Julie Hoopingarner is a Realtor for John Daugherty Realtors in Houston.
What was your first job in the realty industry?
Property management of family properties for 25 years.
Where did you grow up?
Just outside London, England.
What is your favorite free-time activity?
Golf, dinner parties for friends, theatre, museums, movies and golf.
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed?
Stop, close my eyes and listen to my breathing.
Growing up, what did you want to be?
An astronaut. Yuri Gagarin, the first man who rocketted into space, was my hero.
If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why?
Yuri Gagarin! I’d like to hear how he felt living a unique experience, that was so dangerous and exciting at the same time. I would like to know what his thoughts were as he looked back at the earth, and if he was at peace with the fact that he might not return. I would also like to know his thoughts in general about this historical moment in time.
Where is your favorite place to hang out?
Mostly any golf course!
What do you love most about the industry?
I absolutely love the rush it brings when both buyers are ecstatically happy about a property the minute we walk in! Or, when a seller finds, not only a buyer, but someone they know will take care of their home and who will make memories as they once did in raising their family.
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents?
I like to think of my clients as family because I treat them that way. My clients trust my judgement and know I’m always just a phone call away should they need me. I pride myself on providing a seamlessly professional service to my clients which makes their lives, and their transactions as easy as possible for them.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
Clients who apply for mortgage loans seem to become very frustrated with the additional requirements put on them these days in making application to process loans. I think as Realtors, we try to maintain calmness when all around are caught up sometimes emotionally when buying and selling homes. In a nutshell, staying cool under pressure and being ready to render assistance or just to listen to venting clients is sometimes difficult for them.
Where do you go to network and meet new clients?
Every day I meet new people or run into those I’ve known for years, and I’m thankful to have a great personal networking system who continue to call me and who also refer their friends and families.
What has been your greatest accomplishment?
My son.
What was the last good movie you saw or book you read?
“The Intouchables” was a great movie. And I really enjoyed the book, “Gone Girl.”
What is your favorite restaurant?
My favorite restaurant for seafood is McCormick and Schmicks. I go to Ruth’s Chris for steak, Carrabba’s for Italian, Bombay Brasserie for Indian and Nit Noi for Thai. We have so many fabulous eateries in Houston that rival any other city, I could go on and on! Maybe I should have been a food critic.
Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Houston?
The Asia Society building and the Niels Esperson Building. It was difficult to narrow this answer down to just two. Houston is bursting with both fascinating historical and modern architecture.
What kind of car do you drive?
A Lexus SUV, the small one.
Smartphone or Paper?
Smartphone.
What is your favorite city after Houston?
London, of course!
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry?
Be prepared and be available.
What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app?
HAR.com