Claudette Toomey is a Realtor with Taylor Real Estate Group in the Inner Loop.

What was your first job in the realty industry?
Real estate agent with Keller Williams in 2003.

Where did you grow up?
Ypsilanti, Michigan.

What is your favorite free-time activity?
Tennis, hike and bike.

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed?
Spa day!

Growing up, what did you want to be?
Flight attendent, which I have been employeed by Southwest Airlines in 1984. I still fly occansionally, but am a full-time real estate agent. I have written contracts on overnights and on the plane with wi-fi! I sell a house almost everytime I leave town.

If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be?
Roger Federer. I love tennis, and I believe his is going to go down in history as the best tennis player ever. His concentration and demeanor on the court is what all tennis players should aspire to.

Where is your favorite place to hang out?
We have a second home in Eden, Utah. We call it our own little garden of Eden. My favorite place is on the balcony, looking at the mountain range, either with the fall colors or completely snow covered. There is a lake in in the background. It is the most magnificient and breathtaking view I have experienced.

What do you love most about the industry?
Absolutely everything! I really like the variety of the profession. I love to show homes, do the research of the neighborhood, design brochures, meet people at open houses, negotiations, etc. I don’t think there is a day that I wake up that I can’t wait to get on the computer and check for emails and new properties on the market, and communicate with friends and clients. I love that people need me and look forward to working with me.

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents?
My strength is communication and availability to my clients. I also pride myself on doing the right thing, always. Secondly, education. I have taken every class offered at the real estate school and am working on my brokers license and other designations. My dream is to have every designation that a real estate agent can obtain. Although I am not a mortgage person, inspector or commercial agent, because of the classes I have taken, I can speak intelligently on many different aspects of the real estate profession and connective industries.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
A listing that just won’t sell. It is what keeps me up at night! It is so hard to explain to a seller that their house is just not what people are looking for, or to continue to tell them to drop the price. It is usually due to objections that can’t be overcome: location; proximity to commercial or busy streets; a floor plan that can’t be figured out or awkward; or, the home has differed maintenance. The most difficult thing is, to work so hard on a listing and feel like you have done everything you could have done, only to lose the listing and the next broker sell it in two weeks! Sometimes you just have to chalk it up to timing.

Where do you go to network and meet new clients?
My entire business was built on having happy hours every few weeks, inviting current or past clients and asking them to bring someone. I also was the open house queen! When I moved to Houston and started real estate, I did not know anyone! I did open houses on Tuesday nights to meet the neighbors coming home from work. It was a great way to forge into a neighborhood and get recognition. Also, when I am going to a happy hour or party at someone’s house, knowing their neighborhood is more important than hair and makeup. If I wasn’t familair with the neighborhood I was going to, I would spend an hour on the computer looking at the homes that were on the market, the most recent solds and the neighborhood amenities. I made myself an area expert before the party. I have never been to a party that the mention of real estate did not come up.

What was the last good movie you saw or book you read?
I am so into real estate and educating myself, most all the books I read are real estate-related. When I go on vacation, my reading bag is filled with the real estate magazines and publications that I need to catch up on. As far as movies, I don’t go as often as I would like, but I really liked “The Help.” I thought it was a powerful story and very entertaining.

What is your favorite restaurant?
Del Friscos in the Galleria. We go there for every celebration, and have our own table that looks out amongst the buildings in the Galleria. The service is always amazing and they treat you like Norm, walking into Cheers – where everybody knows your name :).

What is your favorite building in Houston?
I love the Bank of America building in downtown. I think it adds such interest to our absolutely gorgeous skyline.

What kind of car do you drive?
A four-door all-black Jeep Wrangler. I have been a Jeep girl for years, this is my sixth one. I also have a Chrysler Aspen that seats seven, for families that may need the room. It also has a DVD player for the kids, and that keeps them busy and breaks off the teadiousness of house hunting for them. In turn, it makes the parents less stressed so they can focus on the homes we are looking at.

Smartphone, or paper?
A combonation of both. Being type A – nothing is more gratifying then drawing a line through something I accomplished or completed. But, I also have a to-do list and calendar on my phone. It keeps me very time blocked and organized.

What is your favorite city after Houston?
San Diego.

What is your advice for someone new to the industry?
Don’t be afraid to ask for business.

What is your favorite iPhone/Android app?
I cannot live without DocuSign. It has been an extreme time saver.

Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter?
Ok, this is where I go way off the real estate wagon – I am totally addicted to the Real Housewives franchise and watch every city. Have been dying for them to start one in Houston!

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