Impending fatherhood seems like the last scenario in which one would want to make a career change.
That life change didn’t faze Chattanooga native Bobby Ankar, who made the leap from a stable career in finance to one of uncertainty in real estate while awaiting the birth of his first child.
“Looking back on transitioning into real estate in the first place, it was kind of crazy that I left a stable career to one in real estate, which was a big change,” Ankar says. “I knew how important it was to be at home with my kids, especially early on.”
Along with being there for the family he was building, Ankar cites family he grew up with as a source of inspiration. The Ankars are familiar with entrepreneurial endeavors; his father started his own business (Ankar’s Billiards), which would be passed on to his brother, his cousins own the prolific local restaurant chain “Ankar’s Hoagies,” and another brother is a dentist operating a private practice.
“Coming from a family of entrepreneurs…I always knew I wanted to work for myself, and real estate was an option to do that,” Ankar says.
It had been a stark transition for Ankar – a great leap from a stable career with full benefits and a good salary to a position where nothing is guaranteed, all while also starting a real estate firm of his own with a cohort, which he sold his interest in earlier this year.
Ankar has since moved to Real Estate Partners Chattanooga, where he continues to diversify his portfolio, assist clientele and expand his experience. He has invested in both residential and commercial properties, as well as new home developments in the Southside Chattanooga and surrounding areas.
He characterizes his entry into the real estate world as a challenging time for him and his wife, but it wasn’t long before momentum began to build. Considering his experience in investments, Ankar is no stranger to a well-calculated risk, especially one with a high return.
“It was a lot to leave,” he recalls. “It was a big decision to make. I left a stable career with a pregnant wife, started a new one, and on top of that started a new business. Looking back, I’m like ‘What was that?’ But it all panned out.”
Like many in the industry, Ankar started by investing in residential property as a form of residual income, later diving into the commercial sector alongside his residential investments.
Coming into his fifth year in real estate, Ankar began working toward CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) designation, which he completed earlier this year.
Gaining this credential involves rigorous coursework coupled with frequent commutes to Atlanta for in-person courses and an intense examination process. Becoming a CCIM has been beneficial to both Ankar’s personal and professional growth, as well as boosting his credibility. Holding this credential alongside the growth experienced through the process gives more value to the clients, which is a goal for Ankar.
“The goal is to provide value to the clients – having more knowledge and more expertise only adds value to the clients,” Ankar says.
Ankar references his background in finance alongside holding the CCIM designation as a leg up in understanding the numbers that go into a commercial transaction, separating him from other agents. However, numbers, credentials and expertise are not his primary focus.
To Ankar, being known and trusted by clientele are salient characteristics to standing out. Having experience with investing, he looks to be someone people can rely on when making a major financial decision, knowing he can help someone else who is navigating experiences he’s previously endured.
“I’m not out here just trying to push things on people,” Ankar says. “If you’ve done it for yourself before, you like it when you can help someone else. I’ve not done a ton of work cold calling people I don’t know; people work with me because they know me and trust me.”
With care for his family and a wealth of personal experience and knowledge in mind, Ankar says he isn’t just out to make a sale. While that may be the nature of the industry, Bobby Ankar maintains a client-first attitude – striving to guide those facing major financial decisions in the right direction. He builds his platform on trustworthiness, personability and credibility; always sure to provide the best possible outcome for clients.
He isn’t the typical salesperson hounding at the door to cash in on his next big commission or cold-calling strangers. He comes across as a humble subject-matter expert putting clients over sales always bearing family in mind, reaching great lengths, and persevering through difficult transitions to deliver his best.
“The way I view it with respect to taking the leap was that I had confidence,” he says. “If I served my clients well by always doing the right thing and keeping their best interest at the forefront, all while helping them achieve their goals, the rest would just fall into place. So far, that has been a recipe for success.”