Real Estate Agent Spotlight: About Matt

For our third real estate agent spotlight, we are featuring Matt Poole. 

How It Started

Prime Realty: Why did you decide to become a Realtor?

Matt Poole: I wanted to be my own business owner. I have an entrepreneurial mindset and I love having the ability to set my own schedule for the day. That flexibility with my love for real estate and people just made for a perfect storm of interests that led me to getting my license and taking me to where I am today.

PR: What were you doing before Real Estate?

Matt Poole: I was working as the Deputy Director of Short-Term Finance for a lender here in Greenville. I worked my way up through that company in about 3 years and was running the day-to-day operations of one of our underwriting departments. It was a great opportunity to learn the real estate investment side of the business and learn management. It provided me a great foundation for the transition into being a Realtor.

PR: For people who aren’t local, tell us about where you live and why you’re the most ideal Realtor.

Matt Poole: I was born and raised in the Greenville area. I lived in Mauldin and Simpsonville for most of my life and I have lived in Anderson too. Being a native, I have seen the Upstate grow and I know all the details about this area. Whether its recreation, history, the food scene, sports, entertainment, or anything in between, I have knowledge of all of it. In addition to knowledge of the area, my experience in real estate lending gives me a unique perspective. Since I have worked on both sides of the transaction, that gives me an advantage because I can speak that language and really set expectations for my clients for both sides of the transaction.

More About Matt

PR: What is your favorite aspect about being a Realtor?

Matt Poole: The people! I love meeting people from all different parts of the country, all different walks of life, all in different situations. You learn so much about these people and become friends with them. I think it is important because you are being trusted to help them through the biggest purchase of their life. And at the end of it, keeping in touch and hearing all the fun stories is more rewarding than any paycheck. I also love that I get to just be a listening ear too. Some people have been through tough times and if I can just be a friendly face and let them know that things will be okay, then I have done my job.

PR: What’s been the most impactful part of your job as a Realtor?

Matt Poole: Two things: Making a difference in the lives of the clients I meet and helping them transition into a new home and sometimes a new area. The second, and equally important to me is making a difference in the lives of the people at Prime Realty. I love helping our new agents get going, being a resource for people in the office, and just paying my knowledge and experience forward so others can succeed. Those two things are what keep me going every day in this industry.

PR: Tell us the positive changes you’ve personally witnessed since becoming a Realtor, and about any industry standards or ethics that surprised you in a good way?

Matt Poole: One of the biggest positive changes I have seen in myself is confidence and the ability to connect with people, no matter their walk of life, situation, or personality. I have found a true passion for connecting with people through this job. And more on a professional level, the positive changes I have seen in Greenville with the growth, both in the housing industry and in just the economy. I watch those statistics firsthand every month and year and being a native from Greenville, it is fascinating, and I love knowing that I have been a part of it.

Click Here to Watch Matt’s YouTube Video

PR: You’ve been in the industry long enough to share some advice. What’s the most important piece of advice you would want to share with someone who is interested in becoming a Realtor?

Matt Poole: Do not treat this like any other position. You are a business owner, and you must treat it as such in order to be successful. This is not a 9-5 and you must be ready to work hard and do the behind the scenes work like marketing, calling people, networking and much more. If you have that mindset, you will come into this industry and you will see success.

PR: What advances in the industry have you been able to accomplish since joining Prime Realty?

Matt Poole: The most recent one was getting my Real Estate Broker’s license. That was a goal of mine since the first day I got my salesperson license. I have always wanted to move my way up and earn a spot with the company that allowed me the opportunity to manage and train new agents so they can be successful like myself, and many others.

How It’s Going

PR: What’s it like being on the PR team?

Matt Poole: It’s like working with a big family. Everyone helps everyone and we try to ensure the success of everyone around us. It isn’t “cutthroat” or all about one person. And this mentality has really allowed Prime to have so much success in such a short amount of time. I could not imagine selling real estate with anyone else.

PR: Do you wish you entered the field earlier or do you think when you started was perfect timing?

Matt Poole: I think I entered at the right time. My time in real estate lending prior to becoming a Realtor helped me have a solid foundation of knowledge before getting my license so the learning curve was easier and I understood the language and the business better. This helped me have a strong year 1 and that success carried me into the next years up until now.

Find Your Dream Home in South Carolina

If you’re in the market for real estate in South Carolina, be sure to check out our inventory site for available properties. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping you find your dream home, so please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or to schedule a showing. And remember, if you’re ready to take the next step in finding your new home, give us a call or visit our website to schedule a consultation with one of our expert agents or with Matt today!