Welcome Our Newest Florida Managing Broker, Cris Cortes!

Connect with Cris on Linkedin: click here


In 50 words or less, describe who you are.
 
Just 50 words?!? Haha, just kidding. First and foremost, I am a child of God and a daughter of the King! Other than that, I am a wife, a daughter, a sister, and a fur mama! I love to laugh and, even more, love to sleep. I have a heart to serve, teach, and love to give others hope and strengthen their faith.

 

What inspired you to start your real estate career?

Believe it or not, my getting into real estate was a TOTAL surprise. Back in December 2013, I was going through a difficult time in my life. So my dad said it would be a good idea for Christmas to give me the “gift of opportunity,” as he said, which was the real estate pre-licensing course. So I gave it a shot, and almost ten years later…here I am! Who knew?

 

What was the defining moment you knew you were passionate about helping clients achieve their goals?
 
I knew I had a passion for helping others achieve their goals when I was a bankruptcy paralegal, and they would come looking for a fresh start. However, in terms of real estate, I will never forget this elderly couple whom I had helped rent a property when I first got my license, came to me and told me they wanted to buy a house. The issue was several other realtors told them it wasn’t possible. So the wife wanted to rent, but the husband wanted to buy (they had never owned a home before). When I asked the wife why she didn’t want to buy, she said she did, but it wasn’t possible. She said other realtors told her she could only afford a 55 and older community, and in Florida, most 55 and older communities have credit and income score requirements. The wife was 55 and had the income; the husband was 54 and had the credit. Combined, they met the requirements but not individually. I told them that the only way to know it was possible was to try and that I believed there was a way. Sure enough…there was, and with the Lord’s guidance and our perseverance, they were able to close on their first home ever. It was truly a wonderful feeling and set me on a drive to help as many as I could. While many others don’t bother or say you can’t…I say you can until I’ve exhausted every measure possible.

 

Part of Worth Clark’s mission statement is to help deliver the promise of ownership to our clients and community. How rewarding has this industry been for you, helping many achieve this dream?
 
The truth is there are no words to honestly describe how rewarding being in this industry has ever been. To be able to instill faith and hope that ownership is possible and deserved and to see it through to the outcome of success is amazing. I have grown so much and seen deals make it to the end that, in most cases, would have fallen apart. I have been so fortunate to have supportive and knowledgeable people in my corner to help me along the way.

 

What is the best real estate advice you’ve read or received?
 
Always remain coachable! Just because you’ve done it 100 times doesn’t mean you know it all and can’t learn something new!

 

New Realtors® often struggle with lead generation and consistency; what would your advice be to a brand new agent attempting to build their business?
 
Don’t give up! It sounds cliche, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. Consistency is key. One of the most significant issues is when new agents go into analysis paralysis. They’ll attend more trainings and listen to more real estate videos than you can imagine but won’t actually put in the work or execute what they learned. Take your time, and don’t try to do everything at once. Give each method of growth the time it needs. If you decide to door knock, do it consistently, along with maybe another marketing method. Just put in the work, stay coachable and consistent, and keep going. You’ll get to where you want to go. Many people get into real estate expecting immediate success and think it’s easy. It takes work and discipline. It’s a rewarding career for sure, but you need the right mindset. Get involved in your community and networking groups. Most realtors feel alone until they find others just like them. It helps to feel like you’re part of something with others that know how you feel. Then, together, you can hold each other accountable and grow to where you want to go!

 

What are you passionate about outside of real estate?
 
I am passionate about Jesus and my family!! I love listening to worship music and reading the Word!! I also love just spending time with my husband and my fur babies! We love to travel, so whenever we get the chance, we are out and about. When we aren’t traveling, you’ll find me snuggled up on the couch with them!
 

What does Worth Clark Realty do well for its agents?
 
Worth Clark is excellent at providing comfort and support and keeping their agents engaged. They have weekly trainings and updates and Facebook groups so agents can stay in touch and refer business to each other. The brokers all have a presence, and someone is ready to help with any issues. The Agent Support team also is there to help answer any questions. They are quick to answer questions or get the answer for you. If someone isn’t successful, it won’t be because of Worth Clark!
 
What was the onboarding experience like at Worth Clark Realty? Would you do it again?
 
The onboarding experience was great. I loved how hand-in-hand they were with making sure I got everything I needed to get set up. I also enjoyed how personal they were with me and constantly checked in to ensure I had everything I needed. I would certainly do it again. It was one of the main things that gave me the confidence to become a managing broker. I’ve been in different brokerages throughout my career, and this was by far the most pleasant experience.
 

What would you tell agents who are considering joining Worth Clark?
 
I would say give Worth Clark Realty a shot! Just because it’s new doesn’t mean it’s not the right fit. Worth Clark has a fantastic mentorship program for new agents. We have programs for all agents, whether they’re part-time or full-time. We offer stock ownership, high commission, local broker support seven days a week, and more. We offer community, growth, and relationships. All you have to do is give us a try. You won’t be sorry you did!

 

Learn more about Worth Clark Realty: click here

About the Author
Ryan Michaelis
Ryan Michaelis is the Chief Growth Officer of Worth Clark Realty.