Man helps fellow veterans into real estate
YUKON — Danny DeKinder served his country in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years. After he retired as a lieutenant colonel, he joined Keller Williams Elite in Yukon as a real estate agent and Realtor.
Because he experienced a lack of help finding the resources he needed for a new career, he knew other veterans would need guidance. So in addition to selling homes, he has made helping other veterans build real estate careers part of his business. He founded RealEstate CareersforHeroes.com.
“I began Real Estate Careers for Heroes about six months ago, and I was helping other veterans during my transition,” he said. “Just last month a veteran I helped passed the test in Louisiana, another listed their first two homes, and another became licensed and bought a great home for herself.”
DeKinder said he never turns down the opportunity to help a veteran, because he’s been in the gap between military and civilian life, too. In just a short amount of time, he's helped more than 50 fellow veterans, from those thinking about possible careers to people who have started the process of becoming a real estate agent to those who are already helping clients.
“We can all use a little help at some point. I like to answer questions and share what the real estate career and the transition looks like from another vet’s perspective,” DeKinder said. “It doesn’t mean they’ll get into it, they just need someone they relate to who understands all of the terminology.”
He said he thinks veterans’ familiarity with following rules, transition experience, integrity and work ethic help them understand a client’s needs and real estate contracts. But he also acknowledges differences between his new career and his time in uniform.
“In real estate, you have to put yourself out there a lot, and it may not be for everybody,” he said. “You shake someone’s hand and may not see them again. It’s a big transition, since in the military you learn to trust the person next to you all the time.”
As he helps others find their new careers, DeKinder measures his efforts by more than just the value of his contracts.
“When you leave the military, you have to find success for yourself,” DeKinder said. “I serve in real estate because it falls into my definition of success.”