Name: Randy Horn
Title: Realtor – ABR, GREEN
Company: Bushari Real Estate – Copley Square, Back Bay
What was your first job in the realty industry? I earned my license when I was 18, so my first job was on Newbury Street renting apartments. I was lucky if I had the right keys and ended up getting more parking tickets than I did rentals.
Where did you grow up? Weston, MA
Growing up, what did you want to be? I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps of owning real estate for passive income. He said something that really stuck with me from a young age: “Owning real estate is the only way to make money when you’re sleeping.”
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Sometimes I need to disconnect entirely, and for me that can be a ride on my motorcycle or taking out my paddle board. Both are great ways to clear my mind while taking a break from being constantly available.
If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? I would love to have lunch with Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, to gain some humble wisdom that could help me find my next investment opportunity.
Where is your favorite place to hang out? I love getting a coffee and walking down Newbury Street. I am bound to see a client or another agent I worked with so it’s always fun to exchange pleasantries and see familiar faces.
What do you love most about the industry? I love the camaraderie amongst well known agents who are active in the industry and working to be the best they can be. It is so great to see your colleagues find success and celebrate our diversity which is what makes our industry so great to be a part of.
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? Its simple. I invest in relationships, not transactions. Taking this approach means each decision I make is calculated and based off of delayed satisfaction rather than immediate results. I am not afraid to put in the hard work and go beyond expectations to develop a reputation that my clients know they can trust and count on me.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job? Sometimes, when it rains it pours so staying positive when times are tough is something I must do. When it seems like everything is going wrong, you can’t turn and run or hide under the covers or behind your email. It can be hard to separate emotion from a transaction when your clients’ fate is on the line so maintaining the positivity in order to successfully complete the transaction is one of the most rewarding parts of overcoming challenges.
Where do you go to network and meet new clients? Facebook has been a huge asset to my business and personal relationships. Rather than just clicking “like” when someone posts something they’re excited to share, a direct message or phone can be a great way to reconnect and strengthen a relationship. YPNs are also a great way to meet motivated, driven, and like-minded people who are great connections to have.
What has been your greatest accomplishment? Exceeding my sales goals early in the year has been exciting but building a team to help grow my business has been a great accomplishment as I get to think like an entrepreneurial business owner rather than an agent just doing a job.
What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? Rum Diaries! Reading the book brought me right back to when I was in Puerto Rico and makes me want to return! I would not recommend the movie which doesn’t follow the book much at all.
What is your favorite restaurant? Eastern Standard! Whether you’re dressed to the nines or wearing a t-shirt after a Sox game, you get the highest level of service, the best food, and an unforgettable experience each time. There are many other fancy restaurants in the city but this one doesn’t have the pretentious attitude so it is a relaxing environment with incredible customer service, something I’m very astute to.
Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Boston? I love the Boston Harbor Hotel at Rose Wharf because of it’s timeless design, brick and stone facade, and beautiful archway connecting the sea to the city. When I think of Boston, I think of this building with the skyline behind it.
What kind of car do you drive? VW Tiguan. I love the all glass roof so I can point things out when I’m driving clients around downtown.
Smartphone or paper? I like to make a checklist everyday of things I need to get done so I can cross them off my list. However, I integrate technology and use my calendar religiously to be sure I’m always prepared for tomorrow and nothing falls through the cracks.
What is your favorite city after Boston? Denver, Colorado. I went to the University of Colorado in Boulder and many of my friends migrated to Denver. It is a beautiful young city with a great vibe, great food, and happy hour!
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Do the right thing even when no one is looking.
What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? Instagram! This is where I get to have fun and make my job look easy by showing the highlight reel of my daily activities. It is powerful how you can create how you want to be perceived and social media can be a great tool for this.
Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? Not the president