Today we’d like to introduce you to Kertisha Cobb.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Well, honestly, real estate was not my first career choice. I am a believer of The Most High God and I allow him to direct my steps. In saying that, I remember asking God, “What am I to do?” Now, for me, I didn’t think that I would get an answer so quickly. But I did! “Real Estate” is the word that was heard. I laughed for a second because I simply did not see myself as a “Real Estate Agent”.
I started this real estate journey over 14 years ago. Not knowing “how” it was going to come about, “How” I was going to get the money to pay for the class, and “How” I would get back and forth to my class (Because my husband and I only had one mode of transportation back then). It was tough. Because when you are “charged” to do something, you KNOW that it has to be done! But, over time I realized that in fact, it was God ordering my steps.
I’ll never forget when I spoke with my husband about starting real estate school. I let him know that the class was not affordable for me to join. At the time, there were only two real estate schools. And both were in the price range of $400+. I told my husband, “Well if I have to work two jobs in order to pay for school, I’m willing to do it.” I said, “If God SAYS that I am to do this, then HE WILL make a way!” And that is what happened too! I heard God once more. He instructed me to contact a local community college to ask about the class. I did as instructed. And wouldn’t you know that the class was only $65!!! When I tell you God WILL make a WAY out of NO WAY, you BETTER believe it!! I was able to pay for the class!
Now, of course, that was not my storybook ending. My life starting hitting me pretty rough. Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. I was struggling with putting gas in the car going back and forth to school. Poverty hit my family badly. So, instead of focusing on getting my real estate license, I had to find a better job to help provide for my family. My husband and I together made about a combined $400 a week. I had to focus on getting our light bill paid because we simply didn’t have the money to take care of it. Bills were piling up altogether. And not to mention that I had to pull money from an already overdrawn account just to get diapers for my child. When I say it was tough, believe me..it was!! So, I got easily distracted by that every time I went to class. I got so distressed to point that I questioned everything. It was a tough period for me and one that I will never forget. But, I remember the teacher that taught the class. She was so sweet and caring. I noticed she would always encourage me to keep pushing forward. But, of course, I tuned it out and quit the class. I just didn’t think real estate was for me. Regardless, of what I heard from God or what I saw him do, I just felt like it was not something that I needed to do.
I took a long break. And focused on getting my family out of poverty. I worked a retail job for a number of years. I was trying to climb the ladder there but, it wasn’t working. But, here comes God! Nudging me to get back on what he commanded for me to do. I just ignored it. Until finally, I couldn’t any longer. I tried the class a second time. Wouldn’t you know that the same teacher was teaching this class? I remember my first day back, the teacher said to me, “Kertisha, I am going to ensure that you pass.” I said, “I feel like I can do it this time!” Well, a month in, my class of 20 went down to 6. The test and class overall whooped my behind!! I kept putting my best foot forward. But I could never pass the questions in the book. I was like “I am just going to quit!” And that is what I did! The teacher found out that I quit. She called me on my home phone. I saw that it was her on my caller ID. I didn’t answer my phone. Because I knew, she was not going to let me quit. But, I felt sorry for myself and just wanted to shut real estate out. I wanted to even shut out the notion that I would be a real estate agent at all. I got back to focusing on my family and shut out this “real estate life” because I felt like it was not for me.
I truly talked myself of it. So, I dropped the thought of real estate for a few years. Again, here was that “nudging”!! I remember that I couldn’t get a moment’s peace because the “nudging” kept happening more and more! I still wasn’t convinced I was ready. Because if you haven’t already understood by now, I was a little hardheaded and felt unworthy to take on this task.
That said, it was another year before I took the class for the third time. This time, there was a new teacher and a new book. I was like, “Ok, I am here now, so, I’ll just roll with it!” This teacher was a little tough. Her voice was stern and strong. And she meant business! Now, don’t get me wrong, she was nice. However, she did look like the type that would put you in your place respectfully. My focus was strong. I buckled down and gave this ALL that I had to give. This class had literally only 5 people in it, including yours truly. Each week, I would outshine my classmates! Test after test was passed. I remember one time that I slacked up a bit, here comes the teacher “literally” gathering my entire life and snatched the “slacking” by the root. So, I knew that I had to get back to business. Here I was at the end of the class, I literally can see myself finishing this class. But, here comes another snag! I got a call from a job that I was waiting on. This was a great-paying job. I had interviewed a couple of weeks prior. I didn’t think they would call me back so soon. But here is the kicker, the start date clashed with the last date (which was also my testing date) for real estate class. I couldn’t push back the start date for my job. It was one of those situations where you would have to start at the time they designated you to start or you didn’t have a job. So, I knew that I had to get some things moving!
I spoke with my stern real estate instructor. I knew that I had to ask her for a favor. Now, I didn’t know what to expect honestly. Because this chick went by the book on everything! But I felt like I came too far to quit now. So, I put on my “big girl panties” and asked her for a favor. I began to explain my situation to her. I asked her “What can I do?” “I know that I can’t afford to take this class again!” This same stern teacher said in the most calming voice that I ever heard from her at that time. She said, “Kertisha, I have literally watched you grow in my classroom.” “There is something about you that I can’t describe.” “And I know that you will do well in real estate.” “Under any normal circumstances, I can’t let you take the test a day early”. “But I am going to do it for you.” I cried so hard. Because it is just like that for God to work it out. Because he will accomplish what he needs to do.
I came in that day, she snuck me into another classroom and I took my test. I took my time on it too! I turned in the test, not knowing if I passed it or not. But I left it in God’s hands and walked away. A few days later, the teacher called me and said “Kertisha, you passed!!!” I screamed, hollered, and cried! Because I knew what I went through to get this accomplishment.
I received my certificate in the mail. I stared at it. I felt excited. I felt like I was well on my way. I ordered my application from my local real estate commission to take the test. I looked at that application, put it to the side, and had every intention to look at it. But it ended up collecting dust. Literally! I began working my new job at the time. And everything was looking up. My husband had a better job too. And finally, I felt like my life was on track and complete. Honestly, I put real estate on hold again. I wanted to climb the ladder at this job too. I got paid way more money and life was good. I didn’t want that to stop. Year after year at this job, I remember feeling more and more uncomfortable. (That is really the best way to describe it.) The feeling of not feeling “complete” came over me. Yep, it was that “charge” from God pushing at me again! I just finally caved in and realized that there was no getting away from this at all. I had finally “submitted” to the will of God. I had to do it. I needed to do it. And God’s will had to be done in my life.
I went back to that application, completed it, and submitted it back to my local commission. I received my testing location in the mail a week later. Because it was years after I passed the real estate course originally, the laws and the way test were structured was so different! I had to literally re-learn everything and then some! It was no easy task! I spent nights studying. My days at work were filled with phone calls with irate customers and notecards with key terms on them to study while a customer was fusing about why their service wasn’t working. I went so hard on studying!
I geared up to take the test. And I failed it. I tried again and I failed it by one point! You talking about someone being heated! Because I was!! But I studied a bit more. Determined to see this thing through finally! You think by now things will get easier for me. But, of course, they didn’t. In the middle of trying to prepare for testing, I get a call from my grandmother. She said, “Kertisha, your grandfather is sick”. “His eyes are yellow and he is losing weight”. “You need to come home.” I stopped what I was doing and came home. I saw my once strong and proud grandfather wasting away. I remember bringing my real estate book with me to study and to give my grandmother a hand to take care of my grandfather. Lord, those days were tough. But God does things for a reason. My grandfather saw me with my real estate books. He said ” Your grandma told me that you are taking your real estate test.” I said “Yes Sir, I am taking it.” “The last time that I took it, I missed it by one point.” He said in the strongest voice that he could muster, “I know you are going to pass that test!” “You will be fine”. He hugged me and told me how proud he was of me with the little bit of strength that he had.
I was getting ready to take the test again. But I got another call from my mom saying, “Your grandad is in the hospital”. His condition turned for the worst. I went to see him. He was asleep. He could barely keep open his eyes. Tears filled my eyes and I told him, “Grandaddy, I will continue to make you proud.” “I am going to take the test as we talked about.” “I will finish this!” “I love you Grandaddy.” I left the room. Later that night, I called to check in with my grandmother to see if my grandfather was okay. (He was transitioning to the hospice that night.) But, instead of hearing my grandmother’s voice, it was my cousin. She informed me that he passed away. The news hit me like a ton of bricks. I had to put things on hold briefly to help my grandmother with funeral arrangements, preparing for family and friends to visit, and comforting her to get through it. We buried my grandfather shortly after. That situation had a true impact on me. In more ways than one actually. My grandparents raised me. They both had an equal impact on my life. So, to see the man that I considered “Dad” leave this earth took a bit of a toll on me. But, I knew I had to press forward. My grandfather was a man of few words. But, I always saw him move with “purpose”. His actions were full of intention. It’s safe to say that “Phillp Hodges” (My grandfather’s name) was a man that “walked the walk” and he for dang on sure did not do a lot of talking! And thinking about the man he was, is what pushed me to get up and move forward!
Thinking about my grandfather’s last words to me, God’s words, and the words of the teachers that taught me in real estate, gave me more of a push to complete this task. Yes, I was heartbroken. But I knew something greater than me had to come forth. I took the test for the last time. I got up from my chair and waited for the test proctor to print my results. I was nervous as all get out! The test proctor said, “You passed!!” I was like “Girl, you’re lying!”, as if this woman was my homegirl. But, she showed me the paper. It said, “Passed”. I told the test proctor, “Listen, I have got to hug you!” “I know you don’t know me!” She said, “It’s okay!” And she allowed me to hug her.
Fast forward to today, I have had a thriving real estate career! I have sold a lot of homes over the years. And connected with people in this business that has changed my life for the good! I ended up opening “The Cobb Realty Group Inc” in October 2019. In our first year, we had sold several million dollars in real estate! That was pretty good for our first year in business. Looking back, I see why God has put me here. I have helped many families to break generational curses. I have helped people to believe that they can and will obtain a home. Guess what? They do! My firm is nowhere near the “traditional” way of real estate at all. Nothing about us is the “normal” real estate experience. What you get from The Cobb Realty Group is so much more. Your life “literally” changes after you are done with us. That is the best way to describe it. The way that I help my clients is so much more than what meets the eye. Any one of my clients can tell you that “Kertisha is the real deal”. “And when you get with her, prepare for a change!” You have to understand where I’ve been to understand where I’m going. All that I went through, prepared me for this moment. My life is literally my teaching platform to the average “First Time Homebuyer” that believes they cannot achieve homeownership. When you see me talking about this, understand I went through in under to “effectively” encourage those that need to hear it. With that said, I can see my purpose clearer and clearer every day. As I have said before, I am going to buckle up for this ride. Because this is only the beginning! You will hear more about The Cobb Realty Group soon! Mark my words!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As you have heard from the answer to the first question, it was not! I had struggled with not having faith in myself. Not believing that I was good enough to do this work. Not having the confidence and faith initially to push this through, is what made it a hard time for me. However, I now truly understand that “Faith can move mountains.” Sometimes, that’s all you have. And really in the bottomline, that’s all you need when life comes your way.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Cobb Realty Group Inc. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Just know that here at The Cobb Realty Group Inc., we are nowhere near “traditional” real estate! You know, like the type of real estate transactions that are either a simple purchase or sale of a home. We thrive on meeting people where they are. We help our clients to not only prepare for their real estate transactions but, we want them to gain a better understanding of wealth, credit, and the new “lifestyle” change that they are getting ready to approach. Because after all, there is a “mental” transition that has to take place before anything can begin. We work with everyone! Buyers, Sellers, and Investors. But, as a firm, first-time homebuyers have been our specialty for a while. It is the group that tends to get led astray by greedy companies in this business.
We take the steps necessary to educate our clients on everything from start to finish! We are known for “Education Before The Transaction.” That’
The Cobb Realty Group Inc. offers many services under the real estate umbrella. Try us! We will take care of you!
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to continue to grow this brand. I see this going national honestly. (And, in time it will!!) We have something special here and I know that it is going to grow bigger than I ever imagined. I can see getting a bigger office and servicing many people. And multiple offices in different locations. Also, hiring agents that want to change their communities and are not just looking for a “quick buck”. Sidebar: Because you will not make a “quick buck” in real estate! LOL! For real! Eventually, I intend to change the way real estate is done. It will take time. But, it will indeed change!
Contact Info:
- Email: kertishacobb@cobbrealtygroup.com
- Website: www.cobbrealtygroup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecobbrealtygroup
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourWayneCountyLiving
Image Credits
Ashley Armstrong
A Captured Moment Photography
