Ruth Al-Khudhairy is a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Anderson Properties in Houston.

What was your first job in the realty industry?
The first home I ever sold was to a first time home buyer some 20 years ago, who has since moved upwards several times and we are still very good friends.

Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Austria and have made Houston my home with my family for the past 20 years.

What is your favorite free-time activity?
Gardening is my all-time favorite activity; that is where I can relax my mind completely.

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Tend to my garden.

Growing up, what did you want to be?
I actually wanted to become a civil engineer.

If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why?
Richard Branson, a brilliant low-key entrepreneur. I like the way his mind works and would like to see his “mental wheels” in action.

Where is your favorite place to hang out?
My garden.

What do you love most about the industry?
Diversity. No client is ever the same, and satisfied customers just make my day.

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents?
I always try to go the extra mile for my clients and have built a very diverse sphere of influence over the years.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
To get over seemingly insurmountable hurdles.

Where do you go to network and meet new clients?
I am basically very low key, but keep in touch with all my past clients on a regular basis and keep them informed of market conditions, whether they are in the market or not. Most of my business comes from referrals.

What has been your greatest accomplishment?
Being married to the same person for 42 years and still being fond of each other.

What was the last good movie you saw or book you read?
A Season in Purgatory.

What is your favorite restaurant?
A good Texas steakhouse.

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Houston?
I come across so many beautiful buildings in Houston, it’s hard to pick just one, but I mostly like the old historic type. So many unknown stories behind these walls . . .

What kind of car do you drive?
Buick LaCrosse.

Smartphone or paper?
Both, because you never know when technology will fail.

What is your favorite city after Houston?
Boston.

What is your advice for someone new to the industry?
Never give up. Don’t let mistakes pull you down; learn from them and move forward.

What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app?
HAR.

Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter?
I don’t follow anybody on Twitter.

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