What was your most interesting job before going into real estate?
A senior executive at a corporation. I led multiple teams and was responsible for strategy, finance, project management, analytics and whatever else they couldn’t find a home for. It taught me a lot. What it really taught me was true multitasking, as well as being able to look at the big picture. My job was also somewhat of a chief of staff to the CEO. I had to manage, without direct authority, very high-level executives that reported to him. It was one of the most interesting, educational and challenging jobs, and I’m very fortunate to have had that opportunity.
Where did you grow up?
Crosby, but I’ve had the opportunity to live north, south, east and west, so I know Houston very well. There have been some times in my life where I have moved away for a few years, and it was exciting, but I was always happy to come back home to Houston.
Growing up, what did you want to be?
A cartoonist (and I do not have an artistic bone in my body) an astronomer (I got on to an astronomy kick, and Carl Sagan was my hero) or a school teacher (I really had an interest in science or history).
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed?
I love to bake. I started out teaching myself just baking cookies from scratch, then I brought it up a notch and started with cakes and pies. Pies are very challenging, by the way. Getting the dough and the crust just right is still a challenge from time to time, but it’s a real stress reliever because for that one or two hours that I’m focused on that, it allows me to block everything else out. I enjoy it, and I’m able to give the end product to friends and family and clients.
If you could meet any well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why?
I love history, and after becoming fascinated with the History Channel series “The Men Who Built America,” which I’ve watched seven or eight times, I would love to bring all of those men together. I’m thinking of J.P. Morgan Chase, Henry Ford, Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison and their contemporaries who drove the Industrial Revolution.
What is Houston’s best kept secret?
I would have to say the downtown tunnel system. Miles of air-conditioned underground shops and restaurants that all the workers use on a day-to-day basis, and most people walking around have no idea it even exists, especially in a city like ours.
What do you love most about the industry?
I truly love my clients. Every single transaction is different, and I realize that every agent says that, but it really is true.
Also, if I’m being totally honest and a bit selfish, I would say the flexibility. For many years, in my different career in a corporate environment, I worked 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. or 8 to 5, five days a week, sometimes on vacations. In real estate, I work many nights and weekends. Sometimes I work two or three weeks straight, but then other times I have a slow week and have flexibility. If I want to take the afternoon off and do my grocery shopping, I can do that.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
Reminding myself that as much as I enjoy the process of real estate, working with my clients, showing homes and negotiating contracts, agents (including myself) underestimate the amount of time that should be given to lead generation, continuing to meet people, marketing and qualifying potential clients. If you don’t do that, you’ll find yourself working in cycles, which is not very good. While I do those things well, I would much rather be in the heart of the activity of real estate.
What’s your best advice for generating new leads?
My best advice for generating new leads is a complete focus on your prior clients. Your sphere is important, but you’re going to find that there’s going to be a limit to how many referrals you receive from them. Maintaining those relationships will probably be your best leverage for future growth, but that will take some time.
It’s also prioritizing paid advertising and knowing where to focus and just constantly meeting new people. It’s all about relationships.
What are you binge-watching/reading/listening to?
Lately, it’s been that show “Landman” that everybody has been talking about. I’ve also liked an older sci-fi series called “The Travelers.” I really prefer TV over movies. I find comfort in knowing that I may have four or five or six seasons to really get to know the characters.
What’s your favorite meal in Houston?
My favorite meal in Houston is probably from Pappadeaux. It used to be Pappasito’s, but over time my tastes have shifted a little bit more to seafood. I love practically anything on the menu there, but my main meal that I get more often than not is the red snapper with the Caesar salad.
Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Houston?
I really love Williams Tower. I just think it’s absolutely beautiful and majestic, especially with all the mirrors reflecting on the outside.
What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you on the job?
I went to show a property, and it had a lockbox on the door as you would expect, but I could not get through the gate. It had an iron gate with a walkway to the front door, and I knew the key was in the lockbox for that gate as well. My client had just closed, and I was there to get the keys for him. I was not going to let him down, so I had to find a way to climb over the fence, which I did, to be able to get the keys.
What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you?
I don’t think there are many surprises with me, as I’m such an extrovert. I don’t really keep too much to myself. If someone doesn’t know me extremely well, they probably would not know that my mother was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. I used to spend my summers there all through middle school and then through one year in high school, so for like four years I would spend the full summer in Mexico. I learned to speak Spanish and really got in touch with her culture.
What is your favorite vacation spot and why?
Anywhere there’s a nice beach. I like people, but on vacation I like to relax a little bit. I can equally have a fun vacation doing lots of activities, but if there’s a nice warm beach I like to have some quiet time. Cancun is a popular place for me, but also Santa Monica in California and Miami in Florida.
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry?
Build relationships, master the market and put clients first.
Who are your favorite people to follow on social media?
I really like following Tom Ferry, Jason Pantana and Jared James.
What are your social media handles?
X: @eddiew_realtor
Instagram: @eddieweir.realtor
TikTok: @eddieweir.realtor
Facebook: Eddie Weir – Greater Houston Real Estate
YouTube: Greater Houston Real Estate with Eddie Weir)
LinkedIn: Eddie Weir