Gerry Williams
Writing a New Chapter
“The older you get, the more experiences you have to draw from.”
Unlike many real estate agents today, Gerry Williams didn’t get into the business until he’d already had a long and storied career that took him across the world.
Gerry grew up in an old tobacco town in Ontario, Canada, but moved to North Carolina as a young teenager with his family. From there, his life took many twists and turns over the course of a 35-year career.
Gerry grew up in an old tobacco town in Ontario, Canada, but moved to North Carolina as a young teenager with his family. From there, his life took many twists and turns over the course of a 35-year career.
From working in the army as a medic and operating room technician, to an international career in the manufacturing sector for companies like Duracell and Sonoco, Gerry gained invaluable experience working with people from all sorts of backgrounds.
Eventually, he desired a more flexible lifestyle that would allow him to do the things he loves, like spending quality time fishing with his grandson and enjoying sports with his family. Real estate was always an option in his back pocket because many of his family members were involved with the industry in one form or another.
Eventually, he desired a more flexible lifestyle that would allow him to do the things he loves, like spending quality time fishing with his grandson and enjoying sports with his family. Real estate was always an option in his back pocket because many of his family members were involved with the industry in one form or another.
So when Gerry retired from his corporate work and downsized his home in Winston-Salem, he felt ready to embark on a new chapter.
Building His Business
Gerry began his real estate career with a large local company that provided him what he needed to get started. He leaned on his past work experience and social skills to connect with clients in the local area.
He found his real estate home with Blue Door Group Real Estate, a close-knit boutique firm located on Olive Street in Winston Salem, where he is considered an integral member. Gerry was drawn to the team's solid leadership with over 75 cumulative years in real estate, the dynamic team camaraderie as well as the many systems, tools and practices put in place for him to immediately begin utilizing. He loved the fact he can take off a few hats Realtors wear in order to free him up to deliver the stellar client experience he wants to provide.
"With the utmost level of professionalism, integrity and regard, Gerry epitomizes the Realtor "poster child"...period. Gerry sets the bar high on what he brings to every client relationship and as a team member, friend, husband, father, and grandfather. I remember a time he was working with a couple who were expecting their first child. They were in the process of relocating and things were very exciting but extremely stressful. He paused time to allow for a simple act of kindness to celebrate after the baby was born by hand delivering a bouquet of flowers. No business, just a warm and welcoming wish. If I had to pick one characteristic about Gerry that sets him apart, it's how he treats people. But his ability to negotiate would be a very close second," said Elizabeth Nance, Chief Marketing Officer for BDGRE.
**PULL OUT SECTION**
“I go into the office several times a week just to be around other agents, hear what’s going on with them, get advice from them, and bounce ideas off of people.”
“I go into the office several times a week just to be around other agents, hear what’s going on with them, get advice from them, and bounce ideas off of people.”
Carving a Real Estate Niche: The Last-Time Home Buyer
Gerry’s extensive career before real estate gives him a unique perspective in the market. Since he’s lived across the US and abroad in other countries, Gerry fully understands the needs of a client who’s relocating for business. It can be a challenging transition to make–especially for those with a family–so he always strives to make the process as enjoyable as possible.
“It can be a stressful time for buyers and sellers, so I try to lighten the mood by finding the humor in different things that are happening.”
Gerry’s extensive career before real estate gives him a unique perspective in the market. Since he’s lived across the US and abroad in other countries, Gerry fully understands the needs of a client who’s relocating for business. It can be a challenging transition to make–especially for those with a family–so he always strives to make the process as enjoyable as possible.
“It can be a stressful time for buyers and sellers, so I try to lighten the mood by finding the humor in different things that are happening.”
His varied experience also gives him a keen ability to establish common ground with the people he meets. For example, he’s incredibly familiar with the medical industry from his time in the army and his wife being a retired nurse. So when medical residents move to the area, he knows how to speak their language.
But most importantly, Gerry simply loves the process of helping people find a new home that’s right for them. He’s not out chasing numbers in his bank account–he’s focused on being there for people and making sure they’re happy.
“I often tell clients looking to buy a home, ‘It’s not my job to sell you a home, it’s my job to help you buy a home.’ They’re gonna be the ones living there and making the mortgage payments, so they have to be happy. I’m not here to talk anyone into anything.”
These days, Gerry’s gained a lot of new business from an interesting niche. When most people think of real estate, they think of catering to young couples, early in developing their families and careers, i.e. first-time home buyers.
“What people don’t often think of are last-time home buyers.”
These are people who are set up financially to go from a big house to a smaller home, and who know what they desire in a home. Gerry knows what it’s like to retire first-hand. He and his wife eventually decided to move back to Winston-Salem and downsize from their two-story 5-bedroom house to a one-level 3-bedroom townhouse. Since he’s lived through this experience himself, he’s able to easily empathize and connect with last-time home buyers in a way that other agents can’t.
In the future, he plans to host workshops specifically for people in this situation to help them get their homes ready to sell and organize all the logistics of making the move.