On our journey to living the American dream, real estate has played an important role in transforming our lives. After years of practical application, I decided to share my experience and help others realize their dreams.

When my wife, Kshama, and I came to the United States from India, it felt like we were starting our lives over. Our son was very young, and we had to uphold our work visas, which required a sponsor and a job.

We didn’t have a lot of money, so renting seemed like the best option. After several months of paying rent, I started to question if renting was really the best financial choice. Instead of paying over $1,200 a month toward a property we would never own, we could be paying a mortgage and owning an asset.

Several of my friends discouraged the idea of buying a home because they worried about what would happen if I lost my job and, as a result, lost my work visa. I was confident the benefits outweighed the potential risks. No matter what happened, we could always sell the property because it was ours.

Not to mention, there is nothing like having the freedom to do whatever you want with the home you own. We were very excited to buy our first property, a townhome, within the first year and a half of moving here. It was a huge accomplishment. Nothing compares to the pride we felt in owning our home.

As I built my career in IT consulting, I continued learning about real estate. When it was time to upgrade, we used our townhome as an investment property. It was a major learning experience having tenants and needing to maintain a property, but I loved seeing our initial investment turn into a source of income. I continued buying properties in different states and learning about the real estate market.

Through IT consulting, I knew many people who were interested in buying property but didn’t think they could afford it. I started creating spreadsheets to show my clients how they could buy property while staying within their financial means.

Even though I wasn’t a professional in real estate, I was very passionate about educating people and sharing my experiences.

When I first decided to get my REALTORS® license, I planned on doing it for my personal use. I would keep my job in consulting and use my license to continue growing my portfolio.

However, changes in my career made me reconsider. The project I was working on had a contract renewal at the end of the year. If I renewed, I would be flying to Atlanta and Las Vegas frequently. When I received my REALTORS® license, I told my consulting client I would not be renewing my role on the project.

While searching for a brokerage, I began to consider what it would be like to work as a full-time REALTOR®. It would be incredible to use my knowledge and experiences to help other people. Once I made the decision, there was no going back. I was all in and couldn’t wait to get started.

Some of the very first people I worked with were past consulting clients. They trusted me and knew I understood the market in a way most REALTORS® don’t. I haven’t just read the books and studied for the exam – through practical application, I learned what works and the best methods to ensure smart investments.

My passion for real estate translated into a passion for helping others understand it and cross the threshold from renters to owners. When I first moved to the United States, I was discouraged from buying, but it ultimately was one of the best decisions I could have made. Now, I get to help others achieve their dreams and overcome the same obstacles I have.

There’s nothing more rewarding than helping people make great investment decisions. Whether it is someone’s first home or a new investment property to add to their portfolio, I know I have the knowledge and skills to make it happen.

It is very rewarding to give people the confidence to buy real estate. Not only do I provide professional support to my clients, but I also show on paper exactly why a specific property is a great investment opportunity. I don’t gloss over the details; I break them down and explain what it takes to make your dreams a reality.

When you work with me, I prioritize forming a connection and learning about your goals. I will never pressure my clients or push them into a decision. As your REALTOR®, I want to educate you and provide you with all the options that align with your goals. There truly is nothing like helping someone buy a property when they thought it was never a possibility for them. Even after the transaction is over, I’ll continue to support you as your REALTOR® for life.

Sincerely,


Sanjay Marathe
REALTOR®
Mobile (630) 915-2970
Office (630) 778-5800
SanjayM@kw.com
www.AskMEstates.com