Today we’d like to introduce you to Valarie Balderrama-Charles.
Hi Valarie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in the East Side of San Antonio, Texas, my spouse often refers to me as an “Inner City” kid. There is validity in her statement but make no mistake, I love who I am and where I come from. My parents were both blue collared workers. Dad worked for an air conditioning company while I was growing up and was also a full-time musician. (Music was well embedded in the roots of our family) Mom worked for a book bindery up until the time she fell ill with Stage 3 Cancer and dad took over.
Our family grew up as a tight knit family and I have so many memories of my family celebrating holidays, birthdays, and traveling at a young age when my dad’s band performed at weddings, anniversaries, and quinceanera’s. Celebrating was a given in our family and I have so many memories that were always family oriented. There was a constant gathering of music, food, jokes, laughter, and the amount of love was evident. These times were and are the best! Don’t get me wrong, there were challenging time such as financial constraints, illness, and absence of a parent as many families have but with a strong foundation of family, love, trust, determination, and faith my parents conquered it all. I love my family and anyone who sees us together witnesses what my parents instilled in us firsthand.
My father always told me music would never be a life he wanted for me, and this may have been his way of telling me I had a bad voice, so I only sing in the car. My parents made certain school and work ethic came first. I finished high school and some college but never earned my degree. I honestly caught a glimpse of the corporate world, competitive pay, and gained valuable experience. I spent almost 2 decades between 2 Organizations and after losing inspiration I decided to walk away. I had two other jobs over the course of time but knew I could serve a higher purpose.
I had a peer who I now consider a great friend tell me he was getting his real estate license and encouraged me to do the same. I clearly remember cringing and thinking I cannot do that; I am not a salesperson. What I realized was that I was a people person and inherited my parents’ gift for helping others. I could connect people with resources any time and always had resources readily available. It’s just what I did for anyone who needed something whether it be a handy person, a mechanic, and or even someone who was in the job market looking for another opportunity. My guard finally came down and I embraced the idea when it occurred to me that I could in fact do more and have more impact on people in Real Estate. This would be life changing for those I serve and myself. When I finally realized my purpose, some things had fallen out of place but I realized it was leading me elsewhere. I earned my Real Estate License in 2018.
I am thankful that I had the support system I had. After earning my Real Estate license, my wife and I had already been discussing her retirement and a plan to allow me to gradually build my Real Estate business and eventually step away from the 8-5. I took the risk and admit I was beyond uncomfortable knowing I was going to walk away from what I had always known but I was going to finally be able to do more for others. There was a beauty in being scared that forced me to focus on a strategy to ensure I was going to maintain consistency and we would not go without. I resigned from my role 1 month prior to my wife retiring from her career of 31 years. Our planned worked and my business was growing organically. I am coming up on my 1 year anniversary of moving into Real Estate full time. So almost 4 years later here I am, Valarie Balderrama-Charles, Realtor with The Bara Group at San Antonio’s Finest Realty.
If I could sum this up…There isn’t a thing wrong with “doing it scared: as some of the people I look up to and to would say. My Broker always says, “the sky is the limit’ and there is so much truth in both statements if we don’t limit ourselves. People are my center and the reason that I do what I do. I went into this business with the mindset that I am here to serve, and I hold myself to a higher standard. Honesty, authenticity, trust, integrity, transparency, faith, constantly paying it forward, and helping other along the way are what I believe in and how I live each day. Everyone has a story and when someone trust you with that and allows you to guide them and educate them on either buying or selling one of the biggest investments of their lives, I do not take that lightly and do not take that for granted. I am forever grateful for those that I have had to opportunity to serve thus far.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
No, it never is and I draw from every experience great, good bad, and ugly. There is always a lesson to be learned. I recall a contract went south and I could say I was concerned but I was literally freaking out. I had never experienced an issue as such and I am as transparent as they get in my day to day. I was literally thinking I am going to lose this client but that was not the case.
My client literally had my back and helped me by pointing out some specifics that never occurred to me because my listing was targeting a different type of buyer. I have been working with this client now for almost 2 years if not more. We have to be willing to listen, grow, self correct, and push back, and forward in this business.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Some people in my brokerage will tell you that I am known for listing properties and some of those being foreclosures.
If I reflect on what I am most proud of, it’s being in this moment, doing what I now do for a living, the lesson learned, and of course the little wins.
What sets me apart is constantly looking at the big picture and drawing from the experience. I keep things real but will admit when I am wrong and completely ok with being vulnerable with others. Some see vulnerability as a weakness and are uncomfortable with it but I have no problem calling a resource and asking them “what does this mean? Am I overthinking or interpreting this wrong, I want to better understand.” Leverage your resources and if people don’t want to help, find someone who will.
How do you think about happiness?
The path that I am and the strength in my faith makes me happy. I get to do what I love day in/out and have time to take in moments that I didn’t before. It goes back to the quote “are you living or just existing?” I finally get to take in the moments. I am constantly surrounded by my spouse, my pups, immediate family and I would not have it any other way.
Contact Info:
- Email: Vbcharlesismyrealtor@gmail.com
- Website: https://valarierosecharles.sanantoniosfinestrealty.com/agents/148625/Valarie+Balderrama-Charles
- Instagram: Valurrealtorgal
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vbcharlesismyrealtor
