Bill Gardner has worked in the insurance industry for over a decade, specializing in high-end homes and vehicles. As his business grew, so did the opportunities to expand his business portfolio. One day, Bill's longtime friend — who is a brokerage owner — approached Bill and asked if he was willing to partner with him in a new mortgage company. The symmetry between Bill's current business and the new one was a no-brainer, and after discussing it with his family, Bill decided to take on the new challenge.
As the mortgage business grew, so did Bill's attention to real estate, leading to more frequent conversations about becoming an agent. Excited about the industry — and armed with his housing-market knowledge — Bill decided to get his license four years ago. He became an agent because he already enjoyed helping people with their home transactions, and he wanted to be a bigger part of the puzzle.
In the beginning, Bill utilized his license to help friends and family with their real estate transactions while continuing to spend most of his time on his other business ventures. Upon completing his first year as an agent, however, Bill knew that he needed to continue pursuing real estate. With his already-established clientele through the insurance agency and his access to clients from his uncle's financial advising firm, Bill could see how successful he could become in real estate.
First, Bill had to have some tough discussions with his business partner — who happened to be his father — at Gardner & Gardner Insurance Agency, but with his father's and wife's encouragement, Bill took a step back from his primary role at the company and dedicated himself to real estate full time. He takes pride in the fact that, with constant changes in both his personal and professional life, he can always rely on his wife, Elizabeth; his dad, Bill Gardner Sr.; and Uncle Mark Gardner to support him during those times.
Originally from Lake Orion, Bill moved to Northville in 2003. He and Elizabeth have three children — Chloe, Barron and Cash. The kids are very active in sports, and the family loves traveling together. They consider themselves beach people and head to Naples, Florida, a few times per year. One of Bill's favorite parts of this business is having the freedom to create his own schedule. Bill's family is his world, and because of real estate, he can ensure his time with them is well spent.
Bill's success stems from being available to take on opportunities whenever they present themselves and making sure that the opportunities are a great fit for him and his family. For instance, because of his frequent trips to Florida, Bill decided that a smart fit for his business would be to also get licensed there. With many of his clients in Michigan also looking to have a property in Florida, having the ability to sell in the Sunshine State made it easy for him to assist his clients down south as well.
Like most agents in the field, Bill continues his education by keeping up with industry journals and books to ensure he stays relevant. He relies on the practices he and his father have built in the insurance business and continues them in his current business at @properties Christie's International Real Estate today.
For new agents in the industry, Bill advises them to be good communicators. He believes the easy suggestion is always to answer your phone, but the real advice is to be diligent. He also believes that you do not have to have all the answers, but as long as you are honest and considerate of what they want, you will have a client for life. Time is something you cannot control, but through success, you can earn the ability to utilize the time you have to the fullest.
