Soul of 78-Charlotte Sherer
“I received my license in 1995, so next year will make 25 years in the business. Before going into real estate, I was the bookkeeper for my dad’s trucking company. When he retired, I thought, ‘well, I have a degree in marketing from the University. What better way to use it than to go into real estate?’
James Ann Martin and I started out together at David Beard. She and Sandra Lee came at the same time, then Farrah Lawson. In 1999, the four of us left and decided to form our own business – All Four Real Estate.
Now, we have about 40 agents. We have a second office on Smith Lake, right by Duncan Bridge. Within this office, we also have a Birmingham branch. Some of the agents are on Birmingham MLS, so we can assist in the purchase or listing of a home in Birmingham as well as Walker County.
When I sold my first home, I was so excited. But, I worked hard for 6 months before I sold that house. You have to get your name out there, people have to recognize you, and you have to build up your contacts. It’s not easy getting started.
Anyone with a desire to pursue a career in real estate should know – you really have to work at it. Leads don’t just fall into your lap. You have to be willing to spend lots of hours and be available. People will call you at five o’ clock and you might be in the middle of dinner but if it’s a good prospect, you’re going to go show them a house and eat later! It’s an around the clock job – 7 days a week. But it’s like any job – you get out of it what you put into it.
My absolute favorite part of this job is meeting people. I enjoy talking to them, making friends, and trying to help find the perfect place for somebody. When you walk into a house and they just fall in love with the place, that makes your so rewarding.
I have one family that I have worked with in the buying and selling of numerous houses for them, and that probably includes 7 or 8 people. It’s nice to have repeat customers, and to assist finding the perfect place for someone at different stages in life.
And of course, we have a great group of people that work together here at All Four and have fun together. We go on trips and go out to dinner and things like that – we’re a close-knit group.”
-Charlotte Sherer, Co-Owner and Real Estate Agent at All Four Real Estate
Photo + Interview by Blakeney Clouse