Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in Real Estate?
AR: Going through the process of buying my first house when I was 23. I thought it would be a “fun” job, because looking at houses is fun! Then I went through a divorce a few years later and I told myself that it was sink or swim. If I couldn’t make it on my own in a year, then I was going to explore other career options. So I buckled down and worked from the moment I woke up until I fell asleep each night. If I wasn’t meeting with people, I was at the office. My coworkers joked about me having a bed in there because I was usually the first to arrive and last person to leave each day. So to put it simply, I became obsessed. I had to give it my all because I would always wonder, “what if,” had I done something else. 

Q: Can you share with our audience what Buyers & Sellers can expect when they work with you?
AR: They can expect outstanding customer service, an agent that is going to go to bat for them in tough situations, an agent that is highly connected to get things done when others can’t, responsiveness to emails, texts and phone calls. I have a strong team that consists of a full time administrative assistant who is also a licensed agent and two additional full time listing & selling agents. There is ALWAYS someone available to assist if I am tied up.

Q: How have you dealt with Covid-19 on the buying and selling side?
AR: Thankfully, real estate was considered an essential service so when Covid hit, we were required to wear masks, gloves, and booties at our appointments. We had a slow start to the Spring market because of it but we are still seeing a strong market now when normally it would have started to slow after school started. 

Q: How do you help buyers compete in a tight market?
AR: I have good relationships with other agents that help give our buyers an edge. Also – setting realistic expectations with my clients. Letting them know that there is a strong possibility that the house is going to have multiple offers and that the price will go over asking. You have to decide what is the price you are willing to pay for the house and not get caught up on the list price. For example, if a house is listed for $400,000 and you offer $425,000 to outbid the competition…would you have paid $425,000 if that is what the house was originally listed for? 

Q: If we interviewed all your clients … what is “one” common word that comes up when they describe working with you?  
AR: One word is tough…how about a phrase…” gets it done.” Need to sell your house and move in 30 days? No problem. Have a neighborhood you’re set on living in but no houses for sell that fit your needs? I’ll call the neighborhood. Have a repair that didn’t get done before closing? I’ll get one of my vendors over there asap! I have great resources that I have gained over the years to help me when situations get sticky and my client is in a bind. I am also not afraid to talk to people that might be able to help me (and my client) get what they want.

Q: What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your career that you can share with our audience?
AR: I’ve learned so many lessons and most of them have cost me money! Ha. Honestly, it took a health scare to teach me that my health comes first and my job comes second. After my divorce, I made my business my number 1 priority. I think that needed to happen to get me where I am today in my career. But I can’t service my clients if I am sick or not here at all!!! So I’ve learned that taking care of myself means that I can be the best version of myself and therefore, I can be the best for my clients. Everyone wins!!! 

Q: Which woman inspires you and why? 
AR: The number one woman would absolutely be my mother. Most of my childhood was spent with her being a true single mom with no support from my father. Her parents also passed away prior to me so she didn’t have any family support either. I watched her get a college degree and then her Certified Public Accountant license which is like a Master Degree in Accounting. When she wasn’t working or attending one of my many activities (I played competitive sports…club volleyball, basketball, softball, ran track and danced), we were often at the library…her studying and me doing homework or reading. I learned early on that you have to be disciplined in order to achieve your goals.  

But in general, any woman that is willing to take a risk and put herself out there in her career is inspiring to me. 

Four Things About Allison Rank

1. If you could give everyone just one piece of advice, what would it be? 
Network. Sure I am considered “successful,” but that is only because people I know trusted me to be their agent. The relationships I have built are invaluable to me. I wish I had more time to connect more often with the people I know. Everyone is so unique and I enjoy being around people of all backgrounds and personality types. Except jerks. Don’t be a jerk! 

2. Where have you traveled? 
I played volleyball for People to People in Italy. That was my first experience out of the country. After that, I was hooked on travel. My mom took me to Paris and London for my graduation present since I got a full ride scholarship to college. I studied abroad in Mexico and Spain as well as, interned in Mexico my senior year of college. I got married in Canada. I visited my friends in Iceland and Costa Rica…wow…what beautiful countries! Then last Thanksgiving I took my mom on a river cruise down the Danube and we saw cities in Hungary, Austria, and Germany. I still want to get to South America & Australia. 

3. What music artist do you never get tired of? 
John Mayer

4. Who’s your favorite actor or actress? 
Julia Robert