What was your most interesting job before going into real estate? The most interesting job that I had before going into real estate was the dog walking business that I started in college! I grew the business from one dog to 20 dogs a week!

Where did you grow up? I grew up on the South Shore in Abington, Massachusetts. Abington is a small town situated between Weymouth and Brockton.

Growing up, what did you want to be? Growing up, I wanted to be a professional basketball player. I quickly realized that wasn’t going to happen after my less than stellar high school career.

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? I like to relax in the sauna when I’m stressed. I find that the sauna is a great place to clear my mind and refocus.

If you could meet any well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? As a huge Boston sports fan, I would love to meet Tom Brady. Brady’s work ethic and mentality has been an inspiration to me for decades!

What is Boston’s best-kept secret? Boston’s best-kept secrets are some of the city’s speakeasies. They are great for getting a drink!

What do you love most about the industry? I love being able to help people achieve their dream of homeownership!

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? I distinguish myself from the crowd of agents by being relationship-focused rather than transaction-focused. Building long lasting relationships with my clients is more important to me than a quick deal.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job? The most difficult aspect of being a real estate agent is the lack of work/life balance. Real estate is 24/7/365 and to be successful you must be available for your clients regardless of the day or time.

What’s your best advice for generating new leads? The best way to generate new leads is to create valuable social media content. TikTok, Instagram and other social media are powerful tools that can help you get more clients and close more deals!

What has been your greatest accomplishment? My greatest accomplishment in the real estate industry has been starting my own rental team!

What are you binge-watching/reading/listening to lately? I’ve been binge-watching old seasons of “Survivor.” It is interesting watching the physical and mental challenges that the contestants face. I’ve always wanted to go on the show!

What’s your favorite meal in Boston? My favorite meal in Boston is a pizza at Pizzeria Regina. Nothing beats the original North End location!

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Boston? My favorite building in Boston is the Boston Public Library. The building features a stunning courtyard, grand staircase and beautiful murals by world-renowned artists.

What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you on the job? The weirdest thing that’s happened to me on the job was at a rental showing for an occupied listing when a tenant opened the door in their underwear.

What’s one thing people are surprised to learn about you? One thing that people are surprised to learn about me is that I love to play the piano! I started learning two years ago and want to learn the ukulele next!

What is your favorite vacation spot and why? My favorite vacation spots are all-inclusive resorts in tropical locations. I’ve been to all-inclusive resorts in various countries but my favorite is Punta Cana.

In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Study industry trends and become an expert in your market

What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? My favorite real estate app is Dotloop. Dotloop is a user-friendly platform for electronic signatures.

Who are your favorite people to follow on social media? My favorite brokers to follow on social media are Shannon Gillette and Ryan Serhant. Shannon is one of the top brokers in Arizona and provides valuable content, emphasizing the importance of video content for each new listing. Ryan is one of the biggest names in the real estate industry due to his outside the box marketing tactics and inspirational content.

What are your social media handles? You can follow me on instagram @derrickhallrealestate