Speaker 1: 0:30

Celeste Linthicum. My business is. I'm a residential realtor. I live in Leesburg so I do focus on Loudoun County a lot, but I'm licensed in Virginia and I service most of Northern Virginia.

Speaker 2: 0:47

Beautiful. I love that, so you're keeping it in the neighborhood here. And then you've had a diverse career, from IT photography to real estate. What inspired each transition and how have these experiences shaped your approach as a realtor?

Speaker 1: 1:03

Yes, I started off at a college. I was a computer programmer. Then I got pregnant with our daughter and I was a stay-at-home mom for a number of years, which by far was probably the best career, right there.

Speaker 1: 1:19

And then I ended up. I've always had an interest in photography and my daughter played basketball and I was always photographing her playing basketball. And then that kind of evolved into a photography career and I focused mostly on high school senior portraits and sports. And also I volunteered with the Fairfax County Animal Shelter and I was a photographer for them for about five years, you know, trying to help the dogs get adopted. And then one of my friends and I we were getting petties one day and my friend, who was a realtor, encouraged me to get my real estate license and I had never, ever thought of that in my whole life and I thought, wow, what you know. And I thought about it, talked about it with my husband and decided I'll try it for a year, see if I like it. And I'm still doing it, so I guess I like it.

Speaker 2: 2:17

Yeah, you must Cause. Hello, you're still here. Yeah, and what was the transition like with each career? Did you have like a coach, a mentor, where there's some hurdles? Talk to me about that.

Speaker 1: 2:27

Um no, no coach, well, just my husband.

Speaker 1: 2:30

but you know my husband no, he's not in real estate, but, you know, he's always been very encouraging for whatever I want to do, and he knows me and he knows what I would be good at. So I think that, in fact, he actually encouraged me to get my license years ago so that we could buy properties and get them a little cheaper. Yeah, and I didn't do it, but the transition was, you know, it's just becoming a realtor. It's very different. Well, I had to buy a lot of clothes. Yes, got to have that wardrobe, that's right. So you know, and it's, there's really a lot of startup costs, you know, with marketing and getting all your things that you need, and so there's a considerable cost when you, when you get started. So, but you know, that was fine, I knew it was going to be worth it. Um, and you know, when I transitioned from stay home mom to photography, um, that was just kind of following my passion, that kind of a change, um, so you know, they were, all you know, very different changes, but made sense.

Speaker 2: 3:39

Yeah, and do you still uh, dip into photography?

Speaker 1: 3:43

Um, I don't have much time, I don't. Yeah, I um I've actually been selling a lot of my equipment, um, because I, you know, have a lot. You know how it is.

Speaker 2: 3:55

Yes, I do. Okay, Well, that's cool. Thank you for sharing that, yeah.

Speaker 1: 3:58

But I still have my, my main stuff. But um, yeah, I mean I mostly photograph my. I have three golden retrievers and I'm mostly photographing them.

Speaker 2: 4:07

Beautiful. I love that. Yeah, Then. Um, managing a multi-property vacation rental business for over a decade is impressive. What are some key lessons you've learned from this venture?

Speaker 1: 4:19

I think the biggest lesson that I've learned is that you know it's much easier to have a business like that when the properties are nearby. They're in at least within 20 miles of where you live. The properties that we have are a considerable distance away and it makes it hard, Like, for example, say, I get one of my properties painted. Well, you know how you want to check everything before you write the check, so I have to rely on somebody else that I trust check, so I have to rely on somebody else that I trust.

Speaker 2: 4:59

But you know nobody's going to look like at things like you do, so right.

Speaker 1: 5:01

So you write the check and it's kind of sight unseen, but somebody looked at it for you. So that's what I mean by that.

Speaker 2: 5:08

It's just a lot easier if you have properties nearby, Gotcha yeah for sure, and what are some marketing strategies that you're using right now and implementing in your business?

Speaker 1: 5:18

In my business. Yeah, well, the biggest strategy that I'm using right now is I started a YouTube channel and, yeah, and so I'm. I'm focused on, uh, people that are relocating here to the Washington DC area. So, um, I've been having a lot of fun with that, I've been learning a lot and, um, you know it's been. You know I just started up, so it really hasn't took off taken off yet.

Speaker 1: 5:47

Yeah, but um, it's been great. So yeah, I'm just focusing on if people, somebody sitting in Seattle and they find out that they have to go live. You know, in the Washington DC area A lot of people go on YouTube and say yeah and say what's it like living in Northern Virginia, and my videos will come up and you know I do a lot of vlog style tours um pros and cons. Five reasons why you'll love this area, those kinds of videos.

Speaker 2: 6:15

Be like a great resource for them. That's awesome. Yeah, what is your youtube called? Just in case anyone's listening and they want to check it out?

Speaker 1: 6:21

yeah, um, it's called uh living in washington dc.

Speaker 2: 6:25

Beautiful, and it's on youtube, guys make sure to like subscribe comment her yeah, celeste, yeah, I love comments yes, beautiful. And then, um, let's see, you've actively involved in community service, from photographing shelter animals, as you mentioned, to therapy dog visits with Eddie. Yes, how do these activities influence your personal and professional life? Um?

Speaker 1: 6:49

I think you know it affects my personal life, just because it's one of those things that I um it. I, the whole reason I I got, the whole reason Eddie and I trained to be a therapy dog team was, um, I had a personal experience with, like my own parents, um being in the hospital, for they've since passed, but being in the hospital, thank you. Um being in the hospital and they've since passed, but being in the hospital, thank you. Being in the hospital and you know, sitting there waiting for something. You know you're in there for hours and hours and you're worried and you know, are they going to pass? Are they not? Are they going to come out of this? Okay, and while there, I always thought, man, I wish a dog was here with me. You know, it would just be so, it would get my mind off of it. And so that's the whole reason why I started doing it, because I wanted to visit hospitals and visit families that are going through similar situations, just to just to, you know, get their mind off of their loved one for five or 10 minutes, just get a mental break. Yes, yeah, so that's why I started doing it, because I thought, man, I really wish somebody had done that for me and I want to do that for them.

Speaker 1: 8:03

So we we have visited hospitals. We also have visited um, um you know, uh memory care units with people with Alzheimer's dementia. Um, we also go to um the uh public library and read with kids. It's called pause to read and that's really awesome. That's a great program If you have a child that isn't a fan of reading. They love reading to a dog. Oh, I bet. Yeah, so it's um, it's, it's just, I don't know, it's just fun to do that.

Speaker 2: 8:38

Absolutely. Yeah, making an impact Exactly, and the fact that you felt that way during your hardships with your parents in the hospital. Like you know what. There's like a gap here that could be filled up. I don't want people to feel the way I felt, and let me just offer my buddy, eddie, over here and is Eddie the only one, or are the other ones?

Speaker 1: 8:54

trained. Yeah, eddie's the only um. It's Eddie Boomer and Gracie Her three golden. Yes, and um, eddie's the oldest and it takes a lot to to do this, to to train with your dog. You have to take a written test, you have to go to classes. It's kind of a big deal. So I just don't have time to do I got it classes.

Speaker 2: 9:15

It's kind of a big deal, so I just don't have time to do the other. I got it. Yeah, I know, girl, you're busy. Kudos to Eddie for getting it done, though, yeah exactly.

Speaker 1: 9:20

Shout out to him.

Speaker 2: 9:21

And then as a mother, entrepreneur and volunteer. How do you manage to balance these roles effectively? Any tips?

Speaker 1: 9:29

You know, my husband's a big help. Shout out husband. Yeah, he's a huge help. My Um, my husband, dave, he, he, you know we trade off on making dinner at night and that kind of thing, so he's a huge help, um, and I think it's just because he understands how it is to be so busy and you don't have time for things. So he's, you know, willing to help out. But, um, I think, just being organized with your schedule, that really helps. Our daughter lives nearby. She lives like five minutes from us, and so we do get to see her a lot. I don't have we're empty nesters, so I don't have little ones at home. I think it would be, though, for those realtors that have little kids at home. I don't know how they do it, right, I don't know how they do it, but they do, they do, yeah, yeah. So, um, you know, and as far as being able to volunteer and stuff, I just plan it out really far in advance. Um, that's the, that's, that's the way to get it done for sure, yeah.

Speaker 2: 10:29

And then, in your opinion, what are some three elements that you think realtors should have in order to provide a great service for their clients?

Speaker 1: 10:39

I think that, um, number one, they really need to be techie. Um, there's, that's a big one, right, that's a huge one, it really is. Um, there's, in the real estate world, there's so many things that you need to know, not only just like writing a contract and and emailing your clients and things like that, but I mean, like, with my YouTube channel, I have my GoPro and I'm you know, um editing. I'm editing the, my videos, even for my social media, I'm editing my videos and, um, I think there's a lot of people that may not know how to do that. And, yeah, and um gosh, there's just so many apps that you can use. There's a whole world of things, you know tools, uh, for realtors to use and, um, you know, you really need to be techie to understand how to do that, I think.

Speaker 1: 11:37

Secondly, you really need to have a very outgoing personality. I think that people want to feel comfortable with you and feel, you know, you kind of become their friend, very, very close friends, at the time when you're helping them with buying or selling. But you know, I tend to I stay in contact with my clients even after the transaction. But you know, I think that if you have a warm, welcoming, outgoing personality. That really helps you as a realtor. You can't be shy about, about approaching them first, um, you know. So I think that's very, very important, um. And then I think, thirdly, at least for me, um, just having a little bit of of a competitive edge to you. Um, not super crazy competitive.

Speaker 2: 12:26

Like cutthroat. Yeah, not like that. No, not that.

Speaker 1: 12:29

No, but I think that you know just something that's what motivates me. So it's the competitiveness, and it's not so much about the money, it's about all the different things that there are to use to, you know, to try to get leads or to try to sell a house. There's so many different avenues to use, um, to get those things done, and you know it's it's. It's very interesting to me to figure out which ways to go.

Speaker 2: 13:00

Yeah, no, those are some great ones.

Speaker 2: 13:03

I want to go back to the first one with tech, just because I want to pick your brain a little bit more, and I'm wondering if maybe your background in photography helps play a role in this, but not only do you understand the importance of video and having an online presence and technology, but how did you get to the point where you are right now, where you're just like I got to do this Like you're editing? You know about the apps A lot of business owners don't even know, or they're just like I'll pay someone to do it. Eventually I'll get to it. But you are like on it. What. What made you say like, okay, I got to figure this out. I got to let me take, like take a shot at editing this. Like how did you get that mindset?

Speaker 1: 13:41

I've always been that way. I mean, when I got out of college, I was a computer programmer. Um, then I, like I said I had a break and I was a stay-at-home mom, but my husband's very, he's in the tech world, and that's just how we are and that's how I am. I've always been that way. I think it's cool that there's things on our phones that can make things, you know, processes go a lot faster. So I've just always been that way and I'm always interested in it. How's this going to make my life easier?

Speaker 1: 14:13

And then now, with the, with AI, oh man, I mean, and I, you know, if I don't understand something, I just YouTube it and just go watch a video about how to do it, um, and I spent a lot of time doing that, you know. I just, um, I guess I see the real benefit of it, of all these tools that are available. And you know, like you know, making my presentations look better, making, you know, not, um, something printed out from the MLS that looks kind of cheesy, like everything's polished Stale, yeah, yeah, right, yeah, exactly, and so it's all about, you know, my image. My image is to be, you know, provide information and uh, and, and things look really good and professional, so I think that's a big motivator, yeah for sure, and being unique but true to yourself.

Speaker 2: 15:06

Yeah, true, cause you kind of want to, like, stand out too right.

Speaker 1: 15:09

Unique, but true to yourself yeah, true, because you kind of want to like stand out too right, right, exactly, yeah, you have to try to stand out. That's very important.

Speaker 2: 15:15

Well, thank you for sharing that. I think that's awesome what you're doing. Oh, thank you. Don't stop girl, keep going, thank you. And now this is a fun fact, guys you guys don't know powerlifting achievements. Breaking women's powerlifting records is remarkable. How did you get into?

Speaker 1: 15:35

powerlifting and what drove you in the sport, wow, do you know, I had a personal trainer and we would work out and he was into powerlifting and he would, you know, we chit, chat and talk about it and again it's that competition aspect of it and I thought, well, I want to do that, you know, and I was like I bet there aren't too many women my age doing it and I've always felt like I was kind of strong, so, and I could see my numbers going up, I was lifting more, lifting more.

Speaker 2: 16:03

That's so badass.

Speaker 1: 16:12

So I thought, ah, I want to try that.

Speaker 1: 16:13

So I joined a powerlifting team in Tysons and I would go and work out with them and, and we would, you know, work out together. It was once or twice a week, and then we would our coach would find meets that were, you know, in the area in Virginia and we would, we would start focusing on that certain meat and you know, train, train, train. And uh, so I went to a meet I think it was down in Virginia beach and, um, so the the record that I broke was for, um, strict curl. And what strict curl is is you was going to ask yes, um, so when you curl, you're just, you know, you have a bar with weights and you're going like this. So strict curl is you lean your back up against a wall and you have to keep your shoulders everything straight on that wall and you're lifting it this way, so that way you're not using your body to get it up, it's just all arms. So that's why it's called Strict Pearl. So, yeah, I did that and I broke the record, wow.

Speaker 2: 17:12

When did you break this record?

Speaker 1: 17:13

It was like three years ago, I think.

Speaker 2: 17:16

Impressive. Yeah, guys, she'll beat you in a fight, so don't try it. I'm just kidding. That's awesome, though. Again, that just makes me think, like, how do you find time? I know you're busy, you're like I don't delve into photography anymore because I'm busy but like the fact that you're still always finding time, even being a business owner, entrepreneur you're still finding those times to be yourself, find yourself, center yourself and find things that make you happy, that you can reset, like just even doing the therapy. Can you give maybe other entrepreneurs like any tips on how to possibly balance it or how to find time when you want to do something?

Speaker 1: 17:48

You know, you know that saying pick one thing and do it well, I think that's very true with if you're going to have your professional life and your family life, those are always a given, but then if you want to have something else, just pick one thing, um and do it well and break a record.

Speaker 2: 18:06

I don't know about the curl one, but I'll find a record to break somewhere else.

Speaker 1: 18:10

Yeah, I think that just pick something and then see if you like it and then, once you're done with that, pick something else. But don't try to do too much.

Speaker 2: 18:20

Yeah, I know that's good, Because a lot of people try to juggle a lot of things Like I'm going to do this, this, this, just so I can have my me time, but it's like you're not focusing on something, like giving your time, and you have minimal time. So just try to focus on that one thing, baby steps. Once you master that, maybe we'll go into the next thing, right.

Speaker 1: 18:36

And try to think about what it is. Why do you want to do this other thing? Is it because you want to give back? Is it because you want to do something competitive so you can, so you can have that win feeling? Is it what's it about? You know, and just kind of narrow it down why you want to do the purpose you know, not just because it's popular or something you know. Just think what is it? What need do I have that I need to fulfill?

Speaker 2: 19:01

That's such good advice.

Speaker 1: 19:02

Because a lot of times we don't think about that.

Speaker 2: 19:06

We're just like oh, everyone's doing that, I'm going to try pickleball too, but it's just like do you even do that? Or is it just because everybody else is doing?

Speaker 1: 19:11

it? Is it because your friend's doing it too?

Speaker 2: 19:13

Yeah, Come on now. No, that's such good advice. Oftentimes I fall under that trap. Sometimes Everyone's doing that and I'm just like why I don't like this?

Speaker 1: 19:20

I don't like being outdoors. I don't know.

Speaker 2: 19:23

Anyway, that's great tips. I want to ask where do you see yourself in the next five years as a person and with your business?

Speaker 1: 19:31

Um, gosh, um, I don't really know as a person. I just kind of I hope it's all still the same. I hope I'm healthy. I hope that you know I don't. I hope that more things don't hurt on my body.

Speaker 2: 19:45

Oh, no, please.

Speaker 1: 19:45

No pain, no pain. No, I mean, as you get older, things hurt. I just hope that I stay the same and I'm just healthy and happy and, um, you know, spending a lot of time with my family. That's really important to me. Um, and professionally, I hope that I've reached more and more goals that I've set for myself. Um, you know, and I'm I'm doing it and I really hope my YouTube channel is paying off.

Speaker 2: 20:12

Me too, I think it will and, plus, you just got to be consistent with it, right, and hopefully people will resonate with it, especially nationwide, who are looking to come here Right, or maybe even people who just are in the neighborhood and they're thinking about maybe coming to another part.

Speaker 2: 20:25

So yeah, that's what it's aimed to Exactly the relocators and the people around here. I love it. Yeah, I'm rooting for you, girl, thank you. And then there's a you have so many patterns. This is why I asked you that and you're going to laugh. But let's talk about your motorcycling passion. Yeah, you see, she just throws. She's like find one thing you're good at and just go, and it's just like she's good at 10 things. So riding a motorcycle is often seen as adventurous. How did you get into motorcycling and do you find parallels between this hobby and your professional life?

Speaker 1: 20:58

No, hey I love the honesty.

Speaker 2: 21:01

I don't think I do, but Living life on the edge, being a real estate and motorcycle riding.

Speaker 1: 21:07

Motorcycle riding. You know, when I was a kid, my neighbor, I used to ride dirt bikes with the kids in the neighborhood.

Speaker 2: 21:13

Okay, you've always been a badass. Let me just say that.

Speaker 1: 21:15

Well, I never owned a dirt bike. My parents wouldn't give me one, but I would, you know, ride my friends and I thought that was super fun, and you know. Then fast forward. Um, my husband had a motorcycle and you know, I thought, well, maybe I'll get my motorcycle license so we can ride together. And you know why not? So I did, and I went and got my motorcycle license. This was probably about six years ago, okay, you know, and I did it over at Nova. I'm in the parking lot. I'm sure a lot of your viewers have seen people doing that. Yeah, and it was me with about six other 20 something year old boys.

Speaker 2: 21:56

I love that. I love this image. It was kind of funny.

Speaker 1: 21:59

Yeah, so it was just me with the guys and so I got my license and, um, I, I, it's, it's really fun, you know, like, especially like right now the weather's great. I just, and we live in an area in that, we live in Leesburg and I just, I I'm on the back roads and I don't like to go. I would never go on 66. I would never go on four 95. I barely like to go on Route 7. But I just go around Loudoun County, go past wineries, just ride around. It's really fun.

Speaker 2: 22:31

I bet it's so fun. Especially as, like the seasons change, seeing the leaves or all the green Right, I'm excited for you because look at the weather, it's getting so nice.

Speaker 1: 22:40

Yeah, and then you know, my husband and I will ride. We live in Leesburg and we will ride up to Percival, go to dinner, ride home or go to somewhere in town. You know it's just fun.

Speaker 2: 22:52

That's awesome. I'm so happy you're getting to do like all these things you love. Sometimes, literally, I know I work out with 9 to 5, but sometimes I'm like I don't have the energy.

Speaker 1: 23:09

I'm just going to lie, but all these things that you know I, I, I did pick one thing and you know it felt like I did it. Well, but then and then you move on to something else, but you still have that other thing that you can if you want to go back to it or relive it.

Speaker 2: 23:23

I love it. And now the home buying process can be stressful. How do you support clients emotionally and practically to ensure a smooth experience?

Speaker 1: 23:35

I think one thing that I'm really, really good at is communicating with my clients. Um, I I am one of those that when they text me, I text them back immediately or within five minutes, um, or call them or whatever, and I think that that really eases a lot of their stress. Yes, I think it helps them tremendously. Um, and also through like the home buying process or selling um, I'm emailing at least weekly at least, and telling them everything that's happening. You know, here's what we here's what we've already done. Here's what's coming up. Here's important dates. Here's how your how.

Speaker 1: 24:17

Here's how the um Instagram reel is going. It got this many views. Here's how your the YouTube ad is going. It got thousands of views. Here's when the open house is. Here's what I'm going to do at the open house. I just really communicate with them and tell them everything. And even if there wasn't anything going on, I can at least update them on all the socials and all the numbers and just tell them hey, you know we haven't had a lot of interest this week, um, but here's what I'm doing to try to find buyers for you. So I think that that's one thing that really sets me up. Another well, it's another thing that sets me apart is that I am really good at communicating with people and letting them know what's going on.

Speaker 2: 24:59

That's so important and the fact that you are keeping them in the know with everything. I'm sure they appreciate that they're like how does she know? That's literally what I was asking. I didn't know who to ask. I'm like duh, let me, this is perfect, and then that way you can engage in a new conversation about that topic and you can just go from there, exactly.

Speaker 1: 25:18

Yeah, I really don't want a client to have to text me or email me or call me and say, hey, what's going on? I would feel like you know that was kind of a failure on my end. I really want to answer all their questions before they even have to ask. Wow.

Speaker 2: 25:36

Yeah, that's top notch, right there, it really is. Yeah, thank you. And then, given your extensive experience in Leesburg and Loudoun County, what trends are you currently observing in the local real estate market?

Speaker 1: 25:51

Well, it's definitely a seller's market. Right now A lot of people are sitting on a lot of equity in their homes because real estate just always it's the best investment and your property values just go up, up, up. So I'm seeing, you know it's a seller's market and there's not a ton of people listing their homes. That's not. I'm not saying we, you know, we have this, there's no homes for sale. It's not like that.

Speaker 2: 26:18

It's just inventory.

Speaker 1: 26:19

Yeah, so when there is a property and especially if it's a really good one, there's going to be multiple, especially if it's a really good one, there's going to be multiple offers. The price is probably going to escalate and people are going to get rid of contingencies and say like no home inspection or no whatever, so that their offers can be more competitive. So that's what I'm seeing, okay.

Speaker 2: 26:45

Thank you. Is there anything that I have not touched on that perhaps you would like to share about yourself, your business, your industry? You have the floor.

Speaker 1: 26:53

Oh gosh. As for myself, I really take my job very seriously, and that saying of treat others the way you want to be treated, that's exactly how I feel. That's the reason why I communicate with everybody so much. That's the reason why I want to, you know, be out on all the socials and, do you know, to try to sell someone's home and to to go down all those avenues, cause that's what I would want somebody to do for me. So I'm doing everything that I would want people to do for me. Um, so that's really the biggest driver for me. And then that really inspires me and my business and how I run my business.

Speaker 2: 27:40

Yeah, yeah, thank you. Well, it's been a pleasure having you here on the podcast. It's been great being with you. Yay, I love it, and make sure you pet your little three buddies. Thank you so much for being on the podcast.

Speaker 1: 27:52

Sure, you're welcome.