Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Carter.
Hi Julie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
The bulk of my career to date was working in sports, so it took a lot of people by surprise when I left my career in college athletics to be a full-time real estate agent. I am a former junior national champion and former national record-holder cyclist who had a career as a renowned collegiate cycling coach at two of the top-ranked universities in the United States for cycling. As a collegiate coach, I garnered 18 national championship titles with wins in each of the 5 disciplines of the sport (Track, Mountain, Cyclocross, BMX, and Road) in Division I Varsity cycling.
After winning a national title in every discipline of the sport and my time in the sport spanning well over 3 decades, I decided to make a change. I started to run out of goals for myself; the only thing that kept me motivated was the opportunity to mentor my student-athletes and foster the team culture I created. I loved my job, which consumed a large chunk of my life, and I especially loved my student-athletes and watching them be successful in the classroom, on the bike, and in their careers after college.
Ever since my teen years, when my father owned many rental properties, I have had a passion for real estate. I purchased my first home at age 18 and owned my first rental property at 22. I especially enjoyed purchasing the “ugliest home” with the best floorplan, watching/making my ugly duckling house into a beautiful swan property, and watching the transformation.
My friend and real estate mentor, Michelle Cimmarusti, excited me to work with her on her RE/MAX Gold team. I had worked with her as my/my family’s agent on some purchases and referred her to several friends for purchases. She opened a pathway for me to work the new construction at The Estates of Schaper Farms. It’s a Jaeger Builders, LLC community on 255 acres, with each homesite of 3+ acres. In addition to helping buyers and sellers with existing homes, new construction sounded intriguing, and I was ready to leap! Because of my background in sports, I am incredibly driven and hardworking. From cycling, I also have a keen sense of strategy and tactics. Negotiation, administration, recruiting, and sales skills have transferred well into my real estate career. With my background in higher education, I am also committed to gaining as much education as possible in real estate. I am certified as a Military Relocation Professional and ePRO (a real estate marketing certification) and continue to gain certifications, training, and education in other specialized fields. This drive and passion led me to get my first listing sold just a little over 2 months after I became a licensed agent.
I am passionate and always ensure my work aligns with those passions. Outside of the sport of cycling and real estate, my other hobbies include cars (I have an Alfa Romeo, Porsche, Corvette, and Mustang GT), my 2 boxers, gardening, genealogy, personal enrichment, education, reading, and hanging out with my husband, 5 children and their spouses, and my grandchildren.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Very few people are without struggles, and I am no different! We all have them. How we perceive and handle our struggles is what defines us. I have seen people facing the worst scenarios possible who always have a smile and a determination to love life. They inspire me to be better. I like to think optimistically by being grateful for the many ways life has been unfair to my advantage. It helps me mentally get through my challenges.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am best known for my business practice of donating a percentage of my commission to the nonprofit of my client’s choice and for my high level of community engagement and support. After nearly a decade as a head coach at Lindenwood University, I continue volunteering to support the program I shaped. I am actively involved with the building of an awesome new program that is bringing the sport of cycling to inner-city teens, and I also recently joined the Board of Advisors at the St. Charles County Family YMCA.
I am also known for my strategic, data-driven approach to real estate, coaching my sellers and buyers, communication, and negotiation. I don’t understand how someone can be fun and intense, but I am often described as both within just a few sentences. My clients are my friends who I am helping through the buying or selling process.
I specialize in residential real estate and especially enjoy a challenge! My first goal is to find the right home/solution for my clients’ needs. I enjoy all kinds of problem-solving, and I feel intrinsically rewarded by helping others find a home that fits their needs, personality, and style (or helping them create it)! As a former coach, I feel a sense of accomplishment when I assist others in reaching their goals. Because of my family background in rentals, I enjoy finding properties that strategically build a portfolio or boost an existing one. When selling an investment, I am equipped with the expertise to maximize proceeds from the sale.
As a former marketing major, I know it is best to “specialize” in an ultra-niche area. However, I have found many types of buying and selling require my skillset, background, and knowledge, and I love the variety. If I can coach a team with essentially 5 different sports and win a National Title in each, I can successfully work real estate deals with various scenarios. My strategic approach to each situation is my specialty.
Networking and finding a mentor can positively impact one’s life and career. Any advice?
Find a mentor who you trust. A quality human being who cares about you and your success is even more important than their expertise. You will learn a lot from your mentor. You will learn how things work for them, and you can learn how their systems will and won’t work for you and your approach. Many people think they must be just like their mentor and do things just like them, but it’s untrue. No two people are identical, and we each need to find our authenticity in what we do. If we entirely imitate our mentors, we can’t find that genuineness within ourselves. As a major plug for my mentor, Michelle Cimmarusti! I would *never* have switched careers if it were not for the trust I have for her. When I left a salaried position for a commission-only venture, it was entirely because I trusted that Michelle would guide me when needed. For me, I have never thought of networking as networking. I’ve always had a vast network, and I like supporting those I know who have proven to come through for me and others in the past. My best advice for networking would be to do it in the most real and natural ways. When you tell someone you will do something, do it. They will want you in their network, too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://juliecarter.stlgoldhomes.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agentjuliecarter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093645558353
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-carter-64053485/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3eMRGQ2WvNHg6MgV5D-0vg
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/julie-carter-re-max-gold-o-fallon
- Other: https://www.remax.com/real-estate-agents/julie-carter-wildwood-mo/102296150
Image Credits
Karen Palmer (on all photos)
