Today we’d like to introduce you to Keena Habeeb.
Hi Keena, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My real estate journey started when I got fired from my job. But I guess I should back up a bit and explain how I ended up in that position. I started off my career in Human Resources for a home builder. I started my first 9-5 immediately after graduating from Texas State and after a couple years, I realized I really only wanted to be a recruiter. So, I moved into a tech recruiting position.
A couple months into that job, I found out that I was pregnant, which was very unexpected. To add to the shock, I was actually 5 months pregnant! I had no symptoms and hadn’t gained any weight. Almost exactly a week after finding that out, my water broke as I was leaving work and instead of heading home, I headed to the hospital. Once I made it there and after lots of tests, it was determined that I was not going to be allowed to go back home until I delivered my baby. So, I spent a little over 1 month there on total bed rest until my daughter decided to make her grand entrance into this world at a very early 26 weeks. Some time within her 6 month hospital stay in the NICU, my job called and gave me 2 options- come back into the office or lose my job. I tried to negotiate with them to work from home or do half days (this was the year before Covid), but they weren’t having it let me go.
So, about a year later, as I was finally in a position to get back into working- I couldn’t bring myself to go back into a corporate setting where someone else had control over when/where/if I could work.
A year prior to having my daughter, I actually bought my first home. My agent was so helpful and made sure to take time walking me through the process. I did a TON of outside research as well, and it definitely helped that I was working for a home builder at the time. My interest in real estate had only grown since then and I decided to take my real estate classes to obtain my license while I was still staying at home with my daughter.
I decided that I was going to be a Realtor because it gave me control over my own life, but it also gave me the ability to educate others on how to buy a home and why it’s SO important. People are often so intimidated by the process that they don’t even give it a chance to see if they can qualify. I focus on clients that are purchasing their very first home because I’m OBSESSED with the feeling that comes with helping people accomplish what they once thought they couldn’t.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh it’s never been a smooth road. I got into real estate right as Covid was happening and the housing market was a mess. I’ve never had a consistent mentor. I took major financial losses in the beginning of my career. I traded stability for the ups and downs that is real estate. But I’m stubborn, I hate quitting, and I absolutely love what I do. For each and every struggle, there was a lesson to be learned and room for me to grow as a business owner and as a person. So that’s why I stick with it and have eventually been able to find success. Also, helping my clients makes it all worth it. Every single time I get to hand someone keys to their new home, I’m reminded that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am a Realtor here in Austin, TX. I specialize in working with first time home buyers and I like to focus on the educational piece of home buying, not just selling homes. When I bought my first home, I had no idea what I was doing. I made sure I had a great Realtor and lender to help guide me through the process, but I still did a lot of research on my own. Buying a home, especially your first one, can be an intimidating and overwhelming process if you don’t have the right support system. So my goal is to always be that support as we get them through their journey to getting their keys!
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters to me most is my daughter, honestly. I know that’s a bit cliche because everyone loves their kids and all. But even though I brought her into this world, she’s the one that actually gave me life. The day she was born, both of us almost didn’t survive and that changed everything for me. Since then, I’ve grown so much as a person, and eventually as a business owner as well. I’ve had to learn and adapt quickly, be persistent, determined and strategic – all while making sure to do right by everyone I cross paths with.
Before my daughter, I didn’t have a care in the world. Now, everything I’m trying to build in this lifetime is for her and she deserves it all.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keyswithkeena_atx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeysWithKeena
