Ramona Boeker

What was your first job in the realty industry? Right out of college I managed apartments. Talk about a eye opener.

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Walk on the beach, and then I call my mama! Lord knows who will get calls when mama’s not here.

Where did you grow up? Houston and San Marcos, Texas.

Growing up, what did you want to be? I wanted to live in Manhattan and work for an ad agency. I’ve always loved marketing and looking at the best way to sell something (hence the house selling business).

If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? First pick: Jesus, to ask spiritual questions. But secondly: Benjamin Franklin. I’ve always been intrigued by our founding fathers, and he was also an inventor and sailed back and forth from France to America, studying tides and trying to get support for the colonies. So many questions for him. Instead of lunch here, I think I’d rather jump back in time to get a real perspective. Thirdly: Gandhi.

Where is your favorite place to hang out? Either home here on the island or my hill country house in Fredricksburg. My 92 year old father in law lives with us, so we’re normally hanging out on my front porch playing dominos.

What do you love most about the industry? Everyday is different and just when you think you got it…the market changes. But good agents adjust.

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? I don’t look at them as competition first. I got in this to do my own personal transactions because I’m an investor. For me it’s hard because I am brutally honest if I don’t think it’s a good investment I tell my client. Many agents see it as transactions and how many they can do. Not me. I like to sleep at night. I look at my clients’ money like it’s mine. I will do the transaction, but you will know what I think about it.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job? This is funny, but telling clients to declutter their house before listing it. I hate telling people to clean their homes and get rid of 95 percent of the stuff on their counter tops – take it down to bare bones for the best selling results. Or that art has to go or that a family picture needs to be hidden in the garage. People just don’t get less is more.

Where do you go to network and meet new clients? I’m usually at Home Depot, because I’m a house flipper, so I just seem to run into people. I use a lot of contractors that also refer me to other people they are working for.

What has been your greatest accomplishment? Some of the homes I’ve flipped – one has a kitchen to die for. It sold in 24 hours. Also my current home was eight apartment home, which I renovated and took back to a main house with four apartments behind it.

What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? “The power of one” by Bryce Courtenay is a fabulous book – much like “Forest Gump.”

What is your favorite restaurant? On the island, Mosquito Cafe then Sunflower then the Black Pearl.

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Houston? Of course, the eighth wonder of the world…the Astrodome! Second is also closed, but I loved Shanghai Reds. It over looked the ship channel.

What kind of car do you drive? Ford truck

Smartphone or paper? I work for the Houston Chronicle for 15 years…but I can get all on my phone now.

What is your favorite city after Houston? Fredricksburg, Texas

In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Drink more coffee and less alcohol!

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

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