Rod Reiter is the sales director for Krystal Tower in Miami.
What was your first job in the realty industry? I started right away as a Realtor at Grand Floridian Estate Realty in 2009.
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Since the last time I did the Agent Snapshot, I have taken up muay thai, which is a Thai martial art. I also tend to a very small garden in the patio of my condo where I grow mostly herbs, such as basil and parsley. Usually I’m not good with plants, but helping something grow definitely relaxes me.
Where did you grow up? I was born in Caracas, Venezuela, grew up in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles and completed my junior and senior year of high school in Boca Raton.
After that I lived in a variety of cities such as Boston, San Diego, London, Prague and Amsterdam.
Growing up, what did you want to be? I wanted to be a pilot, and someday I do want to get my private pilot’s license.
There was a time when I was in high school when I wanted to be a musician. I succeeded in learning how to play guitar and bass, but obviously I was never able to make that a career.
If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? Last time I said Bill Clinton, and while I haven’t had the chance to meet him yet, at this point in my life I would be more interested in meeting Warren Buffett. I admire the way he handles his level of success.
Where is your favorite place to hang out? With friends at my place or theirs. A lot of couples nights these days. I like being behind the grill and sampling good beer with friends.
What do you love most about the industry? Last time I said: “I get to meet new people from all over the world every single day.” This has not changed a bit since then. Also the fact that there is so much room to do different things. Always something new to learn.
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? My secret is that I am very strict in not allowing myself to be outworked by anyone else.
We work in an industry with many variables and the end result is not entirely within our control. By working hard and diminishing the things that can derail a transaction is the one way I can regain a semblance of control.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job? Time, always time. There never seems to be enough time. Other than networking, time management is the most important skill an agent needs to develop to be successful.
Where do you go to network and meet new clients? Since last time, I joined BNI and also network in the chamber of commerce. But my networking definitely doesn’t end there.
In essence, I am constantly networking. If I’m meeting people, I am networking, no matter where that is. You simply never know when you will make a valuable connection. Networking is also something that pays off exponentially. The more you do it, the smaller your world becomes. Pretty soon you are meeting new people who know someone else you already know. This instantly gives you credibility.
What has been you greatest accomplishment? Without a doubt, my new gig as sales director of the Krystal Tower. This has truly been the culmination of 5 very hard years of work.
That being said, I still believe my best is yet to come.
What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? “How to Win Friends & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie is the single most influential business book I ever read. It is an old book from the 20s, and it is amazing how true it still rings almost 100 years later.
In my opinion, it is a must read not only for anyone in business and sales, but also just for general life.
What is your favorite restaurant? I still love variety. I love sushi, then again who doesn’t? But I can really appreciate a good burger too. In Deerfield Beach there’s a place called Charm City, truly awesome burgers. Worth the trip.
Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Houston? I looked up the building I was referring to the last time I did a Snapshot. It’s the Van Dyke Cafe on Lincoln Road.
What kind of car do you drive? Still driving the same red sedan, though it has 95,000 miles on it. So I will probably be trading it in pretty soon.
Smartphone or paper? I remember getting my first blackberry in 2009, and I was behind the curve then. Now I have an Android in my pocket, plus I walk around with an iPad mini. If you’re not working with technology at this time, you’re basically on your way to retirement.
What is your favorite city after Miami? Prague, glorious glorious Prague in the Czech Republic. Especially in the summer when Miami turns into a giant sauna.
What is your advice for someone new to the industry? Network, you’ll only ever be as successful as your network.
What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? Karl’s Mortgage Calculator is still super handy. Whatsapp is a godsend. Facebook is accelerated networking for free. Dropbox has recently become one of my most used apps. Instagram was made for Real Estate.
Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? I still don’t use Twitter all that much. I don’t think the format is particularly effective for real estate.
Facebook has quickly become my go to news source, so I friended a lot of industry pages (Realtor Associations, Miami Agent Mag) and anything local is a good follow too (New Times, the Herald). It’s super handy to keep up to date with what’s going on.
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