Will Wiard, Side’s managing broker for the DMV region (D.C., Maryland & Virginia), has an impressive background. A National Association of REALTORS® 30 Under 30 Honoree, and a longstanding Virginia REALTORS® Director, Will has brokered over $2.5 billion of real estate transactions in the last five years alone.
Will’s most remarkable statistic might be his start date. At just 21 years old, Will earned his broker’s license, and has been going strong ever since.
We caught up with Will to learn more about that early start and how it’s shaped his career.
You got started in real estate right out of high school. What brought that about?
When I graduated high school, my father — who had worked in real estate prior to joining the military — literally tossed a real estate for dummies book at me and said, “You’re going to read this and become a real estate broker.” That is how it all started.
My father — who had worked in real estate prior to joining the military — literally tossed a real estate for dummies book at me and said, “You’re going to read this and become a real estate broker.”
Wow, really?
Yes. It was a difficult adjustment. I was so young, and there were definitely some challenging times. With my father’s guidance and continued motivation, I was able to graduate college, sell real estate, and earn a broker’s license at 21. Subsequently, I started my first job as a broker, and was hired as the principal broker of our indie brokerage firm.
Not many people can say they’ve been a managing broker since age 21.
That’s true. It was more like an unpaid internship, working for family — It was the most rewarding, and humbling experience. I focused on strengthening my skills as a real estate broker, while simultaneously attending college. It was an invaluable opportunity with a fairly steep learning curve.
What made you choose the managing broker route instead of the producer route?
Three years prior to earning my broker’s license, I was successfully selling real estate as an agent. During this time, I came across a diverse group of agents with varying commitments to the practice. As a firm believer of the NAR Code of Ethics, it was disappointing to encounter these inconsistencies. As a broker in a management position, I have a unique responsibility to coach, and support agents in providing an unwavering dedication to their clients, and community through obligation, and transparency. In doing so, I believe I’m able help in the industry as a whole.
In fact, one of the principles that appeals to me is Side, Inc.’s commitment to improving the industry by elevating, and supporting the very best agents. This definitely resonated with my own beliefs.
What are some of the biggest challenges you see facing agents in the DMV region right now?
The biggest challenge is integrating, and bridging the gap between the advancements in real estate from a digital marketing, and technological standpoint while maintaining the basic principles of real estate. There is a newer generation of agents who are extremely tech-savvy. Although they are successfully able to get numerous leads through media platforms, they often need guidance in knowing how to manage, and facilitate the deal. On the contrary, there are seasoned agents, who are extremely proficient at closing deals, though lack the marketing technological skills, many still relying on referrals.
I have had the privilege of experiencing both sides of the field. Having started my real estate career as a teenager allowed me to be efficient in the technological aspects, digital marketing, and media sector. Concurrently, I can still recall, and interpret the white, yellow, and pink three-ply paper contracts. As a managing broker, it is my job to support, and bring together both aspects of the spectrum.
What are you most excited about when it comes to the managing broker position at Side?
I am excited to establish, and cultivate partnerships. I am highly motivated to be present as a resource for our incredible partners. I look forward to working closely with our partners by mutually proposing solutions, and tackling challenges together to ensure our partners’ unique goals, and visions are accomplished — and that’s something I’m really excited about.
