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.
My name is Michelle Wilder-Baker. I have been a real estate broker in the State of North Carolina since 2006. After mentoring multiple agents and successfully helping others build their real estate business, my husband and I were inspired to build legacy for our family and help other real estate agents do the same. In 2018, The Legacy Group at Allen Tate Realtors was birthed.
I have the honor of leading this awesome group of Realtors. The Legacy Group is a dedicated team of real estate professionals who provide client-centered service. We strive to understand our client’s individual needs then implement a plan to make the home buying and selling process a cost effective and memorable experience. We measure our success by satisfied clients who trust us beyond the transaction and call us their trusted real estate advisers for life. We are a full-service team that serves buyers, sellers, investors, relocators and everyone in between. Collectively, we have over 35 years of real estate experience.
I am also the founder and owner of Transaction Genie. Transaction Genie is a transaction coordination company that partners with real estate agents all over North Carolina. Our Transaction Specialists help agents leverage their time by coordinating all the services needed to take a client from contract to close.
FWM: What first drew your interest to the real estate industry?
I always had the dream of owning a home but could not imagine purchasing a home on my limited salary. I was single at the time and someone encouraged me to establish a budget and pursue my dream. I did just that! I did not know a real estate agent at the time, so I began taking real estate courses to become knowledgeable about the home buying process. It was my real estate agent who saw the gift in me.
As a 30-year veteran in the real estate industry, he said he had rarely met real estate agents with my people skills. In addition, I was finding homes he knew nothing about. He was impressed and encouraged me to become a real estate agent. I told him if I could help others purchase homes with ease, understanding, and respect, then real estate might be an interesting hobby. Three years later I took the challenge and became a real estate agent. Shortly after, my hobby became my passion. I walked away from a very successful career in social work to pursue real estate full time. I believe that I am fulfilling one of many calls on my life.
FWM: As a woman in real estate, what do you feel has been the hardest hurdle to overcome?
The most challenging hurdles to overcome is not being a woman in real estate but being an African American woman in real estate. Out of the top 20 professions in the United States, real estate is one of the least trusted professions. Being a minority in an industry that is already receiving a low credibility is a hurdle I strive to overcome.
I have been blessed to work with all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. At least 95% of my business comes from referrals. Professionalism, honesty, integrity, compassion, and respect are the guiding principles that have led to my and The Legacy Group’s growing success and trustworthiness in the industry.
FWM: You wear many hats. What is your advice on balancing family and business?
I am still working on that balancing act like a beautiful butterfly coming out of the cocoon! I believe that one day I will strike a perfect balance between family and business. In the meantime, I am blessed to have my husband who is also a real estate agent. Willie is my biggest cheerleader and he keeps me grounded. He is building Legacy with me and he understands the demands of growing a successful team/business. We love what we do, but we love spending time together and with family even more.
We enjoy traveling and taking mini vacations with our children and grandchildren who live in Miami and California. We also enjoy spending time with our extended family, going out on dinner dates with friends, concerts, and going to the movies. In order to make the dream work and be the best for our clients, it’s essential that we take time to reflect and recharge. We work hard, but we also play hard.
FWM: Please tell us about some of your other passions!
I am a marketplace minister! I believe that I display the confidence that helps other women grow in their relationship with God and their confidence in who He made them to be. The media has put so much pressure on women to be a certain way without recognizing that everyone was not born to be the same size, have the same personality, goals or aspirations.
When I was a little girl, my mother realized that my stature was larger than other girls around me. She knew I would be a big girl, so she started instilling confidence at a very young age. (Please do not misunderstand me, I do not use my size and stature as an excuse to be unhealthy!) I encourage other women to walk in confidence no matter their size. Its most important that we are authentic and realize that every woman is uniquely made as we walk out the purpose and call of God on our individual lives.
FWM: What tools and/or strategic partnerships have you put in place to help women? And the community?
I was developing entrepreneurial skills long before I left my traditional job. I wrote policy, training manuals, and conducted workshops all over North Carolina for over 15 years. My husband and I also built a successful team in network marketing. Now that I am a real estate broker, I desire to use my skills to help others grow, develop, and change.
I am on the leadership team for The Alliance, a Christian business women’s organization where we are helping women build empires; the Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise Ministry in my local church where we teach women a holistic way of living; and the Residential Advisory Committee with my local firm.
FWM: What is next in the life of Michelle Wilder-Baker?
My goal is to launch a ministry to help women who are my peers, but still struggle with self-esteem and self-worth issues. I believe there are successful women who are doing great things all over the world, but they still struggle with that voice inside that tells them they are not enough. I want to give them a place of healing, deliverance, and hope.
FWM: How can people connect with you outside of this interview?
https://www.facebook.com/michelle.wilderbaker (Personal)
https://www.facebook.com/YourNCHomeExpert/ (Business)
https://michellewilder-baker.allentate.com/ (Real Estate)
Michelle.Wilder-Baker@allentate.com (Email)
