Veteran Feature: Erik Wall, Owner/Realtor, Wall Street Realty Team – Exp Realty and Co-Owner Snowbyrd and Groundhog

Q: What does a normal day on the job look like for you?

A: I get into the office around 8:30 a.m. after dropping off my kids, then I look at the new homes that have come on the market. After that, I try to get some education, whether that be reading or checking out trends and the overall market. Next, I make phone calls, send texts, and follow up with emails if I don’t have any showings or closings. In the afternoons, I catch up on files, call clients, do home showings/ inspections/closings, and then follow up with anyone I need to. I then go and pick up the kids and spend time with them until 8-8:30 p.m. when they go to bed and then I usually go back to work negotiating offers and trying to get the best deals for my clients. This is a very condensed version and no days are normal, but I love the variety that comes with each and every day! Some days you think it’s going to be a pretty easy day to play catch up and you end up working non-stop for 12-14 hours and I love it!

Q: How did your family react when you told them you were pursuing service?

A: I was 20 and going to school at NDSU when I joined and didn’t tell my parents what I was doing. After I enlisted, I called my parents and told them I just joined the Army National Guard. My mom didn’t know what to think and was nervous for me. My dad said, ‘Great job,’ and that was that!

Q: What do you remember about your first day of business?

A: I started my real estate career in 2005 as a loan officer in Las Vegas. I had no idea what I was getting into, but I was excited as real estate always intrigued me. I showed up on the job, got a little bit of training, and then they said, “Here’s a list of people to call, good luck!” I remember thinking, ‘Shouldn’t I get a little more training?’ as I had no idea what I was doing. Looking back, it made me constantly adjust and get better on my own, which I really enjoyed and appreciated. I believe that having others do the work for you means you won’t learn a thing. You’ve gotta get in there, get dirty, and learn from your own experience.

Q: Has your service experience changed your business mindset?

A: My service experience taught me a lot of discipline and attention to detail. I’ve always had a good work ethic since I was little, but being in real estate and owning your own business takes more than just a good work ethic, it takes attention to detail and the discipline to work even when you don’t want to. Often times it’s easier to just procrastinate and put things off, but in this industry, if you do that, you’ll run into several months without a paycheck.

Q: Have you found any specific resources or support networks that have been instrumental in your entrepreneurial journey as a veteran?

A: The VA has a number of resources but I think just being a Veteran has given me something to always talk about with people and the network of Veterans is pretty large and getting bigger every day! Being able to have that common ground with many of my clients really builds that internal trust right away and has helped along this journey.

Q: What was the hardest challenge in opening your business?

A: I didn’t have a playbook as to what opening a business like this looked like and have had to learn by a lot of trial and error. I had some resources to help guide me and asked others who owned real estate teams, but everyone does things slightly differently and I knew what I wanted my team to look like so have made several adjustments throughout the years.

Q: What does being a veteran symbolize to you?

A: Being a Veteran for me is a symbol of pride, honor, and commitment. I spent 22 years in the military and it was always about doing something bigger than myself. Being willing to lay down my life for people I didn’t know and for the greatest country on Earth is something I’m so proud to be able to say I did!

Support Erik Wall

Wall Street Realty Team – eXp Realtyerikwall.fmwallstreetrealty.com

SnowByrd officialsnowbyrd.com

GroundHog officialgroundhog.com