Informational Interview

Interview with Debbie Smades Henes

Brooke Henes

Fin 180

Dr. Andrew Hansz

For my informational interview I interviewed Debbie Henes of London Properties, who also happens to be my mother. Her mother is prominent business women, Helen Smades, who was also a guest speaker in our Real Estate class. Debbie has been a licensed realtor since 1979. Since then she has helped many clients find their dream home and has made lasting relationships through the years. As well as being a full time realtor, Debbie also dedicates countless hours to Children’s Hospital Central California where she is on the board. She is also California’s parent advocate for EMSC (Emergency Medical Services for Children). She is an amazing woman that somehow gets everything accomplished in 24hrs.

Q: How did you get your start in real estate?

A: “I grew up in a Real Estate family and was fascinated with becoming a part of it.”

Q: What are some of your major responsibilities?

A: “Establishing value, listing and selling homes. Representing buyers in the purchase of their home.”

Q: What is the most rewarding aspect being a realtor? Least rewarding?

A: “The most rewarding part would be finding true happiness in the smiles of families finding their dream home. The least rewarding would be having incompetent people in control of the transaction.”

Q: What obligations does your work put on you outside of being a realtor?

A: “24/7 ‘call to action.’ Making buyers and sellers feel they can rely on me to make sure their transaction transpires smoothly.”

Q: What are some lifestyle considerations that realtors need to think about?

A: “Being self-motivated and self confident to help others in perhaps the most important purchase or sale of their lives.”

Q: Why did you choose to move to London Properties?

A: “ We chose to move because they are the number one company in Central California with state of the art marketing and technology.”

Q: What is a “normal” day for you?

A: “Craziness....everyday is unique. Be showered and dressed for success at 8:00AM (latest) and expect to be available through evening appointments. (That could allow for an hour and a half gym break/family time as schedule permits).”

Q: What have you found to be a major weakness of new hires in the real estate profession?

A: “Lack of professionalism”

Q: What is the future outlook for real estate?

A: “Hopefully to retain professionalism....buyers and sellers will always rely on the human connection.”

Q: What are the areas of potential growth and decline?

A: “Establishing yourself in a specific area. Growth: foreclosures, assisting companies in relocating employees. Decline: property values falling-lack of investors.”

Q: What kind of advise did your mother, Helen Smades, give you when you first started in the real estate profession?

A: “She has given me so much great advice my entire life, but these have always stuck with me in my career, ‘The customer is always right. Everyone you meet could be your next client. Treat everyone you meet as you would like to be treated. Take business cards everywhere and hand them out. Always extend your hand and introduce yourself even if you’ve met that person before. It allows them to reintroduce themselves to you.’”

I would like to thank my mom for taking time out of her busy schedule to talk to me about her career. In conducting this interview I really learned a lot about what my mom does and what drives her to get up each morning to start her day. She is very passionate about what she does and is determined to find each of her clients the perfect house that meets their families needs.