Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Trzaskoma.
Hi Richard, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Joined the Air Force at 17, retired at 40 from the military. Started a job as a pilot at Southwest airlines the same day my military retirement began. When I started at Southwest it meant a move to be near work. So Tavares was where my wife of 24 years, Stacey, decided we would stay. Since the military and I had never given her a choice it seemed reasonable to nod.
We realized we both loved real estate some years ago. We have flipped several houses over the years and still are on the lookout. That mutual love includes lots of demolition. It was during one of these flips that I realized it would save us money if I was a Realtor.
When the first friend asked if I would help them sell a home I did not think much of it. But when a friend asked me to help find them a home….. that changed things. I love looking at houses, learning my clients and finding that perfect place. The hunt!
I have been a Realtor for many years now and still love that part.
The other thing that I started out thinking was that this income was unexpected. Not required for living and that opened up a new world of giving. Giving to both my clients and to charity. It’s not some formula of percentages. Some clients need help to get into a modest home so if I can tip the scale I do. Maybe a family buys a house that needs a new water heater, I can do that. Or in most cases simply a credit at closing to put some money back in their pockets. The charity part is the one I have grown to love. You will find foster-children and veterans are my focus. Sometimes I stray for a good cause. Suffice it to say a far larger part of my compensation goes to other people than myself.
The gifts to people are obviously private but my donations are not veiled in mystery. I put them right on my website for everyone to see. www.keyswithacause.com
Anyone that knows me would tell you it does not end there. I have been a Guardian ad’ Litem for 6 years, working with foster kids. I am the manager of the Mount Dora American Legion bar and kitchen, 2nd Vice-Commander to be serious. I sit on the board for the charity Voices for Children of North Central Florida. And am a public notary AND licensed minister. So happy to throw in a marriage a few times a year.
I am sure there is more. But that seems good to me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In recent years I would say I have been blessed.
The past has thrown a few curveballs but taken in stride. I think financial struggles test us all. After 9/11 I spent a great portion of my life deployed away from family. That, I imagine, played a part in drugs and jail entering the lives of my children as they became adults. Many of those battles are what equipped me to work with foster-children. I have walked most of the roads that I see.
Professionally, being a Realtor with another job caused people to challenge my level of work. I take great pride at the end of a transaction when the words “You are the best Realtor we have ever had” come pouring out.
I would end as I began, I am blessed.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Hickory Hill Realty and Management?
I am a Realtor that works for Hickory Hill. My broker Lois Benaglio is AMAZING. I left my previous brokerage, not because of happiness, but because there were hurdles to giving at the level I currently do. I had to ask permission to credit someone $5k at closing. Lois told me to give what I want and left me with one order. Don’t screw up my paperwork. In fact, she often gives as well!
And if you know another Realtor with this simple guarantee let me know. If you are unhappy with my performance at the end of the transaction I will donate all of my compensation to charity. That simple.
HH is a small family brokerage which makes it different. There are only a few of us, less than 10. We talk often and less about real estate than life. We know our community and put it first. You won’t find someone willing to trade money for something damaging to others later. I love a sense of “service before self”. That was a military quote…. but I live it every day.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I think at my age this counts as history.
My parents took my brother, sister and I skiing at Lake Tahoe. (Ski Incline) I was probably 12, sister 11 and brother 8. The trip was amazing with that perfect temperature and the 3 of us cheating death at every opportunity.
We rarely saw my parents that day.
It was near the end of the day that we solved a great mystery. The entire day we had seen these strange blue streaks in the snow or in a snowbank. It turned out my father bought a new pair of Levis and had not washed them. So he spent 2 days painting the hills blue.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.keyswithacause.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realtorwithatwist
