Tonya Kiliddjian is a Realtor for RE/MAX working in northeast Houston, Atascocita and Kingwood.
What was your first job in the realty industry? My Dad owned eight real estate offices when I was born. My first memories as a child were being at his office, greeting clients, organizing his office, answering his phones and riding along with him to show homes. I used to love when he let me unlock the door for him. I would always give his card to people and help him with signs. He had an old school car phone; back in the 80’s those were rare. I used to love calling my Mom on it all the time and pretending she was a client.
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Believe it or not exercising is the biggest stress reliever for me. I try to exercise at least an hour a day. I love hot yoga, but in this busy market I find it hard to sneak away for the class. I mainly just exercise from my home to make it convenient and simple. I also don’t mind enjoying an evening glass of wine to unwind, as well as listening to relaxation music and reading a great book. I also really enjoy getting massages. I try to go at least once a month, it really helps with the knots that come along with working on a phone and computer.
Where did you grow up? I was born in Humble, TX, and grew up mainly in New Caney. My Father owns a subdivision there, so that was where the majority of my childhood was spent. My first home was in Roman Forest, a very nice one story right on the boulevard; for a short time we lived in a townhome on lake Livingston, and we also lived in Splendora for a few years in a small cottage on some acreage where we had a horse. I worked in the subdivision in New Caney all my life, helping him clear land, put ads in the paper, collect rent etc. I purchased my first rental property from him when I was 12 years old. I use to work for 2.25 an hour and paid 12,000 for my first rental lot.
Growing up, what did you want to be? I wanted to be a famous Dancer! I basically came out of the womb dancing. I was in dance class since I was 3 years old. I still dance all the time, but not professionally – mainly in my car and when I am on my stair stepper working out with my head phones in. I figured out really quickly that professional dancing probably wasn’t going to work out for me as a career when I was about 10-years-old, but it is something that I truly enjoy and will never stop doing no matter how old I get.
If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? I would have to go with Michael Jackson. He did so much for others, he was an amazing dancer, such an icon and over achiever. I admired so many of his qualities and the way he viewed life. I feel like he was criticized by so many so unfairly, when he was such a one-in-a-billion type of heart and soul. He never did anything half-way and he wasn’t afraid to go big. He gave and supported so many good causes, and I feel he was one of the most special people to walk this earth.
Where is your favorite place to hang out? My favorite place to hang out is in my living room with my husband, daughter and four dogs! There is no place like home to me. I love to travel and be social, but my favorite place to be is on my couch in comfy clothes, covered in dogs and my family.
What do you love most about the industry? I love the challenge and ever changing market that we must keep up with and constantly adapt to. I love the fact that every day is completely different. I love working with people and helping people find what they are looking for and, in most cases, something better than what they had in mind. I love to collaborate my wisdom of the market with my clients’ needs and find that perfect place or solution for them.
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? I am a go-getter in every sense of the word. I never give up on anyone and I will do everything in my power to help people in every way. I have helped people move furniture, staged homes, cleaned kitchens, gone to clients house to get them the key out of the lockbox in the middle of the night. I am really here for people. I know how stressfull it is to buy and sell a home. I do everything I can to make it easy and fun for my clients. Many of my closest friends started out as clients. I love to stay in touch with clients, and help them over the years with all they real estate needs and questions. I don’t want to be your agent for a month; I want to be your agent for a lifetime, and I am more than willing to do what it takes to earn that place in peoples’ minds and hearts. I love to throw client appreciation parties, and give away gift cards as often as possible. Many of my clients are sports fans, so part of my ongoing client gifts is sending out Texans football schedules, Astros baseball schedules, and a schedule for the Rockets. We love cheering on the local teams and realize the good impact it has on the area. We additionally send out reminders about home maintenance items and try to keep our clients up to speed on the ever-changing market and important local news. These are just a few of the things we do.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job? The most difficult aspect of my job are the things that can effect my clients that I do not have control over. I strive to work with partners and affiliates that I know and trust so we don’t have to work with a third party that doesn’t hold up their end of the transaction responsibilities. When someone else drops the ball we all suffer. We always try to check up on everyone and everything throughout the transaction, so that we don’t experienced unnecessary delays. Additionally, the hours can be demanding – but I wouldn’t call that difficult. I come from a long back ground of hard work and long hours; its like breathing to me. But when other agents are putting in that same dedication on the other end, it can make things a little more difficult. I like to do as much as I can to make things go smoothly for my clients. I love to do the unexpected for them. I want them to remember me forever and tell their friends and family about me; I know that’s not going to happen if I am just average.
Where do you go to network and meet new clients? I network everywhere I go. Grocery store, all my daughters after school activities, the neighborhood gatherings, local races, the dog park, church, restaurants, bowling alley, movies. I am a non-stop socializing machine, and most people love to talk about real estate. Clients are everywhere. Occasionally I meet people when I am with clients. I always try to dress for success, you never know when you’re going to walk into a million dollar buyer or sell. Be ready for the opportunity!
What has been your greatest accomplishment? My greatest accomplishment in Real Estate so far has been hitting my goal of Platinum Production with RE/MAX. However, my greatest accomplishment in life is being mother to the most amazing daughter on the planet. Everyday I think of how I want her to be proud of me. It gives me a motivation like I have never known to best the best person I can be, not only in my career but in every choice and thing I do. I want to set an example of excellence and greatness for her always.
What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? I am mainly into comedy movies. The last movie I saw was the funny new Cameron Diaz movie “The Other Woman.” It was great to watch. I laughed a lot. The last good book I read was acutally a free book on the Amazon Kindle app called “Success and Happiness – Quotes to Motivate Inspire and Live By,” by Atticus Aristotle. I loved every word of this book. Very easy to read, and so much wisdom. I read it anytime I want an uplift.
What is your favorite restaurant? I love sushi and Chinese food. My favorite place is Asian City. I love the sushi chef, he is like a stand up comedian; he always makes me laugh. The food is great, the ambiance is perfect. I also love Kingwood Country Club. They have the best holiday parties ever! I am not big on cooking for large parties, so we always go there for Thanksgiving and eat like kings. They have live music all the time and the entire restaurant over looks the island golf course, so its just fabulous.
Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Houston? I am easily impressed so it doesn’t take much, and I could probably stand to do a little more building exploring. I have to say I love the Williams Tower. I remember my parents taking me there when I was a child. I absolutely love walking bare foot on the soft green grass, and I could stare at the water wall and make wishes forever. It’s definitely one of my favorite places to go. I remember I had a dream of kissing in the middle of that water wall, and you better believe I made my husband kiss me there. It’s a great place for anyone and I love doing things that are free!
What kind of car do you drive? I drive a Mercedes E350 sport. I absolutely love it, just don’t hit a curb in those rims… that’s all I have to say about that.
Smartphone or paper? SMARTPHONE of course!
What is your favorite city after Houston? Hilo, Hawaii, been there twice. It really is paradise. If you’re going to fly for 10 hours straight that may be the only place worth it in my opinion.
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Make all the investment you can into knowledge from experienced agents… sorry that’s 11.
What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? The HAR app is my favorite, but Dropbox, Docusign and Evernote are all in second place.
Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? Brian Buffini, Darryl Davis, and Zig Ziglar
Do you want to be featured in our Agent Snapshot? Fill out our questionnaire, and you’ll be featured too!