Danielle Andrews, 30, a broker in Tallahassee, Florida
I was a middle school social studies teacher when I first got my real-estate license. I’ve been in the industry for nine years.
Initially, I only planned to do real estate part-time to supplement teaching — just summers and a little extra income. However, I discovered my passion for it and have been fully immersed in the industry since 2016. I opened my own brokerage in 2022.
Navigating the industry as a woman has meant balancing breaking stereotypes and maintaining authenticity. It’s been a whirlwind journey — not easy, but incredibly rewarding.
Even though the average profile of real estate agents is female, they tend to be more male-dominated when it comes to related fields like inspections, construction, and development. I’ve lost count of how often a contractor or client has tried to “man-splain” something I’m already well-versed in.
I’ve had experiences where I’ve spoken to male inspectors or contractors, and they’ll say things like, “Well, you don’t or wouldn’t know anything about that,” or they try to speak above me — as if we’re not colleagues and on the same level. Those moments have taught me the value of preparation and confidence.
Safety is another critical aspect of this industry. As real-estate agents, we often meet new people in unfamiliar locations, so it’s essential to prioritize our well-being.
Sometimes, sellers forget to secure weapons or belongings, and occasionally, sellers’ agents fail to communicate that the seller will still be home during a showing. Entering someone’s home can be alarming, and in some cases, people may react out of fear.
I’ve learned to always share my location with a trusted person, along with the name and details of the person I’m meeting. Most importantly, I’ve learned to trust my instincts. If something feels off, I take precautions.
I’ll do some due diligence, especially if I get a gut feeling that something isn’t quite right.
We have a benefit through our local board association called Forewarn. It’s an app that allows you to search for someone by name or phone number and shows their criminal history and public records.
I also tend to do research on social media if I’m unsure about someone, especially if they weren’t referred to me by a family member or someone I know.
If something still seems off, my last two measures are to take another agent with me — preferably a male. Sometimes, my husband has come along to showings for added presence.
No transaction is worth compromising your safety.
