Tim Shanahan is a Broker Associate for Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty in Houston Inner and Outer Loop

What was your first job in the realty industry?
In 2007, I was hired as a commercial leasing agent for Boxer Property. After three years of doing commercial real estate, I made the switch to residential real estate and since then have not looked back!

Where did you grow up?
I am a fourth generation Houstonian. I spent my entire life in Houston and left only during my college years to get my bachelor’s degree from Texas State University.

What is your favorite free-time activity?
I love to bird hunt and fish with my close friends, as well as get in the kitchen and cook as often as I can. So long as I’m able to spend the majority of my free time with my wife and daughter, I’m happy.

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed?
When I’m stressed, I really like to cook. It allows my mind to focus on something specific other than whatever I’m stressing about.

Growing up, what did you want to be?
Growing up, I always wanted to be a professional athlete. I loved baseball and football, but always thought I would end up doing something in the sports sector.

If you could have lunch with a well-known figure(living or not), who would it be and why?
Warren Buffet. Not just because he is one of the wealthiest Americans, but because of the wisdom and knowledge this living legend might be able to impart on me if I were ever given the opportunity to ask him specific questions. I admire this self-made man and his approach on life. Any person with a considerable fortune who pledges to give away 99 percent of his wealth for philanthropic causes is a winner in my book.

Where is your favorite place to hang out?
My favorite place to hang out is my parent’s house. Even though I’m an adult, my parents home still remains to be that safe haven for all my family to congregate and enjoy each others company.

What do you love most about the industry?
There really is never a dull moment in this industry. I love that I’m always learning something new and meeting new and interesting people. I get to cherry pick all the good attributes and knowledge I learn from the many different people I come in contact with for business.

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents?
Staying active in the community and giving the people I come into contact with the time to explain and listen.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
There is a personal story to every client who buys and sells a home. Some of those personal reasons for buying and selling are without a doubt very emotional for clients and often hard to digest.

Where do you go to network and meet new clients?
Ninety-nine percent of my business comes from personal referrals. Very rarely do I ever pick up a client that does not know me personally or know of someone I have worked with previously. Even then, I’m always networking and spreading the word of what I do and what I can offer as a realtor.

What has been your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment is more on a personal level. Being able to watch my wife give birth to the simple most precious human being on the face of this earth and watching her grow so quickly has to be my best accomplishment.

What was the last good movie you saw or book you read?
I really enjoyed watching Captain Phillips.

What is your favorite restaurant?
Mockingbird Bistro.

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Houston?
Williams Tower, formerly Transco Tower.

What kind of car do you drive?
GMC Truck, 4×4. Even in Houston, you never know when you might need to go off the beaten path.

Smartphone or paper?
Smartphone!

What is your favorite city after Houston?
Chicago!

What is your advice for someone new to the industry?
This industry is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay the course.

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

Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter?
CNN.

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