Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Elder.
Hi Crystal, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began my career in real estate at 19 years old, starting as a leasing agent for an apartment community in Midland, TX. I was young, broke, and lacked college money. In 2003, I moved to Austin, and in 2007, I took my real estate classes and started my career as a real estate agent. I worked tirelessly to learn everything I could about the industry, studying real estate investment techniques, mastering the art of sales, and building a reputation as a knowledgeable and trustworthy real estate professional.
With those years of experience and expertise, I decided to branch out and start my own real estate company. In 2018, my wife Shawna and I co-founded Austin Life Real Estate, a boutique firm focused on helping clients buy and sell real estate and investment properties in the Austin area. My catchphrase is “Love Austin Life,” I focus on loving all that Austin has to offer and have a passion for supporting locally-owned businesses.
As the owners of Austin Life Real Estate, we have worked hard to build a reputation as a trusted real estate team in the area, known for our professionalism, dedication to clients, and deep knowledge of the local real estate market. We work tirelessly to help our clients achieve their real estate goals and try to make everything easy and streamlined for them. Our company is one of the only companies we know of that pays for all of the stagings of the home! That can save our clients up to $4000 when listing their homes.
Today, I continue to build my business and help my clients achieve their real estate dreams. In addition to my work in real estate, I am an active member of the Austin and Round Rock communities, volunteering my extra time and resources to several local charities and organizations. I am passionate about giving back to my community and serving on the Williamson County Association of Realtors Community Service Board. We are focusing on a toy drive for area foster children, an annual food drive, and making a positive impact on the lives of others. I am proud to be a part of the vibrant Austin area real estate market and look forward to serving the community for many years.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
A few years after I became a real estate agent, I went through some major struggles. I was showing a home to a client when I was physically and brutally attacked. I had to take a break from showing homes due to fear and had to fight back to being the strong and independent person I was before the attack. After many self-defense, concealed handgun, and boxing classes, I finally got the courage to return to the business. During that time, I also went through a divorce and became a single mom. Luckily, some amazing clients didn’t mind me showing up for an appointment with 3 small “real estate assistants” in my back seat. My kids learned at early ages how to turn lights on and off while I showed houses, how to help entertain and supervise my clients’ kids during a showing so the parents could view home in peace, and I was truly blessed with well-behaved kids and awesome clients.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us more about your business.
At Austin Life Real Estate, we specialize in making real estate easy. My 3 favorite real estate types involve first-time home buyers, new construction homes, or working with sellers on remodeled homes where I get to dabble in design and construction alongside them. I’m a “roll my sleeves up” and get-to-work person. Our clients are pleasantly surprised when they realize we don’t just give them a “to-do” list of items for selling their homes. We show up with a full team and help de-clutter, organize, power wash, clean, and pay for their home’s staging. All of that is at no expense to our clients. One of the things I’m most proud of is when I read client reviews and testimonials. Every single one of our clients reviews the ease of buying or selling with us, the stress-free transaction and experience, and they refer their friends to us! When you’re buying or selling a home, that is the most expensive transaction you will make in your life. Our goal is always to try and make it stress-free, easy, and a win-win for all parties.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’m a down-to-earth country girl. I was raised in west Texas with horses, cows, chickens, and dirt bikes. I drive a big truck and a Bronco and wear boots or Converse to showings. My favorite things to do are to listen to live music at an outdoor venue and enjoy a nice glass of whiskey. I work hard and work long hours and long days to travel to warm beachy climates as often as possible, and I’ve been known to negotiate my hardest transactions from a small fishing boat in the middle of the ocean in Belize. Family and friends come first. Work comes second, and every single client I work with becomes family or friends by the end of the home sale. Life is good, and I “Love Austin Life.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LoveAustinLife.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystalelder/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveaustinlife
- Other: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LoveAustinLife/
