Riley Day

Initially, Riley Day, a graduate of Keiser University‘s Business Administration degree program, planned a move to Jacksonville, Florida from Texas to pursue his education. After relocating and investigating various training options, he determined that a degree from Keiser University was a solid long-term plan.

While in college, Riley tended bar until hours were reduced due to COVID. At that time, he began exploring a career pathway in real estate, as his girlfriend had achieved much success since 2017. Initially, Riley was unsure about pivoting into real estate, despite the overwhelmingly strong market in Northeast Florida, low interest rates spurring buyer demand, and jobs that held during the pandemic. However, his mind was changed after seeing the earning potential in both selling and investing in real estate. He said, “I worried about the future and retirement until learning about the investing side.”

Riley achieved his real estate license in January 2020. Initially, it was overwhelming to know where and how to begin. He was drawn to Momentum Realty, which became a brokerage in 2020 due to the structure and mentoring provided. Quarterly master classes on topics such as winning multiple offers and providing quality customer service through genuine, organic relationships provided great insight.

During the pandemic, he and a partner began isolating a strategy to build a team, The Allied Group, at Momentum. Riley credits his business degree with helping him strategically approach this career transition, saying, “Real Estate is 100 percent a business. To be profitable, you must track numbers to avoid surprises.”

For those considering a real estate career, Riley recommends diving into the industry full-time to commit to learning the industry and establishing a solid reputation. He indicates that having income to sustain oneself for six months to one year is preferable, as agents work on commission. Someone entering the industry needs time to build clients, close deals, and become profitable. Joining a team and finding a good mentor are primary ways to successfully break into the industry.

With a hot real estate market and low inventory, it’s critical to have a competitive edge. Riley stresses that the agent must be the “leveling force” when negotiating deals on what is likely his client’s most significant investment. He also encourages individuals to read several books to establish a mindset that is critical to success in the industry:

• Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
• Wealth Can’t Wait by David Osborn
• Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason
• Tribe of Millionaires by Mike McCarthy and Pat Hiban

If you enjoy providing fantastic customer service, a career in Northeast Florida real estate is a viable option. Riley reiterates that multiple touch points with customers are critical. “Customer service and responsiveness are important. There have been multiple situations where other sellers cancelled their agreements with other agents so they could list with us,” he said.

Ultimately, Riley Day’s real estate career pathway with The Allied Group at Momentum is offering noteworthy opportunities right here in Northeast Florida.