Facing one of the greatest economic challenges, I found the resolve to continue pursuing my mission of service, striving to help people when they needed it most. This philosophy became the cornerstone of my business, shaping the journey ahead.
As I stood gazing at the mountains outside my door during those uncertain times, a profound realization struck me: Those mountains are not going anywhere. I’m not going anywhere. They will be here tomorrow, and so will I. Amidst the 2008 market crash, I was determined to withstand the obstacles ahead.
It was in 2002 when I found my calling in real estate. Before this, I had done many different things. At the age of 20, I joined the Navy and graduated at the top of my class, propelling me through the ranks. Soon, I found myself stationed in Tokyo, Japan.
Two and a half years of service came to an abrupt halt due to a significant injury. Opting to remain in Japan, I transitioned to teaching conversational English, discovering more about the language through teaching than I ever did as a student. Life led me down unexpected paths, including working in the TV industry in international commercials. It was in Japan that I met my wife, Miki, who returned to the United States with me.
As we worked to build our life together and settle down with a family, we bought our first home. We were left completely in the dark—all of a sudden, I was being handed keys and asked to pay $1,000. Through that process, I realized I could have done a far better job explaining the steps and, at the bare minimum, showing some compassion and care for the person going through the process.
Wanting to help others avoid the same service I received, I became a REALTOR® in 2002. I closed a handful of transactions that first year, really learning the ins and outs. In the years that followed, I continued to grow my client base and see tremendous progress.
When the real estate market crashed, I feared losing everything. We had just bought a big, beautiful home with picturesque mountains on the horizon. This was supposed to be the dream, but it was gradually turning into a nightmare. As I looked out at the mountains, I realized that this, too, would pass.
My wife’s frequent saying is: If you are not having ups and downs in life, then you aren’t living—this was just a low before the next high. I looked inward and thought: How can I improve myself to better help my clients?
I had to change my perspective on the scenario, choosing to create a plan of action rather than let things just happen to me. What matters is helping people and doing something positive for the world. At my core is a passion for service. This led me on a journey of training and educating myself, focused on gaining new skills to accommodate the changing market.
I learned about down payment assistance programs, creating a bridge for many to achieve homeownership. Learning these processes like the back of my hand, I was able to offer more options to my clients seeking creative avenues to become homeowners. Coaching programs and collaborations with referral companies further enriched my expertise, culminating in recognition as one of the Top 50 VA agents in the country.
My amazing wife was by my side through this entire journey, supporting me. With three boys, Conner, Shannon and Caylin, we were always juggling a lot, but somehow, it always worked out. We are still living in the home we once feared we would lose—it is our dream home and symbolizes all we have been through to get here. Focusing on what matters most, the client, I was able to make it through and come out stronger and better on the other side.
Having worked in the industry for 20+ years, my specialty is figuring things out! With the right systems and processes in place, I have worked hard to make the buying and selling process as predictable as possible. However, there will always be variables I can’t control. If a problem arises, I have the knowledge, resources and connections to help find fast solutions. At the end of the day, I want you to achieve your goals and have a great experience along the way!
Also, my wife Miki is a REALTOR® we work as one great team, marking a productive and exciting new chapter! We have added a mortgage branch to our services, Motto Mortgage CLIENT 1ST, that name says it all, to help our clients with financing and finding the best options for their unique needs. Working directly with veterans, first-time homebuyers, upgraders, and downsizers, we strive to deliver the same level of excellence to each client. For us, the greatest satisfaction comes from offering support and direction whenever you need us! Even after the transaction is over, we will continue to support you as your REALTORS® for life!
Sincerely,
Conner Sheets
Broker-Salesperson | LIC# BS.145499
Call/Text 702-349-8920