wanting to do everything he could to take care of his clients and make them happy, he didn’t know how to set boundaries. “Failing to set boundaries with my clients led to tension at home,” he explained.
Luckily, Lance had great mentors. He gleaned that as long as he maintained open lines of communication with his clients and set expectations up front, his work life and family life could both be great.
“Ultimately, if you create an actual relationship with your clients, they respect the things that are important to you as well. My wife and kids are the most supportive and important people I have in life, and I always tell my clients that,” he said. “I wouldn’t be successful at all without my wife and kids. They are my ‘why!’”
Lance and his wife, Abbey, have two kids — Josie, 7, and Pence, 3. Their favorite way to spend time together is by camping and being out on their boat. Lance loves being outdoors, whether he is with his family or out hunting, fishing or golfing.
Lance spent most of his childhood outdoors, growing up on the northeast side of Grand Rapids. He loved going to summer camps and has fond memories traveling with his family. He says that even though they were not “wealthy,” they always had opportunities to experience new things and create memories as a family.
“My parents always worked really hard to make sure we didn’t have to go without. We were always taught that if you are going to do something, you should do it 110% or don’t do it at all, and if you make mistakes or get in trouble, own it, and make it right,” Lance said.
After graduating from Forest Hills Northern High School in 2004, Lance attended Western Michigan University, where he earned his bachelor’s in business management. He moved back to Grand Rapids after college and has stayed ever since.
As an agent and REALTOR®, Lance loves that he can run his real estate business just by forming relationships with people in his hometown. “I think the best part of being a real estate agent is being able to constantly meet new people and create meaningful relationships — not just with clients but with fellow agents as well,” he said.
Lance always aims for a win-win in real estate — when all parties can walk away feeling really good about the transaction. He said that no transaction is worth your reputation in the industry, and integrity is paramount for Lance. He strives to not only be an industry leader in production but also in integrity as well, aiming to be a light of positivity and passion to those around him.
“Set your life on fire, and seek those who fan your flames,” Lance said, quoting Rumi, the Persian poet. “To me, this is very simple,” he stated. “Do the things you are passionate about, and surround yourself with those who encourage you and want to see you grow. Success is bound to follow.”
Lance Tiffany - Agent on the Rise
