Clearest path to success is helping others, says Silicon Valley Realtors’ 2022 president
On February 1, the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors will officially install
Brett Caviness as 2022 president and its 2022 officers and directors. A Realtor with Compass in Menlo Park, Caviness is
one of the youngest Realtors to assume the role
of president of a Realtor association.
A native of Iowa, Caviness long aspired to sell real estate in California. He graduated in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and a minor in real estate from the University of Northern Iowa. While still in college he earned his real estate license in 2009 and sold a few homes. Then, in
2012, Caviness moved to Palo Alto and as soon as he got his California real estate license, he hit the ground running.
At age 29, Caviness had a 2017 individual sales volume of $19.3 million and 16 individual transaction sides. The following year, he was selected one of 50 finalists nationwide in Realtor Magazine’s 2018 Class of 30 Under 30.
Early into his career, Caviness strived to be a leader in the industry. Before his role as president-elect last year, he was a member of SILVAR’S Menlo Parkatherton District Council and served as the district’s chair and as California Association of Realtors Region 9 director in 2015. He received the 2016 SILVAR President’s Award for his contributions to the association.
“I like being involved, contributing, being part of something bigger and giving back,” says Caviness.
Millennials, like Caviness, are reshaping the industry with their affinity with the digital world. Already in 2015,
Caviness taught classes
at SILVAR on how agents can use video to
market themselves and their listings, but he notes, technology is not everything.
In his profile for Realtor Magazine, Caviness wrote, “… I grew up with technology so it’s not a thing; it’s just part of life. From my own experience in the business starting in 2009, it seems that what agents
can and do benefit most from is personal and business development, accountability, and support. I also believe that the business - now more than ever - is more about the agent-to-client relationship and less about company and brand.”
As president of SILVAR, Caviness wants to raise the standard of the profession, help agents better serve their clients and community, and focus on homeownership rights. “I want to continue building member engagement through virtual
and in person events and classes, and by delivering video content to our members. I want to enrich our Realtor community by focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion through strengthening involvement with affiliated organizations, committees, and overall member engagement,” says Caviness. “I also want to focus on recognizing and elevating the service our members are already doing all year and provide unique opportunities for Realtors to contribute to our local community and our Realtor community.”
Caviness learned the value of customer service at an early age, delivering newspapers, working at Subway and Dairy Queen. When someone asks if he is available, he does not answer “sure”; he answers, “absolutely!”
Real estate is a hard business, says Caviness. He attributes his success to his personal desire
and drive to succeed, and the fact that he did not have a safety net to fall back on.
Today, more than ever, Caviness says Realtors need to go back to basics. He advises agents to take education courses, know the data, establish a relationship of trust with their clients, and be their voice.
“The clearest path to success is helping others, whether it is over the phone or meeting them in person. We need to make sure our clients know we’re available for them,” says Caviness.