Daily Inspiration: Meet Paul Bastian

Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Bastian.

Hi Paul, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started with Keller Williams Metro at the very beginning of March 2021 as part of the office staff. I worked for a brief time at the front desk, and very quickly moved into the “back office” – handling the financial affairs of the office and learning about real estate from the back end forward. This was an absolutely invaluable experience, as I learned all about the intricacies of real estate transactions from the auditing and accounting angles first, all the while soaking up ancillary knowledge from the 300+ agents in the office. Whereas most agents come into the business with little to no idea about the actual mechanics of the profession, I had the good fortune to work in a relevant salaried role while being fully immersed in the operations of a high-volume brokerage.

While in the process of earning my real estate license in Summer of 2022, I was offered a Director of Operations role from one of the teams in my office. I accepted, as this was a vertical move both financially and professionally. I created a robust training program for onboarding new agents as well as provided support to the existing team. My own practice benefitted from this experience, as it furthered my understanding of the day-to-day tasks that lead to success while also expanding my professional network.

In early March of this year, I left my salaried role and became a full-time realtor on the team. Shortly after that change, I went a step further and struck out on my own as an independent agent. Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to help several clients sell, purchase, and lease properties.

I love this work because it offers me the chance to truly be of service to others. I hold no delusions about winning any humanitarian awards for being a realtor. But I’m incredibly grateful that this occupation provides me with the opportunity to guide others through the largest financial transaction of their lives. This career allows me the chance to make a substantive difference in others’ worlds, and brings me great joy and a strong sense of satisfaction.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
This work is not for everyone, and the barriers to entry are numerous. While I’ve had the unique good fortune to ease my way into the profession by first holding not one but two salaried roles in the field, the shift to being 100% commission based has still been a difficult path. Not having certainty about when the next paycheck is going to arrive can be an anxiety-inducing experience.

There is a serious urgency in this business to get into production quickly, but the reality is that building a book of business takes time. There’s a strong need for an individual to be self-motivated. After finding the brokerage where they want to hang their shingle, many agents will join a team in order to learn the ropes. But one can’t simply assume that a team leader is going to be a strong teacher who’s both willing and able to provide the mentorship and resources needed to hit the ground running. One needs to be savvy about choosing not just a brokerage but also any team within that brokerage, should they choose to go the team route. Not all team leaders are created equal.

If someone is intent on becoming a realtor, they must constantly be sharpening their skills through ongoing education. It’s a smart move to have regular conversations with people who’ve been in the industry, who’ve earned respect, who have a proven track record, and who are willing to provide mentorship. It’s true in this profession as much as any other – you tend to grow in the direction of the company that you keep and the counsel which you seek – so choose wisely.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m most proud of the fact that my clients repeatedly tell me that I’ve changed their perception of what a real estate agent can be. It’s not uncommon for people to equate realtors with used car salespeople or “ambulance-chasing” attorneys. Unfortunately, given the number of vultures in real estate, this reputation is not wholly unearned or completely inaccurate. I take it as high praise from my clients that I stand out as one of the “good guys” in this industry.

All four of my grandparents immigrated to the United States between WWI and WWII. Both of my grandfathers wound up owning and operating their own businesses. The humility to be of service to others, a commitment to high-quality workmanship, an extensive knowledge of tradecraft, and genuine care for clientele were the cornerstones of their businesses. The foundations of my business practice are exactly the same.

My clients have told me time and again that my ability not just to listen, but to HEAR their preferences, desires, and concerns, creates a comfortable space for them to speak freely and fully. I’m willing to take the time that people need to voice their thoughts, and to explain things to them in such a way that they have a clear understanding of their unique options in any given situation.

I live in Royal Oak, my office is in downtown Royal Oak, and I’m engaged with this community because I love this community. Even so, I don’t work solely in Royal Oak and the surrounding Woodward Corridor communities. I help clients all throughout the Metro Detroit area and southeastern lower Michigan.

I’ve spent the greater part of my life living and working in and around Detroit and its suburbs. I strongly believe that you can’t live here without having a great respect and appreciation for the unique history and culture that exists here. I love being a docent for Detroit and the surrounding communities, sharing the insider knowledge I’ve gained from a lifetime of working in various industries throughout Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.

I’ve also lived in Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles. I know firsthand what it’s like to move across the country (and back), and I thoroughly enjoy working with people who are making interstate moves. I relish the opportunity to take a complicated process and streamline it as much as possible to minimize stress for my clients.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is Living a Good Life.

I don’t chase wealth, fame, or accolades. I don’t need to be loved by everyone I meet. I don’t require the attention of everyone around me. I don’t have to have the biggest house, the flashiest car, or the most expensive this or that. I’m not driven by money or status. Do I want to live comfortably? Yes. I think we all do. But I have no appetite for excess.

More than anything, I hope to simply be a good human being. I hope I’m living my life in such a way that others’ lives are better for my having been a part of them.

These are the things that matter most to me because I feel like these are the things that matter most, period. Being a good friend. Showing up for others. Standing up for what’s right. Spreading love. Bringing calmness. Creating peace. Making others’ lives easier instead of harder.

If there’s anything I can do to make life better for anyone, I’m going to give my best efforts to do just that.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulbastianrealtor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulbastianrealtor/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulbastian/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@paulbastianrealtor
• Other: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Paul+Bastian,+Realtor/@42.5072444,-83.1575581,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x86d38977a571e1e5:0x48f5af7056913a4c!8m2!3d42.5072444!4d-83.1575581!16s%2Fg%2F11kp_pfvwt?entry=ttu