FWM’s Queen of Real Estate Issue (May/June print) features formidable women at the top of their game who are making serious boss moves in the real estate arena, an industry traditionally dominated by men.
FWM: Please introduce yourself and your business.
I am Deanna Hamilton, owner of Deanna Hamilton Real Estate, based in Raleigh, NC. I’ve established several successful businesses and I love each of them, but my heart belongs to my family. Fortunately for me, I have a very supportive family who does not mind stepping in to fill any gaps that may occur. It’s my sincere desire that they know how much credit they deserve for my success.
FWM: What first drew your interest to the real estate industry?
I have always had this “thing” for real estate. I remember riding the school bus, as a child, passing these huge homes in these picturesque neighborhoods thinking, “one day, I’m going to live in a house just like that!” My career didn’t quite move in that direction until I had my first child and out on maternity leave. My God-daughter and her family were visiting us from Maryland. She had just gotten into Real Estate and that weekend The Parade of Homes just so happened to have been that same weekend.
We viewed some of the most amazing homes in the area. Each time we entered, unbeknownst to me, I was walking around telling the story of each home…room by room. My God-Daughter was so impressed, she suggested that I get into Real Estate. Although I’ve always loved viewing homes, I had never considered selling them. I credit her for planting the seed. Once they left to go back home, I was researching the industry. Before I knew it, I had began Real Estate School and passed the NC Real Estate Exam! I had no idea that my maternity leave would be a permanent leave from Corporate America for me.
It wasn’t until I started in Real Estate that I realized how many people I could actually help realize the dream of home ownership. That is what drives me. That is what has helped me stay focused.
FWM: As a woman in real estate, what do feel has been the hardest hurdle to overcome?
Since my return to my hometown from the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia areas), I’ve established a successful business and have sold Real Estate throughout the Triangle Area. My intimate knowledge of the area has proven to be a great resource to my clients but not so much for some of the families that I left behind. I really wanted to make a difference in my community. I wanted to give back to the community that had given me so much. Gentrification is real! This is a fact of life for many communities, including my own.
When I decided to move my Real Estate business to my hometown, my goal was to help as many families as possible to get everything they deserved from developers.
This continues to be a focus of my business. This reality has driven me to doing Commercial Real Estate deals, as well. This has been a major hurdle in my Real Estate Career. The majority of Commercial Realtors are White male dominated. Forging a trail, as a Black Woman, has been difficult. Not only do you have to deal with the Realtors, but you also have to deal with the developers. Like anything, the more deals you do, the more relationships you cultivate, the easier it gets.
FWM: You wear many hats. What is your advice on balancing family and business?
Wearing many hats is what most women do! I’m not just a successful Real Estate Broker, I’m a wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, cousin, niece, and friend! Whew! Time has to be made for each of those pieces of me. Is it hard? YES! But is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!
Although I am running a very successful business, my family has to take priority. That means making, and sticking to, a schedule. My husband and I share a calendar, that way, we can keep up with each other and probably more importantly, keep up with our girls. Date nights and get-aways are also a must! Although they look very different than they did when we first got married, the goal is the same; connection.
It’s also important to me to maintain my relationships with my extended family and friends. While it is true that I can’t be in many places at once, or show up to every function, it is also true that I can schedule time for get-aways, pick up the phone and call, text, and just communicate in some way so that my folks know that I haven’t forgotten about them. They know I care about them. That’s important to me. My friends are busy, too. My best friends and I schedule time to spend with each other, even if that means 6 months in advance. Finding that balance helps keep me whole and at peace with myself.
FWM: Please tell us about some of your other passions!
A great deal has changed in the surrounding areas since my childhood. A Triangle native, I was educated in the Public School System. After graduation, I matriculated to North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. After spending many years in the Washington DC metropolitan area, I moved back to my hometown of Holly Springs.
I started mentoring young people and sharing with them that all things are possible. I soon realized that in order to make an even greater impact on the young people, I also needed to help their parents believe that same thing! I wrote a book entitled “The Great Mentor: The Story of Ruth and Naomi.” Once I did that, it opened up so many opportunities to mentor numerous women and help them hone in on their entrepreneurial skills.
My community is everything to me! I am ordained in the office of Deacon and I’m also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. where I serve as the 2nd Vice President of the Western Wake Alumnae Chapter.
FWM: What tools and/or strategic partnerships have you put in place to help women? And the community?
Three years ago, I lost my father to a heart attack due to complications from Diabetes. Even in death, my father made sure that his family was taken care of and we reap the benefits of that to this day. His death made me look at my own situation. I found myself grossly overweight, Pre-Diabetic, and my finances were definitely not where they should have been. Action needed to take place immediately! I really wanted to rectify my health, as I was following in the foot steps of my father. I also needed to make changes in my financial plan so that I COULD follow in my father’s foot steps!
Both tasks took time. My health and finances didn’t get in the shape they were in overnight, and I knew that I would not correct them overnight. Since then, I have found myself in a much better place physically and financially. I’ve lost 60 lbs, I’m no longer Pre-Diabetic, and I now have a very diverse savings plan! I learned a great deal during this process and started teaching other women in my community the same system that helped me free myself of the physical and financial chains that were holding me back. This has been the most rewarding part of the journey! I know my Daddy would be proud.
FWM: What is next in the life of Deanna Hamilton?
What’s next? I have proclaimed this year the year of acquisition! I’m all about acquiring new relationships, new knowledge, new investments, and new experiences.
FWM: How can people connect with you outside of this?
You can connect with me via social media @DeannaHamiltonRealEstate and at DeannaHamiltonRealEstate.com
