Hidden Gems: Meet Kurt M. Boyd of eXp Realty, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kurt M. Boyd. 

Hi Kurt, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Thank you for the interview! I really appreciate it! My story of helping others begins back in the suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin about 1998. I was working as a jeweler setting diamonds for a living and completing repairs for wedding rings, custom designs, and so forth. That type of work is very hard on your eyes, wrists, and your posture as it requires so much sitting and intense close-up attention. As a birthday gift, my mom who was an established real estate agent already for a very popular home builder in South Eastern Wisconsin surprised me with an all-expense paid course to a private real estate school in Milwaukee. All I had to do was go, pass, and give it a chance. The education was inspiring and once licensed, I went to work right away for the same home builder she had been a part of for nearly 20 years already. My assignment was to sell as many new construction condos and single-family homes as fast as they could build them. I found out that the true meaning of selling homes was actually helping families decide what the right options were for them and it had very little to do with “sales” at all. Good thing because my style and my way with people is open, transparent, and never pushy. Helping a client though the home sale or home buying process is not like selling them on a diamond ring – or a pair of sneakers for that matter. All the tricks and tips that thousands of salespeople are taught to use in an effort to “trap” people (more or less) into yes answers only or agreements (yuk) usually won’t work. If there’s no need or emotional connection to such a big purchase that will become the cornerstone for that family, it’s not going to happen. If you do right by people, success will happen naturally. It’s all about relationships. Over the years, I’ve been blessed to help many homeowners trade up and down over the past 23 years. Every transaction is different, none are walks on the beach – it’s a consistent challenge and things change/evolve quickly. As a commission-only business too with high taxes and you pay for everything yourself, it can be a real struggle to keep motivated during down periods or tough markets. Coaching and inspirational reading is typically what I fall back on to keep my motivation going. I’ve had a recent mentorship from one of the agents on Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles (Bravo TV Network) and another up and coming with a broker/agent in New York City who owns the world’s most recognized brand in real estate. On the surface, these guys appear to be big ego and high dollar guys which in part is definitely true, but, the bottom line is if their relationships fail with people, the business fails. There’s no “set it and forget it” feature here. It’s hard work to keep people happy and satisfied and shoulder much of the stress related to the home buying/selling process. One thing I love is, on the wall of my office I have photos framed of each client I’ve been able to help over the years (not all of course) but it’s always easy to look up and they’re all smiling back at me from their kitchens or family rooms, pools, their family laughing together and it reminds me that their success and happiness in their homes helps carry my success and happiness to my own family and others I’ve yet to meet. That thought may be basic and not so profound yet it is a reality that no matter what is going on, to know that you assisted that family to obtain that special home above all others and the love shared and memories created within those walls will last forever. Homes grow with time, they change too. I find working in the Phoenix market has been incredibly rewarding as it’s always been such a destination city where so many come for the Sun, tranquility of the desert, or the active outdoor lifestyles. I moved out full-time many years ago for the same reasons. It’s always an honor to save them time by sharing my experience of what to avoid based on what they love to do, and how I found my way around here over the years. Where I am today is simply an ascension of what was meant to take place over all these years. One step at a time, one family at a time. I’m most excited about what will happen tomorrow and who I’ll be helping next! Humility, tenacity, honesty, gratitude, and never afraid to roll up my sleeves has been working for me in the real estate biz and it always comes straight from the heart. Thank you so much for granting me an opportunity to share! 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Never a smooth road in real estate. It simply is not reality. Agents are on TV and radio, social media all the time with “magic” solutions and it’s all so easy and no worries at all, look, moving a family and buying or selling something that huge and emotional for anyone is never an easy task. No two deals are the same as no two people are totally the same. Even twins! Markets change, balance is thrown off, personalities can change, egos can get involved, so many facets. When the tide is high, everyone’s happy…. but one little thing can pop up and really take its toll. That’s when professionalism must prevail and as an agent, you keep your emotions in check or check them at the door. You have a responsibility to preform for your client and that’s that. Personal struggles, sure, all the time. It’s a lot of weight to carry so the gym and eating/sleeping right is very important but very challenging to actually obtain. I don’t have the secret to that even after all this time. I do my best and take it day by day in many cases. 

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My communication is what helps set me apart from other agents. I answer calls, texts, social media inquiries, and emails as soon as possible I never let it go for more than absolutely necessary. The number 1 complaint year over year form clients of real estate agents is that there was a great lack of communication. That’s what I pay attention to the most. That everyone is in the loop at all times. Honesty too… if you compromise your integrity, you lose trust with your clients, that spreads like a cancer and it’s only a matter of time before you’re finished. From a creative standpoint, it’s fun to stand apart with imagery or artistic angles as people love to identify with things that speak to them, inspire them, and make them feel you have commonality- not so run of the mill. Fashion is a part of the business too… it’s nice to look nice. It shows respect and confidence. It shows you care and that you’re going to “show up.” I wouldn’t take advice from my doctor if he was wearing a Kiss t-shirt. Well, maybe I would… a Cheap Trick t-shirt for sure, but I think you can see my point. People love to be treated with respect and the “little things” always add up. 

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
Sure! There are a few podcasts like out there that basically speak to life balance, I hear them in the car at times going to appointments, when things are really busy though, it’s best (at least for me) to just keep on task never mind all that. Too many interruptions and I can’t concentrate on what they’re saying anyhow, so I just keep open communication with clients and agents alike, and then once a year, I go to a destination where I’m done and not accessible at all for a few days. It’s best just to turn it off. Time blocking is huge and many people talk about it but I’ve never been able to achieve it myself. For real estate, I think I identify and love Ryan Serhant’s books, YouTube channel, I really love the fact that he started with nothing but a dream and make it in arguably the most difficult of places to do it. I find inspiration in so many things… Success Magazine, Mad Magazine, I love to have tranquil days (as I call them) up at the Scottsdale Fairmont Princess Resort. They have incredible amenities there and you can’t help but relax and just take an actual break if even for a few hours a month. 

Contact Info:

• Email: kurt@kurtmboyd.com
• Website: www.kurtmboyd.com
• Instagram: kurt.m.boyd
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kurt.michael.144