Tell us about yourself?
My name is Naveed Khan aka Nick Khan and I am a realtor in NYC. I am a father of a beautiful little girl, husband of an amazing woman and a son of two great parents. My parents migrated to the States when I was 13 to provide a better future and opportunities for their children, I take that very seriously and I work hard every day to make sure I do not squander that opportunity. My background is in finance, I got into the financial industry at the age of 19 and saw a lot of success early on and eventually worked my way up to Sr. Vice President and then Managing Director. Over time I transitioned into Real Estate brokerage and now I absolutely love what I do.
How did you get started in Real Estate?
After the financial industry, I wanted to pursue my passion in real estate, but I really wanted to understand it from the ground up. I decided to go to college and get a degree in construction management. I started out working in the construction industry at the very bottom doing site safety and worked my way up to Project Manager and worked as a consultant on mega projects for New York City. However, I missed sales and the thrill of deal making so I decided to combine my background in sales with this new-found knowledge of the construction industry and for me it was a natural transition into real estate sales.
What does it mean to you to be a realtor?
For me, it’s an honor to represent my clients in one of the biggest transactions of their life. For most people their home is their biggest asset and for me to be in a position to guide them through the process of purchasing or selling their home is a privilege and it’s a responsibility that I do not take lightly. I love getting to know people and helping them get through the process. I look at every deal as an opportunity to learn something new and grow from it.
How has your previous experience in business and brokerage helped you in Real Estate?
You can always draw parallels because I believe that the core values of any business are the same. Hard work, professionalism, integrity and putting your client’s interest first are at the core of any business. But my previous career equipped me with transferable skills that I was able to apply in real estate. For instance, people skills and the ability to close deals. I think to be in sales you have to have a lot of patience and thick skin. Understand that every deal will come with its own challenges and every client has different needs. No two deals are alike and there is no cookie cutter method or a universal rule that applies to every situation. You have to be quick on your feet and responsive. I think having established an understanding and getting a grip on these ideas early on in life really helps me excel.
What separates you from the competition?
I don’t give up. I believe as long as you’re willing there is always a way to get things done. I am a straight shooter and I’m not afraid to give my clients a reality check when need be, and my clients appreciate that. Having a great understanding of what your client is looking to get from the deal puts you ahead of your competition by a mile. My client’s best interest is my only interest.
Your daily routine?
Get up, dress up and show up, I live by that. I am up at 5am. After my workout, I get ready and I am usually at the office by 7:30am. I go through my calendar and confirm my appointments, make sure the paperwork is in order and off I go.
What is your advice for someone reading this article looking to get into real estate?
The most valuable commodity in the world is time, make sure that you are passionate about whatever you choose to do with your time and your life. You never want to do something because other people around you are doing it. With that being said Real estate is a hustle so you must be ready to outwork the competition. It’s an everyday grind and it’s far from your average 9-5 with vacation time. It’s a business and like any business it requires time and patience to build. Work hard, be yourself and be patient.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love spending every spare moment with my family. My wife and my daughter are the two most important people in my life, and I cherish every moment I get to spend with them.
For more information, Naveed can be reached [email protected] or 347-419-3503
