This week, we talk to recent SVN Partner Circle award-winner Mike Fusek, CCIM. Mike is a senior advisor at SVN Rankin Co., LLC in Springfield, Missouri, where he specializes in the industrial, office, restaurant and retail markets.
1. What advice would you provide to an aspiring advisor who is new to the industry?
First, find a mentor who is wiser, wealthier, and older than you. Age and experience offer a different life perspective and will save you time.
Second, learn to love your work, work hard, and make sure your family is your real priority. The money is fun, although not as rewarding as I always imagined. The journey is more rewarding than the pot of gold.
Third, if you only focus on tomorrow, you forget what is truly important today.
And lastly, only do it if you absolutely love it. Life is too short to not truly love what you do.
2. What does the SVN Difference mean to you?
People you can trust.
3. What learning tools (book, blog, website, etc.) would you recommend to your colleagues to further their knowledge and enhance their careers?
4. What was your most memorable deal and why?
Selling a four-acre property for Steve and Cassie Devine. They paid $60,000 for the rental house and land, hoped it was now worth $150,000, and I ended up selling it for $480,000. The sale (and the profits) completely changed their lives and Cassie was able to retire from seamstress job that she felt oppressed by. It was my most rewarding deal because they were so grateful, and it so radically changed their lives.
5.List a fun fact to share about yourself – something that people may not know and that they may be surprised to find out.
Deciding to ride my bike everywhere possible. Riding my bike meant that I drove fewer than 2,000 miles in the last year!
Learn more about CRE careers on the Careers with SVN page.