Hidden Gems: Meet Whitney Brashear

Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Brashear.

Hi Whitney, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I graduated from ASU in 2014 which led me to get my degree in criminal justice. From there I started working in juvenile corrections in the girl’s unit for a little over a year. Each day was different whether that be a fight on the unit between kids, or adding another kid to the unit, you never knew what you were going to get into that day. You try to make a difference in these kids’ lives and give them some guidance on how to make their lives better. When I was working in corrections I was slowly learning about child services since some of the kids had social workers with the state. You would see the social workers come and go after seeing the kids. I recall talking to one of the girls on my unit who was getting ready to be released, and they were trying to find somewhere for her to live. She looked hopeless and lost, and she has heard the same thing over and over again, but now that she was finally getting released people were scrambling to get things done.

After being in juvenile corrections for a little over a year, I became a field training officer and trained other officers coming out of the academy. I loved working with the kids and just trying to get them onto a better path once they got out of the facility. I knew I needed something different and applied for a case manager for social services. Listen, being from California I knew NOTHING when it came to Arizona social services altogether. When people think of social work, they think rainbows, sunshine, and everything is going to work out. However, it doesn’t. I was with social services for 6 years, and it was a LIFE-CHANGING career. There are many tears, sleepless nights, and taking on others’ problems. Social work should really be called “solving problems for complete strangers”. I’ve seen the worst of the worst when it comes to families, and what is done behind closed doors that the majority of people could never comprehend, while on the other side, I’ve seen families reunify, and I’ve seen kids get a second chance at life with a new family. While I was in social services I had the highest success rate in reunifying parents and children back together. It was truly the best feeling. During these 6 years, I have 2 children myself, and people always thought I was crazy to do my job and be a mother as well.

I would always get asked, “how do you do what you do”? My response was always “how can I not”. I know how controversial social services can be, and my job was to not be there and judge others, but rather help them, and support them. After 6 years, and being a mother of 2 I decided I needed something that was more flexible, and less demanding, and decided to leave my position after I had my 2nd child. I decided to apply for a local nonprofit that works with children for behavioral health needs. This was kind of ironic given I was really working with the same families, same kids, and same attorneys with the courts, I was just on the behavioral side of things. I thought this would be the fresh start I needed; something different, but yet the same in working with families and helping them get what they needed. It wasn’t. I was with this nonprofit for over a year then I decided I needed to leave due to poor management from the CEO. Like many companies, there are issues wherever you go, and I totally get that. I’ve always been a firm believer in “my family comes first”, and when that was not working for the company I knew I needed to find something else.

Let’s fill you in a little more about my home life which led me to where I am today and being a Realtor. During Covid, my parents moved here from Oregon and bought a house not far from ours. They ended up working with an amazing realtor Jaylene who I would go with to look at homes since my parents were in Oregon. She was awesome. So nice, so helpful, and super accommodating with anything my parents needed. Then my husband left his job that he had been at for YEARS during a pandemic to follow his dreams, and get into flipping homes. I always kept in touch with Jaylene, and she would answer any market questions I had. She was just a good human. We clicked. I never knew that 2 years later I would be mentored by her and work with her on almost a daily basis. So, after I left the non-profit I decided to get my real estate license. I took a 2-week course and passed both my school and state exams shortly after. Really, I had no idea what I was getting into, or it was more of an internal battle of staying with something I’m comfortable doing and have been doing for years, then starting over and essentially being happy all around. I immediately called Jaylene and said HELP. It was refreshing to talk to her, and have her support, but more so telling me that I will be okay in making this huge career change.

I saw others around me including my husband doing what they love, and I had grown a love for real estate from new builds to older architecture to the technology that can now be put into homes these days. I was also getting to help people in finding their forever home. There is more to real estate than finding a home and putting in an offer. It’s all about relationships, and building those relationships up to a point where you really know everything about the families you are working with from divorces, and likes/dislikes, to huge milestones that happen with the family. It’s all about relationships which are very similar to my background in social work. It’s exciting to see people excited about homes you send them and then the wheels start turning on how we are going to get you into THE home. I genuinely love helping others and helping them live their best lives. There are realtors who look down on newer agents for being “new” when they have 20+ years of experience. My advice is to be you and put yourself out there. Experience and knowledge come with time, but being able to create a relationship with a complete stranger is something that not all realtors have. Don’t be afraid to start over, and never compromise your happiness.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some of the struggles that I’ve had is starting over in a career. Many people look at you as if you are CRAZY. How can you leave your job, insurance, and weekly paycheck to go into a career that depends on the sale of a home?

If you listen to what people say you wouldn’t do anything in life, and things wouldn’t get done in the world. Having a family, being a mother, and starting over is VERY scary. However, I have never been happier about where I am at today.

We’ve been impressed with Realtor, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My name is Whitney Brashear and I am a Realtor here in the West Valley. I currently work for the Fillman Group with my team leads being John Fillman and Jaylene Clausen under REAL Broker. I am here to help make your home-buying experience as easy and stress-free as possible.

I believe in creating relationships with my clients that will last a lifetime, and leave them wanting to tell others about the awesome experience they had with me as an agent. I pride myself on working in the best interest of my clients and making sure any worries they have I am able to make them feel comfortable. Whether you are a first-time home buyer to an investor with years of experience I would love to help you make your real estate dreams come true.

Contact Info:

• Website: Whitneybrashear@fillmangroupre.com
• Email:Whitney@fillmangroup.com
• Instagram: @Whitney_sellsthevalley