The Wason Duo
Eric and Monica have been in the real estate industry together since the early 2000’s, but not like you’d think…Monica was a nurse in Monterey County and Eric a specialty contractor. Married in 2005, bought their first home in Salinas, CA in 2007, and wham(!) the market crashed. Firsthand, they experienced homeownership heartbreak in the ‘07/’08 crash. They had bought their home at $500,000 and were one of the first to complete a short sale at $120,000.
Even though they lost their home, Eric’s specialty contractor business started to flourish as he began working on bank owned homes. The growth of Eric’s business happened so rapidly that he was in a situation where he needed office help. Monica quit her full-time nursing job to work for Eric. They moved out of Salinas to Pacific Grove, CA and set up shop. Together they became one the Peninsula’s residential custom garage door and gate builders and installers. Not only that, but they also grew the business to add another location in Seaside, CA, as well as installing garage doors for 20 Home Depot Stores all in the Bay Area and Central Coast, CA. At this same time, Monica worked in the shop and worked to accomplish earning a specialty contractor’s license. Monica’s job was to bid jobs and write contracts and for builders and homeowners. Eric built, installed, and ran the crew of the service department. Together they were a powerhouse.
Monica and Eric started getting approached by their clients, saying they wanted to “fix-up” their home to sell. Monica then began researching how much of a return on investment a homeowner would receive on doing something as simple as upgrading their garage door, not only giving curb appeal, but actual value. To learn and understand, she was having more conversations with builders who flipped homes. This quickly developed into a passion and obtaining a real estate sales license was her next accomplishment.
The “Aha Moment” came when the sudden realization came, that although Monica became a nurse to help people, she then was thrusted into this contracting business only to help her husband, but then saw through selling real estate, she could help people in another way, especially being able to empathize with the others that were affected by the ’07-’08 market crash. Unable to do both, she jumped into real estate sales with both feet.
Fast forward to today and Eric has sold his business, retired from contractor life, and this duo have full circled as Eric has decided to join Monica’s brokerage as a realtor. Let this powerhouse duo help you know if you’re getting a good deal when buying or let them help you get top dollar if you’re selling! Call them today (831) 235-6299 to get started.
